13 march, 2015

SECOND EDITION

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015 |

Falgun 29, 1421, Jamadiul Awal 21, 1436 |

NO TRACE OF SALAHUDDIN

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COURT REJECTS MANNA APPEAL

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JANNATI GETS BAIL AFTER 8 MONTHS IN JAIL PAGE 32

Khaleda to brief media today, Bulu made BNP spokesperson

7 die as factory roof collapses

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

n Hedait Hossain, from Mongla, Khulna

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will address a press conference today to explain the position of her party and the 20-party alliance in the context of the latest political scenario.

This alliance of political parties has been conducting a violent anti-government campaign of blockades and general strikes calling for the government to step down and call for new elections.

“The press conference will be held at the chairperson’s Gulshan office at 4pm,” Maruf Kamal Khan, press secretary to Khaleda, said in a press release.

Khaleda had held a press conference on Jan 19 at that office where she has been living since Jan 3.

She declared the ongoing non-stop blockade of streets and waterways on Jan 5 when law enforcers prevented her from going out

At least seven people were killed and more than 20 injured in Mongla, Khulna when a partially-completed roof of a three-storey cement factory collapsed yesterday afternoon.

Around 60 people, including the injured, have been pulled out alive. Four were later declared dead in hospital. Three more bodies were pulled out later in the evening.

Thedeceasedare AmirHossain, MarufSheikh and Ansar Sheikh from Rampal upazila and Al Amin from sadar upazila of Khulna, and Baki Billah from Kolarowa upazila of Satkhira. The identities of the other two could not be confirmed.

Md Yunus, one of the rescued workers undergoing treatment at the Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH), said around 150 people had been working in the building. Of them 90 were construction workers, laying down a concrete roof.

By midday, they had finished laying down a third of the roof. But around 1pm, it fell in, Yunus said.

However, authorities of the Elephant Brand Cement factory, owned by the Sena Kalyan Sangstha (army welfare organisation), said around 90 people were working.

Capt Syed Helal Hossain, deputy director of the factory, confirmed the number while speaking to the Dhaka Tribune last night.

Sheikh Mizanur Rahman, Khulna divisional deputy director (DD) of fire service, who was leading the rescue operation, said: “From the records at the gate, we have learned that around 90 people entered the building today [Thursday].”

Capt Helal also said their main contract for the construction was with a Chinese firm CNBM International. They started work in February last year. The contract was for 22 months.

“However, the part of the roof that collapsed was being built by a Bangladeshi firm named ITCL under a sub-contract. But some Chinese people always supervise their work,” the captain said.

Fire service deputy director Mizanur said there could be another 10-20 bodies under the rubble and chances of their survival are slim.

“We began cutting the heavy portion of the collapsed structure at 9pm to bring out the rest of the people trapped underneath,” he added.

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Confident Tigers take on high-flying Kiwis n Mazhar Uddin from Australia Confidence will be sky-high following the historic 15-run win over England and Bangladesh will be targeting to maintain their momentum when they face unbeaten New Zealand today in their final Pool A encounter at Seddon Park in Hamilton. The match will begin at 7am BST. Ever since the 2015 ICC World Cup got underway, the Tigers never looked out of sorts and their confidence level gradually improved with each match. From chasing down their highest ever total of 318 in ODIs against Scotland to defending a competitive score of 275 against England, the Tigers have displayed glimpses of improvement in every department.

And when they clash against the high-flying cohosts today, recent memories of two  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

PAGE 6 Another key accused in CU Taposh murder arrested

Rescued workers said there were more than 150 people but authorities and rescuers said there were not more than 90

PAGE 7 Dhaka-Chittagong rail link to get faster

A construction worker is buried under the rubble, top, as the roof of a cement factory in Mongla collapses, bottom, yesterday trapping scores underneath FOCUS BANGLA Local administration has locked the main entrance of the building since the collapse.

They have barred relatives and the journalists from entering the site.

Hundreds of people – including relatives of missing victims and curious onlookers – were still crowding the site when this report was being filed around 10pm yesterday.

The Dhaka Tribune has learned that the floors were of industry standard height, meaning that the three-storey structure was actually as high as a regular five-storey building.

Capt Helal said the second floor, right un-

PAGE 8 Unrest deprives people off watermelon

der the floor that collapsed, and everything below that was intact.

Factory authorities said the new building was being constructed to expand their production. Work at the bigger main factory building has remained suspended since the collapse.

Of the 59 rescued alive, 28 were undergoing treatment at the KMCH and other local hospitals. One worker, Shihab, reported to be in critical condition, was sent to Dhaka in the evening.

Khulna Coast Guard and a platoon of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are assisting the Fire Service in the rescue operation. l

PAGE 9 Bridge on Senua River turns risky

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

PM wants Khaleda to surrender to court n UNB Reiterating her call to the BNP chief to stop the politics of destruction, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday hoped that Khaleda would surrender to the court showing respect to the law of the land as a warrant has been issued for her arrest.

“I hope she (Khaleda) would abide by the law and the court. A warrant has been issued for her (Khaleda) arrest and she would surrender before the court as a gentleman does usually,” she said.

“If she doesn’t, then the country’s people won’t spare her,” she added.

The prime minister was speaking at a function after distributing cheques of financial assistance to burn victims and their

family members as well as the owners of different vehicles burned during hartal and blockade enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

She handed the cheques of financial assistance of Tk15,708,000 to some 199 vehicle owners of 270 damaged vehicles during the hartal and blockade programmes.

Hasina also handed over family savings certificates of Tk10 lakh each to some 33 burn victims and family members of four deceased burn victims worth Tk38,500,000.

Besides, the blind mother of a burn victim, Selina Begum, received a family savings certificate of Tk5 lakh from the prime minister.

The Prime Minister’s Office would also provide her Tk5,000 per month as long as she remains alive. l

Bimstec seeks to clinch energy deal n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman The Bimstec member countries are scheduled to meet in Dhaka next week to finalise a deal to set up a regional inter-grid and to trade electricity intra-regionally.

The fifth meeting of the Bimstec Task Force on Trans Power Exchange and Development will be held in Dhaka on March 16.

“Under the Bimstec framework, we have been negotiating for the inter-grid for the last five years to pave the way for electricity transfers and hope to conclude negotiations at this meeting,” said an official of the Foreign Ministry.

This is the latest Bangladeshi initiative to transfer energy from energy-surplus countries to energy-deficit ones.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) is comprised of Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, Thailand, India and Sri Lanka.

In February, a bilateral agreement was agreed under which Bangladesh would im-

Today with Dhaka Tribune

port gas from Myanmar to generate electricity, retain part of the energy produced and sell the rest to Myanmar.

“The Bimstec power exchange deal is expected to include a master plan and a timeline for the implementation of the inter-grid,” the foreign ministry official said.

It is expected that the deal will be signed at the next meeting of Bimstec energy ministers expected to be held in Nepal in three or four months, he added.

At its summit in Kathmandu last November, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) member countries agreed to conclude an energy agreement under which members could trade electricity and form sub-regional groups to cooperate in the sector.

The Bimstec memorandum of understanding is slightly different from the Saarc energy deal because the MoU focuses on technical cooperation, the official said.

“The Bimstec deal covers trade issues but the main focus is to have technical cooperation among member countries,” he added. l

Ban on night coaches withdrawn n Shohel Mamun The government withdrew its ban on the operation of overnight long-haul buses after a meeting with transport owners yesterday, following demands made by transport owners to revoke the ban. After the meeting at his Secretariat office, State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told reporters: “We have permitted the resumption of long-haul buses on highways after 9pm since the highways are now more secured and the transport owners demanded to operate their vehicles again.” On February 9, the government suspended operation of night time long-haul buses amid the rise of arson attacks on highways. l

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hands out cheques to burn victim’s families at her office yesterday

BSS

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Confident Tigers take on high-flying Kiwis series sweeps against the Kiwis will surely spur the Tigers and boost their morale.

Ahead of the quarter-finals, Bangladesh will be desperate to tick the remaining boxes and head into the last eight with confidence aplenty. The Bangladesh top-order is yet to give their side a solid start in the flagship event, so Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes need to fire in tandem today.

Bangladesh’s main strength has been their middle order as Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib al Hasan and Soumya Sarkar have all shone with the bat and the team management will be looking for more of the same from the quartet today.

Skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza, who has a sore throat and is suffering from calf muscle pain, might be rested today. However, Mashrafe, who played a crucial role against England taking two wickets, is expected to be fit for the quarter-final. Shafiul Islam is likely

to come in place of Mashrafe.

The fast bowling department will be headed by a confident Rubel Hossain, whose brilliant four-wicket haul threaded through the English batting order.

The Kiwis, on the other hand, who have won all of their five games so far, will be looking to go through to the quarter-final with a 100% winning record.

Kiwi skipper Brendon McCullum is in terrific form while Trent Boult and Daniel Vettori are among the wickets for the Black Caps.

They are expected to give the Tigers a tough time today.

However, New Zealand’s middle order remains a worry as they are yet to be tested in the tournament while veteran cricketer Ross Taylor is also not among the runs.

It has been raining in Hamilton for the last few days and according to weather forecast, there is a slight chance of rain today. l

Khaleda to brief media today, Bulu made BNP spokesperson to join a rally marking one year of the national elections that BNP had boycotted and the Awami League swept virtually unopposed.

She announced continuous blockade until the government took the initiative to resolve the prevailing political crisis at that press conference.

Khaleda has not spoken to the media since.

She last appeared before the media on January 27 soon after her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko’s body arrived in Bangladesh.

The decision of Khaleda’s press briefing comes on the heels of the issuance of a warrant for her arrest.

Khaleda might call upon the government once again to create a congenial atmosphere for a dialogue and stop repression of opposition members, said a party insider.

She might also reiterate her vow to continue with the blockade and shutdowns until and unless the government shows an inclination for talks.

“She is still rigid on her stance and will reiterate her position once again at the press conference,” a senior leader seeking anonymity told the Dhaka Tribune.

“What else can we do if the government does not make any positive gesture towards the opposition? Khaleda Zia will not bow down. We are just waiting for the government’s response,” the senior leader said.

Meanwhile, a central party leader seeking anonymity said another Joint Secretary General, Barkatullah Bulu will speak as a party spokesperson from now on as Salahuddin Ahmed was missing.

BNP claimed that law enforcers had picked up Salahuddin from a house at Uttara on Tuesday night. The law enforcers, however, denied the claim.

Salahuddin had been announcing programmes through press statements from an undisclosed location since his predecessor, another Joint Secretary General, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi was arrested. l

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BCL men stop Barisal City Corp eviction drive n Our Correspondent, Barisal Chhatra League activists yesterday stopped the Barisal City Corporation from conducting an eviction drive of illegal roadside shops.

BCC Road Inspector Jahangir Hossain said they launched the drive after getting complaint that the shops at the Forester Bari Pool area had turned into a drug den. Moreover, the shops were hampering pedestrian movement.

Reazul Islam and Chanchal Sarker, president and general secretary of Govt Hasem Ali College unit of BCL, along with some activists with the help of the illegal occupants halted the drive around 11:45am, he said.

Later, the BCC team was compelled to suspend the move as the situation became tense.

Being informed, the police from Kotwali police station rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control, said OC Shakhawat Hossain.

When contacted, shop owner Abdus Sobhan, alleged that the BCC started the drive without any prior notice. l

Prison guard Mizanur Rahman of Rajshahi Central Jail who got injured in a crude bomb blast around 8pm yesterday is being carried on a stretcher to the Jail hospital by his colleagues AZAHAR UDDIN

No trace of Salahuddin n Mohammad Jamil Khan A-Level students invent petrol bomb extinguisher n Tribune Report A team of A-Level students from Regent College have invented a device that can sense an oncoming petrol bomb attack on a vehicle and minimise its effect.

The project, named Petrol Bomb Extinguisher, was one of the many projects that were displayed yesterday at the Third Annual Science Fair of Regent College in the capital’s Gulshan area. The project won the first prize in the competition.

As team members Mushfiqur Rahman Saad, Fahmid Uddin, Akash Biswas and Sadi Murshed explained, the device consists of a flame sensor, a micro-controller and a sprinkler system. With a response time of 10 microseconds, when the flame sensor detects an approaching firebomb, it triggers the micro-controller to switch on the sprinkler system set up in and around the vehicle to prevent fire damage.

“For science to be of real value to society, it requires not only the understanding of the theory but the application in the real world.

This project showed both the academic knowledge and the innovation and creativity necessary for practical use,” said Dr Aloke Kumar Chakraborty, renowned physicist and one of the judges in the competition.

Thirteen teams from seven Dhaka schools, including the host, participated in the fair.

Other judges were Keith Shurlock, principal at Grace International School, and Dr Gopal Debnath, retired professor of Dhaka College. l

BNP Joint Secretary General Salahuddin Ahmed could not be traced as of yesterday even though over 48 hours have passed since his alleged detention by law enforcers.

While his family members claim that four to five armed people identifying themselves as DB members picked him up around 10pm on Tuesday from a house in Uttara, the law enforcers maintain that they did not arrest Salahuddin, who is facing a number of arson and blast cases.

BNP chief Khaleda Zia in a statement yesterday condemned the series of events regarding Salahuddin’s whereabouts.

Meanwhile, the High Court has asked the government and the law enforcers to explain why they should not be directed to find Salahuddin and bring him before it on Sunday.

The bench of Justice Quamrul Islam Siddiqui and Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore passed the order yesterday after hearing a criminal petition filed by Salahuddin’s wife Hasina Ahmed. The home secretary, chiefs of police, RAB, CID and SB, the DMP commissioner, and the Dhaka deputy commissioner have been asked to respond to the ruling on Sunday.

Petitioner’s lawyer Khandker Mahbub Hossain told the court that Salahuddin’s wife had gone to Uttara and Gulshan police stations to file a GD, but the police refused to record her complaint. He feared that Salahuddin would be killed had the court not passed necessary order.

Arguing for the state, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said the police chief told him that the law enforcers had not arrested or picked up Salahuddin.

“As Salahuddin was not in police custody, the court should not ask the government or the police to produce him before it,” he said, adding that Salahuddin might be hiding to embarrass the government.

“Salahuddin used to issue press releases from unknown places announcing hartals.

There may be a conspiracy behind his going missing,” Mahbubey said.

The judges then asked him to clarify the

matter through an affidavit by Sunday if Salahuddin had not been arrested or detained.

As the BNP spokesperson, Salahuddin had been issuing press releases to announce hartal programmes from unknown places since the arrest of another joint secretary general, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, on January 31.

Earlier, Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna was picked up from a house in Banani area by some men identifying themselves as law enforcers on February 24.

Manna had remained missing for nearly 20 hours before the Rapid Action Battalion officially declared his arrest. RAB said they had arrested Manna an hour back and that they did not know where he had been earlier.

At a press conference at the Supreme Court Law Reporters’ Forum, Salahuddin’s wife Hasina yesterday demanded that her husband be returned to the family unhurt.

She claimed that detectives had whisked him away from the house blindfolded.

On the other hand, State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said the ministry was investigating the matter. He also said the complaint filed by Salahuddin’s family was not clear.

In response to a question, he said the law enforcers can arrest anyone on suspicion but as per law, the arrestee must be placed before a court within 24 hours.

Salahuddin was blindfolded

A number of eyewitnesses alleged that they had seen four to five armed people entering the building in Uttara’s sector 3. There were vehicles parked outside the three-storey building.

Security guard Akhterul Islam said: “I asked them what they wanted. Then they beat me up and said I will be informed about the matter later. They also showed me guns in their possessions.”

Then they went to the first floor and came back after around 20 minutes with Salahuddin blindfolded, he said, adding that Salahuddin had taken shelter in the rented flat of his relative four days ago. l

30 Bangladeshis detained in KSA during drive against illegals n Adil Sakhawat At least 30 Bangladeshi nationals have been detained in Saudi Arabia during the country’s latest crackdown on foreigners violating its residency and labour laws.

Mohammed Ayub, counsellor and head of chancery of the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh, confirmed the number to the Dhaka Tribune, adding that the Bangaldeshi nationals had been detained from Makkah and Jeddah areas.

Asked about the embassy’s assistance to the detained individuals, he said: “Our officials will visit the deportation centre and interview the Bangladeshi detainees to check whether they have their legal Akama [legal documents to work in Saudi Arabia]. The Bangladeshis who have the legal documents will be handed over to their sponsors by the Bangladesh Embassy.

“But for those who have passports but no legal documents like Akama, the Saudi government will send them back to Bangladesh on their own cost,” Ayub added. l

Dhaka, Chittagong polls before June n Munir Momtaj City polls in Dhaka and Chittagong are likely to be held before June, with the specific election schedules expected later this month, the chief election commissioner has said.

The commission is looking to conduct the polls before June to avoid monsoon, CEC Rakibuddin Ahmad said at a briefing yesterday.

“DCC and CCC polls will be held before Ramadan,” he told reporters after a meeting with law enforcement agencies and the Education Ministry. Stating that the EC was ready to conduct Dhaka and Chittagong mayoral elections, Rakibuddin said the commission would decide whether to hold polls to both the cities on the same date at its next meeting. l

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CID gets more time to probe Maj Manzoor murder case n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court yesterday granted two more months of time to the CID for completing its further investigation into the death of Maj Gen Abul Manzoor.

Judge SM Saiful Islam of the First Additional District and Sessions Judge’s Court passed the order following a time petition filed by Abdul Kahar Akhand, the investigation officer of the case.

On February 27 last year, the same court had ordered for further investigation into the death of Manzoor.

The court yesterday asked the CID to submit its reinvestigation report by May 14.

With this extension, the court extended the CID’s report submission deadline for the sixth time.

In his time petition, Akand, also a special superintendent of Criminal Investigation Department, mentioned that he visited the USA in June 2014 and recorded the statement of Manzoor’s daughter Lubna Manzoor; but failed to record the statement of Manzoor’s wife as she was ill at the time.

Later, the wife’s counsel told Akhand that he would inform the CID after her recovery;

but the lawyer has not yet communicated with Akand.

Manzoor, commander of sector 8 during the Liberation War, was killed at Chittagong Cantonment on June 1, 1981, just two days after the killing of President Ziaur Rahman.

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad, the prime accused in the case, was not present in the court as he was earlier exempted from personal appearance before the trial court. His lawyer Sheikh Sirajul Islam represented him yesterday.

The other two accused Maj (retd) Kazi Emdadul Haque and Lt Col (retd) Mostafa Kamaluddin Bhuiyan were present in the court. l

Bashundhara high-ups get bail n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court yesterday granted bail to Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan after he surrendered in tax evasion and bribery cases. Sobhan’s wife Afroza Begun and son Shafiat Sobhan Sanvir also got bail upon surrender. Sanvir is charged in both cases while Afroza, a group director, for tax.

The Supreme Court on February 3 asked Sobhan and five others to surrender in 3 weeks in the tax case. The other accused are Sobhan’s sons Sayem Sobhan, MD of Bashundhara, and Director Sadat Sobhan.

NBR filed the case on July 25, 2007 against Bashundhara and its officials for evading Tk8.26 crore as income tax.

The trial court on September 30, 2007 sen-

tenced five top officials including Akbar to eight-year jail in absentia. It also jailed auditor Kuddus for three years for assisting them.

Akbar and his son Sanvir yesterday also got bail in the bribery case filed by the ACC in October 2007. Charges were framed in July 2008.

The case says the accused bribed ex-minister Lutfozzaman Babar Tk21 crore to drop Sanvir’s name from a murder case. l

Policy implementation the key, say professionals

n Tribune Report Policy implementation needs more emphasis and earnest intention in order to yield real results, said experts at a discussion yesterday.

“Implementation is essential, if advocacy is to be effective” added speakers at the session on “Effectiveness of Policy Advocacy: Lesson Learnt” organised by Brac Institute of Governance and Development in partnership with Brac Advocacy for Social Change Unit at Mohakhali’s Brac Center Inn. The speakers noted that while policy formulation is possible through advocacy, the main obstacle is in implementation. There is also insufficient evidence to link advocacy with policy making in many cases, they said.

Four papers were presented at the session on environment, corruption, health and gender.

According to the speakers, greater focus should be given to gathering evidence of success, linking it to implementation and identifying specific targets for advocacy.

While everyone agreed policy advocacy should continue, they also said it should be done keeping implementation and achievement of realistic targets in mind.

The meeting was presided over by Dr Sultan Hafeez Rahman, Director General of BIGD and the session was moderated by Maheen Sultan of BIGD and Afsan Chowdhury of Brac Advocacy Unit. l

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Bapex survey under fire over dry well at Kailashtila 7

Experts and insiders earlier said the 3D seismic survey was a waste of money fessor, Ijaz Hossain, told the Dhaka Tribune. n Aminur Rahman Rasel Bapex completed a 3D seismic survey covThe state-owned gas and petroleum exploration agency, Bapex, has come under fire following the disappointing results of the exploratory drilling of an oil well in Sylhet.

At the centre of the criticism is a 3D seismic survey conducted by Bapex which was the basis of the unsuccessful drilling effort at Kailashtila Field operated by Sylhet Gas Fields Limited (SGFL), a Petrobangla subsidiary.

Bapex’s failure, after a two-year effort, to find oil at Kailashtila Well 7 generated disapproval from experts and insiders who said the survey was a waste of money.

Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex), also a Petrobangla subsidiary, recommend drilling at Well 7 based on its 3D seismic survey.

“After analysing Kailashtila Well 4, we thought drilling Well 7 would not be fruitful,” an official of Bapex’s geology division told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday, asking not to be named.

This is not the first time that exploratory drilling recommended by Bapex has failed to produce results.

“Bapex did something wrong during the 3D seismic survey. That is why drilling failed to yield any oil,” energy expert and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology pro-

ering 1,250 square kilometres at five gas fields – Bakhrabad, Rashidpur, Kailashtila, Titas and Sylhet – at a cost of Tk164.40cr with financial support from the Asian Development Bank.

Based on the data, the company proposed drilling at three wells in Bakhrabad, nine wells in Rashidpur, four wells in Kailashtila, three wells in Sylhet and eleven in Titas.

“We have not found oil at Kailashtila Well 7. We can produce around 10 mmcfd gas instead of the 25 mmcfd gas estimated by our survey results,” SGFL general manager and Well 7 project director, Md Haronur Rashid Mullah, told the Dhaka Tribune.

“Based on our survey, SGFL will drill at Well 9 of Sylhet Gas Field at a cost of Tk192.82cr provided by the Gas Development Fund,” SGFL deputy general manager and Well 9 project director, Md Abdul Jalil Pramanik, told the Dhaka Tribune.

“Another drilling project is on the cards.

Drilling Well 9 will not be fruitful,” a former director of Bapex, who was involved in the seismic survey, said on condition of anonymity.

“There is no guarantee the results of the survey will be one hundred percent right,” Meherul Hasan, 3D seismic survey project director and a manager of Bapex, told the Dhaka Tribune. l

TIB finds gender bias in corruption n Nure Alam Durjoy Women’s experience of corruption is different from that of men’s and is mostly gender-based, according to a study conducted by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

“It was found that the corruption that women experience at different levels of society is based on their gender identity and their overall passive role in a patriarchal society. In many cases, sexual favours are demanded in exchange of a service,” the study report said.

Titled “Women’s experience of corruption: The situation in two unions,” the report was released at a press conference at the TIB office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka yesterday.

The qualitative research was conducted over two years – from January 2013 to December 2014 – at a union in Gazipur and another in Jamalpur – both rural areas with agriculture as the dominant source of livelihood. Data was collected at field level from June to October 2013.

Women surveyed in these two unions were found to have faced some form of corruption at one point of their lives. The most common forms of corruption they faced were sexual harassment by men in position of power, be-

ing sidelined at work, forced to pay bribes to get a free service, and being deprived of inheritance.

In one of the experiences highlighted in the report, a woman was propositioned by several police members in a police station for sexual favours in exchange for service.

The names of the unions and the women surveyed were not revealed to protect confidentiality.

“This data does not represent the whole country, but it is a rough picture of the current situation,” said Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, while addressing the briefing.

Terming the situation alarming, he said more thorough research should be conducted to ascertain the reasons of corruption and steps must be taken accordingly.

“Corruption is a major obstacle to the development and empowerment of women,” he said.

The event was also attended by Sultana Kamal, chairperson of TIB’s board of trustees, and researchers Shammi Laila Islam, Dipu Roy and Dr Sharif Ahmed Chowdhury. Shahjada M Akram, senior programme manager at the TIB, presented the report. l

Court rejects Manna’s appeal n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court yesterday rejected Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s remand cancellation prayer.

Metropolitan Magistrate Mizanur Rahman passed the order saying that the court had not found any ground for the cancellation of the

10-day remand in a sedition case.

Manna’s counsel Abdul Mannan Khan on Wednesday also filed a bail petition.

Manna was hospitalised on Tuesday night after he complained of chest pain. He earlier complained of torture during interrogation at the DB headquarters. The IO yesterday said Manna had already recovered. l

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journos stage demo Another key accused Ctg n in CU Taposh murder arrested FM Mizanur Rahaman, Chittagong

n CU Correspondent Police have arrested a key accused in the murder of Chittagong University student Taposh Sarkar, who was killed in a Chhatra League factional clash in December last year.

Golam Azmir Arif, a fourth year student of economics and one of the 27 accused in the case, was arrested in Patenga in the port city early yesterday.

A team from Patenga police station first tracked him down and then handed him over to Hathazari police where the murder case had been filed.

Taposh, a freshman of the Sanskrit department at CU, was himself an activist of the ruling party’s student body.

On December 14 last year, he was shot dead at Shah Amanat dormitory of the university in an infighting over establishing supremacy on the campus.

Two days later, Taposh’s friend Hafizul Is-

lam filed the murder case accusing 30 named Chhatra League leaders and around 10-15 unnamed people.

Prime accused Ashrafuzzaman Asha, a central leader of the CU unit Chhatra League, is still at large. According to the case statement, Taposh died of a bullet fired from Asha’s gun.

Including Arif, police have so far managed to arrest 15 of the listed accused. Of them, some are now out on bail.

Around the same time, police filed an arms case after recovering a cache of weapons from the Shahjalal dormitory. Some of those accused in the murder case have also been included in this case.

Meanwhile, in another infighting on the CU campus yesterday, a former organising secretary of the CU unit Chhatra League was injured.

Injured Pijush Kanti Barman received first aid at the university medical centre, police said. l

Arthosuchak office attacked, editor threatened n Tribune Report

A group of people forcefully entered the office of online business portal Arthosuchak on Wednesday afternoon and threatened the portal’s editor, Ziaur Rahman, over a news on the stock market.

“The attackers, claiming to be investors in the stock market, created a commotion in the office and attempted to vandalise it,” Ziaur said. “They also took position in front of the office for a while and kept shouting at and threatening me.”

The report, titled “Government radically cuts fuel price,” was published on the portal on Tuesday and said the government decision had a negative impact on the stock market.

Earlier in the morning, a person threatened to file a case against Ziaur over phone on Wednesday. “He introduced himself as an investor and asked me about the source of the information reported in the news.”

He said he had filed a general diary with Paltan Model police station yesterday in this regard. l

OBITUARY ‘Everyone shall taste death then unto Us you shall be returned’ - Al Qur’an 29:57 Sadia Faruque Sylvie, daughter of Anwar Faruque and Darde Newaz Begum, and wife of Shibli K Aziz, passed away in New York on the March 5, 2015 during the eighth month of her pregnancy. The baby she and her family were waiting for with open arms also passed away with her. Both mother and son were interred in Dhaka on March 12, 2015, at Uttara.

Sadia was deeply loved by everyone who knew her. She was warm, kind and gentle. She was full of life and optimism. She loved to read, was deeply spiritual, and loved to meditate.

Any living creature she loved would make her their own.

In her quiet unassuming manner, she taught us how to live and love life.

The world is a much poorer place without

her. She leaves behind her parents, her husband, two nephews and two sisters.

Sadia Faruque’s Qulkhani will be held after Asr prayers at her parent’s house, House 17, Road 5, Sector 13, Uttara, on Saturday, the March 14, 2015. l

Journalist leaders in Chittagong yesterday threatened to besiege the office of the city’s police commissioner on Sunday if the assailants who attacked three journalists at an AL rally on Wednesday were not arrested by tomorrow.

Hasan Ferdous, general secretary of CUJ, made the announcement at a human chain

held in front of the Chittagong Press Club.

Speakers said though BCL men attacked in front of Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader, no punitive measures were taken against them as of yesterday. Chittagong Press Club President Kalim Sarwar urged the CMP commissioner to arrest the assailants immediately. He said they would boycott Awami League’s news if the demand was not met. l

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Three killed as train rams into a truck in Gazipur n Our Correspondent, Gazipur Three people, including a college student, were killed and six others injured as a train rammed into a truck at a level crossing at Maijpara in Sreepur upazila, Gazipur yesterday morning.

The deceased were identified as Shikhar Ahmed, 19, a third year honours student of Bhawal Badre Alam Government College, Mostafa Kamal, 55, and Jahangir Alam, 40.

Sub-Inspector of Sreepur model police station Salauddin said a Dhaka-bound commuter train from Jamalpur had hit the truck while it was parked beside at the level crossing around 11am, leaving Shikhar and Mostafa dead on the spot and injured seven others.

Later, Jahangir died on the way to a hospital.

Witness said the truck driver was talking over a mobile phone after parking his vehicle beside the rail track.

However, relatives of Shikhar and Mostafa took their bodies without post mortem from the spot and Jahangir’s body was kept at Sreepur Upazila Health Complex. Of the injured, Mukul, Jewel and Titu were shifted to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation as their condition was critical. l

The Bangladesh Railway has recently upgraded single-track rail line to double-track rail line between Chinki Astana in Chittagong and Laksham in Comilla. Since the upgradation, rail communication between Dhaka and Chittagong has become faster than previous time. The photo was taken from Feni on Wednesday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Dhaka-Ctg rail link to get faster n Tushar Hayat, Chittagong

visit our website @

www.dhakatribune.com

WEATHER

DRY WEATHER LIKELY FRIDAY, MARCH 13 TODAY SUN SETS 6:07PM

DHAKA

TOMORROW SUN RISES 6:09AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY 33 32 34 34 35 34 33 32

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

19 20 18 18 14 20 18 21

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

34.0ºC Rangamati

09.8ºC Srimangal

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr Sunrise Jumma Asr Magrib Esha

4:54am 6:09am 12:08am 4:27pm 6:06pm 7:22pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

Rail communication between Dhaka and Chittagong is going to get faster as the construction of double-track rail line between Chinki Astana in Chittagong and Laksham in Comilla is complete.

Upgraded from single-track rail line, the 61km double-track line is expected to be inaugurated this month by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said Shahidul Islam, additional chief engineer (track) at Bangladesh Railway, while talking to the Dhaka Tribune on Monday.

“Usually, an inspection committee examines a project for faults or errors after it is finished. The new track will be inspected tomorrow and Saturday, following which the inauguration date will be fixed,” said Divisional Railway Manager SM Murad Hossain on the same day.

“The newly built track will speed up rail communication between the two cities by at least two hours, as trains will no longer have to wait for other trains coming from the opposite direction to pass through,” Shahidul said.

Construction of the double-track rail line

RMC students demand quick start of classes n FM Mizanur Rahaman, Chittagong The first year students of MBBS course under the 2014-15 academic session of newly established Rangamati Medical College (RMC) yesterday demanded immediate start their classes.

“We have already lagged behind for about two months academically than other medical colleges owing to the ongoing political unrest centring the college. We are in tough time because of not appearing any omen to an end to the stalemate till now,” said Snehasis Chawakrobarty, a fresher of the course at a press conference in Chittagong Press Club around 11:30am.

Snehasis who was thronged by his classmates along with some guardians read out the statement on behalf of the students.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the RMC along with 10 other medical colleges on January 10.

Drawing the attention of the PM and the health minister, the student said: “If the deadlock continues for 10-15 days more, we would

face a session jam of one and a half years and finally we could miss our first professional examination as well”.

The student went on that the continual meetings between the local administration and the political parties failed to bring any visible solution to the problem.

“Considering the present state, we are demanding to shift us temporarily at Chittagong Medical College (CMC) until the deadlock sees the end,” the student urged.

Later, the students also formed a human chain before the press club to press home their demands. Raising allegation of violation of the 1997 agreement known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord against the government, the local indigenous leaders and activists have taken streets to resist the state move along with a new science and technology university at any cost.

They alleged that the Awami League government did not consult with the indigenous community leaders about its plan to establish the RMC and the university. l

began in October 2011. Implemented by Bangladesh Railway, Tk1,525-crore project has been jointly financed by Bangladesh government and Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica). Of them, the government paid Tk928 crore, said sources at Bangladesh Railway.

Another project of Bangladesh Railway to upgrade 64km single-track rail line between Brahmanbaria and Tongi will be complete by June, while a similar project to upgrade 71km single track between Akhaura and Laksham into double will be initiated around the same time, the sources said. l

Arson guts down Barisal court room n Our Correspondent, Barisal A fire gutted Barisal Senior Judicial Magistrate Court room yesterday night following an alleged arson by miscreants.

A worker at the court and also a witness, Jewel said around 10pm smoke started coming out from the locked court room of Senior Judicial Magistrate Shahinur Begum after which he notified the authorities of the court premises.

Three units of fire service rushed to the spot and doused the flame within 10:40pm, said Officer-in-Charge Shakhawat Hossain of the Kotwali police station.

Visiting the spot, this reporter saw that all case documents kept in the room have been damaged. The adjacent room of the Serestadar of Janonirapatta Adalat was also damaged.

Shohidul Alam, deputy commissioner and district magistrate of Barisal, alleged that it was an act of sabotage since there was no possibility of electric short circuit or any other source to start the fire.

However, police and fire service stated that the reason behind the fire can be identified after investigation. l

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Unrest deprives people off watermelon n Our Correspondent, Barisal Watermelon growers are going through much hardship as marketing and trading of the fruit being is being hampered by the non-stop blockade and general strikes.

Locals said production of watermelon was satisfactory as weather during its cultivation was suitable at the shoals of Barisal, Patuakhali and Bhola.

Generally, watermelon season begins in February and continues till May, during which time fruit markets across the country are flooded with it.

But this year was an exception for both growers and traders. People in many parts of the country are yet to see the fruit in the markets as transportation has become a challenge faced with the anti-government campaign, said Aminur Rahman Jhanda, vice-president of Barisal Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

“Steady supply and business of this seasonal fruit is being hampered severely as political violence makes road transportation risky and costly,” he said.

Growers are compelled to stockpile their produce as transport owners are not interested in carrying watermelon risking arson and vandalism.

Like many parts of the country, farmers of Barisal have recently harvested potatoes and almost all the cold storages are full with potatoes. That has added to the woes of watermelon growers.

Abdul Aziz, a resident of Bhandaria, told

Jubo Dal leader killed n Tribune Report The corpse of a Juba Dal leader, shot in Laksmipur on Wednesday night, was found from Tin Rastar Mor near Deleyai Bazar of Khilpara union under Chatkhil upazila in Noakhali district yesterday morning.

In the first incident, the deceased was Md Israfil, 28, the President of Bishikpur Juba Dal ward no 9, an affiliate youth organisation of BNP. He was the son of Md Mokbul Hossain from the village Kanshipur of the Basikpur union of Lakshmipur, a neighbouring district of Noakhali.

Witness from the same village, Md Shohag, said that he last saw Israfil on Wednesday night while Israfil, sipping tea at a stall in Bashikpur Bazar around 10 pm, was shot by masked murderers. As the shooters fled, Shohag was shot too; locals admitted Sohag at Laksmipur Sadar Hospital, Additional Superintendent of Laksmipur Police, Md Junayed Kaosar, told the Dhaka Tribune.

The corpse was later found in Chatkhil. Locals informed police of the deserted body lain beside the road at Tin Rastar Mor. Police recovered the body and sent it to the morgue of the Noakhali Abdul Malek Ukil Medical College Hospital for forensic examinations. Chatkhil police station Officer in Charge Md Abul Khair confirmed the details adding further: “There were symptoms of injury of sharp weapons in his head and other parts of the body.”

The police could not tell how the dead body ended up in Noakhali.

Israfil was the joint convener of Basikpur Union Jubo Dal and also the president of 9 No ward of Bashikpur union of Laksmipur district, locals informed. l

Watermelon traders in Barisal wait for their products to be transported across the country amid fear of ongoing blockade and hartals. Watermelon is a popular fruit in summer but the political violence is likely to hamper its distribution ultimately hurting the producers and traders DHAKA TRIBUNE the Dhaka Tribune that he was not interested to keep the fruits at the cold storage as it would increase costs.

“Actually I am in a dilemma whether I should keep watermelon in the cold storage.

If I do not, it would rot within a few days. And if I do the costs would be so high that no one

would buy it.”

Watermelon grower Nur Farazi of Gaguria under Mehendiganj of Barisal district, said growers had to depend on waterways for transportation which increased the price.

Farmers were deprived of fair prices and sellers incurred losses due to the extra trans-

One killed in ‘gunfight’ with police n Our Correspondent, Khulna Hasan Ali Sana, a notorious robber, was allegedly killed in a gunfight with the police in Hangsharajer Char under Koyra upazila of Khulna. Police recovered four firearms, 10 rounds of bullets and six bullet shells from the scene. Police said Hasan had been a deputy of Amir Hossain Ranga, leader of “Ranga bahini” (a robber gang named after him) who plunder the Sundarbans.

Police detained Hasan from Shyamnagar, Satkhira on Wednesday night. He was interrogated in connection with the kidnapping of a shrimp merchant from Dakop, Khulna.

He gave up information regarding firearms that were later recovered during the interrogation.

Police raided the specified spot at around 3am where other members of Hasan’s gang ambushed them. The police said they took cover and fought back.

At one point of gunfight that continued for almost two hours, Hasan fled police custody.

Police found Hasan’s bullet riddled body once the robbers retreated.

Police sent the body to the Khulna Medical College for autopsy after filing an inquest report.

Hasan had numerous cases filed against him under Koyra and Dakop police stations.

Koyra OC Harendranath Sircar informed that 24 rounds of bullets were exchanged during the encounter. Police members SI Mithun Kumar

Das and Constables Abul and Mizan were injured in the exchange and are now receiving medical attention in Jaigirmahal Hospital, Koyra.

Four cases were lodged under Koyra, and two others under Dakop against the deceased.

On January 12, the leader of the gang, Amir Hossain Ranga, was also killed in a gunfight with the police at Kumarkhali Char near the Sundarbans. Police had also recovered three firearms and a lot of ammunition following that encounter. l

portation cost, said Md Shahzada, secretary of the Barisal Hatkhola Fruit Traders Association.

Watermelon prices have declined at the farms although it had shot up at the customer end, said Sobahan Hawladar, a fruit shop owner. l

11 held while crossing border illegally n Our Correspondent, Jessore The Border Guard Bangladesh arrested 11 people while they were going to India illegally through Putkhali border yesterday.

The BGB sources said a team had launched a drive in the area on a tip-off and arrested the 11, including four women.

The arrested hailed from different areas of Barisal and Gopalganj.

They were going to India in search of jobs.

Later, they were handed over to Benapole Port police station.

A case was filed in this connection. l

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Bridge on Senua River turns risky n Our Correspondent, Thakurgaon A bailey bridge on Senua River near Thakurgaon town has become too hazardous due to lack of maintenance for years.

About 200,000 people of five unions of Thakurgaon risk their lives to cross the bridge everyday. Built about 20 years ago, the bridge is almost falling apart with its metal body becoming rusty and joints weak.

The local authorities put up a sign warning the commuters and urging heavy vehicles to stay away without any measure to renovate the bridge.

However, it is impossible to keep away since it offers the most convenient route for the adjacent five unions with other parts of the district.

Many businessmen, school-goers, small traders, patients and locals residents of Sadar upazila’s Akcha, Rajagaon, Borogaon, Devipur and Radhanagar use the bridge everyday.

One of the largest poultry farms of Bagladesh, Kazi Farms Ltd has its Yakubpur Kazi Breeders’ Farm in this area too.

General Manager of the Thakurgaon regional office of Kazi Farms, M Mohiuddin, said the poor condition of the bridge had been hampering their business.

“Our pick-up vans have to travel an extra 15-20 kilometres because we avoid the bridge,” he said.

Farmers and small traders are also incurring extra cost because of the detour.

Nurul Islam of Patiadangi said he had to spend Tk2000-3000 more per truck to carry his products to the markets.

Rice trader Mohammad Alam expressed frustration over the poor condition of the bridge and said the local politicians were all talk and no action.

Moreover, more than 1,000 students of nearby Riverview High School and CM Ayub

Keeping Tangail under Dhaka division demanded n Our Correspondent, Tangail Activists of an organisation that is on protest demanding keeping Tangail district under Dhaka division yesterday sent a banner containing signatures of 10 lakh people to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in favour of their demand.

In the morning, the activists handed over the banner to Tangail Deputy Commissioner Mahbub Hossain to sent it to the PM, sources said.

Earlier, they held a human chain on the local court premises protesting the government’s decision inclusion of the district to Mymensingh.

Recently, the government has adopted a move to create two new divisions, namely Mymensingh and Comilla.

When asked, the organisation’s Member Secretary Jafar Ahmad acknowledged the programme, telling that anther banner containing 1.5 million signatures would be sent to the PM within one and a half months.

The signatures had been collected from January 28 to March 11, this year, the secretary went on. l

‘Caution, risky bridge, no heavy vehicles’ says a signboard displayed in front of the Senua Bridge, which lies in rundown state due to years non-maintenance. The bridge serves thousands of residents of the five unions of Thakurgaon Sadar upazila DHAKA TRIBUNE Girls’ High School use the bridge.

Alim, a student of class 10 of CM Ayub High School, said his parents were always worried about his safety as he had to cross the bridge on the way to school.

Khoda Baksh and Parveen Bithi, teachers of Abul Hossain Govt College, said they avoided the bridge and walked over to the other side during the dry season. During monsoon,

they take a boat.

Contacted, executive engineer of Local Government Engineering Department, Md Shahnur said: “The bridge was last repaired in 2011. After I joined my post, I have sent a proposal to construct a new bridge. That is still awaiting approval.”

Locals fear fatal accidents if the bridge is not repaired soon. l

Seven killed in road accidents in five districts n Tribune Report At least seven people, including a police constable were killed in several road accidents in Natore, Sirajganj, Chuadanga, Magura and Naogaon districts yesterday.

Our Natore correspondent reports: A schoolboy was killed in an accident at Banpara Bazar in Baraigram upazila.

Banpara Highway police outpost Officer-inCharge Fuhad Lohani said Jahedul Islam,15, son of Lutfar Rahman of Diyarpara area under Banpara municipality died on the spot while a passenger bus rammed into his motorcycle around 10:15am, leaving him dead on the spot and another injured.

Sirajganj correspondent said a police constable was killed and four other police personnel were injured in an accident in the district.

The deceased was identified as Mostafizur Rahman, son of Asbor Ali, hailed from Godagari village of Shariakandi upazila under Bogra distict.

Police said the accident occurred in Nalka area when a Dhaka bound truck hit a police van patrolling in the area leaving Mostafijur

Rahman dead on the spot.

Abdul Gani, Sub Inspector of Sirajganj Highway police station, confirmed the incident.

Chuadanga correspondent said a man was killed in an accident in Dhamurhuda upazila.

SI Azizur Rahman said Abul Kashem,40, died on the spot when a passenger bus ran over him in the area.

Magura correspondent said a woman was killed as a truck ran over her on the Magura-Jessore Road in Arpara area.

SI Oaziar Rahman of Magura Highway police outpost said Rahela Bagum,55, wife of Moshlemuddin of Goarerhat village under Shalikha upazila died on the spot as the truck ran over her while she was crossing the road.

The police arrested the truck driver.

Naogaon correspondent reports: Two people were killed on the Naogaon-Rajshahi Highway when a truck ran over them.

SI Zakirul Islam of Naogaon police station said Firoz Hossain,40, a rickshaw puller and Abu Bakar,20, a truck helper died on the spot when the truck ran over the rickshaw.

On information, police recovered the bodies and sent those to hospital morgue. l

Kotalipara mayor accused of corruption n Our Correspondent, Gopalganj Kotalipara municipality mayor HM Ohidul Islam has been accused of eight counts of corruption in a complaint filed with the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry.

The Local Government Division (LGD) of Gopalganj District Administrator’s office is looking into the complaint.

LGD Deputy Director ANM Mainul Islam called the accusers — that include the former Kotalipara mayor — as well as the current mayor to his office to ask them about the complaints. Later, Mainul visited Kotalipara to further investigate the matter.

The allegations against Ohidul Islam include embezzlement of funds from a number of government projects in his constituency, land grabbing, bribery and abuse of the power of his office.

One of the allegations have it that Ohidul gave jobs to members of Chhatra Dal and Shibir in exchange of bribes although they are student wings of BNP and Jamaat, currently the main political opposition of the ruling Awami League.

Ohidul is also accused of trying to pave the way to another victory as mayor by pandering to the local influential quarters and granting them undue privileges and contracts.

Ohidul, however, denied the allegations.

He said: “The district administration and the Anti Corruption Commission’s Gopalganj office did not find any truth in the complaints in the primary investigation.”

He said that his opponent and the former mayor, Kamal Hossain, and the others had made these false accusations to taint his image before the upcoming mayoral election.

Ohidul said he had been elected three consecutive times because of his good work for the municipality and its residents. “They are with me. False accusations and conspiracies will not work.” l

14 houses, shops gutted in 2 districts n Tribune Report At least 14 houses and shops were gutted in Patuakhali and Bhola districts yesterday.

Patuakhali correspondent reports: At least seven shops were gutted when a fire broke out in Kazirhat Bazar area under Chotobighy union of Sadar upazila.

Sadar police station OC Ziauddin Zia said the fire originated from an electric short circuit at a shop and engulfed the nearby shops including a homeopathy pharmacy and an institute soon.

Upon receiving information, firefighters from Sadar fire service station went to the spot and doused the fire after an hour of frantic effort, said the OC. The victims claimed losses could be as high as Tk40 lakh.

Bhola correspondent said at least seven houses were gutted in a devastating fire at South Charnoabad village under Sadar upazila.

The fire originated from an electric short circuit at a house around 3am and soon engulfed the adjacent houses.

On information, firefighters went to the spot and doused the fire with the help of locals. The house owners said losses could go up to Tk20 lakh. l

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Japan scientists transmit electricity without wires n AFP

Japanese scientists have succeeded in transmitting energy wirelessly, in a key step that could one day make solar power generation in space a possibility, an official said yesterday.

Researchers used microwaves to deliver 1.8 kilowatts of power – enough to run an electric kettle – through the air with pinpoint accuracy to a receiver 55 metres (170 feet) away.

While the distance was not huge, the technology could pave the way for mankind to eventually tap the vast amount of solar energy available in space and use it here on Earth, a spokesman for The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said.

“This was the first time anyone has managed to send a high output of nearly two kilowatts of electric power via microwaves to a small target, using a delicate directivity control device,” he said.

JAXA has been working on devising Space Solar Power Systems for years, the spokesman said.

Solar power generation in space has many advantages over its Earth-based cousin, notably the permanent availability of energy, regardless of weather or time of day.

While man-made satellites, such as the International Space Station, have long since

150,000 sign treason petition on US Republican letter to Iran

n AFP, Washington More than 155,000 people by Wednesday had signed a petition to the White House urging charges be filed against 47 Republican senators who they say committed “treasonous” offenses by writing Iran’s leaders about ongoing nuclear negotiations.

Lawmakers caused a political furor with their controversial letter Monday that warned an international nuclear deal with Iran could be scrapped by the next US president, particularly if Congress does not give its seal of approval.

The White House has said it responds to such petitions when they reach the 100,000-signature threshold, providing President Barack Obama’s administration with another opportunity to slam a letter that it considers inflammatory.

According to the petition, the 47 senators “committed a treasonous offense when they decided to violate the Logan Act, a 1799 law which forbids unauthorised citizens from negotiating with foreign governments.”

Critics argue that the lawmakers, including at least three potential Republican 2016 presidential candidates, broke the law, or at least violated the traditions of Congress, by directly engaging a foreign power on US foreign policy.

With no one indicted under the Logan Act since 1803, and zero successful prosecutions under that law, it is highly unlikely the 47 lawmakers – who include top Senate Republican leaders – are going to prison. l

been able to use the solar energy that washes over them from the sun, getting that power down to Earth where people can use it has been the thing of science fiction.

But the Japanese research offers the possibility that humans will one day be able to farm an inexhaustible source of energy in space.

The idea, said the JAXA spokesman, would be for microwave-transmitting solar satellites – which would have sunlight-gathering panels and antennae – to be set up about 36,000 kilometres (22,300 miles) from the earth.

“But it could take decades before we see practical application of the technology – maybe in the 2040s or later,” he said.

“There are a number of challenges to overcome, such as how to send huge structures into space, how to construct them and how to maintain them.”

The idea of space-based solar power generation emerged among US researchers in the 1960s and Japan’s SSPS programme, chiefly financed by the industry ministry, started in 2009, he said.

Resource-poor Japan has to import huge amounts of fossil fuel. It has become substantially more dependent on these imports as its nuclear power industry shut down in the aftermath of the disaster at Fukushima in 2011. l

Afghan artist in hiding after ‘iron underwear’ stunt n BBC An Afghan artist has been forced into hiding after receiving death threats for dressing in a metal suit featuring exaggerated breasts and buttocks.

Kubra Khademi wore the unusual armour in a performance on the streets of Kabul to highlight the problems of sexual harassment faced by women.

She had hoped to make a walk lasting for 10 minutes but in the event was forced back into her car by an angry mob of men after only

Afghan artist Kubra Khademi, 27, sits alongside a suit of armour she made as a protest against sexual harrassment during an interview with AFP in Kabul on March 8.

Swine flu virus in India turns even more dangerous, MIT study warns n Agencies The swine flu virus in India which has already killed more than 1,500 people since December may have acquired mutations that make it more severe and infectious than previously circulating H1N1 strains, a new MIT study has warned.

The study by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) contradicts previous reports from Indian health officials that the strain has not changed from the version of H1N1 that emerged in 2009.

MIT researchers found that the recent Indian strains carry new mutations in the hemagglutinin protein that are known to make the virus more virulent.

Hemagglutinin binds to glycan receptors found on the surface of respiratory cells and the strength of that binding determines how effectively the virus can infect those cells.

In the past two years, genetic sequence information of the flu-virus protein hemagglutinin from only two influenza strains from India has been deposited into publicly available influenza databases which makes it difficult to determine exactly which strain is causing the new outbreak and how it differs from previous strains.

“However, those two strains yielded enough information to warrant concern,” said Ram Sasisekharan, the Alfred H Caspary, professor of Biological Engineering at MIT and

eight minutes. The men threw things and even children were shouting at her.

She said the men were yelling: “That whore. What is she doing? Is she a foreigner?

Who the hell is she?”

Khademi carried out the performance because, she said, Afghan women suffered in silence. And even wearing a burka is no protection. She said those wearing the all-covering blue nylon garment faced harassment too.

However, she is now facing daily threats by phone and email from Islamic fundamentalists who have threatened to kill her. l

the paper’s senior author.

Sasisekharan and Kannan Tharakaraman, a research scientist in MIT’s Department of Biological Engineering, compared the genetic sequences of those two strains (of 2014) to the strain of H1N1 that emerged in 2009 and killed more than 18,000 people worldwide between 2009 and 2012.

One of the new mutations is in an amino acid position called D225, which has been linked with increased disease severity, researchers said.

Another mutation, in the T200A position allows hemagglutinin to bind more strongly to glycan receptors, making the virus more infectious, the study found.

Sasisekharan said that more surveillance is needed to determine whether these mutations are present in the strain that is causing the current outbreak, which is most prevalent in Gujarat and Rajasthan and has infected more than 20,000 people so far.

Meanwhile, in New Delhi health ministry officials said they will take up the issue with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) since the latter has been saying till now that there have not been any mutations.

According to the latest figures from the Union health ministry data, as of March 10, as many as 1,537 people have perished due to swine flu while the number of infected people in the country is 27,234. l

Court: China convicted more than 700 for terrorism, separatism in 2014

n AFP China convicted and sentenced 712 people for terrorism, separatism and related crimes last year, the country’s top court said yesterday, saying such offences were its top priority for 2015.

Violent attacks and unrest have been on the rise in recent years in China’s remote Xinjiang region, home to the mostly Muslim Uighur minority, and Tibetan areas, where reports of self-immolation in protest against Chinese rule often hit global headlines.

China has vowed to step up punishment of what it calls “violent terrorists” and is drafting its first-ever anti-terrorism law. Rights groups have warned it would grant the Communist Party even greater powers to “define terrorism and terrorist activities so broadly as to easily include peaceful dissent or criticism” of government policies.

The number of people sentenced last year for crimes such as inciting secession and terrorist attack was up 13.3% from 2013, the Supreme People’s Court said in its report to the National People’s Congress, the country’s Communist-controlled legislature.

It put “maintaining national security and social stability” at the top of its agenda this year. “(We will) actively participate in the fight against terrorism and separatism and firmly punish violent terrorist crimes according to the law,” it said in the report. l

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Nemtsov daughter: Two police officers shot in Ferguson Putin ‘politically’ to n blame for murder AP, Ferguson, Mo

n BBC A daughter of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov says Vladimir Putin must bear responsibility for his murder.

Zhanna Nemtsova told the BBC she believed the Russian president was “politically” to blame.

Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister and veteran liberal politician, was shot dead on 27 February while walking with his girlfriend near the Kremlin.

President Putin has condemned the murder and vowed to find the killers.

Meanwhile, one of the men charged over the murder has said he was forced into a confession.

Zaur Dadayev told prison visitors that he was tied up for two days with a bag on his head, and only confessed to the killing so that a friend would be freed.

Speaking to the BBC’s Gabriel Gatehouse, Nemtsova echoed previous claims made by her father’s allies that his killing was politically motivated.

“He was the most prominent critic of Putin. He was the most powerful leader of the opposition of Russia,” she said.

“After his death the opposition is beheaded and every-

body is frightened,” she added.

“Now we do not have any other figure so powerful... with so much expertise and experience to confront the officials.”

The 30-year-old, who is a stock market analyst and TV presenter at a financial channel in Moscow, said she had not been contacted

by Russian investigators because they were “not interested in an independent investigation.”

Officials have yet to cite a motive for Nemtsov’s murder.

Mourners pay tribute to Boris Nemtsov in Moscow on 7 March 2015 Last year, he contacted the Russian authorities after receiving death threats on his Facebook page, which he linked to his position on the conflict in Ukraine.

He had been drafting a report expected to expose covert Russian military involvement in the conflict.

Police turned down his request for an investigation in September.

Nemtsov said she had not been able to access her father’s apartment where he kept his files.

Speaking about the moment she learned of the 55-year-old’s death, she said: “I couldn’t believe it, I still can’t believe it.

“They have killed my father, I cannot keep silent.” l

Canadian imams issue fatwa against IS n AFP, Ottawa A group of Canadian imams and religious scholars issued a religious edict against the Islamic State group Wednesday, denouncing its threats against and recruitment in Canada.

In a fatwa posted online, also endorsed by a US imam from Texas, the 38 scholars argue that “any attack on Canada will be an attack on the freedom of Canadian Muslims.”

They also forbid Muslims from joining or encouraging others to join IS, saying anyone who helps Muslim youths in particular “to travel secretly or without the consent of parents to join IS... will face the wrath of Allah in this world and in the next world.”

The fatwa was penned by Imam Syed Soharwardy, head of the Islamic Supreme Council

of Canada in Calgary, and signed by others from across Canada.

In it, Soharwardy condemns Canadian, US and other Western nations’ policies in the Middle East as “unjust” and “based upon Islamophobia, bias and intolerance towards Muslims.”

But he also urges young Muslims not to be taken in by the IS group, which he says has fostered anti-Western sentiments for its own gain, and has violated Islamic tenets “in the most horrific and inhumane way.”

“The behavior and the actions of ISIS/ISIL has consistently proven that they are not Muslims and they cannot be trusted by the Muslims,” he said.

“Their struggle cannot be an Islamic struggle and their war cannot be called ‘Jihad.’

Rather, it is pure terrorism and haraam (forbidden).” l

Two officers were shot in front of the Ferguson Police Department early yesterday, authorities said, as demonstrators gathered after the city’s police chief resigned in the wake of a scathing Justice Department report alleging bias in the police department and court.

A 32-year-old officer from nearby Webster Groves was shot in the face and a 41-year-old officer from St. Louis County was shot in the shoulder, St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said at a news conference. Both were taken to a hospital, where Belmar said they were conscious. He said he did not have further details about their conditions but

described their injuries as “serious.”

“I don’t know who did the shooting, to be honest with you,” Belmar said, adding that he could not provide a description of the suspect or gun.

He said he assumed, based on where the officers were standing and the trajectory of the bullets, that “these shots were directed exactly at my officers.” l

DT

12 EDITORIAL

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Valuing the past matters

T

he recently discovered remnants of an ancient Buddhist town in the village of Nateshwar in Tongibari upazila provide visible proof of Bangladesh’s rich heritage.

It is welcome to see a team of 20 archaeologists and monks from China, India and Korea visiting the excavated ruins - thought to be around a thousand years old – believing it to be the birthplace of famed Buddhist scholar Atish Dipankar.

We may still be relatively young as a state, but the rich cultural history of our land stretches back thousands of years. It is vital authorities support efforts to learn about, preserve and celebrate remains from our past.

The popularity of the site, with increasing numbers of people from both within and outside the locality visiting the area regularly, shows the value and importance of improving understanding of the country’s heritage. Universities and government should support more such archaeological digs and drives and find ways to harness their value by developing and improving museums and places of interest.

Informational boards can be set up in areas such as these, detailing their history, as a way to educate visitors about their significance; and with the proper faculties put in place, they can easily be transformed into potential hotspots for any foreign tourists visiting.

Valuing the past is not just a way of improving historical understanding.

The nation’s ability to preserve our past benefits culture and society in the present day. We can accomplish that and more.

The nation’s ability to preserve our past benefits culture and society in the present day

Back up loans for RMG with tariff reforms

W

e welcome the plan by the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety, the North American led stakeholder safety initiative, to work with local banks to create a $20-35m credit facility to support SME factories in remediation works.

The targeting of funds towards smaller lower-tier sites is important as they are typically the ones which need to make the most improvements to guarantee safety standards.

As a whole, best estimates suggest the RMG industry needs a billion dollars of investment over five years to make the long-term improvements needed to effectively build on its large export base and sustain future growth With export growth slowing down due to increasing competition for orders in key markets and all factories facing financial constraints from the impact of blockades, more needs to be done to encourage further investment into the industry.

The brands involved in the alliance could help secure the future orders which are needed to keep funds flowing, by supporting the Bangladesh government in efforts to reform the discriminatory rate of tariff duty paid on Bangladeshi exports to the US market.

Bangladesh pays 15.6% duty on RMG exports to the US market, which is almost twice that paid by Vietnam and roughly five times that by China and India.

Reducing this rate or diverting some of the excess tariffs raised to support a major fund to finance improvements in the RMG industry, as proposed by the Bangladesh Bank’s chief economist, would benefit all stakeholders.

Buyers, factory owners, consumers and most of all workers would gain from supporting such tariff reforms.

More needs to be done to encourage further investment into the industry

Be heard

Writeto toDhaka DhakaTribune Tribune Write Tower,8/C 8/CPanthapath, Panthapath, Sukrabad, Shukrabad,Dhaka-1207 Dhaka-1207 FRFRTower, 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

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No aliens are human February 18

oil city that can make you rich but no citizenship, or Bangladesh where Hindus, Biharis and other minorities are scapegoats for the majority and white faces get stared to their face and talked about behind their backs.

Waqar Frustrated that people who write these and agree with these are prevented from affecting change in the world.

Shabnaz The idea of “respect” across the board is really important. While the issue itself is more nuanced than politicians show it to be, the writer is absolutely right in saying mutual respect would be a good start to fixing not only immigration but a range of other issues.

Amit This self-perpetuating system is exactly why two countries whose legacies are built on immigration - outgoing (UK) and incoming (US) - can so vehemently scapegoat immigrant communities.

James Amit: Vehement. Maybe some people. But less than most countries in the world for sure.

Where would you rather be an immigrant? The diverse Anglophone hubs of London and New York where you can eventually get real citizenship, an Arab

Amit James: How about a London or NY where the hypocrisy is removed? For the record, I am fine either way but I am privileged -- the ones who “need” a better place to live aren’t the ones who get treated with any respect, regardless of where in the world. Also, the whole “you have it slightly better so don’t complain” fallacy is flawed because should the Biharis and Hindus then be grateful they aren’t in Pakistan? (No, they should not.)

Barely Legal Alien Did somebody say “rape”?

Shabnaz Barely Legal Alien: In context, yes. Not always comfortable with the use of the word, but I personally think it works here.

Especially as the writer uses a style that lends itself naturally to expression and not just plain facts.

Barely Legal Alien Shabnaz: I’ll just throw in some “RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE” regardless.

Madiha Powerful piece once again, showing how immigration is not an isolated issue, but one with complex historical roots and ongoing nuances. To put it “in a nutshell” is degrading - which is exactly what anti-immigration rhetoric does.

DT PM: BNP seeking foreign help to grab power

Ukraine tries to heal February 18

February 23 Babul Sarwar To hell with Khaleda! Let her think about what she is doing. You, the PM, and the government are also not right! Tell us about what you are doing! Why did all those people get killed? Why couldn’t you save them?

Sunny Mental And what about you?

Nazmul Khair What other choices does she have?

Evil People Politics Putin’s decision to annex Crimea has still left a sour taste in my mouth. The Ukraine deserves much better than this.

DT

OPINION 13

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Politics of savagery No one has had a moment of relief since the beginning of this year. In Dhaka and elsewhere, some leaders of the ruling Awami League have pasted posters showing horrible pictures of the arson victims -- of course, not to show sympathy for the victims.

The main objective is political -- to create hatred among the people for the BNP-Jaamat who are largely responsible for the Molotov cocktail attacks on the buses, trains, trucks, etc.

AZAHAR UDDIN

n Kamran Reza Chowdhury

M

y seven-year-old son is very worried about my security. I feel his vulnerability every time he calls me when I am out.

“Papa, are you on a bus? Don’t get on a bus. There are bombs in the buses. Take a rickshaw,” he is sure to suggest. This is understandable, because petrol bombs and buses have become synonymous, creating horrors in public life.

Frequent footage on TV showing the excruciating pain of the petrol bomb victims, and the sufferings of their family members, have moved people of all ages. Newspaper front-pages have become predictable and pictures of bandaged victims appear in the news almost every day.

People are fed up with the BNP-led opposition and their unending blockade (or hartal) that has been bleeding the economy, severely disrupting the academic activities of millions of students.

This particular campaign is rather crude -- it shows photos of charred human remains and burnt children.

This should be discouraged in a civilised society

One potician has crossed the limit of civility in displaying the photographs of the arson victims. If you pass the roads in Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, or Mirpur Road, you will see some billboards and posters showing charred bodies of the petrol bomb victims.

The posters, containing slogans such as “stop genocide,” “life first, democracy next,”

and so forth, were strategically placed on the VIP roads so that no one can evade the gruesome pictures.

The politician will often place the posters on trucks and play various patriotic songs, to reignite people’s nationalism. Sometimes, he himself can also be seen sitting inside the truck.

There is no problem with playing patriotic songs and driving around the city to defy the hartal-blockades. We, the common people, would also like to do the same.

But this particular campaign is a rather crude one, as it shows photos of charred human remains and burnt children. This should be discouraged in a civilised society.

The campaign, knowingly or unknowingly, is pushing people, especially children and impressionable adolescents, towards savagery. This can have serious consequences if impressionable minds take the brutality and gore as normal and become too used to it.

An example of this would be of how desensitised we have become to seeing children beg, or when we see people with grave amputations or burns beg inside buses or at different intersections of the city.

I plead to the people in positions of power to not take advantage of people’s emotions, and to not use it for political gain, because that might be just as despicable as the politically-motivated bomb attacks. l Kamran Reza Chowdhury is a journalist.

A sick society? n Samrat Choudhury

I

ndia’s reputation has taken a massive beating in recent years due to some infamous incidents of rape. One of the most gruesome of these was the gang rape and murder of a girl in a bus in Delhi in December 2012. That episode had angered the whole nation and brought furious crowds out on to the streets of Delhi.

A British filmmaker recently released a documentary featuring interviews of a convicted rapist from the gang that had carried out that rape, and his lawyers. The Indian government banned it. A huge controversy erupted over this.

While this was being debated on TV and Twitter -- hotly and without substance, for the most part –- a mob attacked a jail in Nagaland in Northeast India, dragged out a man accused of rape, beat him to death, and strung him up in the middle of Dimapur town.

The local media in Nagaland had reported that the man was an “illegal Bangladeshi immigrant” who had raped a local Naga girl. It later turned out that the man was Indian, his father had served in the Indian Air Force, and his brothers are soldiers in the Indian army.

Moreover, the rape case itself is an odd one. The girl had accompanied the man to a hotel, after allegedly having been raped once earlier in the day. There she was allegedly raped a second time. Hotel CCTV footage showed them checking in and out together. If

there was any coercion, it was not visible.

Suspicion of outsiders in general, is old in the tribal societies of Northeast India.

Among the Nagas, the tribalism can get very specific. For instance, the Angami Nagas are different from the Sema Nagas and both are different from the Nagas of the Manipur hills.

These differences can at times lead to conflict between the Naga tribes. Conflict with those who are not Nagas is, therefore, hardly surprising.

The greatest suspicion, however, is reserved for suspected illegal immigrants from what is now Bangladesh. This has been a feature of politics and society in Northeast India since at least the 1960s, though the roots of the suspicion go back much further.

The usual explanation for this is fear of being overrun by Bengali settlers, as happened in Tripura, where the local tribals -- who had a narrow majority before Partition with 53 % of the population -- were reduced to a minority due to the influx of Hindu Bengalis displaced

by Partition. The term “Bangladeshi” as it was, and largely still is, used in Northeast India generally to mean anyone who spoke the Bengali language, irrespective of their religious identities.

In the case of the man who was lynched in Nagaland, the narrative of the illegal foreign immigrant sullying the pristine local girl was added to the ongoing media hype over sexual crimes in the country. While a lot of the hype is generated locally, there is also a global

discourse that gives it direction.

The Western media has an old habit of Orientalism. This has been evident in its coverage of the Arab world and of South Asia, including India. Edward Said in his book had said: “I myself believe that Orientalism is more particularly valuable as a sign of European-Atlantic power over the Orient than it is a veridic discourse about the Orient.”

Colonialism is officially over, but the power equations have changed little. The power equations allow elites in the Anglo-Saxon West to set the standards of right and wrong, good and bad, for the whole world. It allows them to pass moral judgment on the rest of humanity by their standards.

By those standards, all societies, except theirs, are bad, or at least, not good enough.

The Muslim world is in need of being remade in their image. So is the Hindu world. Russia is a problem too, even after its Soviet days.

China will become a problem soon, so the Nato military apparatus is now doing a “pivot east.” And so on.

Basically, these problems will continue until everyone on planet Earth learns to dress, eat, talk, and think like them, at which point Marx will presumably leap out of his grave and do a jig.

The filmmaker who made the film on the Delhi gang rape called India a “sick society.” The sickness of the society had made itself apparent in the statements and acts of the convicted rapist Mukesh Singh and

his lawyers, and the Indian government’s argument that the documentary should not be screened.

The statement of perhaps the worst rapist in India, or his very crude lawyers, is really not a fair measure of the health or sickness of a society of 1.2 billion people. The United Nations Crime Trends Survey data is a better measure.

From the UN data of 2010, we find that India has among the lowest rate of rapes in the world, with a “rape rate” of 1.8 per 100,000 population. The US, in comparison, had a rape rate of 27.4 per 100,000, which is 15 times higher. The UK rate in 2010 was not mentioned. However, the previous UN survey had put it at 25.6 for England and Wales, which was 15 times higher than the Indian rate of 1.7 at that time.

Recording and reporting of cases is, without a doubt, better in the UK and US than it is in India. However, even allowing for that, it would seem that those societies are sicker than our admittedly sick one. The reason this never gets mentioned is because people from here don’t have the means to go to those countries, dig out the worst they have to offer, and file what Mahatma Gandhi had called the “drain inspector’s report.” If we go to those countries, it is still mainly as supplicants and servants. l Samrat Choudhury is a senior journalist and author based in Mumbai.

DT

14 OPINION

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

BIGSTOCK

Could we get a word in edgeways? n Zafar Sobhan

G

ame on.

One insufficiently remarked upon casualty of the past year and a half of high-octane political conflict is the Bangladeshi people’s inability to make their voice heard at the polls.

The government rhetoric that the BNP missed the bus ignores that the real deprivation and denial of rights has been suffered by the Bangladeshi people who have now gone six years without being able to properly exercise their franchise.

In the capital city, it has been even worse.

The last mayoral elections were in 2002 so the good citizens of Dhaka have had to wait more than a decade since last being able to vote for the head of their city government.

But with the announcement that the DCC polls are on track for the next few months, at least Dhaka residents will be able to cast a vote for mayor, albeit either in Dhaka South or Dhaka North, following the bifurcation of the city government by the AL in 2011.

Now with the news that Nagorik Oikya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna, who is currently behind bars facing charges of sedition, is likely to contest for the Dhaka North mayoral seat, it seems like we may finally have a good old-fashioned election on our hands.

The AL has already expressed its support for the candidacy of former FBCCI and BGMEA chief Annisul Huq, a shrewd choice, and a battle between him and Manna, if the latter can succeed in mobilising the anti-AL vote behind him, should make for a competi-

tive race which gives the people a fair choice between two starkly competing visions.

What will be interesting to note is whether giving the nod to the widely respected and well thought-out Huq will convince voters that the AL is putting competency and character first, and help to win over those unhappy with the direction the party has taken in recent times.

It is unconscionable that we have gone without any effective leadership at the city level for so long

The party could scarcely have gotten a better candidate to test their vision and their mettle against than Manna. His running would turn the race squarely into a referendum on AL rule, and I would think that’s a fight the party wants.

With Manna currently tarnished by the apparent contents of his leaked telephone calls, he is a far less formidable candidate than he was before, and if they can’t take him now then that should send the high command a serious message.

For those who wish to register a protest

vote against the AL government, they might have preferred a candidate with less baggage.

But Manna is certainly still a canny operator, who will be out to restore his name and turn the tables on the government, and may represent their best chance of a result.

What would be equally heartening would be to see another competitive race for Dhaka South, where the ruling party will be throwing their support behind Sayeed Khokon, son of Dhaka’s first elected mayor, the late Mohammad Hanif.

Interestingly, Haji Selim, an influential and powerful AL city boss, has also thrown his hat into the ring, with the potential to split the AL vote, so a serious opposition candidate could hope to do some damage.

The country needs elections, and with national polls seemingly not on the government agenda any time soon, we will have to settle for city polls.

Equally important, Dhaka city needs a mayor -- or even two -- and it is unconscionable that we have gone without any effective leadership at the city level for so long.

That far more power needs to be devolved to the city government level is something that should have been done long ago, but even with the limitations of the offices, the coming elections are hugely significant.

They are the first opportunity for the population to offer its assessment of their record in the past year in office and send a message as to whom it blames for the current political crisis.

Make no mistake: The upcoming city polls -- if they happen at all, and if they are contested freely -- big ifs -- will serve as a

referendum on the government.

Its assessment of the government’s performance is something that the public -- albeit a small slice this time round -- has a right to make itself heard on. For the government, it is equally important that they take the temperature of the public and listen to what it has to say.

The elections may prove a vindication of the government’s policy, with voters choosing to express their solidarity with the government in the face of the reign of terror that has been unleashed across the nation over the past two months, and suggest support for a continued hard line in dealing with the opposition.

But without a free and fully contested election, they will never know. And not knowing what the public thinks is far more dangerous to any sitting government than any reverse they will suffer as a result of an unconvincing performance at the polls.

A final word to the BNP: With most of its leaders in hiding or behind bars, we can understand that it wouldn’t want to, or really be able to, field any candidates.

But I would hope that it would put its machinery to work behind the opposition candidates so that people know that they can express support or disapproval through the ballot box.

Perhaps even more than the government, the BNP is in dire need of hearing what the people have to say about it, and hearing what the voting public would like the party to do. If it sits this one out, then it will never know. l Zafar Sobhan is the Editor, Dhaka Tribune.

BTRC toughens telecom services regulation

16

Embattled euro licks wounds in Asia, still vulnerable

17

South Korea joins global easing with surprise rate cut as growth falters

20

DT

Business

15

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Rana Plaza victims’ families to get second part of compensations

n Muhammad Zahidul Islam The BTRC yesterday issued a fresh set of directives to telecom operators, laying out instructions on service and tariff for protecting the interest of consumers.

The directives included restrictions against the use of ambiguous and alluring language for promotional campaigns, auto-renewal of different packages, and the discarding of unused data for consequent charging intervals.

The directive, signed by BTRC’s Systems & Services Division Director Lt Col Mohammad Zulfikar, mentioned that if any SIM was found to be unused for two years, the operators could sell it in due process.

The regulator directed operators to stop automatic renewals of different data and value added services Farm workers carry potatoes from the field after harvest in Munshiganj this season

According to the directive by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, in designing a product or an offer, mobile companies have to avoid using addictive elements that are likely to lure the consumers to indulge in irrational or unnecessary heavy usage or recharge.

Promotional offers would also not be allowed to use words like “best,” “highest” and “first,” according to the guideline. The directive also said the bonus of any promotional offer, like talk-time, SMS, MMS or data volume, would have to be reasonably consumable within the stipulated time.

From now on, mobile phone operators will also have to clearly mention about sponsorships if they offer any third-party products to their subscriber and the offer should not look like the mobile company’s own offer.

The BTRC also directed operators to stop default auto-renewal feature of different data (internet) and value added services, as the subscribers often take those services without having knowledge of such features.

The BTRC said a mobile company could never provide auto-renewal features in any offer without the cognitive consent of the subscribers. For auto-renewal of a service or offer, the mobile companies must obtain permission from the subscriber for every charging period, the regulator said.

In the directive, the BTRC also mentioned minimum validity of recharge Tk10 for minimum 10 days and Tk1,000 and above for 360 days. l

Potato exports jump n Abu Bakar Siddique Potato export has witnessed a sharp rise by 56% to US$19.38m in the first 8 months of the current fiscal year, thanks to the government’s initiative to promote the export of the food item and also to save the farmers by ensuring fair prices to their product.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau data, Bangladesh exported potato worth $19.38mn in between July and February of the current fiscal while it was only US$11m in the same period of the previous fiscal year 2013-14.

During the last fiscal, Bangladesh exported potato worth $34m to different countries. Out of which, only Russia alone imported potato of $9m. However, Malaysia has become the largest importer of potato from Bangladesh, buying potato worth $13m during the last fiscal.

Surplus production during the last two seasons meant that Bangladesh exported the highest volume of potato in the last fiscal while potato worth only $9m was exported in the 2012-13 fiscal.

The export scenario of the particular food product has sharply increased since last year due to the government’s massive initiatives for boosting potato export as the country experienced serious agitation by potato farmers for not getting fair prices in the last two years.

“The government’s measure to increase the export volume of potato is obviously praiseworthy as it has ultimately save the farmers, said Dr Asaduzzaman, an ago-economist, who works as professional fellow at Bangladesh In-

stitute of Development Studies (BIDS).

Russia, the second largest potato importer from Bangladesh, explored the country’s market during the last fiscal for the first time.

The country, however, expressed its concern about the quality of Bangladeshi potato as it found the presence of a bacterial infection called ‘Brown Rot’ in one of the shipments.

Soon after receiving the objection, the government undertook an intensive plan to combat such kind of infection in potato to avoid any probable ban on potato export to Russia.

The ministry of agriculture suggested the potato growers to use selective lands cautiously to produce infection-free potato for safer export, which is being implemented form the current season.

“The government has planned to bring the potato exporters under a common rule, which will direct them to have their own contract with the growers for growing potato maintaining the product quality, for ensuring uninterrupted export,” said Anwar Faruqe, an additional secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture. The government has decided to stop the common practice of procuring the export-bound potato from the local farmers, as the crop produced without surveillance might be infected, he said.

“The ministry wants to create a professionalism on the exporting process of potato

DHAKA TRIBUNE

and other vegetable items.”

The government also suggested that farmers to cultivate potato only on those land, which is naturally washed by rainwater during monsoon.

During current year, the farmers of some areas in the country have started cultivation of the seasonal crop and getting comparatively better prices than the previous two years due to the better prospect of potato export to different destinations across the world.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has directly been engaged to monitor the whole process of potato export, starting from land selection to the final stage of export.

According to the DAE, an average annual production of potato in the country is around 80 lakh tonnes against the local demands of around 50 lakh tonnes. l

DT

16 BUSINESS

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

IMF chief sees better news at last for advanced economies

n AFP, Berlin

A picture illustration shows US Dollar and Euro banknotes on a pair of scales in Vienna

REUTERS

Embattled euro licks wounds in Asia, still vulnerable n Reuters, Sydney

The euro wallowed just above a fresh 12-year low early yesterday having faced an unrelenting onslaught this week as the European Central Bank kicked off its 1tn euro bond-buying campaign.

The program has already driven yields of many euro zone bonds deeper into negative territory and others to all-time lows. A 30year German bond now offers a yield that is less than that of a two-year US Treasury note.

Unsurprisingly, investors kept well clear of the common currency. It fell as far as $1.0511, stopping just short of the March 2003 trough of $1.0501. A break there will only heat up talk of parity. The euro last stood at $1.0554.

Against sterling, it fell to its lowest in over seven years at 70.11 pence. It hit a record low

of NZ$1.4434 and slumped to a near two-year trough 127.64 yen.

Developments in Greece continued to garner some attention, though Athens appeared to have made no headway in persuading euro zone partners to renegotiate terms of a 240bn euro bailout.

In contrast, the dollar climbed further, fueled in part by expectations the Federal Reserve is not far from lifting interest rates.

The dollar index came within a whisker of 100.00 for the first time since April 2003. Versus the yen, the greenback traded at 121.41, not far off an eight-year peak of 122.04 set on Tuesday.

“While our fair value metrics suggest USD gains are getting stretched, we note that positioning remains only moderately long USD at this point and, with US yields still likely to rise in the weeks ahead, we think it makes sense

to stay long,” analysts at BNP Paribas wrote in a note to clients.

Against commodity currencies, the US dollar hovered just below six-year peaks on its Canadian and Australian peers.

Australia’s employment data due at 0030 GMT will be the next test for the Aussie dollar.

Any upside surprises could see markets quickly unwind already very bearish positions.

The New Zealand dollar came close to testing last month’s four-year trough of NZ$0.7177 but rebounded to 73 US cents after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand sounded less dovish than markets had positioned for.

“When you look through the statement, the threshold for cutting the cash rate right now is perhaps a little bit higher than what markets have been anticipating,” said Nick Tuffley, economist at ASB Bank. l

IMF chief Christine Lagarde said Wednesday that major advanced economies were seeing “better news” thanks to cheap oil, currency shifts and low interest rates that encourage investment.

“For once in a long time there are clearly some relatively better news on the horizon of the advanced economies. And this has not happened in awhile,” she said in Berlin.

“We clearly have a rebound of the US economy, an improvement and good growth showing in the UK, and the euro area is also now turning the corner,” said Lagarde at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the heads of the World Bank, WTO, ILO and OECD. For the long-struggling eurozone, she said “we have had a good result, better than expected, during the fourth quarter” and signs that “European growth is probably going to turn better than expected”.

This contrasted with “slower growth than expected in the emerging market economies. This is the case in China, deliberately so, it is certainly the case in Russia.”

She said the low price of oil has different impacts on different countries but was considered by the IMF “as a net positive for the global economy”.

On currency markets, she said, there had been “an appreciation of the dollar and a depreciation of the yen and the euro which is clearly having an effect on the export activities of those countries”.

Meanwhile, economies benefited from “the low cost of financing” brought by very low interest rates.

“So we’ve got three factors that are acting as boosters to the global economy and particularly to those advanced economies that combine the benefit of lower price of oil, currency valuations ... and lower cost of investment”.

She added that there are “risks on the horizon”, pointing to geopolitical turmoil including the Ukraine crisis, and the diverging monetary policies of major economies.

“We will also have risks stemming from the monetary policies that we are seeing at work,” said Lagarde. l

NEWS IN BRIEF Oil prices higher in Asian trade

Oil prices inched higher in Asia yesterday but gains were capped as dealers fretted over an over-supplied global market after US crude reserves once again swelled to a record high. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate rose 15 cents to $48.32 while Brent crude rose 56 cents to $58.10 in afternoon trade. The US Department of Energy said Wednesday crude oil inventories surged by 4.5 million barrels in the week to March 6 to 448.9 million, the highest level since the beginning of the weekly data series in 1982. “We expect heavy downward pressure today for crude prices,” said Daniel Ang, investment analyst at Phillip Futures in Singapore. Ang said the pressure on prices was mainly due to the “realisation that US production remains strong” despite the record-level inventories. Crude prices lost some 60% of their value to decline to about $40 between June and late January owing to an oversupply in world markets, a weak global economy and the strong dollar. Prices have since rebounded following a slowdown in US oil-drilling activities, but analysts say volatility is likely to continue for some time. Analysts said investors were monitoring the progress of talks between the US and other major Western powers and Iran on Tehran’s contested nuclear pro-

gramme as a deadline at the end of March nears. The Islamic republic has been crippled by a series of UN and US sanctions, including on crude exports, aimed at bringing an end to its nuclear drive, which the West says is being used to develop atomic weapons. Iran denies the allegations. “Prices are likely to remain in a tight range for the next two weeks until the market gets more clarity on the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the US over the lifting of sanctions,” said Sanjeev Gupta, head of the Asia-Pacific oil and gas practice at business consultancy EY. – AFP, Singapore

German inflation bounces back in February 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 Thursday. The data, released by federal statistics office Destatis, confirmed a preliminary estimate published at the end of February. 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, Destatis said. That is way under the ECB’s annual inflation target of just below 2%. In January, HICP had fallen by 0.5%. The data will offer some hope that the eurozone will avoid a dangerous deflationary spiral of falling prices. Earlier this week, the ECB started buying bonds as part of a massive 1.14tn euro purchase programme to raise inflation and end stagnation in the eurozone economy. – AFP, Frankfurt

LG Group plans record $5.57bn R&D investment in 2015

South Korean conglomerate LG Group on Thursday said its companies plan to invest a record 6.3tn won ($5.57bn) in research and development in 2015 to secure future growth. LG Group, which has arms including appliances maker LG Electronics Inc and LG Display Co Ltd, said in a statement that technologies like electric car batteries, next-generation displays and the so-called Internet of things were key areas for investment. An LG Group spokeswoman said the conglomerate spent a combined 5.9tn won on research and development last year. – Reuters, Seoul

DT

BUSINESS 17

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

South Korea joins global easing with surprise rate cut as growth falters n Reuters, Seoul South Korea’s central bank cut interest rates for the first time in five months yesterday in a surprise move, joining the ranks of other economies which have recently taken advantage of lower inflation to ease monetary policy to spur sluggish growth.

The Bank of Korea’s monetary policy committee, grappling with a weaker-than-expected economic recovery, lowered its base rate by 25 basis points to a record low of 1.75%, confounding expectations that it would wait at least another month to see if domestic and export demand improved.

The committee split in a 5-2 vote, Governor Lee Ju-yeol said, without elaborating on the arguments of the dissenters.

A snap poll conducted by Reuters soon after the decision showed most analysts do not see another rate cut this year.

Bond futures initially rose and the won fell to a 20-month low after the decision, but bonds later returned to previous levels and the won recouped losses as traders took profits from the dollar’s recent rally after the central bank move.

“It (the rate cut) came one month earlier than we had expected,” said Lim Ji-won, economist at JPMorgan Chase & Co in Seoul. “An additional cut still remains a possibility if the growth situation does not improve much from here, but at this point it really depends on the data.”

Governor Lee said the cut - the first since October and the sixth since the BOK’s easing cycle started in July 2012 - was a pre-emptive move to keep the weak momentum seen in the first two months of the year from hurting the economy’s growth potential.

“We saw that the economy was not growing as much as thought and that inflation would be lower than expected,” Lee said. “We decided it would be better to act pre-emptively as we confirmed the risks were there.”

But Lee was cautious about further rate moves.

“The Bank of Korea is making preparations based on the scenario that the Federal Reserve will start raising rates in the second half of the year. However, we don’t feel that we will have to hike rates right away when the U.S. begins tightening.”

Bank of Korea Governor Lee Ju-yeol attends at a news conference at Seoul Foreign Correspondent’s Club

Weak start to the year

The market’s consensus view had been that the central bank would lower the rate when it revises growth forecasts in April.

Front-month futures on three-year treasury bonds were at 108.93 at 0616 GMT, up just 0.02 points and far below a session high of 109.19. The won finished domestic trade flat at 1,126.4 against the dollar after having fallen as much as 0.9%.

The Bank of Korea cut its growth forecast for this year to 3.4% in January from the previous 3.9% and is widely expected to lower it again next month as China’s growth continues to cool and much of Europe flounders.

South Korea’s industrial production

plunged in January and annual inflation slowed to a 16-year low in February, though officials blamed much of the low price growth on falling commodity prices rather than weak consumption.

Exports suffered their worst fall in two years in February, but policymakers say overall global demand has shown some signs of gradual recovery.

Economists have said South Korea’s heavy and growing household debt was one of the main constraints on the central bank’s policies. The average household carries debt amounting to some 160 percent of disposable annual income, higher than that of US households before the subprime

REUTERS

mortgage crisis which sparked the 2008 global meltdown.

Governor Lee said foreign exchange rates were important to South Korean exporters but disagreed with some analysts’ views that the current global easing trend was aimed primarily at depressing exchange rates. Rather, he said, the policy changes were sparked by economic problems in their respective countries.

The Bank of Thailand also cut its policy interest rate on Wednesday in a surprise move.

India has cut rates twice already so far this year and China has eased policy two times, with more moves expected. Singapore, Australia and Indonesia have also eased. l

China likely to ease again if inflation falls

IMF: India’s economy recovering, reforms vital

n Reuters, Beijing

n Reuters, New Delhi

China is likely to cut interest rates or reserve requirements again if consumer inflation drifts below 1%, a member of the central bank’s monetary policy committee said, as he ruled out more support for the sagging Chinese property market.

Qian Yingyi said policymakers still needed to monitor the inflation data for March and April to judge if deflation pressures were deepening in the world’s second-biggest economy.

Having seen China lower interest rate twice since November, and also cut the lev-

el of cash banks must hold as reserves last month, most investors assume that China will further loosen monetary policy in coming months to buoy an economy that is on course for its worst year in a quarter of a century.

In an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, Qian, who is also an economics professor at China’s elite Tsinghua University, said any policy move “is very much dependent on inflation”.

“Many analysts believe that deflationary pressures will continue. If that happens, I won’t be surprised if the central bank continues to reduce reserve requirements as well as interest rates,” he said.

India’s economy is recovering and its ability to withstand external shocks has improved, but growth is likely to fall short of government targets, the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday.

In an annual report, the IMF forecast that Asia’s third-largest economy would grow by 7.5% in the 2015/16 fiscal year that starts on April 1, up from 7.2% in the year now ending.

That is less optimistic than the forecasts in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s annual budget, which foresees growth of up to 8.5%

in 2015/16 - making India the world’s fastest-growing large economy ahead of China.

“The Indian economy is reviving, helped by positive policy actions that have improved confidence and lower global oil prices,” the Washington-based lender said, adding: “To continue on this trend, India needs to revitalize the investment cycle and accelerate structural reforms.”

Both the IMF and the government forecasts are based on new methods for calculating gross domestic product that have raised the reported growth rate but led to a slight downward revision in the size of India’s $2tn economy. l

DT

18 BUSINESS

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

News, analysis and recent disclosures FIRSTSBANK: The Board of Directors has recommended 10% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

Date of AGM: 09.05.2015, Time: 10:00 AM, Venue of the AGM to be notified later.

Record date: 02.04.2015. The Company has also reported EPS of Tk. 1.58, NAV per share of Tk. 20.29 and NOCFPS of Tk. 28.59 for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

PADMAOIL: The Company has informed that it has already taken necessary steps to deposit cash dividend to the shareholders Bank Accounts under Bangladesh Electronic Fund Transfer Network (BEFTN). Further, NRB account holders and the shareholders whose specific Branch/Bank accounts have not been found by the Company are requested to contact with Companys Registerd Office at Padma Bhaban, Strand Road, Sadarghat, Chittagong along with the Bank Account. Contact No.031-614235 (Ext. 214).

IPDC: The Company has further informed that due to unavoidable circumstance the 33rd AGM of the Company will now be held on 04.05.2015 at 10:00 AM at Trust Milonayaton 545, Old Airport Road, Jahangir Gate, Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka-1206.

Other information of the AGM will remain unchanged.

BERGERPBL: As per Regulation 30 of DSE Listing Regulations, the Company has informed that a meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on March 16, 2015 at 3:00 PM to consider, among others,

audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

IPO Subscription: Tosrifa Industries Limited Subscription March 24, 2015 to March 31, 2015; NRB UPTO April 09, 2015.

Offer Price per share Tk. 26.00, Market Lot (Shares) 200.

Dividend/AGM RELIANCINS: 15% cash and 15% stock, AGM: 30.04.2015, Record date: 19.03.2015.

UNITEDFIN: 5% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 23.04.2015, Record date: 18.03.2015.

LAFSURCEML: 5% final cash dividend (i.e. total 10% cash dividend for the year 2014 inclusive of 5% interim cash dividend which has already been paid), AGM: 11.06.2015, Record Date: 07.04.2015.

UNIONCAP: 10% stock, AGM: 31.03.2015, Record date: 16.03.2015.

TRUSTBANK: 5% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 30.03.2015, Record date: 15.03.2015.

DUTCHBANGL: 40% cash, AGM: 30.03.2015, Record date: 15.03.2015.

SOUTHEASTB: 15% cash, AGM: 29.03.2015, Record date: 15.03.2015.

ALARABANK: 14% cash, AGM: 31.03.2015, Record Date: 15.03.2015.

PRIMEBANK: 15% cash, AGM: 30.03.2015, Record Date: 10.03.2015.

PUBALIBANK: 10% cash, AGM: 31.03.2015, Record Date: 10.03.2015.

SIBL: 18% cash, AGM: 30.03.2015, Record Date: 10.03.2015.

Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

Company Northern Jute -Z Imam Button -Z Kay & Que (BD) -Z Anwar Galvanizing-B Renwick Jajneswar-A Popular Life Insu. -A Eastern Cables-A PragatiLife Insu. -Z Modern Dyeing -Z Wata Chemicals -A

Closing (% Change) 8.74 8.00 7.69 7.44 6.04 5.97 5.92 5.72 5.20 4.90

CSE GAINER Company Bengal Windsor-A Imam Button -Z PragatiLife Insu. -Z Paramount Insur-A Wata Chemicals -A Anwar Galvanizing-B Ambee Pharma -A Berger Paints-A ACI Limited- A Marico BD Ltd-A

Closing (% Change) 9.14 9.09 8.39 8.03 7.18 6.87 5.82 5.04 3.94 3.71

DSE LOSER Company Social Islami. B-A Shahjibazar Power-N Eastern Bank - A Pubali Bank - A Prime Bank-A Eastland Insur -A EBL NRB M.F.-A UCBL - A CVO PetroChem RL-A Dhaka Bank -A

Closing (% Change) -9.63 -8.71 -7.45 -6.47 -5.39 -4.81 -4.44 -4.13 -4.13 -3.91

CSE LOSER Company Prime Insur -A Social Islami. B-A Shahjibazar Power-N CVO PetroChem RL-A Prime Bank 1st MF-A Pragati Gen. I -A Aziz PipesZ Central Insur -A Tallu Spinning -Z Eastern Bank - A

Closing (% Change) -14.14 -9.49 -9.08 -8.75 -8.51 -8.29 -7.84 -6.86 -6.80 -6.60

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

DSE key features March-12, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

DSE GAINER

Sector

3,280.56 60,743,453 79,902

Traded Issues

309

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

79

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

223

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

7

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,493.61

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

30.23

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 257.74 89.58 15.71 374.34 755.05 311.01 4.38 300.51 515.62 8.58 113.77 21.67 9.12 135.81 63.26 16.61 43.11 143.22 18.45 82.99 0.02

% change 7.86 2.73 0.48 11.41 23.02 9.48 0.13 9.16 15.72 0.26 3.47 0.66 0.28 4.14 1.93 0.51 1.31 4.37 0.56 2.53 0.00

Million Taka 14.77 5.41 2.22 26.98 3.07 17.64 34.75 24.17 0.99 4.67 0.66 1.06 10.35 4.53 0.33 2.44 13.92 4.56 19.84 0.00

Average (% Change) 8.82 5.26 7.61 4.95 3.34 2.94 4.08 4.49 4.80 2.49

Average (% Change) 9.08 6.12 8.39 3.44 6.67 4.98 2.56 5.05 3.06 1.52

Average (% Change) -9.11 -11.57 -8.35 -6.37 -4.66 -3.60 -3.80 -3.23 -7.01 -2.69

Average (% Change) -14.14 -14.80 -6.67 -6.00 -2.47 -8.70 -7.84 -6.86 -2.84 -6.53

CSE

ClosingAvg. 225.73 10.60 14.00 40.71 236.56 141.84 129.27 111.90 85.00 214.40

ClosingAvg. 62.10 10.58 115.00 14.13 223.16 41.28 292.30 1580.94 447.96 1211.62

ClosingAvg. 12.27 198.09 26.01 21.74 15.95 28.15 4.30 21.26 417.30 17.35

ClosingAvg.

% change 7.68 2.81 1.15 14.02 1.59 9.17 0.00 18.06 12.57 0.51 2.43 0.34 0.55 5.38 2.36 0.17 1.27 7.23 2.37 10.31 0.00

16.40 12.43 208.93 419.57 4.35 36.50 18.80 19.00 13.70 26.90

Closing 226.40 10.80 14.00 41.90 238.80 145.50 130.60 112.80 85.00 218.30

Closing 62.10 10.80 115.00 14.80 224.00 42.00 301.60 1580.90 454.00 1239.90

Closing 12.20 198.00 26.10 21.70 15.80 27.70 4.30 20.90 420.30 17.20

Closing 16.40 12.40 198.20 198.20 4.30 36.50 18.80 19.00 13.70 26.90

Million Taka 272.52 94.99 17.94 401.32 758.12 328.66 4.38 335.26 539.80 9.57 118.44 22.32 10.18 146.16 67.79 16.93 45.56 157.14 23.01 102.82 0.03

DHIGH

DLOW

226.40 10.80 14.00 42.50 244.00 145.90 131.00 115.30 85.00 220.00

DHIGH 62.10 10.80 115.00 14.80 224.00 42.80 303.00 1599.00 455.90 1240.00

DHIGH

215.00 10.00 14.00 38.60 225.00 136.30 124.50 105.30 85.00 207.00

DLOW 62.10 10.30 115.00 14.00 222.90 39.30 280.00 1579.00 436.00 1195.70

DLOW

12.60 202.00 26.50 23.40 16.20 29.00 4.30 21.90 435.00 18.00

DHIGH

12.20 198.00 25.50 21.00 15.80 27.40 4.30 20.80 403.00 17.10

DLOW

16.40 12.60 215.00 198.20 4.40 36.50 18.80 19.00 13.70 27.80

Total

16.40 12.40 198.20 198.20 4.30 36.50 18.80 19.00 13.70 26.00

% change 7.85 2.74 0.52 11.56 21.83 9.46 0.13 9.65 15.54 0.28 3.41 0.64 0.29 4.21 1.95 0.49 1.31 4.52 0.66 2.96 0.00

Prepared exclusively for Dhaka Tribune by Business Information Automation Service Line (BIASL), on the basis of information collected from daily stock quotations and audited reports of the listed companies. High level of caution has been taken to collect and present the above information and data. The publisher will not take any responsibility if any body uses this information and data for his/her investment decision. For any query please email to biasl@bol-online.com or call 01552153562 or go to www.biasl.net

Turnover in Million

Latest EPS

1.988 0.173 0.000 19.674 2.085 12.424 3.993 0.950 0.000 3.436

Turnover in Million

0.96 -1.48 -1.41 0.64 4.36 4.13 1.52 2.38 -0.50 5.37

Latest EPS

0.000 0.058 0.012 0.008 0.223 0.717 0.144 0.224 8.453 0.451

Turnover in Million

235.1 -ve -ve 63.6 54.3 34.3 85.0 47.0 -ve 39.9

Latest PE

4.10 -1.48 2.38 1.13 5.37 0.64 4.68 49.25 9.65 48.72

Latest EPS

38.552 12.777 4.044 4.440 0.837 1.676 0.074 14.334 61.301 1.429

Turnover in Million

Latest PE

15.1 -ve 48.3 12.5 41.6 64.5 62.5 32.1 46.4 24.9

Latest PE

2.74 8.68 3.50 3.54 2.18 3.33 0.64 3.66 8.56 1.36

Latest EPS

0.000 1.016 1.556 5.163 0.011 0.003 0.000 0.000 0.007 0.005

4.5 22.8 7.4 6.1 7.3 8.5 6.7 5.8 48.8 12.8

Latest PE

2.41 2.74 8.68 8.56 0.76 2.47 -0.37 2.96 -0.50 3.50

6.8 4.5 24.1 49.0 5.7 14.8 -ve 6.4 -ve 7.7

CSE key features March-12, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

192.35 5,546,581 11,632

Traded Issues

231

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

58

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

169

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

4

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,366.21

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

28.68

DT

BUSINESS 19

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Stocks continue to suffer on political crisis n Tribune Report

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Olympic Ind. -A ACI Limited- A Shasha Denims -N LafargeS Cement-Z Grameenphone-A Ifad Autos -N SummitAlliancePort.-A MJL BD Ltd.-A Square Pharma -A ACI Formulations-A

CVO PetroChem RL-A Singer BD -A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Brac Bank -A Social Islami. B-A

VolumeShares 3,119,739 460,794 3,628,009 1,021,742 341,122 1,699,789 1,510,965 644,250 286,916 523,818

Value in Million 676.80 206.56 142.35 126.00 111.40 105.62 87.96 76.07 74.02 73.17

% of TotalTurnover 20.63 6.30 4.34 3.84 3.40 3.22 2.68 2.32 2.26 2.23

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Shasha Denims -N BD Submarine Cable-A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A LafargeS Cement-Z ACI Limited- A National Feed-N Ifad Autos -N Singer BD -A MJL BD Ltd.-A CVO PetroChem RL-A

ACI Formulations-A WesternMarine -N UNITED AIR-A SummitAlliancePort.-A Square Pharma -A

146,898 266,062 1,710,434 1,181,331 3,143,202

571,503 93,000 341,877 72,632 18,870 262,698 103,032 28,940 47,631 12,305

33,704 101,931 458,208 51,600 11,019

61.30 58.65 55.29 39.40 38.55

22.35 11.75 11.03 8.91 8.45 7.03 6.39 6.38 5.65 5.16

4.70 4.30 3.72 3.00 2.85

1.87 1.79 1.69 1.20 1.18

11.62 6.11 5.74 4.63 4.39 3.65 3.32 3.32 2.94 2.68

2.45 2.24 1.94 1.56 1.48

ClosingP 215.10 454.10 38.70 124.60 325.10 62.10 57.70 118.90 258.10 139.80

420.30 221.50 32.10 33.10 12.20

ClosingP

Change % -0.28 3.96 -1.28 1.96 -0.79 -0.16 -3.83 1.28 0.12 2.79

-4.13 1.84 -1.83 -2.07 -9.63

Change %

38.50 126.00 32.10 123.80 454.00 26.80 61.90 221.30 119.30 198.20

140.10 42.10 8.20 57.70 258.70

-1.53 2.02 -1.53 1.31 3.94 1.52 -0.64 1.42 1.62 -8.75

1.82 0.00 0.00 -3.67 0.35

ClosingY 215.70 436.80 39.20 122.20 327.70 62.20 60.00 117.40 257.80 136.00

438.40 217.50 32.70 33.80 13.50

ClosingY

39.10 123.50 32.60 122.20 436.80 26.40 62.30 218.20 117.40 217.20

137.60 42.10 8.20 59.90 257.80

DHIGH 217.90 455.70 39.90 125.30 330.30 63.50 59.70 120.50 259.40 141.40

435.00 222.00 32.90 33.60 12.60

DLOW 214.00 433.00 38.30 118.50 324.50 60.40 57.30 116.10 257.00 134.20

403.00 217.00 32.00 33.00 12.20

DHIGH

DLOW

39.80 128.80 32.80 125.00 455.90 27.00 63.70 222.00 120.50 198.20

38.20 123.00 32.00 116.10 436.00 26.20 61.00 217.10 117.10 198.20

141.10 42.70 8.20 60.00 260.00

137.00 41.70 8.10 57.10 257.00

AvgPrice 216.94 448.28 39.24 123.32 326.58 62.14 58.22 118.07 257.98 139.69

417.30 220.45 32.32 33.35 12.27

AvgPrice

39.10 126.32 32.27 122.61 447.96 26.76 62.05 220.49 118.64 419.57

139.56 42.22 8.12 58.08 258.61

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

4556.94248

(-) 0.63%

1714.41363

(-) 0.12%

13935.73930

(-) 0.75%

11457.90190

(-) 0.97%

8432.56290

(-) 0.90%

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

Stocks continued to fall amid volatility yesterday, as investor confidence eroded further in the wake of the prolonged political turmoil.

The market opened in the morning with free-fall, losing more than 50 points, but at the end of the day recovered some points, led by financial issues.

The benchmark index DSEX decline almost 29 points or 0.7% to close at 4,557 from its previous session’s six and half month low. It extended losses for the second consecutive session. The Shariah Index DSES inched 1 points or 0.2% lower to 1,104. The comprising blue chips DS30 fell 2 points or 0.2% to 1,714.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, was down 73 points to 8,435.

Continued strong sell-off contributed to the increase in turnover that stood at Tk328 crore, up 5.8% over the previous session.

The market heavyweight banking sector lost 2.7%, extending its losing streak for the eight straight sessions. The other negative performers are power, telecommunication and non-banking financial institutions.

Amid bearish mood, investors were still opting for taking position on some manufacturing stocks ahead of their annual declarations.

Cement rallied 1.4%, led by Lafarge Surma Cement that soared 2%, after falling marginally in the previous session.

Food & allied and pharmaceuticals also closed positive.

Losers outpaced gainers as out of 308 issues traded, 169 declined, 96 advanced and 43 remained unchanged.

Lanka Bangla Securities said it was another red day at Matijheel Street on panic sell-off. “Sinking business outlook amid political jolt kept the bearish nod unflinching. Investors are pretending little sign of bottoming out from the current level in equity market.”

IDLC Investments said brutal sell-off decelerated but continued to the week’s closing session.

However, investors showed some discretion, preferring blue chip, liquid stocks over the broad market, it said.

ACI Limited topped the liquidity chart with a turnover worth over Tk20 crore. l

ANALYST

Sinking business outlook amid political jolt kept the bearish nod unflinching.

Investors are pretending little sign of bottoming out from the current level in equity market

DT

20 BUSINESS

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Rana Plaza victims’ families to get second part of compensations n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi Rana Plaza Coordination Committee has decided to pay a second part of compensation money to the families of 5,000 garment workers who were either dead or injured in the country’s deadliest industrial accident about two years ago.

The money, 30% of the respective sums, will be disbursed through bank accounts before April 15, said the authorities concerned.

Earlier in 2014 the families received 40% of their respective compensation figures.

The remaining 30% will be paid once sufficient fund is available, said an official of the committee.

The committee approved the new round of compensation payments on Tuesday, according to a Clean Cloth Campaign statement.

“The families will get the money before the second anniversary of the factory disaster,” ILO Country Director Srinivas B Reddy told Dhaka Tribune.

The committee member Shahidullah Azim said an amount of Tk31.35 crore had already been transferred to the committee’s account at the Dutch Bangla Bank Ltd to pay the compensations.

He said the bank would deposit the payments to the respective accounts of the victims once the victims’ list reached there from the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The fund would also be used to pay initial amounts of Tk50,000 each to 97 families who earlier didn’t receive it.

Initially, the committee decided to given Tk50,000 each to all families before the compensation payments started.

The compensation figures have been determined on the basis of the intensity of the losses by the victims following international standards.

Banks’ provisioning against loss from MF investments relaxed

n Tribune Report

Bangladesh Bank has relaxed the provisioning requirement for banks against their losses from investment in mutual fund units.

The provisioning method for both closedend and open-end mutual funds has been changed considering the losses banks might have incurred due to fall of unit prices, said a circular Bangladesh Bank issued yesterday.

Banks do not require provisioning if cost price (CP) is less than or equal to market value (MV) or 85% of the net asset value (NAV) of the mutual fund units.

If the CP is more than MV or 85% of NAV, the banks will have to maintain provision. In this case, the required provision (RP) will be calculated based on MV or 85% of NAV – whichever is higher. When the MV will be higher than NAV, the provision will be the difference between the cost price and market value.

As a result, the banks will have to maintain lower provision, which would help increase the bottom line, said a senior executive of Bangladesh Bank. l

StanChart raises $35m foreign loan for Unique Hotel n Tribune Report Standard Chartered Bank has raised a $35m foreign loan for Unique Hotel & Resorts (owner of The Westin Dhaka).

Unique Hotel will use the loan to expand its ongoing expansion in hotel sector, said a statement yesterday. The company has plans to set up two internationally branded 5 star hotels at Gulshan and Banani in Dhaka.

‘This landmark deal will help Unique Hotel lower its funding cost’

The file photo shows the collapsed Rana Plaza factory building in Savar Clean Cloth Campaign said there were still $9m shortage in the Rana Plaza Donors Trust Fund to pay the remaining parts.

The Trust Fund set up by the ILO in January 2014 received around $21m in donations from various sources including the global brands.

“The Fund urgently needs more donations (to pay the rest of the money),” said Sam Maher of the Clean Clothes Campaign.

“The $9m shortfall is totally unacceptable, and we need to see all stakeholders involved, particularly Benetton ( a retailer) and other brands, step up and fulfill their responsibility,” he said.

Mahmud Hossain Opu

The Clean Clothes Campaign urged Benetton to make an immediate payment of at least $5m to the Trust Fund - an amount believed to be proportional according to Benetton’s ability to pay, the size of their relationship with Bangladesh and their relationship with Rana Plaza.

Therefore all companies connected to the Rana Plaza building are urged to immediately increase their donations in order to ensure the fund reaches $30m by the second anniversary of the disaster.

On 24 April 2013, Rana Plaza, an eight-storey commercial building in Savar, collapsed, killing over 1,135 workers and injured over 2,500. l

Foreign investors want fiscal changes in next budget n Tribune Report Foreign investors in the country have urged Finance Minister AMA Muhith to bring changes in the fiscal laws in the next budget for the benefit of the business community.

As per the existing provision, newly established firms are liable to pay minimum tax at 0.3% on the amount representing the company’s gross receipts from all sources.

“This section should be deleted as this is not in line with the spirit of income tax law,” FICCI President Rupali Chowdhury told a regular monthly luncheon meeting of Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Bangladesh in a city hotel yesterday.

The minister was present at the meeting as chief guest. Rupali said irrespective of generating income, charge of minimum tax to company or firm is not fair. Moreover, this provision conflicts with the other provisions of tax law.

The FICCI president also urged the finance minister to reduce the existing corporate tax rates. “We recommend 30% tax rates for

non-listed companies and 25% for the listed companies 25% and 32.5% for mobile phone operators.”

She said many of our member companies have invested substantial portion of their approved Gratuity Funds for five years in Bangladesh Sanchayapatra as per the rules of Income Tax Ordinance 1984.

She said recently the Directorate of National Savings has informed the investors that the investments were not made in proper manner and advised them to cash their existing investments without interests.

“I would request you to look into the matter and instruct the concerned authorities to pay interest on five years to the FICCI members invested in Sanchayapatra and allow the existing investments to continue till maturity.”

Muhith said Bangladesh has gained most from the globalisation as the economy expanded fast taking benefit from the changes in tariff regime in the world.

“We’re the most beneficiary of the globalisation,” he said. l

Mohd. Noor Ali, Managing Director of the Hotel and Abrar A Anwar, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh, recently signed an agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

“This landmark deal will help Unique Hotel lower its funding cost by availing financing in foreign currency and further consolidate its position as a leading player in the hospitality sector in Bangladesh,” Noor Ali said.

“We are really happy to sign this agreement with Standard Chartered Bank, as they are providing an innovative financial solution that will benefit us and our shareholders immensely.”

Abrar A Anwar said: “We are really pleased to come up with such a solution for the Hotel. This agreement is another testimony of our commitment to continuously innovate and provide the best financial solution to our clients and customers and also to bring global best practices to Bangladesh. ” l

Pubali Bank teams up with Xpress Money n Tribune Report Pubali Bank and Xpress Money joined hands to celebrate the first day of spring titled “Basanta Utshob” for business promotion.

The festival is traditionally celebrated in Bangladesh every year with fanfare manner.

Xpress Money, a leading money transfer company, launched the programme from March 10 and continued till April 20 in all 434 branches of the Bank.

During the promotion, beneficiaries who receive cash through Xpress Money from the bank branches, will receive a mug as a token gift and automatically qualify for the weekly and mega electronic raffle draw.

The best customers will get a chance to win 30 air-coolers as weekly prizes (five air-coolers each week) and a Singer 14 CFT refrigerator as the mega prize, during the festival.

Abdul Halim Chowdhury, Managing Director and CEO of Pubali Bank said: “We are happy to be associated with Xpress Money for this promotion. We urge all our customers, to encourage their expatriates to send money through Xpress Money.”

Shamim Iftakhar, country manager Bangladesh, Xpress Money said, “Basanta is the most loved season, of all the six seasons that Bangladesh is known for. To make this season even more special for our customers, we have launched Basanta Utshob.” l

NEWS

T-JUNCTION

Sweet and savoury

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21

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

INSIDE The Launching of the AIUB Women Forum

The AIUB Women Forum was inaugurated on March 8, coinciding with the International Women’s Day at the AIUB Auditorium by the Vice Chancellor (VC) of American international University – Bangladesh (AIUB), Dr Carmen Z Lamagna.

The Women’s Forum is aimed at empowering women in AIUB through education, enterprise and leadership at all levels of decision making.

The Forum will bring together women’s rights campaigners, NGOs, women’s machineries, and powerful women entrepreneurs.

The VC and the Advisor of AIUB Women Forum delivered her message for the ceremony. She

emphasised on the role of women in exploring and addressing the barriers in accessing opportunities in education, business and political leadership, including women’s health and domestic violence.

Furthermore, she added that women have the potential to improve their own economic status, as well as that of the communities and countries in which they live. Yet they are often hampered by systems that do not recognise their contributions or provide equal access to opportunities. “Our aim is to create a society where equality for all is not just a notion but a reality, and the human rights must be respected and protected.”

The Launching program of AIUB Women forum was coordinated by Farheen Hasan and Farhana Afroz.

22

tantalise

South indian beef chilly fry

23 recipe

Apple strawberry pie

24

playtime

Seven types of foodies

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22 T-JUNCTION

Tantalise

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Ingredients (Serves 5) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

South indian beef chilly fry A masala spiked South Indian delight

n Subhabrata Maitra There’s something quite exciting about South Indian cuisine – it’s bold, it’s tangy, it’s spicy. It just does so much to the palette that you can’t help but feel at a loss once your meal is over. No matter what us Asians say or do, there

will always be that one part of us that secretly craves for the sinfully spicy, the numbingly tangy blend of flavours, which we now know as South Indian cuisine. Today I share one of my personal favourite recipes – a masala infused South Indian Beef Chilly Fry that can easily be your next lunch time staple. It’s

definitely not the easiest or the quickest recipe, but it certainly is one that makes you feel it’s worth the time and effort.

Bon Apetit!

Subhabrata Maitra is the Head Chef at The Westin Dhaka

Beef julienne - 500 grams Big onions - 5 Red, yellow and green capsicum - 2 Tomatoes - 1 Red chillies - 8 Garlic - 5 cloves Ginger - 2 inch long Lemon juice - 2 spoons Tomato sauce - 4 spoons Red chilli powder – 1/2 table spoons Mustard seeds - 1/4 table spoon Turmeric powder - 1/4 table spoon Curry leaves - 1/4 table spoon Fennel seeds - 1/4 table spoon Methi seeds - ¼ table spoon Salt - As per taste Oil - 10 spoons Coconut grated- 1 cup

Preparation Method

• Add beef, turmeric powder and salt thoroughly.

• Meanwhile chop onions, slice capsicum and red chillies finely.

• Peel skin and crush ginger and garlic and set them aside.

• In a pan, add oil. After it heats up, add curry leaves, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, methi seeds, crushed ginger and garlic and saute well until the raw smell leaves.

• Then add finely chopped onions, salt and saute well till it turns translucent.

• Then add dry red chilies, chopped tomato and saute well.

• Add red chili powder, coriander powder, and stir well.

• Now add tomato sauce, sprinkle some water and stir well.

• Then add slice capsicum and stir for a minute.

• Fry the beef in hot oil till half done.

• Add the beef and cook well.

• Now add little water and let it cook on high flame until the water content reduces and the gravy thickens.

• Remove from flame and add the grated coconut.

• Serve hot!

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Recipe

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Apple strawberry pie n Tasmia Momin If there’s one thing that can instantly make you feel better, it is a warm, thick crusty apple pie with just the right filling. A forever favourite, the beauty of the apple pie is in the balance of flavours – there’s the deliciously sweet stuffing and there’s the crumbly warmth of the crust. This week I’ve given a sweet little twist to the apple pie by adding some sinful strawberry to the magic mix. Serve with whipped cream or you can even top this hot pie off with a serving of cool vanilla ice-cream!

In a food processor, add in flour, sugar and salt. Then add diced butter and pulse until the mixture resembles wet sand or until your butter become the size of a pea. Add 1 tablespoon of ice cold water at a time, and pulse until dough is crumbly yet holds together when squeezed.

Take out the dough on a floured surface, form a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until firm.

Meanwhile prepare your pie filling by mixing all the ingredients together.

Add the filling onto a greased 9 inch oven-proof pie dish. Roast the cashew nuts in a fry pan and spread it over the

Pie Dough • • • • •

1½ cup all-purpose flour 1 tsp Salt 2-3 tbsp sugar ½ cup butter 3-4 tbsp ice cold water

Filling • • • •

3-4 medium sized apples 10-12 strawberries Handful of roasted cashew nuts 3 tbsp sugar (more or less depending on your taste) • ½ tsp cinnamon • A pinch of nutmeg • 2 tbsp potato starch or cornstarch

filling. Place small knobs of butter on top of the filling(optional).

Roll out the dough on a floured surface with a floured rolling pin, into a circle big enough to cover the top of your pie dish. Transfer the dough over the pie dish by rolling it over the rolling pin for ease. Scrape off the excess dough.

You can use the remaining of the dough to make fancy designs to decorate your pie crust. Egg brush the top of the pie crust, and place it in a preheated oven.

Bake it for 30-35 minutes at 180 degree Celsius. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes and tuck in!

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24 T-JUNCTION

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Playtime

Quiz What kind of foodie are you?

LISTOLOGY

Seven types of foodies

Their idea of the solar system is a pizza with salami planets, olive moons and shooting peppers

n Rad Sharar Bin Kamal

1. When someone asks you out for lunch, your first question is: A. Where are we going?

B. Who’s going with us?

C. What’s good there? otherwise. What you’ll never see from these clever kinds is them eating alone, for they always roam in twos or threes.

They’re like: Cheesecake. No,

They’re like: Where do you want to go?

These folks love to eat good food often, and you may recognise them through pictures of scrumptious palates on social media as their profile pictures. They can go anywhere, and have enough bling to cash out their cravings at any time. They prefer to insta-share their little visits and will check-in at every opportunity to show the starving world of their sweet and savory achievements.

They’re like: I soo wanna try their

cheesecake.

To begin, very picky, these foodies. They know what they want to have, and will nag you to insanity till they get it, whether or not their tummies are full. They’re the type you would literally go miles for a bite of lasagna only to complain on the lack of cheese the whole way back. They tend to make these trips priceless though.

Annoying, but priceless.

They’re like: I dunno, uuh food?

Speaking of specific, they’re not. Oh they’re ravenous and edgy, but somehow, the choice is up to you to figure out where to feed them. Chicken? No. Pizza? No. Biriyani? No. They have no idea whatsoever what they want to eat, till they start eating something else. Safest bet would be a tried and tested routine, where they usually like the good food and have no chance of biting your head off later.

Tiramisu!

These fellows actually deserve their cravings as their mouths water surfing through social media. Unfortunately, they’re normal, which means their wallets are as hungry as they are. But a wonderful trait of these guys is that they enjoy food like no other. Whether it’s the end of the month, or they spent all their cash, everyone reaches this point eventually.

Those who don’t work for Willy Wonka.

They’re like: We have to try out that

They’re like: I heard Nando’s is giving an

going Food is meaningless without someone to enjoy it with, and that’s exactly how these folks feel. The package of a good meal must comprise the fun factor of their buddies, laughter and conversations to complete it, otherwise the food just remains, food.

Right?

offer Their real talent bursts out in uniquely identifying, analysing and efficiently utilising promotional offers from food joints. Don’t get the wrong idea though, they’re big food lovers; it just tastes better when you know you had to spend more

watermelon ice-cream When the scent of anything new on the menu waver, they’re on it like wolves. They have a niche to enjoy all the new inventions and dishes no one tried out before. They ache to be surprised and updated on the modern cuisine rather than be driven by sheer primitive hunger. For them, food is a game to be conquered.

They’re like: As long as you guys are

2. When you’re craving Lasagna, and with your friends: A. Everyone knows. Italian it is.

Follow protocol.

B. Yeah but if everyone wants to have something else, sure.

C. You guys go ahead, I’ll head home (and order Lasagna).

3. Thoughts on dieting: A. Omg I’ve read hundreds of books and internet articles, and I know the fastest ways of losing weight, but somehow I’m immune to it.

B. I should start. Soon. Pretty sure it’s not all that bad.

C. Haha no I’m fine. I’d rather eat and exercise.

4. When a chicken wing falls on the floor at home: A. Shrug. Bite. Forget.

B. Forget. Finish. Still hungry. Shrug.

Bite. Forget.

C. Forget. Give away. Get more.

Mostly A’s: You love food more

than anything else. It’s your primary way of showing love and you’re recognised for being a major foodie.

Got blackmailed with pie recently?

Mostly B’s: Food is not enough in

itself, but so needs something else to complete it - company. A social foodie, you enjoy the full experience altogether.

Mostly C’s: You’re selective and

picky when it comes to the food you like, and once you like it, nothing stops you. You are a reasonable, smart foodie and choose only to spend on specific bites you find worthwhile.

Australian players tested a new helmet safety attachment designed in the aftermath of the Phillip Hughes tragedy - on Thursday although they will not be obliged to wear it in matches, Cricket Australia said.

Sport 26

MCCULLUM WARY OF TIGERS PACE ATTACK

28

RANGPUR CLINCH NATIONAL CRICKET LEAGUE TITLE

29

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AFTERMATH

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

SCHWEICHLER READY FOR BD CHALLENGE

Tigers not afraid of failures n Mazhar Uddin from Australia

Shakib al Hasan (L) and Mushfiqur Rahim talk with each other during training in Hamilton yesterday

BCB

Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha believes the ability to overcome the fear of failure has stood his charges in good stead throughout the 2015 ICC World Cup. In the past, the Tigers flourished and played with freedom when they were unmindful of a negative outcome and Hathurhusingha is of the opinion that their new mantra has paid off rich dividends as the free-spirited Bangladesh side ensured their maiden berth in the knockout stage of a World Cup. “Our key was not to be afraid of failures which we have talked about throughout the tournament. I think the freedom to do whatever we want and to keep the belief in us was the key.

We actually did that against England. Even against Scotland, while chasing over a 300+ target, we always backed ourselves to do well,” Hathurusingha told the media in Hamilton yesterday.

The Tigers will take on co-hosts New Zealand in their final Pool A match today and the former Lankan international informed that their recent head-to-head results will count for nothing against the high-flying hosts. Bangladesh have beaten the Kiwis seven times in their last seven ODIs. “Actually, what happened previously is in the past now. And what we are doing now is important for us. Our total plan is surrounded with this game and we know that if we want to win, we have to give our best,” he said.

New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum has been a revelation in the World Cup so far, having blasted 249 runs off just 129 balls at an astonishing strike rate of 193.02 and according to the Tigers coach, they have set together a game-plan for the hard-hitting opener.

“He plays without fear, that’s his main strength. But, if we can play to our strengths and execute the game-plan, it will be the key to our success as he is one of their main players. We will be looking to dismiss him early in the innings,” he added.

Chances are that Bangladesh will finish fourth in Pool A which will set them up for a potential quarter-final tie against neighbours India but the 45-year old Bangladesh coach said he is not looking beyond the New Zealand game and signed off by saying they will play for a win today. l

Classy Soumya shows his qualities n Mazhar Uddin from Melbourne In the past, the Bangladesh batsmen were known only to survive instead of counter-attacking the opposition in the event of the fall of early wickets. However, in recent times, the mentality has changed as the Bangladesh batsmen play positively upfront, irrelevant of whether they lose early wickets or not. The approach of the Tigers batsmen is more positive now as they constantly look to attack the opposition and try to maintain a steady run-rate.

Even though a few batsmen are responsible for this change, the positive attitude has largely come from the bat of young batsman Soumya Sarkar. Soumya, who arrived to the 2015 ICC World Cup after playing just a solitary ODI, has so far displayed his bright talents with great authority.

The fearless left-hander made his ODI

debut last year at home against Zimbabwe where he showed glimpses of his ability. Despite scoring only 20 runs from 18 balls in that match, his raw talent caught the attention of Tigers head coach Chandika Hathurusingha.

The Lankan coach was so impressed with the 22-year old that he gave him the license to play his natural game, which has been the trademark of his batting in this World Cup so far.

In their World Cup opener against Afghanistan, the stylish southpaw maintained a positive attitude right from the onset. In spite of a shaky start made by the Tigers, Soumya continued to counter-attack the opposition.

Even though Soumya was dismissed after scoring 28 off 25 balls with the help of three eye-catching fours and a six, the tone and stage was set for Shakib al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim for the latter overs.

The youngster continued in the same vein against Sri Lanka after Bangladesh lost opener Tamim Iqbal quite early in the innings.

Soumya counter-attacked the opposition bowlers and played some majestic strokes on his way to a stroke-filled 15-ball 25.

Although he missed out against Scotland after opening the innings as a make-shift option, he came back strong against England and once again displayed his flawless batting.

Soumya scored a chanceless 40 off 52 balls, smashing five fours and a gorgeous six over the mid-wicket region off Moeen Ali. The class of the Satkhira lad was clearly evident.

Having said that, the youngster still needs to play a long knock and not throw away the advantage of getting starts. If he is indeed able to break the shackles, the young left-hander can emerge as the next big star of Bangladesh cricket. l

Soumya Sarkar (L) takes a selfie alongside skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza in Hamilton yesterday

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Cheerful Nazmul returns home n Minhaz Uddin Khan

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan believes it is the spirit and the professionalism that have enabled Bangladesh to attain success in the ongoing 2015 ICC World Cup. The Tigers accomplished their mission – going through to the quarter-final stage of the competition – after winning three matches, including a historic win against England. And upon his return from Australia last Wednesday night, Nazmul said the Bangladesh team have been able to taste success due to the team-spirit exhibited by all the members of the World Cup squad.

“The support staffs have put in a lot of effort into the team and at the same time also made sure there is discipline in the team. And one more thing that had a positive impact in our team is that there are many performers now. Before we had to rely on a few members for the team to do well but now you will see someone or the other playing a heroic role.

This goes for even the newest members of the team,” Nazmul told the media yesterday.

The BCB boss also thinks open and clear discussions among the decision-makers of the team also had a positive impact on their performance.

“You know how things are. There can be occasions when the decision-makers might not find a common ground but this time it

was different. [BCB Cricket Operations Committee Chairman] Naimur Rahman and I were directly involved with a few vital strategies of the team. I think our participation paved the way for an open discussion to take place and allowed everyone including the coach, captain and vice-captain to make their suggestions. So, this I believe had a very good affect on the team morale,” explained the BCB chief.

From the next edition of the ICC World Cup in 2019, there will only be 10 teams participating in the event. The top eight sides, as at September 30, 2017 in the ODI rankings, will qualify automatically for the 2019 edition in England and Wales. The two remaining berths will be decided between the two bottom-ranked Full Member teams and four Associates in the 2018 Qualifiers in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh, currently ranked ninth, are in danger of missing out on automatic qualification if they do not improve their position in a bit over two years’ time. Nazmul, however, expressed his optimism that the Tigers would be able to improve their position in the rankings.

“To be honest, I do not think this should be an issue. We still have two years in hand and I believe our team are good enough to make it into the first eight teams in the rankings. I am sure we will move up. We have had enough practise and gathered enough experience and now I think it is time for us to move up.” l

Nasir Hossain takes shelter under an umbrella amid pouring rain in Hamilton yesterday BCB

McCullum wary of Tigers pace attack n AFP, Hamilton New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum said Bangladesh’s pace bowlers will pose a real challenge for his batsmen in the World Cup Pool A match in Hamilton on Friday.

Bangladesh’s seamers took eight of the ten England wickets -- with two run outs -- in their narrow 15-run win in Adelaide on Monday, a win which lifted them into the quarter-finals.

New Zealand are also in the next round after winning all their five games.

“I think what we saw the other night with a couple of the guys there, the threat that they pose with ball in hand for their quick bowlers is a lot more dangerous than a few years ago,”

said McCullum.

Rubel Hossain led the Bangladesh pacemen with four wickets against England.

“Tomorrow’s going to be tough. The quick bowlers are going to ask us some questions, especially if it juices up a little bit. But we’ve faced some good, quick bowlers over the last little while too,” said McCullum, who has three half-centuries, including the fastest World Cup fifty, off just 18 balls, so far at the tournament.

McCullum disagreed his team have yet to be really tested in the competition.

“We have been tested, and I think we’ve come through those tests. Scorelines may not suggest that we have,” said McCullum, whose team narrowly beat Australia by one wicket.

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson (L) and skipper Brendon McCullum consult with each other during training in Hamilton yesterday

“I think we’ve been tested considerably throughout the tournament, and I think we’ve found a way to get ourselves through those situations and it’s really a pleasing aspect.

“We’re going to be tested over the next while as well, and we’ve just got to make sure that we still glean the confidence from what we’ve been able to achieve, remain incredibly stoic.”

McCullum praised the progress made by Bangladesh, a team often regarded as whipping boys of international cricket.

“I think the development of their skills in general has improved a lot over the last few years. They’ve always been tough at home as us losing seven games would testify,” said McCullum, of New Zealand’s defeats in Bangladesh in the last two series.

“But their ability to now travel -- and they don’t always get the performance on the board -- I think you’re seeing their skills set develop as well.”

McCullum also backed out-of-form batsman Ross Taylor -- a former captain -- to come good at the tournament.

“His form is not a major concern. He’s been short of opportunity throughout this World Cup, just through the nature of us bowling as well as we have and obviously chasing down the runs,” said McCullum of Taylor who has made just 53 runs with two not outs.

“He’s a world class player. I’ve said it time and time again. The number three and four punch we have on our team I wouldn’t swap them for anyone around the world.”l

Bangladesh example inspires Afghanistan n AFP, Sydney Afghanistan will look to follow the lead of Bangladesh when they face England in their World Cup finale in Sydney on Friday. Bangladesh’s 15-run win over England in Adelaide on Monday saw them go through to the quarter-finals and knock out Eoin Morgan’s men.

England, reeling from the fall-out of a World Cup where they, like tournament debutants Afghanistan, have so far only beaten Scotland, will be desperate to avoid fresh embarrassment at the SCG in their final Pool A match.

However, Afghanistan are equally keen to finish with a flourish and coach Andy Moles said Bangladesh had shown them the way.

“It looked to me a classic match where the occasion got to England,” said Moles of a match where skipper Morgan was out for his fifth duck in 11 one-day international innings.

“They could play that game 10 times and poor Eoin would not get out in that position.

“It was a good plan to set him up but any other day it goes for six. When things don’t go your way it seems to be a perfect storm,” the 54-year-old Englishman added.

“It all came together on the day and unfortunately it was a bitter result for England.”

Meanwhile Afghanistan fast bowler Hamid Hassan insisted his country’s first ODI against England, held no fears for the team.

“Scared? Afghan never scared, never scared,” said Hassan. “No fears, no nothing.”

“There is no scared. But we haven’t played many games. That is why there is a little bit of, I say, like inexperience. l

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Proteas crush UAE to reach quarter-final n AFP, Wellington

SA v UAE SOUTH AFRICA H. Amla b Ali c Naveed Q. de Kock c Haider b Javed R. Rossouw c & b Tauquir AB de Villiers c Javed b Shazad D. Miller b Naveed JP Duminy lbw Naveed F. Behardien not out V. Philander not out Extras (b4, lb1, w5, nb5)

R 12 26 43 99 49 23 64 10 15

Total (six wickets; 50 overs)

341

B 16 45 49 82 48 28 31 6

Fall of wickets 1-17 (Amla), 2-85 (de Kock), 3-96 (Rossouw), 4-204 (Miller); 5-257 (de Villiers); 6-292 (Duminy) Bowling Naveed 10-0-63-3 (nb3,w1); Shazad 8-0-59-1 (nb1); Javed 10-0-87-1 (nb1,w2); Tauqir 10-0-47-1 (w1); Al Hashmi 7.2-0-45-0 (w1); Khan 4-0-31-0; Anwar 0.4-0-4-0

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES A. Ali c Behardien b Duminy A. Berenger c Rossouw b Morkel K. Khan c de Kock b Morkel S. Anwar c Rossouw b Tahir S. Patil not out S. Haider c Rossouw b de Villiers A. Javed c sub (Parnell) b de Villiers M. Naveed c de Villiers b Philander M. Tauqir b Steyn K. Shahzad c Steyn b Philander F. Al Hashmi (absent injured) Extras (b4, lb16, w6, nb3)

R B 21 36 5 21 12 17 39 64 57 100 7 12 5 4 17 15 3 16 0 3 29

Total (all out; 47.3 overs)

195

Fall of wickets 1-29 (Berenger), 2-45 (Ali), 3-45 (Khan), 4-108 (Anwar); 5-118 (Haider); 6-125 (Javed); 7-163 (Naveed); 8-189 (Tauqir); 9-195 (Shahzad) Bowling Steyn 9-1-40-1; Philander 8.3-1-34-2 (nb1, w1); Morkel 10-2-23-2 (nb2, w1); Duminy 3-1-12-1; Behardien 4-1-11-0 (w2); Tahir 10-0-40-1 (w1); de Villiers 3-0-15-2 (1w) Result: South Africa won by 146 runs Man of the match: AB de Villiers

Maverick South Africa captain Abraham Benjamin de Villiers plays a shot against the United Arab Emirates during their Cricket World Cup match in Wellington yesterday REUTERS

Plenty for Kohli still to do, says Whatmore n AFP, Auckland

Zimbabwe coach Dav Whatmore hailed the impact of Virat Kohli on the Indian team Thursday but insisted the batting superstar still has plenty to achieve.

Whatmore coached Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja during India’s junior World Cup triumph in 2008 and will come face to face with them again on Saturday in the teams’ concluding World Cup Pool A game at Eden Park.

“Like any young player, if you are involved in their development, it is always nice to see progress. To be very honest with you, I was only there for a short period of time but the time I spent with them was enjoyable,” said the widely-travelled Whatmore, who worked at India’s national cricket academy from 2007 to 2012 “It wasn’t difficult to see that they had potential to go on and it is nice to see they have realised it. There is still more for them to do.”

Whatmore, who also coached Sri Lanka to

the World Cup title in 1996, said Kohli has set an example for youngsters to follow.

“He is confident. He was confident also as an under-19 captain. But there have been many examples of confident young players who don’t follow up and follow through. He is one who has,” said Whatmore, in charge of Pakistan before taking up Zimbabwe job in December last year.

The Zimbabwe coach said he had also been impressed by India’s bowling attack which

South Africa cruised to a straightforward 146run win over the United Arab Emirates Thursday to secure a World Cup quarter-final berth and seal second place in Pool B behind India.

The Proteas never looked troubled against the amateurs, setting a 342-run target after being sent into bat then bowling the UAE out for 195.

Captain AB de Villiers continued his dominant form with a man-of-the-match performance to smash 99 off 82 balls, while Farhaan Behardien contributed a rollicking 64 from 31.

Seamer Vernon Philander (2-34) also made a successful return from injury, with South Africa’s only negative the continued poor form of opening bat Quinton de Kock (26).

The win, which sets up a likely quarter-final clash with Sri Lanka in Sydney next Wednesday, will help erase memories of South Africa’s shock loss to Pakistan in their previous Pool B outing. De Villiers said the pre-tournament favourites were confident going into the final eight, despite losses to India and Pakistan in the group stages.

“I’m extremely happy, it’s never a given that you’re going to make the quarter-finals in the World Cup,” he said.

“It’s a huge opportunity for us as a team.

We’ve got a lot of people back home who we represent and this is the position we want to be in, representing them in a quarter-final knock-out match. We’re very excited.”

The result leaves the UAE winless at the tournament, with their final chance to snatch a victory coming against the West Indies in Napier on Sunday.

UAE captain Mohammad Tauqir surprisingly opted to bowl first on a pitch that appeared perfect for batting, with the decision paying early dividends when Hashim Amla miscued a pull shot to depart on 12.l

has been revived at the World Cup after enduring a dismal Test series against Australia and tri-nations ODI tournament which preceded the World Cup. “It’s a team that is bowling the opposition out frequently and that has been a big plus for India,” said Whatmore.

“Their batting talent has never really been in question. What was needed was a good strong bowling performance and they have done that.”l

Younis wants to honour Woolmer n AFP, Adelaide

Australian cricketer Mitchell Johnson takes photographs of teammates at the Bellerive Oval ground during a training session yesterday AFP

Senior Pakistan batsman Younis Khan hopes his side will defeat Ireland in Sunday’s mustwin World Cup clash as a tribute to their late former coach Bob Woolmer.

Woolmer, aged 58, was found dead in his hotel room a day after Pakistan were knocked out of the 2007 World Cup by Ireland in Jamaica.

After lengthy investigations that included the possibility of murder or suicide, Jamaican police eventually announced that Woolmer had died of natural causes.

The same two teams meet again, this time

two days ahead of St Patrick’s Day, with the winner advancing to the quarter-finals and the losers’ fate hanging by a thread.

Khan, 37, is the only member of that 2007 squad still involved in this World Cup, as are three Irishmen -- skipper William Porterfield and the O’Brien brothers, Niall and Kevin.

Eoin Morgan, who played for Ireland in that match, is now the current England captain.

“This is surely a very emotional game for me and all of us,” Khan said, remembering the man who coached Pakistan from 2004 till his death. “I remember Bob a lot, he contributed so much to Pakistan cricket.l

DT

28 Sport

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

The triumphant Rangpur side pose for a photograph after winning the 16th National Cricket League yesterday

Rangpur clinch Nat’l Cricket League title n Minhaz Uddin Khan Rangpur emerged as the new champions of the 16th National Cricket League yesterday after thumping Dhaka Metro by 104 runs and, in the process, shattered Khulna’s hopes of taking the title.

BRIEF SCORES, DAY 4 Rangpur v Dhaka Metro, BKSP2 Rangpur: 491 allout in 111.2 overs Metro: 437/9 in 95.1 overs Rangpur: 306 allout in 69.3 overs (Naeem 86, Dhiman 41, Sunny 5/78) Metro: 258 allout in 79.1 overs (SHamsur 44, Mehrab 44, Mahmudul 5/89) Rangpur won by 102 runs Barisal v Sylhet, SBNS Barisal: 167 allout in 65.2 overs Sylhet: 486/9 declare in 158 overs Barisal: 390 allout in 113.3 overs (Mosaddek 72, Rabbi 59, Kapali 2/36) Sylhet: 75/0 in 13.4 overs (Roman 61*) Sylhet won by 10 wickets Dhaka division v Rajshahi, Fatullah Dhaka: 318 allout in 106 overs Rajshahi: 291 allout in 93.5 overs Dhaka: 332/9 declare in 86.1 overs (Nadif 100*, Saqlain 3/99) Rajshahi: 225 allout in 68.5 overs (Mizanur 41, Forhad 41, Mosharraf 5/84) Dhaka won by 134 runs

Rangpur v Dhaka Metro, BKSP 2

Champions Rangpur had set a 360-run target, riding on Liton Kumar’s 77 off 81 balls with the help of nine boundaries.

Chasing 360, Dhaka Metro lost all their wickets and put up 258 on the board as Rangpur bowlers Mahmudul Hasan and Sohrawardi Shuvo rattled the opposition. Off-spinner Mahmudul picked up five wickets for 89 runs in 23.4 overs and was complemented by Shuvo, who finished with figures of 3-55 in 21 overs.

Sylhet v Barisal, SBNS

Sylhet finally tasted their only win of the season as they outplayed Barisal by a comprehensive margin of 10 wickets. On the final day, Sylhet required 72 runs and it was chased convincingly without the loss of any wicket.

Opener Roman Ahmed was unbeaten on 61 off 47 balls, featuring six fours and three sixes while Shanaj Ahmed was unbeaten on the other end with 12.

Veteran Sylhet cricketer Rajin Saleh was named man-of-the-match for his undefeated 201 in the first innings.

Dhaka v Rajshahi, Fatullah

With 110 points, Dhaka finished third in the points table as they romped to a 134-run win over Rajshahi.

Rajshahi, needing 359 to win, were eventually bowled out for 225. Forhad Hossain and Mizanur Rahman stroked 41 each for the losing side.

Mosharraf Hossain was the pick of the Dhaka bowlers with 5/84 while young Bangladesh leg-spinner Jubair Hossain Likhon took three for 77. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

NCL 2015 TOPPERS Scorer: Liton Kumar, Rangpur – 1024 runs Average: Taiabur Parvez, Dhaka - 190.00 Wicket Taker: Elias Sunny, Dhaka Metro – 42

Sixer: Ziaur Rahman, Khulna - 37 sixes Strike Rate: Mahbubul Alam, Dhaka – 114.29 Economy: Abdullah al Mamun, Chittagong – 1.86

TOP FIVE SCORES Batsman

Team

In

N.O. Runs Balls

4s

6s

Liton Kumar

RAN

13

1

Abdul Majid

DHK

11

1

Tushar Imran

KHL

10

Rony Talukdar

DHK

11

Alok Kapali

SYL

10

1

SR

AVG

1024 1237

123

20

82.78 85.33

3

5

175

793

1446

112

2

54.84 79.30

3

3

253*

2

782

1486

97

0

52.62 97.75

3

3 203*

0

777

1062

83

20

73.16 70.64

1

3

227

748

1563

76

4

47.86

4

2

211*

83.11

50s 100s HS

TOP FIVE WICKET TAKERS Bowler Elias Sunny Abdur Razzak

Team

Mt In

O

M

R

DHK MET 7 13 357.1 92 1078

W

Wd No Econ

42

1

1

3.02

AVG 5W BBI BBM 25.67

4

7/73 11/234

KHL

7 13 430.5 104 1181

41

0

0

2.74 28.80 4 8/100 11/254

Mosharraf Rubel DHK

6 9 272.3 64 682

28

0

0

2.50 24.36

3

Sohag Gazi

BSL

6 12 401.1 87 1150

28

2

0

2.87

41.07

3 5/94 8/203

Sanjamul Islam

RAJ

7 12 315.1 64 991

27

2

0

3.14

36.70

2 5/84 7/201

5/37 9/178

An action in the National School Hockey Championship match between JM Sen School & College and Police Lines High School at Maulana Bhashani Stadium yesterday MI MANIK

DT

Sport 29

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Schweichler ready for Bangladesh challenge n Raihan Mahmood Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan (L) receives a flower bouquet from his wife as he announces his retirement from international football in Osaka yesterday AFP

Forlan quits nat’l team n Reuters, Montevideo Diego Forlan, whose fine performances and five goals helped Uruguay finish fourth in the 2010 World Cup, announced his retirement from international football on Thursday.

Forlan, who scored 36 goals in 112 matches for Uruguay during a 13-year international career that included three World Cups, announced his decision at a news conference in Japan where he plays for Cerezo Osaka.

“It was a very difficult decision, having worn the Uruguay shirt for so many years, more than I could have dreamed of,” the 35-year-old said in the conference.

“I know it’s an opportune moment to retire from the ‘seleccion’. Lots of important things are coming up like the Copa America and the qualifiers for the next World Cup. I believe it’s important to make way for the new generations and this generational change that is going on in the national team,” said Forlan.

Forlan, son and grandson of former Uruguay internationals, reached his peak at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, where he was voted best player in FIFA poll.l

DAY’S WATCH

Christian Schweichler, Bangladesh’s new goalkeeping coach, is looking forward to make his presence felt in the upcoming AFC Under-23 Qualifiers. The 36-year old German and Lodewijk de Kruif, Bangladesh’s Dutch head coach, arrived in Dhaka yesterday.

De Kruif explained the reason behind the arrival of Schweichler. “Bangladesh’s goalkeeping was not perfect in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup and also in the Asian Games. So, I asked Bangladesh Football Federation president Kazi Salahuddin for a goalkeeping coach for the AFC U-23 Qualifiers and he responded positively. You know, the best goalkeepers always come from Germany and they have a proven track-record. He has good experience about his business and I believe that he will be making his presence felt in the AFC U-23 Qualifiers and Bangladesh will be benefitted,” said the Dutchman.

Schweichler was brimming with confidence when he faced the media yesterday. “I look forward to taking the challenge. Goalkeeping is an art and everywhere, it goes through some problems. It needs education, training and the right development programme in order to groom the goalkeepers. I will try my best to help the Bangladesh players although I will get a very short time. I have been with Lebanon in the World Cup Qualifiers. I was in Sudan with Al-Merrikh and won the Super Cup. In 2013, I was in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq. So, I think I have a fair knowledge about Asian football,” said the German.

Schweichler studied sports science at the highly-esteemed German Sport University

Cologne and holds coaching qualifications obtained from the German Football Association and Royal Dutch Football Association.

He also coached goalkeepers from clubs and teams associated with the Union of European Football Associations, the Confederation of African Football and the Asian Football Confederation. l

n AFP, Paris

7:00AM ICC World Cup New Zealand v Bangladesh

Star Sports 1 ICC Cricket World Cup 9:30AM England v Afghanistan 7:00AM (Saturday) India v Zimbabwe

Ten Action 2:40PM A-League WS Wanderers v Melbourne Victory 1:30AM French Ligue 1 Monaco v Bastia

Ten Sports 12:30AM ATP BNP Paribas Open IW Round 1 Day 2 1:40AM Spanish Liga Valencia v Deportivo La Coruna

n Shishir Hoque Bangladesh football team were facilitated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office yesterday for their praiseworthy performance in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup earlier in January this year.

All the players, Bangladesh Football Federation officials, executive committee members along with the recently arrived Dutch head coach Lodewijk de kruif visited the Premier’s office yesterday evening. The felicitation programme was followed by dinner.

The Prime Minister announced cash rewards of Tk1,00,000 for each player, coach and staff of the team who were involved in Bangladesh’s campaign in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup. It was learnt that Sheikh Hasina inspired the players in the programme and urged them to continue playing better football in the future. She also encouraged the concerned authorities to continue developing the country’s football.

Bangladesh produced a brilliant display in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup, where they reached the final only to suffer a close defeat at the hands of Malaysia Under-23. Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in the group stages and outplayed tournament favourites Thailand U-23 in the last four.

The men in red and green received high praises from people all over the country and their last two matches in the semifinal and final saw overflowing crowds at Bangabandhu National Stadium.

The Prime Minister also watched the final live from the venue. l

PSG eliminate Chelsea, 7-star Bayern through

BTV, Gazi TV, Maasranga TV Star Sports 2, 4

Star Sports 4

Prime Minister honours Bangladesh football team for Gold Cup display

PSG defender David Luiz (R) celebrates after scoring against Chelsea during their UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday AFP

Ten-man Paris Saint-Germain sensationally came from behind twice to dump Chelsea out of the Champions League on away goals after extra time Wednesday as Bayern Munich also qualified for the quarter-finals with a 7-0 rout of ten-man Shakhtar Donetsk.

Held 1-1 in their last 16, first leg tie at Parc des Princes, the Parisians needed an exploit to get past Chelsea, and they achieved just that in the English capital drawing 2-2 on the night for a 3-3 aggregate scoreline to join holders Real Madrid, Bayern and Porto in the last eight.

Despite playing the last hour of normal time and 30 minutes extra time without talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was sent off for a foul on Oscar, PSG dug deep to take revenge for last season’s quarter-final exit to Chelsea.

“PSG really wants to join the big leagues and I think we did that tonight,” estimated coach Laurent Blanc.

“I think this match will be a references for the club for some years. “(Jose) Mourinho came up to congratulate me afterwards and told me that we had had two great matches. I felt a lot of respect.”

Ibrahimovic was sent off in the first half and PSG fell behind to a Gary Cahill goal with nine minutes remaining, only for Chelsea old

boy David Luiz to take the tie to extra time with an 86th-minute header.

German champions Bayern also advanced in style in Munich, to keep their bid for a sixth elite European title on track.

Despite playing out a drab goalless draw in the first leg in Ukraine, Bayern made no such mistake against a Shakhtar side reduced to 10 men in just the third minute after Olexander Kucher brought down Mario Goetze.

UCL RESULTS Chelsea

2-2

PSG

Cahill 81, Hazard 96-P Luiz 86, Thiago Silva 114 3-3 on aggregate. PSG qualify on away goals.

Bayern Munich

7-0

Shakhtar Donetsk

Mueller 4-P, 51, Boateng 34, Ribery 49, Badstuber 63, Lewandowski 75, Goetze 87 Bayern Munich qualify 7-0 on aggregate

Kucher’s dismissal beat the previous fastest Champions League red card of 5min 52sec for Werder Bremen’s Valerien Ismael against Inter Milan in September 2004.

“I think the red card was unfair,” lamented Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu.

“From then on we couldn’t play our game as planned. We lost out in all areas. They were stronger all round.l

DT

30 DOWNTIME

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Great number (6) 5 Seek charity (3) 7 Restrict (5) 8 Large vulture (6) 10 Horse’s mother (3) 12 Walking-stick (4) 13 Frozen threat (3) 14 Petty quarrel (4) 16 Yield (4) 17 Briny (3) 18 Cicatrix (4) 20 Sharp blow (3) 23 Ointment for scalp and hair (6) 24 Falter (5) 25 Lump on the skin (3) 26 Fault (6)

DOWN 1 Symbol of office (4) 2 Rank (6) 3 Unaccompanied (5) 4 Dreadful (4) 5 Offer (3) 6 Greek letter (3) 9 Fish (4) 11 Pithy saying (3) 14 Fissure (4) 15 Procession (6) 16 Vehicle (3) 17 Tally (5) 18 Hurried (4) 19 Joke (4) 21 Respectful fear (3) 22 Kitchen utensil (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 18 represents F so fill F every time the figure 18 appears.

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

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

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

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Ei toh prem

CELEBS ON SOCIAL AKSHAY KUMAR @akshaykumar We at @ GrazingGoatPix are proud to announce our next Marathi film based on a film legend releasing on 1st Jan, 2016. @ AshviniYardi

n Showtime Desk Six years awaiting is about to end tomorrow with release of “Ei toh Prem” directed by Sohel Arman. Sakib khan and Bindu are playing as two leading characters.

Sohel Arman said, “Because of three core reasons it took so long to end. We took nine months, back in 2009 with Habib Wahid, to complete the songs. On top of that, we spent three years completing the shoots to keep the seasonal continuation. For that reason we worked back to back three winters. There were also some technical reasons as well.”

It got huge response from the audience six years ago. l

Badlapur

SONAKSHI SINHA @sonakshisinha Im in love with you Maldives, cant wait to be back :) amazing ppl, amazing stay, amazing ocean, amazing everything!

WHAT TO WATCH TELEVISION WAR OF THE WORLDS HBO, 11:43pm Cast: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Miranda Otto, Justin Chatwin, Tim Robbins, Rick Gonzalez, Lenny Venito.

One particular weekend, Ray (Tom Cruise), a dockyard worker and separated from his wife, finds the children’s lives threatened by the invasion of aliens.

n Rad Sharar Bin Kamal The new film on the block, Badlapur, comes from the talented director Sriram Raghavan, known for his unique sense of triller and action coupled with edgy characters and interesting story lines. With an Imdb rating of an impressive 7.9, it proves to be an interesting watch.

The teaser revealed some ice cold dialogues and action stunts, and the unique cast of the well-loved Varun Dhawan, Yami Gautam, Divya Dutta, Vinay Pathak and Nawazuddin Siddiqui paints an intriguing impression of the film itself.

The plot begins when a bank robbery spawns the deaths of Raghu's (played by Varun Dhawan) wife and child. Liak (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) and his friend Harman (Vinay Pathak) are on the run after their robbery takes place and Raghu immerses in his rage for revenge.

Taking his time, patience and intelligence, it is a treat to watch him in action.

In addition, music director duo SachinJigar are on a good run following numerous hits comprising of 'Char Baj Gaye', 'Thank God Its Friday', 'D Se Dance', 'Lucky Tu Lucky Me' and 'Daingad Daingad' among others.

Their adaption to the film's theme is looked forward to by many, and all factors point to Badlapur to be worth a watch for the thrillseeker film crowd. l

VOLCANO Movies Now, 7:30pm Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Anne Heche, Don Cheadle, Gaby Hoffmann, Keith David, John Corbett.

An unknown volcano break out in downtown L.A. while Mike Roark is spending the weekend with his daughter, Kelly.

CURSE OF CHUCKY StarMovies, 9:30pm Casts Fiona Dourif, Danielle Bisutti, Brennan Elliott, Maitland McConnell, Chantal Quesnel, Summer H. Howell.

After mysterious death of her mother again Nica faces suspecting the talking, red-haired doll of her visiting niece.

DT

32 BACK PAGE

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

POLITICS OF SAVAGERY PAGE 13

POTATO EXPORTS JUMP PAGE 15

M

CLASSY SOUMYA SHOWS HIS QUALITIES PAGE 25

A

R

C

H

1

9

7

1

Over the precipice Although such a practice is more common among motorcyclists, rickshaws also climb onto the footpath to escape traffic congestion on the capital’s Minto Road yesterday MOHAMMAD ZAHIDUL ISLAM

Jannati secures bail after eight months n Ashif Islam Shaon The High Court yesterday granted bail to young entrepreneur Jannati Hossain, who had been detained over the death of her business partner Mostamsir Ashraf in a road accident in July last year, clearing the way for her release from jail.

The bench of Justice Md Nizamul Huq and Justice AKM Zahirul Hoque gave the order after hearing on a bail petition, in the murder case filed by Mostamsir’s family.

Jannati was denied bail by lower courts several times The court said although there was no evidence of planned killing in this case, the trial court would examine whether there was any element of murder charge in it.

Jannati’s lawyer Abdul Baset Majumder told the Dhaka Tribune that there was no legal bar to the release of his client.

On July 11 last year, Jannati crashed Mostamsir’s car into a parked police van right after descending from the Mohakhali flyover.

Mostamsir, who was beside her, was gravely injured and died on the way to hospital. Jannati and three law enforcers who were inside the van were also injured in the accident. Tejgaon police detained and sued her for reckless driving.

Mostamsir was the son of Khan Mohammad Abdul Mannan, a former district court

judge now serving as the inspector general of registration (land). Eleven days after the accident, Mostamsir’s uncle lodged the murder case against Jannati and four of her family members, alleging that the five had murdered Mostamsir in a planned way to take over business. The court later ordered investigators to merge the two cases against her.

The plaintiff, however, did not mention how Mostamsir had been murdered. According to the post mortem report, he died in an accident and police said his seat belt was not fastened.

“The police are first-hand witnesses to the accident and they have said in their report that it was an accident. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority report stated that the car suffered a mechanical failure,” Jannati’s lawyer Mizan Mollah had said.

Jannati was denied bail by the lower courts several times and then her family members had moved the High Court for bail.

In November and December, judges of two High Court benches felt embarrassed to hear Jannati’s bail petitions.

On December 10, another bench comprising Justice Md Nuruzzaman and Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam issued a rule on the authorities concerned to explain in two weeks why Jannati should not be granted bail in the murder case.

Jannati and Mostamsir launched Echo Sparks, a music cafe and gaming zone in Uttara, in December 2013.

On the other hand, Jannati and her husband founded Velocity, a car modification company. She also became managing editor of automobile magazine Torque.

Ever since Jannati landed in jail, her family has been alleging that she was denied bail and remanded as Mostamsir’s family is influential.

Mostamsir’s uncle Hannan Khan, the complainant, however, denied the allegations, saying that he wanted a proper investigation and would accept whatever came out. l

D

I

A

R

Y

This extract is the fifth in a series that will run until March 25, in which we reproduce Rehman Sobhan’s contemporaneous account of the events of that momentous month in Bangladeshi history. This was first published in Forum on March 6, 1971

n Rehman Sobhan On Wednesday March 3, the atmosphere was electric.

The crowds were out, the barricades up in Dacca, as the whole of East Pakistan carne to a total standstill.

In Dacca news had spread that Sheikh Mujibur Rehman would address the meeting called that afternoon at Paltan Maidan by the Student League.

By 3 pm Paltan overflowed. Most were armed and ready at a call to march into hell. This was the union of the middle class students, the working class of the industrial areas, and the shorbohara of the street and slums: The mood was revolution. Gone was the comfortable middle class ambience of such meetings. This was the people in the raw and demanding action.

The preliminary speeches by the Student League leaders and Mannan went all the way in their demands, making Six-Points into a positively reactionary slogan. Sheikh Mujib, faced with this armed and militant crowd, was faced with his own moment of truth.

In a unique display of crowd management, which put his charisma to the supreme test, he lowered the temperature of the crowd. He stopped short of the demands voiced earlier and asked

instead for a peaceful transfer to the elected representatives of the people following the withdrawal of Martial Law. He guaranteed to enforce law and order if curfew was lifted. He warned looters and pledged his protection to the life and property of all people. This was designed to put confidence into the panic-stricken non-Bengali population who apprehended that the movement had taken a communal turn.

The Sheikh gave the regime till March 7 to come to terms. Till then he called a continuous hartal and enjoined the people to go in for a peaceful non-cooperation movement including non-payment of taxes.

The crowd which left the meeting was subdued and this was reflected in the tempo the next day where the military was more contained and less shooting took place.

That was significant because that very morning A. Mannan, MNA, Tangail, chief whip of the ALPP and publicity secretary of the party, had been beaten by security forces and had his shoulder shattered.

Ashrafuddin Chowdhury of the party, who was with him, was forced at gun point to clear a barricade at Outer Circular Road.

More such confrontations were imminent but were obviously subdued after the meeting. This did not still prevent firing that night but on a reduced scale from the previous night. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207. Phone: 9132093-94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com