22 April, 2015

SECOND EDITION

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

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Boishakh 9, 1421, Rajab 3, 1436

EC DECIDES TO DEPLOY TROOPS PAGE 3

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 11

| www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages plus 8-page Treehouse | Price: Tk10

AL, BNP FILE CASES OVER KHALEDA ATTACK PAGE 5

IS LEADER BAGHDADI HURT IN AIR STRIKE PAGE 32

Eight slain in dramatic bank heist n Abid Azad and Nadim Hossain Seven people were killed by bank robbers and 11 injured in the Ashulia industrial area near Savar yesterday.

Another man, one of the robbers, was beaten to death by an angry mob that got hold of two of the gang. The other was rescued by police in critical condition.

Those killed by the robbers are bank manager Waliullah, 45; security guard Badrul Alam, 38; client Palash, 48, a businessman; Munir Hossain, 60, who sells snacks near the bank; Zillur Rahman, a local shopkeeper; Zamir, 38, resident of the Kuturi area; and Nur Mohammad, 35, local rice trader.

Witnesses said that around 2:30pm, a team of eight to 10 armed robbers came in front of the Kathgarha branch of Bangladesh Commerce Bank Limited located in the Hazi Nazimuddin Super Market in Ashulia. Three entered the branch while the rest waited outside.

Police said those who entered the branch asked the manager to give them cash. When he refused, they held the bank staff at gunpoint and snatched Tk6,94,225. Of the amount, Tk1 lakh was taken from one of the clients and the rest from the bank’s cash.

When the hostages tried to resist, the robbers hacked them, killing manager Waliullah, security guard Badrul and client Polash on the spot.

As area residents learned that a robbery was taking place inside the bank, they  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

RAB, Detective Branch and CID officials seal off the Kathgarha branch of the Bangladesh Commerce Bank in Ashulia yesterday after a robbery attempt there that left eight people dead MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Khaleda: Shots fired to kill me Government flouts rules to n favour software vendor Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday claimed that the shots fired during Monday’s electoral campaign for mayoral candidate Tabith M Awal at Karwan Bazar were intended to kill her.

“The shots were fired with the intention of killing me. My car still bears marks of the bullet,” Khaleda said yesterday while on the campaign trail for Mirza Abbas, the Dhaka South mayoral candidate backed by the BNP, at Chamelibagh in the capital.

Khaleda Zia was riding in the car she claims to have been hit by a bullet.

Apparently referring to the ruling Awami League, she said: “They thought the BNP would not participate in the city corporation polls. But the BNP is participating, and seeing

PAGE 2 Bapex seeks EoI for onshore gas hunt

the people’s response, the government has gone mad and attacked me.”

The three-time former premier said: “Awami League and Chhatra League goons are involved with the Ashulia bank robbery. If you want peace, please vote for Mirza Abbas.

If you want an end to women’s repression, cast your votes for the BNP-backed candidates.”

Terming the capital a polluted city, Khaleda said: “This city has turned into a city of filth and mosquitoes. There is no water, gas or electricity in the city. To change to this situation, cast your votes for our candidates.”

Seeking votes for Abbas, she said: “Abbas is like a son to me. I lost my husband. I lost my son a few days ago. I have came to seek votes despite the pain of losing my son.

PAGE 4 Abbas’ bail hearing deferred

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

n Muhammad Zahidul Islam In a clear violation of public procurement rules, the government has recently bought software from a firm cancelling an open tender and depriving four other renowned developers.

Sources said that the optical character recognition (OCR) software could have cost the government less had it been procured through open tendering.

In fact, the Access to Information (A2I) project under the Prime Minister’s Office already has fully working OCR software. It would have cost the ICT Division nearly 30 times less had they used that instead of asking a software

PAGE 9 ‘Climate change is an existential threat’

firm to develop a new one.

OCR is a special software that allows anyone to convert scanned PDF and images into editable Word, Text and Excel outputs.

According to documents accessed by Dhaka Tribune, earlier this year, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division purchased three software packages – one for OCR and the others for text-to-speech conversion – at a cost of Tk6.34 crore from a company named Team Engine.

Before that, without citing any reason, the ICT Division defied a Finance Ministry directive by cancelling an open tender in which four renowned software firms – who

PAGE 11 Lahore court acquits Mumbai attack planner Lakhvi

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PAGE 32 Female voters demand better commute

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2 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

Bapex seeks expressions of interest for onshore gas exploration n Aminur Rahman Rasel

State-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) has invited expressions of interest from international oil and gas companies to jointly carry out the exploration and development of several geological structures.

Bapex hopes to explore a number of well-defined four-way anticline closures – Patiya, Jaldi, Kasalong and Sitapahar – situated in Chittagong and the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

“We invited expressions of interest (EoI) aiming to explore oil and gas from reputed in-

ternational oil and gas companies to explore and develop four potential onshore gas structures in gas block 22, in the greater Chittagong region,” Bapex General Manager (Geological Division) Md Mijanur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“Bangladesh does not have the funds or technical capacity to explore these structures.

So we are opting for a joint venture. The EoI will be submitted by May 28,” he said.

“Patiya was drilled during the early 50s, Jaldi in the mid-60s and Sitapahar in the late 80s. All of them were considered encouraging, while Kasalong was ready to be drilled as

well. These prospects are located very close to the industrial gateway and port city of Chittagong, which is an assured gas market that has existing gas transportation infrastructure,” he added.

“It is worth mentioning that most of the power generation plants in Bangladesh are gas based and that current gas production does not meet demand,” he added.

Earlier, several state-owned global oil giants – China National Offshore Oil Corporation and Sinopec, Thai PTTEP and Russian Gazprom – all showed interest in striking joint venture deals with Bapex.

A Bapex invitation for EoI in 2010 met with interest from Sinopec. The EoI to drill a series of wells in greater Chittagong to explore gas under the Speedy Supply of Power and Energy (Special Provision) Act 2010 was later cancelled.

Bapex currently has just one joint venture with Canadian Niko Resources. Together, they developed Feni Gas Field, but production has been suspended because of a payment dispute. They also undertook drilling at Chhatak.

The country’s lone state-owned oil and gas exploration firm has so far discovered seven gas fields – Saldanadi, Fenchuganj, Shahbazpur, Semutung, Sundalpur, Srikail and Rupganj. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Khaleda: Shots fired to kill me “Abbas could not come to his own campaign as the government has filed false cases against him. I have come here on his behalf to seek your votes.”

At the Polwel Market, Khaleda told businessmen there: “You cannot do business because of extortion. There is no security in the country right now.”

When Khaleda’s motorcade came in front of Fakirerpool, a few miscreants threw bricks at the motorcade, but no one was hurt.

Khaleda along with the party’s Vice-Chairman Selima Rahman came out of her Gulshan residence around 5:15pm and went to Shahjahanpur to canvass for Mirza Abbas, who has been in hiding. Abbas’ wife Afroza Abbas has been campaigning for him.

Khaleda’s security forces were on the microbus damaged from Monday’s attack; a police van was also with the motorcade.

When the motorcade reached Shahjahanpur, hundreds of leaders and activists of the BNP welcomed her standing on both sides of the road.

BNP briefs diplomats on Monday’s attack

The BNP meanwhile briefed the diplomatic corps on Monday’s attack on Khaleda’s motor-

cade.

Diplomats from the UK, Russia, France, Australia, Canada, Turkey, Japan, Singapore, Denmark, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, India, Pakistan, the European Union and several other countries visited Khaleda at her Gulshan office yesterday afternoon.

BNP standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan, Khaleda’s adviser Sabihuddin Ahmed and the party’s International Affairs Secretary Gias Kader Chowdhury were present.

The BNP briefed the diplomats on Monday’s incident and then showed them the vehicles damaged from the attack.

Neither the diplomats nor the BNP leaders, however, said anything to the media about the meeting.

Meanwhile, Adarsha Dhaka Andolon convener Emajuddin Ahamed also alleged yesterday that Monday’s attack had been launched in a planned way to assassinate Khaleda Zia. “The attack was planned to kill Khaleda Zia. Shots were fired at parts of the vehicle where she was sitting. Luckily, it was a bullet-proof vehicle,” the former Dhaka University VC told journalists at a press briefing. l

Eight slain in dramatic bank heist attempted to gather more people using the loudspeaker of a local mosque.

Hearing the announcement, the robbers positioned outside the branch started firing indiscriminately and exploded hand-made bombs and one of the three hand grenades that they had with them.

At least 10 people received bullet wounds in the firing and 20 to 25 others received minor injuries from bomb splinters, said Khandakar Golam Faruq, assistant DIG of the police’s Dhaka Range.

Soon, the robbers operating inside the branch came out and together with those covering for them on the outside, tried to flee the scene on motorbikes and in a brown sedan parked on the highway, some 50 yards from the bank.

Witness Ilias, owner of a local confectionery, said as locals blocked the street leading to the highway, the sedan sped towards a small alley in Tongabari. They might have come out of the other side of the alley and went in the direction of Ashulia, Ilias said.

Two other robbers who were fleeing on a motorbike had the cash as they sped towards the Amtola area. Locals blocked their way some 400 yards from the bank and they tried flee, leaving their bike and the sack of cash there.

But residents caught them and beat them mercilessly, killing one of them. Police later recovered one of the robbers alive but in critical condition, even though the mob did not want to hand him over to police, leading to a brief scuffle.

The injured robber, whose identity is still unknown, is currently undergoing treatment at the Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar. The three people who were killed inside the bank and those who got injured in and outside the bank were also admitted to the same hospital.

Four of the injured later died in the hospital. A total of 16 people are currently undergoing treatment there; of them, 10 are at the ICU, said on-duty doctor Abdul Al Mamun.

He also said that one of the legs of a local raw materials trader Shafiqul, 36, had to be amputated because it was badly injured with bullets.

Police recovered five hand-made bombs and a live grenade from the spot. A team from the RAB headquarters later diffused the bombs.

Md Yousuf Ali Howlader, chairman of the board of directors of Bangladesh Commerce Bank Limited, has announced that they compensate the victims and their families. l

Government flouts rules to favour software vendor have a reputation for developing similar computer programmes – took part.

Interestingly, Team Engine, the company that eventually supplied the software, never took part in that tender.

The tender story

According to documents, the government on December 2 last year published a tender notice for the “Bangla Corpus, Bangla OCR and Text-to-Speech Software Procurement” programme at a cost of Tk8.60 crore.

Before that, on August 6, 2014, the ICT Division invited expressions of interest (EOI) and got response from four interested companies – Grameen Solutions, Bangla Phone Ltd, System Resources Ltd and IBCX Primax Software (BD) Ltd Team Engine did not submit any EOI at that time either.

In the meantime, the Finance Ministry revised the programmes cost Tk6.34 crore. The ministry also said that open tender must be floated for purchasing the software.

When contacted, Shyam Sunder Sikder,

secretary of the ICT Division, claimed that there was no irregularities in awarding the contract and that they have the authority to cancel the open tender.

“We reserve the right to cancel any tender at any time and go for single source. This is permitted by the law,” he told the Dhaka Tribune recently.

But referring to the public procurement rules, a senior official said a single source can only be allowed if there are no other interested companies.

Asked why the tender was cancelled, the secretary said: “I was not here when the process began. So I cannot comment on the process.”

Documents prepared by the ICT Division claim that Team Engine is the only company in Bangladesh that can serve these softwares.

Asked how did Team Engine got the job when there were four other interested companies, the secretary said: “There are other authorities above me. So all decisions do not come from my table.”

When contacted, Rana Saha, company sec-

retary of Grameen Solutions, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We had information that there were mechanisms behind the tender. So, we decided not to go for the legal fight after the tender was cancelled.”

A2I’s OCR software

In documents, the ICT Division also claimed that the OCR software developed by Team Engine was the 36th in the world meaning that it was the first of its kind from Bangladesh.

But A2I’s OCR – developed at a cost of only Tk23 lakh – came into being long before the one developed by Team Engine is now being used in full swing in 64 districts by 17 ministries and divisions, said Anir Chowdhury, policy advisor of A2I. “Now the government is planing install A2I’s OCR software in 20,000 government offices in the next two years,” Anir said.

When asked, ICT Secretary Shyam Sunder Sikder said that he had no idea that A2I had already developed an OCR software.

But A2I officials said the secretary must be

lying because officials from his division were involved with the A21 project.

“How can the secretary say that he has no idea about A2I’s OCR? The prime minister herself inaugurated our OCR three months ago,” seeking anonymity, a senior official of the A2I project under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) told the Dhaka Tribune.

Very recently, PM Sheikh Hasina, who is now also in charge of the ICT Division, inaugurated the OCR software developed by Team Engine.

When contacted, Team Engine’s Managing Director and CEO Samira Zuberi Himika told the Dhaka Tribune: “We have nothing to do with the process. So I cannot say anything about whether the process [of awarding the contract] was correct or not.”

She also said: “Team Engine is the first company in the country to develop OCR software. Please, do not try to create any confusion about that...Finance Minister AMA Muhith and State Minister for ICT Junaid Ahmed Palak attended the launching ceremony of our software as the chief and special guests.” l

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NEWS 3

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

EC decides to deploy troops for polls duty n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla The Election Commission (EC) yesterday announced that the army would be deployed from April 26 to April 29 in Dhaka and Chittagong city corporations to provide security during the polls.

The opposition BNP welcomed the EC move but said that if the army was not given magistracy powers their presence would be ineffectual.

“Following a meeting with law enforcement and intelligence agencies on April 19, we have determined that the overall law and order situation was good.

“Nevertheless, we have decided to deploy the army so that people can cast their votes without fear,” Election Commissioner Mohammad Shahnewaz told journalists at a press briefing at the Election Commission Secretariat.

Following the EC’s decision to deploy the army, a three-member BNP delegation led by party standing committee member Moudud Ahmed, held an hour-long meeting with the commission.

“We welcome the Election Commission’s decision to deploy the army during the elections. But if they are not given magistracy

powers, then the objective of army deployment will not be achieved,” Moudud told journalists.

“The army will be used as both a reserve force and a striking force. The number of army personnel to be deployed during the polls will be decided later,” Shahnewaz said.

“Returning officers of the three city corporations will decide when and where to deploy the forces during the four days,” he added.

Hinting that magistracy powers would not be given to the army, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad told journalists: “There will be sufficient magistrates before and after the election to curb violence.”

There had been uncertainty over a possible army deployment during the polls because the five election commissioners were split on the issue, sources said.

Three commissioners, including CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, favoured deployment while the remaining two commissioners objected to it, sources said.

Emerging from an EC coordination meeting on security arrangements, the CEC on Sunday said the commission would decide the question of army deployment within a few days.

Law enforcement and intelligence agencies

told the commission that army deployment was unnecessary at the meeting on April 19.

The BNP, Shujan and a number of mayoral and councillor aspirants, especially BNPbacked contenders, demanded that the army be deployed ahead of the elections.

BNP leader Moudud said his delegation had told commissioners that the attack on Khaleda Zia had hampered election campaigning.

Regarding the attack on Khaleda’s motorcade, the CEC said: “We have made inquiries about it and have urged the police to investigate it thoroughly.”

Moudud urged the EC to take steps so that police do not harass opposition leaders and activists at least seven days ahead of the polls.

He alleged that many polling personnel, including presiding officers and polling officers, had been appointed taking their political leanings into consideration. He said biased officials should be reshuffled before the polls.

Moudud urged the commission to identify vulnerable polling centres after consulting with all of the aspirants.

The CEC urged everybody to abide by the electoral code of conduct to help the commission conduct fair elections. l

CCC POLL

Manjur’s campaign team allegedly attacked by AL men

n Tribune Report

BNP–backed mayoral candidate for Dhaka North Tabith Awal yesterday said the attack on Khaleda Zia’s motorcade was proof of lack of adequate security measure in the capital.

He said this while talking to journalists during his election campaign in Mirpur-10 area under Dhaka North City Corporation.

“We became speechless after yesterday’s (Monday) incident. It proved that Dhaka is not safe for living any more. The law and order situation has worsened,” Awal told reporters.

Tabith also lodged a complaint with the Election Commission yesterday about facing obstructions by ruling party activists.

He also requested the returning officer to take necessary actions against those responsible for the attack.

Tabith in his election campaign yesterday pledged to make a clean and green city with drivers honking no more in front of educational institutes.

In front of the Hope International School, Tabith requested waiting guardians to vote for Bus in the coming city poll.

“If I am elected as a mayor I will ensure a green and clean Dhaka,” Tabith promised.

In the afternoon, BNP Publicity Secretary Zainul Abedin Faruk joined the campaign with Tabith.

In Kazipara area of the capital at 2:30pm Faruk said: “The attack on Khaleda was launched to disrupt the election.”

Tabith yesterday carried out his election campaign in Syamoli, Agargaon, Taltola and Sewrapara area with his supporters. l

Annisul slams attack on Khaleda’s motorcade

n Tribune Report A campaigning team of BNP-backed mayoral candidate M Manjur Alam was allegedly attacked by ruling Awami League men in the city yesterday afternoon.

Chattagram Unnoyon Andolon, under whose banner the recently resigned CCC Mayor Manjur is contesting, alleged in an e-mail sent yesterday evening that followers of Awami League-backed CCC mayoral candidate AJM Nasir Uddin attacked the campaign team of Manjur which consisted of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal men at Chittagong Polytechnical Institute area around 5pm, leaving 10 injured.

The police officials concerned, however, could not confirm the matter.

The statement also alleged that some Awami League men attacked a team of BNP’s female wing that was campaigning for Manjur at Lalkhan Bazar area around 11am, leaving some female campaigners assaulted and mugged.

Khulshi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mainul Islam Bhuiyan told the Dhaka Tribune that he did not hear of such incidents in the area under his jursidiction and no complaints were lodged with the police station in this regard.

On April 11, some AL men attacked one of Manjur’s campaigning team at Shershah area where some BNP senior leaders and activists were assaulted and injured.

The Chattagram Unnoyon Andolon urged the Election Commission and Chittagong Metropolitan Police to take strict measures against the incidents. l

Tabith: Attack on Khaleda proves slack security

n Munir Momtaj Sayeed Khokon, the Awami League-backed Dhaka South City Corporation mayor aspirant, carries out his election campaign in the capital’s Azimpur yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Khokon fined Tk7,000 for breaches of polls code n Abu Hayat Mahmud

Awami League-backed mayoral aspirant for Dhaka South City Corporation Sayeed Khokon gave a fine of Tk7,000 for breaching the polls code of conduct.

Election Commission Director (Public Relation) SM Asaduzzaman yesterday said, a total of 15 aspirants for Dhaka South, Dhaka North and Chittagong were fined for breaching polls code by a mobile court of the EC. Responding to question he said Khokon was fined as his motorcade campaign hampered the traffic movement in the city.

Meanwhile, Sayeed Khokon yesterday brushed aside the need for army deployment in the city corporation polls.

Khokon believes that police are strong enough to tackle election related problems.

He made the statement while campaigning

in Old Dhaka along with his family members.

His mother Fatema Hanif and wife Farhana Sayeed joined Khokon in his canvass.

Former Awami League lawmaker of Lalbagh Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin and other party leaders also joined the campaign.

But Just a day after BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s motorcade came under attack on Monday evening the Election Commission announced that it would deploy army during the three city corporation polls.

“As no major incidents have so far taken place I think army deployment is unnecessary,” he told journalists while campaigning in wards 22 and 23 of his electoral jurisdiction.

Replying to a question about the attack on Khaleda the ruling party-backed candidate said: “It is between Khaleda Zia and the miscreants who attacked her motorcade.” l

Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Annisul Huq yesterday denounced the attack on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s motorcade.

He said: “We who believe in democracy are all affected by this.”

Annisul was speaking to reporters in front of the Awami League office in Gulshan’s Kalachandpur area before setting out to campaign.

He demanded a proper investigation into the incident and punishment of those involved.

“There is reason to deploy the army for this election,” he said.

Annisul started his campaign with a street rally in front of the Kalachandpur Awami League office.

The DNCC mayoral candidate was joined

by Awami League-backed general councillor candidate Zakir Hossain Babul.

He reminded voters that the present government had three and half years left in this term, and told them the best candidate was the one with the best ties to the government.

After the rally Annisul campaigned in Kalachandpur, Nikunja 2, Haji Ashraf Ali High School and Projonmo Chottor in Mirpur.

Awami League central leader and former minister Faruk Khan and local party leaders and activists joined him on the campaign trail.

April 26 is the last day to campaign for the elections scheduled for April 28. l

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4 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

Khashru for shifting CCC polls result centre n FM Mizanur Rahaman, Chittagong The election team of Chittagong’s BNPbacked mayoral candidate has demanded that the proposed venue for the election result announcement centre is changed, citing concerns that the ruling party men might try to manipulate the counting of votes there.

Amir Khashru Mahmud Chowdhury, chief election agent of BNP-backed mayoral candidate M Manjur Alam, yesterday submitted a proposal to the returning officer to shift the venue from MA Aziz stadium’s gymnasium, which had been used to announce results of past city polls.

As alternative venues, Khoshru proposed to set up the announcement centre at Chittagong Circuit House or United Nation Park’s gymnasium or at the ground floor of Jamiyatul Falah Mosque.

In his proposal to Returning Officer Abdul Baten, Khashru said it would not be fair if the stadium gym is fixed as the announcement centre because the Awami League-baked mayoral candidate AJM Nasir Uddin is the incumbent general secretary of Chittagong Zila Krira Sangstha.

“As the ruling party-backed candidate is the authorised person to control the stadium area, the announcement of result is not ex-

Joy: Angry mob attacked Khaleda for burning people n Abu Hayat Mahmud Prime Minister’s ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy has alleged that an angry mob attacked the BNP chief’s motorcade on Monday.

“People of Dhaka are quite angry at Khaleda Zia for burning 160 people to death and injuring many others on buses and public transportation during the past three months,” Joy, also son of the premier, said in a Facebook post on Monday night “I think those who attacked her motorcade with brick bats today [Monday] are probably expressing this anger. Khaleda Zia and her

party BNP must be brought to the book for the arson attacks.”

He, however, said: “Throwing bricks at Khaleda’s motorcade was not the way to do this.”

On Monday evening, Khaleda’s motorcade came under attack at Karwan Bazar when she was campaigning for BNP-backed mayoral aspirant Tabith Awal. The BNP chief escaped unhurt but several members of her entourage were reportedly injured.

Following the attack, the BNP and the AL filed police complaints accusing each other.

The BNP also called a day-long general strike today protesting the incident. l

Abbas’ bail hearing deferred n Ashif Islam Shaon The High Court yesterday deferred the hearing on an anticipatory bail petition of BNP leader Mirza Abbas until April 27 in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission.

The bench of Justice Md Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Justice JBM Hassan gave the order after his lawyer Joynul Abedin prayed for adjournment. He said they were waiting

for decision of the chief justice on the bail petitions of Abbas in two other cases.

He said: “As the chief justice is yet to form a single bench to hear the pleas, we sought seven more days for hearing the bail petition of the BNP leader in the graft case.”

Khandker Mahbub Hossain and Mahbub Uddin Khokon represented Abbas along with Ehsanur Rahman while ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan represented the plaintiff. l

Buet expels 4 BCL leaders n DU Correspondent The Buet authorities have expelled four leaders and activists of the university unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League for assaulting a teacher, sued for sedition last week.

Two of them – Buet unit President Shubhra Jyoti Tikader and General Secretary Abu Syed Kanak – were expelled from the university for life, Teachers’ Association General Secretary Abdul Hasib Chowdhury confirmed to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Two other students – Protik Dutta and Rahat Imtiaz Ratul – were suspended for different terms, he said.

The decision was made at Syndicate meetings held on April 18 and 19. Hasib said the accused were informed about the decisions on Monday night through letters.

Vice-Chancellor Khaleda Ekram said they had been expelled for breaching discipline

and spoiling the campus environment.

When contacted, Kanak alleged that the university authorities had taken the decision with a malafide intention. He said they would appeal with the High Court and also issue an ultimatum to the university for seven days to withdraw the decision.

Meanwhile, the teachers association has announced to resume academic activities from today. They were observing work abstention since April 12 demanding punishment to those who attacked civil engineering department teacher Jahangir Alam.

The teacher was assaulted by some activists of Chhatra League on April 12 following his comments on a Facebook group criticising the execution of war criminal Kamaruzzaman the previous day.

On April 16, Buet student Siyam Hossain filed a sedition case against Jahangir for making provocative remarks. l

pected to be fair at the venue,”said Khasru, also the BNP chairperson’s adviser.

Khashru added that most officials of the Krira Sangstha and the stadium were involved with the ruling party’s politics and were working for Nasir.

The returning officer, Baten, however dismissed the BNP’s concern, saying: “We have already directed the law enforcement agencies to seal off the stadium and its surrounding areas from April 24 in a bid to secure the whole place, while the Krira Sangstha office will also be closed.”

He added that they needed a very secure place for counting the ballots coming in from

Kamal: CSF attacked people

n Tribune Report State Minister of Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has expressed doubt about the authenticity of the reported attack on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s motorcade in the capital on Monday.

He said yesterday that intelligence agencies found that Chairperson’s Security Force or the CSF had attacked the people.

“The small traders [in Karwan Bazar] who were affected by her hartal and blockade programmes put a resistance to stop her motorcade. This led to the CSF attacking them, and they retaliated.”

Claiming that no one related to the BNP or any of its wing were attacked in the incident, Kamal said: “Rather, the BNP men reacted angrily to others.”

Nonetheless, law enforcement authorities are investigating the incident, he said.

“Actions will be taken against the persons responsible if it is proven that it was an attack.” l

MTB and IUB sign MoU

n Tribune Report Mutual Trust Bank Ltd (MTB) and Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday at IUB campus in Bashundhara of Dhaka.

This MoU was on a framework of mutual interest in the field of conducting a research on development of a business model focusing on effective approval, monitoring and recovery process for MTB. On behalf of IUB, Prof M Omar Rahman, vice chancellor, and on behalf of MTB Anis A Khan, group managing director and CEO, signed the MoU.l

719 polling centres.

Baten further said entry inside the stadium would be restricted during the counting of ballots, assured there was no chance of the election results being manipulated.

The returning officer, however, added that law enforcement agencies would be consulted and other venues would also be considered before finalising the stadium as the announcement centre.

Meanwhile, Khashru accused police and plainclothes DB men of threatening their ward-level leaders and activists by making a list of those playing an active role in election campaigns. l

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NEWS 5

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

AL, BNP file cases over attack on Khaleda’s motorcade n Kamrul Hasan After the attack on Khaleda Zia’s motorcade at Karwan Bazar on Monday, a ruling party leader filed a case alleging that the security personnel of the BNP chief had fired gunshots at them.

Biplob Kumar Sarker, deputy commissioner of police’s Tejgaon division, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that two separate cases were filed over the incident. “We are now investigating both the cases and hope to bring the perpetrators to book.”

Jahirul Haque Jillu, president of ward 26 unit Awami League, filed a case with Tejgaon police accusing 100 unnamed BNP activists and leaders, and members of the Chairperson’s Security Force (CSF) for injuring five leaders and activists of the ruling party.

Jillu claimed that the CSF men had fired six rounds of bullets at him, but he survived.

“Another CSF personnel punched me for no reason. When I fell on the footpath, two CSF

men started to beat me up with steel pipe.”

The plaintiff claimed that the attack on Khaleda’s motorcade was a result of factional clash between two groups of BNP supporters, backed by councillor candidates Iqbal Patwary and Solaiman Nabi.

Mahbub Uddin Khokon says over 100 youths attacked the motorcade chanting ‘Joy Bangla’ slogan in the name of Chhatra League Asked about the presence of Chhatra league activists on the spot, he claimed that they all were locals.

BNP chief Khaleda’s motorcade came under attack in Karwan Bazar area when she was speaking at a rally near the kitchen market around 6pm, seeking votes for Dhaka north

mayoral candidate Tabith M Awal.

The party later in the day announced hartal for today alleging that the ruling party men had attempted to kill Khaleda.

The Tejgaon deputy commissioner claimed that Khaleda had not informed police beforehand about her visit. “Our officials on duty in the area tried their best to quell the situation.”

BNP leader Mahbub Uddin Khokon filed the other case yesterday noon with Tejgaon police accusing 100 unnamed ruling party men for launching attack on Khaleda’s motorcade. He lodged the case on behalf of Chief Coordinator of the CSF Maj Gen Fazle Elahi Akbar.

The plaintiff alleged that the ruling party men had fired gunshots targeting Khaleda’s vehicle. The case says over 100 youths attacked the motorcade chanting “Joy Bangla” slogan in the name of Chhatra League.

It says senior BNP leader Selima Rahman, four CSF members, two drivers and an office staff were injured in the attack. l

HC summons industries secretary for failure to relocate tanneries

n Ashif Islam Shaon The High Court has summoned the industries secretary to appear before it on May 19 to explain the failure in relocating tanneries from the capital’s Hazaribagh in line with a previous court directive.

The bench of Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Kashefa Hussain passed the order yesterday after hearing a petition which was moved by lawyer Manzill Murshid on behalf of Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.

Manzill Murshid said the High Court asked Industries Secretary Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan to appear before it by 10:30am on May 19 to explain the reason of not relocating hazardous tanneries from Hazaribagh despite an earlier High Court directive.

On June 23, 2009, the High Court directed the government to relocate the tanneries by February 28, 2010, for saving Buriganga River from pollution. The same court later extended the deadline for six more months.

The project for moving the tanneries to the a new site in Savar was taken in 2003. l

Chhatra Union submits memorandum to Home Ministry

n DU Correspondent

Chhatra Union, a left-leaning student body, yesterday submitted a memorandum to the Home Ministry advocating their six-point demand on the sexual harassment at TSC area during Pohela Boishakh celebration.

A six-member delegation team led by Chhatra Union Central President Hasan Tarek handed over the memorandum to State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal around noon.

Their demands included the expulsion of Dhaka University proctor, exemplary punishment of the perpetrators of the attack and framing of laws to prevent sexual harassment at universities and a national policy against sexual harassment at home, workplaces and educational institutions.

Earlier in the day, the union staged a demonstration at the DU campus and later brought out a procession to march to the Home Ministry which, however, was barred by the police near the press club area.

Students of Anthropology, English and International Relations department staged separate demonstration programmes in the campus and demanded exemplary punishment of the culprits who were involved with sexual harassment incidents during Pohela Boishakh celebration.

The leaders of Chhatra Union has called for a press conference today at Madhur Canteen to announce further programmes in this regard.

Meanwhile, a probe body formed by the police have sent pictures of suspected stalkers, who were identified by CCTV footage, to all police stations in the capital. According to sources, investigators so far were able to identity eight individuals who were seen in a number of spots on the day of the incident.

In this regard, Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque told reporters that they have made progress in the sexual assault cases and would able to give an update soon. l

Members of Bangladesh Chhatra Union are barred by police near the National Press Club when they were on their way to the Home Ministry yesterday to submit a memorandum demanding immediate punishment of the Pohela Boishakh sexual assaulters RAJIB DHAR

Blogger Rajeeb murder trial deferred n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

A Dhaka court yesterday fixed May 11 to start trial in a case filed over the killing of blogger-architect Ahmed Rajeeb Hider on February 15, 2013.

Victim’s father Dr Nazimuddin, also plaintiff of the case, was present before the court to testify as the first prosecution witness.

Judge Ruhul Amin of the Dhaka’s Fourth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court set the fresh date following a time petition filed by defence counsel Masud Ahmed Talukdar.

The lawyer said a petition filed with the High Court against the indictment order was

pending for disposal.

Rajeeb, a war crimes trial campaigner and vocal against radical Islamists, was hacked to death by the accused near his house at Pallabi of the capital during Shahbagh movement.

Mufti Jasim Uddin Rahmani, chief of militant group Ansarullah Bangla Team, and seven of his followers from North South University were indicted in the case on March 18.

Ansarullah, the Bangladeshi follower of al-Qaeda and Taliban, aims at establishing Islamic rule in the country through armed jihad.

Jasim gave confessional statement before a magistrate mentioning that the students inspired by his sermons might have killed Rajeeb.

“Instigator” Jasim and his six followers – Faisal Bin Nayeem alias Dip, Maksudul Hassan alias Anik, Ehsan Reza Rumman, Nayeem Sikder alias Irad, Nafiz Imtiaz, Sadman Yasir Mahmud – are now in jail.

Another accused, “planner” Redwanul Azad Rana, has been on the run. He is a prime suspect in former Buet teacher and US citizen Avijit Roy murder.

The DMP last month announced Tk5 lakh bounty for helping police tracking and arresting Rana. Earlier the DB police sent letters to Immigration Police and the BGB to stop him fleeing the country. However, detectives confirm that Rana has fled the country. l

DT

NEWS 7

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

VC: BSMMU to take all responsibilities of patients after admission n Tribune Report Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) plans to take all the responsibilities of admitted patients so that family members are not required to attend to them.

The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of BSMMU Kamrul Hasan met with the press for the first time after his appointment on March 24 in a meeting held yesterday at the BSMMU headquarters where he shared his plans and asked for suggestion to resolve existing problems.

“We want to take the full responsibility so that family members can remain free of tension and not be required to spend so much time with the patient,” the VC said, adding that infrastructure development and more government financing is needed to implement this plan.

He demanded 10-12% of budget allocation for the health sector where the government now allocates only 5-6% of the budget every year.

VC Kamrul focused on increasing the number of postgraduate doctors to bring balance between the number of patients and doctors as he claims the current doctor-to-patient ratio is the main obstacle in ensuring proper medical care. Kamrul is the secretary general of pro-Awami League Bangladesh Peshajibi Samannoy Parishad and a professor of pathology department of BSMMU. l

Barisal airport running in the dark n Our Correspondent, Barisal Flights are operating amid risk at the Barisal Airport due to lack of lighting on the runway and other facilities.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines resumed flights on the Dhaka-Barisal-Dhaka route on April 8 this year, eight years after the flight was suspended.

On April 12, flight BG-469 of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines landed on the airport with 74 passengers at 5:55pm and return flight BG-470 left for Dhaka with 63 passengers within 30 minutes, said Md Hanif Gazi, aerodrome officer and manager of the airport.

Nasimul Alam, a journalist and a passenger of the flight BG-469 said on April 12 the sky was cloudy and visibility was low. The return flight took off amid risk. Currently, flights from Barisal Airport are not allowed to operate after 6:15pm because of lack of lighting on the runway, he claimed.

“The condition will deteriorate further during winter and monsoon,” he said.

Denying such claim, Md Hanif Gazi said on April 12, the flight BG-470 left for Dhaka before sunset amid clear visibility and upon clearance from the civil aviation.

However, he acknowledged that proper lighting on the runway and uncut power supply through IPS were urgently needed for smooth execution of flights from the airport.

The airport manager and sources at the Biman Bangladesh Airlines said Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Rashed Khan Menon had submitted a Tk5 crore project plan for immediate development of the airport on April 8, however, the proposal still lied under consideration of the ministry.

The manager also informed that an airstrip on 50 acres of land was built in the late 60s for operating planes to spray pesticides in Rahamatpur under Babuganj upazila on the Barisal-Dhaka highway, some 17km away

from the city.

The civil aviation authority later acquired more 110 acres of land and constructed 1800ft long and 60ft wide runway in 1968. A STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) service on the Dhaka–Barisal-Dhaka route continued for a few days in January, 1971.

After liberation, in the fiscal year 1992-93, Civil Aviation of Bangladesh (CAB) expanded the war-damaged 1800 ft runway to 6000 ft long and 100ft wide with Tk30 crore.

Biman started its flight operation with ATP aircraft on Dhaka-Barisal-Dhaka route on December 3, 1995 and after many breaks finally stopped operation on this route on November 16, 2006.

Aero Bengal, Parabat, GMG, United Airways also phased out flights to Barisal due to shortage of passengers. The airport was also used by the foreign cargo planes for sending relief materials to 11 southern districts after the devastating Sidr in 2007. l

WEATHER

DRY WEATHER WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 6:23PM

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:31AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY 36 32 39 33 32 32 31 32

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

26 26 24 22 20 25 23 25

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

37.4ºC Jessore & Chuadanga

20.8ºC 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

Through musical performance, the Rajshahi University Kendriyo Sangskritik Jote stage a sit-in in front of the university’s central library yesterday, protesting the alleged misbehaviour of local Awami League leaders with RU vice-chancellor AZAHAR UDDIN

ASSAULT ON VC OF RU

Protest continues, PM’s intervention sought n Our Correspondent, Rajshahi A section of teachers of Rajshahi University have sought intervention of prime minister to resolve the ongoing crisis over assault of vice-chancellor by some Awami League leaders.

President of Chairman Council, a platform of 52 departments of Rajshahi University, Prof Harun-Ar-Rashid sought the intervention through a statement.

The statement said as the university was an autonomous institution, the intervention of ruling party leaders in different issues is a great concern for the prestige of the university as well for all quarters of the university.

The statement, however, demanded fair investigation into the incidents and proper action to the ruling party leaders.

Meanwhile, teachers and students of the

university continued their agitation programmes for third consecutive days demanding exemplary punishment of the leaders of ruling party.

University’s Central Sangskritik Jote and teachers and officers separately formed human chains in this regard.

From the human chains, speakers demanded exemplary punishment to the peoples who assaulted VC.Students of sociology department formed a human chain on the campus and boycotted classes which will be continued today.

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 to the office of RU VC Prof Muhammad Mizanuddin and reportedly demanded recruitment of their preferred

candidates as employees and officers in different university posts.

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

On Wednesday, Rajshahi 1 lawmaker Omar Faruk Chowdhury allegedly assaulted VC verbally and threatened to depose VC Mizanuddin over the university’s fine of Tk25 lakh to one of its affiliated institution Shah Makhdum Medical College for alleged irregularities in admission process. MP Faruk, the Rajshai district unit AL president is the governing body chairman of the institution. l

DT

8 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

Four die as nor’wester sweeps over B’baria, Netrakona n Tribune Report

At least four were killed in nor’wester in Brahmanbaria and Netrakona districts yesterday.

Our Brahmanbaria correspondent reports: A man was killed and over 500 houses destroyed as massive storm lashed several villages of Nabinagar and Sadar upazilas of the district yesterday snapping power and communication lines and uprooting trees.

The storm broke out around 10.30pm and swept 25 villages of the district, leaving thousands homeless and twisting trees with its ferocity.

Local people said Mannan Miah, 60, a resident of Narayanpur village in Nabinagar upazila died on the spot and five others suffered injuries as a wall of a house fell on them at Narayanpur village during the storm.

Besides, 60 other people were injured in Konikara and Monipur villages of Sadar upazila during the storm.

Over 500 houses, 3 schools were reported to be damaged and huge trees uprooted in different villages of the two upazilas due to the storm.

Deputy Commissioner Md Mosarraf Hossain confirmed the incident.

In Netrakona, three people including a school student were killed in Kendua upazila during storm, reports our correspondent.

One of the dead was identified as Ariful Haque, 14, a Class IX student of Mojlishpur High School. He was the son of Alimuddin of Sundrakanda College under Paikura union.

Identities of the two others are Atiqul Islam, 25, son of Sowad Mia of Roypur village, and Russell Mia, 12, of Goishachia village.

Lightning in storm hit Ariful while he was returning home from his school around 4pm.

Atiqul and Russell also died by storm when working on their paddy field.

Mizanur Rahman officer-in-charge of Kendua police station confirmed the deaths. l

Alleged robber killed in ‘gunfight’ with police n Tribune Report An alleged robber was killed in a gunfight between his cohorts and police at Chuniapara field in Mirpur upazila early yesterday.

The deceased was identified as Milon,32, son of Abdus Sattar, a resident of Laxmidhardia village of the same upazila.

Officer-in-charge of Mirpur Police Station Kazi Jalal Uddin said on a tip-off that a gang of robbers was taking preparation to commit robbery on the Kushtia-Mirpur road by placing logs, a team of police launched a drive in the area at about 2:30am.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the gang members opened fire on them prompting the police personnel to retaliate with firing that triggered a gunfight, leaving

Milon injured with bullets.

Milon’s other associates managed to flee the scene.

Later, police recovered injured Milon and took him to Kushtia General Hospital where on-duty doctors declared him dead.

Police also recovered woodcutters and four machetes from the spot.

There are four murder cases filed against Milon, the OC added.

Yeasmin Akter, wife of Milon, said police had picked up her husband from their house at about 10:00 pm on Saturday.

Milon had started tobacco trading after being back from abroad where he stayed for long, she added.

She also claimed police did not admit her husband’s arrest. l

None receives body of alleged killer of in-laws n Our Correspondent, Chandpur The body of a man, who became victim of mob beating for killing his in-laws, was handed over to Anjuman Mafidul yesterday for burial as no relatives of his approached to receive it.

On Monday evening, infuriated locals in Kamranga village in Sadar upazila allegedly beaten Suman Sheikh to death for murdering his father-in-law Iqbal Hossain Bulu and mother-in-law Momtaz Begum together.

Earlier, killing the in-laws Suman hid himself in nearby cropland and the angry villagers around 6pm found him there, who

later killed him by beating.

In the incident, Bulu’s brother Zakir Hossain Miji filed a murder case against Suman. Besides, Sadar police station SI Hamidul Hoque booked another murder case against 300-400 unidentified persons for the mob beating.

When asked, the cases’ investigation officer Hamidul Hoque acknowledged the incident, saying the higher authorities made the direction as no relatives of Suman agreed to receive the body despite their repeated appeals.

Police said Suman used to live in Khulna and he had been involved in smuggling. l

A farmer is seen harvesting peanuts along with his family members in Jamuna char area of Bhuapur upazila, Tangail yesterday. Farmers of the district are happy as peanuts have grown abundantly in the district this year DHAKA TRIBUNE

DT

10 WORLD

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

Captain blamed for Mursi jailed for 20 years migrant shipwreck n Cairo

n Catania, Italy Prosecutors blamed the Tunisian captain of a fishing boat for causing the deaths of hundreds of migrants locked below decks when his vessel capsized in the Mediterranean, in the weekend shipwreck that has shocked Europe.

Prosecutors said on Tuesday that Mohammed Ali Malek, 27, arrested under suspicion of multiple homicide, had steered his severely overloaded boat into a collision with a merchant ship that was coming to its rescue.

Only 28 survivors have been brought to Italy from the hundreds of mainly African and Bangladeshi migrants on board. Police have quoted the survivors giving death tolls that range from 400 to 950 in what appears to have been the worst disaster ever among migrants fleeing across the Mediterranean to Europe.

So few survived because most of the migrants on board, including women and children, had been locked in the hold and lower decks of the three-deck fishing boat, said Catania chief prosecutor Giovanni Salvi. That also made it impossible so far to reach the bodies and verify the toll.

The captain has been arrested on suspicion of multiple homicide and people-smuggling, and he and his 25-year-old Syrian first mate, Mahmud Bikhit, are also suspected of causing a shipwreck.

It was not immediately possible to reach lawyers representing them for comment.

Under Italian law, prosecutors outline the charges they believe a defendant should face before the defendant is formally charged by a judge. Both men are in police custody, while investigations continue, the prosecutors’ office said. l

Rouhani: Yemen strikes show Saudi ‘mental imbalance’ n AP, Tehran Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says a Saudi-led offensive in Yemen was prompted by the kingdom’s failures elsewhere, causing what he called a “mental imbalance”.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday before heading to Indonesia, Rouhani mocked Saudi Arabia by calling it a country with dashed dreams in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

“All the failures have accumulated and caused mental and emotional imbalance for that country,” Rouhani said.

Iran has long accused Saudi Arabia of supporting militants, including the self-styled Islamic State (IS) group in Syria and Iraq.

Meanwhile, Saudis accuse Iran of supporting Yemen’s Shia Houthi rebels who overran the capital and later forced the country’s Western-backed president into exile. Tehran and the rebels deny any military links, though the Islamic Republic has provided political and humanitarian support to the group.

Clashes between rebels and pro-government forces and Saudi-led air strikes killed at least 85 people in Yemen last week.

The United Nations says hundreds of people have died and thousands of families have fled their homes since the coalition air war began on March 26 at the request of embattled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

The UN agency for refugees says that up to 150,000 people have been displaced over the past three weeks, while more than 300,000 had already fled their homes because of unrest in past years.

Last month, the Kingdom and its allies launched air strikes in Yemen against Houthi fighters, who have tightened their grip in southern city of Aden where the country’s president had taken refuge, the Saudi envoy to Washington had said.

The kingdom’s ambassador to the United States announced from Washington last month that a coalition of 10 countries, including the five Gulf monarchies, had been set up to protect the Yemeni government. l

Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Mursi was sentenced to 20 years in prison without parole on Tuesday on charges arising from the killing of protesters, nearly three years after he became Egypt’s first freely elected president.

Mursi stood in a cage in court as judge Ahmed Sabry Youssef read out

the ruling against him and 12 other Brotherhood members, including senior figures Mohamed el-Beltagy and Essam el-Erian.

The men were convicted on charges of violence, kidnapping and torture stemming from the killing of protesters during demonstrations in 2012.

They were acquitted of murder charges, which carry the death sentence.

A lawyer for some of the defendants said they would appeal.

Amnesty International described the ruling as “a travesty of justice” that “shatters any remaining illusion of independence and impartiality in Egypt’s criminal justice system.” The rights group called for Mursi to be retried in a civilian court “in line with international standards” or released. l

DT

WORLD 11

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

Lakhvi acquitted n ISLAMABAD

A local court in Islamabad on Tuesday acquitted Mumbai attacks mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in a case pertaining to the abduction of an Afghan national.

The Islamabad police had booked Lakhvi for the alleged kidnapping of the Afghan national after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had suspended his (Lakhvi’s) detention in the 2008 Mumbai attacks case on December 26, 2014.

As per the FIR that the Islamabad police registered on December 29, 2014, Mohammad Daud complained that his brother-in-law Anwar Khan, an Afghan national, was kidnapped

by Lakhvi over six years ago.

During today’s hearing, police lawyer Amir Nadeem Tabish presented his arguments, saying that Lakhvi had been directly nominated in the abduction case. He claimed that the

plaintiff and the abducted person’s brother were eyewitnesses in the kidnapping incident.

Nadeem requested the court to summon Lakhvi and indict him in the kidnapping.

However, in the ruling, the court said that the case was filed after a hiatus of six years.

It said that the plaintiff in the case did not appear before the court even once and no one was aware of the whereabouts of the kidnapped person. The court subsequently acquitted Lakhvi in the kidnapping case.

Earlier in February, the judicial magistrate had dismissed a petition seeking the acquittal of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in a kidnapping case.

Lakhvi, who is also facing trial for being the alleged mastermind in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, was released from Adiala jail on April 10 following the Lahore High Court’s dismissal of detention orders issued against him by the Okara DCO on March 14. l

Xi Jinping: Pakistan was with us when China stood isolated n Tribune Report President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping departed Pakistan after a historic two-day visit to the country’s capital.

Jinping hailed Pakistan and China’s long-standing ties, saying Islamabad stood by Beijing at a time when it stood isolated on the world stage.

Jinping began his address by extending warm greetings and best wishes to the “brotherly people of Pakistan” on behalf of the 1.3 billion people of China.

“Pakistan and China’s struggles have brought their hearts and minds together,” he said, as lawmakers applauded.

He said Beijing and Islamabad have been of tremendous support to one another, saying both countries have stood by each other in times of need. He also referred to the assistance offered by the two countries to one another in the events of natural disasters.

Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain hosted a luncheon in honour of the Chinese President Xi Jinping which was also attended by senior military and civil leadership.

During the investiture ceremony, President Mamnoon Hussain conferred upon President Jinping Pakistan’s highest civil award, the Nishan -e- Pakistan. l

Churchill’s French saboteur dead

n AFP, Paris French secret agent Robert “Bob” Maloubier, a sabotage specialist for Winston Churchill’s Special Operations Executive during World War II, has died at the age of 92, his wife said yesterday.

“His final battle was against his illness and he fought to the end,” widow Marie-Helene France told AFP, adding that Maloubier died late on Monday.

Maloubier was a key asset for the SOE, set up in 1940 by prime minister Churchill to car-

ry out spying and sabotage missions behind German lines.

“Bob”, as he was known by his British handlers, twice parachuted into occupied France, once the day after D-Day, and had a string of narrow escapes from capture by the Nazis.

One of his missions was designed to help convince the Germans that the D-Day landings would take place at Calais instead of Normandy.

“The war for me represented the best years of my life, because I survived,” he told AFP last year. l

DT

12 EDITORIAL

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

AL must take attack on Khaleda seriously

W

e condemn Monday’s mob attack against Khaleda Zia’s motorcade in Karwan Bazar.

It is fortunate that damage and injuries were not worse when the BNP party chief’s vehicle was attacked by a large crowd of people.

Witnesses report bricks and various makeshift projectiles being wielded against vehicles by dozens of attackers who were reported to have been drawn from a crowd campaigning for an AL candidate nearby.

Although peace was restored and the police have now duly opened a case, the ruling party needs to answer for the disgraceful actions of some of its supporters.

There is never any excuse for violence and intimidation. For people to engage in vandalism for political purposes is beyond the pale.

AL leaders and candidates need to be unequivocal in condemning this incident. They must support the police in taking action against any of their supporters found to have engaged in vandalism or breaking the law.

Intimidation and thuggish behaviour have no place in democratic politics.

The government has a duty to ensure there is no repeat of this type of fracas. Most importantly, it needs to take steps to bring down the political temperature and not further fan the flames. Denying responsibility for the attacks -- in the face of strong evidence to the contrary -- is unhelpful. Dismissing or belittling the incident is even worse.

All citizens and politicians should be free to move around and engage in political campaigning without fear of vandalism and intimidation.

Be unequivocal in condemning mob attacks

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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Freedom of expression: A myth or a right?

April 4

Sammy In a one-party totalitarian system, the constitution is what the “prime minister” says it is ... regardless of what is written.

One would think that graduate law students would be delving into reality by now ... but, maybe in the near future!

Dr RKD Goel Not in Gujarat from 7.10.2001. All powers are with Mr Narendra Modiji, Hon BJP Prime Minister of India from May 2014.

Don’t delay on bus rapid transit

DT

No more tolerance?

April 3

April 3

Escalating confrontation serves no one

T

he police must hold to account those responsible for Monday’s attack on the motorcade of BNP party chief, Khaleda Zia. Vandalism and violence are never acceptable and have no place in democratic politics.

It is deeply concerning that several people were injured by the throwing of bricks and makeshift weapons during the incident. Political parties have to take responsibility for restraining their own members when they break the law in this way.

It is disappointing that rather than leaving this matter to be investigated and acted on by the police as it should be, both the AL and BNP are using it as an excuse to escalate political confrontation.

The AL has filed its own competing case in relation to the incident, while the BNP is using it to call a new hartal on Wednesday.

Although the Dhaka and Chittagong elections are stated to be outside the purview of this hartal, its call is a setback to hopes that the city corporation polls would create a more peaceable political atmosphere.

The harm done to the country by political violence in terms of human lives lost and economic damage is unconscionable. The public badly needs the leading parties to engage in dialogue and negotiate a path to long-term political stability, not to escalate their differences by contriving new confrontation and drama.

We hope calmer heads can prevail and build the goodwill and co-operation which is needed to lift the crisis afflicting the nation.

Public needs parties to engage in calm dialogue to end crisis

RetiredBUET The BRT should be a showpiece for buses at their best and only be the start. With a bit of branding, re-usable vehicles, organisation, and bus lanes, getting bus services up to international standards will be far quicker and will take much less investment than trains and metros (which we also need).

BCB-BCCI relation not strained: Nazmul April 3

lulu What is this? obvious lulu: An article on religious intolerance

DB: Mastermind of AvijitRajeeb killing fled the country

Prithvi Good on you, Nazmul, for talking sense.

We have nothing against BCCI and hope the feeling will be mutual from the BCCI side. Let the spirit of the game prevail.

April 3 Mohammad Zaman How did he leave the country?

Khaleda to attend hearing, provided safety ensured

Youths rescue girl from rapists, then rape her themselves

April 3

Molla A. Latif When a fugitive needs the state to ensure her security, well, then there is no need for any trials against her. Let her be above all accountability. The arrest warrant has not travelled from Bakshi Bazar to Gulshan yet. Her office was full of equipment and the search warrant could not look into it. Then why should a court issue such warrants which have no power? If she appears in the court with state security, what good is the trial? The government has set some unique examples with this lady. Good, and should be better for the future if things go on this way.

Joshim Uddin Arrest that man!

April 4 Naveed Hossain Are atrocities like these ever going to end? I hope justice is served.

Joshim Uddin Naveed Hossain: Me too. These people are Bangladesh’s shame

Pilot Tamanna buried April 3

maisha Thank you for being the only news site that got the instructor’s name right.

DT

OPINION 13

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

A root problem needs a root answer n MJ Akbar

E

ducation comes in many forms when experience is your teacher. I recall the day when I was part of a delegation to some muscular regional satrap. There was only one point on our agenda: The extent, quality and depth of education among minorities, with a stress on how to do far more for the Muslim girl child.

A worthy cause brought together a worthy lot -- an assortment of editors, educationists, NGO heads, marginal do-gooders. We sat in the room adjacent to the satrap’s office with beatific smiles on our faces. After the compulsory wait, we entered his sanctum in a solemn file.

The smiles became a trifle stretched in the presence of the honoured leader. A throat cleared. Something subdued was said. A paper was presented. The Great Man read it with a look of sincere attention, as if each sentence of our collective wisdom was leaving an indelible mark on his ideological compass. He nodded.

Then all heaven broke loose. Uncertain half-smiles were replaced with fawning by delegates that verged on froth, and managed to shock every cynical fibre in my very cynical nervous system. Everyone demanded, brazenly, something for himself. An editor-owner of a small newspaper wanted more advertising. Someone else wanted to fill a vacancy at the head of some institution.

The passion and diligence with which they

pursued their individual greed was worth a chapter in the book of trade.

I learnt, later, that quite a few of these requests were honoured. As for the community’s education, nothing much changed.

Perhaps we can take some satisfaction from the fact that if it did not get better, it did not get worse either.

This old politics has a new enemy: The young of the 21st century. Today’s young recognise something that was unavailable, or obscured, to their parents It was most interesting, therefore, to learn that the group of Muslim clerics who called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi about a week ago discussed something quite outside the traditional box of engagement issues.

They went to talk about a reality that has been building up for some time, but has acquired quiet momentum in the last few years: The rising influence of a well-funded Wahabi movement in the daily life of Indian Muslims, as well as control of their symbolic institutions.

The extraordinary strength of India’s inter-faith harmony lies in principles that are as old as faith: In sarva dharma sambhav and in verses of the Qur’an that say, with simple clarity, your faith for you and my faith for me. This was the inclusive message at the heart of our great struggle for an independent, modern India, in the famous speeches of faith-and-community leaders like Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, visionaries for whom a strong and united India was far more important than any partisan interest.

The British, who were certainly not fools, recognised very quickly that their rule could never be sustained against the power of a united India. They encouraged organisations, within all religions, that worked for separation rather than harmony, and nurtured the politics of division long before the concept of Pakistan came to the forefront. The partition of Bengal in 1905 is certainly not the sole example.

This bred a reaction. What is remarkable is that the broad mass of Indians remained committed to co-existence despite pressure and periodic outbursts of violence that often peaked to vicious levels.

But advocates of social separatism have refused to accept defeat; they lurk in corners of our demographic and political framework, waiting to pounce upon a chink and turn it into a chasm. This remains the primary challenge for India’s Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians.

It is conventional, in policy discourse, to

use the term “socio-economic”. This phrase has an extra resonance on our subcontinent, for cultural and faith factors have contributed more than their share in keeping sections of the people trapped in educational deprivation, inequity, indignity, and horrendous poverty.

The problem is at the roots, the answers must also be found there. Nearly seven decades of freedom have been frittered away, as far as this dilemma is concerned, by outsourcing the management of minority problems to middlemen who have enriched themselves at the cost of the community.

Their names are littered across the political horizon. Since their primary interest is personal welfare, these pseudo-leaders ally very readily with those who preach separatism, because their own shop finds customers only in the politics of bonded control.

Here is the good news. This old politics has a new enemy: The young of the 21st century.

Today’s young recognise something that was either unavailable, or obscured, to their parents -- the prospect of economic prosperity in an equal, shared, and dynamic India. Give the young a chance through that great instrument of hope, education, and an opportunity through that formidable source of empowerment, an expanding, job-rich economy, and India will grasp that destiny promised so long ago, and elusive ever after. l MJ Akbar is an Indian journalist. He is the founder of The Sunday Guardian. This article was first published in The Sunday Guardian.

Challenges ahead for Dhaka n Aminul Islam Sujon

D

haka is one of the densest and most polluted cities in the world. As the urban population surges, the city struggles to cope with the changes due to internal constraints and management limitations.

Its air, water, land, sound -- all are polluted.

Horrible traffic jams are also common.

The DCC suffers from inactivity, resulting in poor delivery of its services such as water and sanitation, sewerage, waste management, and maintaining footpaths and roads.

Most citizens struggle for their survival. Due to the poor planning and enforcement of laws/policies, and a lack of leadership at the top political levels, Dhaka has become one of the worst cities in the world.

Let’s start with water: Sewage (both human and industrial waste) is being dumped into the canals and rivers. Powerful locals, backed by political leaders, continue to build illegal structures on the water bodies. The leather industry remains one of the biggest culprits, having polluted the Buriganga beyond repair.

The High Court had issued an order in 2010 to tackle the issue, but the order has yet to achieve fruition. This comes as no surprise, with the government itself building roads by destroying the canals (the Paribagh khal is a worthy example).

The water and sanitation problem will become a big threat in the coming days, with ground water having gone down more than 70 metres, leading to the destruction of the ecological balance and leading to increase in temperature and diseases. The UN predicts

that by 2025, Dhaka will be home to more than 20 million people -- larger than Mexico, Beijing, and Shanghai. This will inevitably put further pressure on Dhaka’s already strained water management system.

To tackle the increasing demand for water, alternate, sustainable options must be looked into immediately to avoid disaster. The problem is not merely one of water availability, but of waste management, held back by inefficiency. With 80% of potable water ending up as waste-water, recycling becomes essential, a solution many developing countries have already implemented.

Then there’s the issue of traffic; it is by far one of the worst in the world. In an article published by the BBC, Joshua Martin reports that “it lacks a mass transit system or a major freeway to support the 15 million people who live and work here. A 15km ride in an auto-rickshaw can take two to three hours in heavy traffic, during which one has to contend with dust, exhaust fumes, extreme heat, and noise pollution. Traffic laws aren’t usually enforced and vehicles move in a terrifying dance routine.” In a piece by Michael Hobbes in The New Republic on July 2, 2014, it was reported that traffic jams cost Dhaka an estimated $3.8bn.

The number of flyovers will indubitably increase in the next 15 years, increasing transport costs with little or no effect on the amount of traffic. It mostly benefits private car owners, who make up a mere 5% of the population. In the greater Dhaka Metropolitan Area, walking remains the main form of transport (37.2%), followed by rickshaws (28.5%), public buses (24.4%) and private

SYED LATIF HOSSAIN

cars (3.8%). However, those who use public transport still have to walk a certain distance to reach their destination.

With only 400 kilometres of footpaths in the DCC area (according to DevCon), the plight of the pedestrian remains problematic.

Ideally, Dhaka needs about 2,600 kilometres of footpaths. A study done by Work for a Better Bangladesh and HealthBridge reports that the most dangerous activities were crossing the road (46%) and walking along the road edge (35%). With only 3% of fatalities occurring at designated zebra crossings, it is evident that they provide effective protection for the pedestrian.

City-dwellers also suffer from a lack of public transport. There is no bust rapid

transit, despite efforts to establish one from Gazipur to Sadarghat. Additionally, the recklessness of the bus drivers remains a constant menace. Comparatively, in other cities, safer and quicker modes of transport are provided in the form of trams or metrorails.

With Dhaka being divided into two and having had no mayor since the sacking of Sadeque Hossain Khoka, there remains some potential for positive change. We, as citizens, can do little but hope for two new mayors who will provide us with the leadership to ensure safety and security for all of us. l Aminul Islam Sujon is a member of Poribesh Bachao Andolon.

DT

14 OPINION

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

BIGSTOCK

Voting for change n Omar Chowdhury

A

nnisul Huq was a no-show at the UNDP sponsored debate for the DNCC mayoral aspirants last week.

Mahi B Chowdhury very correctly stated: “Annisul Huq is the de-facto mayor of DNCC. He is already protected by state security and does not deem it necessary to answer to the voters. But he cannot hide forever -- he has to appear before you and answer to you.”

In the ensuing debate, Mahi and Zonayed Saki were clearly a class apart. They both were charismatic, confident, and intelligently articulate. In my assessment, they outclassed all the other mayoral aspirants present.

After the debate, it was interesting to see most of the audience (comprised mainly of students) clamouring around Saki and Mahi to take photos/selfies, whereas the other candidates were more or less ignored.

It then occurred to me that BNP had made another strategic blunder. Mahi had sought BNP’s blessing for DNCC mayor, but the BNP high command decided to back a newcomer candidate instead. I can only speculate that there was no green light from London for Mahi.

Every voter in Dhaka city knows of Mahi.

He is a seasoned politician in his own right, besides being the son of former president B Chowdhury. At one time, he was a rising star of the BNP and a part of the inner circle of Hawa Bhaban.

Tarique Rahman has always viewed Mahi as a direct threat to his leadership in BNP. That threat was neutralised with the ouster of President B Chowdhury, followed by the formation of Bikalpa Dhara.

If Mahi had BNP’s blessing, he would have won by a landslide. If Mahi stays in the race, he is expected to substantially cut into the BNP vote, and it remains to be seen how far anti-incumbency can take the BNP candidate.

lah. Hasina then came to power through a one-sided election with the full support of the state machinery, a feat that BNP attempted twice and failed both times (1996 and 2007).

Hasina established the legitimacy of her government with an iron fist and unprecedented development, and then cornered BNP into the ill-advised petrol bomb campaign.

After three months of non-stop oborodh and hartal, BNP had no choice but to capitu-

The election results will tell how voters respond to BNP’s re-entry into mainstream politics through participation in these local elections, after three months of petrol bombs, oborodh, and hartal.

BNP keeps making one blunder after another.

The election results will tell how voters respond to BNP’s re-entry into mainstream politics through participation in these local elections, after three months of petrol bombs, oborodh, and hartal. Or will BNP fall into another trap and withdraw from elections?

Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina plays one masterstroke after another. The controversial January 5 elections in 2014 were preceded by the hanging of war criminal Quader Mol-

late and re-enter mainstream politics through these mayoral elections. The potential DNCC mayor front-runner Mahmudur Rahman Manna of Nagorik Oikya was trapped and neutralised.

Hasina’s choice of political outsider Annisul Huq was another brilliant tactic. War criminal Kamaruzzaman was executed on the eve of the mayoral elections -- no doubt that some executions will be saved for the national elections.

As our lives return to normal and we

thrash Pakistan in cricket, the public has lost interest in the disappearance of BNP’s Salahuddin. Sheikh Hasina is by far the best political strategist we have seen in this century.

This mayoral election is viewed as more of a referendum of AL and BNP/Jamaat. Mayors have no real power other than garbage collection -- all the power remains with the central government, directly under Sheikh Hasina.

Assuming that Hasina remains in power till 2019, Annisul Huq is the only DNCC mayoral candidate that can deliver. Annisul Huq needs no introduction -- he’s a good guy with a proven track record. If you want to see real development in Dhaka North, vote for Annis.

However, if you have had enough of Awami League and BNP/Jamaat, and want to see real change, vote for Zonayed Saki. Saki has been doing three talk shows per week for the last two years, courageously speaking out against the injustices perpetuated on the people by our own government and our own opposition.

From the time he was elected president of DU Chhatro Federation, he has spent his whole adult life as a politician with the people, on the street, in every movement from the fall of Ershad to the trial of war criminals, and seeking compensation for victims of Rana Plaza.

Elect Saki as mayor of DNCC, and watch the change in the political culture of Bangladesh. l Omar Chowdhury is CEO of Jukto Front.

16

Indonesia’s Widodo to investors: If you have a problem, call me

17

Saudi oil production near record high in April

19

DSEX slips to 16-month low

20

Financial supports remain elusive to Rana Plaza victims n

DT

Business

15

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 2015

Center of Excellence launched to improve RMG productivity

TIB: Disburse PM’s fund for Rana Plaza victims

n Tribune Report

Rana Plaza victims and their family members are still suffering from various kinds of physical and mental problems despite several initiatives taken to improve their living conditions over the last two years, say findings of a leading local think tank yesterday.

Besides, the amount of financial support received by the victims and their families so far is insufficient to meet their needs, although they were promised complete financial support to cover their monthly expenses as well as medical expenses for their treatment.

The findings were disclosed at a dialogue on “Rana Plaza Tragedy: Two Years After” arranged by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) at the city’s BRAC Centre Inn to mark the second anniversary of the collapse of the Rana Plaza building that housed garment factories in which more than 1,100 people died.

The victims and their families have spent a significant amount of money for the treatment of their conditions over the years although many of them were constrained by inadequate financial capacities, according to the fourth monitoring report of CPD presented by additional research director Khondaker Golam Moazzem at the function.

The monitoring report was prepared by taking telephone interviews this month of a selected number of victims and their family members to evaluate the current state of their physical condition, treatment for their injuries and the source of finance for their current state of their employment and income, and the status of financial support.

The report said most of the victims have children who require essential services like education, which is difficult to provide them from their limited income.

They are not at the same level compared to their condition prior to the collapse of Rana

CPD distinguished fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya speaks at a dialogue on Rana Plaza tragedy on its two years completion in Dhaka yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU Plaza, it said.

“The living condition is very poor for the severely injured workers, and for families whose members were deceased but are yet to be identified. Among the injured workers, a few are employed locally in off-farm jobs after receiving training under various initiatives founded by different organizations.”

However, it said in most cases, their income is below what they received earlier.

They are unemployed due to their poor physical condition and inability to engage in daily work.

At the function, victim and traumatised garment worker, Jesmin, described her ordeals since the Rana Plaza tragedy with choking voice.

“I was under the rubble for two days. My backbone has completely broken. I got back my sense at the CMH Hospital, Savar, after six days into the incident. After six months, I was released from the hospital.”

She said, “Now, I cannot work. High buildings still scar me. I got Tk50,000 from BILLS and Tk10,000 from Prime Minister’s fund over the last two years.”

After the death of her husband in 2010, Jesmin had to join the garment work. “Still, I have to take medicine worth Tk3,000Tk4,000 per month. But the money what I received is not enough. Days are going somehow.”

Monowara Begum’s husband died at the Rana Plaza incident. She said, “I got Tk20,000 for burial of my husband. “After that, I got nothing. The life is so hard...the future is dark.”

The CPD report said during the second year, no additional missing workers have been identified through the use of DNA test or through verification of documents submitted by victims’ family members.

However, it said during the second year, considerable progress has been made in the areas, including commitment of the global clothing retailers’ towards providing longterm support to the victims.

Labour and Employment Secretary Mikail Shipar, former president of BGMEA Abdus Salam Murshedy, BGMEA Vice-President Md Shahidullah Azim, Assistant Executive Director of BILS Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmmed, President of Sommilito Garments and Dorji Sromik League Roy Ramesh Chandra and CPD distinguished fellow Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, among others, spoke at the programme. l

Abid Azad

The Bangladesh chapter of Transparency International yesterday said about Tk108 crore in the prime minister’s fund for Rana Plaza victims had remained unused.

“It has been two years since the Rana Plaza collapse. But still Tk108 crore out of Tk127 crore deposited in the PM’s fund for the victims is yet to be disbursed,” TIB Trustee Board Chairperson Sultana Kamal said.

“We received complaints that many of the victims have not been given compensation while many others did not get adequate amount of money as compensation. The money meant for the victims is shown as the PM’s fund,” she said at a press conference at Midas Centre in the capital.

She demanded punishment of those responsible for the deadly building collapse, caused due to negligence.

Over 1,138 workers, mostly women, were killed while over 2,500 others injured in one of the world’s deadliest disasters on April 24, 2013.

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said: “Rana Plaza collapse is an example of how people sacrifice their lives because of corruption. Even after two years, an appropriate compensation mechanism is yet to be adopted to distribute the money among the victims and their families.”

He said the wage of garment workers was not sufficient while the garment owners’ body BGMEA on different occasions take benefits from the government showing excuses.

Iftekhar also proposed that the government establishes a separate ministry to ensure good governance in the RMG sector in the long-run.

The TIB demanded that the fund authorities make public the list of victims who got compensation and the amount already distributed.

At the programme, the Berlin-based corruption watchdog also disclosed findings of a follow-up research on the steps made by the government and other organisations in the last one year and the implementation process.

The findings show that $15m out of the $21m collected by the Rana Plaza Donor’s Fund have been distributed among the victims in phases.

The study finds that the government and other stakeholders had partially implemented the initiatives they had taken in the previous years.

It says there have been no work towards establishing a separate ministry, formulating rules for trade unions and federations, and raising a workers’ welfare fund.

Around 220 small and medium factories were closed last year for not meeting requirements with 1-1.5 lakh workers losing job, TIB says. l

DT

16 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

Indonesia’s Widodo to investors: If you have a problem, call me n Reuters, Jakarta President Joko Widodo urged investors on Monday to come to Indonesia, promising “incredible profits” and assuring them that if they run into any problems they can give him a call.

Widodo, who was elected president six months ago amid hopes that he would bring much-needed reform to Asia’s fifth-largest economy, has come under fire recently for failing to deliver radical change and a series of policy reversals.

Addressing a World Economic Forum meeting in Jakarta, he conceded that Indonesia now faced significant challenges, and compared them to the country’s over-reliance on crude oil exports when oil prices crashed after the 1970s boom.

“Today we are in the same situation,” he said, referring to the push needed after the collapse of oil prices to build industries from textiles and garments to paper and palm oil.

“Commodity prices have crashed. Our currency has been hit. But let me tell you, we have done it before and we shall do it again.”

He said the Indonesian economy now needed to shift from consumption to production and to investment in infrastructure, industry and human capital.

The president wants to raise growth in Southeast Asia’s largest economy to 5.7% this year from 5.02% in 2014, and attain 7% growth on average in his five-year tenure.

Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo gestures as he delivers a speech during the interactive session of the World Economic Forum on East Asia in Jakarta REUTERS Widodo, making a rare speech in English at the start of a week during which Jakarta will also host an Asia-Africa Conference, said he had told his cabinet ministers to be honest about their challenges.

“Please come and invest in Indonesia. Because where we see challenges, I see opportunity,” he said. “And if you have any problem, call me.”

‘Don’t squeeze investors’

Widodo, who came to office last year partly on a pledge to revive the economy, has vowed to improve the business climate and bring new investment.

He sees the WEF as a key platform to push his agenda, where delegated included Coca-Cola and US oil giant Chevron as well as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Rus-

India’s rupee management undermines hedging push n Reuters, Mumbai The Reserve Bank of India’s intervention to temper the rupee’s rise is inflating foreign exchange hedging costs, impeding its own efforts to bolster Corporate India’s defences against potential currency turbulence.

For long, one of the biggest concerns for the RBI has been the risk of a destabilising outflow of funds as the US Federal Reserve edges closer towards raising interest rates from historic lows.

However, it is the rush of foreign money coming into Asia’s third-biggest economy about $14.3bn has flowed into debt and equity markets this year - that is putting the central bank in a tight spot, forcing it to buy dollars in the spot market and sell them in the forward market.

The effect of removing excess rupees from the system as the RBI sterilises the inflationary effect of money supply has further driven up rupee interest rates above dollar rates.

This means banks and companies have to pay more rupees to hedge their dollar liabilities in the futures markets.

Ashish Vaidya, head of trading, asset liability management at DBS in Mumbai, said the RBI has to walk a fine line as it looks to ensure price stability while taking the upward pressure off the rupee from capital inflows.

“The RBI is buying dollars in the spot mar-

ket and then paying forward to remove the surge of rupee liquidity, as it has to maintain price stability,” he said.

Corporates must now pay upwards of 7.6% to buy dollars and sell rupees to meet future obligations. The six-month forward premium on the dollar versus the rupee has risen by around 35 basis points so far in 2015.

The RBI is buying dollars in the spot market and then paying forward to remove the surge of rupee liquidity, as it has to maintain price stability “The implication of higher forward dollar/rupee premium is importers are hedging less than they should, which is a risk to the banking system,” said Anindya Das Gupta, managing director, head of trading at Barclays in India - precisely the kind of risk the RBI wants to minimise.

Underscoring the perils of inadequate hedging, the rupee fell 0.9% intraday on Monday - its steepest slide since Dec 16.

Last October, RBI Deputy Governor H.R. Khan warned the hedge ratio for overseas loans and foreign convertible debt had halved to around 15% in July-August from the previous fiscal year.

Capital flows

The rupee was the third best performing currency in Asia in the March quarter, rising 0.85% - backed by rising inflows on optimism over economic growth, stable inflation and structural reforms. It has retreated since then and is up around 0.2% so far in 2015.

The robust capital inflows have boosted importers’ confidence that any rupee depreciation will be less costly than a hedge, while most exporters have also been lax about hedging on the view the currency will move in a tight band.

“If we hedge, we will lose a lot of money,” a senior official at a state-run oil company said, noting the short import payments period.

The stubbornly strong rupee has ramped up RBI’s operations in the spot forex market - it bought a net $20bn in January and February. The central bank has also been swapping rupees for dollars in the forward market, adding $260m in up to one-year dollar contracts in February. In contrast, the RBI’s net dollar holdings in tenors up to oneyear fell sharply by $6.49bn in December.

“We are not going to maintain any particular level for the rupee and so they (firms) have to recognize that they are taking on a big risk,” Governor Raghuram Rajan said earlier this month, sounding a warning to firms that aren’t hedging their currency exposure. l

sian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich.

However, Widodo, who took power in October, has his work cut out to improve the investment climate, with investors put off in recent years by policies seen as nationalistic in the banking and mining sectors, and complex bureaucracy.

Indonesia came a dismal 114th in the World Bank’s latest rankings on the ease of doing business, out of 189 countries.

The president has already taken some steps. He almost entirely axed fuel subsidies that gobbled up a huge chunk of the economy in the early months of his administration, freeing up billions of dollars.

But analysts said momentum appears to have slowed and accused the government of sending mixed signals. They pointed to a ban introduced last week on the sale of beer at small shops across the Muslim-majority country, which sparked anger from international brewers.

“If you want to roll (out) the red carpet, don’t squeeze them when they come,” said Yose Rizal Damuri from Jakarta think-tank the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

A major focus for Widodo is improving infrastructure, with potholed roads and ageing ports a key complaint of investors - a problem all too clear for delegates arriving in the chaotic capital Jakarta, which suffers chronic traffic jams and has scant public transport. l

India’s reserves rise $20bn in Q1, buck slower reserve growth trend n Reuters, London India has posted the biggest gain in hard currency reserves of any major emerging economy in the past year, bucking the weaker trend in fellow BRICS states Russia, Brazil and South Africa.

Indian reserves stood at $343bn at the end of March 2015, up more than $20bn from end2014 levels and a jump of almost $40bn from a year ago.

Reforms after a pro-business government took office last May triggered huge foreign inflows into Indian markets, which the central bank used in order to rebuild reserves.

But Russia’s reserves fell $130bn or 27% from last March after authorities spent billions defending the rouble amid last year’s oil crash and the conflict in Ukraine. Reserves are $30bn below end-2014 levels.

Some of this, however, is down to valuations - the euro, comprising 40% of Russian reserves is down 23% in the past year against the dollar.

“Capital inflows into emerging markets have slowed compared to pre-crisis years, hence a slowdown in reserve accumulation,” said Manik Narain, a strategist at UBS, referring to investors’ wariness over slower growth and worsening politics in the developing world. l

DT

BUSINESS 17

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

Saudi Arabia’s Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi talks to journalists before a meeting of OPEC oil ministers at OPEC’s headquarters in Vienna REUTERS

‘Saudi oil production near record high’ n Reuters, Seoul Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi says Saudi Arabia is producing near record levels of crude in April, underscoring the kingdom’s willingness to defend market share at a time when oil markets have staged a fragile recovery.

There are worries that growing production from Saudi Arabia and other members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) could snuff out a recent rebound in oil prices, particularly with economic growth in key oil consumer China the slowest in six years in the first quarter.

OPEC had said its overall output surged to 30.79 million barrels per day in March, up 810,000 bpd from the previous month, with demand higher than expected due to lower prices.

Naimi said that oil production in Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest crude exporter, was “around 10 million” bpd in April.

“I have said many times we will always be happy to supply to our customers with what

they want. Now they want 10 million,” Naimi said in an interview in the South Korean capital, where he is due to attend a board meeting of the state oil firm Saudi Aramco.

Naimi earlier this month said that Saudi Arabia produced some 10.3 million bpd of crude in March, eclipsing a previous high of 10.2 million bpd in August 2013, according to records going back to the early 1980s.

Oil prices have risen around 17% this month, pushed up by reports of a possible dip in US output, but Morgan Stanley warned on Monday that Saudi production could be more important than developments in the United States.

“We worry about the market’s fixation on the US ... OPEC production may be more important as production increased 1 million barrels per day monthon-month in March. Saudi Arabia alone added the equivalent of half of Bakken (the largest US shale oil field) production in a matter of months – far beyond any US slowdown,” the bank said in a note. l

China slowdown to lower steel demand growth n Reuters, London

Global steel use should grow at a slightly slower pace this year than last because of China’s slow down, although elsewhere steel use is mostly improving and 2016 prospects look brighter, the World Steel Association said on Monday.

“We hear increasingly positive use from developed economies, especially ... the euro zone. In the developing world we see increased optimism about India and growth in the MENA and ASEAN countries,” said Hans Jurgen Kerkhoff,

chairman of the group’s Economics Committee.

Global apparent steel use is expected to grow by 0.5% this year to 1.544bn tonnes, compared with growth of 0.6% last year, Worldsteel said.

This primarily because use in China, which accounts for about half of the world’s steel consumption, is expected to fall 0.5% to 707.2m tonnes from last year.

Next year, however, global apparent steel use is expected to grow 1.4% to 1.566bn tonnes.

Emerging and developing economies should be up 4 percent, developed economies 1.8%. l

DT

18 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

News, analysis and recent disclosures BDTHAI: The Board of Directors has recommended 10% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 22.06.2015, Time: 11:30 AM, Venue: Trust Milonayaton 545, Old Airport Road, Jahangir Gate, Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka-1206. Record Date: 04.05.2015. The Company has also reported net profit after tax of Tk. 73.20 million, EPS of Tk. 1.54, NAV per share of Tk. 51.63 and NOCFPS of Tk. 6.05 for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

PIONEERINS: The Board of Directors has recommended 5% cash dividend and 25% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 21.05.2015, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Officers Club, 26 Baily Road, Dhaka-1000. Record Date: 04.05.2015.

The Company has also reported EPS (after tax) of Tk. 3.90, EPS (after tax and reserve) of Tk. 2.02, NAV per share of Tk. 26.33 and NOCFPS of Tk. 5.13 for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

PIONEERINS: (Q1 Un-audited): Profit after taxes from Jan15 to Mar15 was Tk. 69.04 million with EPS of Tk. 1.36 as against Tk. 65.44 million and Tk. 1.28 respectively for the same period of the previous year. However, considering proposed bonus share 25% for the year 2014, restated basic EPS will be Tk. 1.09 as on 31.03.15 and Tk. 1.03 as on 31.03.14.

Board Meeting: PARAMOUNT on April 27, 2015 at 3:00 PM, NTC on April 21, 2015 at 6:00 PM, CITYBANK on April 25, 2015 at 11:00 AM instead of April 22, 2015.

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

PROVATIINS: 12% stock, AGM: 25.06.2015, Record Date: 04.05.2015.

IBNSINA: 30% cash and 5% stock, AGM: 06.06.2015, Record Date: 10.05.2015.

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.

POPULARLIF: 40% Stock dividend, AGM: 11.06.2015, Record Date: 23.04.2015.

Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

Company BD Submarine Cable-A Alltex Industries -Z Sonargaon Tex -Z WesternMarine -N AsianTigerSandhani GF-A ACI Formulations-A ACI Limited- A United Power-N Samata LeatheR -Z Modern Dyeing -Z

Closing (% Change) 9.93 9.76 9.73 9.39 8.47 7.76 7.52 6.66 5.85 5.61

CSE GAINER Company BD Submarine Cable-A Sonargaon Tex -Z Alltex Industries -Z WesternMarine -N Standard Insurance-A AsianTigerSandhani GF-A ACI Formulations-A ACI Limited- A United Power-N Shinepukur Cera-Z

Closing (% Change) 9.92 9.82 9.80 9.41 9.20 8.62 8.45 7.50 6.63 4.35

DSE LOSER Company Fareast Finance-Z Aziz PipesZ GSP Finance-A Prime Textile -A Metro Spinning -A BGIC -A BD. Autocars -Z Hakkani P& Paper -B The Peninsula CTG.-N Rahima Food -Z

Closing (% Change) -9.40 -7.25 -6.67 -6.25 -5.88 -5.73 -5.71 -5.69 -5.56 -5.45

CSE LOSER Company Grameen M F One-A Fareast Finance-Z Reliance1 M.F.-A Anlima Yarn -A S.B. 1st M. F.-A Standard Ceramic -A Saiham Tex.A Apex Foods -A Imam Button -Z GreenDeltaInsu -A

Closing (% Change) -9.72 -8.62 -8.33 -7.82 -7.59 -7.25 -7.23 -6.45 -6.45 -6.35

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

DSE key features April 21, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

DSE GAINER

Sector

4,398.20 98,418,370 110,334

Traded Issues

311

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

63

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

244

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

4

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,453.45

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

29.74

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 274.87 114.84 24.64 595.53 154.37 1144.97 36.80 425.48 654.75 13.58 195.19 17.93 32.72 57.49 196.45 21.59 47.77 155.41 108.46 105.97 19.40

% change 6.25 2.61 0.56 13.54 3.51 26.03 0.84 9.67 14.89 0.31 4.44 0.41 0.74 1.31 4.47 0.49 1.09 3.53 2.47 2.41 0.44

Million Taka 10.71 9.18 1.36 53.84 5.72 104.57 44.42 38.71 1.49 11.48 0.72 4.34 7.45 8.85 0.72 2.62 25.56 20.80 19.77 0.03

Average (% Change) 8.34 4.60 9.56 2.67 4.36 2.88 1.70 9.30 5.53 10.45

Average (% Change) 7.60 9.82 3.46 2.76 9.20 3.19 4.27 2.66 9.53 7.59

Average (% Change) -9.59 -6.54 -5.87 -7.63 -5.66 -5.28 -5.70 -5.14 -4.54 -5.01

Average (% Change) -9.72 -9.15 -6.94 -7.67 -7.59 -7.25 -7.11 -6.45 -4.67 -5.42

CSE

ClosingAvg. 123.49 26.13 12.38 50.69 6.22 137.84 519.00 224.49 18.14 74.07

ClosingAvg. 123.43 12.30 26.01 50.71 19.00 6.15 138.76 524.95 224.52 12.34

ClosingAvg. 10.65 17.86 11.55 15.01 9.83 14.88 16.54 20.10 19.12 24.46

ClosingAvg.

% change 2.88 2.46 0.37 14.46 1.54 28.08 0.00 11.93 10.40 0.40 3.08 0.19 1.17 2.00 2.38 0.19 0.70 6.87 5.59 5.31 0.01

19.50 10.63 5.50 16.50 7.30 32.00 21.83 87.00 8.77 47.63

Closing 124.00 27.00 12.40 52.40 6.40 143.00 536.40 225.80 18.10 69.70

Closing 124.10 12.30 26.90 52.30 19.00 6.30 143.70 539.20 226.70 12.00

Closing

DHIGH 124.00 27.00 12.40 52.60 6.40 144.80 536.40 228.70 18.80 70.00

DHIGH

DHIGH

DLOW 117.00 12.30 23.60 47.40 19.00 5.90 130.00 488.50 215.00 11.40

DLOW

11.00 18.00 12.10 16.00 10.20 15.50 17.20 21.40 20.40 25.00

DHIGH

19.50 10.60 5.50 16.50 7.30 32.00 21.80 87.00 8.70 47.20

Million Taka 285.58 124.02 26.00 649.37 160.08 1249.54 36.80 469.89 693.46 15.07 206.67 18.65 37.06 64.93 205.31 22.31 50.39 180.97 129.26 125.74 19.42

117.60 24.10 12.30 47.50 5.90 130.00 485.00 216.00 18.00 69.00

124.10 12.30 26.90 52.50 19.00 6.30 145.00 539.20 229.90 12.60

10.60 17.90 11.20 15.00 9.60 14.80 16.50 19.90 18.70 24.30

Closing

DLOW

10.60 17.50 11.10 14.80 9.60 14.50 16.30 19.60 18.50 24.10

DLOW

19.50 11.00 5.50 16.50 7.30 32.00 22.00 87.00 8.80 50.00

Total

19.50 10.50 5.50 16.50 7.30 32.00 21.60 87.00 8.70 45.40

% change 5.99 2.60 0.55 13.61 3.36 26.19 0.77 9.85 14.54 0.32 4.33 0.39 0.78 1.36 4.30 0.47 1.06 3.79 2.71 2.64 0.41

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

34.201 59.760 1.734 215.913 1.865 72.410 168.331 526.741 0.039 0.004

Turnover in Million

0.76 2.02 -0.84 1.76 0.00 3.27 9.57 7.11 -0.46 -0.50

Latest EPS

9.982 0.163 6.220 32.913 0.001 0.528 5.577 14.448 55.895 0.213

Turnover in Million

162.5 12.9 -ve 28.8 42.2 54.2 31.6 -ve -ve

Latest PE

0.76 -0.84 2.02 1.76 3.07 0.00 3.27 9.57 7.11 0.39

Latest EPS

5.274 0.025 6.166 0.107 1.970 1.137 0.091 0.348 15.373 0.314

Turnover in Million

Latest PE

162.4 -ve 12.9 28.8 6.2 42.4 54.9 31.6 31.6

Latest PE

1.88 -0.37 1.02 1.00 0.44 1.31 0.14 0.42 1.46 -0.42

Latest EPS

0.008 0.797 0.003 0.040 0.001 0.048 0.011 0.026 0.052 0.014

5.7 -ve 11.3 15.0 22.3 11.4 118.1 47.9 13.1 -ve

Latest PE

1.50 1.88 0.62 0.74 1.54 0.52 2.42 3.20 -1.48 2.96

13.0 5.7 8.9 22.3 4.7 61.5 9.0 27.2 -ve 16.1

CSE key features April 21, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

372.33 10,139,604 18,342

Traded Issues

238

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

50

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

181

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

7

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,371.89

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

28.75

DT

BUSINESS 19

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

DSEX slips to 16-month low n Tribune Report

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

Brac Bank -A Shasha Denims -N SummitAlliancePort.-A ACI Formulations-A Shahjibazar Power-N

VolumeShares 2,346,340 4,259,694 712,638 324,335 2,559,207 1,200,762 1,773,021 3,958,065 363,281 1,547,532

Value in Million 526.74 215.91 181.91 168.33 165.33 155.72 140.64 125.74 121.21 115.37

% of TotalTurnover 11.98 4.91 4.14 3.83 3.76 3.54 3.20 2.86 2.76 2.62

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

3,328,856 1,945,301 1,323,126 525,307 377,314

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company United Power-N WesternMarine -N MJL BD Ltd.-A Grameenphone-A UNITED AIR-A ACI Limited- A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Khulna Power-A BD Submarine Cable-A SAIF Powertec-N

Shasha Denims -N Mozaffar H.Spinning-A Ifad Autos -N Square Pharma -A Alltex Industries -Z

248,951 649,079 145,480 46,246 1,996,614 27,523 420,041 174,546 80,871 121,442

172,290 196,875 84,647 24,740 239,097

115.23 84.00 72.94 72.41 61.75

55.89 32.91 19.08 15.58 15.35 14.45 12.86 11.24 9.98 9.06

7.40 6.69 6.68 6.32 6.22

2.62 1.91 1.66 1.65 1.40

15.01 8.84 5.12 4.18 4.12 3.88 3.45 3.02 2.68 2.43

1.99 1.80 1.79 1.70 1.67

ClosingP 225.80 52.40 254.40 536.40 64.70 131.20 78.90 31.90 332.60 74.40

34.90 42.30 54.50 143.00 161.40

ClosingP

Change % 6.66 9.39 -0.63 7.52 0.94 3.55 1.81 2.57 0.18 1.92

1.16 -3.86 -1.80 7.76 -2.89

Change %

226.70 52.30 130.60 332.80 7.90 539.20 30.30 64.70 124.10 74.60

42.30 34.00 78.20 254.50 26.90

6.63 9.41 2.92 -0.09 3.95 7.50 -1.62 0.78 9.92 2.75

-2.98 -0.87 0.90 -0.78 9.80

ClosingY 211.70 47.90 256.00 498.90 64.10 126.70 77.50 31.10 332.00 73.00

34.50 44.00 55.50 132.70 166.20

ClosingY

212.60 47.80 126.90 333.10 7.60 501.60 30.80 64.20 112.90 72.60

43.60 34.30 77.50 256.50 24.50

DHIGH 228.70 52.60 257.80 536.40 65.60 132.00 81.60 32.40 342.00 76.00

35.90 46.00 56.40 144.80 169.90

DLOW 216.00 47.50 254.00 485.00 62.90 126.00 77.50 30.80 331.00 72.20

34.30 41.70 54.00 130.00 159.00

DHIGH

DLOW

229.90 52.50 133.80 346.80 8.10 539.20 31.10 65.40 124.10 76.00

215.00 47.40 126.30 331.30 7.30 488.50 30.20 62.80 117.00 72.00

44.00 34.50 81.00 258.00 26.90

41.80 33.60 77.50 254.00 23.60

AvgPrice 224.49 50.69 255.26 519.00 64.60 129.69 79.32 31.77 333.65 74.55

34.61 43.18 55.13 137.84 163.66

AvgPrice

224.52 50.71 131.16 336.93 7.69 524.95 30.61 64.40 123.43 74.60

42.94 34.00 78.92 255.45 26.01

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

4283.24700

(-) 0.58%

1632.24690

(-) 0.13%

13225.05330

(-) 0.27%

10763.60090

(-) 0.43%

8053.37740

(-) 0.21%

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

Stocks extended losses for the second straight session yesterday, with the benchmark index DSEX sinking 16-month low.

The benchmark index DSEX lost 25 points or 0.6% to settle at 4,283. It was the lowest level since December 30, 2013, when it was 4,266.

The Shariah Index DSES dropped nearly 4 points or 0.4% to 1,045. The comprising blue chips DS30 was marginally down 2 points or 0.2% to 1,632.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, closed at 8,053, shedding 33 points.

Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Ltd (BSCCL) shone, gaining the highest almost 10% following the news that the Cabinet on Monday approved an agreement with India to export bandwidth that will fetch Bangladesh $1.2m every year.

The United Power Generation and Distribution Company Limited continued to rally abnormally, as it rose 6.7%, making it also the most traded scrips.

The total turnover on DSE also declined Tk439 crore, registering a fall of 4.5% over the previous session.

Lanka Bangla Securities said, “After previous day’s terrible trading session the market went through another harsh day as investors still

seem to be in a selling mood”.

It said the opposition party’s announcement of strike today (Wednesday) added fuel to the fire, said the stock broker.

IDLC Investments said “After previous day’s helpless submission, the market saw a volatile session which ultimately yielded to sellers.”

Exploiting current trend of investors’ mass-migration to select a few stocks, United Power has recently emerged as the largest cap stock in power sector, ousting long term champion Titas Gas.

The total turnover on DSE also declined Tk439 crore, registering a fall of 4.5% over the previous session The shaky confidence level in financial system is more pronounced in bank sector as it gradually fell behind from the largest market capitalisation sector to be the 4th largest within past one year, it said.

Large-cap sectors posted mixed performance. Fuel and power experienced the highest gain of the session 1%. Telecommunication and pharmaceuticals closed flat. l

ANALYST

The Shariah Index DSES dropped nearly 4 points or 0.4% to 1,045. The comprising blue chips DS30 was marginally down 2 points or 0.2% to 1,632

DT

20 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

Center of Excellence launched to improve RMG productivity n Tribune Report

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association has launched Center of Excellence for Bangladesh Apparel Industry (CEBAI) to improve productivity through research and development.

The CEBAI is designed to establish a replicable industry-driven training and support service model for Bangladesh garment sector.

It will also provide certified training to improve the quality of workers and productivity in the RMG factories to enable them to have their skills formally recognised.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed unveiled the logo of the Center at a city hotel yesterday.

Earlier on December 7 last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Center.

“The CEBAI can play a significant role by providing the garment industry with skills and need-based training for the workers,” said Tofail Ahmed.

He added: “Most importantly, the Center will also regularly conduct research on the industry to keep it in the right track of the development and act as the think-tank for the apparel industry.”

The objectives of the project are to boost workers’ productivity through skill development, strengthening management at factory level, setting market strategy for further value addition, suggestion for policy directives,

economic forecast, said Prof Syed Forhat Anwar.

Prof Anwar, who teaches at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) of Dhaka University, made a presentation on the CEBAI. “Expansion of RMG market is very important for Bangladesh to achieve the export targets,” he said suggesting setting up of export zones abroad as the country lacks enough land.

BGMEA Vice-President Reaz Bin Mahmood said the CEBAI would work to device curricula for workers’ training, make policy directives and conduct exclusive research works for the sector to achieve $50bn export target by 2021.

Country director of International Labor Organisation Srinivash B Reddy said the CEBAI is aimed at building skills that the industry needs.

It also would reduce gap between suppliers and buyers, he added.

The CEBAI is the first integrated approach in the country to address the issues of the RMG industry both as a think tank and also as an institute where training will be provide to develop various skills, said BGMEA president Atiqul Islam.

Sate Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, AAMS Arefin Siddique, Vice Chancellor, University of Dhaka, Tomoko Nishimoto, Assistant Director General and Regional Director for the Asia Pacific, ILO were present at the programme. l

HSBC holds workshop on hedging forex risks n Tribune Business Desk The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited in Bangladesh yesterday organised a workshop on hedging of interest rate and foreign exchange risks.

It was facilitated by head of global markets, HSBC Bangladesh, Bashar M Tareq and head of corporate risk advisory, global markets, HSBC Asia Pacific, Anita Mishra.

HSBC staff and clients attended the workshop and took part in interactive sessions, said a press release. The speakers discussed about relevant risks in foreign exchange and the tools to minimise the risks. Head of commercial banking, HSBC Bangladesh, Bhuvnesh Khanna and CEO of HSBC Bangladesh, Francois de Maricourt, also spoke. l

Uddipan CEO Emranul elected CDF chairman n Tribune Business Desk Emranul Huq Chowdhury, executive director and CEO of Uddipan, has been elected chairman for Credit and Development Forum (CDF).

The new chairman won uncontested in the election held at BRAC INN on April 18, 2015.

Emranul has long been involved in a series of national, regional and international

networks and organisations like PKSF, BSAF, CRGA, INAFI Bangladesh, and Asian Resource Foundation.

Family members of UDDIPAN extend wishes to his latest victory for greater success in the days to come.

Credit and Development Forum is the network of NGOs across the country dealing with Micro Finance. l

DT

21

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

Photo courtesy: Sailor

T-JUNCTION

Turn up the heat

INSIDE

22 Trial room Picture perfect: Asif Azim

24 Decor

Renovation: Round Two Finishing touches

DT

22 T-JUNCTION

Trial Room

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

Picture perfect: Asif Azim

“If you know me, you have to love me.”

n Baizid Haque Joarder One look at him, and you know that he portrays the image of the quintessential man. An ideal jawline and Greek god-like physique, Asif Azim is rightfully among the top 100 models in the world. The only Bangladeshi in the list, he has represented our country on a global platform. He’s been in the fashion scene for over a decade and has worked all around the world, modelling for industry heavyweights like Calvin Klein, FCUK, Tommy Hilfiger, Zara, Boss, Puma, Reebok and Levis, to name a few. Asif has been on the cover for other reputable magazines as well.

Currently residing in India’s major fashion city Mumbai, Asif is among the top tier of models there. Working with household names such as Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and other fashion bigwigs, he’s a household name at Fashion Week.

Asif was recently spotted walking the ramp as the brand ambassador for Sailor, a new fashion brand. Baizid Haque Joarder joined him for a cup of coffee to share a side of him very few people are aware of.

What comes naturally to you, modelling or acting?

I believe that in order to become a good model, you need to be a good actor. The two

mediums may be different but they require similar skills like body-language, emotions and so on. It is also harder to portray a story through one photograph than an entire movie. No matter what you are going through in your personal life, the job requires you to get up and smile at the cameras. And that needs a great deal of acting skill – skill that you constantly need to build on.

All that being said, men have three things they need to work for: their job, food and …“fun.” If you are focused and enjoy what you’re doing, you are bound to do good!

There’s a common misconception that certain parts of our modelling industry is “shady” and unprofessional. This has become so widespread that it has given birth to a stigma – what is your take on this?

No, it’s really up to you. I have worked with many reputable brands and never faced anything of that sort. I don’t believe that our industry is shady, at least not more so than any other. If you really think about it, there will be “unprofessionalism,” for the lack of a better word, in places that have room for it.

People love to take shortcuts to success and do what is required to climb the ladder as fast as possible. This never does anyone any good. They may succeed till a certain point, but they can never really reach the heights of success. At most they may live a comfortable

I believe Bangladesh isn’t far behind but actually ahead of many. Given our youth’s hardworking stance on life and how they strive for success through hard work, we will be there. life, but that will be all there is to it.

As for perceptions, they change with time.

Previously, people believed that “good” jobs could only be found when you found work in the foreign service or became a doctor or an engineer. However, times are changing.

The fashion industry has grown with quality brands like Sailor in the market. More jobs have been created over time. Right now, it’s all up to your upbringing. If that is right, one can go very far in the industry. I hope parents don’t discourage their children because of these misconceptions and they can shine in the fields they want.

Everyone seems to know about your plans for Bollywood...

PHOTOS: SAILOR

A smile breaks out across Asif’s face.

Let’s not talk about that now. All I’ll say is that I am working my way there. If there is

any news, you will know soon enough. Right now, I want to focus on Bangladesh and want to make my countrymen proud. I am constantly trying to work as hard as possible to do just that. I believe in hard work and I know it pays off – I just hope I have the support of my fans along the way.

Your recent participation at Bigg Boss brought you to the limelight, sometimes for controversies that still have not been spoken about. No one really knows Asif Azim’s side of the story.

It’s a reality game show and people play over there. There are two perspectives to it: one positive and another negative. You have to choose between them. Even if you lost the toss doesn’t mean you’ve lost the game. It’s just the beginning. Everything about the journey has been a positive experience for me.

I knew I was representing Bangladesh, and I tried to showcase what I learnt from my upbringing here, by being myself. It was still very difficult though. Living in that house was a very different experience, the bright lights above your head, rationed food and sleep would be enough to make just about anyone feel disturbed. Sometimes people went crazy, unable to take it all.

I would like to say that I am not disappointed, rather, I’m thankful for the experience. People who didn’t know me at first, especially in the rural areas, now know about Asif Azim and the love is overwhelming. People love me and that is all that I wanted.

Asif Azim, the womaniser?

Another million-dollar smile breaks out.

Yes, I do bear that scandalous tag, but even though I was brought up here, truth be told, I never dated anyone here.

You have always wanted to work for the betterment of our modelling industry. Any future plans?

As a matter of fact, yes. I intend to make a modelling school for which I’ll need everyone’s support, especially the government. Not in terms of financing the project, but I’ll need help in general from the government. Institutes are very important to train people in all areas and for modelling, proper grooming is essential. I want to do something phenomenal, something for the good of the country. Something that the next generation will remember me for. Fashion week, Mr/Ms Bangladesh contests could be a platform for models to attend global contests like Mr/Ms World and Mr/Ms Universe.

I want to create a similar platform, an opening for aspiring models. I want to encourage more talent to join the industry, change their perspective, or else we can never go beyond our national Boundaries.

We can never take Bangladesh’s name to the global arena.

T-JUNCTION 23

DT

Trial Room

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

Where do you want to see the fashion industry?

I have a dream about Bangladesh and it is partially coming true with Sailor. They are a part of the dream and I believe they have the potential to prosper internationally. Our brand, around the world. That is my dream.

Anything for our readers?

Try to read about me, know me as a person and you’ll like me. Looks will fade away but as an honest human being, I think what is important for me is to reach a place in life that everyone can be proud of. I’d like to

give readers similar advice: everything you do, do with honesty and put your 100% into every venture because you might not get that opportunity again. Anything you do, treat it like it’s your last and one and only job, and you will do your best.

Wise words from Asif Azim?

Create yourself as a brand and work on your leadership qualities. Build your reputation so that other brands want to collaborate with you. Reach heights that will make others proud. l

Yes, I do bear that scandalous tag, but even though I was brought up here, truth be told, I never dated anyone here.

Asif’s picks For fun I do anything and everything. Spending time with kids makes me happy. I love visiting the seaside in the middle of the night. This is a stressreliever for me since my profession is very action packed and stressful.

Favourite brands Right now it’s Sailor - I have complete faith in them. Apart from that Diesel has always been a favourite.

Favourite music Lalon geeti and folk music in general.

Favourite food Any meal prepared by my mother. When you are away from something you dearly miss, you tend to appreciate and develop more love for it.

DT

24 T-JUNCTION

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

Tucked In

decor

Renovation:

Round Two

Finishing touches

n Adila Hoque You remodel your home over and over again, you change the wallpaper and lighting on a yearly basis but you still can’t happen to change the ambiance of the room.

Your new mirror sparkles with glory while the comfy new mattress lies on the bed, looking as persuasive as ever. Even then, there’s nothing to spice it up.

What’s missing in your home is ideal soft furnishing, namely cushions and curtains.

We often tend to go with the same curtains for years in a row, never once thinking that changing it around a little will only do us good. Have you ever imagined what it will be like to trade your bright cotton hues for a monochromatic trend - or even a splash of neon here and there?

Ditch the old cushion covers Cushions are a practical item, but it doesn’t stop them from being stylish. They are one of the easiest ways to complete any unexplained spaces and give it just a dash of home-sweet-home. The comfy ones on your bed will make you want to will the hours away until bedtime so you can be cozy and comfortable in that warm irresistible nest once again. Cushions are more than just bed garnishing: they are used on top of

fluffy chairs and on the floor to give a kind of Feng Shui touch. Because of the widely available range of cushions, you are free to experiment with pattern, colours and fabric.

If it’s possible, try pulling the look together by matching your cushions with your curtains. They may have matching designs or symphonic colours.

Revamp your curtains Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of curtains: muslin, silk, neon – they are all still in fashion as long as you know how to make the best of it. As for the bedrooms, keep it as simple as possible, and

try not to use too much colour since you probably want to make sure your personal space has a soothing feel to it. However, a touch of color here and there will bring back a playful feel to your bedroom. Yes, monochromes do get old sometimes.

duvet can easily take the heat off even on the worst days. Thanks to soft furnishings, your room can be transformed into a snug little mass of bliss so start accessorising!

Think out-of-the-box If you think your room is missing that comfy vibe, try getting a leather bean bag and watch it go from boring to downright welcoming. Added advantage: spillages are easier to clean up on leather bean bags.

Another item that should be on your list is luxurious blankets. A stylish, but comfy

Play with colour When it comes to curtains, it is usually best to select them according to the type of room. Your living and dining space represents you and your ideas. Play with colours as much as you like: cotton blues or loud neon. Anything goes as long as it’s not too bright – that will just look cheap. l

their lenses. Workers from a factory were given digital cameras after a workshop on how to use cameras by Lensational in collaboration with BUFT.

They have partnered up with local media Dhaka Tribune, Daily Ittefaq, Colours FM, ICE Today, and ICE Business Times. l

news Fashion revolution : Trace My Fashion Concept Trace My Fashion is an initiative that will be launched on April 24, marking the day as Fashion Revolution Day. Two years ago on the same day, the largest industrial mishap in history, known as Rana Plaza Disaster took place in Savar, claiming 1,133 lives as a result of the negligence of factory owners. The day has now become Fashion Revolution Day to commemorate the workers who lost their lives and the survivors in a single day and to call for a positive change so that such an incident is never repeated. Fashion Revolution Day is an opportunity to celebrate fashion as a positive influence, raise awareness of the fashion industry’s most pressing issues, show that change is possible and celebrate those who are on a journey to create a more ethical and sustainable future for fashion. Together they intend to rally the high street, the high end, the innovators, the fashion students, the media, the public, the activists, the makers, the wearers and everyone in between. The Fashion Revolution believes in a fashion industry

that values the people, the environment, creativity and profit in equal measures.

Their mission is to bring everyone together to make that happen.

The event will highlight QR Code project #tracemyfashion in order to promote transparency in the Fashion Industry. Fashion Revolution Bangladesh in partnership with BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology – BUFT and Hong Kong-based non-profit, Lensational will launch an interactive platform to answer #whomademyclothes and Norway based organisation Fashion Footprint. RMG industry giants like BexTex (Upcycle Project) and Desh Garments and social initiatives such as Living Blue and Friendship Bangladesh, have stepped forward to open up about their brand and supply chain, the steps they are taking to rectify and improve their worker and environment standards, wages and safety issues of their workers. They have also partnered up with Lensational will also help to tell stories about the workers through

Kevin Pietersen admitted to being ‘flattered’ at the interest shown in him by Steve Waugh after the latter told England to steer clear of giving KP a Test recall. ‘may have been a great player but I wouldn’t class him as one now,’ said Pietersen

Sport 26

KALPAGE BATS FOR BANGLADESH WHITEWASH

28

HAFEEZ CLEARED TO BOWL IN INT’L CRICKET

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25

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FLATTERED

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

ENGLAND WOMEN’S FAST BOWLER STARS IN MEN’S LEAGUE

Whitewash or consolation?

n Minhaz Uddin Khan

Hosts Bangladesh have been nothing but clinical in the first two ODIs and will be looking for more of the same when they encounter Pakistan in the third and final match today in Mirpur. The day-night match will get underway at 2:30pm and the BTV and GTV will telecast the game live.

The Tigers will have a clear intention today – hammer the final nail on the coffin and register yet another whitewash. Previously, Bangladesh posted series sweeps over Kenya, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Ireland and the West Indies and Pakistan will do well today if they are able to refrain the home side from adding their name to the list.

On the eve of the bilateral home series against Pakistan, several Bangladesh cricketers including ace all-rounder Shakib al Hasan asserted that they would start as favourites as opposed to the tourists. Shakib’s assertion raised quite a few eyebrows and many thought if Bangladesh were being over-confident following their success in the 2015 ICC World Cup. However, to everyone’s utter surprise, the Tigers were largely unhindered as Pakistan experienced convincing defeats in the first two ODIs. Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim starred with the bat in both the matches, inspiring the Tigers to a solid position through their double century-run stands. Tamim blasted twin hundreds while Mushfiq chipped in with a quickfire ton and a fifty.

The promising Soumya Sarkar, who is a makeshift opener these days, is well capable of providing fast starts but Mahmudullah, Bangladesh’s best performer with the bat in the World Cup, will be eyeing a big knock today after failing in the first two ODIs. The home side’s spinners have also been successful in stifling the opposition with Shakib and left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny leading the way. The spinning duo have cleverly varied their pace while Nasir Hossain has also been accurate with his slow right-arm spin. The Tigers’ pace-bowling department, meanwhile, will be marshalled by skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Rubel Hossain and Taskin Ahmed.

Pakistan, in contrast, are suffering. The visitors will target a much-needed consolation win today before taking on the hosts in two Test matches.

Pakistan’s journey so far in the series has been inconsistent to say the least. Under the leadership of Azhar Ali, the new-look side have blown more cold than hot. Their bowling let them down in the first ODI while in the second, it was their batsmen who failed to capitalise after deciding to take first strike.l

CONTRASTING MOODS

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal (L) and Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali might have been the best performers for their sides in the ongoing ODI series but both are plotting different strategies. While Tamim will look to guide his side to a series sweep, Azhar will try to salvage some consolation for his depleted team MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

DT

26 Sport

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

Nasir explores himself as a handy bowler n Mazhar Uddin

Bangladesh cricketers Abul Hasan, Shakib al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Soumya Sarkar play football during training in Mirpur yesterday

MI MANIK

Kalpage bats for whitewash n Minhaz Uddin Khan Bangladesh assistant coach Ruwan Kalpage believes the Tigers are very much on their way to a series sweep when they face Pakistan in the third and final ODI today at Shere-Bangla National Stadium.

In their pursuit of a 10th series whitewash, Kalpage informed that the Tigers will be at full-strength today as they also seek to improve on their ninth position in the International Cricket Council rankings for one-day internationals.

“It is important for us to better our oneday ranking. So, this is not the time to do experiments though we have already won the series. We are always looking forward to the ranking. I think the game tomorrow (today) is really important for Bangladesh and it is important for the team to win every game at the moment because that’s the only way we can better our one-day ranking. I think it is a good opportunity and if we have this winning combination going, it is good for the future of the Bangladesh one-day team,” Kalpage told the media in the pre-match press conference yesterday in Mirpur.

Bangladesh previously registered series sweeps over Kenya, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Ireland and the West Indies and Kalpage said they are gunning to add Pakistan to the list.

“The team performed really well in the World Cup and everybody held on to that

coming into the series. So, the boys are really happy winning the one-day series against Pakistan and now they are looking forward to the third ODI,” said the former Sri Lankan all-rounder.

While the whole country is buzzing following Bangladesh’s dominant performance

against Pakistan in the first two ODIs, Kalpage stated that he is not at all surprised with the outcome.

“I am not surprised. We are really happy at the way the team have progressed. Everyone knows there are talented cricketers in Bangladesh and the team have played very well as a unit in the last three-four months. Now, you will see one player stepping up if someone else fails. That is the main thing you need to have in a team, the support. Tamim [Iqbal] scored two hundreds and he is in good touch, so yes, we are pleased with everybody at the moment,” said the 45-year old.

Pakistan’s right-arm off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was touted as one of the players to watch prior to the start of the bilateral series against Bangladesh but he has proved to be expensive, giving away 123 runs in the first two ODIs. Kalpage, however, said it is not easy for an international cricketer to perform straightaway after returning following an eight-month absence due to an incorrect bowling action.

“He has gone through a tough time in the last three-four months or so. And, he has done some remedy as well which he has to prove in front of the TV and media. So, he has got to prove a lot. Naturally, he will always be under pressure. He gave away 74 runs in the first ODI but bowled better in the second game. It will be really tough for him but all depends on the individual,” explained Kalpage. l

The last six months have been a topsy-turvy one for Bangladesh cricketer Nasir Hossain. Dropped from the national side for the bilateral home series against Zimbabwe last November, the immediate future looked bleak for Nasir. Many said he had lost his focus while some were already starting to write eulogies of the man often called “Mr Finisher” due to his game-changing exploits.

However, the cricketer from Rangpur was not yet finished and came back strong after performing heavily in the domestic circuit. Nasir was duly rewarded, earned himself a place in the Tigers’ final World Cup squad. The rest as they say is history as he capitalised his opportunities, reinventing himself as a handy bowler, a skill which he never appeared to utilise before.

Two important wickets against Scotland in the World Cup went a long way in enhancing his reputation as an all-rounder.

And against co-hosts New Zealand, who finished as the runners-up, the rightarm off-spinner not only picked up two significant scalps but at the same time bowled at a very tight line and length.

These days, Nasir is the complete cricketer, having realised his full potential as a handy bowler. Skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza will no doubt be confident now while deploying Nasir as one of his bowling options.

In recent times, Nasir is starting to pay more attention on his bowling. Besides his batting, he is spending more time in the nets bowling his slow off-spinners. In the second ODI against Pakistan last Sunday, he initiated an important breakthrough for the Tigers when he dismissed Fawad Alam and conceded only 17 runs from his five overs.

According to the Tigers assistant and spin bowling coach, Ruwan Kalpage, who was once the head coach of the Bangladesh National Cricket Academy from 2008-10, the growth in confidence paved the way for Nasir to come back strongly.

“Nasir has been with me for a long time now, from the Academy. We all know he is a very good all-rounder. So, when the player has his confidence, he is able to do many things in the correct way. He has done really well if you ask me, it was unfortunate he couldn’t play the first few matches in the World Cup,” said Kalpage.

However, the 45-year old informed that he did not change any particular technique and they only worked on the mental aspects, which worked really well for Nasir.

“No, I don’t think so as we did not change any particular thing on his bowling. We, the coaches, don’t change the player but there are some things we do change - the mental game-plan and at the same time trying to bowl by reading a batsman,” he said.

The Tigers’ current team set-up favours an all-round player like Nasir and if he is able to utilise his new-found talent, Bangladesh can see a set of versatile players in their starting XI more often than not. l

DT

Sport 27

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

QUICK BYTES Imposing junior Tigers take 5-1 lead Bangladesh Under-19 cricket team registered their fifth victory in the seven-match youth ODI series following their 45-run win over the visiting South Africa U-19 side in the sixth game in Chittagong yesterday. Batting first, Shafiul Hayet’s 96-ball 83 and Mehedi Hasan’s 57 propelled the junior Tigers to 219-allout in 46.2 overs. Dean Foxcroft was the pick of the visitors’ bowlers with three wickets. In reply, the junior Proteas fumbled to 174-all out in 45.1 overs with Saled Ahmed’s five-for causing the most damage. Rivaldo Moonsamy’s 61 runs off 78 balls turned out to be the highest score for the tourists. The two teams will take on each other in the seventh and final youth ODI tomorrow at the same venue.

BRIEF SCORE, 6th Youth ODI BD U19 v SA U19 in Chittagong

Bangladesh U19 219-allout in 46.2 overs (Shafiul 83, Mehedi 57; Foxcroft 3/44, Senokwane 2/51)

South Africa U19 174-allout in 45.1 overs (Moonsamy 61; Saleh 5/25, Nihaduzzaman 3/23) BD U19 won by 45 runs, lead series 5-1 –Minhaz Uddin Khan

Goal-machine Sabina returns home Star Bangladesh striker Sabina Khatun returned home from Maldives yesterday after taking part in the Maldives Women’s Football Fiesta. Sabina spent around one-and-a-half months featuring for Police Club. Sabina, the country’s most prolific goal-machine in women’s football, showed her amazing talents in Maldives where she netted a total of 36 goals in six matches. She averaged an astonishing six goals per game and slammed a sensational 16 goals in one game. Sabina’s sparkling displays inspired her side, Police Club, to a runners-up finish. Sabina became the first female footballer of the country to play in a foreign club when she left Dhaka on March 4 this year. Following her return, she expressed her delight with her goal-scoring exploits in Maldives. “There are many Bangladeshi people living in Maldives. They came to the stadium and gave their continuous support. I am happy that I managed to make them happy. I also tried to enhance the image of the country,” said Sabina after returning home yesterday afternoon.

–Shishir Hoque

Brave BD U14 girls dominate India Bangladesh Under-14 girls national team put up a praiseworthy display but their misfiring attacking line saw them earn only a 1-1 draw against India in the opening match of the AFC U-14 Girls Regional Championship 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal yesterday. Following a couple of missed chances in the first quarter of the game, Marzia put Bangladesh ahead in the 20th minute. Marzia’s corner was blocked by Indian defender Shanti but the former collected the rebound and placed home into the back of the net. Indian skipper Sonia Kumar equalised just five minutes later from a free-kick.

Bangladesh goalkeeper Taslima though could have done better as the ball slipped from her gloves and into the net. Bangladesh continued to dominate the game and created four more opportunities but failed to convert any of them.

–Shishir Hoque

The England squad wearing their T20 Blast County kits during the nets session at the NCG Stadium in St George’s, Grenada on Monday

AFP

Pakistan confirm Zimbabwe tour n AFP, Lahore Zimbabwe will tour Pakistan to play a short limited over series next month, becoming the first Test team to visit the terror-hit country in six years, a top cricket official said Monday.

“Zimbabwe will visit Pakistan from midMay for a one-week tour,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan told reporters, without announcing the venues.

A security team from the African nation will visit Pakistan to assess the situation before a final itinerary is announced, said Khan. Foreign teams have refused to tour Pakistan over security fears since a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009.

Pakistan has had to host all its home matches in United Arab Emirates instead.

Efforts to revive international cricket in the country suffered a blow in 2012 when Bangladesh twice refused to tour Pakistan after initially agreeing for short limited over series, citing security fears.

Another limited over series against Ireland was also deferred in September last year after a terror attack on the airport in Karachi that came three months before the tour.

Khan said Zimbabwe would be provided with top-level security during the tour.

It is likely that the team will stay at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, a few metres away from the Gadaffi Stadium, and play

all the matches at one venue.

PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed said that if the International Cricket Council (ICC) does not agree to send officials then umpires from Pakistan and Zimbabwe will step in.

“We have a special dispensation from them to appoint Pakistani and Zimbabwean umpires and the matches will be of international status,” said Ahmed.

Khan said an Australian army team will visit Pakistan from next week, helping to open the doors to international cricket, and a women’s team from Bangladesh next month.

The PCB is also in talks with the Netherlands, Ireland and Nepal to send their national teams in the near future.l

BU stun MSC, Rahmatganj prevail in Old Dhaka derby n Shishir Hoque A late goal from Haitian striker Augustine Walson helped Brothers Union stun Mohammedan 1-0 in the Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. In the day’s other match, Rahmatganj MFS earned a comfortable 2-0 victory over Farashganj SC in the Old Dhaka derby at the same venue.

Both the Mohammedan and Brothers goalkeepers put up a brilliant display to keep the scoreline goalless till the 85th minute before Walson netted the all-important goal to seal Brothers’ second victory in the league this season. The Gopibagh outfit shocked the Black and Whites five minutes before the end of stipulated time when Walson found the back of the net.

The victory lifted Brothers to fourth place with seven points from four matches, leapfrogging sixth-placed Sheikh Russel, while Mohammedan stepped down to fifth with six points from the same number of matches.

RESULTS Rahmatganj

2–0

Farashganj

1–0

Mohammedan

Gideon Solomon 13 Nurul Absar 33

Brothers Union Augustine Walson 85

Meanwhile in the Old Dhaka derby, Gideon Solomon put Rahmatganj ahead in the 13th minute before Nurul Absar doubled the lead in the 33th minute.

Rahmatganj are seventh in the 11-team standings with four points from three matches while Farashganj are third from bottom with nil points from their three matches.l

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder poses for a portrait in Grenada on Monday AFP

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28 Sport

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

Mushtaq says Pakistan hurting

Hafeez cleared to bowl in int’l cricket n AFP

n Mazhar Uddin Pakistan spin bowling coach and former leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed yesterday said they are hurting after conceding the three-match ODI series to Bangladesh but praised the home side for their recent resurgence.

“We want to give compliments to Bangladesh. They won against New Zealand 4-0.

They are a good team now. At the moment we are in a rebuilding situation. We are trying lots of youngsters. It will take time for guys to understand things like five fielders inside the circle, two bouncers per over and two new balls. These guys have no idea. But, things will change,” the 44-year old told the pre-match press conference previewing the third and final ODI. “It is hurting. The game moves on. The brand of cricket is totally different now. When you’re hurt, you look at positive things. We have two newcomers (Saad Nasim and Mohammad Rizwan) who got fifties in the two games. There are plenty of positives in our dressing room so we have to focus on those rather than the negatives,” he said.

Mushtaq defended his disciple, right-arm off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who made a disappointing return in the first ODI leaking 78 runs from his quota of 10 overs. Ajmal remained wicket-less in that game but picked up a solitary wicket in the second ODI. “I will tell you one thing. He is a tough cookie. He came out when people thought he could not make it. He changed his action with which he has been bowling for the last 20 years. Suddenly he has to change. Credit goes to all the people who worked with him – the NCA (National Cricket Academy), the analysts, Saqlain [Mushtaq], etc,” he added. l

Pakistan veterans Shahid Afridi (L) and Mohammad Hafeez converse with each other during training in Mirpur yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Pakistan right-arm off-spinner Muhammad Hafeez has cleared the bowling action test which was conducted in Chennai on April 9, Express News reported.

Another Pakistani women cricket team off-spinner Javeria Wadood has also cleared her bowling action in a test conducted on the same date alongside Hafeez.

The 33-year-old was expected to undergo official testing before the start of the 2015 World Cup in Sydney, but a hamstring injury forced him to miss the test and the rest of the tournament as he was sent back by the touring selection committee and was replaced by Nasir Jamshed.

During the first Test between Pakistan and New Zealand in the UAE last year, Hafeez was reported for suspect bowling action by the umpires and was put through an independent biomechanical analysis at the National Cricket Performance Center in Loughborough on November 24, 2014.

The test concluded that Hafeez’s elbow extension exceeded the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted by the ICC regulations and was thus declared illegal.

Consequently, Hafeez was suspended from bowling in international cricket and has since been working with PCB’s panel of experts to remodel his bowling action to bring his elbow extension within the permissible limits.

Likewise, Javeria was reported after the 2010 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka in St Kitts on May 6, 2010 and had failed the initial test, which was performed on June 16, 2010.

She also got her retesting done and successfully cleared the test with her remodeled action. Muhammad Hafeez thanked his family and everyone who supported him through his Twitter account. l

Imran replaces Sohail for Bangladesh Tests

PLAYERS TO WATCH BANGLADESH v PAKISTAN, 3rd ODI, Mirpur

n AFP, Karachi MAHMUDULLAH

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ

The stylish Mahmudullah came into the bilateral home series against Pakistan on the back of a brilliant run in the 2015 ICC World Cup where he struck back-to-back centuries.

However, the Mymensingh lad has been unable to repeat his heroics in the first two ODIs against Pakistan, departing early for scores of five and 17. The 29-year old cricketer, who is an elegant driver of the cricket ball, struggled to settle down in the first two matches and will be eager to return among the runs today in the third and final ODI. Form guide (last five ODIs): WWLLW

Hafeez, also known as Mr Professor, made a disappointing start to the Bangladesh series having been dismissed cheaply for four and a duck in the first two ODIs. Having said that, with 4546 runs to his name from 157 ODIs, including nine hundreds, few will bet against Hafeez to come good in the third and final ODI today.

Form guide (last five ODIs): LLLWW

Probable XIs (Bangladesh) 1 Tamim, 2 Soumya, 3 Mahmudullah, 4 Mushfiq (WK), 5 Shakib, 6 Sabbir, 7 Nasir, 8 Mashrafe (C), 9 Sunny, 10 Taskin, 11 Rubel

Probable XIs (Pakistan) 1 Sarfraz (WK), 2 Azhar (C), 3 Hafeez, 4 Haris, 5 Rizwan, 6 Fawad, 7 Saad, 8 Wahab, 9 Junaid, 10 Ajmal, 11 Gul Shakib al Hasan will play his 150th ODI for Bangladesh today. Bangladesh have so far registered nine series wins in ODIs via whitewash –MAZHAR UDDIN

Pakistan’s injury setbacks continued Tuesday as paceman Sohail Khan was ruled out of the Test series in Bangladesh and was replaced by another fast bowler Imran Khan, an official said.

Sohail, 30, suffered back spasm two days before the team’s departure and was initially ruled out of the ongoing three-match one-day series.

On Tuesday the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced he would not recover in time for the two-match Test series.

“After consulting with the PCB medical department it was confirmed that Sohail has still not been able to recover sufficiently so the selection committee was unanimous on Imran as replacement for him,” chief selector Haroon Rashid was quoted as saying in a press release.

Imran, 27, played three Tests against Australia and New Zealand last year and took seven wickets.

Pakistan have been badly hit by injuries on the current tour with batsman Sohaib Maqsood also ruled out before the tour start-

ed because of an arm injury.

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah meanwhile injured his thumb in a practice match in Bangladesh, while paceman Ehsan Adil suffered a hamstring injury. Shah will remain part of the Test squad, but Adil will return home.

Left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar replaced Shah and Umar Gul replaced Adil for the oneday series.

Pakistan trail the three-match series 2-0 with the final match in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Another paceman Rahat Ali was also sidelined with a hamstring injury but the team management said he is expected to recover for the two Test series.l

DT

Sport 29

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

Juve have semis in sight against goal-shy Monaco n AFP, Monaco Juventus head to Monaco on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final looking to clinch a place in the last four for the first time in over a decade.

An immovable force at the top of the European game in the 1990s, when they reached three consecutive finals, including beating Ajax in the 1996 showpiece, Juve were also Champions League runners-up in 2003, losing to AC Milan.

But they have not got beyond the last eight since, failing to translate their domestic dominance to the European stage.

Nevertheless, while they close in on a fourth consecutive Serie A crown, they are now primed to secure a spot in the semi-finals in Europe after Arturo Vidal’s penalty gave them a 1-0 victory against the Principality club last Tuesday.

Crucially, Juventus did not concede an away goal in that game, meaning Monaco will now be obliged to come out and attack at home, something which is not their forte.

Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim has admitted his team are better suited to playing away from home, when they can hit teams on the break, as they did so devastatingly in London in the last 16 when they defeated Arsenal 3-1, that result allowing them to progress on away goals despite losing 2-0 at home.

Evra knows that as well as anybody, having spent four years in the Mediterranean Principality, helping Monaco reach the Champions League final in 2004 before eventually moving on to Manchester United.

Monaco are third in Ligue 1 and have lost just one of their last 18 league games, but too many draws at the Stade Louis II, where the lack of atmosphere and crowds that rarely reach the 10,000 mark remove any sense of a home advantage, have held them back.l

DAY’S WATCH BTV, Gazi TV, Star Sports 1 2:30PM Pakistan Tour of Bangladesh 3rd ODI

Sony Six Indian Premier League 4:30PM Hyderabad v Kolkata 8:30PM Bangalore v Chennai

Star Sports 2 4:30PM AFC Champions League Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma v Buriram United

Ten Action 12:45PM UEFA Champions League QFs Leg 2: Real Madrid v Atletico

Ten Sports 12:45PM UEFA Champions League QFs Leg 2: Monaco v Juventus

Real Madrid’s coach Carlo Ancelotti (top) looks at his players during a training session in Valdebebas, outside Madrid yesterday. Real Madrid will play their Champions League quarter final second leg soccer match against Atletico Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Wednesday REUTERS

Real tasked with breaking down ATM wall n AFP, Madrid Real Madrid have the unenviable task of beating city rivals Atletico Madrid at the eighth attempt this season if they are to progress to a fifth consecutive Champions League semi-final.

The European champions have failed to overcome Atletico in seven games since beating Los Rojiblancos in last season’s Champions League final, including last week’s 0-0 draw in the first-leg at the Vicente Calderon, and have also been struck by a series of injuries and suspensions to key players.

Luka Modric and Gareth Bale will miss out after limping off with knee and calf injuries

respectively in the 3-1 win over Malaga at the weekend, whilst Marcelo is banned and Karim Benzema faces a race against time to be fit due to a knee problem. Given those absences, the return to fitness and form of James Rodriguez is a huge boost for Los Blancos.

The Colombian World Cup star has scored twice in four games after a two-month injury layoff due to a broken foot to take his tally to an impressive 14 in his first season at the Bernabeu.

However, Real will be faced with arguably the best defence in Europe on Wednesday.

Atletico have conceded just once in their last eight Champions League games and have

shutout their local rivals in four of their previous seven meetings this season.

By contrast, Atletico have a clean bill of health with striker Mario Mandzukic expected to shake off an ongoing ankle problem to start alongside the in-form Antoine Griezmann up front.

Diego Simeone’s men remain the underdogs in just their second Champions League quarter-final in 18 years, but midfielder Raul Garcia refuted the suggestion they have less to lose than the holders.

Garcia maintained the Atletico party line of recent weeks in insisting there is no thirst for revenge. l

England women’s fast bowler stars in men’s league n AFP, London England women’s pace bowler Kate Cross marked becoming the first female cricketer to play in the 123-year-old Central Lancashire League by taking three wickets on debut on Sunday.

Cross’s haul of three for 19 in a seven-over spell for Heywood men’s 1st XI away to Clifton helped the north-west side to to an eight-wicket win in the first match of the 2015 CLL Premier Division season.

The 23-year-old Cross, who has played two Tests, nine one-day internationals and four Twenty20s for the England women’s team, might have had even better figures had not older brother Bobby dropped a catch off her bowling.

“I never thought I would get the chance to play for the first team at Heywood, the club in which I grew up and learnt my cricket,” said Kate Cross in an England and Wales Cricket Board statement issued Monday.l

DT

30 DOWNTIME

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Exhibit (4) 6 Vigour (3) 7 Sword handle (4) 9 Regrets (4) 10 Retard (5) 11 Allude (5) 12 Strange (3) 14 New and strange (5) 17 Building material (5) 20 Land measure (3) 21 Artificial silk (5) 23 Not hollow (5) 25 Passport endorsement (4) 26 Support (4) 27 Feline (3) 28 Old stringed instrument (4)

DOWN 1 Sadness (6) 2 Carry too far (6) 3 Sagacious (4) 4 No score (3) 5 Place for pigs (3) 7 Brave man (4) 8 Light beer (5) 10 Lair (3) 13 Giver (5) 15 Excessive pride (6) 16 Papal ambassador (6) 18 Fall in drops (4) 19 Sorrowful (3) 22 Egg-shaped (4) 23 Mineral spring (3) 24 Fate (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 16 represents M so fill M every time the figure 16 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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

Satyajit Ray Film Fest to begin

CELEBS ON SOCIAL

Paris Hilton @ParisHilton Peace out Coachella I love you See you next year @ Coachella Music Festival https://instagram.com/p/1u_hr6KgMe/ Akshay Kumar @ akshaykumar Thoda darr ke reh beta...#WarnaGabbarAaJayega! Presenting the title track of @TheGabbarIsBack! Enjoy! http:// bit.ly/WGAJzmc

n Showtime Desk To mark the birth and death anniversary of Satyajit Ray, a four-day-long film festival will be inaugurated on April 26, at EMK Center, Dhaka.

Jointly organised by EMK Center and International Academy of Film and Media, the festival features two of Ray’s finest work along with a tribute film to Subir Banerjee, the actor who played

Apu in “Pather Panchali” and a writing venture by Ray which is directed by his son Sandip.

“Pather Panchali” and “Ashani Sanket,” the two films by the honourary Academy Award winner in 1992, will be screened on April 26 and 27 respectively while Kaushik Ganguly’s “Apur Panchali” and Sandip Ray’s “Uttoran” will be screened on April 29 and 30 respectively.

Besides for these screenings, a workshop

on Satyajit Ray’s screenplay analysis will take place at the Sirajul Islam Lecture Hall, Dhaka University on April 1 and 2. In collaboration with the Television and Film Studies Department of Dhaka University, the workshop will be conducted by Anindya Sengupta, a faculty member of Jadavpur University’s Film Studies Department. l

kunal kohli @ kunalkohli E.K a fashion like by Ekta Kapoor.

Is there anything the multi talented Ekta can’t do? https:// twitter.com/balajim otionpic/status/ 590425656434892800

WHAT TO WATCH TELEVISION

Cannes: Directors’ Fortnight 2015 lineup n Showtime Desk In this years 47th annual Directors’ Fortnight program at the Cannes Film Festival, several new works by Jaco Van Dormael, Takashi Miike, Jeremy Saulnier and Sarunas Bartas, alongside Sundance entries “Dope” and “Songs My Brothers Taught Me,” are set to be featured.

Set to be held on 14 May, up to 19 features will be unspooled this year, including new work by Jaco Van Dormael, Takashi Miike, Jeremy Saulnier and Sarunas Bartas. The news was announced by artistic director Edouard Waintrop at a press conference held on Tuesday. Of the 19 features, three will be directed by the acclaimed Portugese filmmaker Miguel Gomes whose six-hour-plus trilogy, “Arabian Nights,” was announced by the Fortnight. French auteur Arnaud Desplechin’s “My Golden Years” will also be screened.

This year the line up took a competitive turn when both Gomes and Desplechin’s work was rejected from the main competition. Unwilling to accept a slot in Un Certain Regard, they took their films to another side of the Croisette. It

was clear that this year has been one of the most competitive, with the official selection being particularly choosy.

Waintrop stated that they had to review 1,623 feature-length submissions, a stark increase from last years submissions.

This years line up will include several American independent titles, the world premiere of “Green Room,” Chloe Zhao’s Native American drama “Songs My Brothers Taught Me,” Fortnight alum Jeremy Saulnier’s “Blue Ruin,” and two acclaimed dramatic competition entries from the recent Sundance Film Festival: Rick Famuyiwa’s Los Angeles-set comic thriller “Dope.” “Dope” is set to close the Fortnight on May 24.

There will be three female filmmakers, including Chloe Zhao with “Songs My Brothers Taught Me,” Turkey’s Deniz Gamze Erguven’ debut “Mustang,” and Chile’s Marcia Tambutti will be presenting “Allende, mi abuelo Allende,” a documentary portrait of her grandfather Salvador Allende. A good 24 years after winning the Camera d’Or, Belgian filmmaker Van Dormael will present “The Brand New Testament,” a film that Waintrop described as one

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that made them “laugh tremendously.”

Another noteworthy film is “Yakuza Apocalypse: The Great War of the Underworld,” a gangster-horror mash-up from Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike.

The program will be concluded with “Peace to Us in Our Dreams,” the eighth feature from Lithuanian director Sharunas Bartas and “The Here After,” Swedish director Magnus von Horn’s debut. The French Directors Assn will present the Carrosse d’Or prize to China’s Jia Zhangke, whose latest, “Mountains May Depart,” will be screened in the final competition. l

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DT

32 BACK PAGE

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

FINANCIAL HELP REMAINS ELUSIVE FOR RANA PLAZA VICTIMS PAGE 15

WHITEWASH OR CONSOLATION? PAGE 25

SATYAJIT RAY FILM FEST TO BEGIN PAGE 31

Female voters demand better commute n Shadma Malik

While last-minute campaigning is in full swing for the Dhaka and Chittagong city corporation polls, city dwellers are also voicing their expectations from the future mayors.

There are a number of issues that common people believe need immediate attention of the mayors to be elected next week. However, it seems an improved public transportation system is topping the list, especially when female professionals are concerned.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, several female commuters in the capital expressed their displeasure at the current state of public transport system. The most complained-about issues were the unreasonable fare charged by CNG-run autorickshaws and fear of being harassed in public buses.

“The autorickshaw drivers automatically raise fare when they see female passengers; it’s unfair,” said Sadia Doha, a public relations professional.

Another problem is people’s overall reluctance to adhere to the traffic laws, which makes safe and timely movement around the capital very difficult, she said.

“Also, walking from one place to another is not easy in Dhaka. Women, especially, can hardly walk on the footpaths without fearing harassment. I expect the future mayor to resolve these issues when he takes office,” she said.

Sadia also believes that a positive mindset among people is a necessity to have safe travel-

A woman struggles to get on a bus during the evening rush in the capital’s Farmgate area yesterday.

Public transport has been a constant cause of concern, especially among female commuters, and is one of the priority issues in the ongoing mayoral campaign in Dhaka RAJIB DHAR ling environment in public buses – a sentiment shared by Sabrina Karim, a young journalist.

“Travelling on a public bus is demoralising. Female passengers are frequently subjected to discrimination and harassment, which should not be the case. The environment in general is very anti-female, which

makes it difficult for professionals like us to commute,” she told the Dhaka Tribune.

“Modes of transport such as CNG autorickshaws and taxis are unnecessarily expensive.

Buses are no better either. The situation of public transport improved a little during the tenure of the last caretaker government, but

it did not last long.

“Personally speaking, however, I don’t think any mayor can make any difference; they lack honest intention, their only goal being earning money,” said a young professional, who sought anonymity.

Manhaz Rahman, an interior designer, thinks CNG-run autorickshaws need to be monitored more strictly. “They hardly follow meter readings and demand fare as they please. I have even heard that some police officials own these autorickshaws, which is why they do not follow their meters.

“The government needs to devise a system where the autorickshaw drivers get a reasonable fare, and passengers do not have to pay more than is required,” she said.

Laju Akther, a private service holder, said travelling on public buses was a horrifying experience for her. “Men travelling with us throw vulgar comments at us. Sometimes they even try to grope women. The newly elected mayor needs to address this issue as soon as possible and ensure safe travel for women in the city.”

While safe commuting got the most priority in these professionals’ list of improvements they expect to see in their cities, they addressed other issues as well, such as better and environment-friendly waste management, strict monitoring of high-rise construction to make sure the building guidelines are followed, and effective rehabilitation of homeless people and slum-dwellers. l

Moja losss? to turn into troll page IS leader al-Baghdadi seriously n wounded in air-strike Tribune Report

Facebook-based social campaigning page Moja losss?, which recently became vocal against sexual attacks on women at the TSC on Pohela Boishakh, has announced that they will change its entire admin panel following death threats.

“After receiving multiple death threats from various political entities, we have decided to move back to Toronto. Bangladesh does not seem to be the right place for social awareness efforts, it often gets misinterpreted,” the satirical page said in a post on Monday night.

“We will leave the page to a complete set of new admins who will take over the page in a week or so and turn this into just a troll page.”

They alleged that some groups of people had questioned their “neutral stance.”

The page, started as an entertainment page two years ago, became popular with their jokes and commentaries on social issues. It often worked as crime busters by circulating photos of crime scenes and suspects, having helped find a car-jackers’ gang and a hit-and-run driver.

Following the April 14 sexual assaults of women and children, the page first started campaigning to identify Latif Rony, who was spotted as a member of the gang that molested a teenager on February 21 on Dhaka University campus, by uploading a photo of the incident and Rony’s Facebook profile.

Soon they circulated some photos of April 14 and identified some faces, mostly as leaders and activists of DU unit Bangladesh Chhatra League, the ruling party’s student wing.

The page, now having over 542,000 fans, also set a new cover photo on April 17 with a call to resist Chhatra League portraying them as wolves.

They faced severe criticism for those photos, especially for a photo that asked fans to boycott the TSC on the next Pohela Boishakh.

On Sunday, the page updated a status claiming that they were being threatened.

However, when contacted, they did not respond to queries from the Dhaka Tribune.

Monday’s decision to withdraw the current administrators, led by Chowdhury Shaheb (pseudonym), frustrated many fans who requested them not to give up upon threats.

Moja losss? replied: “We used to receive threats all the time from individuals of Jamaat/ Shibir/BNP/League. But this time we are moving out due to flags raised by ‘higher officials.’” l

n Tribune Desk The leader of Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has been seriously wounded in an air strike in western Iraq, the UK’s Guardian newspaper reported.

A source in Iraq with connections to the terror group revealed that Baghdadi suffered serious injuries during an attack by the US-led coalition in March.

The source said Baghdadi’s wounds were at first life-threatening, but he has since made a slow recovery. He has not, however, resumed day-to-day control of the organisation.

Baghdadi’s wounding led to urgent meetings of IS leaders, who initially believed he would die and made plans to name

a new leader.

Two separate officials – a western diplomat and an Iraqi adviser – separately confirmed the strike took place on 18 March in the alBaaj a district of Nineveh, close to the Syrian border.

There had been two previous reports in November and December of Baghdadi being wounded, though neither was accurate.

The diplomat confirmed an air strike on a three-car convoy had taken place on that date between the village of Umm al-Rous and al-Qaraan.

The attack targeted local Isis leaders and is believed to have killed three men. Officials did not know at the time that Baghdadi was in one of the cars.

Hisham al-Hashimi, an Iraqi official who advises Baghdad on Isis, told the Guardian: “Yes, he was wounded in al-Baaj near the village of Umm al-Rous on 18 March with a group that was with him.”

Baghdadi is understood to have been spending much of his time in al-Baaj, about 200 miles west of the Isis stronghold of Mosul. l

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