01 march, 2015

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

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Falgun 17, 1421, Jamadiul Awal 9, 1436

FBI TO JOIN SEARCH FOR AVIJIT KILLERS PAGE 3

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 2, No 325

6 VEHICLES TORCHED IN CAPITAL PAGE 4

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www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages | Price: Tk10

JUSTICE ELUDES TERROR VICTIMS

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Key militants flee as RAB drive continues Elite force recovers another cache of explosives enough to arm an entire battalion n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong Key militants have managed to flee and avoid arrest by the Rapid Action Battalion’s recent drives. The elite crime busters have busted three militant dens, seized a huge cache of arms and sensitive documents over the last 10 days in Chittagong.

While they have arrested a number of militants, the hybrid law enforcement unit is unsure about which groups ran the dens that doubled as training centres.

However, RAB sources say they suspect three banned Islamist organisations – JMB, Huji and Hizb ut-Tahrir, and another Ansarullah Bangla Team – are operating actively in the region.

RAB 7 discovered a stockpile of deadly explosives yesterday morning at a house in Bashundhara Residential Area in Chittagong’s Halishahar and detained three persons including a leader of Islami Chhatri Sangstha, Jamaat’s female student front.

They sized 76 handmade grenades, 150kg of explosives, 30 types of bomb-making equipment, 24 rounds of shotgun ammunition, other equipment including 96 pairs of combat weight belts and 86 pairs of jungle boots besides many documents and Jihadi books of Jamaat’s student front Islami Chhatra Shibir and other banned Islamist outfits.

The trio arrested during the 36-hour drive are Rahima Akhter, 21, a leader of Chhatri Sangstha’s Chittagong city (south) unit, her brother Faizul Haq, 30, and another Abdul Hye, 36.

RAB chief Benazir Ahmed visited the spot with Additional Director General Col Ziaul Ahsan and Director (legal and media) Command-

A large cache of firearms, ammunition, and bomb-making materials was seized from a house in the Halishahar area of Chittagong city yesterday by RAB. Four people, including a woman, were arrested and various documents and books on jihad were recovered from the spot DHAKA TRIBUNE er Mufti Mahmud. Benazir said an entire battalion could be equipped with the explosives at a press conference.

Sources in RAB said, one Parvez, the leader of the group managed to flee during the drive.

On February 19, the same unit nabbed 12 militants from an Arabic literature and language coaching centre, Al Madrasatul Abu Bakar, in Alipur area of Hathazari. But the head of the coaching centre Mohammad Fattah escaped.

Based on information gleaned from the

arrestees, RAB busted a militant training centre inside a reserve forest in Lotmoni of Banshkhali area on February 21 and nabbed five more militants.

They found a large cache of arms and ammunition along with combat training equipment but Mohammad Mobarak and his brother, who ran the place, fled the scene sensing the presence of law enforcers.

Both police and RAB sources claim that the key militants have been evading arrest

because the elite force is conducting drives without any support from the local police.

Halishahar OC Syed Abu Mohammad Shahjahan said he had not been informed about the drive. He learnt about the operation from the local ward councillor yesterday morning.

A high official of RAB 7, seeking anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune that the key leaders usually go into hiding whenever they fail to get in touch with people who are designated at certain locations.

“When any of their men are busted, the key leaders get wind of our drives,” RAB 7 Commanding Officer Lt Col Mifta Uddin said.

The flat in Bashundhara was rented by Faizul and his fake relatives early in February.

Owner of the five-storey building is a US expatriate and was looked after by a relative.

The neighbours and locals said they had no idea about the tenants. The windows of the flat remained shut most of the time.

“Another 2,000 grenades could be produced with the seized explosives and raw materials,” Mifta said adding that the entire building would have been blown apart if there were an accident.

Benazir said an evil force was working to unleash anarchy in the country and turn it into an Afghanistan. He, however, refused to disclose the identity of the group “for the sake of investigation.”

Such underground activities are usually run in collaboration with international and local militant groups and their patrons, he observes. “The volume of explosives and ammunition suggests that the militants planned deadly sabotage in Chittagong and adjoining areas,” the RAB boss added. l

Manna mystery man tracked down Tigers reach Nelson for Scotland tie n Mohammad Jamil Khan The location of a previously unidentified Bangladeshi expatriate who spoke on Viber with Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna has been tracked down.

Identified only as “Mamun” – believed to be a nickname – the mysterious caller lives in Australia, Detective Branch (DB) officials told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Further details of the caller’s identity, whose conversation has given rise to a sedition probe, were not yet known. Detectives

PAGE 4 Pro-BNP lawyers win Dhaka Bar poll

said they were trying out diplomatic channels.

DB Joint Commissioner Monirul Islam said there was no doubt that Manna was involved in a conspiracy against the government. He said everyone involved in the conspiracy would be tracked down and would face the law.

Yesterday was the third day of a 10-day remand for Manna, a former Awami League leader, who is being investigated in a case filed with Gulshan police station for alleged involvement in inciting the army to take over the country.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

PAGE 6 Off-shore energy hunt pre-bid meet today

n Mazhar Uddin from Nelson Bangladesh players reached Nelson, New Zealand yesterday evening ahead of their fourth Pool A game against Scotland this Thursday at Saxton Oval. The Tigers, playing the Scots on the back of a 92-run defeat against the Lankans, will look to give a much better account of themselves in a new country and new surroundings.

Bangladesh have been unchanged in

PAGE 6 Hanif: Khaleda, get ready for life in jail

their first three games against Afghanistan, Australia and Sri Lanka. However, in the must-win game against the Scots, the Tigers might play one of the two specialist spinners  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

PAGE 9 Cox’s Bazar in dire straits due to drinking water crisis

DT

2 NEWS

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

EDITOR’S NOTE

Introducing the compact Dhaka Tribune

A

newspaper is nothing without its readers. It is to you we owe our very existence and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you once again for your loyalty in sticking with us over the past two years. It remains our honour and our privilege, for which we are deeply appreciative.

In this time we have strived constantly to serve you better by covering the news of the day from angles no one else is, through exclusive special investigations, razor sharp comment and analysis, and fascinating feature and lifestyle content. Every day we strive to be worthy of your time.

Today, we enter a new era with the launch of the Dhaka Tribune as a compact newspaper.

We believe that our new format will enhance your daily reading experience and that the newlook paper will be more readable and convenient than ever before.

The all compact Dhaka Tribune will be all the news you want. No more, no less. It is perfect for your busy on-the-go lifestyle and will ensure that you remain fully informed in as little time as possible.

Have no fear that there will be any compromise on quality. The newspaper will continue to be as hard-hitting and in-depth as before. Don’t let the new look fool you! We may be smaller, but we will still pack a wallop, and you will find no more serious paper anywhere on the market.

We won’t waste your time with unnecessary fillers. If it is in the DT it is worth your time.

That is our promise to our readers. It will be everything you need to know and nothing you don’t. We are mindful of the time pressures of modern day life, and this is a newspaper that is designed fully for your convenience and ease of use.

Today, the Dhaka Tribune proudly joins the modern trend of compact papers, following in the august foot-steps of publications such as The Times, The (UK) Independent, The Guardian, The Christian Science Monitor, Le Monde, the Wall Street Journal, and many more.

We firmly believe that once you get used to it, you will wonder how you ever had time for an unwieldy broadsheet, and that your daily reading experience will be ever more pleasant.

We hope and pray and trust that the new-look compact quickly finds a place in your heart.

Happy reading!

Zafar Sobhan Editor, Dhaka Tribune

Three men and a woman were arrested by a team of Rapid Action Battalion when they raided a house at Halishahar in Chittagong city yesterday. They also recovered a large cache of firearms, ammunition and bomb-making materials from the house DHAKA TRIBUNE

BNP demands fair probe into Avijit killing n Tribune Report BNP in a press statement condemned the murder of writer Avijit and demanded fair probe into the incident.

“Killing of blogger Abhijir Roy in a secured place like Bangla Academy and TSC, proves that the government has failed to ensure people’s security, said BNP Joint Secretary General Salahuddin Ahmed.

“We harshly condemn and protest Abhijit killing and demand fair probe and trial,” said the statement.

Urging the government to return the state power to people, Salauddin Ahmed alleged

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Tigers reach Nelson for Scotland tie  PAGE 1 COLUMN 4

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Taijul Islam and Arafat Sunny – in place of either Mominul Haque or one of the two pacemen – Rubel Hossain and Taskin Ahmed. Taijul and Sunny have been quite active in the net sessions in the last few days.

In order to ensure a smooth passage to the quarterfinals, Bangladesh must beat Scotland.

The Tigers will be confident of a positive result

against the Europeans, given the head-to-head record between the two teams. So far, the Tigers have faced the Scots thrice with the last encounter taking place in December 2006.

Bangladesh have won all the three matches, including their clash in the 1999 ICC World Cup. The Bangladesh cricketers will enjoy a rest day today and will start training from tomorrow. l

Manna mystery man tracked down

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that the government had failed to project BNP’s movement as a criminal and militant activity.

He slammed “some partisan police and Rab officials” and warned that this government is not the last government.

In the press statement, he asked the party leaders and activists to observe the 72-hour hartal peacefully.

The BNP-led 20-party alliance has been observing nationwide transport blockade since January 6 and started enforcing nationwide shutdowns from February 1 to mount pressure upon the government. l

Details of Manna’s sources of financial support and his contacts were revealed in the remand session, detectives said.

A DB high official, asking not to be named, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that Manna was being evasive with his questioners.

Asked about his conversation with former Dhaka city mayor and BNP leader Sadek Hossain Khoka, Manna said he enjoyed good relations with a number of BNP leaders in addition to links with some leaders of the ruling party.

“I am a political leader and I speak with number of political leaders for my professional purposes,” Manna told his interrogators, DB officials said.

A DB high official involved in the interrogation said Manna had given detectives information about a dozen high profile citizens.

He said they were analysing the information about the high profile individuals and were verifying their political orientation.

Once the verification is completed, the detectives will take action, the DB high official said. l

DT

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SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

FBI to join search for Avijit killers Family alleges that police know who the killers are but are not arresting them

n Mohammad Jamil Khan The US Federal Bureau of Investigation intends to get involved with the investigation into the murder of blogger-writer Avijit Roy, a Bangladesh-born US citizen.

On Friday, an FBI official stationed in Dhaka contacted the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

“The official wanted to know how FBI could assist us in completing the investigation,” said Shibli Noman, an assistant commissioner of DMP. Avijit’s father Ajay Roy, a noted educationist and former professor of physics at Dhaka University, yesterday said he had got a phone call from the US embassy in Dhaka.

“Embassy officials have talked to me over phone and expressed their interest to get the FBI involved with the investigation,” Ajay said.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the US embassy in Dhaka strongly condemned Avijit’s murder terming it “horrific in brutality and cowardice.”

The statement said: “Avijit was a journalist, a humanist, a husband, and a friend, and we extend our condolences to his family and friends. He was taken from us in a shocking act of violence.

“This was not just an attack against a person, but a cowardly assault on the universal principles enshrined in Bangladesh’s constitution and the country’s proud tradition of free intellectual and religious discourse,” the statement read.

On Thursday night, miscreants still to be identified hacked Avijit to death near the TSC roundabout on the DU campus and critically

SSC examinations rescheduled once again to March 13, 14 n Tribune Report The government once again rescheduled two Secondary School Certificate examination papers and postponed another, following the enforcement of another spell of 72-hour nationwide hartal by BNP-led 20-party.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, addressing a press conference at his residence yesterday, said the exam originally scheduled for March 1 will be held on March 14 from 10am to 1pm, and the postponed exam, which was originally scheduled for February 12, will be held on March 13 from 9am to 12pm.

The minister also said the SSC exams scheduled for March 3 has been postponed and the new date for the exams will be announced later.

The BNP-led alliance called for indefinite countrywide transport blockade on January 6 and started enforcing hartals since the first day of February which continued for the whole month, except Fridays and Saturdays.

They have been demanding an early election under a non-partisan interim government.

The government, examinees and guardians requested the opposition party repeatedly not to enforce any hartal on the exam days but the party did not pay any heed. l

An alliance of progressive students brings out a procession on the Dhaka University campus yesterday protesting the killing of blogger-writer Avijit Roy RAJIB DHAR injured his wife Rafida Ahmed Bonna, also a Bangladesh-born US citizen and writer.

Family and friends said the blogger-writer had been receiving threats from Islamist extremists for several years, especially from a militant named Farabi Shafiur Rahman with whom Avijit had had debates over religion.

Prof Ajay yesterday filed a general diary with the Ramna police station saying he had also received threats. He said this was nothing new for him; he had received similar threats in the past as well. “Even on Thursday night, someone called me up on my cell phone and said Avijit was attacked for his anti-Islamic propaganda. If I did not come to their path, they

said I would also have to bear the same fate.”

More than two days into the brutal killing, police have made no progress whatsoever in the investigation, much to the disappointment of the family.

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police that is investigating the murder, has not managed to trace any of the killers; neither has anyone been arrested as of yesterday.

“We have not made any significant progress and time has not come to say anything concrete,” Krishnapada Roy, a deputy commissioner of DB, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

While talking to reporters at his residence yesterday, Prof Ajay said: “They [DB] have the

lists of criminals. They can arrest them any time but they are not doing it.”

Hinting militant involvement, police said the way Avijit was assaulted was similar to how progressive writer Humayun Azad was assaulted at the same location in 2004 and blogger Rajib Haider in Mirpur in 2013.

Questions were raised over polices’ role as witnesses say that there were several law enforcers nearby when the attack took place.

DMP Assistant Commissioner Shibly Noman said around 40 CCTV cameras have been maintaining surveillance on and around the book fair premises. But the spot where Avijit was killed was a blank spot.

“We are now analysing footage from the CCTV cameras to find out if any of the assailants could be traced,” Shibly said.

Hours after the attack, a Twitter account titled “Ansar Bangla-7” cheered in the murder and termed it an “achievement.” A series of tweets described it as a punishment for Avijit’s “crime against Islam.” But the account was found deactivated yesterday.

In November last year, Ansarullah Bangla Team, another online entity with a similar name, claimed the responsibility of killing Rajshahi University professor Shafiul Islam.

Shafiul, also known for his progressive thinking and research, was killed in a similar fashion – hacked with machetes on the head and neck.

Monirul Islam, joint commissioner of DB, told the Dhaka Tribune that they suspected the same outfits had murdered Rajib Haider and Avijit. “There is no difference between the two killings. It may be that another unit of the Ansarullah Bangla Team has done it.” l

UGC to press for classes during hartal n Asif Showkat Kallol

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to issue directives to the vice-chancellors of all public and private universities – to continue their classes and hold exams ignoring the 20-party alliance’s hartal and blockade programmes.

A recent UGC board meeting made the decision, which came in the backdrop of most universities suspending academic activities on weekdays since the BNP-led alliance started calling its series of successive hartals from the start of February.

On February 16, a board meeting of the UGC decided to call an immediate meeting with more than 100 VCs from public and private universities and tell them to carry on

with their classes and exams in order to avoid session jam.

However, the minutes of the meeting – obtained by the Dhaka Tribune – did not include any detail on when such a meeting between the UGC and the VCs would be held.

According to the minutes, the commission’s Chairman Dr AK Azad Chowdhury pointed out to the board that the High Court had recently issued an order telling the government to stop criminal activities in the name of hartals and blockade.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid has also been notified of the UGC decision, sources said.

Earlier in January, pro-BNP-Jamaat teachers at different universities had announced they would not take any classes until the har-

tal and blockade programmes ended.

According to sources from different universities, most educational institutions have been taking classes during Fridays and Saturdays – the only days of the week when there have not been hartals during February – in order to make up for the missed classes. For the rest of the week, classes do not take place out of fear of possible violence surrounding the successive series of hartals.

However, some public universities have been holding classes on hartal days on a limited basis, even though student attendance remains low.

But most of the private universities are reportedly choosing to hold classes on hartal-free days in order to ensure safety for their students. l

Police yet to receive Khaleda Zia arrest warrant n Tribune Report Police officials said they had not yet received copies of the warrant for Khaleda Zia’s arrest issued by a special court on Wednesday last.

The arrest warrant against the 69-year-old former prime minister was supposed to be sent to the Cantonment, Ramna and Gulshan

police stations.

As of Saturday night, officials at the police stations concerned said no arrest warrant had reached them.

“We are yet to receive any [arrest] warrant copy of Khaleda Zia,” Gulshan police station Officer-in-Charge Rafiqul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune.

On February 25, the Dhaka Special

Judge’s Court 3 issued a warrant for the arrest of Khaleda and two others accused in two graft cases for failing to appear before the court.

Khaleda has been holed up in her office since January 6 demanding elections under a non-partisan interim government and did not turn up in court on the day of the graft case hearing. l

DT

4 NEWS

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

Rupganj burn victim dies at DMCH n Tribune Report Kabir Hossain, 30, a burn victim of BNP’s blockade around the country, died yesterday in the morning at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Kabir was a resident of Louhoganj under Munshiganj district.

He died while under treatment at the DMCH, said Special Branch (SB) Additional Superintendent of Police Md Jakaria.

Kabir, along with his other six coworkers, was burnt in a petrol bomb attack on their truck near Jatramura area in Rupganj, Narayanganj on Friday at around 10pm.

The truck driver Rubel Mia filed a case with the Rupganj police station on Saturday evening accusing 28 identified individuals along with some 10-12 unidentified people.

Earlier, the police arrested four persons in this connection after conducting a drive at Tarab area in Rupganj, confirmed the Rupganj thana Officer-in-Charge Mahmudul Islam.

The arrested are Al Amin, 23, of Jatramura area; Habibur Rahman Mamun, 24, of Tarab South para; Najrul Islam, 35, of Mugrakul area; and Rakibul Hasan, 26, of Fatehpur area in nearby Sonargaon upazilla.

The other injured in that attack are Helal Uddin, 25, Sohel Mia, 28, Billal Hossain, 26, Sohrab, 32, and Rasel Mia, 30. All of them are being treated at the DMCH burnt unit. They

All trans-boundary rivers must be recognised, say experts n Abu Bakar Siddique Professionals working on rivers yesterday said all rivers that flow through Bangladesh and India should be recognised for the sake of an extensive basin-wise management plan.

At present, there is a total of 54 rivers that are enlisted as trans-boundary rivers.

There are many other such rivers yet to be enlisted, said hydrology expert Ainun Nishat.

Citing the example of Mohadeo River in Netrakona district of Bangladesh, he said these unrecognised shared rivers should be documented immediately for enabling good planning.

He was addressing a book launching at the city’s Drik gallery yesterday.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Drik jointly launched the book titled “Rivers Beyond Borders: India-Bangladesh Transboundary River Atlas.”

“When we talk about cross-border rivers, people think only about the popular major rivers such as Padma, Brahmaputra and Teesta.

But every small and medium-sized shared river has their own unique basin and the lives of people who live in the vicinities are directly dependent on them,” Ainun Nishat said.

Criticising the Indo-Bangla Joint River Commission (JRC), he said: “The JRC only works on some major rivers but never addresses the smaller ones. But these rivers are also important for the well-being of those living in these basins. These are particularly important because agriculture depends heavily on these rivers.” l

Family meets Kamaruzzaman in central jail n Tribune Report

Billal Sheikh, a day labourer, was injured in a separate petrol bomb attack while going home in the capital’s Demra area yesterday. His parents, anxious and exhausted, wait on him on the floor beside the bed while he is treated at the DMCH burn unit MEHEDI HASAN were labourers of Mahbub Spinning Mills in Rupganj.

After the incident, the truck driver Rubel Mia told reporters: “The truck was attacked with several petrol bombs while we were going to the capital’s Postogola from Jatramura with 10-12 people.”

Six people were burnt in the attack while the local came forward and brought the fire under control, he added.

ASP Jakaria also informed that Kabir was not burnt extensively but he got severely injured with injuries to his head when he jumped off from the truck. l

6 vehicles torched in the capital n Tribune Report Six vehicles were torched by unknown miscreants in the capital yesterday evening.

No one was injured in the arson attacks, said police and fire service officials.

Witnesses and on-duty police said a vehicle of a private television station parked outside the television building was set alight around 6:45pm at Mouchak.

At the time, several vehicles were

vandalised and four to five crude bombs were blasted nearby.

Two covered vans and a bus were torched at Jatrabari, while a car at Khilgaon and a bus at Banani were also torched, confirmed Fire Service and Civil Defence control room duty officer Bhajan Kumar Sarkar.

He said: “On hearing the news, our teams rushed to the scenes and brought the fire under control. No one was injured.” l

Tourism damaged by blockade n Munir Momtaj The nonstop blockade and the accompanying violence have seriously damaged the tourism sector of Bangladesh in the last two months.

Many foreign travellers have cancelled their tours as they are afraid to visit Bangladesh amid this political chaos, said speakers at a roundtable discussion arranged by the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) at the National Press Club yesterday.

Every year TOAB attends at least 5-6 lakh tourists, however, in the last two months they saw only 510 tourists.

President of TOAB Dr Akbar Uddin Ahmed said: “Tourism is a potential sector in Bangladesh. About 300 owners and thousands of people are directly or indirectly associated with this sector. Now they are in fear of losing their jobs.”

Above all, the image of the country is being tarnished and we are losing a great deal of remittance, said the speakers.

If nourished, the tourism sector can uphold the image of the country to the world and bring glory for the country.

TOAB members urged the government to introduce on-arrival visa system which is present in our neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Nepal and Thailand.

Through the introduction of the system, any tourist can visit the country any time. It will attract more tourists, they said.

Shiblul Azam Koreshi, adviser to TOAB, said: “Lack of planing and publicity is a major problem in this sector. It is operating in an unplanned manner and we do not have any measure for promotion or publicity.”

“Years ago I constructed a three storey building in Saint Martins island for which both BNP and Awami League praised me, but, later on I came to know that it was done in an unplanned manner and was not suitable for the island,” he said.

It is the government’s responsibility to promote the tourism sector.

Speakers urged all private satellite channels to air promotional videos and advertisements about the tourism sector of the country.

They urged the political parties to resolve the political impasse as soon as possible. l

The family members of condemned war criminal Mohammad Kamaruzzaman met him at Dhaka Central Jail yesterday morning.

Eight of Kamaruzzaman’s relatives, including Kamaruzzaman’s wife Nurunnahar, entered the jail at 10:40am.

Talking to reporters after a 40-minute visit, Mohammad Shishir Manir, counsel for the death-row convict, said the family members went to see Kamaruzzaman as part of a regular visit.

“We will appeal to the higher court, and hope to get justice,” the counsel added.

Earlier, the family had last met Kamaruzzaman on January 29. On February 19, prison authorities read out the death warrant to Kamaruzzaman, soon after International Crimes Tribunal 2 issued it.

On February 18, the Supreme Court released the full text of the verdict against the war criminal.

A review petition challenging his death penalty must be filed within 15 days from the day the death warrant was read out to the convict.

On November 3 last year, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld the tribunal verdict that had awarded death sentence to the Jamaat-e-Islami assistant secretary general for committing crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.

Kamaruzzaman was shifted to Dhaka Central Jail from Gazipur’s Kashimpur Jail after the Appellate Division upheld his death penalty. l

Pro-BNP lawyers win Dhaka Bar poll n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu The Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Oikya Panel, backed by the BNP-Jamaat coalition, has overwhelmingly won the election to the Dhaka Bar Association.

The BNP-Jamaat-backed blue panel won 20 of the 25 posts, while the rest went to the Awami League-backed white panel.

Among the 10 posts of office bearers, the Awami League-backed white panel won only the posts of the senior vice-president and treasurer. Of the 15 posts of executive members, BNP-Jamaat-backed lawyers won 12; the Awami League-backed lawyers won the rest.

BNP central committee’s Religious Affairs Secretary advocate Masud Ahmed Talukder was elected the president, while Md Omar Faruq Faruqui of the blue panel was elected general secretary.

SM Altaf Hossain, chief election commissioner for the Dhaka Bar Association, announced the results yesterday. The voting was held throughout Wednesday and Thursday. The total number of voters was 15,372; of them, 9,092 cast their ballots.

Blue panel’s Harun Rashid Khan has been elected the vice-president, Hafizur Rahman Hafiz the senior assistant general secretary, Taherul Islam Tauhid the assistant general secretary, Majedur Rahman Mamun the library secretary, Aklima Akter Alo the cultural secretary and Sheikh Alauddin was elected the office secretary. l

DT

NEWS 5

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

Justice eludes victims of militant attacks n Mohammad Jamil Khan Islamist militants were found responsible for the killing of at least 15 people including progressive teachers and bloggers committed in the last decade. But justice seems way too far.

None of the verdicts already given in three cases has been executed while the investigating agencies are still working on 11 of the cases and a court is now holding indictment hearing in another case.

Nearly 48 hours into the murder of eminent blogger and science writer Avijit Roy, who is a US citizen, and attack on his wife Rafida Ahmed Bonna, the law enforcers are yet to arrest any suspect even though the couple had long been threatened by some identified extremists.

A twitter account named “Ansar Bangla 7,” suspected to be run by militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team, also claimed responsibility for the killing within couple of hours.

Shibli Noman, assistant commissioner of police, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that they were investigating the incident as an act carried out by the militants.

The trial against five leaders of banned Islamist outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) for the murder of noted writer Prof Dr Humayun Azad is under way. A Dhaka court has so far recorded testimonies of one-third of the prosecution witnesses.

Prof Azad was injured critically after unidentified assailants attacked him on Dhaka University campus on February 27, 2004. He succumbed to injures in Germany on August 12 the same year.

A Dhaka court has set March 9 for further hearing on the charge framing matter against Ansarullah Bangla Team chief Jasim Uddin

remained unknown. He was killed in his rented house in Ambagan area of Savar on September 30 last year by “Ansar Al Islam Bangladesh” which claimed the responsibility.

Rasel Shaikh, assistant commissioner of Savar circle police, said they were investigating the matter.

Arif Raihan Dwip, a third-year student of Buet and leader of Chhatra League, was stabbed in a dormitory of the university on April 9, 2013. He succumbed to his injuries on July 2 while undergoing treatment.

Lone arrestee Mezbah Uddin, 24, of the same university admitted to have stabbed Dwip because the latter had assaulted the Imam of MA Rashid Hall mosque for helping Hefazat-e-Islam’s long march supporters. Police are yet to submit probe report in the case.

Gonojagoron Moncho stages a protest against the killing of writer-blogger Avijit Roy in front of the National Museum in the capital’s Shahbagh area yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK Rahmani and seven of his followers for the killing of architect and blogger Ahmed Rajeeb Haider. The Detective Branch of police pressed the charges on January 29 last year – nearly a year after the murder, on February 15, 2013.

The DB police are yet to submit probe report in the case of TV presenter and Islamist leader Sheikh Nurul Islam Faruqi, a presenter of religious programmes on TV, who was killed on August 27 last year.

Family members and detectives claimed that he had been killed for opposing extremist views and superstitions. A number of militant leaders have been arrested and taken on remand. Six television presenters, including a central Jamaat-e-Islami leader, were also sued

for giving death threat to Faruqi.

Saiful Islam, additional deputy commissioner of DB, said: “We suspect that members of fanatic religious groups conducted the killing.”

So-called “Pir” Lutfar Rahman Faruk, his elder son and four others were slaughtered in the capital’s Wari on December 21, 2013.

Four JMB members were shown arrested in the case, but none of them admitted their involvement.

Jahangir Hossain Matubbor, a DB deputy commissioner, claimed that they had identified some suspects and conducting drives to nab them.

Mystery behind the murder of Ashraful Alam, a student of Daffodil University, has still

Killing of three RU teachers

Rajshahi University Prof Yunus Ali of economics department was killed on December 24, 2004. A court sentenced two JMB men to death on January 29, 2010 but the verdict is yet to be implemented.

On February 3, 2006, the body of Prof Sheikh Taher Ahmed of geology and mining department was recovered from a septic tank on the campus. Six people including a Jamaat-backed teacher were awarded death penalty on May 23, 2010. The Supreme Court on April 21, 2013 upheld the death sentence of two and commuted the punishment of two others to life imprisonment. The order is yet to be executed as the full verdict has not been released.

Prof AKM Shafiul Islam of sociology was killed by some assailants on November 15 last year. Although police and RAB have arrested a number of accused and remanded, mystery behind the killing is yet to be unearthed. l

Government aims to Business to government: Keep Blast at Gazipur test reduce road accidents centre, none hurt energy prices low, explore options by 30% in 10 years n Our Correspondent, Gazipur He said BCSIR researchers had been asked Unidentified miscreants yesterday threw a n Shohel Mamun n Aminur Rahman Rasel to explore solar cooking technology. crude bomb at a Secondary School Certificate The government wants to cut road accident fatalities by half and reduce accidents by 30% over the next 10 years.

Police said over the last five years, road accidents claimed 2,529 lives on average every year.

The plan was to establish a system of ‘pre-hospital’ treatment besides primary trauma centres every 70km along major highways, offer first aid and telephone facilities at filling stations and include road safety education in school.

These plans, not yet in place, are expected to be implemented by end 2016. The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) has been looking to reduce accidents since 1997.

NRSC and Road Transport and Highway Division secretary MAN Siddique told the Dhaka Tribune: “The plans are being implementing by different ministries, which makes coordination difficult.”

The safety council said pedestrians, cycle and motorcycle riders and public transport passengers are most vulnerable. Of accident victims, 45% are pedestrians. Adult males account for a third of deaths. About 65% accidents occur on highways and another 20% on city roads. l

Quit hiking power prices, cut fuel oil prices and set-up coal-based power plants, participants urged the government at a private sector round table on energy policy.

At the seminar titled “Power System Development: Reliable Supply to Customers’ Perspective” organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in the city yesterday, DCCI former president Matiur Rahman called for reductions of fuel oil prices and decreases in electricity prices.

In order to facilitate private sector investment in the power sector, incumbent DCCI President Hossain Khaled called for financing opportunities for investors at bank rates.

He said government should opt for efficient load-based power plants and said solar panels should be set up in rivers and lakes to support irrigation while freeing up land for cultivation.

Hossain said power generation from waste products could also be popularised.

Chief guest Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, the prime minister’s adviser on power, energy and mineral resources, said government was coping by importing power but hoped to establish new power plants.

He suggested the private sector use coalbased back-up power plants at their factories and said government recently passed the National Energy Research Institute Act and called upon DCCI to work with the newly formed research body.

Prime Minister’s Office Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, special guest at the seminar, called upon businessmen to move their operations to Export Processing Zones to get uninterrupted power supplies and other benefits.

He called upon the business community to come forward to help set up economic zones in the private sector.

Former Power Development Board (PDB) chairman ASM Alamgir Kabir, PDB Chief Engineer Md Mizanur Rahman and Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Chief Engineer Arun Kumar Saha presented keynote papers.

They said Bangladesh’s electricity demand would reach 18,445 megawatts by 2021.

They stressed the need to ease tariffs, establish coal-based power plants, perform regular maintenance on existing infrastructure and provide reliable power supply to customers. l

exam centre in Gazipur when examinees were about to submit their answer scripts towards the end of the test.

Wrapped in red tape, the bomb was thrown at a window on the first floor of the test centre at Chandana High School and College around 11:45am, said Joydebpur police station Sub-Inspector Abdul Hamid.

The bomb did not smash through the window and exploded outside the building after hitting the wall.

Although the blast caused panic among teachers, students and school staff, nobody was injured in the explosion.

SI Hamid said additional police have since been deployed at the exam centre.

Meanwhile, a man had his left wrist blown off in an explosion while making bombs in his house in Chandana.

Police described Abdul Alim, son of Jamir Uddin Munshi, as a Chhatra Shibir activist.

He was sent to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital after the blast.

The hospital’s resident doctor Abdus Salam Sarker said Alim was given first aid and was later sent to a Dhaka hospital for better treatment. l

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Offshore energy hunt pre-bid meet today n Aminur Rahman Rasel Companies interested in conducting a 2D seismic marine survey of Bangladesh’s offshore areas are scheduled to meet with Petrobangla at its offices today for pre-bid exchange.

“We have already urged the interested companies to send their queries in writing ahead of the meeting to be held in the conference room of Petrobangla,” Chairman Istiaque Ahmad of the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation, commonly known as Petrobangla, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

The state-owned oil and gas corporation,

on behalf of the government, earlier invited tenders from international geo-physics firms to conduct the survey on a non-exclusive multi-client basis.

The objective of the survey is to provide the oil and gas industry with 2D seismic data of the offshore areas of Bangladesh to aid basin evaluation, prospect generation and robust bid-round participation.

A Petrobangla official said a total of 14 international companies had purchased tender documents ahead of the pre-bid meeting, including French-based geophysical services company CGG, Chinese company BGP, Nor-

Hanif: Khaleda, get ready for life in jail n Tribune Report BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia should prepare herself for jail because her politics is over, Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said yesterday.

“You [Khaleda] should prepare to be in prison, where you have to stay for the rest of your life,” he said.

Speaking at a convention of the ruling party’s Meherpur district chapter at Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Park in the town, Hanif said the BNP chief is waging a war with people.

“Khaleda is ecstatic with people burning to death in petrol bomb attacks. She should be brought to book for this.

She is also attempting to turn Bangladesh into a failed state by imposing blockade for 54 consecutive days for no reason,” Hanif said.

Hanif criticised Ja-

maat-e-Islami saying that no religion supports cutting people’s tendons or beheading them, reports our Meherpur correspondent.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Political Adviser HT Imam yesterday said if people do not eliminate BNP-Jamaat, the very existence of the country will be threatened.

As the BNP-Jamaat is run by Pakistan, they want to return to Pakistan, he said.

Imam was addressing a programme at the engineers’ institution in Chittagong yesterday afternoon, reports Tarek Mahmud from the port city.

“The government has no way to get back to the caretaker government system as the constitution closed that door permanently,” he noted.

“This is a final battle and time for BNP is over. Either we or BNP will survive,” he said. l

15th Convocation at AIUB n Tribune Report A total of 2,755 graduates of American International University – Bangladesh (AIUB) received their degrees at the university’s 15th convocation, held yesterday at the Bangladesh Military Museum Field on Bijoy Sarani in the capital.

Meritorious students were also presented with medals for academic excellence. The Chancellor’s Gold Medal was handed to three students. Eight others received the Dr Anwarul Abedin Leadership Award, and 14 were honoured with the Vice Chancellor’s Award.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid MP presided, and presented the degrees to the

graduating students, and Pankaj Saran, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, was the convocation speaker.

Chairman of the AIUB Trustee Board Ishtiaque Abedin and Vice Chancellor of AIUB Dr Carmen Z Lamagna also made speeches.

Nahid emphasised the importance of quality higher education in his speech. “Without this, Bangladesh won’t be able to face the competitive global market,” he said.

Pankaj Saran congratulated the new graduates for their achievement and said their degrees would act as a guiding leader by which they would be able to serve the nation as well as their families. l

way-based Dolphin Geophysical Company, Petroleum Geo-Services and TGS-NOPEC, UKbased Schlumberger and US-based Spectrum.

The coverage area in the Bay of Bengal is around 118,000 square kilometres with water depth ranging from 20 metres to greater than 2,500 metres.

The first survey of its kind in the country’s history, a survey of this kind was deemed necessary following the settlement of Bangladesh’s maritime boundaries with Myanmar and India.

After a three-year pause, the government plans to formulate a fresh production sharing

contract (PSC) model to award offshore hydrocarbon blocks in the Bay of Bengal.

The settlement of the maritime border awarded Bangladesh a territorial sea covering 118,000 square kilometres and an exclusive economic zone extending to 200 nautical miles.

After the tender documents are submitted, Petrobangla will select a company and sign a 10-year deal. Petrobangla will share in the profits from selling the data.

The deadline to submit bids is March 29, 2015. The opening of bids before authorised representatives of the bidders will take place at Petrobangla the same day. l

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BRTA officials’ anomalies bring woe for clients n Nazim Mridha, Rajshahi The employees of the Rajshahi divisional office of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) are allegedly involved in different types of irregularities causing miseries for service holders.

While this correspondent talking to several clients they alleged that they had to face barriers at every step to get services as most of the BRTA employees were corrupted.

They said a few number of officials harassed as well as misbehaved with them if service holders refused to provide them additional money.

A client seeking anonymity said: “When we do not provide them bribe, they say nothing, but our works are delayed.”

The officials who are mainly involved in the chores of rendering service regarding renewing fitness certificate and issuing driving license are involved in corruption.

Saikat Mahmud, a truck driver, said he had been roaming around the BRTA office for the last two weeks, but his works was yet to be done.”

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card of my vehicle. I applied for duplicate certified copy of the registration 15 days ago, but yet to get it.

“Some people have already given hints to me that my work will be done within short time.”

Abdus Salam, a micro bus driver, said: “An official unnecessarily wanted to check out my driving licence and said my

n Our Correspondent, Sylhet

DRY WEATHER

34.6ºC Rajshahi

‘Some people have already given hints to me that my work will be done within short time’

license is fake. Then, another official came forward and asked me to give Tk100 to fix the matter.”

An official wising anonymity told the Dhaka Tribune that a few dishonest people used to harass service holders just for pocketing money as the matter was totally unknown to the higher authorities.

“Anomalies at the BRTA office go unabated because the service holders avoid complaining to higher authorities in fear of delaying getting services.”

Md Sadekul Islam, assistant director (engineer) of Rajshahi BRTA office, told the Dhaka Tribune that digital mechanism was available at BRTA office for inspection of the authenticity of a digital license card with no fees and it will be done within a second adding no scope of manual scrutiny.

He, however, urged clients to submit complaint to him adding that he would oust them at once if any allegations of taking bribery was proved against any employee.

“We have directed officials to render services to the service holders within articulated time with no unexpected delay”, he said. l

The non-stop blockade has seriously damaged the tourism sector of Bangladesh in the last two months.

Many foreign travellers have already cancelled their tours as they are afraid to visit Bangladesh, said speakers at a roundtable arranged by the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) at the National Press Club yesterday.

Every year TOAB attends at least 5-6 lakh tourists, however, in the last two months they saw only 510 tourists.

President of TOAB Dr Akbar Uddin Ahmed said: “Tourism is a potential sector in Bangladesh. About 300 owners and thousands of people are directly or indirectly associated with this sector. Now they are in fear of losing their jobs.”

TOAB members urged the government to introduce on-arrival visa system which is present in our neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Nepal and Thailand.

Through the introduction of the system, any tourist can visit the country any time. It will attract more tourists, they said.

Shiblul Azam Koreshi, adviser to TOAB, said: “Lack of planing and publicity is a major problem in this sector. It is operating in an unplanned manner and we do not have any measure for promotion or publicity.” l

No repair of Sylhet-Companyganj road in 8 years

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“The officials concerned willingly delay the service to get bribery and if I give them some extra money, my job will be done quickly, Mahmud said.

Another driver of a motorbike who preferred to be unnamed said: “I lost registration

Tourism sector damaged by blockade n Munir Momtaj

5:05am 6:20am 12:11am 4:23pm 6:01pm 7:17pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

The 37-kilometre long Sylhet-Companyganj-Bholaganj road is in dire condition due to lack of maintenance and heavy usage.

The unpaved road dotted with large potholes has turned into a nightmare for thousands of passengers commuting every day.

During the dry season, the road is covered in dust while the monsoon literally turns it into a mud bed.

The stretch from Khagail to Bholaganj lies in the worst situation. It causes vehicles to go slow taking hours to travel this small distance.

Moreover, vehicles often fall into the ditch resulting in severe accidents.

The road which could take only 30-40 minutes to Sylhet in a better condition, now takes 2-3 hours.

This dilapidated state has been prevailing for the last eight years and despite repeated assurances from local politicans, the road is yet to see any renovation.

Locals said the frequent plying of stone-laden trucks created large potholes in the road and made commuting in the area very difficult and time consuming, with frequent occurrences of road accidents.

Syed Ali, a local businessman, said not only the passengers, but the establishments on two sides of the road were also facing sufferings. The road houses a number of schools, officers and bazaars.

The road, which was built by former speaker Humayun Rashid Chowdhury was later developed into a regional highway by former finance minister M Saifur Rahman. But since then there has been no renovation work.

During the army-backed government of 2007, the exclusion of Companyganj from Sylhet-1 constituency also made the road suf-

gaining political edge.

But since then the condition of the road has continuously deteriorated.

Locals alleged that the government earned a good revenue from the Bholganj stone quarry every month, but it was nonchalant about repairing the road.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader visited the area on May 17 last year and also assured his assistance. He said a Tk600 crore project would be taken to upgrade the road to a national highway.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Companyganj Rokon Uddin said a revised proposal was recently sent to the planning ministry. The proposal worth about Tk450 crore is expected to be approved by the Executive Committee of National Economic The Sylhet-Bholaganj regional highway turns into a nightmare for a Council (ECNEC) soon.

Mir Nizam Uddin commuter whose CNG-run autorickshaw needed to be pushed to cross engineer of the muddy road. The road which has been lying in this sorry state for the Ahmed, last eight years is just worsening day by day DHAKA TRIBUNE roads and highways department in Sylhet, said fer no renovation. When the Awami League the repair work could begin as soon as the came into power in 2008, the then MP Imran project is approved.

“The proposal is likely to be placed in the Ahmed assured to repair the road. However, there has been no visible efforts in this regard. up coming ECNEC meeting. It is already in the Before the 10th parliamentary election green zone. We will call for a tender once the in 2014, a small section was mended just for project is approved.” l

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Amu: Boycott BNP-led 20-party alliance n Our Correspondent, Jhalakati

Khulna district unit of the Sammilito Sangskritik Jote forms a human chain yesterday in the city protesting brutal killing of writer and blogger Avijit Roy. Unidentified assailants hacked to death Avijit on Dhaka University campus on Thursday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu yesterday called upon the students of Udbodhon Secondary School in Jhalakathi to boycott those who are running unpolitical activities in the name of politics.

He also convened them to stand strong against the evil forces of BNP-led 20-party alliance who have severely hampered the exam schedule of students by calling hartals repeatedly.

All such acts are part of a conspiracy hatched from the international level in a bid to make the country void of talents, said the minister while inaugurating the school’s annual sports and cultural competition ceremony yesterday.

Md Shamsul Ikram Piru, chairman of the school management committee, Barisal Education Board Chairman Md Ziaul Huq, Jhalakathi District Commissioner Md Shakhawat Hossain attended the ceremony among others.

More than 200 students of the 75 year old school participated in 11 events in six groups at the competition. l

Tanguar haor fishermen face hurdles n Our Correspondent, Sunamganj Fishermen of Tanguar haor in Sunamganj are facing hurdles to earn their livelihoods as the authorities concerned has put a limit to fishing in the haor’s core zones this year.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, many fisher men said illegal fishing in the haor will be increased due to the restriction.

Moreover, it will increase the rate employment among the people who are dependent on the haor.

“We have fallen in a helpless situation and are facing difficulties to maintain our families,” said Ratikanta Barman, a fisherman at Indrapur village under Shreepur union.

Located in the foothills of Meghalaya, the Tanguar haor covers about 10,000 hectares of

water bodies in Sunamganj and parts of Habiganj, Netrokona and Kishoreganj districts and provides for livelihood of over 64,000 people in 85 villages around it.

Tanguar Haor, home to about 140 species of sweet water fishes, was declared an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) in 1999. Considering its potential and international importance, the haor was declared a Ramsar site in 2000.

Due to its status as an ECA and Ramsar site, the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) with technical assistance from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) initiated a project titled ‘Community Based Sustainable Management of Tanguar Haor’ in 2006.

The project is being implemented in Tahirpur and Dharmapasha upazilas of Sunamganj district.

7 killed in road accidents in three districts n Tribune Report

At least seven people were killed in road accidents in Brahmanbaria, Jessore and Hbiganj districts yesterday.

Our Brahmanbaria correspondent said four people were killed and three others injured in an accident on the Comilla-Sylhet Highway in Bhadugarh area in Brahmanbaria district as a truck rammed into a CNG run auto-rickshaw.

The identities of the dead could not known.

Brahmanbaria ASP Taposh Ranjan Ghosh confirmed the incident.

Our Jessoere correspondent reports: A police official was killed as a truck ran over him in Abhaynagar upazila.

The deceased was identified as Mozammel Haque, assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of police.

Abhaynagar police station Officer-inCharge Nasiruddin said, the accident occurred on the Jessore-Khulna highway around 12:30pm, leaving him critically injured.

Later, he died on way to Upazila Health Complex. The body was sent to Jessore Medical College Hospital, OC said.

Habiganj correspondent said two people were killed and 10 others injured as a bus rammed into a three wheeler on the Habiganj-Shayestaganj Road in the district.

The identities of the dead could not known.

Habiganj Sadar police station SI Ibrahim said a Dhaka-bound ‘Diganta Paribahan’ bus rammed into a CNG-run auto-rickshaw in Paikpara area around 12:30pm, leaving two passengers of the three wheeler dead on the spot and 10 others injured. l

As a part of the management system, the fishermen catch fishes at hatirgata, Mahishergata, Baluar Doba, Roua, Rupabhui, Lechuamara, Berberia, and Tekuinna beels by using various types of net from mid-January to midApril under the supervision of the authorities concerned. The authorities select buyers of the fishes through an open bidding system to ensure fair prices.

Of total amount of money earned from selling the fishes, 40 per cent goes to the fishermen, 24 per cent to government exchequer, and 36 percent to communities in the area.

“Althugh the government has put a restriction to catch fishes in the core zones, fishing in buffer zones are rampant,” said Abu Hanif, a fisherman of Lamagaon.

Poor fishermen have mainly been affected

by the restriction as they can not catch fishes even in the buffer zones, he said.

Joycharan Barman, a fisherman of Sanua village, said some 120 families of poor fishermen community in Sanua, Hatpaton and Batta are passing their days in hardship.

Mohammad Iqbal Hossain, upazila nirbahi officer of Tahirpur, said they kept stopped fishing in core zones due to some problems in maintenance of the haor.

Moreover fair prices of the fishes could not be ensured for lack of transports due to recent hartals and blockade, he said.

Engineer Moazzem Hossain, a law maker of Sunamganj-1 constituency, said he was not aware of the decision of keeping shut fishing in haor.

“I will look into the matter,” he said. l

RMP authorities recommend suspension of RCC mayor n Our Correspondent, Rajshahi The authority of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) recommended to the Police Headquarters in Dhaka to suspend Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Mosaddaque Hossain Bulbul for smoothly investigating cases filed against the mayor.

RMP Commissioner Muhammad Shamsuddin told the Dhaka Tribune that he had sent a recommendation letter to police headquarters on January 23. The matter, however, disclosed yesterday.

The RMP wants suspension of the mayor so that it could conduct the investigation of cases without being influenced, he said.

“The letter is at Ministry of Home and we

expect the decision of authorities concerned will come out soon,” he added.

The RMP sources said Bulbul, member of BNP’s central committee and also the vice-president of Rajshahi city unit BNP, is the accused in five cases under explosive substance act.

The cases have been filed in the connection with subversive activities in the city during the ongoing nationwide blockade and hartals sponsored by BNP-led 20- party alliance, RMP sources said.

The mayor is also accused of police constable Siddharta Sarker murder case. Shiddharta was killed in pre-election mayhem in Rajshahi city in 2014. On June 15, 2013, Bulbul won the mayoral race of Rajshahi City Corporation. l

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Cox’s Bazar in dire straits due to drinking water crisis n Our Correspondent, Cox’s Bazar The crisis of drinking water is becoming intense day by day in the Cox’s Bazar district.

The underground water level is getting lower gradually due to unplanned urbanisation, deforestation, filling up of water bodies and continuous hill cutting. This has also led to increased salinisation of deep tube well water.

The Cox’s Bazar municipality and its adjacent areas of Khurushkul, Chowfoldondi, Link Road and Kalatali are the worst affected areas.

Experts say if this situation continues the drinking water crisis in the whole district will take a severe turn in five years.

According to municipality sources, the Cox’s Bazar municipality, with an area of 32.90 square kilometre, was established on April 1 of 1869. More than 300,000 residents in the 12 wards of the municipality require about 20 lakh gallons of water each day.

However, only a meagre 324,000 gallons of water is supplied by 10 deep tube wells against the demand.

Residents of Anderson Road of the municipality Jafar Alam, Masud and Khairul Alam said they were not getting drinking water for the last three years. Their tube well became unusable because of salinity.

When contacted, Mayor Sarwar Kamal said they had taken a project to supply drinking water from the Bakkhali River in the river dam area. “The project will be implemented soon and once completed, will curb the crisis,” he added.

However, experts opined that supplying such a huge amount of drinking water from Bakkhali River was not feasible.

President of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA) Cox’s Bazar branch Fazlul Qader Chowdhury said: “The Bakkhali project will not resolve the crisis since the river is not ca-

pable of supplying 20 lakh litre of water a day.”

He suggested utilising the sea water through desalinisation process.

Professor Dr Ashraf Ali, who has been conducting research on water crisis in Cox’s Bazar for the last three years, said water in Cox’s Bazar not only had high salinity but also had mixture of various radioactive elements such as uranium, thorium, monazite and zircon.

“So it is advised not to use the underground water. Instead, the desalinisation of sea water will not only ensure cheap pure drinking water but will also produce salt which could be sold for a profit,” he added.

Meanwhile, Cox’s Bazar Suraksha Parishad submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister on February 25 to resolve the water crisis as soon as possible.

The newly appointed Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar Md Ali Hossain said an initiative would be taken after consulting everyone. l

Husband slaughters wife’s alleged lover n Our Correspondent, Gazipur A man was stabbed to death allegedly over an extramarital affair in Jorpukur area in the city.

Quoting family members, police said Masud Rana, 32, a resident of Bhauraid area had been living with his wife Yeasmin Akter Shirin at Jorpukur for the last few days.

Yeasmin had developed an extramarital relationship with one Saiful Islam Milton and the couple often used to quarrel over the issue.

Masud picked up a quarrel with his wife at night.

At one stage, Milton along with his associates swooped on the house of Masud and stabbed him indiscriminately, leaving him dead on the spot.

Later they threw the body from the roof of the building.

On information, police recovered the body and sent to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

Police arrested Shirin in connection with the incident. l

Woman held at border with five gold bars n Our Correspondent, Jessore Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) caught a woman along with five gold bars on the eve of smuggling those to India via Ghiba border in Sharsha upazila here yesterday.

The detainee is Rokeya, 40, wife of Mizan, a resident from Benapole area. When asked, BGB 26 Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jahangir Hossain acknowledged the incident, saying they on a tip-off searched Rokeya around 12pm and recovered the gold bars weighing 715gm from her possession.

During questioning, Rokey confessed she was playing role as transporter to smuggle those to India, the commander went on adding that she would be handed over to Benapole Port police station later.

Earlier, members of Border Guard Bangladesh detained a person with 12 gold bars worth around Tk1.20 crore in Benapole bus stand area on 16 September,2014. l

Bangla month Falgun begins with sunburn heat in northern region. Day labourers have to work under the heat with great difficulties. The picture taken yesterday from a chatal, rice processing field, at Puthia in Rajshahi shows a female worker carrying rice from the field AZAHAR UDDIN

Tangail handloom business in deep trouble n Our Correspondent, Tangail

The handloom business in Tangail, the most prominent base of the traditional craft in the country, is facing a loss of around Tk50 crore because of the current political state.

Sales have dropped alarmingly since the BNP-led 20-party alliance enforced hartal and blockade, which had directly affected the production of handloom saris, claimed many loom owners as well as weavers.

There are around 60,000 handlooms in Tangail handloom locality, according to a 2013 census. Sources said around 325,000 people – weavers and businessmen – are dependent on the handloom industry here for their livelihood.

Under normal circumstances, business is good all year round with a boost in sales during

major festivals such as Eid and puja. “We usually sell around 1,000 pieces of sari per week,” said Raghunath Bashak, proprietor of handloom shop Jaggeshwar and Co and convener of Tangail Handloom Sari Traders’ Association.

“But due to the political unrest, we have been able to sell only 400 pieces in February. Export of our saris to India has almost stopped, resulting in a decline in foreign currency earnings as well,” he told the Dhaka Tribune on Sunday.

Sukumar Bashak, owner of Pathrail Sari House in Tangail’s Pathrail union, said: “The business is taking a bad hit due to this situation.

Our wholesale clients from around the country cannot come to buy saris. A few clients have asked us to send the product to them via courier, but we do not want to take the risk given the petrol bomb ambushes on the highways.”

Production has naturally dropped since there has been no sales, which has put the weavers out of job and in a financial crisis.

Khokon Bashak, Raghunath’s son, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Unemployment has increased exponentially as many looms have shut down for now. This has never happened here before.”

Nimai Chandra Das, loom owner based in Pathrail, said : “I have not been able to sell my saris at the shops because they have not been able to sell their stock. I am facing a lot of trouble since business in such a bad shape.”

Another loom owner, Md Azahar Miah, from Bishnapur village, said he had to shut down half of his looms. “I had to take a loan in order to keep eight of my 16 looms running.

If the situation does not change, I will have to shut down all of them.” l

Brother kills brother in Sherpur land dispute

n Our Correspondent, Sherpur A man was killed by his younger brother at Sapmari village under Sadar upazila yesterday over land dispute.

Police sources said there had been long-standing dispute between Shahidul Islam and his brother Malek Suzan over ownership of a piece of land.

On the day, Shahidul got locked in an altercation with Suzan over the issue. At one stage, Shahidul hit at the head of Suzan with a brick, leaving him critically injured.

Suzan died while he was being taken to Sherpur Sadar Hospital.

Sherpur Model police station Officer-inCharge Mahfuzur Rahman confirmed the incident. l

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10 WORLD

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

Russian opposition leader and Putin critic Nemtsov shot dead near Kremlin n AFP, Moscow

‘Beyond imagination’

Western leaders yesterday condemned the drive-by shooting of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, as he was walking across a bridge near the Kremlin.

US President Barack Obama decried the “brutal” and “vicious murder” of Nemtsov, which came ahead of a major opposition rally planned for Sunday, and called on Russia to conduct an impartial probe.

French President Francois Hollande called the killing a “hateful murder” of a “defender of democracy.”

A constant stream of people laid flowers and set candles at the site of the murder yesterday morning, with police closing off one lane of traffic to let them through, an AFP reporter saw.

The Kremlin said Putin had taken personal control of the investigation.

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the murder of the 55-year-old former deputy prime minister bore “the hallmarks of a contract killing” and described it as a provocation.

The last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, quoted by Interfax, said the killing was aimed at “destabilising the situation in the country, at heightening confrontation” with the West.

The brazen assassination was one of the highest-profile killings during Putin’s 15 years in power and recalled the shooting of anti-Kremlin reporter Anna Politkovskaya, who was gunned down on Putin’s birthday in 2006.

Investigators said Nemtsov was shot by unidentified assailants from a white car as he was walking with a woman along a bridge just metres (yards) from the Kremlin.

The woman was identified as Ukrainian model Anna Duritskaya by Life News website.

“According to preliminary information, an unidentified person shot at Boris Nemtsov no fewer than seven or eight times from a car as he was walking along the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky bridge,” said investigators.

Interior ministry spokeswoman Yelena Alekseyeva said four bullets struck Nemtsov.

An AFP reporter saw blood on the rainsoaked pavement on the side of the bridge near the red walls of the Kremlin, and roses lying beside a police barrier at the scene.

Speaking on radio just hours before his murder, Nemtsov sounded upbeat and urged Russians to join a major opposition rally planned for Sunday.

“The key political demand is an immediate end to the Ukraine war,” he said on popular Echo of Moscow radio, adding that Putin should quit.

The current regime has reached “a deadend in both domestic and foreign policies.

They should go,” said Nemtsov, who reportedly was compiling a report on Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict.

After working as a research scientist in the late Soviet era, Nemtsov rose to prominence as governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region in central Russia and became a vice prime minister in the late 1990s under the presidency of Boris Yeltsin.

After leaving parliament in 2003, he led several opposition parties and groups.

A passionate orator with a rock star image and popular with women, Nemtsov was a key speaker at mass opposition rallies against Putin’s return to the Kremlin in 2012.

He wrote a series of reports critical of corruption and misspending under Putin.

In 2013, he said up to $30 billion of the estimated $50bßn assigned to the Olympic Games that Russia was to host in Sochi had gone missing.

The Kremlin has denied the claims.

“This is payback for the fact that Boris consistently, for many, many years fought for Russia to be a free democratic country,” opposition leader Mikhail Kasyanov, who served as prime minister under Putin, told reporters after visiting the murder scene.

“In the 21st century, in 2015, a leader of the opposition is shot dead by the Kremlin walls.

It is beyond imagination.”

Washington led condemnation of the killing.

“We call upon the Russian government to conduct a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation into the circumstances of his murder and ensure that those responsible for this vicious killing are brought to justice,” Obama said in a statement.

Hawkish US Senator John McCain said he was “devastated” by Nemtsov’s murder and that “Boris is dead because of the environment of impunity that Vladimir Putin has created in Russia.” l

British PM Cameron vows to hunt down ‘Jihadi John’

Top Bin Laden lieutenant convicted

n Reuters, London

British Prime Minister David Cameron vowed on Friday to use all means at his disposal to hunt down militants such as “Jihadi John” after the killer was identified as a Kuwaiti-born computer programming graduate from London.

“When there are people anywhere in the world who commit appalling and heinous crimes against British citizens, we will do everything we can with the police, with the security services, with all that we have at our disposal to find these people and put them out of action,” Cameron said. Cameron refused to comment on the identification of “Jihadi John” as 26-year-old British militant Mohammed Emwazi. l

n Agencies

A Saudi man described by prosecutors as one of Osama bin Laden’s most trusted lieutenants was convicted in a federal court in New York in connection with the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

Khalid al-Fawwaz, 52, faces up to life in prison after a jury on Thursday convicted him on four conspiracy counts on their third day of deliberations.

The bombings killed 224 people and injured more than 4,000.

“We hope this verdict gives some comfort to al-Qaeda’s victims around the world,” US Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement. Fawwaz

Russian police investigators walk past the body of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, covered by plastic, on Bolshoi Moskvoretsky bridge near St Basil cathedral (background) in central Moscow yesterday AFP

was not charged with planning the attacks.

Instead, prosecutors said he functioned as a key bin Laden associate while living in London, disseminating the al-Qaeda leader’s declarations of war to the media and sending equipment to al-Qaeda members in Africa.

Fawwaz was also accused of operating an al-Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan in the early 1990s and helping lead an al-Qaeda cell in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, that later conducted surveillance ahead of the embassy bombing there.

A defence attorney, Bobbi Sternheim, said Fawwaz would appeal.

“Trying a pre-9/11 case in a post-9/11 era within blocks of the World Trade Center in-

sured Mr Fawwaz would never receive a fair trial from an impartial jury,” she said, referring to the September 11, 2001, attacks in downtown Manhattan.

Fawwaz’s attorneys painted their client as a peaceful dissident who shared with bin Laden a desire to effect reform in their native Saudi Arabia, but turned away from him when he began calling for violence against US civilians.

Prosecutors, however, said Fawwaz did whatever was asked of him to help advance al-Qaeda’s mission.

Fawwaz was arrested in London in 1998 and extradited to the US in 2012 following a lengthy legal battle. l

DT

WORLD 11

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

Egypt court declares Hamas terrorist group

Photographer arrested for Myanmar military Facebook satire

n AFP, Cairo

An Egyptian court yesterday declared Hamas a “terrorist” organisation, a judicial source said, weeks after the Palestinian Islamist movement’s armed wing was given the same designation.

Since Egypt’s military ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, the authorities have accused Hamas of aiding jihadists who have waged a string of deadly attacks on security forces in the Sinai Peninsula.

An Egyptian court on January 31 banned the armed wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, declaring it a “terrorist” group.

In March last year, Egypt banned Hamas from carrying out any activities on its soil and froze the assets of the Islamist movement, which controls the Gaza Strip.

The court of first instance issued its verdict yesterday after two complaints were filed against Hamas implicating it in deadly attacks against the police force and army in the Sinai, said the judicial source.

Jihadists on the peninsula have killed scores of policemen and soldiers since Morsi’s overthrow, vowing revenge for a crackdown on his supporters that has left more than 1,400 people dead. yesterday’s ruling comes just days after Egypt adopted a new anti-terrorism law allowing the authorities to close the premises of any declared “terrorist” organisation, and to freeze its assets as well as those of its members. l

North Korean leader tells army: Prepare for war

n AFP, Seoul

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has urged his army to prepare for war with the United States and its allies, state media said yesterday, as Pyongyang ramps up the rhetoric ahead of US-South Korea military drills.

Kim’s comments came after South Korea and the United States Friday conducted a joint naval drill involving 10 South Korean warships and a US Aegis destroyer, ahead of the launch of large-scale military exercises that have enraged the North.

“The prevailing situation where a great war for national reunification is at hand requires all the KPA (Korean People’s Army) units to become (elite) Guard Units fully prepared for war politically and ideologically, in military technique and materially,” he was quoted by the official Korean Central News Agency as saying.

North Korea regularly ratchets up hostile rhetoric at times of joint US-South Korea military exercises that spark a sharp surge in tensions on the divided peninsula.

Kim called on the military to train hard in order “to tear to pieces the Stars and Stripes,” in comments made while opening a new hall at the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum in Pyongyang, KCNA said.

The drill Friday was a prelude to an eightweek exercise, Foal Eagle, involving air, ground and naval field training, with around 200,000 Korean and 3,700 US troops that begins on Monday.

A week-long, largely computer-simulated joint drill, Key Resolve, will also get under way.

Seoul and Washington insist the exercises are defence-based in nature, but they are condemned by Pyongyang as provocative rehearsals for invasion. l

n AFP, Yangon

Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie stands behind bars during his trial at the noncommissioned police officers institute in the capital Cairo yesterday AFP

Brotherhood chief handed fourth life sentence n AFP, Cairo

An Egyptian court yesterday sentenced to life imprisonment the head of the banned Muslim Brotherhood over the killing of protesters who stormed the group’s Cairo headquarters in 2013.

Three co-defendants of Mohamed Badie – the Islamist movement’s spiritual leader who already faces three other life terms from other cases – were sentenced to death in the same trial.

Fourteen others, including Badie’s deputies Khairat al-Shater and Saad al-Katatni, were handed life terms.

All were convicted on charges of “murder” and “incitement to murder” as well as possessing arms, but can appeal the verdicts.

Badie and the other defendants present in court for the verdict denounced the sentence and shouted: “Down with military rule.”

On June 30, 2013, protesters stormed and torched the Cairo headquarters of the Muslim

Brotherhood as millions took to the streets of Egypt demanding the resignation of president Mohamed Morsi.

Morsi, who belongs to the Brotherhood, was ousted just days later by then army chief and now President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi after one year in office.

Prosecutors said 12 protesters were killed when they clashed with Morsi supporters during the storming of the Brotherhood offices, while more than 90 were wounded.

Badie has already been sentenced by three separate courts to three life terms, and he was also handed two death sentences that were later overturned on appeal. Since Morsi’s overthrow in July 2013, the authorities have launched a brutal crackdown against his supporters leaving hundreds dead and thousands jailed after often speedy mass trials.

Morsi himself is facing several trials on charges that are punishable by death, while his Islamist movement has been designated a “terrorist group.” l

First UK PEGIDA rally staged n AFP, Newcastle

The German-based PEGIDA movement, which opposes what it calls the “Islamisation” of Europe, was staging its first demonstration on British soil yesterday.

On Facebook, more than 800 people indicated they would attend the rally in Newcastle, northeast England.

“It’s about integration. We are not anti-Islam. We are not here to split up any communities,” PEGIDA’s spokeswoman in Britain Marion Rogers said, according to the BBC. “We’ve invited Muslims to join us against extremism, extremism of any kind. I don’t think it’s wrong to stand up to terrorism. Is that hate?”

The Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West movement drew up to 25,000 people in German street rallies last month. PEGIDA-inspired protests have also taken place in Austria and Sweden, though

the small crowds were dwarfed by counter-demonstrations.

A counter-rally is planned for the Newcastle march, with prominent left-wing firebrand lawmaker George Galloway pledging to attend.

“It is absolutely extraordinary that a German organisation sets up in the UK – it’s not as if there is a lack of right-wing nutter organisations here,” he said.

“They have got to be opposed, wherever they are.”

The English Defence League, a homegrown British group that protested against the perceived threat from Islamic extremism, held a number of protests throughout 2013, which often ended in clashes with anti-fascist demonstrators.

But the group has lost momentum since its leader Tommy Robinson quit in October that year, saying he could no longer keep “extremist elements” in the group at bay. l

A freelance photojournalist has been arrested in Myanmar for uploading a satirical post on Facebook mocking the country’s powerful military, relatives said yesterday.

Aung Nay Myo, 37, was taken from his house in Monywa town, central Sagaing region on Friday morning.

“First they came to search for drugs at his photo studio. When they couldn’t find any drugs, they took... his belongings including his diary, laptop, memory sticks and CCTV equipment,” a family member, who asked not to be named, told AFP. After decades of brutal junta rule, Myanmar’s military handed power to a quasi-civilian government in 2011, which has ushered in a new era of political openness in the emerging Southeast Asian nation.

But the international community has also expressed rising alarm that the country is backsliding in key areas of its democratic transition, particularly press freedom and human rights. l

IS fighters attack Samarra ahead of army offensive

n Reuters, Baghdad

Islamic State suicide bombers and fighters struck targets yesterday in the northern Iraqi city of Samarra, where security forces and their Shi’ite militia allies have been gathering for an offensive against the radical militants.

Security sources and residents said the attack on Samarra was launched at 5.30 am (9.30 p.m. ET Friday) when two Islamic State suicide bombers blew up their cars in the northern area of Sur Shnas.

At the same time a man drove a Humvee rigged with explosives into the south of the city and detonated it, while Islamic State fighters attacked security forces to the west with sniper fire, mortars and rocket propelled grenades.

Thousands of troops and fighters from Shi’ite militias known as Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) have gathered around Samarra for a campaign to drive Islamic State out of nearby strongholds on the Tigris River, including the city of Tikrit 50 km (30 miles) to the north.

Medical sources said Samarra hospital had received the bodies of three Hashid Shaabi fighters, and was treating six wounded people. l

Australia may join New Zealand’s Iraq training mission

n AFP, Auckland

Australia is considering joining New Zealand in a training mission in Iraq to help counter the Islamic State (IS) militant group, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said yesterday.

New Zealand announced Tuesday it will send troops to Iraq on a “behind-the-wire” non-combat mission to boost the local military’s ability to fight the jihadists.

Abbott said while Australia had been heavily involved in the campaign against the Islamic State group for some months, New Zealand’s new commitment would inform its future assistance. l

DT

12 EDITORIAL

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

A fresh start for us all

Be heard

Writeto toDhaka DhakaTribune Tribune Write Tower, 8/C Panthapath,Sukrabad, Sukrabad,Dhaka-1207 Dhaka-1207 FR FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Email letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Email letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Sendususyour yourOp-Ed Op-Edarticles: articles: Send opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

W

e welcome news that the Election Commission is ready to organise polls for the two Dhaka City Corporations and plans to hold elections for the Chittagong City Corporation on the same day.

The lack of accountability to citizens caused by the failure to hold local government elections in Dhaka since 2002 is a major factor exacerbating the corruption and mismanagement that undermines quality of life in the capital.

Mayoral elections are essential to help ensure much needed improvements to basic city services and to plan a better vision for future growth.

New leadership can beget the new ideas and approaches which are needed to overcome the blight and deterrent to investment caused by congestion and poor urban planning.

It is vital that candidates provide clear, sustainable solutions to overcome the multiple challenges faced by our two major metropolises.

They need to be able to deliver projects to build new housing and improved transport infrastructure. If planned properly, such initiatives can help improve the lives of all citizens in the country. Helping major centres flourish better by improving transport links can also allow more businesses to relocate and help spread development opportunities across the country.

We hope that the door opened by city elections will help create the space needed to enable the dialogue which is desperately needed to end the damage caused by the national political deadlock.

A fresh start is exactly what is needed to revitalise the management and leadership of our two leading cities, and help build a more prosperous nation.

Mayoral elections are essential to overcome the challenges faced by our two major cities

https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

10 children die in 24 hrs at Osmani hospital

February 10 close this hospital immediately and then form the committee to investigate and recommend If three to four children die every day in how and when the hospital could be opened. one hospital, then the data of Bangladesh’s This is a teaching institution, but is training remarkable progress in various health indithe future killers! I am a physician and I cators, particularly in infant mortality rate, sounds fishy to me. used to teach in Dhaka Medical College a

Dr Ahsan Habib

MSirajullah

long time ago. I urge the health minister to please look into this matter seriously.

The Deputy Director must be fired immediately for uttering such nonsense. This statement was a crime more than the deaths of the children. Under no circumstances can this be acceptable. The ideal step will be to

Try telling the parents of the children who died “nothing to be panicked over the matter.”

Or those who are about to give birth.

DT Tk21 crore approved for police snack allowance February 11 Nazmul Khair What about the bribe they take?

Reach out by growing digital footprint

T

his week’s visit to Dhaka by Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales was an encouraging milestone for ICT professionals in the country.

It came amid news that a San Francisco-based start-up plans to employ up to 7,000 Bangladeshis by 2018 in using Google Glass technology to process the transcribing of US medical records.

When taken with the announcement in November that Fenox, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm, is raising a $200m fund to invest in Bangladeshi IT businesses, these are indications that the world is taking notice of the huge potential Bangladesh has to use technology as a catalyst for economic growth.

As Wikipedia itself demonstrates, the spread of technological advance does not only improve productivity and open up new opportunities for businesses, but can be applied to bring many social benefits in education and development.

The leveling impact of the Internet shows its power most in the changes it brings to the lives of ordinary people. From farmers receiving up to date information about market prices to the rapid take up of mobile financial services, benefits are being seen across the entire nation.

It is vital the government makes strategic use of its digital initiatives to focus on facilitating rather than prescribing ICT development. Developing better training to grow the country’s IT skills base, improving infrastructure and making electronic payments easier are the areas where the government can accomplish most to give a lift to encouraging investment in the IT sector.

This is the best way to encourage entrepreneurs to develop new services and create new jobs.

Develop IT skills base and infrastructure to encourage entrepreneurs

Gutli

Atif Adel Wow! That’s some snack!

Nafees awarded Academy Sci-Tech award February 11 Sage Shujan Respect to you Hajji Nafees.

Abdullah M. Rafi #Proud :) Wahid Ibn Reza #Respect

Dhaka urges US to send back Bangabandhu killers February 10 Arch Bishop Without an extradition treaty, that simply doesn’t happen. A foreign minister -- even a junior one should know that. Pity, from having the likes of Kamal Hossain as FM … the Awami League has descended to such utterly unlearned men in that office.

Ruling alliance leaders reject citizens’ calls for dialogue February 11 Babul Sarwar Don’t go for dialog, but fix the problem that is your job. If you cannot, then what happens? Are 38 days of your failure not enough?

Ananta Jalil to star in two action flicks February 10

Ryan263 Ananta for PM! Then we can have more “guud government.” PS: No pun intended at Lord Ananta’s English.

People He is the actor, he is the producer, he is the director. Education without morality is dangerous, just as money without morality is also dangerous. Ananta Jalil talks a lot of nonsense, but bears no fruitful work.

Leaders should not fear compromise February 11 MahmudRez Agree. But who within the parties is brave enough to tell our leaders they are wrong?

Sohel People from all social groups vote overwhelmingly for AL or BNP, this is all their/our fault as well. We get the leaders we deserve.

He never looked the other way February 11 Evil People Politics Kabir Chowdhury was a pioneer and a true littérateur.

Dreampie He was Clint before Clint was Clint.

DT

OPINION 13

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

Stop writing n Anjali Khan

S

top writing. Don’t let clichés about the joys of reading and writing, book fairs, and sound bites about people’s love for books fool you. When the machetes come, no one will save you.

If you wrote well, statuses will pay tribute to you on Facebook. The news item about your death will go viral. People might even say they will continue the fight for you.

But the real writing, the only writing that will remain after the shock wears off, is on the wall for everyone to see and obey: Stop writing.

Writing upsets people. It may not upset everyone all the time, but if it upsets the wrong people just once, it could be fatal. Why take on the risk? Just stop writing.

What’s the point of writing editorials, petitions, blogs, op-eds, and shopping lists? What do they accomplish? Given the many lives already destroyed for writing, you probably censor yourself anyway. Yet, you can still get into trouble in ways you didn’t anticipate. If you’re not upsetting anyone, you might be accused of playing it safe and simply stating the obvious, so again, why bother?

If you have children, tell them to stop

writing too. There’s no point in teaching them a skill that could get them killed. Don’t ever mention freedom of speech to them. If you do mention it, be sure to tell them that freedom of speech is a myth.

Tell them they might hear people go on and on about freedom of speech, but it doesn’t take much for those very same people to sacrifice it at the altar of self-interest.

It’s best to vaccinate children against desires and expectations of freedom while they’re young, so that they don’t grow up with ideals that will lead to crushing disappointment and disillusionment later when they struggle to choose between principles and self-preservation.

Now if everyone stops writing, don’t be surprised if those who once attacked you, eventually try to coax or provoke you into writing again.

Having an enemy cements bonds. It can turn a hapless group of bored youth into an organisation with a mission, with an implacable sense of purpose that will ensure the survival of the group.

They are because you are. Ubuntu.

I know you may find it hard to stop writing. When the urge to express yourself becomes too strong, scribble your thoughts

BIGSTOCK

on a piece of paper. And then burn it. Even then, I can’t guarantee you won’t have an audience.

If I were to continue writing, I would also write about the risks of thinking and speaking. But I should take my own advice and stop writing to set an example.

Let’s end the charade, stop beating about the bush, and kill freedom of speech in one swoop rather than watching it abruptly claim so many lives while dying a slow, painful, and certain death. l

order of $1.5m. At that point, the Indian MEA officially stated in a media briefing on June 10, 2011: “However, once Ms Biswas’s family sought ministry’s permission to initiate legal proceedings against the concerned authorities in New York, it was granted promptly.

Ministry’s thoughts and support remain with the family at this difficult juncture and we will continue to provide them whatever assistance we can.”

This means that the MEA of India also considered it’s just that such treatment of a person by the police does call for compensation of the grade. That’s good to know. The case was settled in September last year, with New York agreeing to pay her $225,000. Now let’s come back to India.

If the alert, honourable, and super-patriotic citizens of India were to direct their sensitivity a little inwards, they would actually bankrupt the country. Here’s how.

If the above amount is a fair amount, what would be the probable amount of compensation owed to the parents of the Manipuri young woman Thangjam Manorama, widely believed to be have been abducted, tortured, raped, and murdered by members of the security forces, namely the Assam Rifles.

Who will be held accountable for not releasing the government inquiry commission report, after serious discrepancies between Assam Rifles version of events and some objective data that was incompatible with Assam Rifles version? What would be a fair amount of financial compensation for the mass gang-rapes of Kashmiri women in Kunan Poshpora, allegedly by soldiers of the Indian Army? Add to this the innumerable illegal detentions, random beatings, rapes, and so much more against women by police

and security forces in India.

The total amount of compensation (calculated using standards that the Indian government endorses in the Krittika case) for these crimes would make the Indian State go bankrupt. By its attitude on Manorama and Kunan Poshpora, vis-à-vis its agile response to Sureshbhai Patel and Krittika case, the Indian state has already proven itself bankrupt in other ways.

If all this makes Bangladeshis feel smug about their state of affairs vis-à-vis the Indian Union, I have only two words to offer for starters. Kalpana Chakma and she is just one of the many Jumma men and women who will never be seen again. Google that name and read about her. Those reparations might cost a few Padma bridges. Our collective crimes can’t be atoned in many lifetimes. We have no shame. Not you, my brothers and sisters, on the other side of the eastern Radcliffe border. Nor me, sitting here in Kolkata.

Should brown people escape their homelands to foreign countries to be considered as human beings by their “own” state powers?

Maybe they should wait it out for the unlikeliest scenario that these reparations owed to millions of our own victims for brutality by security forces are paid.

That will actually bring in a lot more money in the bank account of most people in the subcontinent than the mythical 15 lakhs Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to everyone living in the Indian Union after black money from foreign accounts would be brought back? Do we realise the gravity of these daily sins? l

Anjali Khan is an entrepreneur.

Unfriendly homelands n Garga Chatterjee

N

on-resident Bangladeshis and Indians are a great source of pride and money for those back home and are often role models around whom whole communities start dreaming. Sureshbhai Patel, a 57-yearold grandfather from rural Gujarat, had gone to visit his prematurely born grandson in the state of Alabama.

He was brutally assaulted by the local police as he was taking a stroll in the neighbourhood where his son lives. The man received severe spinal injuries and is now partially paralysed. While such gross injustice should attract condemnation as it has from various sectors of US civil society and elected representatives, the there is something about the reaction of powerful brown people resident in the subcontinent that requires introspection.

After the Sureshbhai Patel assault news broke, Delhi’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) sprang into action, putting on its “empathy” for brown man Sureshbhai and “outrage” hats at the same time at the excessive use of force by the police. The MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said it’s important that the Indian community feels safe and secure in USA. The Indian consulate in Washington DC has planned to contact the US State Department. A US embassy official in Delhi was also summoned by the MEA and was told how India feels about this event. People surely deserve a government that cares for them, even when they are abroad. Crimes by US police on an Indian citizen are unacceptable. But what about daily crimes by Indian police on Indian citizens? But before that let’s go back to USA.

In February 2011, Krittika Biswas, the daughter of an Indian Embassy official in New York, was made to spend a night in jail on charges that were subsequently proved to be false. Krittika was outraged in the ways she had been dealt with by the New York police, including tight handcuffing while interrogation by police and taking her out of school in handcuffs in full view of her fellow students.

Should brown people escape their homelands to foreign countries to be considered as human beings by their ‘own’ state?

At the jail, she was disallowed from using the restroom during detention, was kept with people who had allegedly committed serious crimes, was kept in a jail with unhygienic conditions. She was there for 28 hours. She publicly broke down while recounting her ordeal in front of the press. She gathered support from people who stood with her resolve to ensure that the price of every tear of her’s needed to be paid.

Krittika’s family subsequently decided to pursue legal action to ask for financial compensation from New York because of its actions. Damages claimed were of the

Garga Chatterjee is a freelance contributor. He can be followed on twitter @gargac.

DT

14 OPINION

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

The marketplace of the blind n Tanvir Haider Chowdhury

P

rothom Alo tells me the death toll has now passed a hundred.

Fifty-six of these people were victims of petrol bombs, which is to say they were burned alive. 40 men, nine women, seven children. Murdered in the course of going about their everyday lives.

Travelling to or from work, or school, or the marketplace. Just ordinary people in their humdrum existence.

There was that family of three returning from a vacation in Cox's Bazaar -- their bus was firebombed and the father and the young daughter died on the spot; the mother, grievously injured, was hanging on for dear life the last I heard.

None of them were uprooting train tracks or setting fire to buses. We shall never know what their position was on constitutional continuity, interim elections, a possible caretaker government, or the independence of the election commission. Or indeed, if they had one to begin with.

The other 45 were killed in “crossfires” or “gun battles.” As if there was a war being fought on our streets. As if murder, arson, and destruction of public property are democratic rights of the citizenry, and shooting down its citizens are the state’s prerogative.

NASHIRUL ISLAM

The unspoken subtext seems to be, we do not want a resolution. Not really. What we really want to see is the complete annihilation of any opposition voices, for them to be silenced forever

There are those among us who will say the state shares the blame for the mayhem in progress. They will claim those in power did the same when they were the opposition.

These statements are gross exaggerations and they mask -- all too weakly -- dogmatic assertions of party allegiance; they will never take us any closer to a solution to the impasse.

Anyone looking at the situation with a semblance of objectivity will know the state did have a hand in the events that led us here. Amending the constitution to scrap the caretaker system was always going to lead us to grief. Reneging on promises made for talks on an interim election after January 5, 2014 was always a recipe for disaster. Persecuting and prosecuting opposition activists until they had no political space left was only going to result in them adopting ever more desperate measures.

But no one should ever place the blame for the murder and arson happening on our streets every day on the shoulders of anyone but the perpetrators themselves. They are hurling the bombs and their puppet masters are taking the call on where and when and whom to kill.

Saying anything else disrespects the lives lost and aids and abets the murderers. And

the sheer numbers tell us that the magnitude and scale of political violence being orchestrated currently is unprecedented in the short history of our democracy from the 90s onwards, so the “they did it too” argument doesn’t really take, either.

And in any case, would this mayhem be justified if there was precedence for it?

Should we proceed with gouging out an eye for eye until we lived in a country of the blind? I know many will be thinking we already do.

We have a singular habit in this country of taking a perfectly respectable word and making it dirty, specifically in the political context. A few years ago it was “aaposh” or “compromise,” that noble art that some would argue civilisations are founded on, which was twisted and stretched and turned until it emerged as a synonym for “sellout” or the pawning of one's integrity for material gain. These days, the word that has fallen out of favour is “shushil,” literally “civil.”

One would think this is a perfectly innocuous word, even quite useful at times. But no, here being a member of the “shushil shomaj” or “civil society” means that you belong to that hated class that, having achieved some sort of pre-eminence through their accomplishments or erudition, presumes to suggest

solutions to crises, again of the political nature. We call into question their ethics, we ask whose interests they represent. How dare they attempt to disrupt this orgy of death and destruction?

The crime of this nebulous civil society this time is that they have had the audacity to suggest the initiation of a dialogue between the government and the opposition to arrive at a way forward. There can be no discussions with terrorists, outraged voices say, veering ever closer to the “if you're not for us, you’re against us” rhetoric of Gulf War two-era George W Bush. What does not emerge from all this sound and fury is what exactly is the alternative. If we refuse to talk, how then do we resolve?

The unspoken subtext seems to be, we do not want a resolution. Not really. What we really want to see is the complete annihilation of any opposition voices, for them to be silenced forever.

The argument that is trotted out most often to support this school of thought involves the trial of war criminals that the incumbent government has undertaken. If they ever leave power, we are told, the entire process will be overturned; war criminals will once again be travelling around in expensive cars flying the state flag. What’s more, everyone who believes in the spirit of the liberation war will become a target; there will be a bloodbath in which the defeated forces of 1971 will be the victors.

Now I want the war criminals to be tried and sentenced to the full extent of the law as much as the next person; I want this probably even more intensely than most. The atrocities that took place during 1971, and the fact that the perpetrators have been allowed to get away with it for so long, is our original sin, and there can only be expiation once justice is served.

But surely the path to ensure justice, and then to achieve sustained peace afterwards,

is through some sort of a consensus? And how will we ever arrive there unless we talk to each other? Maybe even with some of those dreaded civil society members present?

Certain conditions, of course, would have to be met before the talks could happen.

Anyone harbouring terrorists or militants of any kind, for instance, should not be allowed to be a party to them.

The senseless violence still taking place in the country, the work stoppages and blockades, would have to be brought to a stop and all parties would need to approach the discussions in good faith.

Let’s be realistic about this. What other options do we really have? Do we really still want to be those squabbling schoolchildren who let their fight spiral out of control until the class teacher and the headmaster step in? Do we want this to be another episode when Mr Obama and Mr Modi -- along with whoever else feels like getting their two cents in -- lock the door behind them, flip a coin, and decide our fate for us?

As long as our means of protest takes the shape of the destruction of public property and the waste of human lives, and until we see the day when our leaders stop thinking that the only means of dealing with dissent is to be a boot to an ant, we shall continue to be a third-rate banana republic. That’s as terrible a thing to say as it is awful to hear. But it is true.

The enduring mystic and songwriter, Fakir Lalon Shah, wrote this about the scripture he had studied, his own soul and the antics of his countrymen way back in the 19th century: “Eshob dekhi kaanaar haatbajaar,” which translates loosely as “this looks like the marketplace of the blind.”

We are nothing if not consistent. l Tanvir Haider Chaudhury has spent most of his career as a banker and is now running a food and beverage company.

Indian economy forecast to top 8% growth in coming fiscal PAGE 16

German inflation back in positive territory PAGE 17

The file photo shows garment workers making clothes at a Dhaka factory

Political tension continues to weigh on stocks PAGE 10

Duty-free building materials fail to woo RMG makers

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Duty exemption aims to make owners compliant ufacturers and Exporters Association (BG- needed in using prefabricated building maten Ibrahim Hossain Ovi MEA), only two factories Simplex Apparel rials to make it fire proof.

Despite zero import duty, the country’s RMG manufacturers are unwilling to import prefabricated building materials for relocating factories and make them compliant as entrepreneurs think the structure still remains expensive.

In the current budget, the government on certain condition allowed the export-oriented RMG sector to import duty-free raw materials needed for the manufacture of the required prefabricated buildings.

This duty-free import was aimed to help create favorable and safer production environment in line with international standards.

The duty-free import of the materials was expected to help encourage the RMG factories housed in shared buildings and want to be relocated for making them compliant.

The safety issues came under spotlight following the collapse of Rana Plaza. Relocation of factories outside Dhaka had emerged amid pressure from the global buyers.

But, the actual scenario is totally different from the expectation as only two factories got approval from the BGMEA to import materials even eight months after the tax waiver decision.

According to Bangladesh Garment Man-

and Washing Limited and Mars Apparel have taken nod from the trade body to import prefabricated building materials in the last eight month of the current fiscal year.

In the current budget, the government allowed RMG factory owners duty free import of prefabricated building materials to give a cushion to relocate factories but the owners did not show much eagerness to import due to 5% advanced income Tax and 15% VAT, said a high official of BGMEA on condition of anonymity.

He also noted that duty-free import of prefabricated building materials would help the RMG owners to relocate their factories easily, fulfilling the compliance issues.

“It costs Tk550 to Tk600 per square feet to ensure fire safety in the outside portion of the building by using fire coated color,” Syed Faizul Ahsan Shameem, chairman of Dotcom Sweater, told the Dhaka Tribune.

The cost of prefabricated buildings goes up due to higher import-duty on fire-coated color, which ultimately badly caused slow response to the government incentives, said Shameem.

Fire coated color is another thing, which is

The BGMEA is negotiating with the government for withdrawing the import duty on fire quoting color and if the government agreed, the import of the materials will be increased sharply, he said.

BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim said: “We’ve urged the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to withdraw the tax on color. But, we are yet to get any message from the NBR.” Azim also said, “As it is not viable for the importers due to the imposed AIT, VAT and import tax on color, they are not showing any interest to import the materials.”

On the other hand, investors are still following wait and see policy to observe the political situation before investing any further.

“I’ve intended to build a prefabricated building to relocate factory but the current situation is not in favor of business,” said a factory owner, seeking anonymity.

According to BGMEA, over 35% factories need relocation to comply with safety standards. To relocate those factories, the factory owners demanded duty-free import of prefabricated building materials for quicker relocation of their factories. l

DT

Business

15

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

WB suspends mission due to political unrest n Asif Showkat Kallol World Bank has postponed Dhaka visit of its macro forecasting support mission as the country gets struck in the political standoff.

The visit of Analytical and Advisory Activities (AAA) mission was aimed at advising the government on revision of current fiscal year budget and also preparation of next fiscal budget.

The mission was scheduled to arrive today and stay till March 5.

World Bank’s Dhaka office has already conveyed the development to the Economic Relations Division.

Quoting World Bank sources, an ERD official said once stability was restored in Bangladesh politics, the WB mission would visit Bangladesh soon.

But State Minister for Finance MA Mannan denied the political unrest as reason behind the suspension of the visit though he refrained from citing “the real cause” behind.

“Political unrest is not the cause.

There is a different reason for suspension of the WB team’s visit.”

The main objective of the mission was to assist the government in developing a macro forecasting model to provide inputs in the preparation of medium-term macroeconomic framework underpinning the annual budget.

Sources in the Finance Division said the size of the revised budget for the current fiscal year might finally stand at Tk2,40,000 crore, down by nearly Tk10,000 crore from the original one.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith initially estimated the next fiscal year budget outlay at Tk2,92,000 crore, over 16% bigger than the current outlay. The size of the budget has been increasing every year.

In fiscal 2005-06, the size of the budget was Tk61,000 crore which rose to Tk2,51,000 crore.

The WB mission was also to advise on ensuring more efficient use of government exchequers.

The proposed WB team would comprise the Bank’s lead economist Zahid Hussain, economists Faya Hayati, Cristina Savesco, training expert Afroza Alam and Kamrun Nahar Chowdhury. The team was supposed to meet top officials of finance ministry and Bangladesh Bank.

In 2006, the then World Bank country director Christina Wallich left Dhaka fearing of bomb attack by Islamic outfit Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh during BNP-led four-party alliance regime.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said blockade had caused a loss of over Tk1,20,000 crore in the first 52 days. l

DT

16 BUSINESS

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

Cook: Apple Watch will replace car keys n Reuters

India’s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley (centre) leaves his office to present the 2015-16 federal budget in New Delhi

REUTERS

Indian economy forecast to top 8% growth in coming year n AFP, New Delhi India’s economy is in a “sweet spot” and ready to grow by more than eight percent in the next financial year, an official report said Friday on the eve of the new right-wing government’s first full-year budget.

The India Economic Survey, an annual report prepared by the finance ministry, said growth would be between 8.1 and 8.5% in the 2015-16 financial year, reaching levels last seen five years earlier.

The ministry said the data showed the timing was right for the reforms to India’s economy promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to meet his ambitious targets to eradicate poverty.

“India has reached a sweet spot ... in which it could finally be launched on a double-digit medium-term growth trajectory,” the Economic Survey said, adding there was now scope for “Big Bang reforms”.

The upbeat forecast came weeks after the government put growth for the current financial year at 7.4%, outpacing China and making India the world’s fastest-growing economy, after changing the way it calculates its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The figures surprised many economists as India had been thought to be in its worst economic slowdown since the 1980s.

The survey also forecast India’s consumer inflation would moderate to between five and 5.5% in 2015/16, raising hopes for more easing in monetary policies.

The central bank has been under pressure from the government and businesses to un-

wind high interest rates to boost business borrowing and accelerate growth.

But the central bank has maintained it would further cut rates only after “high-quality fiscal consolidation” and continued lower inflation after it reduced rates unexpectedly last month.

‘The economic survey is making all the right noises ... but there has always been a gap between the survey and the actual policy that will be set out Saturday and in months to come’ India’s once high prices have been steadily cooling, partly thanks to dipping global crude prices which have lowered the cost of fuel subsidies and allowed India, an oil importer, to hike excise duties.

But analysts were still sceptical, saying it was too early to celebrate the positive outlook in the report.

“The economic survey is making all the right noises... but there has always been a gap between the survey and the actual policy that will be set out Saturday and in months to come,” said Ashutosh Datar, an economist at the Mumbai-based IIFL Institutional Equities brokerage.

“So let’s pop the champagne when actions match the expectations in the survey. Until then let’s leave the bottle in the chiller.”

Poverty targets

Modi’s landslide election victory last May was largely based on pledges to reform and revive the ailing economy and attract much-needed foreign investment.

The current path of growth would help the government meet the needs of the India’s growing middle class and a quarter of its 1.2 billion population who live in poverty.

“This trajectory would allow the country to attain the fundamental objectives of ‘wiping every tear from every eye’ of the still poor and vulnerable,” the report said.

The government added it would not overshoot its fiscal deficit target of 4.1% of GDP in the current fiscal year ending March 31 and that it would cut it to three percent by the end of the next financial year.

The ministry said it would be able to achieve such targets by shifting spending from huge subsidies to increasing investments to restore the health of India’s public finances.

Investors were left underwhelmed by an interim budget introduced shortly after Modi came to power, and are looking for concrete details from Saturday’s budget, including on plans to boost India’s manufacturing and improve shoddy infrastructure.

Modi has promised to slash red tape, reform tax and overhaul land acquisition laws to try to attract foreign investment and create jobs for millions of young people. l

Apple Watch will replace your car keys and its battery will last the whole day, Apple Inc’s Chief Executive Tim Cook told the Telegraph in an interview.

The watch is designed to replace car keys and the clumsy, large fobs that are now used in many vehicles, Cook told the newspaper.

Its battery will last the whole day, and will not take as long to charge as an iPhone, the report quoted Cook as saying.

Apple Watch will also work as a credit card through Apple Pay, Cook told the paper, but did not mention how user verification will work with the watch.

The rollout of the watch might pose a challenge for Apple’s stores, which may involve “tweaking the experience in the store,” the Telegraph said, citing Cook’s conversation with the staff at Apple’s Covent Garden store in London.

Last March, Apple unveiled CarPlay, which lets drivers access contacts on their iPhones, make calls or listen to voicemails without taking their hands off the steering wheel.

Earlier this month, Reuters reported that the iPhone maker is looking at making a self-driving electric car, and is talking to experts at carmakers and automotive suppliers.

In the interview, Cook said that the Apple Watch will operate a special rewards system, track the user’s activity and “be correct to 50 milliseconds”.

Apple was not immediately available for comment.

The company has scheduled a special event on March 9, where it is expected to showcase Apple Watch, which will be launched in April. l

Economists: Microcredit oversold as anti-poverty tool n Reuters, Washington Microcredit is no panacea for lifting millions of people from poverty, leading economists said on Friday in releasing research from seven countries that challenges a key development tool.

For over 15 years, extending microloans to very poor people has been hailed as a path out of poverty, especially for women.

Microcredit, pioneered by Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh and winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, has been promoted by development agencies as a route to self improvement for very poor families considered too risky by traditional banks.

Microfinanciers make tiny loans to smallscale entrepreneurs, who usually belong to a borrowers’ club that guarantees repayment.

The idea is a family will invest in its business, generate more income and break out of aid dependency.

The industry, which has expanded dramatically since 1997, had reached 137.5 million families by 2010, according to Microcredit Summit Campaign, a non-profit which brings together microfinance practitioners.

But economic studies spanning four continents and seven countries conducted between 2003 and 2012 found that microcredit fell well short of its promise, and there was no clear evidence it reduces poverty. l

DT

BUSINESS 17

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

German inflation back in positive territory n AFP, Frankfurt Inflation in Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, was back in positive territory in February with consumer prices rising by 0.1%, official data showed on Friday.

The previous month, the consumer price index had fallen for the first time in five years, dropping by 0.4% as a result of lower energy prices.

According to the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) - the yardstick used by the European Central Bank - inflation in Germany remained in negative territory, slipping by 0.1% year-on-year in February, way under the ECB’s annual inflation target of just below 2%.

Bangladesh’s export to Germany amounted to USD 2.78bn during the first seven months of FY15, which was responsible for making up 15.6% of total exports during the same period. ~ EPB In January, HICP had fallen by 0.5%.

The February data are still only preliminary, since they are based on consumer price statistics from only six out of Germany’s 16 regional states.

Final data, based on all 16, will be published on March 12, the German federal statistics office Destatis said. The data will offer some hope that the eurozone will be able to avoid a dangerous deflationary spiral of falling prices.

Last month, the ECB unveiled a massive trillion-euro bond purchase programme to ward off deflation and end stagnation in the eurozone economy.

Analysts predicted that inflation was set to trend gradually upwards during the course of the year.

“One reason for the uplift is the increase in energy prices in February. But even without energy prices the inflation rate should have increased as the minimum wage, which has been in force since January, is driving up prices of certain services such as taxi journeys and restaurant meals,” said Commerzbank economist Marco Wagner.

“This trend will continue to boost inflation

Inflation in Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, is back in positive territory in February with consumer prices rising by 0.1% over the further course of the year.”

Berenberg Bank economist Rob Wood was more sceptical.

“Eurozone inflation is likely to stay very weak in the first half of the year before the lower euro exchange rate return rates into modest positive territory. A return to the ECB’s 2% target remains a distant prospect,”

he said.

ING DiBa economist Carsten Brzeski believed there was “clearly no risk of deflation for the German economy. Instead, price developments in the service sector could even be the first result of higher wages and the introduction of the minimum wage.”

He predicted that German headline infla-

REUTERS

tion would remain close to zero for one or two more months, but move higher in the second half of the year.

“Against the background of a strong labour market and recent wage increases, these low inflation rates should continue feeding private consumption,” which is the main driver of German economic growth at the moment. l

NEWS IN BRIEF Sri Lanka inflation hits 11-year low Sri Lanka’s inflation hit an 11-year low in February on the back of drastic price reductions ordered by the new government, official figures showed Friday. The Colombo Consumer Price Index, the main measure of inflation in the island, increased by 0.6% in February, down from 3.2% in January and 4.2% a year ago. The previous low of 0.5% was recorded in January 2004. The new government of President Maithripala Sirisena, who came to power in January, reduced prices of essential food and sharply cut energy prices in line with an electoral pledge. Deputy Economic Development Minister Harsha de Silva told reporters earlier this week that the government expects inflation to remain low in Sri Lanka this year

in line with a global trend. – AFP, Colombo

India to increase investment in infrastructure in 2015/16 India will increase investment in India’s infrastructure by 700bn rupees ($11.35bn) in the fiscal year 2015/16, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Saturday, when presenting the government’s full-year budget. – Reuters, New Delhi

Oil prices rebound in Asian trade Oil bounced back in Asia Friday on bargain-hunting after tumbling in the previous session over a further surge in US crude reserves, adding to the global supply glut. US benchmark West Texas

Intermediate (WTI) for April delivery rose 84 cents to $49.01 a barrel while Brent crude for April rose 91 cents to $60.96 in afternoon trade. WTI sank $2.82 in New York while Brent closed $1.58 lower in London. Analysts attributed the plunge on Thursday to a delayed reaction by traders to a bigger-than-expected 9.4 million barrels increase in US crude stockpiles in the week to February 20.

The US Department of Energy said Wednesday US crude reserves now stand at a record 434.1 million barrels. – AFP, Singapore

Japan industrial production up 4.0% on-month in January Japan’s factory production in January rose a faster-than-expected 4% on-month, growing for the

second straight month, according to official data released Friday. The latest figures from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry beat economists’ median forecast for a 2.8% rise, and followed a revised 0.8% rise seen in December. The ministry left unchanged its verdict on output, saying in a monthly report that “industrial production shows signs of increase at a moderate pace.” Marcel Thieliant, Japan economist at Capital Economics, suggested the upbeat figure did not warrant much optimism. “While industrial production surged in January, firms are predicting a renewed decline in coming months as consumer spending remains sluggish,” he said in a note. A survey by the ministry of manufacturing companies showed they predict production in February was up a slower 0.2% and fell 3.2% in March. – AFP, Tokyo

DT

18 BUSINESS

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

News, analysis and recent disclosures AGM/Dividend BATBC: The Board of Directors has recommended 450% final cash dividend (i.e. a total of 550% cash dividend for the year 2014 inclusive of 100% interim cash dividend which has already been paid) for the year ended on December 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 12.04.2015, Time: 10:30 AM, Venue: Ball Room of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Karwan Bazar, Dhaka. Record date: 05.03.2015. The Company has also reported net profit after tax of Tk. 6,281.92 million, EPS of Tk. 104.70, NAV per share of Tk. 191.06 and NOCFPS of Tk. 79.41 for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

UCBL: The Board of Directors has recommended 10% cash dividend and 20% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 31.03.2015, Time and Venue: To be notified later on. Record date: 04.03.2015. The Company has also reported EPS of Tk. 4.39, NAV per share of Tk. 26.88 and NOCFPS of Tk. (1.81) for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

PRIMEINSUR: The Board of Directors has recommended 10% cash dividend and 5% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 30.03.2015, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Bangladesh Institute of Administration and Management (BIAM), 63, New Eskaton, Dhaka. Record date: 04.03.2015. The Company has also reported EPS of Tk. 2.53, NAV per share of Tk. 17.04 and NOCFPS of Tk. 2.15 for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

MTB: The Board of Directors has recommended 20% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014. The Board has also decided to issue Non-Convertible Subordinated Bond for Tk. 3,000.00 million to raise the Tier II capital of the Bank. Date of EGM and AGM: 30.03.2015, Time of EGM and AGM: 10:00 AM and 10:15 AM respectively, Venue: Bashundhara Convention City (1 Gulnaksha), Joar Sahara Khilkhet, Dhaka (beside 300 ft. Purbachal link road). Record date for EGM and AGM: 08.03.2015. The Company has also reported EPS of Tk. 3.12, NAV per share of Tk. 22.00 and NOCFPS of Tk. (4.57) for the year ended on December 31, 2014 as against Tk. 1.86, Tk. 19.48 and Tk. 15.47 respectively for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

GLAXOSMITH: The Board of Directors has recommended 420% cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 23.04.2015, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Hotel Agrabad, Chittagong. Record date: 12.03.2015. The Company has also reported EPS of Tk. 68.63, NAV per share of Tk. 192.30 and NOCFPS of Tk. 111.14 for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

SALAMCRST: 15% cash dividend, AGM: 28.03.2015, Record date: 09.03.2015. EPS of Tk. 0.98, consolidated NAV per share of Tk. 20.12.

IPDC: 5% cash and 10% stock dividend, AGM: 29.04.2015, Record Date: 09.03.2015, EPS of Tk. 1.44, NAV per share of Tk. 19.97.

PRIMEFIN: 12.50% cash dividend, Date of AGM: 30.03.2015, Record Date: 09.03.2015. EPS of Tk. 1.59, consolidated NAV per share of Tk. 16.47.

Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

Closing (% change)

Company Shahjibazar Power-N National Tubes -A Renwick Jajneswar-A BD Submarine Cable-A Sonali Ansh -A Ambee Pharma -A Tung Hai Knitting -N ACI Limited- A Eastern Cables-A SummitAlliancePort.-A

29.16 22.99 16.78 15.74 15.35 14.83 14.71 13.19 11.78 11.71

CSE GAINER Closing (% change)

Company Shahjibazar Power-N BD Submarine Cable-A Ambee Pharma -A ACI Limited- A SummitAlliancePort.-A Tung Hai Knitting -N The Ibn SinaA Eastern Cables-A Bangas -A Usmania Glass -A

24.46 16.23 13.79 13.44 13.18 12.87 12.40 11.82 11.69 11.07

DSE LOSER Company Intl. Leasing-B Dulamia CottonZ NCCBL Mutual Fund-1-A Ifad Autos -N United Insur -A Prime Finance-A Samata LeatheR -Z Shampur Sugar -Z Saiham Cotton-A 7th ICB M F-A

Closing (% change) -11.80 -10.87 -10.20 -10.04 -9.06 -9.00 -8.85 -8.64 -8.22 -8.18

CSE LOSER Company Imam Button -Z Intl. Leasing-B Ifad Autos -N Bangladesh Welding -Z Monno Ceramic -B Prime Finance-A Aziz PipesZ Midas Financing-Z NCCBL Mutual Fund-1-A BDCOM Online-A

Closing (% change) -12.68 -10.63 -9.89 -9.50 -9.33 -8.96 -8.89 -8.39 -8.16 -7.53

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

DSE key features Feb 22-26, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

DSE GAINER

Sector

15,072.81 324,660,634 422,550

Traded Issues

319

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

92

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

225

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

2

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,574.99

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

31.21

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 1590.44 982.85 146.51 1674.61 781.69 2196.20 20.68 1282.99 2529.56 41.46 464.41 120.61 140.59 777.98 563.93 140.34 217.53 697.29 145.98 539.88 17.29

% change 10.55 6.52 0.97 11.11 5.19 14.57 0.14 8.51 16.78 0.28 3.08 0.80 0.93 5.16 3.74 0.93 1.44 4.63 0.97 3.58 0.11

Million Taka 100.61 98.81 10.07 154.99 41.24 150.17 0.00 115.87 149.49 5.92 40.66 1.99 9.92 55.15 47.66 3.04 9.40 103.57 27.36 100.19 0.20

Average (% change) 31.13 20.93 19.56 14.26 14.37 12.83 12.71 12.76 12.27 11.72

Average (% change) 26.16 14.44 13.52 12.09 11.80 11.78 9.59 11.49 10.23 11.66

Average (% change) -11.24 -10.09 -9.82 -9.18 -6.45 -8.23 -8.42 -8.64 -8.35 -8.18

Average (% change) -10.45 -10.71 -9.71 -9.09 -7.41 -9.13 -8.40 -8.39 -6.83 -3.01

CSE

Closing average 183.30 121.34 269.77 135.83 112.87 305.14 19.24 432.87 122.43 61.96

Closing average 177.25 135.81 303.84 431.26 62.06 19.08 105.21 122.64 351.10 121.74

Closing average 14.45 8.20 4.41 51.47 29.59 18.52 17.50 7.40 20.09 80.86

Closing average

% change 8.20 8.06 0.82 12.64 3.36 12.25 0.00 9.45 12.19 0.48 3.32 0.16 0.81 4.50 3.89 0.25 0.77 8.45 2.23 8.17 0.02

12.34 14.43 51.41 16.20 27.23 18.41 20.61 13.10 4.50 26.78

Weekly closing 188.70 123.60 267.30 136.80 114.20 311.30 19.50 436.00 121.50 62.00

Weekly closing 173.00 136.80 306.10 436.50 62.70 19.30 107.90 123.00 357.40 121.40

Weekly closing

Weekly high 189.50 123.60 274.00 137.90 114.20 313.00 19.70 436.50 124.40 63.90

Weekly high

Weekly high

Weekly low 151.00 118.50 261.00 385.00 54.50 17.00 97.10 110.00 329.00 107.00

Weekly low

16.20 9.00 4.60 58.60 32.00 20.30 18.30 8.20 22.00 90.00

Weekly high

12.40 14.30 51.00 16.20 27.20 18.30 20.50 13.10 4.50 25.80

Million Taka 1691.05 1081.65 156.58 1829.61 822.93 2346.38 20.68 1398.86 2679.05 47.37 505.07 122.59 150.52 833.12 611.59 143.38 226.93 800.85 173.34 640.07 17.49

149.00 100.50 227.00 118.50 97.50 272.50 16.90 386.80 106.00 54.20

185.50 137.70 309.50 439.00 64.00 19.50 107.90 124.00 362.40 123.30

14.20 8.20 4.40 51.10 29.10 18.20 17.50 7.40 20.10 80.80

Weekly closing

Weekly low

14.00 8.10 4.40 50.80 28.80 18.00 16.50 7.40 19.90 80.00

Weekly low

13.80 15.80 58.30 17.70 28.00 20.40 22.40 13.10 4.90 27.50

Total

10.60 13.90 50.80 16.20 27.20 18.20 20.10 13.10 4.40 25.60

% change 10.38 6.64 0.96 11.23 5.05 14.40 0.13 8.58 16.44 0.29 3.10 0.75 0.92 5.11 3.75 0.88 1.39 4.91 1.06 3.93 0.11

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

Turnover in million

Latest EPS

504.382 44.486 39.990 396.044 19.154 66.378 107.741 528.628 5.820 288.507

Turnover in million

8.68 -1.36 4.36 0.76 0.64 4.68 1.19 9.65 1.52 0.78

Latest EPS

60.164 76.231 2.854 25.795 25.267 9.541 0.344 0.176 12.271 1.930

Turnover in million

21.1 -ve 61.9 178.7 176.4 65.2 16.2 44.9 80.5 79.4

Latest PE

8.68 0.76 4.68 9.65 0.78 1.19 3.77 1.52 5.54 -0.88

Latest EPS

25.945 0.215 7.635 325.463 10.175 34.918 0.239 0.058 34.037 0.748

Turnover in million

Latest PE

20.4 178.7 64.9 44.7 79.6 16.0 27.9 80.7 63.4 -ve

Latest PE

-0.09 -4.02 0.32 1.92 2.91 1.59 -0.46 -52.72 1.68 12.76

Latest EPS

1.235 4.491 32.474 0.264 0.062 1.662 0.135 0.005 1.477 2.072

-ve -ve 13.8 26.8 10.2 11.6 -ve -ve 12.0 6.3

Latest PE

-1.48 -0.09 1.92 0.44 0.20 1.59 -0.37 -3.24 0.32 1.68

-ve -ve 26.8 36.8 136.2 11.6 -ve -ve 14.1 15.9

CSE key features Feb 22-26, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

1,226.30 1,226.301 60,579

Traded Issues

271

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

71

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

191

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

9

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,487.31

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

30.15

DT

BUSINESS 19

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

Political tension continues to weigh on stocks n Tribune Report

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Square Pharma -A MJL BD Ltd.-A ACI Limited- A LafargeS Cement-Z Shahjibazar Power-N UCBL - A BD Submarine Cable-A Ifad Autos -N IDLC Finance -A Grameenphone-A

SummitAlliancePort.-A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A ACI Formulations-A aamra technologies-A Singer BD -A

Volume shares 2,595,224 4,475,160 1,265,867 4,376,563 2,984,662 13,396,564 3,063,200 5,998,802 4,240,216 889,064

4,871,886 8,415,775 2,048,759 6,835,648 1,095,549

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company BD Submarine Cable-A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Shahjibazar Power-N LafargeS Cement-Z Delta Brac HFCL-A Square Pharma -A MJL BD Ltd.-A Ifad Autos -N Singer BD -A WesternMarine -N

aamra technologies-A FAR Chemical-N UCBL - A Grameenphone-A ACI Limited- A

Volume shares 593,037 1,797,654 355,877 354,287 502,278 140,070 280,785 596,618 142,940 705,001

781,425 1,177,608 916,023 80,751 61,443

Value in million 684.66 558.88 528.63 521.29 504.38 412.69 396.04 325.46 324.61 301.24

288.51 281.88 281.00 272.11 248.41

Value in million 76.23 60.36 60.16 42.13 41.18 36.95 35.01 32.47 32.47 32.03

31.01 28.47 28.20 27.34 25.79

% of total turnover 4.54 3.71 3.51 3.46 3.35 2.74 2.63 2.16 2.15 2.00

1.91 1.87 1.86 1.81 1.65

% of total turnover 6.22 4.92 4.91 3.44 3.36 3.01 2.85 2.65 2.65 2.61

2.53 2.32 2.30 2.23 2.10

Weekly closing 263.80 127.20 436.00 116.40 188.70 30.50 136.80 51.10 75.00 335.30

62.00 32.20 140.50 38.80 226.70

Weekly closing 136.80 32.30 173.00 116.20 76.50 263.20 126.60 51.00 227.00 44.30

38.60 26.00 30.50 335.20 436.50

Price change 1.66 7.25 13.19 -3.16 29.16 -2.56 15.74 -10.04 -5.30 0.66

11.71 -5.29 9.77 -3.24 1.57

Price change 16.23 -5.00 24.46 -3.73 0.66 1.43 7.11 -9.89 1.29 -2.64

-3.98 -2.26 -2.24 0.12 13.44

Weekly opening 259.50 118.60 385.20 120.20 146.10 31.30 118.20 56.80 79.20 333.10

55.50 34.00 128.00 40.10 223.20

Weekly opening 117.70 34.00 139.00 120.70 76.00 259.50 118.20 56.60 224.10 45.50

40.20 26.60 31.20 334.80 384.80

Weekly high 267.50 128.60 436.50 123.70 189.50 32.50 137.90 58.60 80.00 343.60

63.90 34.60 142.00 41.40 232.00

Weekly high 137.70 34.60 185.50 123.60 79.00 268.00 128.70 58.30 233.00 46.30

41.50 27.00 33.00 343.90 439.00

Weekly low 257.40 118.10 386.80 115.00 149.00 29.90 118.50 50.80 73.40 333.00

54.20 31.80 129.20 38.20 222.10

Weekly low 118.50 32.20 151.00 114.30 76.00 258.00 117.20 50.80 222.50 44.00

38.10 23.90 29.80 335.10 385.00

Weekly average 264.20 125.66 432.87 116.64 183.30 30.50 135.83 51.47 75.52 335.95

61.96 32.57 139.95 38.73 225.57

Weekly average 135.81 32.64 177.25 116.55 76.50 263.48 125.55 51.41 226.00 44.60

39.08 26.08 30.39 336.26 431.26

Weekly capital market highlights DSE Broad Index : DSE - 30 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index :

4763.21716

(-) 0.52%

1772.41773

(-) 0.31%

14552.9499

(-) 0.63%

12049.6862

(+) 0.22%

8859.0800

(-) 0.42%

▼ ▼ ▼ ▲ ▼

The bear-run continued to batter stock markets for the second straight week as even some good earning results failed to bring back the investors mood of buying.

The investors were nervous over the continued heightening political tension.

The prolonged political unrest might wreck havoc on the company’s profitability and economic outlook, leading most investors to stay away from the market, dealers say.

In the past week that ended Thursday, the benchmark index DSEX lost 25 points or 0.6% to settle at 4,763.

The comprising blue chips DS30 index was down over 5 points or 0.4% to 1,772. The DSE Shariah Index shed marginally over 2 points or 0.3% to 1,130.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Categories Index, CSCX, declined almost 44 points or 0.5% to close the week at 8,854. The investors went for panic-sell-off, es000pecially on the fourth day of the week, anticipating further fall following the news of arrest warrants against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. A Dhaka court Wednesday issued arrest warrants against BNP chief and two others for skipping court hearing in the Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust graft cases.

Participation improved slightly due to increased selling pressure. Despite rise in turnover, it still remained sluggish as the daily average turnover at the Dhaka Stock Exchange stood at Tk300 crore, which was 14% higher over the previous week.

The major sectors showed mixed performances in the week. Pharmaceuticals posted heavy gain of more than 3%.

Food & allied also registered a decent gain of over 2%. Power, energy and telecommunication went up over 1% each.

IT was the week’s worst sufferer tumbling3 .6%, followed by cement 2.4%, mutual fund 2.3%, bank 2.2% and non-banking financial institutions 1.4%.

LankaBangla Securities said intraweek volatility was high in the past week as investors remained cautious amid political uncertainty. l

ANALYST

Intraweek volatility was high in the past week as investors remained cautious amid political uncertainty

DT

20 BUSINESS

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

Biman makes TK271cr profit in six months n Tribune Report

Finance Minister AMA Muhith (third from right) seen at a pre-budget dialogue at a hotel in Dhaka yesterday

RAJIB DHAR

MPs want next fiscal budget to address extreme poverty n Tribune Report Lawmakers have suggested the Finance Minister AMA Muhith to prepare the next budget in a manner that can help eradicate extreme poverty from the country.

United efforts of all, strengthening and increasing efficiency of local governments, keeping transparency at the distribution level, identifying extreme poverty hit people, equal distribution of resources, creating employment opportunities at the rural areas and putting importance on health and education were some of the recommendations made by the Members of Parliaments (MPs) to help alleviate ultra poverty.

They were speaking at a pre-budget dialogue on National Budget 2015-16: Expectations of the Country’s Extreme Poor Groups and the Role of Members of Parliament, arranged by the All Parliamentary Party Group (APPG) on extreme poverty held in a city hotel yesterday.

One of the major goal of the next budget should be to obtain higher economic growth for wiping out poverty from the country, said the Mps. Over the last five years tremendous success were achieved in socio-economic development that had brought down poverty rate at 24% in 2013-14 from 40% in 2005 and hardcore poverty to over 12% from about 24% in 2006, according the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

Food intake or direct calorie intake is used as the yardstick to measure poverty. If any person has a daily intake of less than 2,122 calories, he or she will be considered poor. Food intake less than 1,805 a day equates with ultra poor.

Alongside food intake, BBS is also used the Cost of Basic Needs (CBN) method. This assesses a person’s access to eleven needs including food, education and clothing.

Speaking as chief guest Speaker Shirin

Sharmin Chaudhury said there should be separate budget for the extreme poverty-stricken women and children to get them out of woods.

She underscored the need for strong monitoring the fund allocation under the social-safety net programmes.

“The lawmaker can play greater role for ensuring proper use of fund allocation.”

She also observed, “Poverty growth rate has fallen but inequality has also risen in the society.”

‘Fund allocation under social safety programme should be proportionate with the poverty rate in different areas’ In a sharp contrast, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, however, claimed that in every country across the world, poverty rate was declining while inequality was also widening.

“But Bangladesh is the only exception in this regard,” he said adding poverty reduction rate in Bangladesh is remarkable since 2010.

The minister observed: “It cannot be said exactly why the inequality has been squeezed. But I think delivering services to the targeted people through social protection progarmmes is working better.”

He said there were some difficulties in identifying and quantifying people hit by the extreme poverty.

It is easy to identify physically impaired people but not mentally because many families have tendency to hide this, he added.

Putting emphasis on strengthening local government, he said, “It can play a pivotal role to eradicate extreme poverty and for this we need to decentralise the power, as national government cannot do alone in poverty al-

leviation.”

He reiterated that the country would be free from poverty by 2018, as the government had been working hard to attain that goal.

Waresat Hussain Belal MP said identifying those people who were really suffering from extreme poverty, the government needs to make a strategy to free the country from extreme poverty.

“Joint efforts among the government and other social organisations are also important.”

Shirin Akter MP underlined the need for correct statistics of ultra poverty in Bangladesh.

“We’ve heard the poverty growth rate is falling but it is not visible to me. Yet Sidr affected people are deprived of basic needs.

They are yet to get access to clean water.”

Another MP said employment generation by setting up small and medium enterprises at the rural level needs to be focused as a way of poverty eradication.

“Fund allocation under social safety programme should be proportionate with the poverty rate in different areas.”

He said many MPs could not work impartially in fear of losing of their votes, which is a disparity. “Ensuring quality education is also important in the rural areas for alleviating poverty.”

Economist and chairman of Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, in his key note paper, said, “MPs should do their best to deliver on the promises they have or their parties have made to the people.”

“For lawmakers, it is also necessary to help mobilise ‘social capital’ towards promoting cohesiveness in communities, facilitate undertaking of projects to address local problems and promote local people’s aspirations, work cohesively with the local institutions and not displaying muscle power but extending friendship to all,’’ said the keynote paper. l

The national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines, has returned to its profit track bagging Taka 271.44 crore during the last six months.

“If we can keep this momentum in next five months, I am sure we will be able to turn the airlines into a profitable one by the end of the current fiscal year,” Biman Chairman Air Marshal (retd) Jamal Uddin Ahmed said, reports BSS. The national flag carrier counted a loss of Tk10.37 crore in last July but, after that, it came back to its track of making profit.

The airlines made profit of Tk20.50 crore in August, Tk123 crore in September, Tk87 crore in October, Tk23 in November, Tk2 crore in December and 26 in January in the current fiscal, Biman sources said.

Biman Chairman said in every aspect, Biman returned to positive move. It is a result of last five year’s efforts of sending old aircraft to retirement, procuring new aircraft, modernisation, austerity measure and stopping operation on loss incurring routes, he observed.

Biman’s Chairman said after assuming office in 2009, he has been trying hard to taking out Biman of its loss making trend.

Ahmed said he sent off 35 years old fuel-guzzler aircraft DC-10-30 and F- 28 to retirement for reducing fuel as well as heavy maintenance and handling costs.

He said automation of Biman’s software and bringing modernisation to its trading system also helped the airlines in making profit.

Biman procured two new aircraft- Boeing 777-300 ERs in February and March as well as leased two Boeing 777-200 ER last year. l

EU confirms €690m grants for FY2014-20 n Tribune Report European Union has confirmed new grants up to €690 million through the Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2014-2020 for Bangladesh.

This was declared after a EU delegation had a series of meetings with Bangladeshi officials in the city on February 26 and 27, said a EU press release yesterday.

However, the team had expressed its concerns over the current political situation and stressed the need to protect the fundamental democratic rights of the people.

The press release said the €690 million funds will focus on three sectors that are vital for poverty reduction and inclusive and sustainable growth. These are democratic governance, food and nutrition security and education and skills development.

Cross-cutting issues will also be addressed through engagement in these sectors, including gender equality, human and labour rights, disaster risk reduction, environment and climate change. The EU side highlighted the need to strengthen the policy dialogue, a critical factor to achieve sector policy development and make the best use of the available resources.

To this effect, EU emphasised the role of budget support. The EU expressed the need to see tangible progress on public finance management (PFM) in 2015, notably with the adoption/detailing by the government of a comprehensive reform strategy. l

DT

21

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

T-JUNCTION

Season’s freshest Photo: Sabiha Akond Rupa

INSIDE

Now trending:

Keeping it cool

One of the biggest ready-to-wear trends seen on runways all over the world has been the explosion of dark floral prints.

If you have some vintage Victorian style rose prints lying around in your closet, dig them out and give them a spin.

Local fashion houses such as Cat’s Eye have updated this old favourite with a modern twist.

A classic trend that never quite goes away is that for nautical stripes. With navy blue being back in a big way this season, this pattern is enjoying an extra boost in popularity.

As the season gets warmer and the layers come off, pair some navy nautical stripes with the It jeans of the season for a variety of looks that scream timeless and trendy all at the same time.

22 EVENT

ART BAZAAR RIVERS BEYOND BANGLADESH

23

ACCESSORIES

A SHADY AFFAIR

24

WARDROBE CHECK

LAYERING 101

DT

22 T-JUNCTION

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

News

Free global SIM from WOWtel n T-Junction desk UGI Trade Co and United Commercial Bank Ltd (UCBL) recently introduced free WOWtel Global SIM card for all UCBL credit card users. It is said to be a cost effective Global SIM card, which can be used in more than 215 countries all around the world. The SIM card will allow access to roaming for free, access to internet when traveling absolutely anywhere in the world and even free incoming calls in many countries.

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) World Championship 2015 n T-Junction desk

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) World Championship is a very popular IT talent hunt, which takes place globally every year. Its provides a platform for tech lovers to exhibit their talent and skills internationally in Microsoft Office applications. This year schoolcollege-university going students from Bangladesh have taken part in it. The students have participated in a 12-hour learning course with Microsoft certified

professionals before they took the test, conducted by Certiport, a global certification body.

The event took place at the Campus-2 of Cambrian School and College on February 28, from 11:00 am. Well known personalities such as Tareen Hossain, executive editor of Dhaily Ittefaq, Mehedi Hassan Mithu, managing director of Cool Exposure, Ln MK Bashar, chairman of BSB, Cambrian etc.

WOWtel is an international brand name that caters to the needs of valued customers of Bangladesh-UCBL.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Dear Readers, It is my pleasure to introduce to you our newest section, T-junction. The elegance and style of our former lifestyle supplement Avenue T meets the edgy, youthful energy of TMAG, our highly popular teen magazine to create four pages bursting with life.

Whether you’re a trend-conscious teen or the style maven in your workplace, slot down Sundays for everything you need to know about what’s moving and shaking in the fashion industry in the country, as well as global trends.

Sundays have never been more stylish.

Sabrina Fatma Ahmad Features Editor

Akangkha’s

discounted offers this Women’s Day n T-Junction desk Akangkha’s Glamour’s World is offering a 12% discount on all their beauty services on the occasion of the International Women’s Day. They have also extended their discounted period for milk rebounding till March 26. This service can be availed at

Tk4,000 only.

For more details contact 01937513006, 375 DIT Roads, East Rampura (opposite TV gate); 255, DIT Road, West Rampura (near Rampura Bazaar); and Block D, Road 9, House 8, Banashree, Rampura, Dhaka.

Art bazaar n T-Junction desk

Rivers Beyond Bangladesh India-Bangladesh Trans-boundary River Atlas” talks about the origins of the 54 rivers in the region and their importance to the people habituating at its bank.

The book is a wonderful collaboration between IUCN and Drik.

A photography exhibition of mobile phone held pictures arranged by Art Bazaar yesterday, February 28, at the University of Liberal Arts (ULAB) adjacent street at Dhanmondi 4/a.

Art Bazaar believes art is not to be confined in galleries or illustrated platforms, but used to pave the way to psyche development of the average person.

These days, photography is practiced using mobile phones and applications which provides a freedom to create arts more comfortably. The objective of the exhibition is to create an acceptance of “mobile phone photography” as an art medium.

Though the exhibited photographs were up for sale, the organisers insisted the amount received will be given to the respective photographers, deducting the production cost of photographs of course.

The remaining photographs will be reserved at Art Bazaar. No entry fee was set for the exibition.

The single-day exhibition session had run from 3pm to 9pm.

T-JUNCTION 23

DT

Trending

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

fashion

When the sun goes down, the extra layers come off. Swap the office kicks for some high heels, put on some statement earrings, grab a cute clutch, and you’re ready to party.

How to wear:

Dark florals Dark florals are the reigning trend this year. Here’s how to take this hot little dress from daytime to night.

Pair with a pair of dark leggings, a blazer, scarf and smart, sensible shoes for a look that’s office appropriate.

accessories

A shady affair So hot this spring

n Sabah Rahman Big and beautiful All things oversized are extremely trending at the moment so it’s no surprise that sunglasses would follow suit. Trends aside, these extra large beauties give the delicate skin around your eyes more coverage from harmful rays. The best part? Right before almost everyone started going gaga over wayfarers, oversized frames were all the rage. It’s time to go digging for the ones you bought back then.

Brighter still The big guns in the fashion world aren’t just stopping at colourful frames. What fun would that be? They took it a step further and designed pairs where the actual lenses are made from tinted glass.

Then they went ahead and took it up yet

Colour me bright Frames that represent the different colours of the rainbow are always fun and add a playful kick to your overall look. Don’t limit yourself to just one shade. Prints like stripes, hearts and polka dots are huge as well and can take any old outfit from from drab to fab.

Oh the extravagance If you’re more into embellishments than playing around with colours, this is the year for you to celebrate.

Designers seem to have decided that playing around with painted glasses weren’t edgy enough and went all out

with exaggerated decorative details.

You heard that right. Keep an eye out for textured glitter, chain details and even mini skulls and hearts on the frames themselves.

another notch by placing contrasting hues over each eye. Now that’s new! Be warned however that it will take a fearless fashionista to pull these off. Pick the wrong ones and you’ll look like you’ve been holding onto those 3D glasses you got at the theatre years ago.

Retro rage If you’ve suddenly been seeing people sporting round, John Lennon inspired glasses, take note. These are on fire at the moment and almost everyone is looking for the perfect pair. What makes the newer version more interesting is the way the lenses are tinted in an ombre effect.

Feeling feline Cat-eye frames, another member of the

new A team, are another style that has been recycled from the past. Whether you go for a loud pair of plastic ones or a more svelte, metal version completely depends on your sense of style and the shape of your face.

The classic case If none of the styles highlighted here get your motor running, relax. The classic aviators are here to stay. Timeless and traditional, there is a pair out there for every face shape.

Shopping 101 If there’s one thing Dhaka has plenty of, it’s eye wear shops. They are literally everywhere and carry a surprising array of trendy shades. Pay a visit to Urban Truth and check out their covetable collection as well.

DT

24 T-JUNCTION

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

Tailored

wardrobecheck

Layering 101 Mastering the art of layering

n Baizid Haque Joarder Layering is as vital a tool during the transitional weather, as it is during winter.

The concept can be related all-year-long but it is more relevant in a weather like the current one. It gives you the option to take on and off a layer whenever you want to, depending on how the weather is.

Why layers?

Layering is a great way to personalise your wardrobe. Here are two reasons why it should be your new best friend:

Layering is stylish

Let’s face it, the majority of the people around you have succumbed to the generic shirt, trousers and the chilled out T-shirt.

Which makes it, somewhat “pleasing” to the eyes when you see someone do something different and interesting to their outfit.

Proper layering is known to make one’s ordinary clothes look so much more. Who doesn’t like variety? The concept of layering tends to play with colour which gives you a variety of options when you’re dressing up, once you’ve gotten a grip on it.

Layering is practical

Like someone once said, fashion is anything you are comfortable in. In a country like ours, you have to think about the practicality and the function of your wardrobe. The weather, for obvious reasons, is an important point to be kept in mind when you’re layering. When you feel a tad too warm, simply take off the top layer of your outfit or slip it back on, when the chilly breeze reminds you of the winter left behind.

The rules

The hems on the outside should be longer than the ones inside The weight of the materials to be used, the heaviest ones to be piled on the lightest.

Never the other way around, please.

Each layer that you don should be something that you could wear on it’s own: The onlookers shouldn’t think that you are layering in order to hide a T-shirt that you aren’t proud of.

Choose your colours wisely: The colours should not counteract each other, colourblocking can be a good idea. But the contrast must be present, at all times.

The patterns, too: Differentiate between the strongest and lightest colours and pile on accordingly, keeping a contrast between the different types. Mustn’t look like you are trying too hard.

All in all, the art of layering could be mastered by anyone and everyone. Once you do that, effortless fashion is what you’ll reek of. Nothing less.

infashion

Keep an eye out Here’s to a smokin’ hot summer

n Mahmood Hossain Traditionally in the States and Europe, spring actually feels like spring and summer feels like summer. Unfortunately, any hot day in Dhaka feels like Hades came to visit.

We can safely say that every month until December is going to feel like summer, rain or no rain. While things heat up around us, it’s important to keep our attention on what’s hot and what’s not.

Earning those stripes

Statement stripes are a huge plus this season. You’ll always have your nautical standard stripes but there will be plenty of this trend hitting up both the formal and casual wear for men. We’re talking about stripes all over. Ties, short sleeve shirts, dress shirts, trousers, shorts, you get the idea. Be careful gentlemen, not all stripes are equal.

Remember the basic rule of staying away from horizontal stripes that might make you look wider than you actually are. If you’re in shape or simply not overweight, don’t worry about it. Stripe all you want.

Down with denim

Apart from jeans, the denim jacket can be a key character in your casual wear arsenal.

Yes, it’s hot, we know. You can always roll up the sleeves and keep the bottom layer as light as possible. It’s as simple as a basic T-shirt. If anyone judges you unfavourably, consider them foolish. Well, unless you’re sweating like a pig. No one wants that. The

fact is you’ll see more dressy denim shirts, jackets and blazers. If one item doesn’t look good on you, most likely you’ll find something that fits perfectly. However, we recommend you stay away from denim shorts, if you ever bump into any.

Start the bleeding

Red, fellas. In all different shades, red is going to be the standout colour for the first few months. We’re talking about tomato red to the more sophisticated Bordeaux. Again, be careful with particular shades of red, you’ll have to consider your skin tone. Red can also cause plenty of unwarranted style moves. The brighter reds are for the daring.

The darker shades, on the other hand, can be dabbled with. Don’t forget, there are trial rooms at stores for a reason. And always have an extra pair of eyes to check you out before you head for the counter.

Man-up in florals

No, relax, no one’s putting you in a bridesmaid dress. This should be a given.

Spring, and now summer, seem empty without florals. Now that more men are getting in touch with their more fashionable side, florals shouldn’t be a big deal to try on.

The main item to grab will be long sleeve casual shirts. Nowadays, casual florals come in slimmer cuts, which means these will look really flattering closer to your body.

There is, however, the golden rule - never wear more than one floral item. Most likely, it will disorientate the senior citizens.

Left-arm seamers took 12 wickets in the NZvAUS match yesterday Mitchell Starc took six, Trent Boult five and Corey Anderson one. It’s easily the most wickets they’ve taken in a single game - the previous best was 9

26

India cruise to easy win over UAE in Perth

28

Fed Cup: Russel eye Jamal upset

29

25

DT

Sport

THUNDER-BOULT

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

‘I will try to be the highest scorer’

AUS v NZ Sir Richard Hadlee (CL) presents New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum (C) with the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy after their win over Australia during their 2015 Cricket World Cup Pool A match at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday AFP

Boult-inspired Kiwis win thriller despite Starc heroics n Reuters, Auckland

Australia speedster Mitchell Starc (C) is mobbed by teammates after taking one of his six wickets against New Zealand yesterday AFP

Kane Williamson coolly struck a straight six to give New Zealand a one wicket victory over Australia in a dramatic battle between the cricket World Cup hosts at Eden Park on Saturday.

Williamson lofted Pat Cummins over the boundary with last man Trent Boult at the wicket to finish on 45 not out in New Zealand’s 152 for nine off 23.1 overs.

Mitchell Starc scythed through the New Zealand batting after Brendon McCullum had given the home side a flying start with 50 from 24 balls, including seven boundaries and three sixes, to take six for 28 from nine overs.

New Zealand’s left-arm fast bowler Trent Boult recorded his best figures in a one-day international, capturing five wickets for one run during his second spell, to finish with five for 27 in Australia’s 151 all out from 32.2 overs.

There was no hint of what was to follow at the start of the day when Australia, who won the toss, set off as if they were determined to post a total around the 400 mark.

Tim Southee conceded 15 runs off the first over of the day, David Warner slashed a six off his second over the short third man boundary and Aaron Finch struck the

pace bowler over mid-on into the stands off the third.

With his next ball Southee knocked Finch’s off stump out of the ground after he had scored 14.

Warner and Shane Watson took the score to 80 when McCullum introduced Daniel Vettori into the attack.

Bowling with his accustomed flight and guile, the left-arm spinner put a brake on the scoring and the frustrated Watson (23) perished when he pulled a short delivery straight to Southee at mid-wicket.

Southee switched ends and was rewarded with the wicket of Warner lbw 34 to a full delivery which thudded on to his pads.

Wickets then suddenly began to tumble. Steve Smith (4) was caught behind by Luke Ronchi off Vettori from a thick inside edge and Glenn Maxwell (1) and Mitchell Marsh (0) both dragged deliveries from Boult on to their stumps.

Clarke (12) and Johnson (1) fell to simple catches by Wiliamson off Boult who then bowled Starc for a duck.

Brad Haddin took a four and a six off Vettori’s final over and showed the pitch was not a minefield by reaching the top score of 43 with four boundaries and two sixes. l

AUSTRALIA A. Finch b Southee D. Warner lbw b Southee S. Watson c Southee b Vettori M. Clarke c Williamson b Boult S. Smith c Ronchi b Vettori G. Maxwell b Boult M. Marsh b Boult B. Haddin c Taylor b Anderson M. Johnson c Williamson b Boult M. Starc b Boult P. Cummins not out Extras: (b4, lb2, w6)

R 14 34 23 12 4 1 0 43 1 0 7 12

Total: (all out, 32.2 overs)

151

B 7 42 30 18 11 3 2 41 7 3 30

Fall of wickets 1-30 (Finch), 2-80 (Watson), 3-80 (Warner), 4-95 (Smith), 5-96 (Maxwell), 6-97 (Marsh), 7-104 (Clarke), 8-106 (Johnson) 9-106 (Starc), 10-151 (Haddin) Bowling Southee 9-0-65-2 (4w); Boult 10-3-27-5 (2w); Vettori 10-0-41-2; Milne 3-0-6-0, Anderson 0.2-0-6-1;

NEW ZEALAND M. Guptill c Cummin s b Starc B. McCullum c Starcb Cummins K. Williamson not out R. Taylor b Starc G. Elliott b Starc C. Anderson c Cummins b Maxwell L. Ronchi c Haddin b Starc D. Vettori c Warner b Cummins A. Milne b Starc T. Southee b Starc T. Boult not out Extras: (w10, nb1)

R 11 50 45 1 0 26 6 2 0 0 0 11

Total: (9 wkts, 23.1 overs)

152

B 14 24 42 2 1 42 7 3 2 1 2

Fall of wickets 1-40 (Guptill), 2-78 (McCullum), 3-79 (Taylor), 4-79 (Elliott), 5-131 (Anderson), 6-139 (Ronchi), 7-145 (Vettori), 8-146 (Milne), 9-146 (Southee) Bowling Johnson 6-1-68-0 (1nb); Starc 9-0-28-6 (4w); Cummins 6.1-0-38-2 (6w); Marsh 1-0-11-0; Maxwell 1-0-7-0; New Zealand won by one wicket Man of the match: Trent Boult

DT

26 Sport

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

India cruise to easy win over UAE in Perth n Reuters, Perth Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin claimed four wickets to lead a strong Indian bowling performance as the defending champions eased to a nine-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in a World Cup Pool B encounter in Perth on Saturday.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja and fast bowler Umesh Yadav chipped in with two wickets apiece as the Emiratis were bundled out for just 102 in 31.3 overs at the WACA to post the lowest score of this year’s tournament.

Opener Rohit Sharma had missed out in India’s wins against Pakistan and South Africa but used the opportunity to get some runs under his belt as his team chased down the target with 31.1 overs to spare for a third triumph in as many matches.

Rohit (57) and Virat Kohli (33) added 75 in an unbroken second wicket stand to carry India home after in-form opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan (14) fell to a sharp one-handed catch by Rohan Mustafa at point off Mohammad Naveed.

Rohit, the owner of the highest ODI score of 264, brought up his 24th fifty with a squarecut boundary off UAE captain Mohammad Tauqir. He hit 10 fours and a six during his 55-ball knock. Tauqir would never have envisioned such a shambolic batting display from his team mates when he won the toss and opted to bat first.

However, the extra bounce on a pitch widely considered as the fastest in the world put them on the back foot from the onset of their innings.

Yadav bowled short and fast and struck in his first over, the second of the innings, to remove opener Andri Berenger (four) with a bouncer.

Fellow opener Amjad Ali (four) did not last much longer, edging a bouncer from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a replacement for the injured Mohammed Shami, to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni behind the stumps.

Skipper Dhoni brought Ashwin (4-25) on as his first change immediately after the mandatory 10-over powerplay to start the innings and the tall spinner picked up a wicket with his second ball and then ran through the UAE middle order to bag his best figures in ODIs. Shaiman Anwarwas the only batsman to provide some resistance and finished with 35 from 49 balls, his innings including six fours.l

UAE v INDIA UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Amjad Ali c Dhoni b Kumar A. Berenger c Dhoni b Yadav K. Chandran c Raina b Ashwin Khurram Khan c Raina b Ashwin S. Patil c Dhawan b Ashwin Shaiman Anwar b Yadav R. Mustafa lbw b Sharma Amjad Javed c Raina b Jadeja Mohammad Naveed b Ashwin Mohammad Tauqir b Jadeja M. Guruge not out Extras: (lb4, w9)

R 4 4 4 14 7 35 2 2 6 1 10 13

Total: (all out, 31.3 overs)

102

B 12 9 27 28 19 49 12 5 7 5 16

Fall of wickets 1-7 (Berenger), 2-13 (Ali), 3-28 (Chandran), 4-41 (Patil), 5-44 (Khan), 6-52 (Mustafa), 7-61 (Javed), 8-68 (Naveed), 9-71 (Tauqir), 10-102 (Anwar).

Bowling Kumar 5-0-19-1 (2w); Yadav 6.3-2-15-2 (3w); Ashwin 10-1-25-4 (1w); Sharma 5-1-16-1 (2w); Jadeja 5-0-23-2;

INDIA R. Sharma not out S. Dhawan c Mustafa b Naveed V. Kohli not out Extras: Total: (1 wkt, 18.5 overs)

R 57 14 33 0

B 55 17 41

104

Fall of wicket 1-29 (Dhawan) Bowling Naveed 5-0-35-1; Guruge 6-1-19-0; Javed 2-0-120; Chandran 3-0-17-0; Tauqir 2.5-0-21-0; India’s batsmen Rohit Sharma (L) and Virat Kohli are congratulated by UAE’s Andri Raffaelo after their Cricket World Cup match in Perth yesterday REUTERS

India won by nine wickets Man of the match: Ravichandran Ashwin

De Villiers ‘best of century’, says Tahir n AFP, Sydney South Africa leg-spinner Imran Tahir described captain AB de Villiers as “the best player of the century” after the skipper smashed a whirlwind, undefeated 162 against the West Indies at the World Cup. De Villiers made his runs off just 66 balls as South Africa raced to the second-highest World Cup total of 408 for five on Friday.

South Africa won by 257 runs with De Villiers making the second fastest World Cup century off just 52 balls.

“I’m sure the whole world knows about him. He’s just an unbelievable player; for me

the best player in the century,” said Tahir of a man who also holds the record for the fastest one-day century off 31 balls, against the West Indies in Johannesburg in January.

“I’m just really happy that I’m playing with AB de Villiers and not against him,” added Tahir, who admitted he’d struggle to know the best way to bowl to de Villiers if he was on the opposing team. I’d probably bowl him a beamer or two, two beamers, and I’m out. It’s just a great honour to watch him every day in the nets.”

Tahir was overshadowed by de Villiers’ one-man demolition job at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.

But he played a major role with the ball,

bamboozling the West Indians with his legspin which gave him a career best 5-45.

It took his one-day haul to 64 wickets at a miserly average of just 19.40.

The performance also illustrated 35-yearold Tahir’s love of the big occasion.

The Lahore-born slow bowler only made his South Africa ODI debut in 2011 at the last World Cup where he finished as the team’s second highest wicket taker. .“I just like challenges. I have had a lot of in my life, and then when it comes to that, I think I can be ready for anything,” said Tahir.

“I’m just really honoured to play for South Africa.” l

England need to beat ‘big side’ n AFP, Wellington

English opener Moeen Ali catches a rugby ball during training yesterday ahead of their 2015 Cricket World Cup Group A match against Sri Lanka in Wellington today AFP

England need to beat a “big side” such as Sri Lanka if they are to get their World Cup campaign up and running, paceman Chris Woakes said Saturday.

Eoin Morgan’s side face Sri Lanka, the 1996 champions, in Wellington on Sunday with the team still looking for their first Pool A win over a Test side this tournament.

England started the World Cup with a 111-run thrashing by arch-rivals Australia in Melbourne and things got even worse when they suffered an eight-wicket defeat by New Zealand, the other tournament co-hosts, when

they last played in Wellington.

They eventually kickstarted their push for the quarter-finals when they beat non-Test nation Scotland by 119 runs.

With group games against perennial strugglers Bangladesh and tournament newcomers Afghanistan to come, England could qualify for the quarter-finals without defeating a major side given four teams out of the seven in Pool A will head into the knockout phase.

But Woakes believes a win over Sri Lanka at the Westpac will do wonders for England’s self-belief.

“It’s important that we do show up against the big teams,” said Woakes.

“You know, obviously tomorrow is a big game having already lost two in the tournament already. Sri Lanka are a good side, so we know we’ve got to be on our game.

“We want to get through to the quarter-finals and you’re going to have to beat big teams on the way.

Tomorrow is obviously a big opportunity for us.

Woakes is England’s leading bowler at the tournament so far, with five wickets in three matches at an average of under 20.

“I think since arriving in Australia I felt like I’ve hit my straps pretty well, executed plans reasonably well,” said Woakes.l

DT

Sport 27

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

QUICK BYTES Spurs plot Chelsea repeat in League Cup final Inspired by their stunning 5-3 demolition of Chelsea on New Year’s Day, Tottenham Hotspur will attempt to spoil Jose Mourinho’s love affair with the League Cup in Sunday’s final. Chelsea have enjoyed the upper hand over their London rivals in recent years, but a run of 10 matches without defeat came to an abrupt halt at a giddy White Hart Lane on January 1 as a Tottenham side inspired by 21-year-old breakthrough star Harry Kane ran amok. Victory at Wembley on Sunday will bring Mourinho full circle, as the 2004-05 League Cup was the first trophy he won during his first stint as Chelsea manager, but his Tottenham counterpart Mauricio Pochettino says Spurs will approach the game with no sense of inferiority. “We got this victory against Chelsea on January 1 and it is important for belief,” said the Argentine, who hopes to end a seven-year trophy drought stretching back to Spurs’ win over Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup final.

–AFP

De Gea dismisses talk of Van Gaal rift Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has slammed reports of a rift with Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal. It was claimed this week that Spain international de Gea had not spoken to van Gaal for the last few months, adding to speculation that the reason for his failure to sign a new contract was his desire to join Real Madrid. But the former Atletico Madrid star was keen to make it clear there was no truth in the rumours. “Everything that has been written in the press about us not getting on is a lie,” de Gea told MUTV on Friday. “We both want the best for the club and the team, and the stories are complete lies.” De Gea’s contract expires at the end of next season and United are keen to tie him to a new deal after a series of fine performances this term. Few would have thought he was capable of such performances when at the start of his United career, when he made a series of mistakes that led many to question then manager Alex Ferguson’s decision to sign him.

–AFP

Nadal cruises into Argentina semis Rafael Nadal, who is gunning for a record-tying 46th clay-court title, surged into the semi-finals of the Argentina Open on Friday with a 6-1, 6-1 rout of Federico Delbonis. The world number four Nadal will face Carlos Berlocq for a berth in the final of the ATP Tour tournament. Nadal, who is playing in this event for the first time in 10 years, has won all three previous matches with Berlocq. Nadal needed just 62 minutes to dispatch fellow left-hander Delbonis as the Spanish star capitalized on five of his nine break-point chances in the quarter-final contest. Nadal last played in this event in 2005, when he lost in the quarters to Gaston Gaudio. Nadal is seeking his 65th career singles crown. Earlier, Argentina’s Berlocq notched his second career win over Slovenia’s Blaz Rola, reaching the final four with a convincing 6-1, 6-3 victory.The 32-year-old Berlocq broke Rola on six of his 11 chances in the 79-minute match to reach his first semi-final since last July.

–AFP

(L-R) Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Irfan, Rahat Ali and Ehsan Adil get themselves photographed during their training session yesterday ahead of the 2015 Cricket World Cup Pool B match against Zimbabwe at the Gabba Cricket Stadium in Brisbane today AFP

Pakistan summon spirit of Imran Khan, 1992 n AFP, Brisbane

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq summoned up the spirit of Imran Khan and his 1992 World Cup warriors on Saturday as the strifehit Asian giants look to salvage their 2015 campaign.

Pakistan, engulfed by a series of on and off-field controversies, have lost both of their opening two games -- by 76 runs to India and 150 runs against the West Indies.

They are bottom of Pool B and defeat by Zimbabwe at the Gabba on Sunday will virtually condemn them to an early exit. But Pakistan have been down this road before.

Twenty-three years ago, when the World Cup was last played in Australia and New Zealand, Imran Khan’s team were also staring at early elimination.

They lost by 10 wickets to West Indies, beat Zimbabwe, had a no-result when about

HEAD TO HEAD PAKISTAN 42

Wins

ZIMBABWE 3

PLAYERS TO WATCH Shehzad made a good start in the World Cup with an entertaining 47 against arch-enemies India. Pakistan, aiming to rescue their faltering campaign, will SHEHZAD look towards the opener to provide a blistering start Born in Pakistan, Raza has not really shone for Zimbabwe thus far. Only a solitary 46 against UAE hardly does justice to a talented player like him

RAZA

to be defeated by England before two more losses to India and South Africa.

They then went on a roll, seeing off Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand to make the semi-finals.

New Zealand were defeated again in the last-four before the title was clinched in Melbourne courtesy of a 22-run win against England.

“The important lesson is never give up,” said Misbah.

“That’s what you need to do as a player and as a team. That’s what Imran Khan usually says about 1992. Even when the team was in difficult times, they never gave up.

“They just kept trying, kept trying, and kept trying. At last they just managed to do what they really wanted to do in that World Cup. “So, that’s what we are trying to do. We just have to do the things and we have to work

hard, and that’s what we’re trying to do”.

Misbah insists that his team are trying to forget their two defeats as well as off-field diversions which have seen eight players fined for breaking a curfew, reports of a bust-up in training and chief selector Moin Khan being sent home in disgrace for visiting a casino.

“It’s always like that,” said Misbah, when asked to reflect on the deluge of criticism his team has endured for their woeful form.

“They always say that they are with the team all the time, but never do it. You could say it’s always like that in Pakistan. We are always with the winning team, but when our team is in difficult times, we’re here (on their own.)”

Misbah added that Pakistan’s slow start could be partly attributed to the damage caused by the late withdrawals of three key men -- spinner Saeed Ajmal, veteran batsman Mohammad Hafeez and seamer Junaid Khan.l

Whatmore’s knowledge key for Zimbabwe, says captain n AFP, Brisbane Zimbabwe are pinning their hopes on coach Dav Whatmore’s inside knowledge of Pakistan’s talent and well-known frailties when the teams meet in the World Cup on Sunday.

Whatmore was at the helm of Pakistan for two years from 2012.

But the much-travelled coach was signed up by Zimbabwe for the 2015 World Cup and has so far overseen a win over the United Arab Emirates and two losses to South Africa and West Indies. Defeat for either side at Brisbane’s Gabba ground on Sunday is likely to be fatal to their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals from Pool B. Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura

believes the 60-year-old Whatmore, who coached Sri Lanka to the 1996 world title, knows where Pakistan are at their most vulnerable. “He knows almost everyone on the team, so when it comes to strategies and stuff, it’s much better to have someone who has been working with Pakistan guys,” said Chigumbura.

“So we’ve got more information. We just have to go and execute our plans tomorrow.,” he added. “He’s brought a lot of positives into the team, and everyone is comfortable in the way he’s sharing his experience, it’s been good,” Chigumbura said of Whatmore.

“Everyone just wants to express themselves and play the best cricket that they’re capable of.” l

DT

28 Sport

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

n Raihan Mahmood Defending champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will enjoy the upper hand in the first derby of the season when they face an injury-hit Sheikh Russel KC in the first semifinal of the Federation Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium at 5:15pm today.

The services of influential midfielders Hemanta Vincent Biswas and Zahid Hossain will be heavily missed by Russel as the national duo are yet to regain competitive match after sustaining injury in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup earlier this month. The worry for the blues gets worse as their experienced defender Rezaul Haque and hardworking midfielder Jamal Hossain are also sidelined with injury.

However, having majority of the national players in the side Jamal also need to be careful of their own scare, the “fatigue syndrome” as their booters showed signs of exhaustion during the quarterfinal clash against Brothers Union.

“Yes, I cant deny the fact, five or

six of my first choice players have been playing continuously for the last one year, they have fulfilled the national and club commitments and they do feel tired.

However I am working on it and I have every hope that it will not affect the performance tomorrow (today),” said Jamal coach Maruful Haque.

On the other hand, Russel manager Jewel Rana reflected on missing out on his key players and said, “We will not be able to field the full strength team, but we are ready to fight it out with what we have.”

“We are not afraid of Sheikh Jamal, we want to win the semifinal,” added the former national captain.

Rana thinks the contribution of the foreign players will be vital.

“I must say that the foreign players of Jamal are little ahead of our foreigners in ranking, I think the foreigner’s contributions will make the difference.”

Till date, Russel faced Jamal four times in the Federation Cup and drew only once. Jamal won once compared to Russel’s two win.l

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Fed Cup: Russel eye Jamal upset

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club footballers, led by Mamunul Islam (L), train at their club ground yesterday

India slam door shut on minnows big match dreams n AFP, Perth India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni dealt a huge blow to cricket’s non-Test nations Saturday when he warned that his world champions have no plans to play regular fixtures against them.

With controversy over the make-up of the 2019 World Cup -- where the number of teams is set to be slashed from 14 to 10 - threatening to overshadow the ongoing tournament, Dhoni slammed the door on minnows’ aspirations.

The 10 teams who will feature in England in 2019 will be based on a rankings system with the top eight as of September 30, 2017, booking their places with the other two slots decided by a qualifying tournament.

As all the Test nations play regular fixtures

Team

POOL B P

W

L N/R Pts NRR

3

3

0

0

South Africa

3

2

1

0

4 +1.260

Ireland

2

2

0

0

4 +0.338 4 -0.313

India

6 +2.630

West Indies

4

2

2

0

Zimbabwe

3

1

2

0

2 -0.827

UAE

3

0

3

0

0 -1.326

Pakistan

2

0

2

0

0

-2.260

against each other in one-dayers, it will leave the likes of Afghanistan and Ireland struggling to make the tournament as the major teams are not obliged to play Associate sides.

After brushing aside the United Arab Emir-

ates by nine wickets on Saturday to record their third win in three games at this World Cup, Dhoni said demands on Indian cricketers were too high to add any more fixtures.

“I don’t see India playing any more games,” he said. “We can’t, unless we play two games in one day, which is just not possible.India can’t play any more games.”

Despite the magnitude of Saturday’s defeat, UAE skipper Mohammad Tauqir said it was important for his side to get the opportunity to test themselves against the best.

“I think the more we play against these bigger nations, the more we learn and the more we perform,” said Tauqir, whose team have been beaten in all three games although they pushed Zimbabwe and Ireland before losing narrowly.l

St Gregory’s lift mini rugby title n Raihan Mahmood St. Gregory’s School emerged champions in the Health First Mini Rugby (U-11) beating Rahmatullah Model High School by 29-5 points at the Paltan Ground yesterday.

Earlier, St. Gregory’s beat Cambrian School by 29-3 points to confirm their place in the final Kazi Razibuddin Chapal, the treasurer of Bangladesh Olympic Association distributed the prizes as the chief guest. Rashiduzzaman Serniyabat, the chairman of the tournament committee, Mousum Ali, the general secretary of the Rugby Federation, joint secretary Saeed Ahmed and other officials were also present on the occasion. l

St. Gregory’s School players and officials pose with the Health First Mini Rugby Under-11 trophy at the Paltan ground yesterday COURTESY

‘Press Box er Dinguli’ hits the stands n Raihan Mahmood For more than three decades, Khandaker Monjurul Islam, better known as Dilu Khandaker, has roamed through the sports arena of the country as a keen sports journalist. He has observed the ups and downs of the sports arena, the development and the growth, the making of football and cricket stars and their contributions. Moreover, the development of sports journalism, its struggle and appeal were also integral parts of Dilu Khandaker’s journalism career. He has tried to recall all the memories, the golden moments and the popularity of the stars in one book - “Press Box er Dinguli”. His love and passion towards sports and his experience of covering countless sports events, both at home and abroad, presents the readers an unique feeling. There is no use of imagination; all are factual events. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to know the history of the country’s sports. Long Live Dilu Khandaker. l

DT

Sport 29

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

‘I will try to be the highest scorer’ Rangpur stumper-opener Liton Kumar Das is currently the highest scorer of the ongoing 16th National Cricket League with 738 runs from nine innings, at an astonishing average of 92.25. The 20-year old right-hander has smashed four centuries, including three 150+ run knocks. Having experienced a memorable campaign in the country’s premier first-class competition, the young and talented wicket-keeper was one of the narrow misses of the Tigers’ World Cup squad.

Yesterday, Dhaka Tribune’s Minhaz Uddin Khan managed to talk with Liton, one of the country’s brightest prospects. Here are the excerpts.

DT: Till the end of the fifth round, you are the top scorer. What does it mean to you?

Liton: As a batsman, my only job is to score runs. So, I always try to score runs. It does not matter what format I am playing or for whom I am playing.

It is often said the Bangladesh batsmen lack patience in the longer formats but you have scored four hundreds, approximately one in every other inning...

Four-day cricket is a different mentality game. One of the key factors here is for a batsman to play risk-free. So, I am following that theory. I am hitting the bad balls and leaving the good deliveries. So, I think this theory is serving me well. And at the same time, the coach and seniors of the team are also helping me in a big way. They are teaching me how to deal with longer-version cricket.

Allegations have been raised that several

DAY’S WATCH Star Sports 1 4:00AM ICC Cricket World Cup England v Sri Lanka

Star Sports 2 English Premier League 5:45PM Liverpool v Manchester City 8:00PM Arsenal v Everton 1:45AM Italian Serie A Torino v Napoli

Star Sports 4 9:30AM ICC Cricket World Cup Pakistan v Zimbabwe 2:00AM Spanish La Liga Real Madrid v Villarreal

cricketers do not take the NCL seriously.

However, you and the other youngsters seem to be enjoying four-day cricket. Any observation on this allegation?

I never thought of the NCL as an ordinary tournament. This is a first-class tournament and one has to respect that. I am a still a newbie in the format. So, I always aim to contribute for the team. Having said that, I do not think the seniors treat it negatively. I always see that my seniors are serious with their game. It has always been serious business or else you would not have seen the competitiveness between the teams.

So far, 49 centuries, including six double hundreds, have been scored in the tournament. This has raised doubts over the competitiveness of the wickets and the bowling. What are your thoughts on this?

Usually, the NCL is played in a home-andaway basis. If you look into the past, you will

notice that the wickets in Bogra, Rajshahi, Khulna and a few other places had movement in it, making it difficult for the batsmen.

Those pitches had grass. But this time, the matches are being played around Dhaka city due to the ongoing political unrest. I will say the wickets at BKSP are making it easy for the batsmen. The wickets there (BKSP) are not at all helpful for the pacemen. The spinners are also having a tough time. Those wickets are too flat and a heaven for the batsmen. That is why you are seeing too many big scores.

Your target in the remainder of the tournament...

My target is to achieve what I failed to do in the Dhaka Premier League (50-over tournament). I had started well in that tournament but a few bad innings saw me end as the second highest run-scorer.

So, I will try to hold onto first position this time around.l

Australia must play swing better: Clarke n AFP, Auckland Australia captain Michael Clarke said his side had to bat better against swing bowling if they were to win the World Cup after a top-order collapse ultimately proved decisive in a dramatic one-wicket defeat by New Zealand.

Clarke’s men were bundled out for just 151 after he won the toss in a Pool A clash against fellow tournament co-hosts New Zealand at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday, with leftarm swing bowler Trent Boult taking a career-best five for 27.

“We were extremely poor, there is no doubt about that,” said Clarke. “I think credit needs to go to New Zealand bowlers. They bowled really well.

“They swung the ball nicely and bowled good areas, but our shot selection was very poor, and I thought our defence more than anything else was an area that was a lot poorer than we would have liked.

“I think moving forward the balls are going to swing and we’ve got work to do with the bat. That’s for sure.”

Australia were well-placed at 80 for one,

Team

POOL A P

W

L N/R Pts

New Zealand

4

4

0

0

8

+3.589

NRR

Sri Lanka

3

2

1

0

4

-0.063

Bangladesh

3

1

1

1

3

+0.287

Australia

3

1

1

1

3

-0.305

Afghanistan

3

1

2

0

2

-0.760

England

3

1

2

0

2

-1.415

Scotland

3

0

3

0

0

-1.735

with opener David Warner (34) and Shane Watson (23) adding 50 for the second wicket before a rapid collapse saw eight wickets lost for just 26 runs.

Ten Action 9:00AM ATP World Tour 500 Abierto Mexicano Telecel Final 12:00PM A-League 2014/15 Melbourne Victory v Phoenix 7:30PM I-League 2015 Dempo Sports Club v East Bengal 9:30PM Capital One Cup 2014/15 Final: Chelsea v Tottenham 2:00AM French Ligue 1 AS Monaco v Paris Saint-Germain

Ten Sports 8:00PM Sky Bet Championship Norwich City v Ipswich Town

It was only because of a last-wicket stand of 45 between Brad Haddin (43) and Pat Cummins (seven not out) that Australia avoided their lowest World Cup total of 129, against India at Chelmsford in 1983.

That Australia almost pulled off a stunning win was down to a brilliant bowling effort led by left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc’s career-best six for 28.

Starc took two wickets in as many balls before last man Boult blocked the final two deliveries of the 23rd over.

The first ball of the next over saw Kane Williamson (45 not out) strike the winning six off paceman Pat Cummins.

Clarke insisted Australia hadn’t given up hope of victory after they were dismissed inside 33 overs.

“I made it clear to the boys that I thought we had enough runs, and I think you have to do that certainly as captain of the team,” he said. l

Police warn of terrorist attack ahead of Bundesliga match n AFP, Berlin

First Security Islami Bank Ltd beat Union Bank Ltd by 8 wickets in a friendly cricket match yesterday. Asif Imran of FSIBL scored 70 runs and took one wicket to become the player of the match. FSIBL Managing Director Syed Wasek inaugurated the match while dignitaries and high-ups from both the banks were present during the match COURTESY

Security will be tightened around Werder Bremen’s home Bundesliga clash against second-placed VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday after police warned of a possible terrorist attack in the Hanseatic City.

Local police have stepped up their presence in Bremen’s central areas due to a warning of possible Islamic terrorist activity in the city, from Federal police, on Friday night.

“The Bremen police department has increased its presence in the city and stepped up protective measures in public areas,” said a Bremen police spokesman.l

DT

30 DOWNTIME

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Freight-carrying vessel (5) 4 Raised platform (4) 7 Flightless bird (3) 8 Female swan (3) 9 Long, protruding teeth (5) 12 Minute particle (4) 13 Support for railway lines (7) 15 Sweet potato (3) 16 Greek letter (3) 18 Eyelid affliction (3) 19 Blushing (3) 21 Reads attentively (7) 24 Church recess (4) 26 Brewing substance (5) 27 Kitchen utensil (3) 28 Contend in rivalry (3) 29 At hand (4) 30 Strong box (5)

CODE-CRACKER DOWN 1 Wagers (4) 2 Talisman (6) 3 Trick (4) 4 Expensive (4) 5 Insect (3) 6 Dance (5) 10 Opener (3) 11 Be merciful to (5) 14 Very hard mineral (5) 17 Essay on a theme (6) 18 Country (5) 20 Owing (3) 21 Fruit (4) 22 Rescue (4) 23 To let stand! (4) 25 Mineral spring (3)

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 3 represents W so fill W every time the figure 3 appears.

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

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

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

A B C D E FG H I J K L M N O P Q RST UVWXYZ

SUDOKU

CALVIN AND HOBBES

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.

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

DT

SHOWTIME 31

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

CELEBS ON SOCIAL LEONARD NIMOY @TheRealNimoy A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory.

LLAP

PRIYANKA CHOPRA @priyankachopra I’m always promoted!

Lol RT @wajidurgr8: From Interpol officer ROMA BHARTI to CBI Inspector NANDITA SENGUPTA and Now FBI ALEX WEAVER

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS @ActuallyNPH So first I saw the dress as white and gold, and only that. Now, it’s absolutely blue and black. How?!? Does this make me bi-dress-ual?

Farewell and prosper n Tausif Sanzum Leonard Nimoy gained global recognition as the part human-part Vulcan first officer, Mr. Spock in Starship Enterprise in the television series and then movie adaption, Star Trek. His popularity can be gauged by the fact that when J. J. Abrams rebooted the series in 2009, Leonard Nimoy was the only one from the original cast to be brought back.

Born on March 26, 1931 in Boston, Nimoy started his career in 1950s starring in small time horror flicks followed by a slew of television series such as The Twilight Zone and Gunsmoke. It was only in 1966 when he got his most famous role to date as Mr. Spock.

He would go on to direct two Star Trek sequels and Three Men and a Baby. A little less known fact is that Nimoy was also a singer and churned out five albums starting with Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr. Spock’s Music From Outer Space. Nimoy also wrote two autobiographies, I Am Not Spock in 1975 and I Am Spock in 1995.

His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed his death on Friday morning at the age of 83.

The cause being end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which Nimoy earlier blamed to years of smoking.

His last tweet is both sweet and also is apt to celebrate the life of this movie legend, “A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory.

LLAP.” l

LARRY KING @kingsthings “Time to set the record straight.” #dressgate

SUPERSTAR SUNDAYS Dear Readers, In keeping with our sleek and shiny upgrade to the compact version, we’ve given your favourite Entertainment page a facelift. This brand new section, Showtime, is the result of that makeover.

Starting today, we will be featuring the latest in Hollywood news, reviews, gossip and teasers every Sunday.

So sit back, and let us entertain you.

WHAT TO WATCH TELEVISION INCEPTION HBO, 5:35pm

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page A thief who steals corporate secrets through use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a CEO. ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY

Fifty shades of discontent n Entertainment Desk A rumour suggests that “Fifty Shades of Grey” stars Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson will not be joining this storied tradition of the history of cinema, which includes plenty of actors who hated each other off-screen, but somehow managed to have amazing chemistry on film such as Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, and Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling and so on.

Whether or not Dornan and Johnson hate each other is debatable, but based on their constant posture while in each other's company, it really appears like they do. Their on-screen chemistry is equal to the chemistry of a couple of unboiled hot dogs. Without the unboiled hot dogs' inherent sexiness.

There were whispers that Dornan, 32, would not be returning for the “Fifty Shades” sequels because his musician wife Amelia Warner feels uncomfortable with the sadomasochistic and domination themes in the film. The movie has made almost $400 million dollars worldwide since its Valentine's Day opening.

The Irish star finally responded to rumours with an official statement to the contrary.

"Jamie is delighted that the film is breaking box office records worldwide and whilst the studio has not made any formal announcements about sequels, he is looking forward to making the next film," his rep told ABC News. l

HBO Hits, 10pm Ron Burgundy is San Diego’s top rated newsman in the male-dominated broadcasting of the ‘70s, but that’s all about to change for Ron anchor.

CINEMA ZERO DEGREE I JUPITER ASCENDING 3D I HORN I SEVENTH SON 3D I JESSABELLE @ Star Cineplex KINGSMEN I JUPITER ASCENDING 3D I TAKEN 3 I NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB I SEVENTH SON 3D I EXODUS 3D I THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES I ZERO DEGREE I INTERSTELLAR I ROMEO V/S JULIET @ Blockbuster Cinemas

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32 BACK PAGE

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

THE MARKETPLACE OF THE BLIND PAGE 14

THE DEATH OF SPOCK PAGE 31

BOULT INSPIRES KIWI VICTORY PAGE 25

Ekushey Boi Mela ends with huge sales n Nure Alam Durjoy Yesterday saw a throng of visitors and heavy book sales as the curtain dropped on the month-long Amar Ekushey Boi Mela 2015.

AMAR EKUSHEY But the highlight of BOOK FAIR 2015 the day was the publishers getting together to protest the murder of secularist writer and blogger Avijit Roy, who was hacked to death on Thursday night.

The last day of the fair began an hour earlier as part of the protest, and the protesters demanded immediate arrest of Avijit’s killers.

“We urge the government to immediately arrest the attackers and call upon the publishers to stand together for the sake of the freedom of expression,” said Robin Ahsan, owner of Srabon Prakashani.

Later, Srabon Prakashani, Jagriti Prakashani, Nandonik and online book shop Porua kept the shutter of their stalls down for 10 minutes – from 4:05pm to 4:15pm – in protest of Avijit’s murder.

The concluding ceremony took place in the evening at the main stage on the premises of Bangla Academy. Presided over by Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman, chairman of Bangla Academy, the programme was also addressed

by Bangla Academy Director General Shamsuzzaman Khan and Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, who was chief guest at the event.

imposed by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

Throughout the fair, publishers and stall attendants expressed concern that they were going to suffer loss as the volume of sales was far less than expected.

However, the number of visitors and book sales increased in the last days of the fair.

Also, there were several special occasions in February when the fair experienced a signifi-

cant rise in sales.

Yet, frustrated by the overall poor sales, the Academic and Creative Publishers’ Association of Bangladesh held a press conference on Thursday where they demanded the fair be extended for a week to recover the loss.

But the fair authorities refused to extend the event, citing monetary and security issues.

On the other hand, this year the fair saw a

record number of new arrivals; around 3,700 new books were released throughout the fair – highest in 10 years, according to sources at Bangla Academy.

A few noteworthy events took place during the fair, such as the four-day International Literary Conference and the shut down of the stall of Rodela Prakashani for “hurting religious sentiments.” l

Blockade, hartal mar book sales this year

The book sales were not impressive this year as attendance of visitors was quite low due to the ongoing nationwide blockade and hartal

As the curtain draws for the month-long Ekushey Boi Mela, a good number of book lovers thronged the fair on its last day yesterday. A family returns home with hands full of books and an anticipation of going back to the fair next year MEHEDI HASAN

Classics top the popular list Serina, the Boi Mela bestseller n Tribune Report

A record number of new books may have been published this year at Amar Ekushey Boi Mela – a few of them bestsellers, but it was the classics that were the most sought out by readers at the fair – as usual.

Observing the sales trend throughout the month-long book fair, this reporter saw that the visitors, especially new readers, were keen on getting their hands on the works of writers such as Tarashankar Bandopadhyay, Shawkat Osman, Rabindranath Tagore and Sharatchandra Chattopadhyay.

“They are very interesting, and have always been so. The classics give us a glimpse at our past culture,” said Shams Swann, a former student of Dhaka University.

One of the favourites was “Hansuli Baanker Upakatha,” a novel by Tarashankar Bandopadhay, first published in 1947. The novel depicts the ancient picture of a marginalised Bangali society, well-hidden beneath the

ocean of darkness. Oboshor Prakashana Sangstha brought out its fourth edition this year.

Novel “Laughter of the Slave” and short-story collection “Shreshthogolpo” by Shawkat Osman were also popular among readers. So did “Rabindranath Shomogro,” brought to the fair by Pathak Shomabesh.

Among others were works by Manik Bandopadhyay, Syed Waliullah, Akhtaruzzaman Elias, Sukumar Ray and Jibanananda Das, several stall attendants told the Dhaka Tribune.

However, it was not just the Bangla classics that were popular choices; translation of foreign literature enjoyed readers’ attention too.

“The Bangla version of Greek epic ‘Iliyad’ by Homer received good response,” said Pronoy Das, an attendant at the Pathak Shomabesh stall.

The University Press Limited brought the translation of early 19th-century play “Faust” by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe. Attendants at the UPL stall said the translation was not well-received at the beginning of the fair, but readers’ interest picked up as the fair progressed. l

n Tribune Report

Alongside some other new works, Serina, a sci-fi novel by Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, was considered the bestseller at Amar Ekushey Boi Mela 2015, excluding the dictionaries of Bangla Academy.

Somoy Prokashan launched Serina, whose fifth edition is now being sold. Anisur Rahman, a stall attendant at Somoy, said the novel has drawn the most readers, especially youths.

“Each edition contains around 5,000 copies.”

Obaidul Quader’s Gangchil has also attracted many readers, he said. Eleven editions of the novel have already been sold, with each edition containing 1,000 copies.

Besides Serina, a biography by Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Mujib Amar Pita, has drawn readers to the stall of Agamee Prakashani throughout the month.

Prothoma Prakashan launched Anisul Hoque’s Bikkhobher Dingulite Prem, which drew many readers.

Debabrata Mukherjee’s biography on Shakib Al Hasan, called Apon Chokhe Bhinno Chokhe, was the highest sold book for Oitijjo, said its director Amjad Hossain Kajol.

Poetry collections Rokkha Koro Hey Bhoirob by Nirmalendu Goon and Toronger Osthir Noukay by Syed Shamsul Haque were introduced by Bibhas Prakashan and Shudhashar, respectively. They sold well, said the respective stall attendants.

A translation of Iliad drew the most readers to Pathak Shamabesh, according to its attendants.

Humayun Ahmed’s Ghetuputra Kamala also drew readers to Anya Prakash, said its stall attendants. l

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