21 April, 2015

SECOND EDITION

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

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Boishakh 8, 1422, Rajab 2, 1436

PM: KHALEDA STAGING DRAMA PAGE 2

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 10

HC: WHY NOT PARTISAN LOCAL POLLS PAGE 3

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

DU PROCTOR REFUSES TO RESIGN PAGE 5

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia quickly takes shelter inside her vehicle as her motorcade comes under attack while on the campaign trail for Tabith Awal in Karwan Bazar in the capital yesterday

Khaleda’s motorcade attacked n Kamrul Hasan BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s motorcade came under attack in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar yesterday when she was campaigning for the upcoming city polls. Khaleda got away unhurt but several members of her entourage were injured.

According to witnesses, she was speaking at a rally standing at the door of her car near the Karwan Bazar kitchen market around 6pm, seeking votes for BNP-backed mayoral candidate for Dhaka north Tabith M Awal.

At the same time, a group of people were holding a black flag rally near the gate of the kitchen market behind Khaleda’s car. At one point, someone hurled a watermelon rind at her car. The miscreants fled the spot after Khaleda’s security personnel chased them.

In the meantime, another group of campaigners of the ruling Awami League had just finished an election meeting near the kitchen market. The meeting was in favour of the ruling party backed mayoral candidate Annisul Huq and local ward councillor candidate whose symbol is a pumpkin.

Those who fled the spot after being chased

WHAT WITNESSES SAY Rickshaw van driver

Suddenly I found many cars with broken glasses driving away from the area and a few hundred people chasing them, hitting them with sticks, big hammers and iron rods. Police were present, but did nothing.

Sugar cane trader

They attacked the motorcade from behind. After seeing the horrific scene, I ran away from the spot and took shelter in the city corporation building. As the cars sped towards Moghbazar, the attackers came back to the area with a procession.

One of the guards of Palli Bhaban

Khaleda Zia was delivering a speech seeking votes. All of a sudden, some people attacked them and hurled bricks and

hit the cars. They vandalised some 10 vehicles parked beside the road and created a horrific scene. The whole incident took place within just 10 minutes. The attackers also brought out a procession chanting slogans.

Pickup van helper

Some cars were going fast and some people were hurling bricks at them. After a while, some 50 to 70 people started chasing them and striking the motorcade with sticks and iron rods.

Tea stall owner

Some people, who were campaigning for a ward councillor aspirant of ward no 26 contesting with pumpkin symbol and mayoral candidate Annisul Huq contesting with clock symbol, vandalised almost all the cars in the motorcade and brought out a procession.

BNP calls hartal tomorrow outside Dhaka, Chittagong n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla The BNP will stage countrywide demonstrations today and enforce a dawn-to-dusk shutdown tomorrow in protest of the attack on party chief Khaleda Zia’s motorcade while electioneering.

Dhaka and Chittagong cities, where campaigns for city corporations polls are in full swing, will remain outside of the purview of the hartal.

The BNP, major rival of the ruling Awami League, alleged that the attack on Khaleda’s motorcade was pre-planned.

The party said men from the ruling party’s student wing, the Chhatra League, participated in the attack with assistance from police.

“The attack was carried out in a planned way to kill Khaleda Zia,” BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed told a press conference at the party office in the city’s Nayapaltan.

Announcing hartal for Wednesday, he said it, however, would not be applicable for Dhaka and Chittagong cities as the corporations are set to hold elections on April 28.

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

PAGE 4 Bangladeshi woman found dead in India

PAGE 5 No progress in Boishakh assault probe

MEHEDI HASAN

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

PAGE 6 Mass resignation at SUST

PAGE 10 EU has no more excuses on migrants

PAGE 32 Mayoral hopefuls meet Dhaka, unveil visions

DT

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

PM: Khaleda staging drama Bangladeshi businessmen n under attack in South Africa Abu Hayat Mahmud

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has started staging a drama before the people of the country as the Dhaka and Chittagong city polls approach, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said yesterday.

Speaking at a party meeting on the re-election at Magura-1 constituency in Gonobhaban last night, Hasina, also president of the Awami League, said: “Khaleda is the mastermind behind all those attacks that killed so many people. How is she going to people to seek votes when she has innocent blood on her hands?”

She urged Khaleda to stop such drama and work to ensure a level-playing field for all candidates.

The premier also criticised BNP’s nationwide dawn-to-dusk hartal tomorrow

in protest of the attack on Khaleda’s motorcade at Karwan Bazar in Dhaka. “Her security personnel opened fire without any reason.”

Sources at the meeting said Awami League leaders discussed the country’s current situation, the upcoming city polls of Dhaka and Chittagong, and issues of the next parliament session.

Sources at the 14-party alliance said the alliance leaders would held a meeting at Hasina’s political office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka tomorrow, where the likely topics of discussion are programmes to resist BNP’s nationwide hartal and Khaleda Zia’s moves for city polls campaign.

Earlier, the ruling party had decided restricting the BNP chief so that she could not take part in the campaign of the BNP-backed mayoral candidates. l

n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman The Bangladesh government has requested Bangladeshi businessmen in South Africa to not open their establishments until the situation normalises.

“We came to know that four or five shops owned by Bangladeshi citizens and some Bangladeshis were attacked in South Africa,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said at a press conference Monday.

“We instructed the Bangladesh mission in South Africa to open a 24-hour hotline today where any victim can report their damages,” he said. Domestic politics in South Africa turned volatile when a section of the political force

started hate a campaign against foreigners.

“South African President Jacob Zuma has already appealed to his citizens to restrain themselves and show a friendly attitude towards foreigners,” the state minister said.

The junior minister said it is not correct the African country is deporting Bangladeshis from there.

“Our mission is in constant touch with the South African government, and they assured us they would look after the well-being of Bangladeshi citizens residing there,” he said.

Over 50,000 Bangladeshis are currently residing in South Africa but unlike any other country, they are mostly businessmen running small shops there. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Khaleda’s motorcade attacked

by Chairperson’s Security Force (CSF), joined the second group. They soon organised themselves into a mob of 50-60 people and returned where Khaleda was speaking.

Before she could finish her speech, they attacked the BNP chief’s motorcade from behind, hurling bricks and coconut shells at her car damaging a window.

The former prime minister, however, managed to get inside the car in time, unhurt. But a party spokesperson said five to seven of her security personnel were injured because they were trying to cover the window that Khaleda was sitting next to.

The motorcade tried to flee the area to avoid the attack but could not, because of traffic. In the few minutes that they had to remain static, the attackers, most of whom had sticks and steel pipes, pounced on the vehicles. As the cars tried to make way through traffic, some people were hurling bricks and coconut shells at Khaleda’s car from near the entrance of the Palli Bhaban.

When traffic eased, the motorcade sped towards Moghbazar via FDC, but in the meantime all their vehicles were vandalised. The attackers chased them as far as the fish market before the rail crossing. They also vandalised several other vehicles in the area.

The attackers then got organised into a procession as they were coming back to Karwan Bazar chanting slogans. Witnesses claimed they could not make out what the slogans were.

However, several media outlets reported that the attackers were chanting: “The soil of Karwan Bazar is the stronghold of Chhatra League [ruling party’s student body].”

There were several policemen in the area during the 10-minute incident, but witnesses said they did not do anything.

This reporter spoke to several policemen.

A sub-inspector said there was a duty changeover after the incident and he did not know what had happened.

Mazharul Islam, officer-in-charge of the Tejgaon police station, said that when Khaleda Zia went to Karwan Bazar, local businessmen brought out a black-flag procession protesting the losses they had suffered in the BNP-enforced hartals and blockade. “Soon there was a misunderstanding between the protesters and Khaleda’s entourage, sparking a skirmish.”

party never sought protection from us.”

Yesterday was Khaleda’s third day of electioneering in favour of the BNP-backed candidates. On Sunday, she faced protests when she went to Uttara to campaign for Tabith. l

BNP calls hartal

Unruly youths swoop on the motorcade of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Karwan Bazar yesterday when she was campaigning for her party-backed city mayor candidate Tabith Awal MEHEDI HASAN Asked if anyone was detained or any case was filed in connection, the Tejgaon OC replied in the negative.

to keep you updated after investigating the incident. But if the injured Awami League leaders want, then they can take legal action.”

Junior minister’s version

Gulshan security drama

When contacted last night, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal claimed that Khaleda Zia’s companions instigated the attack and held her personal security force responsible.

“I visited the spot, talked to the businessmen, witnesses and police officials in Karwan Bazar. The businessmen were angry with her because a large number of buses and trucks were damaged in the area during the BNP-enforced hartals. That was why they were showing her black flags.

“Seeing these, a CSF member got hold of one of the protesters and started beating him up. When the other local businessmen saw this, they tried to stop the CSF man. That triggered the unwanted situation,” Kamal told the Dhaka Tribune last night.

The junior minister also claimed that the CSF men used firearms and beat up at least seven local Awami League leaders, injuring them badly. “Some of them have lost fingers and others had broken legs...We will continue

Earlier on the day, Khaleda’s Press Secretary Shairul Kabir Khan claimed that the police personnel deployed near her Gulshan residence had been withdrawn for no apparent reason.

When contacted, SM Jahangir Alam Sarker, a deputy commissioner of police, said: “According to protocol, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is not entitled to get police protection. But as she is a former three-time prime minister and the chief of one of the biggest political parties of the country, we gave her protection based on intelligence report.”

Asked why the policemen were withdrawn, he said: “Khaleda Zia did not get any police protection during campaigning because she or her

Immediate after the announcement of the countrywide shutdown, some unidentified people exploded crude bombs in the area.

Meanwhile, police were withdrawn from in front of Khaleda’s residence at Gulshan yesterday.

Maudud raised questions against withdrawal of police members deployed for security of the residence of former prime minister.

He also criticised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her “provocative statement” and said police withdrawal proved the attack was planned beforehand.

“The government has chosen the path of fascism realising its defeat in the upcoming city polls. Do not compel us to think of alternative programmes by conducting terrorist activities against us,” he said.

When asked about “alternative programmes,” the party’s senior leader said: “Everything will be told in due time.” Moudud reiterated that his party would not backtrack from the elections even after the attack. l

DT

NEWS 3

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

Abbas promises to solve Dhaka’s troubles n Adil Sakhawat BNP-backed mayoral candidate Mirza Abbas has promised to provide a safe and clean Dhaka if he is elected as mayor of the Dhaka South City Corporation.

The BNP leader’s wife Afroza Abbas announced a 10-point election manifesto on behalf of Abbas in a press conference in the capital’s National Press Club.

In his manifesto, Abbas pledged of bringing the city corporation’s tax rates down from the existing 27% and making them affordable for all.

To make Dhaka a liveable and safe city, Abbas promised of taking separate 180-day projects to identify and solve the city’s problems one by one.

To reduce the city’s traffic jam, Abbas promised to build enough footbridges, footpath and underpasses, deploy ward-based community police and remove and rehabilitate footpath-occupying hawkers.

Providing pure drinking water to the Dhaka residents and overcoming the city’s water stagnation and drainage troubles were also included in his electoral pledge. He also mentioned that digging roads during rainy season would be stopped if he was elected to the mayor’s office.

As a solution to reducing the electricity crisis, Abbas further promised to build power supply stations under the city corporation.

Abbas, who served as Dhaka’s mayor from 1991 to 1993, pledged of making a Digital Dha-

Khokon: City polls as important as mid-term national elections n Abu Hayat Mahmud Awami League-backed mayoral candidate of Dhaka South City Corporation Sayeed Khokon has said the upcoming city corporation polls are as important as mid-term national polls.

“The upcoming city polls carry the same value as mid-term polls. So there are no chances of failure here,” he said at a discussion held by Sahasra Nagarik Committee, a platform of pro-Awami League professionals, at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the capital yesterday.

Yesterday was a busy day for Khokon; he joined a debate with other mayoral candidates, organised by the Dhaka Tribune at Krishibid Institute in Dhaka in the evening.

Earlier, he attended a round table organised by the Prothom Alo at Karwan Bazar. Besides, he attended several other discussions and meetings yesterday.

Addressing these programmes, Khokon, also son of Mohammad Hanif, the first mayor of Dhaka city, said the city polls were a fight between pro- and anti-Liberation War forces.

“The BNP-Jamaat alliance is trying to foil the polls; BNP chief Khaleda Zia is campaigning for criminals and terrorists who were accused of subversive activities recently,” he said.

Talking about his pledges, he said if he won the polls, he would organise a dialogue among various professionals, urban experts and the city corporation’s public representatives. l

Abbas’ mayoral pledges l l l l l l

Afroza Abbas, wife of mayoral candidate of Dhaka South City Corporation Mirza Abbas, declares the electoral manifestation on her husband’s behalf at Jatiya Press Club in the capital yesterday ka by introducing free WiFi in public places and arranging online tax payment. He also mentioned that every road of the city would be brought under CCTV surveillance.

Abbas promised garment workers of building dormitory and hospitals near their factories. The manifesto also emphasised on rehabilitating the poor people and street children.

For developing the standard of living for slum people, Abbas promised of arranging

free medical treatment and primary education for them; farmers’ markets would also be set up for helping marginal farmers.

The manifesto also said the central jail would be shifted to Keraniganj, while its current location in Old Dhaka would be used for building an entertainment centre. Pollution of the Buriganga River would also be solved, and a walkway constructed on its riverbank, the candidate promised.

Reducing city taxes 180-day projects to solve city’s problems Power station under DSCC Door-to-door waste collection Free WiFi in public places Free healthcare and primary education for slum residents

He also pledged of shifting the city’s chemical industries away from residential areas and uprooting the city’s drug problem.

To make Dhaka a clean city, he promised afforestation in the parks and open spaces, and building a sanitary landfill for a modern waste management system. For this, he promised of taking steps to collect waste from door-to-door and removing all city waste between 12am and 5am.

Mirza Abbas could not be present in the programme yesterday as the court had not yet provided him with bail, said BNP Standing Committee member Brig Gen (Retd) Hannan Shah.

Afroza Abbas, who read out the manifesto instead, said: “When I campaign on behalf of Abbas, law enforcers and the ruling party activists harass and threaten us continuously. So I request the voters of Dhaka South to save my honour as I am the wife of your son [Abbas].” l

Annisul reveals report on Dhaka North’s sufferings

HC: Why not party symbols, identities in local polls? n Ashif Islam Shaon

n Munir Momtaj

The High Court yesterday in a ruling asked the Election Commission to explain why it would not be ordered to assign party symbols or use identities in local government elections such as city corporations.

The court also ordered to explain why the electoral rules that restrict assigning party symbols or using party identities in local government polls should not be declared unconstitutional.

The bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman issued the ruling in response to a writ petition filed challenging the legality of the four electoral rules that impose the restrictions.

“The court asked the Election Commission, local government secretaries and the Law Ministry to come up with explanations within two weeks,” the petitioner’s counsel, Uzzal Hossain, told reporters.

Muhammad Aminur Rahman, head of Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote, a registered political party, filed the writ petition on Sunday.

In the petition, he challenged the legality of the relevant provisions of the City Corporation (election conduct) Rules 2010, Union Parishad (election conduct) Rules 2010, Pourashava (election conduct) Rules 2010 and Upazila (election conduct) Rules 2013.

“Assigning and using party symbols and identities in local body elections are prohibited in the provisions, but it is against the people’s fundamental rights to freedom of expression guaranteed by the constitution,” Aminur said in the petition. l

Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Annisul Huq yesterday unveiled a survey report on the city resident’s sufferings, pointing out the biggest problems plaguing the country’s capital and discussing ways to solve them.

According to the report, residents of the Dhaka North City Corporation mentioned mosquitoes, road conditions, house rent, lack of sufficient drainage system and manholes, and drugs – as the main problems they faced everyday.

Annisul, who is running for the mayor’s office in the northern part of Dhaka, spoke about the survey report and the urban issues at a press conference in Banani’s spectra Convention Centre.

The survey also found that unhygienic environment, unemployment, water stagnation, lack of drinking water, lack of public toilets, robbery, solid waste, formalin menace, corruption, gas shortage, footpath, playground, water supply and standard public transports were some of the other major complaints of the DNCC residents.

Annisul Huq promised to solve all these problems if he was elected as the new DNCC mayor.

The survey was done by Integrated Research and Consulting Limited (IRC), who randomly selected and interviewed 76,735 people from all walks of life in the DNCC area.

Annisul said he wanted to make a modern

Annisul Huq speaks at a press conference unveiling a survey report on the problems and expectations of 36 wards under the DNCC. The photo was taken in the capital’s Gulshan area yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Dhaka based on the philosophy of his slogan “Ebar Samadhan Jatra,” which means the quest for solution.

Asked about alleged attacks on BNPbacked candidate Tabith Awal’s campaign, the former FBCCI president said if such attacks had really taken place, then it must be stopped; or else, the claims might also have been a publicity stunt, he added. l

DT

4 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

Bangladeshi woman found dead in India n Our Correspondent, Jessore

A Bangladeshi woman’s body was recovered from a train station in India and handed over to her family via the immigration police in Bangladesh yesterday.

Aslam Khan, officer-in-charge of immigration at Benapole checkpost, said Indian Petrapol immigration police handed the body of Nargis, 32, over to Bangladesh immigration police around 9am, who later handed the body over to her family.

The victim’s family alleged that she was abducted, raped and killed. However, police said they had yet to find any definitive proof as to how she died.

Nargis, mother of one, was from Sonadanga area in Khulna. Her mother Manimala and aunt Rahela Begum said she used to run her household by working as a domestic help.

According to Manimala, Nargis took her mother, who is blind, and her daughter Kakoli to India on March 9 for her mother’s treatment. They went to Kolkata through the Be-

napole checkpost, and from there they took a New Delhi-bound train.

In the train, Nargis asked a few young men to let her know when they arrived in Delhi.

Around 3:30am, those men told them they had reached the station in Delhi, and the trio got off the train.

“Soon after we got off, those men abducted my daughter. I am blind, I could not see what was happening. All I could hear was my daughter’s screams. The train left after a while. I kept crying and asking for help.

“We spent a few days waiting for my daughter to come back at the station, which we later learnt was in Kanpur. When she did not return, I took my granddaughter and came back to Bangladesh March 16 – illegally because Nargis had all our passports,” Manimala said.

On March 19, Sonadanga police contacted the family and informed her that Indian police had found Nargis’s body in a train station.

The body arrived near Benapole border on Sunday morning, from where the family was informed to collect the body. l

The leaflets show that the city corporation election campaign is going on full swing. The photo was snapped at Begumbazar in the capital yesterday SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Yunus among top finance pioneers of all time n Tribune Desk A list of the 50 leading business pioneers of all time, compiled by the UK’s Financial Times, has named Muhammad Yunus as a pioneer in the business of finance.

Although he did not invent microfinance, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus’ name has become synonymous with it following international recognition of Grameen Bank, which he founded, James Mackintosh writes.

His advocacy for small loans to the poor – and for social business – has spread around the world.

Small loans made in 1976, mostly to wom-

en to help them avoid loan sharks, became the basis for Grameen Bank, a microcredit lender which in 2013 made seven million loans totalling $1.6bn, Mackintosh writes.

The Grameen Bank model has been exported to many countries, including the US, and garnered a joint Nobel prize for Yunus and the bank in 2006 – for peace, not economics.

But microfinance has faced criticism, including that interest rates are often usurious and that it misallocates finance while doing little to alleviate poverty, Mackintosh points out.

Grameen Bank came under criticism, with Sheikh Hasina Wajed, Bangladesh’s prime

minister, accusing it of “sucking blood from the poor,” according to the article published on ft.com on March 31.

The other five pioneers in the business of finance are the winningest investor in history Warren Buffett, the founder of Bank of America Amadeo Giannini, top fund manager Henry Kravis who famously bought out RJR Nabisco in the biggest Wall Street takeover of the time, legendary banker and architect of the modern financial service industry John Pierpont Morgan and the founder of the most storied and arguably wealthiest banking family of all time Mayer Amschel Rothschild. l

No decision yet on army deployment n Tribune Report

The Election Commission has yet to come to a decision about army deployment for the upcoming city corporation polls, EC Secretary Sirajul Islam said yesterday.

In a press briefing at the EC media centre, he said: “We are still thinking about it, and will come to a final decision within a day or two.”

Speaking of re-election at Magura 1 constituency, the EC secretary said it will be held on May 30. Deadline for nomination submission is on April 30, candidacy withdrawal is on May 1, and scrutiny is on May 4, he added. l

One more BNP-backed War crimes verdict against Hasan Ali any day councillor arrested village; complicity in killing one Tofazzal, abThe 65-year-old absconding Hasan Ali faces Ashif Islam Shaon n duction of two other people and burning of six charges of crimes against humanity commitn Tribune Report two houses in Konabhawal village; and inted in Kishoreganj during the Liberation War. The International Crimes Tribunal is set to deAnother BNP-backed councillor candidate was arrested yesterday from the capital’s Hazaribagh area.

This is the third BNP-backed candidate arrested in the capital since the campaign of the city corporation polls began.

“Police arrested Osman Gani who is better known as Shahjahan, councillor candidate of Ward 34 of Dhaka North City Corporation from Modhu Bazar of Hazaribagh around 3pm on charges of subversive activities,” said SM Jahangir Alam Sarker, acting DMP deputy commissioner for media and public relations.

Kazi Mainul Islam, the OC of Hazaribagh police station claimed that Shahjahan - the president of Ward 47 Juba Dal - was an absconding accused in an explosive case filed in 2013.

On Saturday, Kazi Hasibul Islam Shakil, councillor candidate of Ward 13 of DSCC, was arrested by Paltan police. And on April 16, ALM Kawser Ahmed was arrested from Mirpur.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad earlier directed law enforcers not to harass candidates without reason. l

liver its verdict any day in the war crimes case against Syed Hasan Ali, an alleged razakar commander from Kishoreganj.

After concluding hearing arguments yesterday, the International Crimes Tribunal 1 led by its chairman Justice M Enayetur Rahim kept the case CAV (Curia Advisari Vult), meaning the verdict could be delivered any day.

According to the prosecution, Hasan Ali was the commander of the Tarail unit of the razakar forces and was involved with Nezam-e-Islami, an anti-liberation organisation; however, he is not active in politics any more.

On November 11 last year, the tribunal charged Hasan Ali with torching and looting seven houses of one Hasan Ahmed of Sachail

volvement in killing 12 persons and torching 10 houses in Shimulhati village.

He was also charged with killing eight people and abducting 10 others in Borgaon village; abduction and murder of two and looting one of their houses in Araiura village; and having links to the killing of Rashid Ali Bepari and torching 100 houses in Sachail village. l

Charge sheet against Gazipur mayor sent to court n Our Correspondent, Gazipur Charge sheet in a vandalising case against Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) mayor and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s adviser, MA Mannan, was submitted to a Gazipur court yesterday.

Officer in-Charge (OC) of Joydebpur police station Khandkar Rezaul Hasan Reza said the charge sheet no 369 had been signed by him on April 15 and was then sent to the office of the Superintendent of Police, who had for-

warded it to Gazipur Judges’ court.

On December 27 last year, a case was filed against mayor MA Mannan and 29 other BNP leaders and activists for vandalising vehicles on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway during a hartal centring Khaleda Zia’s Gazipur rally.

The charge sheet of this case was submitted after proper investigation, said the OC. The OC further added that the court would soon begin hearing the case and if MA Mannan is found guilty he could be stripped of his

mayoral post.

According to the local government regulation, if any elected public representative is convicted for any criminal offence or becomes physically incapable or stays absent from three consecutive council meetings, he or she may be suspended on a temporary basis.

MA Mannan, who is currently at Kashimpur jail, was picked up by law enforcers on February 11 from his DOHS Baridhara residence in the capital on another arson case. l

DT

NEWS 5

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

POHELA BOISHAKH ASSAULT

Proctor refuses to step down as protests continue at DU n Arif Ahmed Amid continuous protests and demands for his resignation, Dhaka University Proctor Professor Amzad Ali yesterday denied the allegations of negligence in discharging his duties and refused to step down.

“Why should I resign? I have proof that I had not shown any negligence to the situation,” the proctor said while talking to the Dhaka Tribune over phone yesterday.

“I have done whatever I could. When I was informed, I called the police and gave them directives.”

The proctor further added that he had collected the call list from his mobile phone operator and could produce it to prove his actions.

“There is no question of resigning,” he said.

Meanwhile, speakers at a human chain of Bangladesh Students’ Union reiterated their demand for the proctor’s resignation.

Holding the university proctor responsible, the organisation’s President Hasan Tarek alleged that the university administration was trying to divert the incident to a different direction.

“We will also submit a memorandum to the home ministry on Tuesday,” Tarek said.

The human chain that stretched from Oporajeyo Bangla to Curzon Hall also demanded to bring the Pohela Boishakh sex offenders to justice immediately.

General students from various depart-

ments of the university, student and cultural organisations also participated in the human chain.

Jamshed Anwar, general secretary of Udichi Shilpi Goshthi, said: “The state cannot avoid the responsibility of the incidents. The real culprits should be identified and brought to book without any delay.”

Expressing solidarity with the protesters, professor Gitiara Nasreen, former chairperson of DU Mass Communication and Journalism Department blamed the culture of impunity for such crimes.

After the human chain, the students gathered at Raju Memorial Sculpture and brought out a procession.

Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (Duta) also staged a separate human chain in front of Oporajeyo Bangla at the same time.

Teachers of the association said those who were behind the bomb attacks on Ramna Batamul and Udichi Shilpi Goshthi’s programme, were also involved in the sexual assault during Pohela Boishakh celebrations.

Duta secretary general professor ASM Maksud Kamal said: “The fundamentalist forces wanted to destroy our culture and heritage by attacking our women.”

About 250 teachers of various departments of the university participated in the hour-long human chain that began at 11am.

The speakers vowed to resist such attacks by raising mass protest and awareness. l

People place their hand prints on a large banner at the TSC intersection yesterday during Chhatra Union’s protest against the sexual assaults on Pohela Boishakh SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

NHRC chief: Police making callous No progress yet in Pohela remarks to dodge responsibility Boishakh sexual assault probe n Kamrul Hasan Callous remarks by the police are a way of evading responsibility for the sexual assaults that marred the Pohela Boishakh celebrations at Dhaka University, chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said yesterday.

Mizanur Rahman, the NHRC chairman, made the remarks at a press briefing at the NHRC office in the capital’s Moghbazar area.

He said a culture of impunity, patriarchal mind-sets and religious fanaticism were behind the harassment.

The NHRC boss said footage from CCTV camera number 16 had captured images of sexual harassment, but said the police were not publicising it and were trying to avoid responsibility for the incident.

Human rights activists said the police had been indifferent during the incident and failed to respond properly to the assaults.

“Some of the alleged assaulters were held and handed over to policemen, but the police, irresponsibly, released them later,” Mizanur said.

He urged the DU authorities to form an independent probe body to investigate the incidents and to publicise the probe report.

Referring to a police comment that the assault victims had not been disrobed, the NHRC chief said even a gaze or words may constitute sexual harassment. “These sorts of statements are not to be expected from the police.”

Calling the assaults pre-planned, he criticised the DU proctor and expressed regret for the assaults during the Bangla New Year celebrations.

NHRC member and women’s rights activist Mahfuza Khanam blamed police for trying to make a distinction between forcibly stripping a victim and other forms of sexual assault.

She slammed the description of the incident as merely a scuffle, saying such comments were unacceptable.

Several people said vuvuzelas should be banned during such celebrations. Harassers honked the noisy instruments to muffle their victims’ screams.

While crowds of people in their thousands were celebrating Pohela Boishakh, gangs of unruly men swooped in and sexually harassed five to seven women at the Suhrawardy Udyan gate and other parts of the Dhaka University campus.

Chhatra Union DU unit President Liton Nandi received severe injuries while trying to rescue a woman near the TSC. l

n Mohammad Jamil Khan The mobile phone number police published recently for witnesses to contact regarding information on women’s sexual assault on Pohela Boishakh was found switched off yesterday with the police still claiming that no major attack took place.

The Dhaka Tribune yesterday tried to contact the chief and other members of the investigation team several times, but they neither received the calls nor replied the text messages.

Asked about the unavailability of the phone number, Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s acting deputy commissioner for media and public relations SM Jahangir Alam Sarker said they had also provided an email address and a website link and people could file information through those means.

The probe team comprising Additional Commissioner (crime and operation) Ibrahim Fatemi, Joint Commissioner (logistics) Belal Uddin and Detective Branch’s Deputy Commissioner Jahangir Matubbar made no progress as of yesterday into the investigation into the sexual assault at the

TSC and Suhrawardy Udyan on Pohela Boishakh.

The police still stick to their stand that no incident of major sexual assault had taken place in those areas except for some scuffles.

Ramna division’s Additional Deputy Commissioner Ibrahim Khan, who is supervising the investigation, said they were trying to identify the thugs who had caused the scuffles.

He, however, said they had yet to find any breakthrough from the CCTV camera footage.

“We are still scrutinising the footage,” he added.

Meanwhile, human rights activists and protestors alleged that the police had released partial CCTV camera footage.

Liton Nandi, president of Bangladesh Chhatra Union’s Dhaka University unit who had rescued a woman on that day, said there were CCTV cameras at the southeast corner of the Raju Sculpture where incidents of stripping off women had taken place, but the police had not disclosed the footage. l

DT

6 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

HC: Search 6 more months for Salahuddin n Ashif Islam Shaon

The High Court yesterday asked law enforcers to continue their search for BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed for the next six months and submit regular progress reports to the Home Ministry during this time.

The bench of Justice Quamrul Islam Siddique and Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore made the ruling, also disposing a petition filed by Salahuddin’s wife Hasina Ahmed on March 12 that requested that the BNP leader be located within 24 hours.

The BNP leader’s family alleges that Salahuddin was picked up by detectives from an Uttara house on the night of March 10, but no law enforcement agency have so far

claimed responsibility.

Yesterday, the court again heard arguments on Hasina’s petition before delivering its order. Khandaker Mahbub Hossain represented the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Bashir Ullah represented the state.

During the hearing, Bashir informed the court that the government has already formed a three-member committee headed by the CID joint commissioner to probe whether the BNP leader has been abducted.

“The court has instructed to continue the search with due importance. The police have to file a report on the matter every month for the next six months to the home secretary,” the deputy attorney general told reporters after the court order. l

35 SUST teachers resign from administrative posts Correspondent, n Our Sylhet

A total of 35 teachers of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology yesterday stepped down from 37 administrative posts demanding the vice-chancellor’s resignation.

Dr Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, famed author and director of the Institute of Information Technology, was among the 35 who handed in resignations to the registrar, Md Ishfaqul Hussain.

The acting proctor, Md Amdadul Haque, said the resignations were tendered around 11am; the registrar was not available for comment.

Prof Mostabur Rahman, co-convener of Mohan Muktijuddher Chetonai Udbuddho Shikkhok Forum, told reporters that they all had

voiced non-confidence in the vice-chancellor, Dr Md Aminul Haque Bhuyan.

On April 13, 19 teachers got into a row with the vice-chancellor after they went to his office to discuss how to resolve problems related to the academic building’s space.

Zafar Iqbal’s wife, Dr Yasmeen Haque, was among the 19.

Physics department head Prof Dr Syed Badiuzzaman Faruque and geography department head Prof Dr Sharif Md Sharafuddin resigned in the wake of the altercation.

Mohan Muktijuddher Chetonai Udbuddho Shikkhok Forum members held a meeting on Wednesday land said they would step down from administrative posts unless the vice-chancellor resigned by 5pm on Sunday. l

Bangladeshi rescued from Mediterranean sea n Adil Sakhawat A Bangladeshi national has reportedly been rescued from the boat which capsized off the Libyan coast on April 19.

As many as 700 migrants were feared dead in the incident.

When contacted, Bangladesh Ambassador in Rome Md Shahadat Hossain said: “Our embassy officials have reached the hospital in Catania where the man is undergoing treatment. They are trying to learn his identity. We will disclose

his identity and physical condition as soon as possible.”

Later in the evening the official again informed: “An honorary consul general of Bangladesh in Sicily is looking into the matter. Still he cannot talk to the Bangladeshi survivor as the man is being kept in isolation to be observed for treatment.

“By tomorrow [Tuesday] maybe we can talk to him and learn his identity. But our official has confirmed the man is in good physical condition,” Shahadat said. l

DT

NEWS 7

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

Three robbers arrested n Our Correspondent, Chittagong Police have arrested three robbers of a 10-member gang that allegedly is culpable for more that 100 muggings, mainly in Dhaka and Chittagong, in the last 12 months alone.

The arrestees are Khaled Hossain alias Major Khaled alias Sub Inspector Mahid, 30, from Banshkhali upazila in Chittagong, Ali Hossain, 35, a CNG driver from Cox’s Bazar, and Jamal Hossain, 40, from Comilla. They were arrested in separate police raids across Dhaka, Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar.

Assistant Commissioner of CMP Kotwali Circle Shah Mohammad Abdur Rouf confirmed details of the incidents through a press conference at the Chittagong metropolitan police headquarters yesterday afternoon.

Police believes the 10-member gang conducted muggings across Dhaka and Chittagong, dividing themselves in smaller groups.

Two other members of the gang, Anis and Abdul Huq, were arrested earlier in the month.

Interrogated, Anis and Abdul gave police leads following which they have been successful in making the fresh arrests.

Police are on the lookout for the rest of the members.

CMP Commissioner Abdul Jalil Mandal, also speaking in the conference, said the leader of the gang has an apartment in Dhaka and a Tk20,00,000 bank account. The racket’s members followed their targets for a few days before making any moves.

“We have formed a team to bust the gang; the rest of the members will be in jail in a short time,” he said. l

Move on to destabilise RU campus n Nazim Mridha, Rajshahi Taking advantage of the feud between city unit Awami League leaders and the authorities of Rajshahi University, a group of people are now trying to create anarchy on the campus.

Several senior teachers wishing anonymity told the Dhaka Tribune that a group of influential teachers were hatching a conspiracy to oust Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Muhammad Mizanuddin from the campus.

They said local Awami League and university Chhatra League had been mounting pressure on the university authorities since long to recruit their preferred candidates in nearly 100 vacant posts.

A teacher said: “This group of teachers now supports AL leaders in different ways to wage a movement at RU in order to put university authorities in a vulnerable situation so that they could come into power at RU. “Just for seizing large amounts of money from job seekers at different posts, local AL leaders and university unit BCL leaders have gone mad, and now the issue has become

publicised,” he added.

Earlier on Thursday, a group of local leaders, led by the ruling party’s Rajshahi city unit General Secretary Dablu Sarker and Vice-President Shahadat Hossain, barged into the office of RU VC Prof Muhammad Mizanuddin, and reportedly demanded recruitment of their preferred candidates as employees and officers in different university posts.

However, when the VC said recruitment would take place as per the university rules, the ruling party men started hurling abusive words at the VC. Then, the leaders also physically assaulted science faculty Dean Prof Habibur Rahman and RU Student Adviser Prof Sadequl Arefin Matin while the teachers came forward to calm them down.

On Wednesday, Rajshahi 1 lawmaker Omar Faruk Chowdhury allegedly assaulted the VC verbally and threatened to oust him over the university’s fine of Tk25 lakh to one of its affiliated institutions Shah Makhdum Medical College for alleged irregularities in the admission process. MP Faruk, the Rajshahi district unit Awami League president, is the govern-

ing body chairman of the institution.

The ruling party men, however, said they had gone to VC’s office to inform him about irregularities going on at the university, but he along with some senior teachers misbehaved with them.

They also accused the RU VC of recruiting Jamaat-Shibir-backed men as teachers in recent times.

Filing of cases against journos protested

Journalists of Rajshahi University (RU) and Rajshahi city yesterday formed a human chain in protest of a case filed against three journalists by the Rajshahi city Awami League leader.

Rajshahi city Awami League (Al) general secretary on Sunday filed a defamation case with the Rajshahi Chief Metropolitan Court 1 accusing daily Kaler Kantha editor Imdadul Haque Milon, its staff correspondent in Rajshahi Rafikul Islam, and Rajshahi University Correspondent Rokon Rakib, followed by a report over the assault on RU Vice Chancellor Prof Muhammad Mizanuddin by the Rajshahi city unit AL leaders on Thursday. l

WEATHER

DRY WEATHER TUESDAY, APRIL 21 DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 6:22PM

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:31AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY 32 33 36 29 35 34 28 32

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

26 26 26 22 26 26 22 27

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

35.8ºC Mongla

20.0ºC Sylhet Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr

4:13am

Sunrise

5:32am

Zohr

11:57am

Asr

4:31pm

Magrib

6:22pm

Esha

7:42pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

Teachers and students of Brojo Mohon College stage a sit-in at Shaheed Minar yesterday, protesting sexual assault on women during the Pohela Boishakh DHAKA TRIBUNE

Manjur, Nasir continue rally of blames n Tribune Report Outgoing Chittagong Mayor and the BNP supported candidate M Manjur Alam and his major rival, and Awami League supported candidate AJM Nasir Uddin went head-to-head in a rally of blames, akin to a high level tennis match, as they sped-up their campaigns for the impending city corporation elections.

Nasir labeled Manjur “a failed Mayor” unable to mitigate the major municipal challenges of Chittagong: “Though the government provided enough funds, Manjur failed to resolve the water logging problem in the city which causes immense sufferings to the city dwellers during monsoon.”

He also blamed Manjur for banning electric rickshaws across Chittagong, and for failing to manage the garbage disposal of the city.

Manjur volleyd back, blaming his major rival and other Awami League leaders for spreading “propaganda” against him even though he put his best foot forward as mayor given the inadequate resources he was allowed at his disposal.

Manjur said electric rickshaws were declared illegal by the high court, the Chittagong Metropolitan Police only implemented the court order. Hence, he had nothing to do with the vehicles being taken off the streets.

Both candidates begged for votes, promising to take care of the city’s major problems when elected to the position. l

One held with LG, yaba pills n CU Correspondent Police arrested a person with firearms, ammunition, and yaba pills from Amirabad under Lohagara upazila in Chittagong yesterday morning.

The arrestee is Mohammed Didar, 35, son of Ahmed Hosen of Dorjipara in Amirabad, said Lohagara police station’s Officer-inCharge (OC) Md Shahjahan.

Police recovered a homemade LG, two cartridge rounds, and 150 yaba tablets from his possession, added the OC. Following a tipoff, police raided Didar’s house at Dorjipara at around 5am and arrested him, the OC also said.

He was an accused in 10 cases filed with Lohagara police station in connection with different charges, the OC added. l

DT

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

Gopalganj kidney ward yet to be operational in two years n Our Correspondent, Gopalganj The much needed kidney ward at Gopalganj’s 250-Bed Hospital has not been able to serve critical patients due to the lack of medical specialists.

The hospital authorities, despite several attempts, had failed to get a specialist doctor to run the ward, which can save money and time for hundreds of kidney patients in and around the district.

According to the hospital sources, the kidney ward was established about two years ago.

About Tk1.45 crore was spent to set up six dialysis machines, eight beds and other modern equipment. Two doctors, four nurses, one ward boy and one fourth class employee was

also appointed after training them in Rangpur.

A team of doctors led by Dr Monimohal Saha, director of Khulna Sheikh Abu Naser Specialised Hospital, conducted a test run of the kidney ward and successfully completed dialysis of six patients.

However, one of the trained doctors was soon transferred and the other one lost interest. Since then, the operation of the kidney ward has been halted. Gopalganj health department said there were at least 2,000 kidney patients in the district. And among them more than 50 patients require regular dialysis.

Among the 11 districts, including Gopalganj, only the Sheikh Abu Naser Specialised Hospital in Khulna offers kidney dialysis.

Hence, the patients of these districts have

The Bangladesh Society for Enforcement of Human Rights Khulna unit and Janouddog, a local NGO, hold a human chain yesterday in the town protesting the killing of housewife Tanni who was murdered allegedly by her husband on 7 April DHAKA TRIBUNE

Enclave people demand exchange deal ratification n Our Correspondent, Panchagarh People living in Indian enclaves in Panchagarh yesterday submitted a memorandum to the Indian envoy to Bangladesh, demanding that the enclave exchange deal be ratified in the upcoming session of the Indian parliament.

The local unit of Panchagarh-Nilphamari Bangladesh-India Enclaves Exchange Coordination Committee submitted the memorandum through the Panchagarh deputy commissioner, Mohammad Salahuddin.

The enclave people in the memorandum urged the Indian high commissioner to lobby his government for ratifying the enclave exchange agreement, which was signed on September 6, 2011, to resolve the longstanding issue.

President of the committee’s Panchagarh unit, Mofizar Rahman, and several other enclave leaders were present when the memorandum was submitted.

There are 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh, including 59 in Lalmonirhat, 36 in Panchagarh, 12 in Kurigram and four in Nilphamari, while 51 Bangladeshi enclaves are located in Cooch Behar in the Indian state of West Bengal.

The Indian enclaves in Bangladesh stretch across 17,149 acres of land while the Bangladeshi enclaves in India occupy 7,110 acres.

A joint census in July 2011 found that a total of 37,334 people were living in Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and 14,215 people in the Bangladeshi enclaves in India. l

no alternative but to travel to Khulna or Dhaka for treatment. This is not only costly but also time consuming and risky for the patients.

One such patient, Nasu Sikder, 50, general secretary of Gopalganj Clothes Traders Association, said he had been suffering with kidney related problems for the last two years.

“I have to go to Dhaka 3-4 times a month spending a lot of money and time. When the kidney ward started in our hospital, I was happy that I would no longer have to travel so far. But it is sad that the ward is not operational,” he said.

Dr SM Sirajul Islam, civil surgeon of Gopalganj, said: “We have written to the health secretary and the director general of health directorate several times for a specialist doctor. But we are yet to get any remedy.” l

Suspected robber shot in gunfight with cops n Our Correspondent, Rajbari An alleged robber was shot in a gunfight between his cohorts and police at Kolanagar in Pangsa upazila yesterday night.

The victim was identified as Abdul Hamid Mondal, son of Sayed Ali Mondal, a resident of Notadanga village of thenupazila.

Abu Sama Mohammad Iqbal ,officer-incharge of Pangsa police station said on a tipoff,a team of police conducted a drive in the area around 8:30 pm while a gang of robbers was staying in the area for committing robbery.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the robbers opened fire at the police team.

In retaliation, police opened fire on them, triggering a gunfight that left Hamid injured with bullet.

Later, police arrested bullet-hit Hamid from the spot while his other accomplices managed to flee the scene. l

DT

NEWS 9

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

Woman killed allegedly due to hospital negligence

n Our Correspondent, Brahmanbaria A puerperal woman died at Holy Crescent Paediatric and General Hospital in Munsefpara, Brahmanbaria yesterday afternoon, allegedly due to the hospital authorities’ negligence.

The victim, Nazma Akhter, 30, who had a home birth, was taken to the hospital after she became critically ill, and died in an operation room around 1:30pm, her husband Tajul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune.

“There was no doctors in the hospital when we took my wife there. A few nurses and the hospital owner’s wife, Nargis Begum, attended to her. We even tried to get Nazma discharged from the hospital, but they did not let us,” Tajul complained.

Shortly after arriving at the hospital, Nazma was taken to an operation room, where her blood sample was taken and an injection was administered on her. She died soon after.

Police was notified in this regard and Sub-Inspector Premdhan Mazumdar of Brahmanbaria Sadar police station visited the hospital, but no case was filed in this regard until yesterday evening, when this report was filed.

When contacted, Brahmanbaria Civil Surgeon Dr Hasina Akhter told the Dhaka Tribune that she was aware of the situation and appropriate action would be taken against the hospital authorities if the allegations were proven true. l

Judge’s post vacant in Sylhet court for 3 months, 1,900 cases on hold n Mohammad Serajul Islam, Sylhet Trial of around 1,900 cases filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act has been on hold in Sylhet due to the vacant post of the tribunal judge.

Sources at the court said the post has been vacant since the its judge, Abdul Aziz, retired on January 19. The High Court recently transferred Dhaka Divisional Special Judge Abdul Rashid to Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, Sylhet; however, he has yet to officially start at his new post, said the tribunal’s Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Abdul Malek.

In the meantime, the current District Sessions Judge Syed Humayun Azad was temporarily appointed as the tribunal judge, but he has not been able to make a headway in the tribunal proceedings due to the caseload in his own court, sources said.

Another source said the newly appointed judge is likely to join his new job this week.

Around 100 cases are filed at the tribunal every month, of which around 60-70 are tried

and judgement is rendered. But since there has been no judge for the past three months, the cases under trial have been piling up, the number rising to 1,900,l sources told the Dhaka Tribune.

A tribunal counsel, seeking anonymity, claimed only one court is not enough to deal with women and children repression cases in the region, and three such courts should be established in Sylhet.

Violence against women has been on the rise in Sylhet in recent times; so has the number of cases in this regard. More and more women are taking stand against domestic violence and seeking legal help, especially since the Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Act 2010 came into effect, several lawyers told the Dhaka Tribune.

Advocate Shirin Akhter, Sylhet division’s coordinator at Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers’ Association, said: “Before, women suffered in silence when subjected to domestic violence, but that scenario has changed. Now they resist violence against them. That is why the number of such cases has been rising.” l

Three cops among four hurt in gunfight n Our Correspondent, Moulvibazar Four people, including three policemen, were injured in a gunfight between law enforcers and robbers in Shahbandar area of Sadar upazila yesterday.

Police sources said a gang of robbers was taking preparation for robbery in the area. On tip-off, police conducted a drive there. Sensing the presence of law enforcers, the robbers began firings.

Police retaliated with gunshots that left three policemen and a robber injured.

The injured policemen were identified as Sub-Inspector M Abul Hashem and constables Zia and Shankar of Sadar police station but details of another injured could not be known.

Following the robbers’ retreat police chased them and nabbed seven members of the gang. A pipe gun, seven bullets, seven machetes, a grill cutting machine and a Chinese axe were also recovered from the spot. l

DT

10 WORLD

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

EU has ‘no more excuses’ on migrants The fishing boat capsized most likely as a result of terrified passengers stampeding to one side in desperation to get off after coastal authorities in Italy and Malta picked up a distress signal around midnight (2200 GMT) on Saturday, when it was still in Libyan waters.

The deadliest incident prior to Sunday occurred off Malta in September 2014.

The body of person who died after fishing boat carrying migrants capsized off the Libyan coast, is brought ashore along with 23 others retreived by the Italian Coast Guard at Senglea in Malta yesterday AFP

n AFP, Rome EU foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini said Monday the bloc had “no more excuses” not to act to halt the flood of migrants as Italy and Malta continued to look for survivors from the latest shipwreck.

More than 700 people are feared dead after a fishing boat crammed with migrants seeking a better life in Europe capsized off Libya, with some survivors suggesting nearly 1,000 could have been on board.

“With this latest tragedy... we have no more excuses, the EU has no more excuses, the member states have no more excuses,” Mogherini said.

“We need immediate action from the EU and the member states,” she said as she arrived for an emergency meeting of foreign and interior ministers to discuss what could be done.

Italian and Maltese navy boats meanwhile continued a desperate search for the victims of Sunday’s disaster, as an Italian vessel brought the first group of survivors and 24 bodies to Malta.

The Bruno Gregoracci coast guard cutter docked with 24 body bags laid out on its deck, which were then carried to waiting hearses for transfer to a morgue.

An ‘avoidable’ disaster

The deaths of hundreds more desperate migrants caused an outcry across Europe, where newspapers called it the “EU’s darkest day” and a “disgrace” for EU policy.

“European leaders knew full well that the number of victims at sea from African migration would smash records from the spring,” Belgium daily Le Soir wrote.

Refugee and rights bodies also described the disaster as one that could have been avoided and demanded European governments both beef up rescue operations and address the underlying causes of the flood of asylum-seekers and migrants washing up on Europe’s shores.

“The world needs to react with the conviction with which it eliminated piracy off the coast of Somalia a few years ago,” said Wiliam Lacy Swing, director general of the International Organisation for Migration.

“All of us, especially the EU and world’s powers can no longer sit on the sidelines watching while tragedy unfolds in slow motion.”

Malta’s Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the EU had to address the chaos in Libya which allows smugglers to operate out of the troubled north African state with impunity.

“We have what is fast becoming a failed state on our doorsteps and criminal gangs are enjoying a heyday.”

The foreign ministers on their own had been due to discuss the situation in Libya.

Mogherini, a former Italian foreign minister and very aware of her country’s anguish over events, has been pushing the EU to be more pro-active on Libya and she made the point again.

Just as the Islamist attacks in Paris in January had generated a common response, so this incident should give momentum to finding a common migration policy, she said.

“The main issue here is to build a common sense of European responsibility, knowing that there is no easy solution,” she added.

Flood of migrants, Italy overwhelmed

Some 11,000 migrants have been rescued since the middle of last week alone and current trends suggest last year’s total of 170,000 landing in Italy is likely to be exceeded in 2015.

The issue of who handles these migrants – for asylum or repatriation – is hugely sensitive, with Italy complaining its EU partners are not doing enough.

It scaled back its Mare Nostrum searchand-rescue operation at the end of last year in protest at the rising cost and it was replaced by a smaller EU-led mission called Triton.

The recent flood of migrants and the growing loss of life has put that decision back in focus but some EU member states, especially those not directly affected, have been reluctant to do more.

Sunday’s disaster could change that.

“With respect to the death of up to 950 people yesterday in the Mediterranean we cannot go back to normal,” German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.

“We need an open discussion without taboos, what policy, what the European Union can do in these times,” Steinmeier added.

An estimated 500 migrants drowned in a shipwreck caused by traffickers deliberately ramming the boat in an attempt to force the people on board onto another, smaller vessel.

In October 2013, more than 360 Africans perished when the tiny boat they were crammed onto caught fire within sight of the coast of Lampedusa in Italy. l

DT

WORLD 11

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

US City officers resign after black woman elected mayor n Agencies Residents of a tiny Missouri city say they have no idea why five of their six police officers and several other top officials resigned after their first black mayor was elected.

Tyrus Byrd, 40, was sworn into office in Parma last week, but her election victory was overshadowed by the departure of the majority of the police force, the city attorney, clerk and water treatment supervisor.

The officials all cited ‘safety concerns’ in their resignation letters, the outgoing mayor says.

There are 713 people living in the community and, according to the US Census Bureau, 57percent are white and 41percent are black.

Mrs Byrd, who was sworn in on Wednesday, told the Daily Mail Online on Sunday that she is still not sure why the city employees quit.

Her father, former city board member Simon Wofford, insists his daughter has a good relationship with the police department.

KFVS-TV broke the story last week. Citizens rallied to Mrs Bryd’s side, saying that the town didn’t even need as many officers as it had.

‘I think it was pretty dirty the way they all quit without giving her a chance, but I don’t think they hurt the town with quitting because who needs six police for 740 people?’ resident Martha Miller told KFVS. The run-down city, which is 175 miles south of St. Louis in southeastern Missouri, has suffered a spate of break-ins recently.

Despite the surge in crime and the comparatively large police force, residents told the TV station that they almost never saw cops patrolling the streets.

Mrs Byrd told Daily Mail Online that the election of the first African American mayor

Lebanon receives French arms for anti-jihadist fight n AFP, Beirut Lebanon on Monday received the first French weapons in a $3bn Saudi-funded programme intended to bolster its army to take on jihadist threats, particularly along its border with Syria.

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian accompanied the first tranche of weapons, including anti-tank guided missiles, which were handed over at an air force base in Beirut.

“France and Lebanon have a fraternal relationship that has been marked over the past three years by a sharp deterioration in the security situation in the Levant, which has become an existential threat to the region,” Le Drian said.

“Lebanon is under unprecedented pres-

sure (from jihadist groups)... and this makes border control vital for its security,” he added.

“In this critical context, it is therefore essential that Lebanon’s friends and allies mobilise to contribute to its security and stability.”

Over the next four years, France is expected to deliver to Lebanon 250 combat and transport vehicles, seven Cougar helicopters, three small warships and a range of surveillance and communications equipment.

The entire $3bn (2.8bn euro) cost of the programme is being borne by Saudi Arabia, which has close ties with some of Lebanon’s leading political figures.

The contract also promises seven years of training for the 70,000-strong Lebanese army and 10 years of equipment maintenance. l

Xi Jinping in Pakistan, China to beat US spending there with $46bn investment

China ‘seriously concerned’ at New Zealand hack attempt report

n Reuters

China’s Foreign Ministry expressed serious concern on Monday after a newspaper reported that New Zealand and US intelligence services planned to hack into a data link between Chinese government buildings in Auckland.

New Zealand newspaper the Herald on Sunday, citing details provided by former US National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden, said the project appeared aimed at tapping data between the Chinese consulate and its passport office.

“We are extremely concerned about this report. We strongly urge the relevant countries to immediately stop using the Internet to damage the interests of China and other countries,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing.

Prime Minister John Key, speaking on Radio New Zealand, said he would not take “literally by any stretch of the imagination everything” said by Snowden and his local supporters. l

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pakistan on Monday to launch $46bn in projects linking the allies, a figure that would far exceed US spending in Pakistan and underscores China’s economic ambitions in Asia and beyond.

The infrastructure and energy projects are aimed at establishing a Pakistan-China Economic Corridor between Pakistan’s southern Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea and China’s western Xinjiang region.

The plan is part of China’s aim to forge “Silk Road” land and sea ties to markets in the Middle East and Europe and reflects a shift of economic power in the region to China, said Mushahid Hussain Sayed, chairman of the Pakistani parliament’s defence committee.

“Pakistan, for China, is now of pivotal importance. This has to succeed and be seen to succeed,” he said. l

n Reuters, Beijing

should be celebrated instead of focusing on the departures of city employees.

Randall Ramsey, the outgoing mayor who has spent 36 years in the job, told the Daily Mail Online he also has no idea why the group quit.

He added that most of the officers are part time and work for other towns in the surrounding area.

He told KFVS that the officers cited ‘safety concerns’ when they resigned.

Barry Aycock, who has served as an alderman, told the Daily Mail Online the election and the consequences are the same as usual and he hardly sees the police out on patrol.

He added there is little crime in the city, aside from a spate or burglaries in recent weeks. l

DT

12 EDITORIAL

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

No impunity for death threats

W

e urge the government to ensure law enforcers respond fully to follow up the death threats received by the Ekkator tv journalist, Farzana Rupa.

The threats against Rupa, made after her reports on suspects in the sexual assaults during Pohela Boishakh celebrations at Dhaka University, reportedly come from a person identifying himself as the deputy chief of the militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team’s Rajshahi unit.

While they appear to have been prompted by reports on the sexual assualts, the threats go much further, attacking her employers and threatening to kill her and family members if she does not give up her job.

It is deeply concerning that yet another writer and journalist has received personal death threats from an Islamist inspired militant group.

The police have to act promptly to ensure that all available protection is provided to the journalist and her family. They must also go further and actively investigate and trace the individuals and parties making such despicable threats.

In the light of the disturbing pattern of writers being targeted for violent attacks, and the recent murders of Avijit Roy and Oyasiqur Rahman, it is urgent that better progress be made in all ongoing cases.

There must be no hiding place for those who harm society by inciting threats of violence against people expressing their opinions and reporting the news.

Such actions are clearly against the Penal Code. They must be tackled as serious crimes to help deter all those who would promote or encourage violence against others.

Investigate and take action against those who incite violence

BCL must not silence its women’s voices

W

e are saddened that senior leaders of the Bangladesh Chhatra League at Dhaka University have barred female members of their own party from protesting against the sexual assaults that took place on Pohela Boishakh.

The unit’s central general secretary is reported to have pressured female leaders to call off a protest scheduled for Friday, even though it had been formally organised by DU-based female BCL activists.

At the same time, we commend the BCL women leaders and others who took the initiative for the protest. If only voices like theirs could be heard more.

The senior BCL leaders’ refusal to engage on this issue is highly disturbing.

Sexual harassment and lawless behaviour on and around campus are longstanding issues of concern to all students and staff at the university, and one would have thought that BCL would also wish to raise its voice in protest.

Students from a wide range of political groupings, including BCL, have been actively protesting the incidents elsewhere. The BCL’s inaction at DU also contrasts with the swift steps taken by its unit at Jahangirnagar University to suspend five senior leaders and activists accused of molesting a female student last week.

It is unwise and counter-productive for the BCL to suppress its own members’ concerns.

For the DU BCL to actively stop members from participating in protests shows that it is out of touch with ordinary students’ concerns and strongly suggests it is not fully committed to tackling sexual harassment and reining in lawless behaviour. It must change its ways and start being part of the solution instead of the problem.

It should support not suppress students protesting sexual harassment

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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We all killed Avijit and Oyasiqur April 3

R. Hadi The trend of free-thinking in our country is somewhat discouraged since birth. Parents, teachers, “society” … everyone puts so much work into teaching the “rights” and “wrongs” and the “dos” and “don’ts” that free-thinking is somewhat killed before reaching adolescence. The mind that wanders and experiments is the mind that’s too weird to accept, and the fact that most madrasa tutors are given the freedom to teach their students extreme thoughts and not the real ways of Islam, makes things even worse. If things are not changed from the root, this will keep going exactly as it is right now. Good read, Zafar bhai.

Hafeejul Alam AL had ceased to be a secular party the day the first premier of Bangladesh, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad, was relieved of the cabinet.

It is believed that unless the AL government discontinues to appease the so-called political Islamists, such brutal murders of our intellectuals will not stop. AL hardly cares for the free thinkers and writers, for they are more concerned about holding on to power, anyhow. No wonder the BNP thrives on the narrow politics of AL and more often than not beats AL in electoral fights, despite their terrorist links.

Dev Saha Hafeejul Alam: A great observation! Taj was a true freethinker. Poor Bangladesh seldom produces such great sons and daughters anymore.

Malou Thank you very much for this article. I very much agree with it and you bring one of the most crucial issues of Bangladesh to the point clearly and sharply! rose People in this society need to be tolerant towards free-minded bloggers and writers, it is really the need of the times.

JesminAkter Good point. I would add that the most narrow minds can be seen among elite groups and the AL who boast about a secular Bangladesh while upholding colonial era laws about protecting religious sentiments, who

refuse to pay taxes but will make a great show of supporting a religious orphanage or institution now and then without really caring for the people who attend them. These people are far from semi-educated, but they do have a low opinion of how tolerant other people are. Otherwise, why would the AL and BNP both say they are secular nationalist parties, but both often do deals with Jamaat’s non secular anti-nationalist party? arun Jesmin Akter: Bangladesh should remain as a secular liberal democracy and should invest in Western education and infrastructure. What Bangladesh requires is not madrassa-educated islamist fundamentalists but more engineers, doctors, and other skilled workers. Religion should be kept as a private matter, then only Bangladesh will become a developed country. rose Yes indeed, Bangladesh should truly remain a secular state rather than paying attention to paltry religious issues. In fact, we ought to be thinking about the foreseeable progress and development of our country.

Dev Saha Yes, we all are guilty as charged. Two very great individuals have been slaughtered in the name of pathetic ideologies. The people with meat-cleaver mentality are having a field day in Bangladesh. Such mentality, in the 21st century would make us a laggard of a nation both intellectually and spiritually.

Make no mistake about this cruel prognosis.

Murtad Ali The problem is not with the people in Bangladesh. The problem is with most Muslims, virtually everywhere. More specifically, their man-made faith. Muslims living in some of the most developed nations like the UK and the US react the same way as the uneducated madrassa going students in Bangladesh. When it comes to comments on their faith, no Muslim can keep a straight face.

As long as Muslims don’t learn like the Christians already have that it is frankly silly to take everything written in these books so literally, people will continue to get killed in the name of their faith.

Dilshad Banu This article should have been only about Babu, Avijit got a lot of coverage as it is. kira Dilshad Banu: Please read the article again. I think you missed the point.

DT

OPINION 13

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

Rana Plaza is still our shame n Shahabuddin Rajon

T

he RMG sector has long proved itself to be a boon for Bangladesh. It is the mainstay of its economy, facilitating its sustained 6%-plus GDP growth over the years. Despite the epic growth of our RMG industry and its bright prospects, challenges are still there. One of the biggest challenges currently faced by our RMG industry is to ensure workplace safety and better working conditions for the millions of garment workers. While we were embarking on a fashionable dream to export $50bn by 2021, the industry was shaken by the Rana Plaza disaster.

Last month, I returned to Bangladesh from Turin, Italy, having finished my post-graduate diploma. I went there on a fellowship and had the opportunity to meet 30 nationals from five continents of the world. I entered the campus with lofty thoughts about Bangladesh’s second position in RMG exports.

The very next day in the orientation, when I introduced myself as a Bangladeshi national, all of my coursemates and teachers from the UK, New Zealand, and Ireland rushed to me and asked about Rana Plaza. Most of them don’t even know of our prime minister, or the famous Shakib Al Hasan. They don’t know about our mangrove forest the Sundarbans, or our longest sea-beach Cox’s Bazar, or even our historic independence.

But they all know about the tragic accident at Rana Plaza. I was astonished. I told them that Rana Plaza can’t be the only example. We have so many success stories about our RMG. Every foreigner I’ve met asked me eagerly:

“What about Rana Plaza? Is everything okay?” I am afraid, and wonder if the whole world thinks of Bangladesh in this way, what will be our future image be?

At present, factory owners are more aware than they were earlier. There is some hope that Accord and Alliance have commented that, with regards to safety, Bangladesh’s RMG sector has improved a lot. But it has a long way to go in case of ensuring proper work environments and complete safety for employees.

The McKinsey summer report 2014 found that Bangladesh remains at the top of the list of apparel-sourcing markets, and is expected to grow further in importance in the next few years. As per their forecast in 2011, Bangladesh was on the radar of all European and US apparel buyers, and is likely to grow nearly three times by 2020.

It is high time for us to ensure complete safety in every RMG unit to regain the global image of the country, and its ultimate impact definitely extends to the RMG industry.

Bangladesh is now on the watch-list.

International buyers and consumers would like to see effective steps in place to help avert a new tragedy. Because of a few grossly non-compliant operators, the whole sector is getting a bad name, and as such, running the risk of losing markets. Under such circumstances, restoring the image of the country’s RMG sector is now an urgent national task.

The government, apparel owners, workers’ representatives, and all others do need to urgently put in their joint efforts to facilitate the sustained development of the industry.

Although, the Rana Plaza and Tazreen

NASHIRUL ISLAM

disasters were the most unfortunate things to happen in the history of our industry, these two incidents were significant wake-up calls for us -- a call for a turn-around and rebuilding the industry, a call for ensuring the safety of our workers, and of ourselves. There has been a paradigm shift in the mindset of entrepreneurs. Tremendous progress has been achieved in safety inspection, awareness, and other occupational safety and health issues.

So, what is our ultimate responsibility to make our garments industry secure? I think the time has come to rethink things, and there is no alternative but to ensure environmental and workers’ safety in the apparel industry for long-term sustainability. By

ensuring safety through combined initiatives from both ends -- garments entrepreneurs and the government -- educating our mid and top level management, and creating homegrown talents through skill-based hands-on experience, we can avoid such unexpected incidents.

Market diversification and duty-free market access by itself does not ensure sustainability of the sector, because many global buyers have said that they are not inclined to import clothes stitched by the blood of innocent workers. l Shahabuddin Rajon is Assistant Deputy Secretary, BKMEA.

A way to challenge US supremacy n Amdadul Haque

T

he Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a regional financial institution proposed by China, headquartered in Shanghai. The new bank’s stated aim is to provide finance to infrastructure projects in the Asia region, ie roads, ports, telecommunication networks, and electricity.

As of April 15, 57 nations, including Bangladesh, have joined as founding members of this giant organisation.

The AIIB is seen as a challenge to the post-World War II economic order set up by the IMF, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank according to various New York-based newspapers. All these institutions are dominated by the US. The initiative of the AIIB appeared first in October 2013 as a reaction to the Chinese government’s failure to increase voting shares in the institutions mentioned above.

It is believed that the ADB’s report in 2009 (Asia would require $8tn in infrastructure to achieve stable growth in the next decade) accelerated the initiative taken for the AIIB. The bank was established with $50bn in capital provided by China, making it $100bn in collaboration with the other member countries. Beijing confirmed that the Bank would commence its regular activities at the

end of 2015.

US analysts strategically evaluate the establishment of the bank in the following ways: China, as the world’s second largest economy, has established the AIIB, taking into consideration its strong presence in the international arena as a superpower and enhanced regional role in the economic and political arena. It desires to wield more control over the funding of projects in Asia as well as in the global arena due to the sizeable gap in infrastructure financing in Asia. Its move demonstrates its ongoing efforts to establish the Renminbi, the Chinese currency, as a global reserve currency on par with the US dollar.

The establishment of the AIIB and the BRICS Development Bank is deemed as China’s largest soft power success through which it has proved that it is willing to take on more leadership and responsibility in the region. Through the bank, Beijing has stretched its active role within developing nations under the name of infrastructural development due to which other powers would compete less with it for its economic influence in the AIIB. China has already invested in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Central Asia. Trade between China and Africa rose to $200bn in 2013, which is more than double of

that of the US, and foreign direct investment has also increased six-fold since 2005.

On the other hand, Washington has been against the initiative from the very beginning, warning its allies to refrain from joining. It opposed the AIIB with allegations of corruption, maintaining lower standards, environmental and security issues, and maintaining Chinese veto power in the institution.

In the Washington Post, Lawrence Summers, the director of the National Economic Council for President Obama, sees the Chinese-led AIIB as a direct challenge to the traditional sources of international funding such as the IMF, WB and other organisations, which are primarily dominated by the US. American international relations experts have delineated on some issues which are posing a threat to the US foreign policy and its interests which can be analysed in the following three ways: Firstly, the AIIB is a “direct threat” to the global economic order dominated by the US. Through this economic leadership, it dominates global financial systems and often forces nations to comply with its will, if economic sanctions are applied as was against Iran, North Korea, and Russia. For Beijing, the future of the ADB and America’s economic role in infrastructural and development projects in the region is crucial.

Secondly, despite being cautioned, the US’s traditional allies like the UK, Germany, France, Australia, and South Korea have applied to become founding members of the bank. This turn by its allies, with whom it has played a vital role against China in many international events, is seen as an isolation and diplomatic debacle for Washington, with the global economic tide shifting from Washington to Beijing.

Finally, the bank is deemed as US’s failure to maintain its “pivot of Asia” policy (remaining a global player in the Asia-Pacific region through its economic, political, and military presence). Experts see the AIIB as part of China's attempt to minimise US economic and political influence. They fear a polarisation between the US and its allies as China increases its geo-economic role in the region.

Last but not least, in agreement with the views of liberal US economists Joseph Stiglitz (a Nobel laureate) and Robert Zoellick (former president of the WB), who consider the present world as multi-polar, I argue that in order to ensure global development, the US should congratulate the Chinese initiative and, keeping its own interests in mind, deal with China via a process of engagement. l Amdadul Haque is a research assistant at the Microgovernance Research Initiative.

DT

14 OPINION

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

The politics of women n Sara Zaker “Was up by sunrise and started the New Year with Robindro Sangeet at Ramna and the Mongol Shobhajatra from Charukola. Can’t even begin to explain how incredible it was -- the colours, the music, the songs of new beginnings, and people dancing on the streets.

Reminded again and again of how wonderful our culture is, and what a bunch we Bengalis are -- people whose lives revolve around food, music, friendship, and fun! Here's to another year filled with all that and more. Shubho Noboborsho!”

T

his is how the day began for a young woman in Dhaka on Pohela Boishakh.

And this is the Pohela Boishakh we have known ... until the incident of the evening that snatched all the beauty away from this colourful day. Not that it didn’t happen in the past (the bomb blast at Ramna Botomul that killed several people who were there to rejoice the new year ... the bodies lay bloodied and lifeless, here and there). This year’s targets were women.

It’s a shame, no doubt. Unless one writes, expresses through any form -- through protests, creativity, or even a status on a social network, the anger keeps burning. So I write -- though it seems like all things will remain the same, and nothing will change.

remained silent, and continued to deny that any such incident had happened that would prompt them to mobilise their forces.

Second, this was not a random hustle and bustle. It was planned. As we heard and saw from the television news, a group of men have been identified. It seems that the incident of the molestation was a planned act of terrorism.

The second alarm is that it rings the bell of doom. Some forces out there are making sure that our secular festivities become dangerous grounds to tread upon. They hack down Avijit in such a mela and they carry out planned molestation on Pohela Boishakh. Do you think any guardian in their right mind would allow his/her daughter to go out on the next Pohela Boishakh?

What is worse is -- the purpose of these radical fundamentalists would be served better when girls and guardians of girls recoil in fear.

No milling around of boys and girls together. By and by, no girls on the streets.

Everybody should stay in their little holes or be forced to wear a burkha for protection?

Would a burkha do much to protect?

“Servants should be seen and not heard,” and for the woman in radical Islam, she should neither be seen nor be heard.

Don’t we need to stand up and strike back?

They talk of women empowerment, they talk of girl’s education, they talk of equal meritoc-

Do you think any guardian in their right mind would allow his/her daughter to go out on the next Pohela Boishakh?

Haven’t women been slaves to men or been considered commodities for years and years?

Till today, to some men, a wife and a cow can be the same, depending on who is more useful.

Walking or jostling down the crowded lanes of Gausia Market, a young woman is bound to be nudged -- a touch here and a squeeze there. Never on Earth can a girl or a young woman take these molestations with a pinch of salt. Sometimes they turn around and hit the fellow hard with their bags, sometimes a sandal is used (if time permits) or one tight slap.

Most of the time she just ignores it. Maybe she tells her friend. The scar remains. The scar hurts for days, months, years even.

Pohela Boishakh, Ekushey February, or Boi Mela, any such national celebrations with swarms of people, can we expect these guys to suddenly become civilised? The sex-starved losers do what they have always done, and will do the same on these days of celebration. While the women ignore them, their scars run deep.

However, what is alarming about the incident that took place in the evening of Pohela Boishakh this year is: First, the police force

racy for men and women, they gloat over women’s earnings through garment industries and microcredit loans. But when such an incident disturbs the very roots of our being and we are at a loss to come up with strategies to curtail this hooliganism -- out of desperation, young boys and girls use foul language to express their anger on social media ... but the policy-makers remain silent.

Why can’t one word be sent out by the prime minister or the opposition leader to indicate that they have zero tolerance for such an incidence? Is it the potential votes that they are counting? Will such a statement make them lose the vote of the radical fundamentalists? What percentage of the population do they comprise? Surely, not more than 50% -- the women’s vote.

If radicalism can stretch its wings and expose its fangs, and thereby make the threat that politicians take into cognisance, then women too can be a force to be reckoned with.

Women want respect, women want safety, women want freedom.

If you want votes, speak for women. Speak up! l Sara Zaker is Managing Director of Asiatic Centre.

BIGSTOCK

16

Iran’s tantalizing oil prize

17

How China is upsetting the old global economic order

19

Stocks plunge on selling spree

Kamal: ADP likely to be Tk1tn in FY2015-16 n Tribune Report The government will increase the annual development spending in the upcoming fiscal year to upgrade living standard of the people.

“Size of the annual development programme (ADP) will be Tk1 lakh crore in the next fiscal year,” said Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal.

The minister came up with the disclosure while briefing reporters after a meeting with the ten highest allocated ministries and divisions and also with ten lowest performed ministries and divisions held at the NEC Conference Room in the city yesterday.

“Of the total spending, Tk20,000-Tk25,000 crore will be spent on mega projects which will be visible at the end of the next fiscal,” said the minister.

He noted that the fund, this time, would

be given to the ministries and divisions taking into account of their respective spending performances in the current fiscal year.

About the implementation of revised ADP for the current fiscal year, he said:“Secretaries of the respective ministries informed that they will be able to spend 100% allocated for them in the revised development spending.”

Kamal said haat-bazzar would be set up in the planned way alongside the highways, as haat-bazars were mushrooming along the busy highways haphazardly.

The planning ministry will also put forward a project in the Ecnec meeting to allocate Tk20 crore for every member of the parliament, said the minister.

For this fiscal year, the government had revised the ADP down to Tk75,000crore, down 6.62% from the original allocation of Tk80,315 crore.

Power division and ministries of LGRD, Water Resources, Defence, CHT Affairs, Education, Road Transport and Bridges, Health, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Home got highest allocation.

According to the revised ADP, the transport sector bagged highest allocation of Tk17,041crore as the government has given the highest priority in this sector.

It was followed by education sector with Tk8,662crore, power sector with Tk7,924 crore, rural development and rural institution with Tk6,982 crore, infrastructure planning, water supply and housing sector with Tk6,838 crore, and health, nutrition, population and family welfare of Tk4,741 crore in the revised ADP. The ADP implementation stood at 43% or Tk36,923crore in the first nine months (July-March) of the current fiscal year, which was 40% in the same period a year earlier. l

Bandwidth export to India not before July Zahidul Islam and Shohel n Muhammad Mamun

The much-awaited internet bandwidth export to Indian eight eastern states cannot be made before July due to challenges facing Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Ltd (BSCCL).

Though the cabinet yesterday approved the cable company’s proposal for signing a deal with its Indian counterpart Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), one more month is required to ink the deal.

“We have already contacted BSNL today (yesterday) after the cabinet meeting and invited them to Dhaka,” Monowar Hossain, managing director of BSCCL, told the Dhaka Tribune.

He said the final deal is likely to be signed

by May 20 though its draft had been made a couple of months back.

Initially, BSCCL will export 10 gigabyte per second (Gbps) through Akhaura under Brahmanbaria district to Agartala, capital of Tripura.

The company has connectivity up to Akhaura but no redundancy. So, before export, bandwidth redundancy needs to be established, sources said.

According to officials in the Submarine Cable Company, they have two other selected points for establishing links with Shillong and Assam points.

Following the meeting, cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hussain Bhuiyan told reporters, “The state-owned BSCCL is going to ink the deal with BSNL under which Bangladesh would supply 10Gbps bandwidth to India on lease and commercial basis. The export capacity could be raised to 40Gbps.”

He said Bangladesh would fetch $1.2 million (approximately Tk9.42 crore) annually by exporting unused internet bandwidth.

“We have calculated that we will earn $1,00,000 every month at the rate of $10 for 1Mbps and it will go up to $4,00,000,” a senior official told the Dhaka Tribune.

Presiding over the meeting, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presented the proposal before the cabinet meeting held in Bangladesh Secretariat, said sources.

They said some senior cabinet members suggested providing free internet for educational institutions rather exporting it.

In reply, the prime minister said her government will reduce bandwidth price for the users and will go for reduced price for educational institutions but not make it free.

As of December 2014, the country used more than 100Gbps international internet bandwidth and BSCCL provided only 32Gbps.

The remaining bandwidth was imported by six International Terrestrial Cable (ICT) from Western part of India.

Monowar Hossain said according to the draft deal they will get payment in US dollar in advance and on every quarterly basis.

“But at the same time BSCCL needs to take the risk of interruption which will cut the tariff,” he added.

The cable company has to bear all tax and other fees if required. BSNL leaves all responsibilities to BSCCL, according to the MoU signed on May 12 last year in Dhaka.

According to sources, India will take more than 100Gbps within the next few years when the second submarine consortium SE-MEWE-5 will be connected with Bangladesh.

The connection is scheduled to take place by 2016. l

20

DT

Business

15

TUESDAY, APRIL 21 2015

‘Graduates mismatch with job market demand’

Biman reinsurance team to visit London from tomorrow n Asif Showkat Kallol A six-member team will stay in London from tomorrow to evaluate the reinsurance process of Biman Bangladesh Airlines for a massive overhaul in the system ensuring transparency and accountability.

The reinsurance of the national flag carrier is currently being done on the Lloyd’s market of London.

“A six-member committee is going to London to evaluate Biman’s reinsurance system,” Bank and Financial Institutions Division Secretary M Alsam Alam told Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Bank Division yesterday issued a circular singed by Assistance Secretary Mitu Mariyam regarding formation of the evaluation committee.

The committee is led by Managing Director of Sadharan Bima Corporation Md Rezaul Karim. Other members include commercial counselor of Bangladesh embassy in the UK, one representative from Bank Division, one representative from reinsurance department of Sadharan Bima Corporation and two representatives from Biman.

The team will stay in London from April 22 to May 4 to complete the re-insurance.

The insurance of all aircraft of Biman is supposed to end on May 14 this year.

Biman sources said the airliner has faced huge financial loss in previous insurance policy in Lloyd market London.

Generally, the reinsurance process has to be done on the insurance market in London through brokers.

There is a massive amount of funds involving the reinsurance practice.

A large amount of premium is charged by the international reinsurance firms against various risks of the planes.

On the other hand, the firms ensure coverage of the risks of a plane from 98 to 99% against its value. Different premium rates are charged by re-insurers according to various risks of an airplane, according to Sadharan Bima Corporation.

Under the international lease conditions, the Biman Bangladesh Airlines has to complete reinsurance with an international re-insurer during collecting lease plane.

Otherwise, the Biman has to pay excess money to purchase or take lease of a plane from the international market if it has no re-insurance coverage.

The domestic air service is facing continued challenges due to poor performance of domestic airlines.

On the contrary, foreign carriers have been driving the expansion of the international market to and from Bangladesh, industry insiders said. l

DT

16 BUSINESS

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

Tk31cr more paid to Rana Plaza victims’ families

n Tribune Report

The Rana Plaza Coordination Committee paid Tk31 crore more in addition to last year payment to the injured and family members of the dead and missing workers of the deadliest factory collapse in 2013.

The payment of Tk31 crore, which is approximately 30% of the estimated $30 million compensation fund, had been made since April 8 of this month.

A total of 2,968 eligible dependents of the dead and missing workers and also the injured had been paid, said a statement of committee.

The payment has also been made for 2,277 dependents of the deceased workers, 282 of those missing and 409 injured.

Iran’s tantalizing oil prize n John Kemp Iran contains some of the largest and most attractive petroleum resources in the world, so any easing of sanctions could have a major impact on oil and gas markets in the second half of the decade.

Iran’s possible re-emergence as a major exporter would force a re-ordering of the world oil market both because of the country’s location on the cost-curve and the quality of its oil.

Iran’s proved oil reserves of 160 billion barrels, almost 10% of the world total, rank it fourth after Venezuela (300 billion barrels), Saudi Arabia (265 billion barrels) and Canada (175 billion barrels), according to BP. The country also has the world’s largest proved gas reserves of almost 34tn cubic metres (18% of the global total), putting it ahead of Russia (17%) and Qatar (13%).

Iran’s petroleum resources are contained in large, conventional reservoirs with excellent geological properties that make them highly productive at a relatively low cost.

Oil has been produced in Iran in commercial quantities since 1908, making it one of the world’s oldest producers.

Production peaked at more than 6 million barrels per day (bpd) in 1974 and although revolution, war and sanctions have been dis-

ruptive, it was still producing 4.2 million bpd as recently as 2008.

Sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union in response to concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme have cut production by around 1 million bpd to 3.4 million since 2012.

Iran consumes almost 2 million barrels a day of crude and refined products - which leaves between 1 million and 1.5 million bpd for export, down from 2.5 million before sanctions were imposed.

If sanctions were eased or lifted as a result of a deal between Iran and world powers, production and exports could rise by between 600,000 and 1 million bpd within a 12-month timeframe.

In the medium term, output could rise by 2 million or even 3 million bpd, depending on prices and the country’s ability to attract investment, source equipment and partner with international majors and service companies.

The first phase of Iran’s return to global oil markets is most likely to occur in 2016 and 2017, with larger increases in production and exports unlikely to occur before 2018 or 2020.

The prospect of higher exports may already be weighing on global oil markets, among other factors, with the back end of the

futures curve slipping in recent months.

Iran’s oil and gas accumulations are the result of organic material deposited on the floor of an ancient ocean, Tethys, around 250 million years ago.

Tethys disappeared with the collision of the Indian, African and Arabian tectonic plates into the Eurasian continent - though remnants are left as the Black, Caspian and Aral seas.

Thick layers of ancient limestone and sandstone deposited on the floor of Tethys were trapped and warped in the collision and became the world’s biggest oil and gas accumulations around the Middle East Gulf.

On the Arabian side of the Gulf, the ancient marine sediments became the giant oil and gas fields of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province as well as adjacent areas of Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

On the Iranian side, where the Arabian plate collided with the central Iranian plateau it created an extensive folded zone and threw up the Zagros Mountains.

These folded structures have been excellent traps for the accumulation of oil and gas and account for Iran’s major oil and gas fields. l John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst. The article was initially published at Reuters.

‘The remaining 30% of awards will be paid to the claimants as soon as funds are available at the Trust Fund’ Last year, the committee paid approximately Tk29.40 crore or 40% of compensation to 2,770 eligible dependents of those either killed in the tragedy or went missing and also to those injured in the collapse.

The payment was made through Dutch Bangla Bank accounts in five separate installments from September to December 2014.

In addition, approximately Tk15.50 crore was paid through bKash as initial payment to those injured, the dependents and the non-injured workers on 23 April 2014.

With the payment of Tk76 crore, the compensation amounted to 70% of the total compensation award approved by the committee.

The total amount for all issued awards is approximately Tk126 crore equivalent to $16.4 million. The remaining 30% of awards will be paid to the claimants as soon as funds are available at the Trust Fund, the statement said.

As part of the entitlement under the ILO Convention 121, the Coordination Committee is about to finalise an arrangement for long-term medical care and allied costs for the injured workers. It is estimated that a total of $30 million, after the deduction of amounts received from Prime Minister Welfare fund, is required for the full payment to the Rana Plaza victims.

On April 24 in 2013, Rana Plaza, which housed five garment factories, a shopping complex at Savar, collapsed, killing 1,135 workers and injuring over 2,500. l

Sonali Bank chairman quits n Tribune Report

Sonali Bank Chairman Habibur Rahman has resigned from his position on Sunday, on excuse of personal ground.

He was learned to have resigned in protest against some lending proposals of large amount, which are under process, violating the rules amid pressures.

“I don’t want to say anything about the irregularities as it is your (journalists) responsibility to dig out what is going on into the bank,” said Habibur Rahman while talking to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“I’ve resigned on personal ground and now it is up to the government to inquire about it.”

On the other hand, as contacted Sonali Bank Managing Director Pradip Kumar Dutta ruled out any irregularity in the bank.

The job tenure of Habibur Rahman was scheduled to expire on December 26 this year.

Loan irregularities are still going on into the scam-hit Sonali Bank even after the Hallmark loan scandal.

The bank recently has written off the loan of the Hallmark group, just violating the existing write off rules. l

MEC, a media investment management company under the partnership between GroupM & Asiatic 360, has recently been awarded one of the top 40 world’s best Integrated Campaigns for IDLC Finance’s Home Loan Campaign by R3, a global consulting firm. A celebratory event was held recently in this regard

DT

BUSINESS 17

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

How China is upsetting the old global economic order

China’s growing power is keeping Washington nervous

n AFP, Washington With its huge new infrastructure bank and its ambitions for a globalized renminbi currency, China is leading the upending of a 70-yearold global order built on American economic power.

Beijing’s rise was confirmed this week at the Spring meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington, the two institutions by which the economic vision of the United States has been propagated across the world since their founding in 1944.

The US-selected president of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, applauded China’s “bold step in the direction of multilateralism” for its new Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, even as many view it as a rival to the Bank.

Kim stressed though that he expects the World Bank and the AIIB will work “very closely” together.

That appeared to pull the World Bank away from its major shareholder: together with ally Japan, Washington has refused to join the AIIB even as nearly five dozen other countries have applied to Beijing to be part.

Beijing moved on the AIIB, which aims to support infrastructure development across the Asia region, as another China-backed project announced in 2014, the BRICS bank, has stalled.

But that institution, planned with fellow emerging economic powers Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa, was designed as well as a challenge to the World Bank and IMF, where the old powers the US, Europe and Japan dominate.

Threat to World Bank?

Critics fear the new development banks will challenge the World Bank in lending to poorer

REUTERS

countries by offering them easier terms and fewer restrictions governing the social and environmental impacts of large projects, undermining standards established to protect vulnerable populations.

The Chinese approach is more pragmatic though, with each institution filling a need, said Christophe Destais of CEPII, the French international economics think tank.

The US Congress has refused to ratify crucial reforms at the IMF laid out in 2010 that would double its funding and recognize with higher shareholder quotas the rise of economies such as China and India Countries are searching for new opportunities in public works and energy, and also for their banks, he said, the latter possibly explaining why US ally Britain rushed to join the AIIB, he said.

For its part, China is seeking “an outlet for its industrial overcapacity” while at the same time aiming “to weaken US influence,” said Destais.

But China is not abandoning the US and Europe-dominated Bretton Woods system of multilateral development banks set up in 1944, however imperfect it is, he said.

“China finds it useful. It has the means to influence it, though still not to shape it,” especially since the US dollar remains the world’s core currency.

But China’s growing power keeps Washington nervous.

Even as new institutions like the AIIB emerge, US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said in a statement Saturday: “I would like to underscore that the IMF remains the foremost international institution for promoting global economic stability.”

Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz said the US hostility to the AIIB is a new sign of its insecurity over its global influence.

US shares blame

But Washington is also at fault in the erosion of its Bretton Woods-based power.

The US Congress has refused to ratify crucial reforms at the IMF laid out in 2010 that would double its funding and recognize with higher shareholder quotas the rise of economies such as China and India.

As the IMF’s largest shareholder by far, Washington has now blocked the reforms for four years, to great criticism from allies and rivals in the world economy.

“This remains an impediment to IMF credibility, legitimacy and effectiveness,” lashed the G-24 group of emerging economies at the IMF-World Bank meetings this week.

The AIIB is not the only front of China’s challenge to the old US-centered global economic structure.

After decades of closely controlling its currency, the renminbi or yuan, China is now moving to internationalize it, and asking that it be included in the IMF’s benchmark basket of major currencies, known as SDRs, or special drawing rights.

That move, which could happen as early as 2016, would officially elevate the yuan to world status and boost China’s prestige inside the IMF. l

Global financial overseer Carney: Risk of sharp reversal remains n Reuter, Washington The world has adjusted well to divergent growth and monetary policy expectations but the risk of a “sharp and disorderly reversal” in financial markets remains, Financial Stability Board Chairman Mark Carney said on Saturday.

“The risk of a sharp and disorderly reversal remains, given compressed credit and liquidity risk premia,” Carney, whose FSB oversees the global financial system, said in a statement to the International Monetary Fund’s steering committee.

Carney, who is governor of the Bank of England, said market participants needed to be mindful of the risk of diminished market liquidity, asset price discontinuities, and contagion across markets.

“The impact of lower commodity prices, a stronger US dollar and moderating economic growth may lead to further challenges for the financial resilience of some emerging market and developing economies, including the risk of capital flow volatility,” he added.

The FSB has agreed on a work plan to identify financial stability risks associated with market liquidity in fixed income markets and asset management activities, he said. It will also address longer-term structural financial stability issues that may arise.

It will discuss its initial findings at its next meeting in September. l

World Bank: Social spending key to lifting national income levels n AFP, Madrid Middle-income economies must increase social spending if they wish to reach the income level of developed countries and end extreme poverty, the president of the World Bank said in an interview published on Sunday.

“We must change the relationship between growth and poverty reduction for growth to have more of an impact. How? It is important to invest in human beings, in health, education, social protection,” Jim Yong Kim told top-selling Spanish daily El Pais.

“In Africa for example, improving the productivity of agriculture is key. To do this you have to invest in energy, transportation .... I am optimistic we can do it,” he added.

The World Bank, a Washington-based international creditor for developing countries, has set the goal of ending extreme poverty lifting the livelihoods of those living on less than $1.25 a day - by 2030.

Kim, who was born in Seoul and moved to the United States when he was five, said South Korea was an example of a nation that had managed to escape the “middle income trap” through increased social spending.

“South Korea started exporting basic goods - black and white televisions, then in colour - and now it exports electronics, they took measures for the second step,” he said.

“But other nations do not do it, especially those that reach the first phase of middle income thanks to raw materials. At this stage, I insist, education is critical. l

DT

18 BUSINESS

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

News, analysis and recent disclosures SIBL: Emerging Credit Rating Limited (ECRL) has assigned the surveillance rating of the Company as AA- in the long term and ECRL-2 in the short term along with a stable outlook to the Company based on financials of the Company up to December 31, 2014 and other relevant quantitative and qualitative information up to the date of rating declaration.

Board Meeting: CENTRALINS on April 24, 2015 at 2:00 PM. CITYBANK on April 22, 2015 at 4:30 PM. ASIAPACINS on April 27, 2015 at 3:30 PM. IPO Subscription: Olympic Accessories Limited Subscription 19.04.2015 TO 23.04.2015, NRB UPTO 02.05.2015. Offer Price per share Tk. 10.00, Market Lot (Shares) 500.

Dividend/AGM AGRANINS: 10% cash, AGM: 30.05.2015, Record Date: 29.04.2015.

ABBANK: 12.50% stock, EGM and AGM: 17.05.2015, Record date for EGM and AGM: 23.04.2015.

IFIC: 15% Stock dividend, AGM: 17.06.2015, Record Date: 20.05.2015.

MERCINS: 10% cash dividend, AGM: 09.06.2015, Record Date: 22.04.2015.

NORTHRNINS: 10% stock dividend, AGM: 13.06.2015, Record Date: 22.04.2015.

CITYGENINS: 10% stock dividend, AGM: 15.06.2015, Record Date: 22.04.2015.

SHASHADNIM: 20% cash and 15% stock dividend, AGM: 21.05.2015, Record date: 23.04.2015.

PROVATIINS: The Board of Directors has recommended 12% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

Date of AGM: 25.06.2015, Time: 10:30 AM, Venue: Bangladesh Co-Operative Book Society Ltd. 125 Motijheel C/A (3rd Floor) Dhaka-1000. Record Date: 04.05.2015. The Company has also reported EPS of Tk. 1.84, NAV per share of Tk. 16.15 and NOCFPS of Tk. 4.57 for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

IBNSINA: The Board of Directors has recommended 30% cash dividend and 5% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 06.06.2015, Time: 9:30 AM, Venue: Emmanuells Convention Center, Shimanto Square Market (Rifles Square) 5th Floor, Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Record Date: 10.05.2015. The Company has also reported EPS of Tk. 5.95, NAV per share of Tk. 31.77 and NOCFPS of Tk. 8.12 for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

BERGERPBL: (Q1 Un-audited): Consolidated Net Income from Jan15 to Mar15 was Tk. 421.22 million with consolidated EPS of Tk. 18.16 as against Tk. 334.40 million and Tk. 14.42 respectively for the same period of the previous year.

IDLC: Emerging Credit Rating Limited (ECRL) has assigned the surveillance rating of the Company as AAA in the long term and ECRL-1 in the short term along with a stable outlook to the Company based on audited financial statements of the Company up to December 31, 2014 and other relevant quantitative and qualitative information up to the date of rating.

Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

Company Sonargaon Tex -Z Zahintex Ind.-N Shampur Sugar -Z United Power-N Midas Financing-Z The Ibn SinaA Dulamia CottonZ Prime Insur -A LafargeS Cement-Z Zeal Bangla Sugar -Z

Closing (% Change) 9.71 9.52 7.94 6.22 6.00 4.95 4.23 4.23 3.52 3.17

CSE GAINER Company Midas Financing-Z Sonargaon Tex -Z City G Insu.-A H.R. Textile -A Zahintex Ind.-N The Ibn SinaA Grameen M F One-A Standard Ceramic -A SonarBangla Insu. -A Imam Button -Z

Closing (% Change) 9.90 9.80 9.76 9.57 9.46 7.62 5.37 4.55 4.41 3.33

DSE LOSER Company Paramount Textile Ltd.-A Fareast Finance-Z AIBL 1st Is. M. F.-A National Housing Fin.-B Zaheen Spinning -N FAS Fin. & Inv. Ltd-B Phoenix Finance-A Prime Islami Life -A BD Finance-A National Feed-N

Closing (% Change) -9.33 -9.30 -8.70 -8.58 -8.52 -8.27 -7.73 -7.50 -7.50 -7.38

CSE LOSER Company Paramount Textile Ltd.-A Fareast Finance-Z Phoenix Finance-A Apex SpinningA S Purbanchol Power-N Zaheen Spinning -N People`s Leasing-A Dacca Dyeing-A Orion Infusions -A G Next Fashions-A

Closing (% Change) -9.79 -9.38 -8.16 -8.09 -7.83 -7.76 -7.69 -7.69 -6.82 -6.72

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

DSE key features April 20, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

DSE GAINER

Sector

4,602.64 103,200,092 120,107

Traded Issues

313

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

83

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

226

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

4

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,456.30

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

29.77

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 161.78 111.98 21.29 627.21 105.21 1357.94 3.15 640.00 565.40 11.46 249.39 11.38 46.00 93.76 171.35 15.30 52.48 149.61 83.87 121.37 2.72

% change 3.51 2.43 0.46 13.63 2.29 29.50 0.07 13.91 12.28 0.25 5.42 0.25 1.00 2.04 3.72 0.33 1.14 3.25 1.82 2.64 0.06

Million Taka 15.77 7.75 1.61 59.25 5.02 151.92 52.32 30.84 1.52 16.06 0.77 5.31 14.32 12.68 1.14 1.88 16.17 13.79 15.43 0.07

Average (% Change) 9.71 9.39 6.07 (3.30) 6.55 5.97 11.97 3.61 2.64 9.36

Average (% Change) 9.90 9.80 2.67 8.24 9.32 7.66 4.91 4.55 3.37 9.65

Average (% Change) -4.56 -9.31 -8.03 -4.57 -0.88 -6.55 -6.60 -5.43 -3.87 -2.16

Average (% Change) -4.47 -9.09 -8.10 -8.14 -4.88 -2.29 -4.12 -4.70 -5.56 -4.27

CSE

ClosingAvg. 11.30 16.08 6.82 205.39 10.58 104.70 7.95 14.93 109.21 6.66

ClosingAvg. 11.10 11.20 13.07 20.35 16.18 104.54 21.60 34.50 14.09 9.20

ClosingAvg. 17.98 11.78 4.24 22.12 21.47 12.26 18.41 45.28 11.44 23.55

ClosingAvg.

% change 3.72 1.83 0.38 13.99 1.18 35.86 0.00 12.35 7.28 0.36 3.79 0.18 1.25 3.38 2.99 0.27 0.44 3.82 3.25 3.64 0.02

18.16 11.70 18.03 70.40 48.29 21.30 16.06 12.37 44.48 12.78

Closing 11.30 16.10 6.80 211.70 10.60 103.90 7.40 14.80 108.90 6.50

Closing 11.10 11.20 13.50 20.60 16.20 104.50 21.60 34.50 14.20 9.30

Closing

DHIGH 11.30 16.10 6.80 214.80 10.80 108.00 7.80 15.50 110.30 6.90

DHIGH

DHIGH

DLOW 11.10 11.20 12.80 19.70 15.70 102.90 21.60 34.50 14.00 9.20

DLOW

19.10 12.50 4.40 22.80 22.70 13.00 19.50 48.10 12.10 24.80

DHIGH

17.50 11.60 18.00 70.40 47.10 20.20 15.60 12.00 43.70 12.50

Million Taka 177.55 119.73 22.90 686.46 110.23 1509.86 3.15 692.33 596.23 12.98 265.46 12.15 51.31 108.08 184.03 16.44 54.36 165.78 97.66 136.79 2.79

11.30 15.60 6.40 195.30 10.30 101.00 7.10 14.60 106.00 6.30

11.10 11.20 13.50 20.60 16.20 106.60 21.60 34.50 14.30 9.30

17.50 11.70 4.20 21.30 20.40 12.20 17.90 44.40 11.10 22.60

Closing

DLOW

17.40 11.70 4.20 21.10 20.10 12.10 17.50 44.10 11.00 22.40

DLOW

19.10 12.00 19.00 70.40 52.20 22.50 16.80 13.00 47.40 13.50

Total

17.50 11.60 17.80 70.40 46.60 19.80 15.50 11.90 43.50 12.40

% change 3.53 2.38 0.46 13.66 2.19 30.04 0.06 13.77 11.86 0.26 5.28 0.24 1.02 2.15 3.66 0.33 1.08 3.30 1.94 2.72 0.06

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

1.463 18.913 0.015 606.842 0.096 30.804 0.007 2.374 51.089 0.008

Turnover in Million

-0.84 1.03 -52.72 7.11 -3.24 5.95 -4.02 2.41 2.43 -46.80

Latest EPS

0.028 0.077 0.014 0.025 4.719 0.404 0.011 0.002 0.063 0.021

Turnover in Million

-ve 15.6 -ve 28.9 -ve 17.6 -ve 6.2 44.9 -ve

Latest PE

-3.24 -0.84 1.59 1.36 1.03 5.95 1.50 0.52 1.77 -1.48

Latest EPS

13.932 5.109 0.216 1.144 26.020 0.812 3.697 1.949 5.252 12.667

Turnover in Million

Latest PE

-ve -ve 8.2 15.0 15.7 17.6 14.4 66.3 8.0 -ve

Latest PE

1.84 1.88 0.11 1.97 1.32 1.27 1.64 4.95 0.69 1.37

Latest EPS

1.178 0.831 0.191 0.005 2.917 6.073 2.696 0.242 1.515 5.057

9.8 6.3 38.5 11.2 16.3 9.7 11.2 9.1 16.6 17.2

Latest PE

1.84 1.88 1.64 2.28 4.60 1.32 0.97 1.04 1.84 1.84

9.9 6.2 11.0 30.9 10.5 16.1 16.6 11.9 24.2 6.9

CSE key features April 20, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

423.61 10,568,653 20,481

Traded Issues

237

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

66

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

164

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

7

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,380.62

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

28.86

DT

BUSINESS 19

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

Stocks plunge on selling spree n Tribune Report

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company United Power-N Shasha Denims -N Khulna Power-A WesternMarine -N Ifad Autos -N ACI Limited- A MJL BD Ltd.-A SAIF Powertec-N Agni Systems -A Grameenphone-A

SummitAlliancePort.-A Shahjibazar Power-N Square Pharma -A Baraka Power-A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A

VolumeShares 2,954,622 6,327,348 3,015,894 3,342,333 1,946,818 282,023 1,042,640 1,786,449 3,972,526 361,175

Value in Million 606.84 282.30 197.35 165.02 152.79 143.92 134.91 133.80 124.52 120.85

% of TotalTurnover 13.18 6.13 4.29 3.59 3.32 3.13 2.93 2.91 2.71 2.63

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

1,839,277 587,352 286,684 2,147,247 1,963,694

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company United Power-N Ifad Autos -N WesternMarine -N Shahjibazar Power-N Shasha Denims -N MJL BD Ltd.-A LafargeS Cement-Z SAIF Powertec-N UNITED AIR-A BD Submarine Cable-A

BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Agni Systems -A Jamuna Oil -A ACI Limited- A Khulna Power-A

451,472 273,838 347,409 94,988 339,545 96,204 110,576 148,555 1,244,753 84,836

286,362 278,364 39,942 15,677 113,725

105.02 102.09 73.50 68.94 61.52

92.54 21.01 17.14 16.38 15.02 12.48 12.16 11.09 9.76 9.73

9.07 8.73 8.06 8.02 7.45

2.28 2.22 1.60 1.50 1.34

21.85 4.96 4.05 3.87 3.55 2.95 2.87 2.62 2.30 2.30

2.14 2.06 1.90 1.89 1.76

ClosingP 211.70 44.00 64.10 47.90 77.50 498.90 126.70 73.00 31.10 332.00

55.50 166.20 256.00 31.20 30.60

ClosingP

Change % 6.22 -4.56 -2.88 -6.81 -3.25 -5.69 -4.31 -4.70 1.30 -2.06

-1.42 -2.12 0.04 -4.29 -4.08

Change %

212.60 77.50 47.80 164.70 43.60 126.90 109.70 72.60 7.60 112.90

30.80 31.20 197.20 501.60 64.20

7.05 -3.49 -6.64 -2.60 -4.39 -3.86 3.30 -4.97 -5.00 -2.34

-3.45 2.97 -1.84 -4.75 -2.73

ClosingY 199.30 46.10 66.00 51.40 80.10 529.00 132.40 76.60 30.70 339.00

56.30 169.80 255.90 32.60 31.90

ClosingY

198.60 80.30 51.20 169.10 45.60 132.00 106.20 76.40 8.00 115.60

31.90 30.30 200.90 526.60 66.00

DHIGH 214.80 45.80 67.50 51.90 82.00 536.90 133.50 77.00 31.70 340.10

58.70 184.00 258.50 33.20 32.10

DHIGH

215.00 81.90 51.50 183.00 45.40 134.30 111.50 76.70 8.20 117.80

32.50 31.80 205.70 528.30 67.50

DLOW 195.30 43.50 63.80 46.80 76.80 494.30 125.30 72.20 30.90 330.00

55.10 165.00 255.70 31.00 30.40

DLOW

194.00 76.20 46.90 163.80 43.00 126.20 108.70 71.30 7.50 112.00

30.60 30.90 196.20 495.00 63.50

AvgPrice 205.39 44.62 65.44 49.37 78.48 510.30 129.40 74.90 31.34 334.61

57.10 173.82 256.37 32.10 31.33

AvgPrice

204.98 76.72 49.35 172.46 44.25 129.76 109.97 74.66 7.84 114.71

31.67 31.37 201.81 511.35 65.47

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

4308.44831

(-) 1.49%

1634.38612

(-) 1.32%

13260.29030

(-) 1.27%

10810.61640

(-) 1.64%

8070.37120

(-) 1.57%

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

Stocks suffered a sharp fall yesterday, after remaining flat over the last several sessions, as investors went on a selling spree.

The benchmark index DSEX tumbled 65 points or 1.5% to 4,308, dragged down by mainly financial institutions and textiles sectors that lost more than 3% each.

The Shariah Index DSES was down 11 points or 1% to 1,054. The comprising blue chips DS30 declined 22 points or 1.4% to 1,634.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, shed 121 points to 8,086.

Trading activities also took a hit after remaining buoyant in the last two consecutive sessions. The DSE turnover was Tk460 crore, which was 18.3% lower over the previous sessions.

Newly listed United Power Generation and Distribution Company Ltd topped the turnover chart for the tenth consecutive session with turnover worth Tk60.7 crore, accounting for 13.2% of the total turnover.

Trading also remained highly concentrated on top ten most active scrips, which made up 45% of the total turnover.

Market fell across the board as out of 311 issues traded, share prices of 48

gained, 241 declined and 22 remained unchanged.

Non-banking financial institutions experienced the highest correction in the session, losing 3.5%, followed by textile 3.2%.

Telecommunication slipped 2%, banks 1.2%, pharmaceuticals 0.8% and power 0.7%.

Cement, however, was the only fortunate sector that survived from the selling frenzy, rising 1.3%, led

by Lafarge Surma Cement Limited that rose 3.5%.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, shed 121 points to 8,086 IDLC Investments said optimistic portion of the market had nightmare of a day, watching stocks to plummet while exit options were closing down amid plunging turnover.

After United Power, other leading trading companies in terms of value were Shasha Denim, Khulna Power Company Limited, Western Marine Shipyard, IFAD Autos, ACI, Mobil Jamuna and Saif Powertech. l

ANALYST

Optimistic portion of the market had nightmare of a day, watching stocks to plummet while exit options were closing down amid plunging turnover

DT

20 BUSINESS

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

‘Graduates mismatch with job market demand’ n Tribune Report

An incongruity between the country’s education system and job market demands lead to a higher unemployment rate, speakers told a seminar in Dhaka yesterday.

They observed that every year a great many new graduates add to the existing number of unemployed youths.

The observation came at a workshop titled “Opportunity out of Crisis” jointly organised

by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and MIL-Leadership in International Management.

The objective of the workshop is to address the current business crisis and bring out the best opportunities from it.

“The number of unemployed graduates is increasing day by day in Bangladesh because of the country’s education system that is incongruous in the job market setting,” said Hossain Khaled, President of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

In Bangladesh, every year almost half the total number of graduates enters the job market, but they hardly get jobs akin to their field of study while the rest stay unemployed, added Khaled.

Currently, 47% graduates in Bangladesh are unemployed according to a special report of world renowned British magazine, The Economist.

“Employers struggle to find suitable university graduates, while university graduates don’t pair with skills in demand,” said Ahmed Sheikh Asif, country director of LIM-Leadership in International Management, in his keynote presentation.

There is a teaching or learning gap and the curriculum is inadequate or a mismatch for the workplace, said Ashif.

He also said applicants have low skills in English literacy, computers, communications, problem solving and entrepreneurship.

The goal is to introduce unique models for education and awareness to increase student

exposure to employment and increase employability to work with the government and industry to create jobs in focused segments, he added.

The trade consultant suggested some development areas including ICT, alternate energy, hydroelectricity, road and rail infrastructure, tourism, manufacturing and lowcost housing.

Referring to political violence, Khaled said: “Bangladesh has a great potential to bounce back, but the key challenges to accelerating growth are maintaining political stability and resolving the remaining uncertainties.”

The number of unemployed graduates is increasing day by day in Bangladesh because of the country’s education system that is incongruous in the job market setting

To bring back business confidence, political stability is essential for enhancing growth and creation of employment, he said, adding that Bangladesh will of course require removal of obstacles such as infrastructural bottlenecks, institutional weakness and political instability.

LIM LLC is working to create compatibility between education and employment and develop entrepreneurs, identify the missing skills and knowledge among employees and facilitate new modules for focusing on industry segments. l

DT

21

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

k

igstoc

:B Photo

T-JUNCTION

h c e T ble drib

INSIDE

22

basketball diaries

Tall tales

23 review

BlackBerry Leap

24

on the web

A world without border news

Bangladesh’s firtst platform

DT

22 T-JUNCTION

Tourney

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

height matters

Tall tales Bigger and better

n Chisty Rahim With Yao Ming knocked kneed to the ground and with dunk after dunk in almost every match, 5’7” Nate Robbinson was a rising star back in 2013. Without a doubt he is an animal when it comes to his athletic abilities. On entering Madison Square Garden, he started off on the bench cheering for his team till the day came when he made 34 points against Brooklyn in the playoffs of 2013. And what an awesome performance it was!

And then there is Damon Stoudamire whose impact on the whole NBA world left everyone in wonder. This rookie of the year ’96 was only 5’10” and had already won hearts with his lightning speed and high range in jump while earning the title “Mighty Mouse.”

To name a few more, there was Muggsy Bogues, who was the shortest and the fastest player in the NBA with a height of 5’3”; Slater Martin, a player in Minneapolis Lakers team, won four NBA championships between 1950 and 1954. But let’s not forget Calvin Murphy who is well known for taking down the 6’9” giant Sidney Wicks and making him bleed through the nose during a confrontation.

In our country, a 5’7” player dunking on the court is a miracle! The average height of an NBA player in today’s league is 6’7”. But the bar is much lower in our country. Most players below six feet cannot even touch the ring.

short players have time and again proven themselves to be quite dangerous in the court as well. I have seen them streaking in between giants making their way towards the ring effortlessly. But those players were experienced and well trained. Being a six footer myself I think it’s much easier for a tall player to get a score as all they have to do is take a jump shot. But short players can’t do that. Without an effective fade away shot or a fake they get blocked or miss the shot,” laughingly remarks Tarek Aziz, post guard of

Being a six footer myself I think it’s much easier for a tall player to get a score as all they have to do is take a jump shot.

But short players can’t do that. Without an effective fade away shot or a fake they get blocked or miss the shot

and the only six footer to be able to perform a dunk.

So, there you have it! Height does matter and it’s a gift to cherish if you are a dedicated basketball player. But to those who do not posses this advantage and find themselves amidst oblivion, you can always make up for it with determination, focus and passion. l

In my numerous years of experience as the coach for the national basketball team, I have seen the Afghan basketball team, the Indian basketball team and even the Chinese basketball team.

“Basketball is a game of height, which mainly involves reaching up as far as possible and throwing the ball through the hoop.

Height is obviously an advantage for any player in this game. In my numerous years of experience as the coach for the national basketball team, I have seen the Afghan basketball team, the Indian basketball team and even the Chinese basketball team. They all have tall point guards and post guards; a fact which always created a bit of a challenge for my team. Teams with the tallest players in the court always get the rebounds. So a tall player has always been considered an asset in this sport,” states Md. Wasif Ali, National Team Coach.

“Height is an important factor but

you can get ‘em!

“I have been playing since 2006 and I always had difficulty facing players who are taller than I am. For example when we played against India, they had two seven footers guarding the post and I almost always had to take an outside shot because getting in was virtually impossible. So to overcome that, I have been practicing for a long time, mostly doing weight trainings to increase my range of jump and build my core energy,” says Soyab Khan, National Team basketball player

Bangladesh National Basketball team.

It’s apparent that players who are taller and have a larger built have an advantage in strength and in almost every other attribute of this sport. But in most cases, they lack in speed and agility. Some even lack the skills of dribbling the ball properly. They have a harder time moving swiftly across the court with the ball still in their hands. But is that all that matters in the game of basketball?

Other dynamics such as ball handling, agility and speed are also taken into account.

On the other hand, shorter players complain about how the ring is too far above them to reach and how hard it is to dribble past a tall player. But the fact of the matter is, it all comes down to skills: if you’ve got ‘em,

I have been playing since 2006 and I always had difficulty facing players who are taller than I am

T-JUNCTION 23

DT

Gadgets

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

review

Young and restless BlackBerry is now targeting young professionals

n Mahmood Hossain This might have gone under the radar of many, but the new BlackBerry Leap is trying to cater to the younger generation. While the older players of the game continue their businesslike loyalty to the physical keyboards on their BlackBerry handsets, the younger might be inclined to the all-touch display on Leap. The target market wit this new handset happens to be for the young professionals.

This Leap, however, isn’t too big of a leap, which isn’t a bad thing. What we mean by that is it possess a 5-inch, 720p touchscreen. Yes, all the other leading smartphones are boasting a 1080p and some with larger displays, but BlackBerry is hoping to keep their signature intact. BlackBerry has never been about flash or bells and whistles. They are professionals, that’s their forte. Design wise, the Leap follows in a similar mold of past Xperia and Nokia phones.

The new device will be running BlackBerry OS 10.3.1, which has made little tweaks here and there regarding the look and feel. There are a few new features and manages background apps in a more convenient way. The same

can be said about its multitasking abilities, naturally improving from older models. Consumers have always had one real major complaint about BlackBerry and that’s their lack of apps.

But on a phone that is all about productivity and organising, the more popular apps across platforms can be accessed now.

BlackBerry 10 devices can now run certain Android apps so there won’t seem to be a need for unnecessary data consumption.

With all that said, BlackBerry is not getting rid of their physical keyboards. It would be unheard of; it’s like Apple losing it’s brilliant ecosystem. You might even assume the new Leap to be light, but it feels chunky even at 9.4 millimeters thin. Again, it should feel as if you’re holding a solid phone and ready for work. With a 2.800mAh battery (about 25 hours of battery life), 1.5GHz dualcore Qualcomm 8960 processor, the navigation is pretty darn smooth. Not to worry, the insides

seem well-tuned.

The phone will be available in Europe from April 29, and soon after Leap will be in the global market. It will cost about $300 USD so

you can make your estimates from there. We’ll give this a thumbs up, especially for those career driven 20 somethings. l

troubleshoot

Through the wash Even your earphones need a spring cleaning

n Mahmood Hossain Dealing with headphones is one thing, but your trusty-travel pals, the earphones can get really dirty. This is no secret and you best not be surprised. Imagine all the oils and ear wax that has been built up on your earphones. It’s a terrible imagining, and something we can no longer avoid. But it’s not just about being clean or keeping it dirty. The built up, disgusting remnant can actually disturb the quality of the audio.

The impact of the sound deteriorates over time, so it’s best to keep your headphones and earphones clean on a regular basis.

• • • • •

This is what you’ll need and what you need to do, in order to clean your head devices properly: Dish with soap and warm water Soft cloth Toothbrush (Obviously not the one you use for your teeth) Small towel

Directions: 1.

After you’ve gathered all the supplies, wet the cloth in the soaped

2.

3.

4.

water. It’s important to not completely soak it but to make it a little damp.

Don’t forget we are still dealing with electronics here, the less water the better.

Now remove both the ear pads or the tips, if possible. This lets you thoroughly wipe down each of the ear pads, without having to drip water directly into your headphones.

Gently wipe down each headphone pads or in-ear tips with the damn cloth.

Now, for the debris and residue

Photo: Bigstock

5.

6.

department. This where an old toothbrush comes into play. It’s easy to brush away the grime that is left over.

After brushing, gently wipe the rest of the headphone or earphones with the damp cloth.

Like anything else that’s been washed, it’ll need some air drying

time. Once it’s dry you can attach your pads and tips back onto your head pieces.

It’s a real simple process and habit that we should all take up. And certain brands might have particular procedures written on their websites on how to clean their products. Give it a try and do some Google searching, if need be. l

DT

24 T-JUNCTION

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

Tech

on the web

A world without borders n Ishtiaque Mahmud You don’t often hear a couple of guys from Bangladesh going all the way to Silicon Valley and not only making a name for themselves, but doing it in 100 countries all over the world. In a recent chat with Fahim Masoud Aziz and Sakib Hassan aka Sauro, the brains behind Backpack, we discovered what drove them to such heights of success.

Backpack provides a hassle-free, secure and cost-effective online overseas shopping experience and the way it works is delightfully simple. Let’s say you want to buy a camera and you know it’s unavailable in Bangladesh. You log on to backpackbang. com, find your camera, register, order, and make payments via credit card, paypal or Bkash. On the other end, a Backpack registered traveler is about to make a trip to Bangladesh with some idle luggage space, so she purchases the camera for you, lands in your country and delivers it to you by notifying you to pick it up from a designated spot. What’s in it for the traveler you ask? She just made $300 for her troubles.

If you wish to become a traveler, simply enter traveler information, receive and carry products, and deliver them and earn money. If you are concerned over security issues, Backpack ensures safety on three levels. Firstly all the product requests and communications happen through Backpack and their system closely monitors the behaviour of users. Secondly, the items that travelers carry are digitally screened through their system and finally, there isn’t any cash involved. On top of these three levels of safety measures, they also have a $10,000 traveler guarantee to keep travelers protected.

Initially, Fahim and Sauro wanted to

build something clever and fast. After brainstorming through a few ideas, Backpack felt like the perfect, primarily because it solved a major problem they had both faced in the past – little or no access to products they need from beyond the border.

Furthermore, having lived in the US for three years, they also saw the potential of utilising travelers in the way Backpack does now.

The final plunge, however, came from the users. It was early in February 2014 that they had built the site in a week and made it live in virtually no time. Simply forwarding the link of the site to a couple of friends and asking for feedback ushered in tens of thousands of people from over 80 countries.

They received many feature requests and started working on them and the current Backpack started taking shape from a simple 5-6 page web-app.

Managing both travelers and shoppers may seem like a near impossible task, but these two entrepreneurs make sure the connection flows fluidly. They solve logistics problems with statistical inference models, machine learning systems and relevant algorithms. “We tell the traveler how much luggage space the product would occupy and even go as far as to show them a 3d model of their luggage with the product inside it.”

From the get go, with Fahim and Sauro it was all about vision and lightning speed execution. “On the road to success, you are bound to make mistakes,” says Fahim “We simply decided to drill through all our mistakes as quickly as possible and put them behind us.” As it turns out they don’t hold much faith on theories. “With us, you’re either passionately neck deep in the real time facts and feedbacks, or you’re not here at all.”

Backpack’s philosophy is deeply rooted in delighting users. They use a system called

Net Promoter Score (NPS) to measure how happy their users are on a scale of 1 to 10 and where they can improve. “I’m extremely happy to say that all transactions received a perfect 10 score in the month of March,” said Fahim with a smile.

Currently they are focusing on getting the products in the hands of shoppers within seven days. When one orders something from eBay in the US, it often takes more than two weeks whereas through Backpack, shoppers can get something from halfway around the world in half the time - the experience is magical. On the other hand, they have already implemented their $300/ trip programme - every traveler that goes through Backpack makes $300 if approved.

“There is a pleasure in doing something with a keen attention to detail; we never wanted to build a run-of-the-mill company, we have always hoped to create a work of art.

With the fruition of our dreams, Backpack will improve people’s lives on a more fundamental level, the way lives changed with the introduction of google, electricity or the wheel. Eventually, our vision is to create a community of shoppers with unlimited access to any product from any country; borders will become an obsolete concept as far as they are concerned.” l

Photos: Courtesy

news

GIONEE grand launch in Bangladesh

GIONEE, one of the China’s largest mobile manufacturer companies, has officially launched in Bangladesh for the first time.

GIONEE Grand Launch in Bangladesh event was held on April 19, 2015 in Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden. Global Director of Sales, GIONEE, Mr. Frank and Managing Director, Mr. Fidel along with honorable guests, business partners, journalists and valuable patrons were present on the occasion.

Since 2011, the GIONEE brand moved rapidly to expand its presence into India, Nigeria, Vietnam, Taiwan, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines, and so on. After

triumphin 42 countries GIONEE has finally put its mark in Bangladesh. GIONEE exports 1.5 million phones per month to overseas market.

GIONEE always put the intelligent innovation which compliments and enriches the fashion-style statement, ahead of everything. GIONEE has its own Product Designers, R&D Team and Manufacture Plant.

Primarily GIONEE is launching 6 products in Bangladesh, starting from Feature Phones to Flagship Products.

GIONEE’s new Flagship Product ELIFE S7 will be now available in different stores around the country.

GIONEE logo has been launched in a startling way; the products have been showcased through innovative Fashion Choreography. An Experience Zone was set for the guests to get familiar with all the products. An outstanding performance by famous singer MILA added flavor to the event.

GIONEE hopes the journey will be an exciting one. l

Bangladesh’s first platform

This year on Pohela Boishakh Bangladesh got its first social networking platform og0. It has been specifically designed to serve the populace of Bangladesh. The software caters to a wide segment of the local market and is aimed at increasing the use of internet for communications.

As the first local social platform that is

designed and operated completely by home grown Bangladeshi engineers it includes special features that allows users to make calls even in low signals, even where 3G is not available. Such robustness of the program will allow for multiple usages while effectively setting the stage for a deep rural reach. One of the goals behind the creation of og0 is to increase data usage and internet all over the country and especially in the deep rural pockets.

With this application Bangladesh has firmly stepped into a new era in digitized communication. This local application is currently allows only voice calls, chat and group chat. However, plans for exciting new features are already in the pipelines. The company behind this bold new venture is Inter cloud. A company run by Bangladeshi techno entrepreneurs who harbor a far sighted vision of a fully digitzed Bangladesh. The app can be downloaded from Google’s Play Store & iOS. l

Lancashire batsman Liam Livingstone has smashed a world record 350 in just 138 balls during Club Championship game against Caldy.

He smashed 34 fours and 27 sixes

Sport 26

AFRIDI, SHEHZAD AND TANVIR ARRIVE FOR T20I

YOUNG AND RESTLESS

27

SUNNY NOT SURPRISED WITH SERIES WIN

29

25

DT

350 IN ONE DAY!

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

DJOKOVIC ADDS ANOTHER MASTERS TO HIS SERIES

Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed (L) waits outside the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel yesterday while Sabbir Rahman and Rony Talukder enjoy a ride inside the team hotel MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Matured Tigers come of age n Minhaz Uddin Khan Bangladesh’s sensational 2-0 ODI series triumph over Pakistan has been lauded by the country’s entire cricketing fraternity and more than anything, the cricket-mad public are delighted with the fact that the Tigers have come of age in recent times.

The series win over Pakistan provided a lot of cherishable memories to the Bangladesh fans. The Tigers registered their first win over the opposition, across all formats, in 16 years and had to wait only two days before posting another victory to seal the series. The series win meant Pakistan became the fourth Test-playing nation after Zimbabwe, New Zea-

land and the West Indies to concede an ODI series defeat to the Tigers.

Gone are the days when Bangladesh depended on a couple of star players in order to eke out a win. The emergence of several performers have given new hope to the supporters and the series win over Pakistan has no doubt ushered in a new era for Bangladesh cricket.

Previously, Bangladesh were unable to follow up an impressive series performance with another one. This was clearly evident in the 2007 ICC World Cup when the Tigers reached the Super Eights only to lose their next four series against India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and South Africa.

It was, therefore, imperative for the Tigers

to prove that their quarter-final appearance in the 2015 ICC World Cup was no fluke as they headed into the bilateral home series against Pakistan.

Everyone, including Bangladesh ODI skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza, were eagerly waiting to see if the Tigers could replicate their World Cup performance in the Pakistan series.

However, if the first two ODIs are anything to go by, the Tigers have turned around a corner. The Bangladeshi cricketers’ changed mentality and attitude were noticeable for all to see and their professional approach after winning the second ODI comprehensively was indeed a breath of fresh air.

Ace all-rounder Shakib al Hasan correctly

predicted that the home side would start as favourites in the Pakistan series but even a determined cricketer like him would have been amazed at the clinical manner of the Tigers’ victories.

Compared to all the Test-playing nations, Pakistan were perhaps the Tigers’ only nemesis as the latter came up short in almost all of the matches. However, the past is very much forgotten now as the new-look Tigers have shown that they will be anything but pushovers from now onwards. And Pakistan should be careful for if they do not improve drastically, and soon, they might not take anything out of the remaining ODI and Twenty20 international, let alone the two Test matches. l

DT

26 Sport

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

Pakistan Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi, Ahmed Shehzad (top-right) and Sohail Tanvir (bottom-right) arrive at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Pakistan quartet arrive for T20I n Minhaz Uddin Khan Four Pakistan cricketers, including Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi, reached Dhaka yesterday ahead of the solitary T20 international against Bangladesh, slated for this Friday in Mirpur.

The Pakistan International Airlines flight carrying the four cricketers – Afridi, Ahmed Shehzad, Mukhtar Ahmed and Sohail Tanvir – reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:15pm. However, it took the quartet

Shakib al Hasan Banglalink, Singer, Lifebuoy and many more Tamim Iqbal Grameenphone, Fair & Lovely Max Fairness, Kaymu and many more Mashrafe bin Mortaza Kool, Godrej, Booster Biscuits and many more Mushfiqur Rahim Goldmark, Grameenphone Mahmudullah Heidelberg Cement, Alooz Chips Nasir Hossain Grameenphone, Glaxose D Mominul Haque Avira Antivirus, Foodpanda Rubel Hossain Robi Anamul Haque Grameenphone Taskin Ahmed Grameenphone Soumya Sarkar Foodpanda

more than two hours to reach the team hotel due to heavy traffic.

The home side have already secured the three-match ODI series 2-0 with the third and final game still to be played. Consequently, the Pakistan ODI squad are dejected but Afridi opined that he saw it coming.

“I am not surprised at the way Bangladesh played in the first two matches. They have been playing well for some time now so they are in good momentum, especially in their bowling,” Afridi told the media yesterday.

The big-hitting cricketer added that the Pakistan ODI squad contain young players and insisted that they should be given more time before expecting good results from them.

“This is a young team. They need more time, so you have to give them more time,” said Afridi.

The 35-year-old cricketer did not waste a single second after answering these two questions and rushed to the elevators. His parting words were: “I will talk more in the field. See you guys.” l

Tigers’ brand value at an all-time high n Mazhar Uddin

Ever since their brilliant performance in the recently concluded 2015 ICC World Cup, the Bangladesh cricketers have been undoubtedly the first choice when it comes to the private firms choosing a representative or ambassador to promote their product.

The Tigers followed up their impressive World Cup appearance with a convincing ODI series victory and as a result, the Bangladesh cricketers are now the hottest and biggest celebrities of the country, backed up with a huge fan following.

The companies, however, have changed their mindset as far as their recruitment process is concerned.

Previously, the organisations preferred ace cricketers like Shakib al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal to showcase their product. Later, dependable players like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mashrafe bin Mortaza were also added to the roster but in recent times, the trend has

changed completely as the companies started choosing young and aspiring cricketers to champion their cause.

Mahmudullah emerged as the new superstar after smashing scintillating back-to-back centuries in the flagship event. Following his World Cup heroics, Mahmudullah was duly rewarded as he was associated with a cement company.

Rubel Hossain, who was one of the World Cup’s success stories, saw his popularity rise to an all-new-level as he was signed up by a renowned mobile operator. A new television commercial showing Rubel breaking a stump while bowling has created a lot of buzz among the Bangladesh fans.

The Tigers’ newest batting sensation Soumya Sarkar and the diminutive Mominul Haque were not left behind either. The duo signed a contract with global online food-ordering market-place Foodpanda. As part of the agreement, Soumya and Mominul will sport the Foodpanda colours on their bats.

According to Zubair Siddiky, managing

director of Foodpanda, it is no surprise that the Bangladesh cricketers are being chosen for several organisations, given their performance in the World Cup. “Ever since their brilliant performance in the World Cup, the companies are now more willing to get associated with the Bangladesh cricketers as they are the most popular celebrities of the country. The cricketers have a huge fan-following which helps the firms to promote their brands,” Zubair told Dhaka Tribune yesterday. Zubair added that more companies will come forward with lucrative offers if the Tigers can maintain their level of performance.

The Tigers’ popularity is at an all-time high.

Moreover, the cricketers’ fame will also rise to a new level through the branding of different products. The Bangladesh cricketers seem to be enjoying being associated with the organisations and long may it continue because if more and more companies come forward with their offers, it only means that the Tigers have been performing consistently. l

DT

Sport 27

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

QUICK BYTES

Sunny not surprised with series win

BCL longer-version begins today The third edition of the Bangladesh Cricket League longer-version will get underway today when defending champions Prime Bank South Zone take on BCB North Zone in Fatullah. The opening four-dayer will commence at 9:30pm. The first-class competition will be played in accordance with the single-league format with the top team of the points table emerging as champions. The second four-dayer between Islami Bank East Zone, winners of the first-ever BCL one-dayers, and Walton Central Zone will be played in Chittagong from April 30-May 3.

– Tribune Desk

n Mazhar Uddin

No fracture for Silva Manchester City playmaker David Silva has not suffered any fractures despite appearing to have sustained a serious injury last weekend, the English champions said Monday. Silva was carried off on a stretcher midway through the second half of City’s 2-0 Premier League win at home to West Ham on Sunday after being caught in the face by an elbow from Hammers midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate. Before he was taken off, Silva was treated on the field at Eastlands for several minutes, raising concerns about the severity of his injury. But Silva himself moved to calm fears over his fitness by tweeting late on Sunday: “Many thanks to all the messages of support, all the tests have gone well and I’m already home.

– AFP

Nabi steps down as Afghanistan skipper Mohammad Nabi has stepped down as captain of the Afghanistan national cricket team after more than two years in the job, citing his own poor form and the team’s performance. “I have served Afghanistan’s national team as captain for more than two years. I tried my best to bring victories to our team and the nation,” he wrote in his letter to the Afghanistan Cricket Board.

“Given the recent performance of the team and particularly my out of form status, I would like you to accept my resignation as captain and allow me to continue to play as a team player.”

Afghanistan made their World Cup debut under Nabi’s captaincy this year, making their mark with a historic one-wicket win over Scotland.

– AFP

Zidane, Ronaldo team up in UN Ebola fundraiser Football idols Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo will lead a star-studded team in a friendly match on Monday aimed at raising money to help Ebola-hit Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The 12th annual “Match Against Poverty”, organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will be contested in France between French club AS Saint-Étienne and a team of past and present international players. Former France captain Zidane and renowned Brazilian striker Ronaldo, both UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors, will be joined by Ivorian Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, retired Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf and ex-Brazilian captain Cafu. “We are delighted to play a part in helping people, communities and countries get back on their feet after the damage that Ebola has caused,” Ronaldo said. The Ebola epidemic is believed to have killed more than 10,600 people and infected 25,791 in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

– Reuters

Bangladesh spinner Arafat Sunny speaks to the media at the team hotel yesterday

MI MANIK

Abahani, Muktijoddha maintain winning run n Shishir Hoque Abahani Limited and Muktijoddha SKC continued their unbeaten streak in the Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League, defeating Team BJMC and 10-man Sheikh Russel KC respectively at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

It was a comfortable victory for the Sky Blues as two national players – Shahedul Alam Shahed and Abdul Baten Majumder Komol – etched their names on the score-sheet in a 2-0 win over Team BJMC while Enamul Haque carried on with his amazing run of form to score again, enabling the All Reds to their fourth consecutive victory following a narrow 2-1 victory over Sheikh Russel.

The first half ended 1-1 but the scenario of the game changed completely when Sheikh Russel were reduced to ten men only three minutes into the second half as juvenile midfielder Hemanta Vincent Biswas received his marching orders.

In-form skipper Enamul netted his fourth league goal to put Muktijoddha ahead in the 21st minute. The former national striker volleyed home past Sheikh Russel goalkeeper Mamun Khan following a Rokonuzzaman Kanchan cross from the right flank.

The delight lasted for only eight minutes though as Sheikh Russel converted their only chance of the game to bring parity. Cameroonian forward Paul Emile equalised with a neat header from a Zahid Hossain free-kick.

Talented winger Zahid has now assisted all of Sheikh Russel’s four goals in three matches.

Sheikh Russel, however, received a blow right after resumption as they were reduced to ten men. Hemanta was shown his second yellow card for a malicious tackle on Egyptian Fekri Zeida. Muktis soon took advantage, courtesy Camara Sarba, who sealed victory in the 63rd minute. Receiving a cross from Saydul Haque, the Senegalese forward scored past the onrushing Mamun.

RESULTS Sheikh Russel

1–2

Paul Emile 30

Team BJMC

Muktijoddha Enamul Haque 21 Camara Sarba 63

0-2

Abahani Shahedul Alam Shahed 32 Abdul Baten Komol 37

TODAY’S MATCHES Farashganj SC v Rahmatganj MFS, 4:15PM Brothers Union v Mohammedan SC, 6:30PM Meanwhile in the day’s other match, the Sky Blues dominated the entire game on their way to a 2-0 win over Team BJMC. Abahani were all over their opponents with their neat passes, lovely ball-control and eye-catching build-up.

Abahani grabbed the lead in the 32nd minute through Shahed who unleashed a scorcher from outside the penalty area. Abdul Baten Komol made it 2-0 just five minutes later after a brilliant defence-splitting lobbed pass from Nasir.

Abahani are third with 10 points, two less than second-placed Muktijoddha, while Sheikh Russel remained at sixth with five points. Team BJMC are eighth with one point from four matches. l

Bangladesh might have clinched the threematch ODI series against Pakistan with a game remaining but the Tigers did not go over-board with their celebrations following the comprehensive seven-wicket win in the second ODI in Mirpur last Sunday.

Left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny, one of the most consistent bowlers for the Tigers having taken four wickets from the first two ODIs, reasoned that although they are happy with their achievement, they are still hungry for more success.

“We are not amazed after beating Pakistan as we knew if we play our best cricket we can beat any side in the world. We never planned any celebration and we are all focused on the third game. It may bring us harm if we get overjoyed with our success. Quite a few series are coming up. The more we get habituated with wins, the better it will be for us in the future,” Sunny told the media at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel yesterday.

“We are not thinking about the whitewash.

Rather, we just want to play good cricket,” he added. l

Ferrari revived, but Mercedes retain control n AFP, Manama Buoyed by the a revitalised driver pairing and a much-improved power unit, Ferrari have breathed new life into Formula One’s world championship battle this year – and appear ready to make it stick.

The Italian team, which ended a two-year win drought when Sebastian Vettel won the Malaysian Grand Prix, saw the ‘ice man’ Kimi Raikkonen roll back the years on Sunday with a resurgent second place behind championship leader Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes in the Bahrain Grand Prix.

This form has lifted them into a strong second place in the constructors’ championship behind champions Mercedes and set up the prospect of a thrilling title fight as the series heads back to Europe next month for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Finn Raikkonen, 35, who won the championship with Ferrari in 2007, has rekindled his own form and blended with new boy, fourtime champion Vettel this season.

And, for many observers, including Ferrari team chief Maurizio Arrivabene, he is showing the performance levels that will lead to him earning a new contract with the scarlet scuderia.

But talk of Ferrari catching and passing Mercedes in overall performance on a consistent basis may well be premature.

Ferrari are planning another major upgrade to their power package for the Canadian Grand Prix in June.

Raikkonen, on current form, not only deserves another year at Ferrari, but could emerge as a title contender, according to Arrivabene whose hands-on approach to his job has revived team spirit. l

DT

28 Sport

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

Croatia doctor blames Carlo for Modric injury n AFP, Zagreb

(From L to R) Barcelona’s Iniesta, Neymar, Montoya, Messi, and Rakitic attend a training session at Joan Gamper training camp yesterday

Croatia’s national team doctor blames Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti for Luka Modric’s latest knee injury.

“Carlo Ancelotti is guilty for Modric’s troubles,” Croatia’s chief medical officer Boris Nemec told the Sportske Novosti daily.

Modric’s latest setback comes after a fivemonth injury lay-off.

And Nemec said: “Although Luka was out for competitive football for months, ever since he returned he (Ancelotti) was forcing him at every match. He did not spare him at all, on the contrary he burdened him.”

Nemec, a prominent knee expert, added: “The injury is the consequences of the tiredness.” Real Madrid said on Sunday that the tests carried out on Modric by the club’s medical team have diagnosed a sprain in the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

The tests were carried out after Modric suffered a heavy blow to his knee in a challenge with Malaga midfielder Recio on Saturday. l REUTERS

Barcelona keen to show PSG no mercy Bayern face make-or-break ‘final’ against Porto of the season, told Barca’s website. n AFP, Barcelona “The philosophy and the spirit of the team Barcelona defender Dani Alves has warned his side against complacency when they host a Paris Saint-Germain side bolstered by the return of key personnel through suspension to the Camp Nou on Tuesday.

Two goals from Luis Suarez took Barca to the brink of a seventh Champions League semi-final in eight seasons as they romped to a 3-1 win in the first-leg of the quarter-final tie in Paris last week.

However, a late own goal from Jeremy Mathieu offered the French champions a glimmer of hope as they welcome back top-scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic and midfield maestro Marco Verratti.

“We will not speculate with the result because we don’t know how to,” Alves, who has been linked with a move to PSG come the end

is to challenge for every ball as if it was the last.

“We cannot think about our advantage, but just control the game and look to score from the first minute. That is the only way to overcome PSG.” Barca remained on course for a treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Valencia on Saturday thanks to goals in the first and last minute from Suarez and Lionel Messi, who registered his 400th goal for the club.

And Luis Enrique’s men will also have key players back available as Alves returns after he too missed the first-leg through suspension, whilst Andres Iniesta is expected to overcome the back bruising he suffered at the Parc des Princes in time to feature.

It would take a remarkable turnaround for

PSG to progress to the semi-finals for the first time since 1995 as Barca haven’t lost at home by more than one goal for nearly two years, when Bayern Munich rounded off a historic 7-0 aggregate thrashing of the Catalans with a 3-0 victory at the Camp Nou. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola admits Tuesday’s European quarter-final, second-leg, tie against Porto is effectively a “final” for Bayern Munich with the injury-hit Bavarians staring down the barrel of a Champions League exit.

Bayern’s dream of repeating their 2013 European, league and cup treble was left in tatters last Wednesday when Ricardo Quaresma poached two early goals before captain Jackson Martinez grabbed a late third to seal Porto’s 3-1 win in the first-leg at the Estadio do Dragao.

In four previous attempts, Bayern have never over-turned a two-goal deficit in Eu-

ropean competition and Guardiola knows his side face an uphill task at the Allianz Arena.

To compound his problems, Guardiola has eight players on the injury list which comes after team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt dramatically quit last Thursday after 40 years with Bayern, citing a deterioration of faith in the medical staff.

Bayern certainly need a tighter defensive display having fallen foul of Porto’s pressing game.

Porto remained second in the Portuguese league as coach Julen Lopetegui made nine changes for their 1-0 win at Academica on Saturday to rest his first-choice side as winger Hernani’s first-half goal settled the matter.

Porto also have a crucial week as they head to Munich before facing Portuguese leaders Benfica next Sunday with Lopetegui’s side only three points behind the Lisbon giants. l

Gladiators keep on winning in basketball n Shishir Hoque Dhaka Gladiators posted their second successive victory in the Citycell Federation Cup Basketball Championship 2015 outplaying Wraiths by a colossal 122-29 points at Dhanmondi Basketball Gymnasium yesterday.

The victors led the first half 75-5. Shoyeb and Bappi caged 43 and 23 points respectively for the Gladiators.

Meanwhile last Sunday night, the Gladiators began their campaign with a comfortable victory of 78-48 points over Bakshibazar Club.

Shoyeb and Shaon netted 32 and 18 points respectively for the Gladiators while Abdullah and Fardin scored 11 and seven points respectively for the losing side.

In the other match, Hornets defeated Rangers by 77-53 points with Moshiur and Morshed scoring 21 and 19 points respectively. l

Bangladesh Football Federation senior vice-president Abdus Salam Murshedy (C) shakes hands with Nurul Islam Khasru, head of marketing and sales, Channel 9 at the BFF House yesterday. As part of the agreement, Channel 9 will telecast the matches of the Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League 2014-15 season

DT

Sport 29

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

Djokovic adds another Masters to his series in Monte Carlo n Reuters, Monte Carlo

Young cricket player dies in Kolkata after fielding collision n Reuters, Mumbai Tragedy struck Indian cricket on Monday when a 20-year-old player died as a result of a freakish on-field collision with a team mate during a club match in the eastern city of Kolkata.

Four months after Australia cricketer Phillip Hughes died after being hit by a bouncer, Ankit Keshri, a former captain for his state’s under-19 team, battled for three days before passing away at a Kolkata hospital.

“It’s so unfortunate. He was such a promising cricketer and for him to pass away in such a manner is difficult to swallow,” Subir Ganguly, the joint secretary of the state’s cricket association, told Reuters.

Keshri, a right-handed batsman and leg-spinner, came on as a substitute fielder for his club and collided with a team mate as both players went for a high catch. He briefly lost consciousness but was resuscitated by a team mate, following which, he was rushed to hospital.

According to doctors, Keshri’s condition was stable but he suffered a cardiac arrest around midnight on Sunday and died early on Monday morning, officials of the state association said.

In November, Hughes passed away at the age of 25, two days after he was struck in the neck by a bouncer with the incident sparking a massive outpouring of grief across the world. l

DAY’S WATCH Sony Six 8:30PM Indian Premier League Rajasthan v Punjab

Ten Action 12:45PM UEFA Champions League QFs Leg 2: Barcelona v PSG

Ten Sports 12:45PM UEFA Champions League 2014/15 : QFs Leg 2: Bayern v Porto

Star Sports 2 5:30PM AFC Champions League Beijing Guoan v Brisbane Roar

Star Sports 4 5:30PM ATP World Tour 500 2015 Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell

Novak Djokovic continued his awe-inspiring run of form to claim the Monte Carlo Masters title on Sunday with a 7-5 4-6 6-3 win over Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych.

The Serbian world number one became the first player to clinch the opening three Masters titles of the season after he triumphed in Indian Wells and Miami, notably seeing off nine-times French Open champion Rafa Nadal in Saturday’s semi-final.

Berdych, however, was no pushover in the final of the first tournament of the European claycourt season, which will culminate at Roland Garros from May 24-June 7.

“I thought I won this match with my heart and with battle,” said Djokovic.

“That’s how I feel like I won it. I don’t think I’ve played on the level that I wish to play and that I have played throughout the whole week.

“But also credit to Tomas, because he has played very aggressively, staying close to the line, pushing me back. So I had to defend a lot of times.”

Coming into the match with a 2-18 win-loss record against Djokovic, Berdych had little to lose and he started brightly, stealing the Serbian’s serve in the first game with a nice backhand winner down the line, allowing his opponent only two points in the first two games.

But the Czech started to make unforced errors and in no time Djokovic had moved from 3-1 down to 5-3 up.

Berdych kept battling and levelled for 5-5 after reeling off six points in a row in a see-saw contest that left Djokovic’s coach, Boris Becker, sliding back into his seat.

The Serbian’s rhythm, however, was too

Novak Djokovic kisses his trophy after winning the final against Tomas Berdych at the Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco on Sunday REUTERS much to handle for Berdych, who saved two set points before cracking on the third, sending a backhand into the net after Djokovic had sent him chase the ball in every corner of the court.

Berdych had his chance in the fifth game of the second set as he set up three break points but he wasted two of them with unforced errors and Djokovic saved the third with a service winner.

He won that game and the match was interrupted by rain for about 70 minutes.

Inter denied, Lopez heroic in derby stalemate n AFP, Milan

RESULTS

Inter Milan were denied a second-half penalty and AC Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez performed heroics as an entertaining ‘Derby della Madonnina’ finished scoreless on Sunday.

Inter, sitting a point behind Milan in 10th place as both teams continue their battle for a place in Europe, completely dominated an entertaining second half at a packed San Siro.

But despite a strong penalty shout after the ball came off the hand of Milan defender Luca Antonelli in the box, Roberto Mancini’s men were forced to settle for a share of the points.

Inter are now eight points behind Sampdoria in the last Europa League spot with seven games remaining and although he was quick to praise Lopez, coach Roberto Mancini said the hosts were robbed.

Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi admitted Inter shaded the match but refused to be drawn on the penalty incident.

Mancini left both Lukas Podolski and Xherdan Shaqiri on the bench, with Ivory Coast teenager Assane Gnoukouri making his first derby start on the right of a three-man midfield alongside Gary Medel and Mateo Kovacic.

Inter Milan Sassuolo

0-0 1-1

Berardi 45+1-pen

Chievo

AC Milan Torino

Udinese

Pellissier 39

Empoli

Cesar 71-og

2-2

Maccarone 32, Tonelli 45

Palermo

Parma 2 Lodi 19, Belfodil 73

2-1

Genoa

Chochev 9, 30

Roma

Falque 52

1-1

Totti 3-pen

Cagliari

Spurs’ hotshot Kane equals Lineker’s 30-goal season n Reuters, London

Quagliarella 59-pen

1-1

Atalanta Denis 23-pen

0-3

Berdych broke for 4-3 on his third opportunity after putting Djokovic on the back foot and he took the set after winning 15 of 19 points on his first serve.

His form then nosedived as Djokovic raced to a 4-0 lead in the decider, but Berdych then clawed back one of breaks and even had another chance to break in the seventh game.

But once again, the Czech made unforced errors and was powerless to stop Djokovic from closing it out on his serve. l

Napoli

Callejon 24, Balzano 45+1-og, Gabbiadini 59

Milan started without Keisuke Honda with striker Mattia Destro also on the bench following an injury last week that meant Suso started up front alongside Menez and Bonaventura. l

Harry Kane was the toast of Tottenham Hotspur once again as the England striker scored his 30th goal of the season in their 3-1 Premier League win against Newcastle United on Sunday.

The 21-year-old has reached that total in all competitions, including 20 in the Premier League, and is the first Spurs player since Gary Lineker in 1991-92 to reach 30 in a season.

Kane, who has been nominated for the PFA Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year awards, has become a fans’ favourite at White Hart Lane this term, lauded as “one of our own” after coming through the youth ranks since the age of 11.

Kane also scored 80 seconds into his England debut as a substitute in a 4-0 win over Lithuania at Wembley last month. The youngster showed his killer instinct in front goal at St James’ Park, scoring the third against Newcastle.

Sixth-placed Spurs are level on 57 points with Liverpool in fifth having played a game more and Pochettino is pleased they are still competing for a European place with five games left. l

DT

30 DOWNTIME

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Uproar (6) 5 Little devil (3) 7 Had a victory (3) 8 Meal (6) 11 Mild explosion (3) 12 Domestic pig (5) 14 Unbleached linen (4) 16 Army chaplain (5) 18 Ignominy (5) 20 Lacerate (4) 21 Headwear (5) 23 Vestment (3) 24 Exact satisfaction for (6) 27 Anger (3) 28 Female sheep (3) 29 Northern Ireland (6)

DOWN 1 Rope-splicing pin (3) 2 Beard of barley (3) 3 Eat (7) 4 Once more (4) 5 Obstruct (6) 6 Condiment (6) 9 Irritation (4) 10 Tear (3) 13 Talks much about little (7) 14 Leak out (6) 15 Mob (6) 17 Chimed (4) 19 Period of time (3) 22 Wicked (4) 25 Fish trap (3) 26 Do wrong (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 9 represents H so fill H every time the figure 9 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

CALVIN AND HOBBES

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

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

DT

SHOWTIME 31

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

Shomi to return to the small screen

CELEBS ON SOCIAL

Denise Richards @DENISE_RICHARDS The duck that’s been swimming in our pool had babies!!

Robert Downey Jr @ RobertDowneyJr Many Avengers assembled here at @MTV to bestow the Generation Award upon me.

Many thanx for the good clean fun!

n Showtime Desk After a two year hiatus, Shomi Kaiser has confirmed her return to the small screen with a telefilm titled Onumuti Parthona.

Directed by Chayanika Chowdhury, the telefilm brings Shomi Kaiser and Mahfuz Ahmed together, 10 years after they were

Stand-up Comedy Show

last paired.

Anisur Rahman Milon and Mithila arealso confirmed to work in the telefilm.

They intend to begin shooting in Nepal next month.

Talking about her latest venture Kaiser said: “The story seems very appealing to me. Usually I only feel interested to work

Jalal’s Story in Iran’s Fajr International Film Festival

n Tribune Report Performers: Naveed Mahbub, Yamin Khan Venue: Caspian, 3rd floor, RM Centre, 101 Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan, Dhaka 1212 Date: April 23, 2015 Time: 7:30pm Info: 01755618541 Organiser: Naveed’s Comedy Club

in telefilms that have worthy co-actors.”

The telefilm, adapted from a foreign story and scripted by the director herself, will be aired on NTV during Eid-ul-Fitr.

The Shomi-Mahfuz pair last worked in a TV play titled Tomake Chhuye, Chowdhury’s directorial venture, which was aired on NTV in 2005. l

Independent Bangladeshi filmmaker Abu Shahed Emon’s debut film Jalal’s Story has been selected for screening and competing in the prestigious 33rd Fajr International Film Festival in Iran. The festival will take place from April 25 to May 2 this year.

Among movies submitted from 87 countries, Emon’s film is one of the lucky selections in Fajr this year.

Earlier, Jala’s Story was awarded by the Asian Cinema Fund 2014, from the Busan International Film Festival

and premiered in the prestigious New Currents section of the festival.

The film also made its way to the 45th Goa International Film Festival and the 7th Jaipur International Film Festival.

In Jaipur, it received the award for Best Débutante Director.

Jalal’s Story, a Boutique Cinema project of Impress Telefilms, has got its censor certificate and is scheduled to be released in Bangladesh soon.

Mosharraf Karim, Touqir Ahmed, Moushumi Hamid, Shormi Mala, Arafat Rahman and Emon comprise the cast of the film. l

Chris Hemsworth @chrishemsworth .@Avengers #PressTour with these legends: @ ChrisEvans @ RobertDowneyJr

WHAT TO WATCH TELEVISION Constantine B Movies Now, 9:30pm Constantine tells the story of irreverent supernatural detective John Constantine, who has literally been to hell and back.

Casts Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Djimon Hounsou, Max Baker The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers A HBO, 8:30pm While Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron’s new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.

Casts Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, Viggo Mortensen, Andy Serkis Spider-Man 3 CStar Movies, 4:09pm A strange black entity from another world bonds with Peter Parker and causes inner turmoil as he contends with new villains, temptations, and revenge.

Casts Tobey Maguire, James Franco, Kirsten Dunst, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace

DT

32 BACK PAGE

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015

KAMAL: ADP LIKELY TO BE TK1TN IN FY2015-16 PAGE 15

STOCKS PLUNGE ON SELLING SPREE PAGE 19

MATURED TIGERS COME OF AGE PAGE 25

Mayoral hopefuls meet Dhaka, unveil visions Al-Masum Molla with Abu n Mohammad Bakar Siddique and Abid Azad All of the mayoral hopefuls at the “Meet Dhaka” debate organised by the Dhaka Tribune and ATN News at the Krishibid Institute agreed that political leadership was crucial to building a liveable Dhaka city.

Among the northern contenders, the city government concept was a source of considerable debate.

While Dhaka city’s first elected mayor Mohammad Hanif coined the city government concept, he did not succeed in getting it implemented.

BNP-backed mayoral candidate Tabith M Awal, Bikalpadhara-backed candidate Mahi B Chowdhury, Gono Sanghati-backed candidate Zonayed Saki and CPB and BSD-backed candidate Abdullah Al Kafi all favour the city government concept.

But Awami League-backed candidate Annisul Huq said close coordination with the government was sufficient for making the city habitable and modern. He said it was not the right time to form a city government.

At the “Meet Dhaka” programme, participants briefly described their reasons for contesting the polls and then the floor was opened to the audience to ask questions determined by Facebook and SMS polls.

Annisul Huq said: “I never dreamt of running for mayor of a city corporation. I decided to join the elections after getting the proposal of the prime minister and receiving her assurance of

support in implementing my plans for the city.”

Regarding waste management, Annisul said he planned to recycle and also generate some 100 to 130MW of electricity as a by-product.

Tabith, indirectly addressing the issue without directing his comments at anyone, said: “It is not possible to produce electricity because the moisture content of city garbage is high.”

Annisul said his experience running several businesses prepared him for the job while Tabith said he had worked for Dhaka city for the last 15 years. Mahi, Saki and Kafi said the mayoral post was political and required political experience.

Contenders for the top job in the south also

exchanged views and answered questions.

Dhaka South City Corporation mayoral aspirant Sayeed Khokon pledged to transform the city into a more liveable metropolis within a year.

Southern candidates stressed the importance of improving the quality of the city’s water supply, public health, waste management and sewage facilities.

Tackling traffic congestion, restoring playgrounds and building recreation centres also figured prominently on the candidates’ agendas.

Dhaka South contenders Jatiyo Party-backed Saifuddin Ahmed Milon, independ-

ents Golam Mowla Roni and Shahidul Islam, Awami League-backed Sayeed Khokon, Bangladesh Nationalist Front-backed Shafiullah Chowdhury and Communist Party-backed Bazlur Rashid Firoz took part in the debate.

Golam Mowla Roni said he would decrease red tape, Shafiullah Chowdhury focused on the city’s water logging problem.

Shahidul Islam favoured increased surveillance using CCTVs to fight crime and terrorism in the city.

Bazlur Rashid Firoz favoured the restoration of canals which he said were a natural drainage system during the rains. l

Khokon to inspire reduction of vehicles

Tabith banks on his own youthfulness

Annisul to recycle waste to power

Saki, Mahi promise to form city government

Dhaka South City Corporation mayoral hopeful Sayeed Khokon said he hoped to implement a comprehensive plan for the city corporation to be undertaken in consultation with urban planning specialists.

He said he would try to inspire city-dwellers to reduce their dependence on motor vehicles and encourage them to use bicycles instead.

Khokon said this would also help make Dhaka city a green city.

“By relocating hawkers to specifically designated areas, I will clean up the footpaths to make things easier for pedestrians,” he added.

The ruling party-backed mayoral candidate for Dhaka South said of the 57 public playgrounds in the city, only 13 were accessible by the public. The rest had been illegally grabbed and occupied.

Khokon pledged to restore all playgrounds grabbed illegally to public use.

The contender for the DSCC mayorship pledged to make the city more habitable within a year, if he is elected. l

Dhaka North mayoral candidate Tabith M Awal played the demographic card at the pre-election debate yesterday.

Playing to the gallery of young voters, he stressed his relative youthfulness, saying he had a fresh vision for the city. But he added that he had significant experience.

“I have worked in different sectors, including politics, for the last 15 years,” he said at the “Meet Dhaka” debate organised by the Dhaka Tribune and ATN News.

Tabith pledged to advocate a recycle and reuse waste management policy. The 36-year old said he would work with WASA to solve problems with water and sewage services.

“If elected, skywalks will be constructed to allow smooth movement for passengers,” said the advocate of bus bays and public transport use.

Slamming the Pohela Boishakh sexual assaults, he said: “This cannot be tolerated.

Public opinion must be mobilised, so this does not happen again.” l

Besides his self-confidence as having long-time administrative experience in running several business outlets and chambers of commerce, Dhaka North mayoral candidate Annisul Huq pinned his hopes on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s blessings in the city corporation polls.

“I never dreamt of becoming a mayor. I only joined the race after I got the proposal from the prime minister.

“She gave me assurances that I will get all sorts of support in implementing my plans to make Dhaka city liveable,” Annisul said.

Annisul said he planned to recycle the city’s wastes which might even generate 100130MW electricity. He promised to ensure coordination among various city authorities to resolve water-logging.

Annisul disagreed with fellow contenders on forming separate city governments, saying it was not yet the proper time for that.

He wants to opt for such arrangement after all government initiatives fail. l

Dhaka North mayor candidates Mahi B Chowdhury and Zonayed Saki have expressed their commitment to forming a city government if they were elected to office in the April 28 polls.

They said only a city government would be able to solve problems that are political and bureaucratic in nature.

“The election has come when the city dwellers are passing a moment of crisis caused by the two major political parties. So, people now want a change for a better liveable Dhaka,” said Saki.

“We need to remove wastes from our political practice to create a clean and beautiful Dhaka.”

Mahi said: “The nation is going through a 20-year cycle. There has been a change every 20 years. So, this young generation now wants a change as the two major political parties have put the country into a deep crisis.” l

Mayoral aspirants of Dhaka North City Corporation engage in a battle of words as they speak during a mayoral debate in the capital’s Krishibid Institution auditorium yesterday RAJIB DHAR

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