25 May, 2015

SECOND EDITION

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

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Boishakh 22, 1422, Rajab 15, 1436

CABINET OKAYS DRAFT NUKE PLANT ACT PAGE 2

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 23

MUHITH FED UP WITH CLIMATE FUND ABUSE

PAGE 5

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

BAD NEWS FOR DHAKA WATER SUPPLY PAGE 32

Indian detectives in Dhaka

New basic pay to cost exchequer Arrest of 3 fugitive JMB men charged in Burdwan blast case on agenda Tk15,000cr n Mohammad Jamil Khan A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India has arrived in Dhaka, for the second time in six months, to discuss with Bangladeshi law enforcers regarding the arrest of three absconding accused of Burdwan blast case.

Apart from arrest of the fugitives, all leaders and activists of banned militant group Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), the three-member team would also discuss militant activities, security of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, human trafficking and cattle smuggling during meetings with different agencies, say sources in the police headquarters.

The three-member NIA team led by its chief Shanjib Kumar Shing reached Dhaka on Saturday night.

“The NIA team has came to discuss with us about the charge sheet as four Bangladeshis are accused in the case. A meeting will be held in this regard with the NIA team,” Monirul Islam, joint commissioner of Detective Branch of police, said yesterday.

“The team will also discuss how the absconding accused can be arrested in a joint effort,” added Monirul, chief of DB police, one of the leading agencies dealing with militant activities.

On March 30, charges were pressed against 21 people, including the four JMB leaders, for their involvement in the blast that took place on October 2 last year in a house at Khagragarh in Burdwan town. One person Shakil Ahmed died on the spot and another person Sovan Mandal died in a hospital. Another person Hasan Saheb was also injured in the blast

The four Bangladeshi accused are Sheikh Rahamatullah Sajid, Talha Sheikh, Kausar and Nasirullah alias Shahadat Sheikh. Of them, Sajid was arrested by sleuths of Bidhannagar Police Commisionerate in November last year from the Airport area of North 24-Parganas district.

The NIA thinks that the three fugitives have been staying in Bangladesh.

Another delegation of the NIA visited Bangladesh in November last year. Later a Bangladesh delegation comprising high officials of law enforcement and intelligence agencies visited India and assured to help the Indian intelligence agencies locate the militants believed to be hiding in India.

Earlier, police officials in Dhaka said Sajid was actually Masum, hailing from Narayanganj

n Asif Showkat Kallol

The government would need more than Tk15,000 crore to implement the pay commission’s recommendations for raising the basic salaries of public servants, sources at the Finance Division has said.

The amount, however, does not include allowances for around 21 lakh government employees.

An official of the Finance Division, who was involved in estimating the costs, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Extra funds will be needed for salaries of the armed forces, as it was not calculated.”

Seeking anonymity, the official said the final meeting of the secretary-level review committee is scheduled on Wednesday, while Finance Minister AMA Muhith will place the

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‘What authority does the mayor lack?’ n Tanim Ahmed Well-wishers and hangers-on start swarming the grey lakeside mansion on Banani Road 11 from before noon, when the Dhaka south mayor generally makes his public appearance.

Thus, despite the appointment at noon, Khokon is unable to find the time to sit for his interview till two hours later at the small glass-panelled office in one corner of his garage. There is the secretary from the city corporation followed by an invitation from the Local Government Ministry for the oath-taking, after which the well-wishers throng the small office for an opportunity to greet him and to document their relations.

Some have come with professional-looking photographers in tow, others with monstrous phablets. Everyone has a bouquet to grace the occasion.

Son of the first elected mayor of undivided Dhaka, Sayeed Khokon does the rounds with aplomb. A photo, a few pleasantries, and it is the next group’s turn. A few stay back in the cool office, though. The heat is stifling outside.

But why does the mayor of Dhaka south live in the throbbing heart of Dhaka north’s toney ‘tri-state’ (Gulshan-Banani-Baridhara area), that Banani 11 has come to be? I want to know.

The commute would take a couple of hours from his house to his office and another couple on his return commute, I put it to him.

PAGE 3 Pintu laid to rest in father’s grave

Sayeed Khokon, mayor-elect of Dhaka South City Corporation, addresses questions by journalists in front of the National Press Club ahead of the April 28 city corporation polls SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN “Why should that matter?” Khokon counters, with a smile.

When asked if he found it contradictory that the mayor of Dhaka south was residing

PAGE 4 Tribunal clears Jamaat leaders, lawyer of contempt

and enjoying the amenities of Dhaka north all the while he pledges to improve public services at the other end of the town, Khokon brushes off the suggestion with a shake of his

PAGE 5 HC orders to stop filling up Gomti river

PAGE 7 Another baby stolen from hospital

head and points to the parliament.

Over 250 MPs live in Dhaka, he points out.

“But tell me, which constituency suffers for their absence? Where do public works come to a halt because the MP does not reside in the area?”

It’s a fair point.

“I only come here to sleep!” he finishes disarmingly, if not altogether convincingly.

A few of those basic services will be at the top of the 44-year old’s agenda initially. Waste disposal, street lights, roads, graveyards, hospitals and certificate issuance are among the few that Khokon rattles off with fluency when asked. “I would like to bring them in order within a year.”

He speaks of a few more initiatives, too.

Several areas of Dhaka city will be turned into wifi zones by as soon as July. Initially unwilling to give out the locations, Khokon eventually relents. It will be Ramna Park, New Market, Sadarghat and Gulistan.

“But this is a very primary list, you understand, nothing final,” he cautions, careful not to give it an appearance of conclusiveness, perhaps so as not to get residents’ hopes up prematurely, equally perhaps so that other areas do not feel left out.

Another initiative that might come from his office within three months, Khokon said in answer to a question about rooting out  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

PAGE 8 3 Thai officials, Myanmar man held over migrant deaths

DT

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Cabinet ratifies draft of nuclear plant act n Shohel Mamun

The cabinet yesterday approved the draft of the Nuclear Power Plant Act 2015 and also a proposal for setting up the first nuclear power plant company in the country.

The company, Nuclear Power Company of Bangladesh, will operate the proposed nuclear power plant in Pabna’s Rooppur, and will be set up according to the act.

The proposal and the draft act got the nod at the weekly cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat and chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Cabinet Secretary Muhammad Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told reporters after the

meeting the Rooppur nuclear plant project would be implemented with financial and technical support of Russia to generate 1000 megawatts of electricity initially.

The estimated cost of setting up the plant is Tk5087.81 crore that includes project aid of Tk4,000 crore from the Russian government He said the project’s duration is from March 2013 to June 2017 and the plant would go into operation by 2021.

“The estimated cost of setting up the plant is Tk5087.81 crore that includes a project aid of Tk4,000 crore from the Russian government.

The plant will operate for 60 years but its service life can be extended by another 20 years.”

The cabinet secretary said Russia would provide all the assistance needed for setting up the plant, including providing the fuel and also taking back the used fuel.

“Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission will own the plant while Nuclear Power Company of Bangladesh will run it.”

Musharraf also said the company would have an authorised capital of Tk1 crore divided into shares to be run by a board. l

PM orders sending 10,000 mts rice to Nepal n UNB Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday directed the authorities concerned to send 10,000 tonnes of rice and adequate water to Nepal for its earthquake-hit people.

“The prime minister has asked the

authorities concerned to send the rice and water to Nepal on an emergency basis,” said PM’s Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhuri.

He said the rice and water would be transported to Nepal through air and by road in phases.

According to CNN, the death toll from the devastating magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25 climbed to 7,250, and the number of people injured is 14,122.

Besides, thousands of houses and other establishments were destroyed in the power tremor. l

Suranjit: International terrorism has spread to Bangladesh n Tribune Report Awami League Advisory Council member Suranjit Sengupta yesterday said al-Qaeda claiming responsibility for killing bloggers including Avijit Roy was proof that international terrorism has spread in Bangladesh.

“International terrorist outfit Al-Qaeda took responsibility of the killing of bloggers including Avijit. The communal political forces have forged alliance with all sorts of terrorism. So, all the secular democratic forces should be united in the mission for containing terrorism,” he said.

Suranjit made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organised by Bangabandhu Academy at the Institution of Diploma Engineers yesterday. He added that it would be a futile exercise to contain terrorism while keeping Jamaat-e-Islami in democratic politics.

“Bangladesh has now entered the network of Al-Qaeda. Secular democratic politics is the only way to face it. Even the US would now have to realise that international terrorism has entered domestic terrorism,” he said. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Indian detectives in Dhaka while Shakil, who died in the incident, was identified as Shakil Gazi of Tangail.

JMB’s Bangladeshi militants Salehin, Boma Mizan and Tarikul were also involved in the blast along with its members of the West Bengal unit. Indian madrasa teacher, 32-yearold Maulana Yusuf Sheikh, provided shelter to the Bangladeshi militants, a senior police official said after their visit to India.

A high official of the police headquarters said the NIA fears that if militant activities rise in Bangladesh, it might be threatening for India too. Moreover, India is very much concerned about security in the bordering areas.

Apart from militancy, India is also worried about human trafficking and cattle smuggling.

Sources say the NIA team will look into the Bangladeshi law enforcers’ claim that JMB men involved in the recent bank heist at Ashulia might be linked to the Burdwan blast too.

The NIA team and Bangladesh police’s intelligence officials held a meeting at the police headquarters yesterday, and the meetings will continue in the next few days.

Abdullahel Baqui, police superintendent of organised crime unit of the Criminal Investigation Department, said the NIA team had

sought information regarding some previous militant-related cases including the simultaneous bomb blasts across the country in 2005.

“The NIA wants to assist us so that we can deal such cases successfully to stop militancy,” he added.

JMB, which aims to establish Islamic laws, was banned on February 23, 2005.

According to the NIA, Sajid and his wife Fatima were “lead trainers” at Simulia Madrasa where people had been indoctrinated in jihad and kept in readiness for indulging in terror activities.

Sajid, a member of Majlis-e-Sura which is the central committee of Jamaat, is alleged to have paid money of Rs8.75 lakh to another accused Kausar for purchase of land for a madrasa in Burdwan. Sajid had spent a few years in a jail in Bangladesh.

The Burdwan explosion gave rise to fears that the Indian state across Bangladesh’s border might have turned into a hub for militants. A huge stash of bomb-making materials was recovered from the spot.

India subsequently warned Dhaka that the bombs being assembled there were meant for use in subversive activities in Bangladesh.

According to a special press note issued

New basic pay by the NIA in March regarding the Burdwan blast, the leading agency found that the JMB had established its network in India primarily in the states of West Bengal, Assam and Jharkhand. Its activities primarily included recruitment, radicalisation and training of vulnerable youths in a systematic and organised manner.

“These bases were used for organising radicalisation programmes, organisational meetings, fund collection drives, hideouts for cadres and their families. A network of terrorist training camps at selected madrasas and other hideouts was found to be in operation where selected youths were indoctrinated into the violent jihadi ideology as well as trained for violent action by using explosives and firearms.”

The JMB wanted to prepare a large group of Indians based on their common religious and linguistic identity, primarily in the Indian states bordering Bangladesh, to join the outfit and “utilise them for the movement to overthrow the existing democratic government in Bangladesh,” reads the press note. l

‘What authority does the mayor lack?’ corruption and hooliganism, would be to put up all calls for tender online. “That would make it completely transparent and ensure that the bidding process is open for all.”

Now the tough question: How much power does the mayor have? Isn’t his office merely a ceremonial one?

The answer is swift: “Of course not. The mayor is adequately empowered to carry out his duties.

Tell me, what authority does the mayor lack?”

Asked how he wished to address traffic congestion, Khokon’s approach would be to rejuvenate the currently hibernating depart-

ment responsible for traffic coordination.

He suggests that the current dismal state of affairs was because the city corporation had been under an administrator for too long.

“See they are only bureaucrats, public servants who do not have the same kind of accountability to the people as elected representatives,” he points out.

That is also where he expects his challenges to stem from, bureaucratic red tape could prove to be a hurdle, says Khokon.

The mayor elect acknowledges that with the monsoon afoot, he would perhaps be

bogged down with water-logging before getting to anything else. And he is already in the process of getting in touch with WASA to be on top of things. Saving the Buriganga will be another tough ask, he admits too.

Regardless of the initiative, Khokon says he will stick to what he had pledged before.

He believes in all round cooperation. And in line with what he had proposed, he would seek the counsel of his competitor Mirza Abbas, former mayor of Dhaka. “He has more experience, he is also an elder. There is no harm in asking for his advice.” l

committee’s final assessments on pay hike before a cabinet meeting on Monday.

Muhith earlier said the pay commission recommendations would be implemented from July 1 this year.

Sources at the Finance Ministry said a decision has been made against allocating funds for launching the proposed Shamriddhir Shopan bank, but the review committee will be recommending that government employees be given near-zero interest house loans.

Terming the concept of the Shamriddhir Shopan bank a “daydream,” the Finance Division official said: “State-run banks have already been facing massive capital shortages for the last few years due to massive irregularity and corruption.”

According to the original pay commission recommendations, the government would have needed Tk22,953 crore to increase the basic salaries and allowances for its employees.

For the 2014-15 fiscal year, the government allocated Tk11,284 crore to pay salaries to its employees and an additional Tk12,058 crore for their allowances.

Meanwhile, a member of the secretarylevel committee, which was formed in February to review the pay commission recommendations, told the Dhaka Tribune that the highest salary for public servants would be Tk70,000 instead of the proposed Tk1 lakh, while the lowest salary would be Tk8,250 instead of the proposed Tk8,200.

The committee has reportedly given its consent to the recommended basic salaries and an annual 5% increment, effective from the first day of next financial year.

On December 21 last year, the National Pay and Service Commission submitted its proposals to the finance minister, recommending doubling public servants’ salaries, plots for group housing, and introducing bank loans for single-digit interest rates for public servants. l

DT

NEWS 3

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Pintu laid to rest in father’s grave n Tribune report Former BNP lawmaker Nasir Uddin Ahmed Pintu, who died in Rajshahi on Sunday, was buried at the capital’s Azimpur graveyard yesterday.

His namaz-e-janaza was held at the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters and also in Hazaribagh before he was laid to rest in his father’s grave around 6:45pm.

Earlier in the day, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia paid tributes to Pintu at the Nayapaltan office where his body was taken.

She draped the BNP leader’s coffin with the party flag and shed tears while paying her last respects.

The BNP chief was followed by hundreds of party members who paid respects before attending the namaz-e-janaza there.

BNP Standing Committee member Moudud Ahmed said Pintu’s death was unexpected.

“Pintu was not only a promising leader but had good organising skills as well.”

A black flag was hoisted at the Nayapaltan office while party activists wore black badges to mourn Pintu’s death.

The body was then taken to his Hazaribagh residence where the second namaz-e-janaza was held at the Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology ground before burial.

The BNP leader, who was convicted in the BDR mutiny case, suffered a cardiac arrest and died on Sunday noon, according to doctors at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Dr Rois Uddin, chief of the hospital’s cardiac department, said Pintu was pronounced dead around 12:20pm but had actually died earlier.

BNP leaders, including Khaleda, alleged that Pintu’s death was a premeditated hom-

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia covers the coffin of former BNP lawmaker Nasir Uddin Ahmed Pintu with the party flag in front of the BNP party office in Nayapaltan, Dhaka yesterday MEHEDI HASAN icide as he was deprived of proper medical treatment.

Probe body formed

A three-member committee was formed to

probe Pintu’s death in the wake of the allegation of medical negligence.

The committee is headed by Dhaka Divisional Deputy Jail Superintendent Golam Haider and the other members are Kashimpur Central Jail’s

Abbas’ bail hearing deferred until May 24

Khaleda not appearing before court today

n Ashif Islam Shaon

n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

The High Court has deferred until May 24 the hearing on bail petitions by BNP’s Dhaka city convener Mirza Abbas in two arson cases.

The bench of Justice Md Ruhul Quddus set the date following a time petition filed by Abbas’ lawyer Nitai Roy Chowdhury yesterday.

In the petition, Abbas’ counsel mentioned that they need more time as their senior lawyer Khandakar Mahbub Hossain was busy ahead of the Bar Council election, which is slated for May 20.

Advocate Joinul Abedin and Nitai Roy Chowdhury moved for Abbas while Deputy Attorney General Bashir Ullah stood for the state during the hearing.

On April 15, the High Court passed a split order on the bail petitions of Mirza Abbas in the cases.

Justice Quamrul Islam granted the BNP leader a three-week anticipatory bail, while his colleague in the bench – Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore – rejected both of Abbas’ pleas and ordered him to surrender to the trial court.

Later, the petitions and the two orders were sent to Chief Justice SK Sinha, who formed a single bench to hear the pleas. l

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will not appear before a Dhaka court for the twin graft cases against her although she is scheduled to do so, her lawyer Md Sanaullah Miah has confirmed.

She was supposed to appear before the court of Special Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of Dhaka Special Judge Court 3, set up at Bakshibazar Alia Madrasa playground in the capital, today as one of the accused in the Zia Charitable and Zia Orphanage Trust graft cases.

“Khaleda [Zia] will not appear before the court due to security reasons as she was attacked earlier when she attempted to appear before the court,” Sanaullah told the Dhaka Tribune.

“We will file separate petitions before the court seeking time on Khaleda’s behalf mentioning security grounds,” said Masud Ahmed Talukder, another counsel of Khaleda.

Besides, the lawyers are busy with the upcoming Bar Council polls, which is why they need the extension, Masud added.

The trial of the corruption cases against Khaleda and eight other accused began on September 22 last year.

The Anti-Corruption Commission filed one of the graft cases against Khaleda and five

others for embezzling over Tk2.1 crore via forming a “fake” Zia Orphanage Trust that existed only on paper.

The other accused are Khaleda’s son Tarique Rahman, Ziaur Rahman’s nephew Mominur Rahman, Khaleda’s former principal

‘We will file separate petitions before the court seeking time on Khaleda’s behalf mentioning security grounds’ secretary Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, former BNP lawmaker Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal and businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed.

The other case was filed by the anti-graft body in 2011 for abusing power in setting up Zia Charitable Trust, accusing Khaleda, her former political secretary Harris Chowdhury, his assistant private secretary Ziaul Islam Munna, and former Dhaka mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka’s assistant personal secretary and Monirul Islam Khan. l

Senior Jail Superintendent Mizanur Rahman, and Mymensingh Central Jail Senior Jail Superintendent Iqbal Kabir Chowdhury. It has been asked to submit its report by Thursday, said Rajshahi Central Jail Superintendent Shafiqul Islam. l

HC questions legality of charges against Moudud n Ashif Islam Shaon The High Court has questioned the legality of a lower court order that accepted charges against BNP leader Moudud Ahmed in a land grabbing case.

The bench of Justice Md Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Justice JBM Hassan yesterday issued a rule upon the Anti-Corruption Commission and the government to explain in two weeks as to why the lower court order should not be declared illegal.

It fixed May 21 for holding hearing on the rule.

The bench passed the order after hearing a revision petition filed by Moudud in November last year challenging the cognisance order.

The ACC filed the case with Gulshan police on December 17, 2013 against Moudud and his brother Monjur Ahmed on charge of grabbing government land that worth more than Tk300 crore in the capital’s Gulshan.

The case says while holding different posts as minister during 1978-2006, Moudud tried to grab the house misusing his power. He made the fake documents in the name of his expatriate brother Monjur.

During the hearing yesterday, Moudud told the court that the case was false and fabricated, and meant to harass him politically. l

DT

4 NEWS

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

DNCC, DSCC officials busy impressing new city bosses n Omar Farook Officials of Dhaka North and Dhaka South city corporations were busy over the long weekend at the city corporation headquarters trying to get the files in order before the mayor-elects take office.

Sources said the officials chose to work over the weekend, as well as the public holiday for Buddha Purnima on Sunday, in order to update old files, sort old bills and prepare a summary of the current status of the projects under both the city corporations.

Sources at DNCC said mayor-elect Annisul Huq had already instructed officials to prepare a presentation on the overall operation and the current condition of the organisation.

The frantic activities to get all the work sorted at both the offices is an attempt to get on the good side of the new mayors, sources told the Bangla Tribune.

The city corporation officials – especially those with records of corruption – are reportedly intimidated by the “clean” image of the mayor-elects, and are trying their best to impress them, sources said.

The DNCC headquarters is situated at Fulbaria and the DSCC headquarters is situated in Gulshan Avenue. l

Parties not candidates on voters’ minds n Udisa Islam In the current political landscape, the electorate still cannot think outside Awami League and BNP. People still consider the party when voting, not the candidates.

The fact that the Jatiya Party (JP), being the opposition in parliament, still have not earned a political standing in the people’s mind was evident from the recently held city corporation polls.

Meanwhile, the left-wing parties have taken an ambivalent position after losing at the ballots. On one hand, they are saying their true vote count could not be ascertained because of the irregularities. On the other, saying they have been used by the two powerful parties to put up a competitive show. The leftists are also doubtful if their own leaders-activists had voted properly.

Although the BNP-backed candidates rejected the three city corporation elections in Dhaka and Chittagong, JP candidates candidates continued the fight till the end. However, their mayoral candidates bagged only about 13,500 votes in total.

Communist Party of Bangladesh backed mayor candidate Abdulla Al Kafi posted on facebook after the voting (translated): “All this time I heard that more than a hundred thousand ex-Chhatra Union activists live in Dhaka. Naturally, most will be in the north.

Let’s say there are fifty thousand. Did they not vote for the elephant symbol? If so then where are those votes? Did the Election Commission throw away my votes on instruction from the government? I do not know who is behind this betrayal.” l

Tribunal clears Jamaat leaders, lawyer of contempt n Ashif Islam Shaon

The International Crimes Tribunal 1 yesterday exonerated Tajul Islam, the lawyer for war crimes convict ATM Azharul Islam, and three other Jamaat leaders from a contempt of court charge.

Tajul sought unconditional apology to the tribunal, while the Jamaat leaders – Jamaat’s acting ameer Maqbul Ahmed, acting nayeb-eameer Mohibur Rahman, acting secretary general Shafiqur Rahman – submitted respective explanations regarding their contempt charge.

The tribunal cleared them of the contempt charge, but asked the men to be more careful

while commenting on the judicial process.

The tribunal further issued a ruling against Shibir President Abdul Jabbar and General Secretary Md Atikur Rahman, asking them to explain within three weeks why action should not be taken against them for their statements about a war crimes verdict.

On December 30 last year, Jamaat-e-Islami called a two-day countrywide shutdown for December 31 and January 1, protesting the death penalty to its leader ATM Azharul Islam for war crimes.

Later, the tribunal issued the contempt of court ruling against the men for calling the two-day hartals over the verdict. l

Speakers discuss women’s rights to land properties and the inheritance law in Bangladesh at a seminar organised by the Association for Land Reform and Development yesterday at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

AIUB to organise seminar on public health n Tribune Report American International University Bangladesh Department of Public Health is going to organise a seminar on Friday, May 8 on how to pursue a career in public health.

The department will also organise a basic research methodology workshop and an essay competition. The essay topic is “Food Safety” and the last date of submission is May 6.

Masters of Public Health (MPH) is the only degree available in our country that focuses on public health and the seminar aims to help graduates to choose a career path.

Prof Dr Md Nazrul Islam PhD, former head of the department of Maternal and Child Health and course director NIPSOM, will conduct the research methodology workshop as chief facilitator.

Registration for the programme and essay submission will continue until May 6. Registrations can be done at AIUB campus and online registration is also available. Facebook link of the event is https://www.facebook. com/events/1637768499772402/.

You may also contact Dr Tajdit Rahman Tanim at 01971070707, Dr Marufur Rahman Opu at 01670874253 and Dr Mahmood at 01685641221 for further details. l

Badda police: BCL leader killed over internal clash n Tribune Report

The reason behind the murder of Bangladesh Chhatra League Badda unit vice president Mofazzal Hossain Rahin may be due to an internal clash between two factions of the group, suspects Badda police.

Rahin was shot dead in on Sunday night and another Manu Miah, his friend, was injured in the attack.

However, a case is yet to be filed in this connection.

Badda Police Station Offier-in-Charge (OC) M Abdul Jalil said: “Rahin’s brother informed us that they will file a case with the police station after completing Rahin’s burial.”

The OC said it may be due to an internal clash which arose over the huge amount of money the Badda Jagoroni Sangsad (club) made from the Aftabnagar cow hut and various other sources.

When asked about suspects he said opposition group member Rabin, Dalim, Mahabub, Tanvir and Ovi were on the list but no one were arrested or detained.

Residents of the area informed that a local criminal Saidul, backed by Badda Thana unit AL leader Talal Rizvi, occupied a room of the club that Rahin uses and that triggered a conflict. They also said about a month ago associates of Rahin attempted to kill Saidul.

Locals claimed Rahin might have been killed to keep him from taking part in the club committee election scheduled to be held soon.

However, the information could not be verified immediately as police did not make any comment on the matter. l

DT

NEWS 5

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Muhith fed up with climate fund abuse n Abu Bakar Siddique After five years of allocating funds, the Finance Minister expressed his doubt about the necessity of the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund.

Abul Maal Abdul Muhit who has been allocating moneys for the trust fund since 2010, expressed his frustration over the projects as he suspected abuse and malpractices. He said he did not want to allocate more of Bangladesh’s own resources from the next fiscal.

Bangladesh is one of the worst victims of climate change and the money was allocated to reduce its negative impacts.

The minister made the observation in a letter to the Environment Ministry seeking their thoughts about the trust fund saying that it had become unnecessary from the way it was going.

Terming the BCCTF a “new window” for Water Development Board and Forest Ministry projects, the finance minister said the

trust fund had already lost its relevance by not taking up appropriate projects to tackle climate change.

The government allocated Tk2,700 crore in BCCTF since 2009-10 fiscal in 277 projects worth Tk2200 crore till now. Of them, Bangladesh Water Development Board alone bagged 117 projects.

Of them, 65 projects have already been completed and 85 other projects are expected to be finished by June but they do not account for more than 30% of the projects initiated.

Regarding the anomalies and sluggishness, the Trustee Board of BCCTF comprised of 10 ministers led by Environment and Forest Minister increased the time duration of 12 projects and reduced funds of 23 others in its 34th meeting on February 24.

In addition, the government has formed another fund named Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund (BCCRF) with the contribution of development partners which received around US$189.5 million till 2012

with no more contributions since.

The BCCRF has been maintained by the World Bank since its formation in 2011 though the WB has already declared that it will not continue with the fund past 2016.

In his letter, the Finance Minister said the objective of BCCTF was to initiate short term projects and building the capacity of the ministries to tackle climate initiatives and the fund would be eventually dissolved with the Environment Ministry taking care of the resilience fund.

Dissolving the BCCTF, he rather suggested to strengthen the BCCRF for climate projects, if needed.

In reply, the Environment Minister Anwar Hussain Manju said he agreed with the observation on getting more projects by certain specific ministries.

However, he requested Muhith to reconsider and continue funding since stopping it altogether would give a wrong message to the international community regarding the gov-

HC orders to stop filling up Gomti River n Ashif Islam Shaon

RAMPURA HOUSE COLLAPSE

Fugitive owner arrested in Comilla n Kamrul Hasan

After almost two months of running from the law, the Jubo League leader accused of illegally building a rickety two-storey house that collapsed and killed 12 people last April – was arrested in Comilla yesterday.

A RAB team detained Moniruzzaman Chowdhury, the information and research secretary of Dhaka North Jubo League unit, from a house at Nischintopur village in the district.

RAB 3 Commanding Officer Lt Col Golam Sarwar said: “A RAB team led by Major Kabir arrested him from his brother-in-law’s house in the area.

“Moniruzzaman built the [collapsed] house on the illegally occupied land,” he told a press briefing at Tikatuli RAB 3 office yesterday.

However, Moniruzzaman said he had legal ownership of the land where the house was built, adding that his family had already submitted necessary documents to the Rampura police station following a request from the investigators.

At least twelve people including four of a family died when the two-storey house made of corrugated iron sheets collapsed into a water body in the capital’s Rampura on April 15.

Nearly 100 low-income people used to live in the poorly-built house that was erected using only bamboo poles over the muddy bed of the water-hyacinth-filled jheel or water body at Hajipara.

Following the collapse, the police filed a case with Rampura police station on April 16, making Moniruzzaman the lone accused for the incident.

Lt Col Sarwar said Moniruzzaman was also an accused in three murder cases filed with Gulshan, Ramna and Sabujbagh police stations, two arms cases, and several other cases filed over extortion and fighting. Moniruzzaman had also been behind bars several times in connection with those cases, he added. l

ernment’s management capacity.

The government formulated the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP) 2009 as the guideline for climate projects but failed to take up a good number projects based on priority and need, which was the core direction of the action plan, said Ahsan Uddin Ahmed, executive director of Centre for Global Changes adding that in most cases the money had been wasted on irrelevant projects.

Also on the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, the highest body on climate change in the world, Ahsan said the BCCTF has been facing lack of trust due to the abuse of its funds.

Regarding the negative impression that would arise out of dissolving the state run fund, Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies chief executive Atiq Rahman said the message was already out there loud and clear due to the previous practices.

It should now run in a transparent manner for the sake of the country’s image, he said. l

Following a long weekend, Dhaka streets returned to its usual congested state, with traffic movement remaining a near standstill at Banglamotor intersection yesterday afternoon MEHEDI HASAN

The High Court has ordered authorities concerned to take action to stop the filling up of and constructing a dam across the Gomti River at Comilla’s Muradnagar upazila within 24 hours.

The bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman passed the order yesterday following a writ petition filed by Muradnagar inhabitants Monir Hossain, Taslim and Farhadul Alam.

The deputy commissioner of Comilla was asked to submit a report on the implementation of the order in seven days.

The court also asked the authorities to take action within 72 hours against the persons involved in the earth-filling of the river. Muradnagar UNO and the Muradnagar police station OC were asked to submit a progress report in this regard within May 25.

The court also issued a ruling asking why the inactivities of the respondents should not be declared illegal. l

No LBA proposal from India yet n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

India is yet to share a proposal with Bangladesh about the partial or staggered implementation of the land boundary agreement.

The agreement has languished for four decades because of Indian delays in ratifying the pact and, more recently, opposition from its state governments.

“We did not receive any proposal from the Indian government,” said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam yesterday.

The junior minister said the LBA, signed in 1974, and its protocol, signed in 2011, are still valid. He said the Indian side, time and again, has reassured Bangladesh that it would remain valid in the future.

“We are waiting to implement the agreement – but it has not happened in 40 years,” he said.

The state minister said: “We will consider any specific proposal about staggered implementation of the agreement.”

He categorically said no action would be taken beyond the stipulations of the agreement.

There are media reports that India is trying to exclude Assam in implementing the LBA, for political reasons.

A bill to amend the Indian constitution to pave the way for ratifying the agreement was placed in India’s upper house at the end of 2013; a parliamentary standing committee after scrutinising the bill submitted its report a year later.

City elections

The government said it is ready to answer questions related to the recently held city corporation elections and provided relevant information to Bangladesh’s embassies abroad.

“The foreign ministry is ready to respond

if anybody wants to know anything,” Shahriar Alam said.

The junior minister said the information available showed that out of 2,701 vote centres, the Election Working Group recorded 138 incidents.

According to the government’s assessment, this was the most peaceful local government election held so far, he said.

Shahriar said US State Department Under-Secretary Wendy Sherman, during a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, asked why Bangladesh did not introduce an electronic voting system.

“The prime minister told her that it had been used in other elections, but it was opposed by the BNP,” he said.

Sherman expressed surprise that the BNP opposed the use of such a system, Shahriar said. l

DT

6 NEWS

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

No trucks at Sonamasjid land port, Indian goods stuck n Our Correspondent, Chapainawabganj Truck owners have stopped sending trucks to the Sonamasjid land port in Chapainawabganj in protest of extortion and harrassment by the facilitators, labour coordinators, and Panama Port Link.

Goods coming from India are now stuck at the port since Sunday morning as a result of the protest by the truck owners’ group and the truck and motor workers’ union in the district.

President of the truck owners’ group Aminul Islam Sentu said: “Everyday trucks transport goods imported from India to different parts of the country. These trucks are charged exorbitant amounts in the name of

facilitation, labour coordination and Panama Port Link by locals identified as Sobhan, Arif, Kajim Ali, and Motahar Hossain Mota.

“They charge trucks carrying fruits Tk10,000, onions Tk2,500, corn Tk1,500, and stones Tk3,000. Because of such extortion truck fares are going up, and the owners are getting less money. It is becoming difficult for the owners.

“If their demanded amounts are not met, they don’t release the truck from the port under various ruse. Labour coordinators extort Tk400-Tk1,200 out of every truck. That is why the truck owners’ group and the truck and motor workers’ union jointly decided to not send trucks to the Sonamasjid Port from Sunday morning. But trucks are operating as

usual in other parts of the district.”

Pushpa Narayan Burman, President of the truck and motor workers’ union, said almost 250 trucks have been kept parked at the central truck terminal in the district town since Sunday morning.

In this regard Sonamasjid land port labour coordination committee President Sadiqul Islam said a fair amount of money is taken for facilitation and loading of goods, no extra money is charged. “This problem has occurred because the district truck owners’ group demanded that they be assigned more trips as well as the higher-rate trips.” he added.

Meanwhile, Panama Port Link Manager Probir Chandra Shil denied the allegation of extortion. l

Snatcher held with Tk14 lakh n Our Correspondent, Sylhet Police arrested an alleged snatcher yesterday while he was trying to flee after snatching Tk14 lakh from an officer of a pharmaceuticals company in Darshandeuri area in the district.

The arrested was identified as Khaled Hassan Robiul,27, son of Mahmud Hassan of Hanif Nagar under Horinath upazila of Khulna district.

Police also seized chili power and sharp weapons from him.

Shohel Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model police station said Ahmed Hossain, accounts officer of the Globe Pharmaceuticals Company Ltd was going to Dutch Bangla Bank Amberkhana Branch to deposit money. When he was near to the bank, Robiul snatched the money and tried to flee.

On information, police rushed to the spot and arrested him.

A case was filed in this connection. l

Police officer accused of torturing wife sent to jail n Our Correspondent, Barisal A police official of Kawnia police station in the district suspended after accused of torturing minor aged third wife was sent to jail yesterday.

Barisal Police Lines Inspector (reserved force) Abu Zafar said that Sub-Inspector Abdul Wares, 40, had been closed following the filing of a case against him on March 10 for regularly torturing his 14-year-old third wife Habiba Akhter Marufa confining her to his house for dowry.

Victim’s mother Mahmuda Begum lodged the complaint on March 10. In her complaint, the victim’s mother alleged that SI Wares married her daughter Habiba concealing the fact that he has two more wives, and he used to regularly torture Marufa for dowry. l

Srimongal district administration conducts a drive in Shahibagh area and demolishes a good number of illegal structures

Bribes the only motivation for Kashiani primary education office n Our Correspondent, Gopalganj No work is carried out without a bribe at the Department of Primary Education Kashiani upazila office in Gopalganj.

With hundreds of thousands of takas taken as bribes for all kinds of paperwork related to the primary school teachers, the education office has been turned into a money making machine. The teachers are being made to pay bribes for transfers, due bill approvals, travel approvals, etc and have become hostages to the Kashiani education office.

According to sources from the Kashiani education office, teachers going for their LPR are charged bribes of Tk10-20,000 each; in case of transfers the bribe goes up ranging from Tk30,000 to Tk1,00,000. It was alleged that a teacher named Champa was transferred illegally for over one lakh taka while she was on maternity leave.

For reassignments, the bribe is Tk30,000; if teachers want to take a loan from the general

providend fund (GPF) they are made to pay 10% of the amount; the office takes bribes for all such duties, informed the sources.

A teacher on condition of anonymity said Education Officer Md Rafiqul Islam of the Kashiani Department of Primary Education is behind all the rampant bribery. He alleged that Rafiqul, earning a salary of Tk30,000 – of which Tk15,000 goes to GPF loan repayment and Tk7,000 in rent – is erecting a three-storied building in his home village.

The teacher said Rafiqul is transferring junior teachers instead of the seniors in exchange of large amounts of bribes. Following his suit, everyone in the office including the attendants are taking bribes; it is now an open secret, he added.

Denying the allegations, Rafqul Islam said: “I have a GPF loan, but I do not that much rent. I am also not erecting the building as alleged. Investigation into the bribery allegation will also prove nothing.” l

FOCUS BANGLA

DT

NEWS 7

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Another baby stolen from hospital

Freedom fighters demand removal of CU VC n CU Correspondent

n Tribune Report

A group of freedom fighters in Chittagong yesterday demanded immediate removal of Chittagong University (CU)’s Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Anwarul Azim Arif for his alleged corruptions and anomalies.

Muktijodha Odhikar Sangrokhon Parishad, a platform of freedom fighters in Chittagong city, came up with the demand at a press conference held at Chittagong Press Club around 11:00am. They also sought intervention of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in this regard.

President of District (south) Sector Commanders’ Forum freedom fighters Mohammed Idris read out a written statement at the conference.

Mohammed Idris alleged that Prof Anwarul Azim Arif was a fake freedom fighter as he did not accomplish or carry out any kind of battle during Liberation War in 1971.

After taking charge as VC at CU, Prof Arif has appointed a number of Jamaat-Shibir backed teachers and he also appointed his son, sister-in-law and daughter-in-law violating the university rules and regulations.

Brushing all the allegations aside, CU VC Professor Anwarul Azim Arif said: “As I had refused to fulfil Idris’s some unlawful demands, he has been spreading propaganda against me with some insiders of the university.” l

WEATHER

People caught a woman while she was fleeing with newborn from Dholpur Brac Hospital in the capital yesterday afternoon.

Giving her a good beating, people handed her over to Paltan police station.

Police said Guljaan, 55, was traveling on a bus with a newborn baby in the afternoon, but noticing her suspicious activities passengers of the bus challenged her.

As she failed to give proper answers of queries people caught her and beat her indiscriminately. Then, she acknowledged that she had bought the baby from a hospital located at Dholpur under Jatrabari police station.

Officer-in-Charge of Paltan Model police station Morshed Alam said: “The newborn were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and the woman is now under police custody.”

During interrogation, she told the police that she had bought the newborn for Tk20,000 from a woman who was the wife of Akhtaruzzaman, a resident of Dholpur. But she could not answer whom she was going to hand over the baby.

Meanwhile, police contacted with mother of the baby namely Parvin Akter, a resident of Dholpur area. She said the baby was born on Saturday.

On March 9, 2014, another new born baby was stolen from Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Later, a team of the Rapid Action Battalion rescued the baby from Kalameshwar village of Board Bazar of Gazipur. l

DRY WEATHER A middle-aged woman was caught red-handed in Paltan, Dhaka yesterday afternoon while stealing away a newborn from Dhaka Medical College Hospital DHAKA TRIBUNE

TUESDAY, MAY 5 DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 6:29PM

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:21AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY Dhaka

36

26

Chittagong

34

26

Rajshahi

38

26

Rangpur

37

24

Khulna

36

25

Barisal

36

26

Sylhet

33

22

Cox’s Bazar

33

26

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

37.5ºC Rajshahi

20.5ºC Sylhet Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr

3:57am

Sunrise

5:21am

Zohr

11:55am

Asr

4:32pm

Magrib

6:29pm

Esha

7:59pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

DEATH OF PILOT TAMANNA

Family likely to file case against flying academy n

Nazim Mridha, Rajshahi

Family members is likely to file a case against the Bangladesh Flying Academy over the death of Tamanna Rahman Hridi, a female trainee pilot who died on April 1 after an aircraft of Bangladesh Flying Academy and General Aviation Limited crashed on the runway and caught fire while making an emergency landing at Shah Makhdum Airport in Rajshahi.

The family members of Tamanna alleged that she had died due to negligence of flying academy.

They made the allegation at a press briefing held at a restaurant in Rajshahi city yesterday afternoon.

Rehana Yeasmin, mother of Tamanna, read out a written statement at the press conference where Dr Anisur Rahman, father of the deceased, was also present.

Rehana Yeasmin said they would file a case against the flying academy soon after collecting all necessary evidences.

Dr Anisur said: “We have already got different evidence of negligence about conducting training of Bangladesh Flying Academy which

caused the death of Tamanna.”

The written statement said that as per international rules, all flying academy and civil aviation should have 24 hours fire service team, rescue team and ambulance service at the runway so that services could be rendered within 2 minutes if any untoward incident takes place but there was no such type of services at Rajshahi Shah Makhdum Airport.

The statement alleged that soon after the incident the local peoples came forward but firefighting team came after 21 minutes. In the meantime, Tamanna was burnt to death.

Mother of Tamanna informed that Bangladesh Flying Academy running its training programme with the 3 decade-old aircraft (Sesna-152). The seat belt of the aircraft was not working properly and for this reason trainer could not manage to get out of the aircraft soon after it catches fire.

They also alleged that Moniruzzaman Rumi, the chief engineer of Bangladesh Flying Academy, has been given responsibility without any certificate regarding his competency. They also claimed that Rumi was a fake engineer. l

Penalty sought for Aug 21 grenade attack case accused n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu Two prosecution witnesses yesterday sought exemplary punishment for the accused in two cases launched for conducting horrific grenade attack on an Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004.

Dr Hasan Mahmud, publicity affairs secretary of AL, and Abdul Matin, former driver of PM Sheikh Hasina, gave the depositions before a court of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal 1 judge Shahed Nuruddin in the attack that left 24 people killed and scores inured. The judge also recorded it.

According to the deposition, the witnesses were present at the rally on the day and Hasan Mahmud said the attack was run aiming to kill Sheikh Hasina as well as the party’s all top leaders.

Later, the defence counsels cross-examined the witnesses and then the court fixed today for the next hearings. With the duo, a total of 130 prosecution witnesses have so far testified before the court.

BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman and former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar as well as 50 others were made accused in the cases. l

DT

8 WORLD

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Three Thai officials, Myanmar man held over migrant deaths n AFP

Three local Thai officials and a Myanmar national have been arrested on suspicion of human trafficking after the remains of 26 migrants were found in a mass grave in southern Thailand, police said Monday.

The decomposed bodies of migrants thought to have come from Myanmar or Bangladesh were exhumed over the weekend at an abandoned jungle camp in the Sadao district of Songkhla province.

Tens of thousands of migrants, mainly from Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslim minority but also increasingly Rohingya from Bangladesh, have made the dangerous sea crossing to southern Thailand, with many bound for Malaysia.

On Monday police said they arrested three local male officials in Songhkla, and were holding a fourth man from Myanmar in Nakhon Sri Thammarat province after his arrest Tuesday.

“One is a member of the local municipal council and the other two are assistant village headmen,” said a senior police official, who did not want to be named, of the Thai men arrested, adding that the other man in detention was a Myanmar national.

He also said a further four arrest warrants had been issued in connection with the mass grave but gave no more details.

Nakhon Sri Thammarat deputy police commander Anuchon Chamart said the Myanmar national – Soe Naing, known as Anwar – was a “central figure who ran camps and sought ransoms” in a major people-smuggling operation.

“He was involved with smuggling Rohingya from Myanmar through Thailand to Indonesia and Malaysia,” Anuchon told AFP. Thailand’s border zone with Malaysia is criss-crossed by trafficking trails and is notorious for its network of secret camps where smuggled migrants are held, usually against their will, until relatives pay hefty ransoms.

Thai police said Sunday they are searching for other camps following the discovery of the mass grave, with dozens of other people-smuggling sites believed to be based in the area.

About 100 bodies found in Nepal trekking village

n Reuters, Kathmandu

Nepali police and local volunteers found the bodies of about 100 trekkers and villagers buried in an avalanche set off by last month’s devastating earthquake and were digging through snow and ice for signs of dozens more missing, officials said on Monday.

The bodies were recovered on Saturday and Sunday at the Langtang village, 60 kilometres north of Kathmandu. The entire village, which includes 55 guesthouses for trekkers, was wiped out by the avalanche, officials said.

“Local volunteers and police personnel are digging through six-feet (deep) snow with shovels looking for more bodies,” said Gautam Rimal, assistant chief district officer in the area where Langtang is located.

The dead include at least 7 foreigners but only two had been identified, he said. l

Gunmen killed at exhibit on Prophet Muhammad

n Agencies

Texas police shot dead two gunmen who opened fire on Sunday outside an exhibit of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad that was organised by an anti-Islamic group and billed as a free-speech event.

An FBI official said the home of the two gunmen were being searched for evidence.

Depictions of the Prophet Muhammad are viewed as offensive in Islam, and Western art that portrays the Prophet has sometimes angered Muslims and provoked threats and attacks from radicals.

Sunday’s attack took place at about 7 p.m. in a parking lot of the Curtis Culwell Center, an indoor arena in Garland, northeast of Dallas. Geert Wilders, a polarising Dutch politician and anti-Islamic campaigner who is on an al Qaeda hit list, was among the speakers at the event.

Shortly before midnight police alerted media that a strong electronic pulse would be activated near the scene, presumably as part of the bomb squad’s work, and a loud boom was heard moments later, though police did not comment further on what was done.

The exhibit was organised by Pamela Geller, president of the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI). Her organisation, is described by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group, has sponsored anti-Islamic advertising campaigns in transit systems across the country.

Organisers of the “Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest” said the event was to promote freedom of expression. They offered a $10,000 prize for the best artwork or cartoon depicting the Prophet, as well as a $2,500 “People’s Choice Award.” l

Rouhani: Police not Islam’s enforcers A local Muslim leader joins rescue workers as they bury coffins containing the human remains of migrants exhumed the day before from a mass grave at an abandoned jungle camp in Thailand AFP The exodus of Rohingya – described by the UN as one of the world’s most persecuted minorities – has followed deadly communal unrest in western Myanmar’s Rakhine state since 2012.

Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh have also been kidnapped and trafficked to

Thailand, after being duped with fake job offers or even drugged.

Thailand says it is cracking down on trafficking networks on its soil after revelations that government officers, police and navy officials have been involved in the lucrative trade in humans fleeing poverty and persecution. l

Facebook opens up Internet. org amidst net neutrality row n BBC Facebook says it will allow more websites and other online services to join its “free mobile data” Internet.org scheme.

The announcement follows a backlash against the initiative.

Opponents suggest it compromises the principles of net neutrality, because it favours access to some sites and apps over others.

But Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerberg said it was “not sustainable to offer the whole internet for free.”

“It costs tens of billions of dollars every year to run the internet, and no operator could afford this if everything were free,” he said in an online video posted to Internet.org’s website.

“But it is sustainable to build free basic services that are simpler, use less data and work on all low-end phones.”

One leading Delhi-based campaigner suggested that protests against the offer would continue.

Internet.org allows subscribers of partner mobile networks to use a limited number of online services without further charge.

Networks operators participate because they believe users will pay for wider internet access once they have had a chance to try out the free content on offer.

To access the facility, people must use special Android apps, Internet.org’s website, Facebook’s own Android app or the Opera Mini browser. l

n AFP

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said Monday it was not up to the country’s police to deliver Islamic guidance, distancing himself from efforts to involve law enforcement in religion.

Rouhani, a relative moderate, last week faced criticism from the Islamic republic’s clerical establishment and conservative lawmakers for insisting the police had no role to play in religion.

But in a speech to teachers on Monday he took up the issue again, saying it was for officers to carry “handcuffs and pistols,” not to act like clergy.

“But you can’t just tell anyone... (to) interpret” Islam, he added.

Rouhani last year spoke out about draft legislation that would have given more power to police and volunteer militias to enforce women’s compulsory wearing of the veil.

“We should not be overly focused on one issue, such as bad hijab, to prevent vice,” he said, in reference to women deemed not properly veiled.

The proposed law was later ruled unconstitutional.

And last month he told law enforcement commanders that “police should only enforce the law,” drawing a rebuke from the country’s powerful religious establishment.

Rouhani was elected in 2013 to replace the more conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and has faced resistance from hardliners on a range of issues. l

DT

WORLD 9

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Taliban, Afghan negotiators unable to agree ceasefire

n Reuters

Migrants wait to disembark yesterday from a tug boat in the Sicilian harbour of Pozzallo in southern Italy

Around 6,800 migrants rescued, baby girl born on Italian navy ship n Reuters Around 6,800 migrants were rescued from overcrowded boats crossing to Europe over the weekend, including a mother who gave birth to a baby girl on an Italian navy ship, the coast guard said.

Numbers risking the journey in search of a better life have continued to rise two weeks after as many as 900 people drowned in the worst Mediterranean shipwreck in living memory.

Crew from the Italian naval vessel Bettica found the woman in labour on a boat overnight – one of 34 vessels intercepted over the weekend. A photo posted online showed her new daughter sleeping in a makeshift cradle decorated with a pink bow.

“Both mother and daughter are in good health,” the navy said in a statement.

Growing lawlessness and anarchy in Lib-

ya – the last point on one of the main transit routes to Europe – is giving free hand to people smugglers who make an average of 80,000 euros (59,570 pounds) from each boatload, according to an ongoing investigation by an Italian court.

Mild spring weather and calm summer seas are expected to push total arrivals in Italy for 2015 to 200,000, an increase of 30,000 on last year, according to an Interior Ministry projection.

Police said officers rescued 21 immigrants in a boat off the southern coast of Spain on Monday.

On Sunday, seven bodies were found on two large rubber boats packed with migrants and three others died after jumping into the water when they saw a merchant ship approaching, the Italian coast guard said.

Many migrants who have made the sea crossing this year have been Eritreans, So-

REUTERS

malis, Afghanis, Syrians and Nigerians, according to the UN refugee agency. Few details were available regarding the nationalities of those rescued over the weekend.

About 1,800 are estimated to have perished during the crossing already this year, the UN refugee agency said. Some 51,000 have entered Europe by sea, with 30,500 coming via Italy.

Shocked by last month’s record disaster, European Union leaders agreed to triple funding for the EU sea patrol mission Triton, but there is still disagreement on what to do with the people fleeing conflict and poverty in various parts of Africa and the Middle East.

Italy has coordinated the rescues by its own navy and coast guard, a French ship acting on behalf of the European border control agency, merchant ships of various nationalities and one vessel run by the privately funded Migrant Offshore Aid Station. l

Taliban representatives met with Afghan political figures for a second day in Qatar on Sunday, and one participant said the two sides discussed a possible ceasefire but ultimately disagreed over the continued presence of US troops in the country.

The United States and Pakistan, long-regarded by critics as sympathetic to the Afghan Taliban, both welcomed the closed-door talks aimed at ending an insurgency that has raged in Afghanistan since US-backed forces drove the Taliban from power in 2001.

The informal talks, hosted by Qatar’s foreign ministry, came as fighting escalated after the withdrawal of most US and allied troops.

The Taliban recently launched an offensive in northern Afghanistan that brought its fighters to the outskirts of Kunduz city, a provincial capital.

Participants in Sunday’s meeting in AlKhor, a seaside town north of Doha, emerged from the venue smiling and laughing on Sunday but refused to talk to waiting reporters.

The Afghan government has made no official statement on the meetings, though a member of the country’s High Peace Council confirmed a delegation would attend meetings in Qatar with the Taliban.

One Taliban participant in the talks told Reuters by telephone late on Sunday that an eight-member Taliban delegation, headed by Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, had held direct dialogue with Afghan officials.

“After the dialogue began, our people gave demands and conditions in written form and ... distributed copies among all the participants,” he said on condition of anonymity.

“Then the dialogue started openly, and the Afghan delegation and Qayyum Kochai, uncle of (Afghan) President Ashraf Ghani, demanded we stop our fighting and announce a ceasefire. They called us brothers and advised us to come to Afghanistan and obey the Afghan constitution,” he said.

The Taliban said they would not stop fighting until all foreign forces left Afghanistan, he said.

The government delegation argued that most foreigners had already left and only trainers remained, who would also leave if the Taliban stopped fighting, he said.

The talks ended with no agreement except to hold another meeting in the United Arab Emirates “probably next month.” l

Israeli Ethiopian protest exposes ‘wound’

Eight troopers dead in rebel attack in northeast India

n AP, Jerusalem

n AFP

Israel’s president said yesterday that an outbreak of violent protests by Ethiopian Jews has “exposed an open, bleeding wound in the heart of Israeli society.”

Reuven Rivlin spoke a day after thousands of Ethiopian protesters clashed with police in Tel Aviv in an unprecedented scene of unrest and anger. The clashes reflected widespread frustration in the Ethiopian community, which three decades after it first arrived in Israel, has become an underclass plagued by poverty, crime and unemployment.

About 120,000 Ethiopian Jews live in Israel, a small minority in a country of 8 million. l

Heavily armed separatist rebels have ambushed a paramilitary convoy in India’s remote northeast, killing eight soldiers and injuring six, officials said Monday.

The militants opened fire on the troops before exploding a small bomb during the attack on Sunday in underdeveloped Nagaland close to the border with Myanmar, the state’s police chief said.

“Militants first resorted to firing and then triggered an improvised explosive device, killing eight troopers on the spot and seriously injuring six more,” Nagaland police chief L.L. Doungel told AFP by phone.

Another four Assam Rifles troopers were missing, with a search underway in the area, about 200 kilometres (124 miles) north of the state capital Kohima, an official said on condition of anonymity.

Police suspect the attack was carried out by the outlawed National Socialist Council of Nagaland, which has been campaigning for decades for a homeland for indigenous Naga tribes to be carved out of India’s northeast states.

Last month a faction of the council called off a longstanding ceasefire, saying New Delhi was not serious about meeting the movement’s demands.

The troopers in two vehicles came under

attack as they returned to their camp from collecting drinking water nearby, the police chief said.

“There was heavy firing with the troopers retaliating but it was not immediately known if there were any casualties on the militants’ side,” Doungel said.

“A massive operation has since been launched in the thickly forested area,” he said.

India’s seven northeastern states have long been plagued by insurgent violence.

They are home to dozens of tribal groups and small guerrilla armies that resist rule from New Delhi and often compete against each other. l

DT

10 WORLD

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

China’s Xi calls for ‘equal’ political talks with Taiwan n Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping offered the head of Taiwan’s ruling Nationalist Party yesterday “equal” talks to resolve their political differences, but only if Taiwan accepts it is part of China, a concept many Taiwanese balk at.

Xi, in his role as head of China’s ruling Communist Party, met Nationalist chairman Eric Chu in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, the first meeting between the leaders of the old political rivals in six years, China’s Xinhua news agency said.

While business ties between Taiwan and China have improved to their best level in six decades since Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou took office in 2008, there have been no talks on Taiwan’s political future.

Chu made no mention of political talks in a transcript of his remarks released by his party, but said he hoped Taiwan would be allowed greater participation in international organisations, something hard at present due to Chinese objections.

Xi told Chu that the two should settle political differences through equal consultations, Xinhua said.

“The two sides can consult with each other on equal basis under the principle of ‘one China’, and reach a reasonable arrangement,” Xi was quoted as saying.

Beijing’s “one China” policy holds that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of it.

Many in proudly democratic Taiwan fear autocratic Beijing’s designs on the island, and there is a strong pro-independence movement.

Xi said both parties “should be brave when facing lingering political differences and difficulties, pool wisdom of compatriots of both

Eric Chu, left, chairman of Taiwan’s ruling Kuomintang party, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing AFP sides and actively search for a solution,” Xinhua added.

Chu’s Nationalists are viewed as pro-China, while the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is widely seen as leaning towards independence, something China says it will never allow.

Thousands of young people occupied Taiwan’s parliament in March last year in an unprecedented protest against a planned trade

pact calling for closer ties with Beijing and the Nationalists suffered a heavy setback in local elections in November.

Xi said China would ensure more economic opportunities for the people of Taiwan as China continues down its path of reform.

“Our efforts to open up to Taiwan compatriots will be bigger,” he said.

This trip is expected to bolster Chu’s influence. l

Iran determined to end ‘manufactured’ nuclear crisis

n AFP, Tehran

Iran is determined to end the “manufactured crisis” over its nuclear programme and drafting of a final deal with world powers, though hard, is progressing, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said yesterday.

The remarks, on Zarif’s official Twitter account, came two days after US Secretary of State John Kerry denounced what he said was “hysteria” from opponents of an agreement, which is due by June 30.

Zarif, Kerry and other diplomats from Iran and the P5+1 world powers (Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany) say the deal would guarantee Iran’s nuclear activities are peaceful.

“Drafting #IranDeal is moving forward.

Hard work, and many brackets, remain. Determined to end this manufactured crisis & open new horizons,” Zarif tweeted.

Iran has long asserted its nuclear programme is for peaceful energy purposes and that international concern about it seeking a nuclear bomb is misplaced.

An outline agreement between Iran and the P5+1 reached on April 2 in Switzerland after marathon talks met with fierce opposition from US Republicans who say it would threaten America’s security.

But Zarif told an audience at New York University last week that Iran is willing to submit to the highest level of international transparency and wants to conclude a final accord as soon as possible.

If fully implemented, a deal would see Iran dramatically scale back its nuclear activities for at least 10 years along with other curbs in exchange for the lifting of UN, EU and US sanctions. l

DT

EDITORIAL 11

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Still time to move Rampal

T

he government still has time to heed warnings about the unacceptable environmental hazards posed by the setting up a 1,320MW coal-fired power plant at Rampal in an Ecologically Critical Area some 10km from the Sundarbans..

Independent studies indicate insufficient safeguards have been implemented to mitigate the risks of coal burning, transportation and post-burn waste disposal at this site. The potential consequences in terms of pollution to air, soil, and water poses a major unnecessary threat to living organisms in the area.

It is not acceptable that public interest regulations designed to safeguard the biodiversity and wildlife of the world’s largest mangrove forest are being flouted by this project.

To make matters worse, if this project is allowed to proceed at this site, it risks opening the door for to other similar power plants at equally controversial locations.

The Indian power company behind the project is prevented by India’s own laws from setting up a coal power project at similarly sensitive locations within India.

Bangladesh has plenty of far more appropriate locations available, closer to industries, transport and supplies of coal, at which this type of power plant can be located. The government needs to give more regard to the high degree of public concern expressed about this project by moving its location.

Only by doing so can it fully reassure the public that vested interests will not be allowed to ride roughshod over laws to protect the environment.

Heed warnings about the unacceptable environmental hazards posed by this location

Make national highways fit for purpose

A

ccording to the UNESCAP transport division not a single kilometre of the 1,741km of Bangladeshi roadways desiignated as part of the Asian Highway meets the standards it requires.

The Asian Highway network runs along three routes for 1,741km in Bangladesh.

At present, only 72km of all these roads is a four-lane highway. While the ongoing upgrade of the Dhaka-Chittagong road which overlaps with all these routes into a four lane highway, will substantially increase the volume of traffic running on four-lanes, it will still leave our national road network running to far lower standards than Asian Highway roads in other nations.

The capacity of our national highways is constrained even further by the failure of authorities to safeguard even those wider highways we have from encroachment, and to properly control access to set groups of vehicles.

We must invest in a faster, more efficient and safer national network to overcome these defects and meet international standards.

The benefits in terms of reducing delays and improving safety would be a huge boon to the economy and pay for itself by allowing Bangladeshis to take full benefit from our country’s small land area.

Faster major roads will not only increase trade between our major cities, but open up new opportunities to attract overseas investors by improving international connectivity and taking full advantage of Bangladesh’s geographical position at the crossroads of South and South-east Asia.

We cannot afford not to demand and expect better of our national highway network.

The benefits would pay for themselves

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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Delinquent diplomats April 13

disgusted Chee! Chee! Most diplomats are nothing but idiots in cheap suits, and Bangladesh should not send so many unworthy and immoral men out into the world to represent the country. Shoplifters? Really? Yuck. A very good article in exposing the suit-clad thieves. Under the diplomatic umbrella they hide and think they have immunity. I want to see his picture plastered all over! What a shame. sundar disgusted: As a matter of fact, without being a thief it is not possible for a bureaucrat of

Bangladesh to wear a suit. We all know what they are supposed to earn according to the prescribed government pay scale. As per the current price level, the paltry amount that a bureaucrat draws as a monthly salary is supposed to be consumed by the bare necessities of daily life. It can hardly provide any luxuries, like suits (irrespective of season), cars, smartphones, laptop, dinner in 5 star hotels etc.

And we all know what luxurious and extravagant lives the bureaucrats of our country lead, except a very few. Having the inside experience, I can say, with a fair degree of certainty, that most of them are inveterate thieves. They don’t consider thieving a crime but as a sort of competence and proof of their extraordinary talents. I know of some bureaucrats, though very few in numbers, who live a very honest and simple life are known are in the society as “opodharto.”

So, I don’t find any special reason to feel disappointed or ashamed at the shoplifting case of this particular diplomat. Rather, he deserves to be rewarded for correctly portraying their representative character in a foreign land. The government should seriously consider giving him a promotion for his extraordinary smartness which we expect from our diplomats.

DT Justice for village of widows

Of mayors, here and there

Dev Saha He had plenty of time to ask for forgiveness but chose to show his bravado. Does justice have any other options? No!

Sammy How dare the author suggest that these elections will not be completely fair, free, and transparent? He needs to be hauled before the war crimes tribunal or sent to remand or something like that!

April 12

Save Barisal church from encroachment April 13 Sinthi We must value diversity and heritage more. The hooligan lawyers who attacked the women should be punished. The government claims to protect minorities.

Won’t Sheikh Hasina throw out those in her party who practice intolerance and exploit minorities?

April 11 rose The mayors and others who are in power should act responsibly and play their roles in the most efficacious manner.

Mohammad Zaman Just shared in my FB. Great piece.

Breadbitten Mohammad Zaman: I just told my friend about this piece. He seemed excited.

Osmania Great article as always from Esam.

Everything is over centralised in central government hands. Including, as it turns out, our ward councillors.

DT

12 OPINION

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

BIGSTOCK

A counting up of actions n Ikhtisad Ahmed

I

t has been the same game, rules unchanged, since before the Liberation War. The motivational words of consolation are wrong: Winning is, has been, and will be more important than how it is played.

The sole objective, therefore, is absolute power. Successive governments have tried and failed. The current one remains in situ, but the fine margins set by those cursed rules make strongholds vulnerable, success impermanent, failure impending.

Past players, licking their wounds, are not to be trusted either. Their sorrow comes from envy, wishing to trade places with the ruling regime. They did not do better during their purple patches, and will do worse if their wish is somehow granted.

Their misdeeds during their fleeting victories are responsible for the present desperation and devastation, as today will inspire tomorrow’s carnage.

Unless there is a unanimous, an unequivocal rejection of the game, there is no other way. Absolute power, repeated as a mantra, is a self-fulfilling prophecy that produces only one outcome.

During the latest phase of play, the BNP’s 2006-2007 moves were rendered ineffectual, the Awami League’s 2013-2014 were not. It is a perpetual race to the top of the mountain, hoping to be closer to the summit than

base camp. When, never if, the mountain is conquered, the flag that is planted -- regardless of whether it has stars and stripes or is a dreaded black, has a boat or an ear of rice -- signifies the pursuit of absolute power, and its establishment, of various levels of temporariness.

Absolute power, repeated as a mantra, is a selffulfilling prophecy that produces only one outcome

The sticks used to beat the opposition increases in size, giving way to knives. They, in turn, get sharper and give way to guns, ever more efficient. The ruthless endeavours do not differentiate between political opposition and observers or well-wishers.

The binary view, adopted by the politicians and codified in laws governing the populace, makes dissenters of everyone.

Consider the process briefly, and it be-

comes clear why it matters little. In a straight choice between legitimacy and control, only one paves the road to victory. It is, thus, the only one that is of any consequence.

An authoritarian regime that believes in its own myth of invincibility will be less inclined to add a veneer of legitimacy than one that is more pragmatic.

The occasional member of the ruling party or governmental activist being punished for one of the several deplorable acts committed by the regime would be a shrewd strategy that shows a just, humane side of said autocracy.

The odd election would have a similar effect, making the people believe. Instead, oppression and dominance have been the preferred poisons. Every instance of them producing the desired result -- celebrating the inexcusable, the heinous, the repulsive, and propagating the fallacy of a divine right to rule -- reinforces the belief in a godlike invincibility, the reaffirmation confirming further deployments of the same strategy in the future.

Individual incidents may be met with approval or submission, but a growing litany is less manageable. When counting the cost of extending its victory, the government should pause to study the people’s ledger. Dismissing it because those numbers tell a very different story to the delusional narrative of the rulers will be to their own peril.

Redacting them or replacing them with

more favourable alternatives may rewrite perceptions and perspectives, but does not change the truth. The process may be immaterial in attaining victory, but it has a part to play in extending it, because the process determines when the people, who are counting up actions, become the enemy.

Heightening partisanship, using terrorism for effect, prevents discussions and debates that are necessary for improvement. Civil rights activists fighting the race war in the US and suffragettes demanding women’s rights in the UK were labelled terrorists. Martin Luther King Jr, however, can be told apart from Osama bin Laden, even by the dullest or most unhinged minds.

The government of Bangladesh, like all governments in the history of the human race, is fallible. Displaying humility to accept this rather than forcing people to believe in its arrogant presumption of being flawless, with threats and intimidation when coaxing and cajoling do not work, serves the objective of absolute power better.

The people know that perfection is impossible, thus they seek betterment. The government is convinced it is the better choice. It is long past time the AL started to prove this hypothesis. Making an enemy of a people that historically does not tolerate oppression or respond well to it is not the way. l Ikhtisad Ahmed is a writer and an erstwhile lawyer.

He can be contacted on Twitter via @Ikhtisad.

DT

OPINION 13

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Has the audience lost interest? n Tim Steel

I

t has taken a little time, but the evident, present, unwillingness of voters to change their mind no matter what the would be stars attempt in order to do so, it appears that boredom has set in.

Perhaps we should not be surprised. The politicians may yet come to regret setting fixed five year terms on Parliament. In the ICE age, unfulfilled expectations for quantity and quality of information, poor communication, and a developing sameness in the practice of entertainment, are surely greater than, even, five years ago.

Certainly, the blushing reluctance of the politicians to give detail; such as the former, (and perhaps future?), chancellor of the exchequer, the finance minister, to give even clues to how he would save a further 12bn pounds from welfare spending if re-elected, jars with even, possibly especially, the really engaged voters.

The fact that my snail mail letterbox has received the free communications permitted to candidates from only three, and those, primitive in format and content seems representative of the level of communication. And my online box, only a few desultory mails from Labour, instantly as deletable as the snail mail was binned for recycling.

Mass media may well benefit party leaders, but it certainly doesn’t do much for local candidates, and it seems unsurprising that no sign of motorcades or canvassing has reached communities such as that in which I live.

And mass media, of course, has its limitations. As a parliamentary candidate at the time of the 1979 referenda on regional devolution in UK, I well remember being given a ticking off by prime minister, Jim Callaghan, for telling him that the vote was going to be lost. I explained to the evidently bemused premier that, on the doorstep, it was being lost because it was being inadequately argued.

“But I am on TV every day, explaining it,” he expostulated. “Yes,” I responded,” but lectures on TV give no opportunity for questions to amplify your explanations.”

And, of course, despite the internet, politicians seem, if anything, even more addicted to talking at people, rather than with them.

Major party leaders are being carefully shielded from any contact with any other than carefully vetted, loyal gatherings.

Election campaigns seem to have come to reflect the academic approach to debate, in which original, or off the wall thought is not permitted; as a result there is, of course, no real engagement on the part of those whose votes are being sought.

The consequence of real education, of course, is that our present genre of politicians, as people who have never made the mistakes that would be sought and exposed by media opponents, the great jury of journos who seldom engage, either, with their readers, and who are ever ready, in a high-minded way, to expose the shortcomings of everyone else.

As they say: “The man or woman who never made a mistake, never did anything.”

Early in my days in active politics, I received the interesting mentorship of one very suc-

BIGSTOCK

cessful local politician who told me: “Everyone has a skeleton in their cupboard; if you find your opponents, you’ve got them beat.”

It has resonated with me through the years, and I guess we are now seeing the logical consequence of that philosophy.

That rather unpleasant truism, offered to me in the 1960s, has evidently come home to roost. Only the most able, like Bill Clinton, have the strength and power to resist such sordid stuff, and overcome.

So, we should not be surprised that our politicians are more uninteresting cardboard cut-outs of people, than most of us. Or that they are so afraid of mis-speaking, or being misreported, that they avoid unscripted speech, anywhere, and are certainly reluctant to respond to questions, unless anticipated, with rehearsed responses.

That ennui has set should be no surprise.

The sense of having seen and heard it all before, and believing little of it, seems widespread in the electorate, which presumably accounts for lack of movement in the polls.

The Blair years may have been introduced with some real advertising and PR appeal, which generated, in part, the 1997 landslide for Labour, but, somehow, today’s generation of politicians, perhaps having lived through the tumultuous disillusionment, seem reluctant to adopt any really effective methods of communication and persuasion.

Such advertising techniques as product endorsement have been tried and tested in the commercial world, and the perils of it clearly demonstrated, but that hasn’t deterred the Conservatives from giving it a try.

Perhaps memories of the effectiveness of celebrity endorsement and appeal so successfully used by Labour in the 90s and early noughties have spurred their partnership with the once respectable The Daily Telegraph to produce such non-events as, “100 successful businessmen” letter of endorsement; it seemed to play well until it

was discovered to be badly researched and prepared.

That, however, didn’t deter the Conservatives from an attempt at a rerun, a letter from “5,000” entrepreneurs, expressing their wish for another Conservative-dominated government; this attempt also proved to be fallible. From that, the campaign has moved on to the national statistics revealing that the much heralded recovery is not, with GDP growth faltering badly for the second quarter in a row. All bad background music!

However, despite the evident improvement in the personal ratings of Labour leader, Ed Milliband, he still trails, in all polls, ratings for his party, and lies far behind those for David Cameron, his adversary, the Conservative leader.

What the polls ... and there are far more of them in this election than ever before, which tends to diminish any appearance of progress by any party ... are more clearly suggesting is that the electoral turnout this time could well fall even lower than the last election, when it was an all time low of 65%.

Commentators, after the high turnout in the Scottish Independence Referendum last autumn, suggested there were signs of reengagement by voters in the political process.

What none of them seemed to understand was that in the Referendum, voters were voting for a big idea, the fundamental element of any effective communication.

Offering a clear and simple decision to either remain in the Union, or seek independence.

It is no great surprise to hear vox pop subjects on radio telling of voting for Independence then, and Labour, who led the no vote campaign, this time. It probably simply reflects the low credibility and unappealing personalities of politicians, especially politicians, despite the lack of credibility, promising an ever-increasing and bewildering array of policies as the campaign continues.

When training political speakers, especially those heading onto the small screen, in the early 80s, we always tried to get them to understand that, to be effective, they needed to remember that listeners often simply have a low interest, and a lower capacity to retain ideas.

“Keep it simple, stupid,” has become a widely-recognised principle of communication. But evidently, not one that appeals to a highly opinionated community of communicators.

In Bangladesh, I have often experienced the clear belief of politicians and other would be communicators, that a very long speech is likely to be more effective than a short one.

In UK today we seem to be experiencing both the live spectacle, and in the media, of politicians who seem to be moving swiftly into the Bangladesh ... and, to be fair, having experienced elections elsewhere in South Asia, perhaps regional ... school of communication.

Whether the Conservatives are shrewd enough to appreciate that confusion maintains the level of uncertainty about voting intentions, with a significant proportion of those who do vote deciding on the day, and even inside the polling station, with research suggestion that such decisions tend to break, two to one in favour of incumbents, can only work to their advantage is unclear.

There seems little doubt that, if they win, or are at least able to lead a coalition on May 7, a large majority of voters will not be happy.

And there are likely consequences for such alienation. l Tim Steel is a communications and marketing consultant. His half-century experience in politics includes speech-writing, research, and consultancy to two Labour party prime ministers and leaders of the opposition.

DT

14 OPINION

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Why the shock at Pintu’s death? n Saquib Rahman

H

aving campaigned over the years with the civil society body “Desh, We’re Concerned” for the proper justice of the BDR Pilkhana massacre, I have personally observed the political right and the extreme right to have been the most active in social media with regards to the issue. Needless to say, all the blame is thrown at the government for the gruesome murder of 57 army officers and 17 civilians inside the Pilkhana on February 25-26, 2009.

In the past few years, I have upheld two demands with regards to the tragedy that Desh, We’re Concerned believes the citizens fervently seek as well. Setting up a Judicial Inquiry Commission under a retired Supreme Court justice is the first. The commission would have access to all legal documents and investigate the involvement of BDR jawans, as well as outsiders, in a bid to unearth the real mysteries behind the massacre that took precious lives.

Our expectation from the commission is that their findings be made public. In that case, not only can the abettors be spotted, but also, details of the incident starting from the initial planning, movement, and distribution of leaflets containing materials instigating the jawans to take up arms against their officers, can be known. Another point is declaring February 25 as Shaheed Shena Dibosh,

in remembrance of the fallen soldiers.

The first demand, we believe, would be a strategic move towards finding the men behind the guns. However, till date, BNP and its allies have failed to present a solution.

Having lost my own father in the brutal tragedy, and having registered an organisation that specifically pressured the government with events, rallies, press releases, and articles at national dailies to unveil the truth behind the carnage, as much as I grieve in anger that I lost my best friend, guide, and philosopher during this tenure, it is beyond me to blame AL as a party for the incident.

During such a situation, the method to tackle it is to be decided by senior military personnel who clearly failed to convince our PM with regards to carrying out an operation inside Pilkhana during the revolt. Which sane person, at any cost, would order the military to move, risking the lives of civilians inside and outside the Pilkhana in such circumstances, if not properly and confidently advised by her then military leaders?

Taxpayer money for protocol, the luxury of fancy cars, and accommodation of the military chiefs and generals certainly pay for their tactical ideas and efficiency in handling situations such as Pilkhana, where, as funny as it now seems, with the army positioned outside the gates, the PM had risked sending her civilian leaders inside with a white flag.

The courage shown by AL leaders, and Sheikh Hasina’s presence at Shena Kunja

right after the incident, facing the grieving and agitated junior military officers, is certainly commendable.

If I may ask readers to imagine holding a public leader’s office with the military to have clearly advised you to “let it be” and not move the army by considering innocent civilian lives, what better performance can we expect from what has been done already?

The long-awaited trials began on November 24, 2009. On November 5, 2013, after nearly four years of lengthy trials, the court passed capital punishment for 152 perpetrators. 161 persons were jailed for life, 256 were jailed for various terms, and 277 received acquittals. The death penalty remains a valid form of punishment in Bangladesh under its penal code and there is hardly any constructive and meaningful discussion from educated quarters re-evaluating the need for such a harsh form of punishment.

Therefore, constantly pressurised from international rights organisations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International about how the trial process was not fair to the jawans, and how the death penalty is wrong, not carrying out of such a trial would, in fact, be advantageous for the AL in regards to the international quarters, including local rights bodies. So, provided the government would have no intentions of proper justice, it would not have gone through a second “trouble” (after the ICT trying war collaborators) to offer solace to the martyrs’ souls.

Lastly, the cancellation of the PM’s visit on the day of carnage is often questioned. Even if the intelligence and many officers inside Pilkhana were aware of the jawans’ initial planning regarding some of their demands and grievances -- would, or should, such grief or mere distribution of leaflets stop such brave officers of the army, some of the very best, to not attend the darbar and listen to what their soldiers were in need of? I believe that is a prime reason why the darbar is held, and, of course, none had imagined that their own sepoys would be such ruthless predators.

Therefore, when asking the AL to take responsibility of the death of the BDR martyrs, BNP and their allies are required not to just analyse the above, but also come up with proper evidence that back what their associated social media pages tend to promote.

They must also provide proper guidelines for the purpose of finding the men behind the guns (as we have proposed a Judicial Inquiry Commission) and be clear about their stance, since “expressing deep shock” at their leader Nasir Uddin Pintu’s death by cardiac arrest -- a man awarded life-time imprisonment for his involvement in the Pilkhana tragedy -- can send a confusing message to concerned citizens. l Saquib Rahman is the founder of “Desh, We’re Concerned,” a registered society for rights and social awareness.

16

Buffett: Stock prices would be high if rates were ‘normal’

17

Call to expand budget allocation to promote women entrepreneurship

19

DSEX falls below 4,000-mark threshold

Accord finds modest cracks in three RMG factories n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi The Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, a platform of European retailers, foundmodest cracks in three factories in its post-earthquake safety assessment in 61 factories.

After the 7.9 earthquakes that hit Nepal on April 25, the Accord launched inspection to identify the immediate impact of the earthquake and will inspect approximately 200 factories, which were deemed structurally the most vulnerable from its initial inspections.

“We’ve so far inspected 61 factories after the earthquake and found modest cracks in three of those factories,” Brad Loewen, chief safety inspector of Accord on Fire and Build-

ing Safety, told the Dhaka Tribune.

The Accord is following up with the factories, the brands, labour partners, and the Inspector General to ensure that they are made safe, he said. The factory owners have to hire engineers to investigate the cracks, to check whether it could pose any threat to the workers’ safety or not, said Brad.

“The owners have already been asked to look into matter.”

Accord Executive Director Rob Wayss said, “The Accord is implementing measures to determine if buildings, we have inspected and which are producing for Accord signatory companies have been structurally affected by the earthquakes.”

‘We’ve requested those factories which required a detailed engineering assessment from the Accord initial structural inspection to have the engineers their company is working with on the DEA to conduct an immediate impact inspection to determine if the earthquake has caused any structural damage to the building where the factory is housed,’ said Rob. The platform also requested its signatory companies to share any related information they have obtained regarding the listed factories with the assigned Accord case handler.

The safety issues came under spotlight after the Rana Plaza factory that killed over 1,135 workers and injured over 2,500 people on April 24, 2013. l

20

DT

Business

15

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Swan workers uncertain about getting 5-month dues

Continued stock market fall worries regulator

n Tribune Report Continuous slide of stock markets has made securities regulators worried, forcing it to call an urgent meeting with the stakeholders yesterday evening.

The commission has asked the stakeholders – brokerages and merchant banks – to support the market for few days to bring back investors confidence from the brink.

Stakeholders were also urged to begin counseling investors to expel their fear of furthering falling of the market. Representatives of brokerage firms and merchant banks described the current market situation and some difficulties faced by them while putting funds in the market.

They also recommended to take measures including removing regulatory barriers of banks exposure and allowing to open more brokerage firms. l

Mashiur advocates opening up overseas investment n Abid Azad

While a number of former bureaucrats oppose the idea of opening Bangladeshi investment in foreign countries right now, Prime Minister’s Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman thinks otherwise.

He said the country’s economy would benefit from the move in the long run though there would be negative impact initially.

He made the suggestions at a meeting on “Overseas investment by Bangladeshi entrepreneurs” organised by International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) in the city yesterday.

But some former secretaries and experts opposed the idea of opening up overseas investment by Bangladeshi entrepreneurs at the present situation.

They said opening up overseas investment will cause employment crisis in the home country while it has negative effect on the foreign exchange reserves also.

Former secretary Dr AFM Matiur Rahman said: “Bangladesh is yet to be developed and not ready to make overseas investment. The economy has not gone to that level.”

Mashiur said: “It is true that once we start investment in abroad, there will be negative effect in our economy but it will be shortterm. In the long term we would achieve better economic growth.”

Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Syed Nasim Manzur said Bangladesh hasmany skilled and experienced managerial staff but we need to take them now to the next level. Now they should be sent to abroad to compete in the global market.”

Speakers at a meeting on ‘Overseas Investments by Bangladeshi Entrepreneurs’ in the capital yesterday

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

flight are to buy land, houses, flats, to invest in business endeavors and to deposit money with banks in those countries, the paper said.

The result of capital flight, which is not legal, are loss of tax revenue to the NBR, investment opportunities and learning advantages of local multinationals, the paper added.

However, on the other hand, currently, 47% graduates in Bangladesh are unemployed according to a recently published special report of world-renowned British magazine, The Economist.

The meeting was presided over by International Business Forum of Bangladesh president

Hafizur Rahman Khan.

IBFB founding president Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury and stakeholders from different levels were present at the function. l

A concept paper titled “Overseas Investment by Bangladeshi entrepreneurs” was presented by Dhaka University professor Dr AK Fazlul Haque Shah.

It talked about both merits and demerits of the opening up overseas investment.

It said the move would have counter effects on the source country’s capital account of the balance of payment including unemployment crisis and negative effect on the foreign exchange reserves.

According to the paper, during the period 2002 to 2012 Bangladesh lost more than US$ 12 billion in the form of illicit financial outflow (GFI, 2013).

Money is transferred from Bangladesh to Malaysia, Canada, India, Singapore, UAE, Thailand, Switzerland, USA, UK, Australia and Hong Kong while the primary purpose of such capital

DT

16 BUSINESS

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

El Mundo: HSBC whistleblower Falciani says his work is not done n Reuters, Madrid

Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett talks to reporters prior to the Berkshire annual meeting in Omaha

Buffett: Stock prices would be high if rates were ‘normal’ n Reuters, Omaha Billionaire investor Warren Buffett said on Saturday that stock prices would appear expensive if interest rates normalized from their ultra-low levels.

“If we get back to normal interest rates, stocks at these prices will look high,” said Buffett, speaking at the annual shareholders’ meeting of his sprawling conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Buffett, one of the world’s most famous investors, is widely followed for his advice on finance and life. While he often emphasizes the importance of not basing long-term investing decisions on short-term economic expectations, his views on the US and global

economies carry significant weight well beyond Berkshire Hathaway’s shareholders.

Regarding the Federal Reserve’s loose monetary policy, Buffett said he could not have predicted that rates would remain this low for this long without becoming a problem.

“So far, I have been wrong on interest rates.

It’s so hard for me to see how, if you toss money from helicopters that eventually you don’t have inflation, but we haven’t.”

The Fed is currently weighing raising rates from their near-zero levels of the financial crisis era, even as questions remain about the strength of growth in the world’s biggest economy.

The current US economic environment will not influence potential acquisitions at Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett added.

REUTERS

Berkshire tends to hold companies for decades - or forever, as Buffett has said in the past - making the short-term economic outlook less valuable as a predictor of a company’s success than longer-term trends.

“Any company that has an economist certainly has one employee too many,” he added.

He also said about the greenback: “I think the dollar will be the world’s reserve currency 50 years from now.”

Nevertheless, Buffett praised China as a rising superpower, saying the country’s population had “found a way to unlock their potential.”

Charlie Munger, Berkshire Hathaway’s vice chairman, echoed that sentiment, noting China’s drive against corruption and its relationship with the United States. l

Herve Falciani, a former HSBC employee who leaked information on the bank’s clients and tax situation, told Spanish newspaper El Mundo he had knowledge of other cases and could act again, adding his “work was not done”.

Falciani previously said that media leaks on HSBC accounts held in Switzerland, which unleashed a public storm around the British bank, were “only the tip of the iceberg”, and that tax authorities had access to a lot more data.

The former information technology worker at HSBC’s Swiss subsidiary hinted in the interview published on Sunday that he could be moved to make more revelations.

“My work is still not done. We’re not in a hurry. It’s possible that at the end of the year, we’ll have the opportunity to act,” he said, asked by El Mundo whether he would lift the lid on further tax cases if Spanish authorities did not.

Several high-profile Spaniards have been affected by the Falciani leaks.

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, which in February coordinated the media release of details of leaked client data, said account-holders included ex-Santander Chairman Emilio Botin, who died last year.

Spanish authorities are also coming under pressure from opposition parties to reveal which public figures feature on a list of people who signed up to a recent tax amnesty, especially as a general election nears. They have so far said the information is confidential.

“It’s only a question of political will to uncover that there is 10 times more than what we discovered at HSBC,” Falciani is quoted as saying in the interview.

Falciani told El Mundo he had never worked alone in trying to uncover tax data at HSBC. “From the beginning, I did everything with the help of others,” he said. He added that there were several people within the bank who shared his views and that he had asked for help from contacts he had among police and customs specialists in Montecarlo.

Falciani did not specify what kind of help they had provided. l

Taiwan party chief to talk to China’s Xi about new global bank n Reuters The head of Taiwan’s ruling Nationalist Party said on Friday he will talk to Chinese President Xi Jinping about joining global organisations such as the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) when they meet next week.

Eric Chu’s meeting with Xi, who also heads China’s Communist Party, will be the first meeting between the heads of the two parties in six years. The defeated Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan at the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. Chu said he would talk about issues that are tough but of concern to many

Taiwanese when he meets Xi in Beijing on Monday. Among them is the name that Taiwan would use to join the AIIB and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a proposed East Asian free trade deal.

“We’ll face these problems, joining AIIB and RCEP and other issues that people care about, in a practical way,” Chu told a news briefing.

“We hope to achieve a win-win in this meeting.”

China last month rejected Taiwan’s bid to become a founding member of the AIIB, though said it was welcome to join as an ordinary member if it used an appropriate name.

China views Taiwan as a renegade province.

Most countries, including the United States, do

not recognise Taiwan as a nation due to pressure from China. Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations, the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund. It is a member of the Asian Development Bank, though under the name of Taipei, China, not Taiwan.

Business ties between Taiwan and China have improved to their best level in six decades since Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou took office in 2008. But deep suspicions remain and there have been no political talks.

Taiwan’s pride in its democracy helps reinforce the unwillingness of many to be absorbed politically by China, which has not ruled out force to ensure unification.

Thousands of young people occupied Taiwan’s parliament in March last year in an unprecedented protest against a planned trade pact calling for closer ties with Beijing.

But the Nationalists are perceived as being pro-China and they suffered a heavy setback in local elections in November.

The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is seen as leaning towards independence, which China says it won’t tolerate.

This trip is expected to bolster Chu’s influence. He has said repeatedly that he will not join the race for January’s presidential election, but he remains the most promising candidate to rival DPP candidate Tsai Ing-wen. l

DT

BUSINESS 17

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

China April HSBC PMI shows biggest drop in factory activity in a year n Reuters, Beijing

Speakers exchange their views at a discussion on a gender-sensitive national budget at the National Press Club yesterday

MEHEDI HASAN

Call to expand budget allocation to promote women entrepreneurship n Shadma Malik Speakers at a views-exchange meeting called upon the government to expand budget allocation for women and advocated for its proper implementation.

They also emphasised the need for women entrepreneurship in the best interest of the country’s development.

The emphasis came at the programme titled “Gender Sensitivity 2015-2016 organised

by Steps Towards Bangladesh at the National Press Club yesterday.

The allocation of fund should not only be aimed at women entrepreneurs in cities, it has to target those residing in rural areas, said

the discussants.

They demanded that budget be allocated for the security of women also.

In his speech, Ranjan Karmaker, executive director, Steps Towards Development, focused on women development that can bring in sustainable development for the country. “if a woman makes progress, the entire country will develop. Women in Bangladesh are moving forward,” he added.

The discussants observed that women make a lot of efforts at agriculture, but their contributions are often ignored.

The contribution of women in this sector is mostly 70%, they said, adding that research

suggests that woman are deprived of their rights and wages for their job.

The speakers also called for the law enforcement authorities to be strict enough to protect women from violence and sexual assault, which are bar for women to coming forward.

In his address, State Minister for Finance MA Mannan said it is true that once a budget is allocated, it is not properly used.

He stressed the importance of gender sensitivity budget and its proper implementation.

The government will welcome new ideas in this regard which will be fruitful for the country, said the state minister. l

China’s factories suffered their fastest drop in activity in a year in April as new orders shrank, a private business survey showed yesterday, hardening the case for fresh policy stimulus to halt a slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy.

The HSBC/Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 48.9 in April - the lowest level since April 2014 - from 49.6 in March, as demand faltered and deflationary pressures persisted.

The number was weaker than a preliminary reading of 49.2, and below the 50-point level that separates growth from contraction compared with the previous month.

The overall new orders sub-index dipped to 48.7 in April, the sharpest contraction in a year, although new export orders showed tentative signs of improvement.

Both input and output prices declined for a ninth month in April, while manufacturing employment contracted for an 18th month, auguring poorly for an economy that grew at its weakest rate for six years in the first quarter.

“China’s manufacturing sector had a weak start to Q2, with total new business declining at the quickest rate in a year while production stagnated,” said Annabel Fiddes, an economist at Markit.

“The PMI data indicate that more stimulus measures may be required to ensure the economy doesn’t slow from the 7% annual growth rate seen in Q1.”

An official survey released on Friday showed China’s factories struggled to grow in April as domestic and export demand remained weak, reinforcing expectations that Beijing will roll out more measures to support the slowing economy.

The private survey focuses on small and mid-sized firms, while the official one looks more at larger, state-owned companies.

Shanghai shares extended early losses to more than 1% after the PMI, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index surrendered gains and the Australian dollar eased. l

China’s economy seen World Bank’s pension investments clash with principles slowing to 6.8% in Q2 veloping world, the bank refuses to invest in analysts said it could be directed into preReuters, Washington n tobacco production and has banned finan- screened or tailored funds that exclude comn Reuters, Shanghai The World Bank indirectly invests part of its cial support for the construction of coal-fired panies that fail to follow sound environmenChina’s economy is expected to slow further to 6.8% in the second quarter from a six-year low hit in the first, a top government think tank said in a research report that underscored the need for more stimulus to shore up faltering growth.

The forecast by the State Information Centre backed last month’s move by China’s central bank to cut the amount of cash that banks must hold as reserves, the second industry-wide cut in two months, to combat slowing growth.

“China’s economic growth will slow in the second quarter (of this year), impacted by structural reform,” the think-tank said in its research report published in the official China Securities Journal on Monday.

The think tank operates under the purview of China’s top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission. l

$18.8bn staff pension fund in companies in industries such as coal and tobacco, holdings that clash with the development institution’s own calls for ethical and low-carbon investing.

In an internal post to staff seen by Reuters, the World Bank’s treasurer said around 40% of the fund’s equity holdings are actively or passively invested against equity index funds, which include companies in industries associated with environmental and health problems.

Two World Bank sources, who asked not to be identified, showed Reuters discussions between staff and managers on an internal site and a research note produced by employees.

The note expressed concern about the pension and gave details of the holdings, questioning why the bank does not use socially responsible alternatives.

In its own lending practices across the de-

electricity except for the poorest countries that lack other options.

The Washington-based bank’s pension fund, details of whose holdings have not previously been reported, was ranked a “laggard” in transparency and managing climate risks in a report released this week by the Asset Owners Disclosure Project, which pushes asset owners to address climate change risks. It ranked lower than the pension funds of companies including British Coal and the state oil fund of Azerbaijan.

“It’s very difficult for the bank to take a position where it is promoting sustainable growth and not managing the risks in their large portfolio - or telling anyone about it,” said Julian Poulter, chief executive of the initiative.

While the pension fund is required to prioritize financial gains for staff, investment

tal, social and governance (ESG) principles.

The bank’s pension fund assets are held in a separate legal trust administered by its Pension Finance Committee (PFC), chaired by the World Bank’s chief financial officer and including a mix of members from management, staff and retirees. External managers run the funds on a day-to-day basis. The PFC did not respond to Reuters request for comment.

The World Bank has a responsibility to manage the money “in the best interest of plan beneficiaries,” the bank said in a statement to Reuters.

The bank said it does not comment on specific pension investments, adding that it opts for a “principled yet pragmatic approach” within the fund’s overall requirements that considers ESG risks and opportunities “where material and relevant.” l

DT

18 BUSINESS

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

News, analysis and recent disclosures UNIQUEHRL: 20% cash dividend, GM: 25.06.2015, Record Date: 24.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 3.27, NAV per share of Tk. 87.74.

WATACHEM: 5% cash and 25% stock dividend, AGM: 11.06.2015, Record Date: 14.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 5.79 and NAV per share of Tk. 97.32.

CMCKAMAL: 12.50% stock dividend, AGM: 31.05.2015, Record Date: 17.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 1.34, NAV per share of Tk. 19.62.

ARAMITCEM: 10% cash dividend, AGM: 13.06.2015, Record Date: 13.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 0.51, NAV per share of Tk. 17.48.

GOLDENSON: 12.50% cash dividend, AGM: 27.06.2015, Record Date: 14.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 2.01, NAV per share of Tk. 27.09.

GQBALLPEN: 10% cash dividend, AGM: 25.06.2015, Record Date: 14.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 2.41, NAV per share of Tk. 190.80.

SUMITPOWER: 10% cash and 5% stock dividend, AGM: 28.06.2014, Record Date: 17.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 3.26, NAV per share of Tk. 26.43.

SPPCL: 25% cash dividend, AGM: 28.06.2015. Record Date: 17.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 4.78, NAV per share of Tk. 29.48.

TAKAFULINS: 12% stock dividend, AGM: 25.07.2015, Record Date: 21.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 1.40, NAV per share of Tk. 16.58.

PRAGATIINS: 10% cash dividend, AGM: 25.06.2015, Record Date: 20.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 1.67, NAV per share of Tk. 50.34.

PLFSL: 10% stock dividend, AGM: 25.06.2015, Record Date: 17.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 0.76, NAV per share of Tk. 17.52.

BSRMLTD: 10% cash dividend,

AGM: 15.06.2015, Record Date: 13.05.2015. Basic EPS of Tk. 0.74 and Diluted EPS of Tk. 0.73, NAV per share of Tk. 54.95.

ZAHEENSPIN: 15% stock dividend, AGM: 23.06.2015, Record Date: 21.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 1.36, NAV per share of Tk. 12.98.

BAYLEASING: 15% cash dividend, AGM: 08.06.2015, Record Date: 13.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 1.06, NAV per share of Tk. 21.71.

RENATA: 80% cash and 20% stock dividend, AGM: 20.06.2015, Record Date: 13.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 38.24, NAV per share of Tk. 181.04.

PREMIERBAN: 10% stock dividend, EGM and AGM: 16.06.2015, Record Date: 14.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 1.55, NAV per share of Tk. 15.87.

KAY&QUE: No dividend, AGM: 21.06.2015, Record Date: 24.05.2015. EPS of Tk. -0.66, NAV per share of Tk. 1.55.

SAFKOSPINN: 10% stock dividend, AGM: 13.06.2015, Record Date: 18.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 1.16, NAV per share of Tk. 21.95.

INTECH: 10% stock dividend, AGM: 24.06.2015, Record Date: 14.05.2015. NAV per share of Tk. 235.81 million, EPS of Tk. 1.03.

ARAMIT: 50% cash dividend, AGM: 13.06.2015, Record Date: 13.05.2015. Basic EPS of Tk. 12.07, NAV per share of Tk. 140.32.

CONFIDCEM: 25% cash dividend, AGM: 16.06.2015, Record Date: 17.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 5.32, NAV per share of Tk. 64.42. SALVOCHEM: 10% stock dividend, AGM: 27.07.2015, Record date: 29.06.2015. EPS of Tk. 1.13, NAV per share of Tk. 11.74.

Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

Company In Tech Online -A Wata Chemicals -A ACI Formulations-A FarEast Knitting -N GeminiSeaFood-B United Insur -A AramitCementA Alltex Industries -Z Midas Financing-Z Premier Leasing-Z

Closing (% Change) 31.25 17.70 9.91 9.04 7.98 7.18 6.47 5.88 5.75 4.62

CSE GAINER Company In Tech Online -A Midas Financing-Z ACI Formulations-A FarEast Knitting -N Alltex Industries -Z Eastland Insur -A Wata Chemicals -A Reckitt Benckiser -A AramitCementA BDCOM Online-A

Closing (% Change) 27.55 10.00 9.53 9.15 8.18 6.67 6.32 6.25 4.46 4.07

DSE LOSER Company BSRM Ltd. -N Pragati Gen. I -A Monno Stafllers -A GQ Ball PenA Golden Son -A Legacy Footwear -A R. N. Spinning-Z Deshbandhu Polymer-A Central Pharm-A BSRM Steels-A

Closing (% Change) -21.37 -17.73 -11.52 -11.03 -9.85 -9.76 -9.50 -9.38 -9.26 -9.06

CSE LOSER Company BSRM Ltd. -N GQ Ball PenA SonarBangla Insu. -A Meghna Life Ins. -A Orion Infusions -A MeghnaCement -A Hakkani P& Paper -B Central Pharm-A R. N. Spinning-Z Saiham Cotton-A

Closing (% Change) -21.17 -14.41 -9.87 -9.86 -9.84 -9.84 -9.74 -9.72 -9.71 -9.36

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

DSE key features May 4, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

DSE GAINER

Sector

3,304.42 80,336,526 91,319

Traded Issues

306

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

64

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

235

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

7

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,298.21

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

27.86

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 289.27 90.88 15.77 429.27 70.26 761.10 0.71 232.87 796.80 7.07 81.17 35.91 25.55 142.92 56.54 14.26 31.65 111.98 40.83 69.16 0.46

% change 8.75 2.75 0.48 12.99 2.13 23.03 0.02 7.05 24.11 0.21 2.46 1.09 0.77 4.33 1.71 0.43 0.96 3.39 1.24 2.09 0.01

Million Taka 9.05 4.08 0.64 45.42 2.79 78.24 18.21 30.19 1.07 7.09 0.16 1.79 12.90 3.29 1.04 1.00 14.78 5.86 12.95 0.01

Average (% Change) 25.57 11.71 10.09 6.50 9.22 6.13 3.37 5.70 4.94 4.62

Average (% Change) 26.51 10.00 12.27 6.87 3.57 5.33 7.45 6.25 3.88 4.88

Average (% Change) -18.47 -21.05 -6.64 -12.21 -8.91 -9.19 -7.99 -14.77 -9.46 -6.59

Average (% Change) -17.96 -14.30 -9.87 -9.86 -9.46 -9.81 -9.84 -9.02 -9.22 -9.06

CSE

ClosingAvg. 12.08 202.48 180.46 17.86 272.05 19.23 21.19 23.57 9.14 6.79

ClosingAvg. 12.36 9.90 182.14 17.58 23.52 18.96 204.15 1440.10 21.40 23.00

ClosingAvg. 49.30 22.24 261.96 62.85 25.56 15.02 18.42 11.60 19.91 56.03

ClosingAvg.

% change 3.61 1.63 0.26 18.13 1.12 31.23 0.00 7.27 12.05 0.43 2.83 0.06 0.72 5.15 1.31 0.41 0.40 5.90 2.34 5.17 0.01

49.52 61.24 13.70 58.50 34.34 68.74 17.60 19.86 18.70 15.55

Closing 12.60 210.80 185.30 18.10 271.90 19.40 21.40 23.40 9.20 6.80

Closing 12.50 9.90 185.00 17.90 23.80 19.20 202.00 1440.10 21.10 23.00

Closing 47.10 23.20 248.00 62.10 24.70 14.80 18.10 11.60 19.60 54.20

Closing

DHIGH 13.00 215.00 185.40 18.20 273.80 19.90 21.50 24.30 9.30 6.90

DHIGH

10.80 178.10 169.10 17.30 258.00 18.90 20.80 22.80 9.00 6.70

DLOW

13.00 9.90 185.70 18.00 24.20 19.20 212.00 1440.10 21.70 23.00

DHIGH

10.70 9.90 172.00 17.00 22.50 18.10 202.00 1440.10 21.00 23.00

DLOW

62.00 24.00 287.00 67.80 26.70 16.00 20.30 11.60 21.90 58.00

DHIGH

47.30 61.20 13.70 58.50 33.90 68.70 17.60 19.50 18.60 15.50

Million Taka 298.32 94.97 16.41 474.69 73.05 839.35 0.71 251.08 826.99 8.14 88.26 36.07 27.35 155.82 59.83 15.29 32.65 126.75 46.69 82.12 0.48

DLOW

45.80 21.00 200.30 60.00 24.10 14.80 18.00 11.60 19.50 53.70

DLOW

52.10 65.20 13.70 58.50 36.00 69.20 17.60 20.10 19.50 17.50

Total

46.10 60.50 13.70 58.50 33.90 68.60 17.60 19.50 18.60 15.40

% change 8.39 2.67 0.46 13.35 2.05 23.61 0.02 7.06 23.26 0.23 2.48 1.01 0.77 4.38 1.68 0.43 0.92 3.57 1.31 2.31 0.01

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

9.317 12.790 288.317 3.923 3.041 0.044 0.311 34.144 0.016 0.346

Turnover in Million

-0.88 5.37 6.80 1.96 -6.36 2.92 0.32 2.02 -3.24 0.07

Latest EPS

0.791 0.004 16.115 1.271 2.198 0.005 0.161 0.001 0.456 0.008

Turnover in Million

-ve 37.7 26.5 9.1 -ve 6.6 66.2 11.7 -ve 97.0

Latest PE

-0.88 -3.24 6.80 1.96 2.02 2.65 5.37 42.33 0.32 1.68

Latest EPS

79.298 0.446 0.367 1.397 16.470 0.697 11.886 0.699 10.969 31.405

Turnover in Million

Latest PE

-ve -ve 26.8 9.0 11.6 7.2 38.0 34.0 66.9 13.7

Latest PE

1.59 2.47 1.17 2.21 2.47 0.28 2.19 1.22 1.92 3.63

Latest EPS

20.477 0.061 0.002 0.003 0.477 0.047 0.009 0.220 1.396 0.084

31.0 9.0 223.9 28.4 10.3 53.6 8.4 9.5 10.4 15.4

Latest PE

1.59 2.21 1.65 6.45 1.84 6.71 0.42 1.92 2.19 1.43

31.1 27.7 8.3 9.1 18.7 10.2 41.9 10.3 8.5 10.9

CSE key features May 4, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

250.58 6,293,054 13,604

Traded Issues

220

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

53

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

161

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

6

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,230.94

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

27.04

DT

BUSINESS 19

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

DSEX falls below 4,000-mark threshold n Tribune Report

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company United Power-N ACI Formulations-A ACI Limited- A Square Pharma -A LafargeS Cement-Z Ifad Autos -N Social Islami. B-A BSRM Ltd. -N Grameenphone-A Khulna Power-A

WesternMarine -N Shasha Denims -N MJL BD Ltd.-A Shahjibazar Power-N Baraka Power-A

VolumeShares 1,916,046 1,597,688 337,706 459,733 1,024,869 1,287,972 6,933,193 1,608,341 236,792 1,241,320

Value in Million 349.76 288.32 183.32 110.64 103.80 99.62 87.83 79.30 76.67 72.68

% of TotalTurnover 10.58 8.73 5.55 3.35 3.14 3.01 2.66 2.40 2.32 2.20

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company BSRM Ltd. -N ACI Formulations-A LafargeS Cement-Z BEXIMCO Ltd. -A BD Submarine Cable-A MJL BD Ltd.-A WesternMarine -N Grameenphone-A Square Pharma -A SAIF Powertec-N

Singer BD -A ACI Limited- A Meghna Petroleum -A Baraka Power-A ACI Limited- A

1,612,316 1,694,229 510,164 353,584 1,827,496

413,494 88,478 112,933 429,313 85,681 74,025 167,289 16,104 19,884 69,810

30,611 7,414 25,413 129,970 7,298

70.65 63.04 62.27 58.45 56.04

20.48 16.12 11.50 10.68 9.56 9.00 7.37 5.21 4.78 4.60

4.42 4.04 4.02 3.99 3.68

2.14 1.91 1.88 1.77 1.70

8.17 6.43 4.59 4.26 3.82 3.59 2.94 2.08 1.91 1.83

1.76 1.61 1.60 1.59 0.87

ClosingP 189.10 185.30 545.40 238.00 102.70 76.80 13.90 47.10 322.60 57.00

43.00 36.80 122.50 163.40 30.50

ClosingP

Change % 3.73 9.91 2.13 -3.25 -3.66 -2.04 2.96 -21.37 -0.34 -7.01

-5.70 -2.13 -0.08 -3.94 2.35

Change %

47.30 185.00 102.40 24.10 110.20 122.30 43.30 322.10 239.00 64.30

144.50 542.80 156.40 30.70 509.00

-21.17 9.53 -4.21 -8.37 -2.65 0.82 -5.66 -0.03 -2.81 -6.13

-4.24 2.05 -6.24 3.72 0.24

ClosingY 182.30 168.60 534.00 246.00 106.60 78.40 13.50 59.90 323.70 61.30

45.60 37.60 122.60 170.10 29.80

ClosingY

60.00 168.90 106.90 26.30 113.20 121.30 45.90 322.20 245.90 68.50

150.90 531.90 166.80 29.60 507.80

DHIGH 194.90 185.40 554.90 252.00 107.00 78.40 14.70 62.00 330.00 61.60

45.90 38.10 123.90 172.00 32.00

DLOW 171.10 169.10 525.00 237.00 98.00 76.10 12.20 45.80 321.00 56.00

42.60 36.60 120.00 162.10 30.20

DHIGH

DLOW

52.10 185.70 107.00 26.60 114.40 123.70 45.90 325.50 244.00 67.90

46.10 172.00 99.50 23.90 109.70 120.00 42.80 321.10 237.50 63.30

150.00 554.00 168.00 31.80 519.00

140.70 526.30 156.00 30.40 490.00

AvgPrice 182.54 180.46 542.83 240.67 101.28 77.34 12.67 49.30 323.80 58.55

43.82 37.21 122.06 165.31 30.67

AvgPrice

49.52 182.14 101.83 24.87 111.61 121.57 44.06 323.75 240.16 65.84

144.43 545.16 158.03 30.73 503.58

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

3959.73776

(-) 2.16%

1505.70450

(-) 2.56%

12209.50890

(-) 1.96%

9989.55940

(-) 1.66%

7433.81900

(-) 1.64%

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

The stock market went deep into depression yesterday as the political turmoil-hit first quarter earning results accelerated selling pressure.

The stocks that witnessed strong sell-off are bank, cement, textile, engineering, financial institutions and oil and gas.

The benchmark index of Dhaka Stock Exchange, DSEX, lost more than 87 points or 2% to close below the psychological barrier of 4,000 at 3959, which is lowest in 18 months.

With this steep fall, the index fell around 230 points in the last five trading sessions.

The Shariah Index DSES fell 19 points or 2% to 973.

The comprising blue chips DS30 was down 39 points or 2% to 1,505.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, closed at 7,433, losing 115 points.

Stocks across-the-board fell as more than 70% companies share prices eroded on strong selling pressure.

Out of 305 issues traded, share prices of 227 closed in red, 52 in green and 26 re-

mained unchanged.

Trading activities also took a dive with DSE turnover falling over 13% to Tk330 crore compared to previous session.

Lanka Bangla Securities said performance by most of the companies in March quarter earnings wrecked investor sentiment.

“Investors are going through the earning season and looking for companies that show some sort of visibility. However, a few large dividend declaring stocks stood out in the market.”

IDLC Investments said lower earning disclosures resulting from first quarter’s political blockade soared pessimism and brought another collapse across the market.

In the financial sector, non-banking financial institutions and banks went down by 1.9% and 1% respectively.

United Power Generation and Distribution Company Limited topped the turnover list with shares worth Tk35 crore, followed by ACI Formulation, ACI, Square Pharmaceuticals and Lafarge Surma Cement Limited. l

ANALYST

Lower earning disclosures resulting from first quarter’s political blockade soared pessimism and brought another collapse across the market

DT

20 BUSINESS

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Financial institutions want tax cut n Tribune Report

Swan Garment workers demonstrate before the BGMEA building demanding payment of their wages yesterday

RAJIB DHAR

Swan workers uncertain about getting 5-month dues n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi An uncertainty looms large over the jobs and five months’ dues of 1,200 workers in Swan Garments Limited after the factory owner shut the factory without any prior notice and his subsequent suicide last week.

The garment workers are now faced with a precarious situation following the unnatural death of the factory owner, Ming Yuen Hon (Toby), who took his own life.

Abu Bakar, inspector (investigation) of Vatara Police Station, confirmed the death and an unnatural death case has been filed in this connection.

The untimely demise of the managing director put the Swan Garment workers and the factory itself in a fix as none claims to be the heir to the property. On April 9, Ming Yuen Hon tried to flee Bangladesh without making payments and arrears to the workers, but was caught by his employees.

“We caught him at the Airport and brought him back to the factory. After that he paid us a one-month salary,” said Jahangir Alam, line

chief of the factory.

Later on April 10, the factory owner hung a notice that said the factory had been declared closed, Jahangir added.

“We were working in the factory and there was enough work order to run the factory, but over the last few months, the owner had been subcontracting his work orders,” Sharifa, an operator of Swan Garment, told the Dhaka Tribune.

She alleged that the factory owner had a bad intention and he delayed making payment, that resulted in five-month dues.

“Now it has become very tough to lead our lives as we did not have a single penny,” said Roksana, a worker of the factory.

She said she failed to pay her house rent and tuition fees for her child over the past three months.

“If we do not get the dues, we have to starve and leave Dhaka silently.”

BGMEA President Atiqul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune, “We have discussed the issue with the Ministry of Labour and called for necessary steps to pay the workers dues.”

The factory owner has assets and the gov-

ernment can pay the workers through the sale of his properties as there is none to inherit the garment factory other than the government, added Atiqul.

The labour leaders and BGMEA in a meeting decided to meet the government to resolve the issue while the garment workers demanded quick disposal of the issue.

Meanwhile, at least five RMG workers of Swan Garment received injures while police charged baton to bar them from staging demonstration in front of BGMEA Bhaban.

According to workers, at least five of them were injured in police attack. The workers were trying to make their voices for fivemonth salaries and job benefits heard.

Sub-Inspector of City Special Branch (SB) Obaidur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune two workers sustained injuries while police charged baton to disperse the workers to clear the gate of BGMEA Bhaban to let an ambassador out.

At around 11am, the workers of the factory gathered in front BGMEA headquarters to realise their salaries of the last five months. l

Different financial institutions have urged the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to reduce tax burden including corporate tax to facilitate their business in the upcoming budget for the fiscal 2015-16.

Leaders and representatives from Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), Bangladesh Merchant Bank Association (BMBA), Bangladesh Leasing and Finance Companies Association, Bangladesh Insurance Association (BIA) and SME foundation came up with the demand at a prebudget meeting held at the NBR headquarters in the city yesterday.

NBR Chairman Nojibur Rahman presided over the meeting.

Representatives from DSE and CSE demanded for tax exemption facilities for five years, instead of the existing partial exemption at gradually declining rates, as both the bourses are incurring operating loss since demutualisation in the year 2013.

“DSE undertook huge initiatives for infrastructure development after its demutualisation,” said DSE Chairman Siddiqur Rahman Miah.

He also observed: “Tax holiday is needed to keep running the reform activities.”

The DSE representatives also demanded to re-fix the advance income tax at 0.015% from existing 0.05% to reduce transaction cost, considering the current market situation.

BMBA demanded to reduce corporate tax at 15% from the existing 37.5% as the asset management companies pay tax at 15%.

“The tax rate for merchant banks should be 15% as they are the same type business organisation like asset management companies,” said Akter H Sannamat, vice president of BMBA. He also demanded tax exemption from interest suspense accounts and on interest waiver given to negative equity accountholders.

Leaders from leasing and finance companies urged the NBR to allow bank, insurance and financial institutions to get tax exemption on any income derived from zero coupon bonds.

Currently individual investors, other than the bank, insurance and financial institutions are exempted from payment of tax on income derived from zero coupon bond.

Tax exemption facility for income from zero coupon bonds will help to popular the bond market and will be the source of funding, they explained. l

GP revenue grows 1% in political unrest-hit quarter n Tribune Report The country’s largest mobile phone operator Grameenphone earned Tk2,520 crore revenue during first three months this year with a marginal 1% growth year-on-year.

The operator released the latest figures at a press conference yesterday.

The data showed the revenue dropped by 2.9% from that in the last quarter of 2014.

The operator’s revenue earning was Tk2,492 core in first quarter of 2014 and Tk2,590 in the last quarter.

Grameenphone reported Tk2,620 crore

revenue in second quarter of 2014 and Tk2,560 crore in the third quarter.

Chief Executive Officer of Grameenphone Rajeev Sethi said they had to fight against adverse political situation in the country during the January-March quarter.

But their commitment to the goal enabled them to improve performance in the later part of the period, he added.

Chief Financial Officer Dilip Pal also spoke at the press conference.

He said the revenue from services also increased by 0.8% year-on-year.

Growth in service revenue was mainly driv-

en by data and VAS. The data revenue grew by 67.9% along with 37.2% growth of VAS. The net profit after tax for the quarter was Tk540 crore with 21.3% margin compared to Tk520 crore with 20.7% margin of the corresponding period of 2014.

Efficiency in operating expenditure management resulted in higher growth in EBITDA (before other items) of 2% compared to revenue. EBITDA margin also saw an improvement to 54.2%.

Earnings per share (EPS) for the period stood at Tk3.96 compared to Tk3.82 of the first quarter of 2014.

During the quarter, GP acquired half a million new subscriptions, taking the year-end subscription base to 52m. This constitutes 6.8% subscription growth (YoY) with SIM market share of 42%.

Data subscriber number stood at 11.0m with encouraging volume growth.

“We’ve had a rough start to the year due to political turmoil and intense competition. However, we stood strong and committed to ourambition against this headwind and we have seen signs of improvement in the later part of the period,” said Rajeev Sethi. l

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TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

T-JUNCTION

Age of automation

INSIDE

news

22

Samsung launches “Triangle Air Conditioner�

Exclusive design and engineering delivers powerful cooling performance and cleaner air quality Samsung Electronics has recently launched its Triangle Air Conditioner in Bangladesh. Triangle AC is engineered to deliver exceptional cooling comfort and hygienic benefits in a striking triangular design. This innovative design allows

for a wider inlet, wider outlet and bigger fans while maintaining a compact exterior profile to enhance the overall air conditioning experience.

Triangle AC comes in three different capacities with an affordable price range for the valued customers of Samsung. The 1 ton (Model AR12JCSNAWK2RG) is available at Tk61,900,

tourney

Dribble: Age of excellence

23 review

Mortal Kombat X the 1.5 ton (Model AR18JCSNAWK2RG) is available at Tk81,900 and the 2 ton (Model AR24JCSNAWK2RG) is being sold at Tk92,900 in the Bangladeshi market along with a 5-year warranty.

24 wheels

Want to ride a driverless car or train?

DT

22 T-JUNCTION

Basketball Diaries

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

tourney

Dribble: Age of excellence The T-shirts read “Practice hard, play strong, love the game”

n Chisty Rahim “When I was young, I had to learn the fundamentals of basketball. You can have all the physical ability in the world, but you still have to know the fundamentals.” – Michael Jordan It all starts from the “home court,” the first few steps towards the ring with a basketball in hand and no knowledge of how to dribble it; the aim is to simply put the ball through the hoop! With time, we learn and with practice, we become better.

In our country, a selected number of schools can provide the facilities for an amateur to burnish his skills. More importantly, luring enthusiasts to come forth and build themselves up for the following generations need a touch of inspirational promises, such as recognition and prizes as memorabilia for their achievements. The scenario has changed!

The time of concrete ground and wooden boards with spring-less rings is over! Some schools upgraded their basketball courts to a much higher standard - wooden courts that screech every time you rub your Jordan soles on the surface, fibre board with shot clocks on them, digital screens as score boards instead of a movable chalk board and automated buzzer systems, and last but not

the least, a gallery around the court.

“The invention of basketball was not an accident. It was developed to meet a need.

Those boys simply would not play ‘Drop the Handkerchief’.” – James Naismith The school tournaments organised nowadays is hyped to the closest coherence with the NBA games. And such was the most recent, and considered one of the most well organised inter-school basketball tournaments, Noushir Hasan Inter-School Basketball Tournament. With every nook and cranny of the school basketball court renovated, a 55-inch screen on the top right corner of the shade above the court, and shot-clock sensors at both ends of the board, St Old Boys Foundation hosted their third grand basketball tournament at Saint Joseph school premises on May 1.

The tournament is dedicated to one, Noushir Hasan, who during 1963, played in the national Pakistani basketball team and was later offered an athletic scholarship in Texas.

The organisers had so much to offer to the participants, as well as the viewers, starting from refreshments such as juice and cold drinks to free T-shirts and jerseys for the players. The whole school’s been decorated with long banners, ceiling to floor. Stalls are set up inside the school to provide free

drinks and food.

The day started off with the inaugural ceremony and a match between Saint Joseph’s basketball team and BIS afterwards.

Josephites were victorious on that match with 56-41 on the score line. Brother Robi Purification CSC (school principal), Syed Sogir Mahmood (brand manager, Olympic Industries Ltd), Rashed Maqsood (president, Saint Joseph Old Boy’s Foundation; managing director and Bangladesh Country Officer, City Bank, NA), and Amer Salim (vice president, Saint Joseph Old Boy’s Foundation; director, Knit Asia Ltd) graced the tournament with their presence during the inaugural ceremony.

Among the participating school teams, there are St Joseph Higher Secondary School, Notre Dame College, Dhaka Residential Model College, Dhaka Commerce College, Bangladesh International School, Dhanmondi Tutorial, Aga Khan School, Summerfield International School, in the senior category and St Joseph Higher Secondary School (Red), St Joseph Higher Secondary School (Blue), Delhi Public School, Sunnydale School, Baridhara Scholars’ Institution, Dhanmondi Tutorial, S F X Greenherald International School, Summerfield International School,

Bangladesh International School, Scholastica School in the junior category.

According to the officials, the group stage matches continued till May 4. But the main attraction is the alumni match, said to be taken place on May 8. All the ex-students of the school who ever played basketball during their school life will be putting on a jersey and battling with the young bloods in a friendly match. l

Photos: Shafquat Ameen

T-JUNCTION 23

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Gaming

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

review

news

Celebrate Super Mom at Amari Dhaka

Mortal Kombat X Buckle up for the biggest Armageddon of the season

n Humayra Rahman Mortal Kombat has been around for as long as gamers can remember. Over the years this immensely popular game has evolved and this April NetherRealm Studios came up with their eighth generation version of this game. MKX has all the classic characters like Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Johnny Cage, Sonya, Liu Kang, Jax, Goro, Rayden, Reptile, etc. along with newer characters like the daughter of Sonya and Johnny Cage, Cassie Cage.

Even though many years pass after Shao Kahn admits defeat, the Earthrealm is put under attack. Shinnok and his army of NetherRealms are behind the attack with other resurrected Earthrealm warriors joining the forces as revenants. On another end, Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, and Kenshi make a bold move by heading towards the Raiden’s Sky Temple. They go with an intention to find the Jinsei Chamber which is the Earthrealm’s life force. Once they reach there, they see that Raiden and Fujin are fighting Shinnok along with his NetherRealm forces. It’s during this act when things take an interesting turn - the team somehow distracts Shinnok, giving Raiden room to steal Shinnok’s amulet. They successfully imprison him in it, however, they realise that Quan Chi manages to get free. This is when Johnny and Sonya take this up as a challenge and find a way to his lair in NetherRealm where Chi admits defeat. As a result of this Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Jax are restored completely to their original human form but once again, this win is short lived as Quan Chi manages to escape. While this forms the

foundation of the game, there’s a lot more action in and around this scene.

Mortal Kombat’s been doing video game violence for ages, even before its contemporaries like Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty thought of it. In fact it is a pioneer in the art of digital gore. “FINISH HIM!” the signature, iconic shout from Mortal Kombat is still followed by a brutal execution of a virtual opponent even after over two decades. MK has come a long way since its beginning and so has its graphics.

So if you do not have the stomach for it then this is most certainly not the game for you.

This version consists of unspeakable carnage and next-level violence.

It is the 10th main installment in the Mortal Kombat video game series and was released on April 14, 2015 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows, scheduled to be ported to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 by High Voltage Software in Q2/Q3 2015. NetherRealm’s mobile team developed a version for iOS and Android devices. The iOS version was released on April 7, 2015, while the Android version was soft launched on April 23, 2015.

“Mother,” is the first word to be uttered by infants. Amari Dhaka rejoices and acknowledges the contribution of mothers to their families, society and mankind as a whole. We bow to all the mothers in the world. On this Mother’s Day 2015; Amari Dhaka offers an exclusive set lunch and dinner to all mothers at the Cascade Lounge. Their special lunch and dinner are on offer at Tk1599++ with up to 25% discount from May 8 to 10.

For more information, please call 88 02 9841-951 or visit facebook.com/ AmariDhaka.

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TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Tires

wheels

news

Watch Avengers: Age of Ultron and win a new Samsung Galaxy S6

Want to ride a driverless car or train?

The future is closer than you think

n Abdul Matin Driving in Bangladesh has become a big hassle. Getting a good and cautious driver is sheer luck. I am waiting for the day when I shall sit in my car, register my destination on the GPS (Global Positioning System), put the car on self-driving mode, start the engine and let it go. I shall relax, read my favourite book or take a nap and, sooner or later, find myself in front of my destination! I will not drive or navigate the car. The car, with its automated driving technology, will do everything for me.

Am I daydreaming? No, I am not.

Recently, an Audi car started from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, crossed 3,400 miles, touched 15 cities driverless and arrived in New York after nine days. The trip was organised by auto parts maker Delphi to test its automated driving technology. To comply with state regulations, one person sat in the driver’s seat, ready to take over in case of an emergency. Several engineers sat in the car to monitor its performance. 99% of the trip was completed in automated mode.

What a success!

The car was equipped with high-tech electronic gadgets, worth about $150,000, that allowed it to make human-like decisions during turning, stopping at traffic lights, exiting and entering highways, navigating city streets or parking. Along the way, the vehicle encountered difficult driving situations such as traffic circles, construction zones, bridges, tunnels, aggressive drivers and a variety of weather conditions. Sounds fantastic!

Google’s self-driving car project started in 2009 with nearly 100,000 miles of testing on

California highways. Its current fleet of more than two dozen Lexus hybrid SUVs have travelled over 7,000,000 miles in self-driving mode. Google’s self-driving cars are believed to be safer. “After a couple of minutes you forget the car is driving itself. It’s smooth, patient, and cautious,” one rider wrote in an e-mail. Several reputed car manufacturers unveiled models of automated cars. RenaultNissan’s CEO hopes to have a model on sale by 2020! Four states in the US now allow driverless cars on the streets.

Although, automated cars are still in experimental stage, Automatic Train Operation (ATO) system has been in service for many years. Most systems employ a driver (operator) to alleviate risks in case of failures or emergencies. Modern ATO systems are computer-controlled and used widely in Metro lines in London, Paris, Washington, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and several other cities. Automated trains are safer than manually driven ones as computer controlled systems eliminate the possibility of human errors.

In this age of automation, how far are we in Bangladesh? Believe it or not, a train ran 27km backwards, crossing three stations in Rajbari, without its driver (DS: April 13, 2015)! Thanks to a ticket checker’s presence of mind, the train, Faridpur Express, finally stopped near Pangsha station. Thank goodness!

How could it happen? According to railway officials, minutes before the train was due to leave Rajbari station, its driver was busy chewing betel leaf on the platform while his assistant was checking the engine. The assistant perhaps manipulated some wrong

gears that made the train roll backwards.

“Before I could realise what was happening, the train had shot out of the station,” the driver said later. Failing to stop the train, the assistant jumped off the moving train! Good job! At least he saved his life, leaving 150 passengers at the mercy of their fate!

It took quite some time for the passengers to realise that something had gone wrong.

As they began to panic, the ticket checker calmed them down. With the help of some passengers, he opened the air-brake hoses between the carriages which put the brakes on and stopped the train. Very clever and good effort!

It was mere negligence of the driver and his assistant that put the lives of the passengers at great risk. Imagine what would have happened if another passenger train travelled from the other end on the same track and collided with it. Bravo to the ticket checker who helped to avert what could have been a catastrophic accident! The driver, his assistant and the guard were suspended. It is reported that the railway formed a fivemember team to probe the incident. Will the report see the light of the day? Shall we learn any lesson from it? Embarrassing questions!

I still want to ride my driverless dream car but next time I take a train journey in Bangladesh, I shall carry a basketful of betel leaves as gift for the driver and a leash for his assistant to make sure they are not obliged to leave the engine during the journey! l The writer is a retired nuclear engineer

To celebrate Samsung’s collaboration with Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” Samsung Mobile Bangladesh is giving one lucky winner the chance to win a brand new Samsung Galaxy S6 smartphone.

Samsung has introduced an “Interactive On Screen Quiz” about Avengers. During the movie show, a one minute video clip (quiz) containing questions will be displayed on the giant screen. This promotion will go on for the month of May. At the month end, a lucky winner will be selected through a raffle draw and will get a brand new Samsung Galaxy S6.

Along with the on screen quiz, a mobile quiz contest also began from May 1 where fans can participate and answer questions on a micro site by clicking on the link that’s sent to them through an SMS. The fans can also win free “Avengers: Age of Ultron” movie tickets by taking part in the Facebook Quiz Contest. Right answers will bring them free movie tickets and a brand New Samsung Galaxy S6. The premiere of the movie has been held on April 30 and on May 6 there will be a special screening of “Avengers: Age of Ultron”

by Samsung GALAXY S6 and S6 edge exclusively for the winners of the mobile and Facebook quiz contests and invited S6 users.

To take part in the quiz contest interested participants need to visit their official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ samsungmobilebangladesh. l

AC Milan’s Mattia De Sciglio was given a straight red card and conceded a penalty in the first minute of their 3-0 defeat at Napoli on Sunday

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CONTRASTING DAY FOR BANGLADESH, PAKISTAN

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INDIA TO ARRIVE IN BANGLADESH JUNE 7

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RED IN 50 SECONDS!

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

COSTA, FABREGAS TURNED BLUES INTO CHAMPIONS

Juve eyeing first CL final in 12 years

High-flying Bianconeri host holders Real in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final today

n Reuters, Turin Having battled to break down one of Europe’s meanest defences in the quarter-finals, Real Madrid will have to do it all over again when they face Juventus in their Champions League semi-final.

The defending champions took just under three hours to break down Atletico’s resistance in the previous round, wining 1-0 on aggregate with a goal in the 88th minute of the second leg.

On Tuesday, they face a Juventus side who were crowned Serie A champions on Saturday with four games to spare after conceding only 19 goals in 34 games.

Juve’s defence has been just as impressive in the Champions League with only five goals against in 10 games and six clean sheets.

However, Juventus are also a more refined outfit than Atletico, less prone to rough-arm tactics and capable of coming out and attacking depending on the circumstances.

Central defenders, Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci, have been playing together for four seasons for both Juventus and Italy, winning four successive Serie A titles.

“I think we have the best defence,” Bonucci said ahead of their semi-final first leg against Real. “We know and understand each other perfectly after playing together for so long.”

The question is whether it is good enough to stand a Real Madrid attack led by the prolific Cristiano Ronaldo, who sounded another warning by firing his 25th La Liga hat-trick in the 3-2 win over Sevilla on Saturday.

Juventus will also have to worry about breaking down Real’s defence, which has not conceded an away goal in the competition since their 2-1 win at Ludogorets Razgrad on Oct. 1, a total of 444 minutes’ playing time.

Although Juventus are the dominant force domestically, Italian football has been in the doldrums for several years and they cannot compete with Real’s spending power.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since Juventus last played in the semi-finals 12 years ago when, coincidentally, they also faced Real and won 4-3 on aggregate.

The only two surviving players from those ties are the respective goalkeepers Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas.

Altogether, Juventus and Real have met 16 times before, all in the European Cup/Champions League, since their first meeting in the 1961/62 quarterfinals.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri, who has surpassed expectations in his first season at the club, was happy to accept the underdogs’ role.

“It’s not every day you get to play Real Madrid so we have to keep our heads to reach the final.

If we don’t get there, it’ll be expected,” he told reporters.

“We are among the top four teams in Europe, have won the Scudetto and are in the Coppa Italia final. Nobody would have bet on us at the start of the season.

“Many thought we would be eliminated in the group stage but instead we are facing the reigning champions for a place in the final.” l

l Juventus and Real Madrid have met in six editions of the Champions League (since 1992), with the Old

Lady progressing to the final on the only previous occasion they faced the Blancos in the semi-final stage (in 2003). l Overall, these two clubs have met 16 times in the Champions League/European Cup – Real Madrid lead the head to head record by eight wins to seven, with only one draw. l Real have kept a clean sheet in 7 of their last 8 matches in the Champions League while Juventus have kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 6 matches.

Carlos Tevez Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid

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Apps

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6

Goals

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1

Assists

3

23

Key Pass

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TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Contrasting day for Bangladesh, Pakistan n Mazhar Uddin

A determined Mushfiqur Rahim walks through the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Yesterday differed strikingly for Bangladesh and Pakistan. While the home side had a relaxed day spending some time at the gym, the visitors toiled hard under the scorching sun at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Only two Bangladesh cricketers – Mushfiqur Rahim and Jubair Hossain - were present at the nets of the home of cricket as there was no practice session scheduled for yesterday.

The wicketkeeper-batsman injured his right ring finger during the first Test in Khulna and did not keep wickets for the remainder of the game. The diminutive cricketer yesterday did not confirm whether he will don the gloves in the second and final Test, slated for tomorrow.

Shakib al Hasan and man of the moment Tamim Iqbal, meanwhile, attended a social awareness programme where they mingled for some time with the fans.

In contrast, the Pakistan cricketers were sweating it out on the field, led by the determined captain Misbah-ul Haq, while Bilawal Bhatti became the latest addition to the Test squad following the injury of Rahat Ali. Pakistan, third in the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings, will be looking to avoid defeat in the Dhaka Test in order to hold on to their position while ninth-placed Bangladesh will be targeting some much-needed ranking points to close their gap on the West Indies, who are eighth. l

It all runs in the Iqbal family n Minhaz Uddin Khan The time was January, 2005. The stage was Bangabandhu National Stadium. The occasion – the second and final Test between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

Already leading 1-0 in the series, Bangladesh were given a challenging target of 374.

Zimbabwe were slightly in the driving seat as five more sessions were still to be played.

All the Tigers had to do was to bat out the remainder of the Test in order to secure their first ever series victory. The task, however, was anything but easy.

Slowly but surely, Nafees Iqbal began the proceedings for the home side, alongside Javed Omar. Nafees was coolness personified on his way to a patient 355-ball 121. Knuckling down at the crease for the best part of eight hours, Nafees’ brilliant knock went a long way in ensuring Bangladesh would draw the Test and seal their maiden series win. The whole country erupted in celebration.

Within a span of 10 years, the country witnessed something similar. And this time, Nafees’ younger brother Tamim turned out to be the saviour in the first Test against Pakistan, having played the leading role in the record-breaking 312-run partnership with Imrul Kayes. The prospect of surviving five sessions was a daunting one. The deficit was huge and the opposition’s bowling attack was and still is, a potent one.

Tamim though, with his steely determination, guided the Tigers to safety and, in the process, their maiden draw against Pakistan in nine Test matches.

The two knocks had striking similarities.

Media and social media had great fun com-

paring the two innings, given that both the Iqbal brothers were involved. Many might put Tamim’s innings ahead of Nafees’ one but the elder sibling is not harbouring any resentment towards his younger brother. Rather, Nafees is feeling extremely proud, as expressed to Dha-

good bowling attack and they both handled the opposition brilliantly,” informed Nafees over phone yesterday.

Nafees stated that he had every confidence in the Tigers and his younger brother’s ability when they went out to bat against Pakistan in

Tamim Iqbal (L) and Nafees Iqbal talk with each other during a Brothers Union training session last year ka Tribune yesterday.

“It is a proud moment for me, to be honest.

I really enjoy when people talk to me about my innings against Zimbabwe. I feel proud that Tamim broke my record for the slowest Test hundred among Bangladesh batsmen. I really feel proud over the application showed by both Tamim and Imrul under trying circumstances. It was really amazing. I think their job was tougher than mine. Pakistan have a very

the second innings of the first Test.

“Weather was very hot. Bangladesh had fielded for a very long time as Pakistan posted 600odd on the board. So, it really becomes difficult for a team to come and bat with a fresh mindset after fielding for so long. But, they bounced back really well and surprised us all. The current team had nothing to lose, I think. To be honest, I was confident when the fourth day ended without Bangladesh losing a single wicket. I had belief

in them for the way they played in the ODIs and also in the lone Twenty20 international,” said the former national opener.

“To be honest, I never had any doubts with Tamim. I was very relaxed all the time. I was a bit frustrated because of some reactions from the fans. I never thought Tamim was in that bad shape the way some portion of his fans had projected him to be. Yes, he might have failed to perform in three or four matches. He might have been inconsistent but if you look back, he has contributed something or the other for his team. I think it was just some fans who got impatient. I always had belief in him. I think he is one of the best batsmen Bangladesh have ever produced. He has got all the records now. I still remember the time when I told a senior sports journalist that Tamim is a much better batsman than me. My comment made some people laugh but he has proved it,” he said.

Nafees also went down memory lane and recalled the memories of that eventful Test series win against Zimbabwe.

“We had a long meeting after the conclusion of day four. We ended the day on 98 for no loss.

We (Nafees and Javed) were asked to play normally. And we did that. So, the match was nicely-poised in favour of us. We could have either gone for a win or a draw. We were leading the series 1-0 after winning the Chittagong Test. So, we tried to avoid taking undue risks. The wicket on the fifth day of a Test becomes very difficult for a batsman so there was confusion if we should go for the win or simply a draw. So, Dav decided that we should bat as long as we can and make sure that we win the series. At that time, questions started to rise with regards to our ability in the longer version. So, we had a point to prove.

And we proved it in some style,” he said. l

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TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Rubel ruled out of second Test n Mazhar Uddin

QUICK BYTES Sufian, Mehedi, Debaraj share lead International Master Abu Sufian Shakil and Fide Masters Mehedi Hasan Parag and Debaraj Chatterjee jointly shared the lead at the top of the Golden Sporting Club International Rating Chess Tournament standings after the end of the sixth round yesterday. Mohammedan’s Shakil beat Momin, Parag of Leonine Chess Club defeated Emon while Debaraj of Titas Club overcame Saiful Islam Chowdhury in their respective sixth-round games at the Muktijuddho Smriti Stadium Bhaban in Rajshahi. The trio have 5.5 points each while six players - FMs Syed Mahfuzur Rahman Emon, Mohammad Fahad Rahman, Shahnaz Mohammad Faruk, Faisal Hossain, Dilip Das and Shrutarshi Roy of India – are jointly occupying second spot with five points each.

Abdul Moin and Women’s International Master Rani Hamid are jointly at third position with 4.5 points each.

– Shishir Hoque

Sky Blues face Muktis today

Pakistan paceman Bilawal Bhatti arrives at the team hotel yesterday as the replacement of fellow pace bowler Rahat Ali MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Abahani will face Muktijoddha today in the lone match of the top-flight. The match will kick off at 4:45pm and Channel 9 will telecast the game live. A win for either side will be enough to take them to second at the expense of Mohammedan. Mohammedan, Abahani and Muktijoddha all have 13 points each.

– Shishir Hoque

India to arrive in Bangladesh June 7 for a Test, three ODIs

Di Natale overtakes Baggio in goals chart Veteran Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale remained tight-lipped on his future after overtaking Roberto Baggio in the all-time Serie A goalscoring charts with his winner at Verona on Sunday. The 37-year-old former Italy international scored his 206th Serie A goal with a cheeky backheel in his side’s 1-0 win. But he was subdued during his brief post-match interview, preferring to comment on the game than what will happen next season. “I am happy both for me and my team-mates, we did well against a very good Verona side,” said Di Natale.

“It is an honour to overtake Baggio and I am very happy for this goal, but I don’t want to talk about my future.”

– AFP

Federer ends clay drought with 85th title

Roger Federer defeated Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay to clinch the Istanbul Open on Sunday for his 85th career crown and first title on red clay for over a half a decade. The Swiss world number two and 17-time Grand Slam winner showed imperious form ahead of the French Open, beating world number 23 Cuevas after a thrilling second set tie break. Top seed Federer showed dexterity and power despite resolute defence from his opponent, who required two injury timeouts for treatment on his wrist, to win through 6-3, 7-6 (13/11) in one hour 36 minutes. “It’s been a while since I won a title on clay,” said a delighted Federer. “It’s been a pleasure playing here.” “I picked up confidence and I picked up another title. I feel really good about my game now. It’s been a fitness test and a mental test.”

– AFP

n Minhaz Uddin Khan Cricket powerhouse India are all set to tour Bangladesh in June this year. The two-time ICC World Cup champions will reach Dhaka on June 7 and during their 20-day stay, the tourists will play one Test and three ODIs. The lone Test will be played from June 1014 in Fatullah’s Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium. The three one-day internationals will be played in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on June 18, 21 and 24 respectively.

The last time India visited Bangladesh was back in June last year. The short three-ODI series, however, disappointed the cricket lovers of Bangladesh as the Board of Control for Cricket in India sent a second-string side

Date

Match

Venue

June 10-14

Only Test

Fatullah

June 18

First ODI

Mirpur

June 21

Second ODI

Mirpur

June 24

Third ODI

Mirpur

with Suresh Raina as the captain. This time though, India will send a full-strength side. It was learnt that the Tigers’ heroic performances in the 2015 ICC World Cup forced the BCCI to treat the series seriously.

The last time Bangladesh played India, home or away, in the white outfit was back in 2010. l

Asian Tour all set for Bangladesh chapter n Shishir Hoque The first ever Asian Tour event in Bangladesh titled “Bashundhara Bangladesh Open” will charm the greens of Kurmitola Golf Club later this month with the participation of 150 golfers from across the continent.

The logo unveiling and agreement signing ceremony of the mega event, set to tee off on May 27, was held at a convention centre in the capital yesterday.

A three-year deal was signed between Asian Tour and Bangladesh Golf Federation.

Bangladesh golfing icon Siddikur Rahman, who was present at yesterday’s ceremony,

will battle for the maiden title of the $300,000 event along with 149 other golfers, including 10 from Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and 110 from the Asian Tour.

Twenty-five professional and five amateur golfers from Bangladesh can take part in the main event but they will all have to qualify with the exception of Siddikur. The organisers believe the four-day event will enable the local golfers to enhance and develop their game.

BGF secretary general Brigadier General Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah and Asian Tour representative Fritz Katzengruber signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. l

Bangladesh fast bowler Rubel Hossain was ruled out of the second and final Test against Pakistan after incurring a side-strain injury during the first Test in Khulna. Seamer-allrounder Abul Hasan was drafted in as his replacement.

Rubel suffered the injury during the third day of the first Test and according to Bangladesh physiotherapist Bayjedul Islam Khan, the right-arm fast bowler will take at least two-three weeks to recover fully.

“Rubel is suffering from a Grade 1 sidestrain injury and it will take him two-three weeks to recuperate. He will begin his recovery programme in five days’ time,” Bayjedul told Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Hasan played the last of his three Tests against Sri Lanka in 2013 and recently featured in the first ODI against Pakistan. Unable to exhibit any impressive performance, he was dropped for the remaining two ODIs. The second Test will get underway tomorrow at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. l

Terry new coach of BCB’s high performance unit n Mazhar Uddin Former English cricketer Paul Terry has been appointed the new coach of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s high-performance unit.

The 55-year old Terry, who played two Tests for England, scored 16427 runs in 292 first-class matches. He was also the head coach of county side Hampshire for six years.

“Terry reached Dhaka last Sunday and we have officially talked with him today (yesterday). We have initially agreed a 100-day contract. He will be available during the reportings and the training sessions,” said Abu Imam Ahmed, manager of the BCB’s game development committee, yesterday.

The upcoming training camp of the BCB’s high-performance unit will get underway from the first week of next month. The camp will comprise cricketers from the Under-19 team, the BCB Academy and the national side. l

Farashganj, Ctg Abahani share spoils n Shishir Hoque Farashganj MFS and Chittagong Abahani played out a 2-2 draw in the bottom-of-the-table clash of the Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Mohammad Hemu put the port-city outfit ahead with just two minutes into the clock before Nigerian midfielder Uche Felix equalised the margin in the 13th minute.

The Old Dhaka outfit then took the lead in the 24th minute through Nazmul Islam Russel but Chittagong Abahani restored parity in the second half, thanks to Mohammad Hanif’s strike 20 minutes from the final whistle.

Farashganj are now second bottom of the 11-team table with two points from six matches while Chittagong Abahani are a spot ahead in ninth with four points from the same number of games. l

DT

28 Sport

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Costa, Fabregas turn Blues into champions n Reuters, London It could be argued that Chelsea effectively won the title before a ball was kicked in anger this season.

The fail-safe signings of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas provided the upgrade required to return Chelsea to the kind of dominance they enjoyed in Jose Mourinho’s first spell in charge.

While other managers procrastinated, Mourinho calmly identified his targets and struck. 1-0 to Chelsea.

Liverpool, who finished above Chelsea last season, spent 50 million pounds on a trio of players from Southampton and plenty more elsewhere in a frenzy of deals.

Mourinho, on the other hand, produced two masterstrokes for a combined 60 million pounds that now looks like small change, and both before the dust had even settled on the World Cup. Costa has become the spearhead for Chelsea while Fabregas is the man to join up the lines of communication between midfield and attack, providing the silver service for the former Atletico Madrid player and the dazzling Eden Hazard.

Though Costa has struggled with injuries in the closing months, the Brazil-born Spaniard’s devastating start to the campaign set the tone for Chelsea’s season.

He needed only 17 minutes of his Premier League debut at Burnley to open his account and notched seven goals in his first four league appearances, erasing any doubts about his ability to transform his stunning La Liga form to the Premier League.

Not that Mourinho was the least bit surprised.

If ever there was a player equipped for the demands of English football it is the imposing Costa. He delivers everything Fernando Torres failed to do.

His work rate is exemplary, his poaching instincts lethal, is deceptively fast and his brut-

ish strength can unsettle even the toughest defenders. A lot like a certain Didier Drogba.

“The team was built in a way where we were waiting for a certain type of striker,” Mourinho said earlier this season.

“Costa has the concept of ‘the team first, and me second; the team needs me and I am ready to go for the team’.

“He is a leader of himself. He knows exactly what the team needs and is ready to give to

the team.”

Chelsea’s title campaign has been built on a spine of steel.

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, recalled from a loan spell at Atletico Madrid, behind the impeccable John Terry and Gary Cahill with Nemanja Matic providing a shield.

Willian and Ramires are the legs and Hazard the creative inspiration, but the vastly experienced Fabregas is the brains of the outfit,

keeping Chelsea’s cogs turning without grabbing the headlines.

“To play with Fabregas is the dream of every striker,” Mourinho said this season.

It remains a mystery as to why Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger did not try harder to re-sign Fabregas when it was clear his time at Barcelona was coming to a close.

Had he done so Arsenal may have won the title, rather than Chelsea. l

Pellegrini taunts Mourinho in style war n AFP, London

The clock struck, and the player of the year inevitably scored to carry the most deserving club of England to their rightful throne. Chelsea FC are the champions of the Barclays English Premier League 2014/2015 season with uncontested professionalism, passion and brutality. A team who had cemented their position on top of the premier league since the start of the season. And, to celebrate their enthralling victory, more than 80 Chelsea FC fans congregated in Coffee Republic, Gulshan last Sunday and cheered for the Blues non-stop COURTESY

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has stepped up his war of words with Jose Mourinho by claiming he would never be satisfied to win the Premier League playing in the cautious style of newly crowned champions Chelsea.

Pellegrini’s side saw their reign as champions officially ended on Sunday when Chelsea beat Crystal Palace to secure the points they needed to take the title away from Eastlands.

But, in the latest verbal jousting between two old rivals, Pellegrini refused to accept that Chelsea’s achievement was worthy of much praise because of the ultra-conservative tactics adopted by Blues boss Mourinho in the second half of the season.

Pellegrini had already accused Mourinho’s men of playing with the negativity of a “small team” after their 1-1 draw at Eastlands earlier in the campaign.

And, speaking after his team’s 1-0 win at

Tottenham on Sunday, he was quick to highlight the more swashbuckling style in which City won the league last season.

“Chelsea won the Premier League and they won the League Cup. We did exactly the same last year, scoring more goals in another style,” Pellegrini said.

“It is important for the Premier League and it is important for the fans to play attractive football. That’s why I just said we won playing another style.

“I am not thinking about the (13-point) gap (between the clubs). We scored 102 goals in the Premier League last season.

“This team continues as the top scoring team. That side is important, to continue winning in that sense.”

Mourinho’s team have scored 69 goals in the league, two fewer than City, and Pellegrini’s swipe was clearly intended to irritate the Portuguese coach, who has been angered at continued accusations that Chelsea are boring to watch. l

DT

Sport 29

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Jamaicans double up in relays as US men drop baton n Reuters Jamaica won the showcase 4x200 metres relay without Usain Bolt as their American rivals dropped the baton at the IAAF World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas on Sunday.

Nickel Ashmeade, Rasheed Dwyer, Jason Livermore and Warren Weir survived a shaky second exchange baton pass to claim the feature race in one minute, 20.97 seconds.

But at least the Jamaicans, in winning their first race of the two-day meeting, got the baton around. The Americans were not so fortunate.

A muffed passed between Isiah Young and Curtis Mitchell on the second exchange sent the baton flying, leading to their disqualification.

Bolt did not run as a precaution, his manager said, after the world’s fastest man felt tightness in his hamstring warming up.

Second place went to France and Germany claimed third. The U.S., with Gatlin running a strong second leg, had beaten a Bolt-anchored team in the men’s 4x100 on Saturday. l

Prince makes new call for Fifa change n AFP, Amman FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin al Hussein on Sunday made a new call for Sepp Blatter, the head of football’s governing body, to be kicked out of office.

The Jordanian royal said that FIFA has to be “more open, more transparent” as he sought votes for an election on May 30.

The prince, 39, said too much power is concentrated in committees which meet in Zurich and there should be more discussion in the regions.

“Football is a difficult sport to maintain, you always need help. FIFA can help go forward if we re-look at how we do things. We have to be more open, more transparent in how we do things,” he said at the start of the Soccerex Asia exhibition in Jordan. l

DAY’S WATCH Channel 9 4:45PM Bangladesh Premier League Abahani v Muktijoddha

Sony Six 8:30PM Indian Premier League 2015 Mumbai v Delhi

Ten Action 12:45PM UEFA Champions League SF, Leg 1: Juventus v Real Madrid

Jamaica’s 4x200 relay team strike a pose on the medal podium after winning the event at the IAAF World Relays Championships in Nassau on Sunday REUTERS

Roma back to second, Napoli thrash SERIE A demoralised Milan n Reuters, Milan Alessandro Florenzi ran more than half the length of the field to score and cap a 2-0 win for AS Roma over Genoa which took them back into second place in Serie A on Sunday.

Roma went above their bitter city rivals Lazio, who came from behind to draw 1-1 at lowly Atalanta thanks to a spectacular effort

by Marco Parolo.

Napoli stayed in the race for a Champions League place with a 3-0 home win over a demoralised AC Milan, whose troubles continued when Mattia De Sciglio was sent off in the first minute and gave away a penalty in the process.

Genoa

Inter Milan

0-0

Chievo

Fiorentina

3-1

Cesena

Ilicic 31-pen, 35, Gilardino 56

Atalanta

Rodriguez 59

1-1

Lazio

Biava 49

Verona

Parolo 77

0-1

Udinese Di Natale 62

Napoli

3-0

AC Milan

Hamsik 70, Higuain 74, Gabbiadini 76

Ibrahimovic sparks PSG title thrust n AFP, Paris

n AFP, Madrid

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, fresh from a three-match ban, sparked Paris Saint Germain’s 2-0 win at Nantes in Ligue 1 on Sunday, moving them a step closer to third straight French title.

The Swede had a hand in both goals, notably playing the ball between Nantes’ captain Oswaldo Vizcarrondo’s legs to set up Blaise Matuidi’s clincher on the half-hour. The 2-0 win puts PSG on 74 points at the top with Lyon three points behind with three games to play. l

Valencia moved three points clear of Sevilla in the fight for the fourth Champions League place in La Liga with a comfortable 3-1 win over Eibar on Sunday.

Nicolas Otamendi headed the hosts in

LA LIGA Espanyol

Star Sports 1 10:30PM

Getafe

Italian Serie A

Pedro Leon 44

Torino v Empoli

Valencia

2:30PM

2-0

Roma

Doumbia 35, Florenzi 90+3

Valencia take charge of Champions League chase

Moreno 80

Star Sports 2

Inter Milan were jeered off at San Siro again after a 0-0 draw with Chievo and evergreen Antonio Di Natale scored with a backheeled flick as Udinese won 1-0 at nine-man Verona.

The hosts had Jacopo Sala and veteran Mexico defender Rafael Marquez dismissed in the last half hour.

With Juventus having clinched a fourth successive Serie A title on Saturday, the action was all about the race for European places.

Roma have 64 points from 34 games in second, which earns a spot in next season’s Champions League group stage, and Lazio have 63 in third, which earns a place in the playoff round. Napoli are a further four points behind in fourth. l

1-1

Insua 29

1-2

Malaga

Suwon Samsung Bluewings v Beijing Guoan

Javi Guerra 90+4

Granada El Arabi 13, 58

3-1

Otamendi 25, Parejo 56, Alcacer 71

AFC Champions League

Rayo Vallecano

Eibar Arruabarrena 84

1-2

Elche Jonathas 29, Pasalic 89

front from Jose Gaya’s cross midway through the first-half.

Captain Dani Parejo then made the points safe for Valencia with a deflected effort just before the hour mark.

Paco Alcacer tapped home the third into an empty net after Xabi Irureta had made a fine save from Parejo’s free-kick before Mikel Arruabarrena pulled a goal back for the visitors late on.

Valencia could still catch Atletico Madrid for the final automatic Champions League place in third. Atletico are just four points ahead.

However, they face a daunting trip to play Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu next weekend in a game that could also have serious repurcussions in the title race.

A 14th defeat in 16 games leaves Eibar just one point above the relegation zone with three games remaining. l

LIGUE 1 Nantes

0-2

Paris SG Cavani 3, Matuidi 31

AS Monaco

4-1

Silva 9, Martial 45+1-pen, Moutinho 56, Germain 90+2

Lille Boufal 41-pen, Sidibe 74, Origi 90+3

3-1

Toulouse Braithwaite 26

Lens Chavarría 24

DT

30 DOWNTIME

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Melt, as snow (4) 3 Card game (5) 8 Notion (4) 9 Satellite (4) 11 Hex (5) 12 Drink (4) 14 Everyone (3) 15 Even (5) 18 Make merry (5) 19 Before (poet) (3) 21 Periods of time (4) 24 Puzzling question (5) 26 Part of a church (4) 27 Leave out (4) 28 Freshwater fish (5) 29 Agitate (4)

DOWN 1 Docile (4) 2 Declare (4) 4 Part of the body (3) 5 Perfect (5) 6 Vend (4) 7 Score (5) 10 African river (4) 11 Cut off (5) 13 At no time (5) 16 Dash (4) 17 Storehouse (5) 18 Plant secretion (5) 20 Eternal city (4) 22 Old sailor (4) 23 Scoff (4) 25 And so forth (abb) (3)

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

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

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

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

A B C D E FG H I J K L M N O P Q RST UVWXYZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU How to solve: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeating.

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

DT

SHOWTIME 31

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Orsha’s new sixepisode TV venture n Showtime Desk Nazia Haque Orsha recently worked with Mosharraf Karim on a six-episode TV play, expected to be aired on Maasranga TV during upcoming Eid holidays. Titled Khayesh, the play is written by Kazi Shahidul Islam and directed by Shakal Ahmed.

In the play Mosharraf will be playing the role of a man named Ekram whom Orsha falls head over heels in love with, despite him having many negative characteristics. As the story progresses, the audience are able to appreciate the brighter side of Ekram’s character.

Talking about her latest venture Orsha said: “The experience of working with the

Nancy Drew turns 80 n

Showtime desk

Fans of everyone’s favourite sleuth are celebrating her 80th anniversary throughout the world.

The 18 year old detective started her journey as the main character of an adored book series on April 28th, 1930.

In honour of this special day, the original publisher Grosset & Dunlap are set to release an anniversary edition of “The Secret of the Old Clock”, which was the first book in the series.

Even though fans of Nancy Drew hold their collections close to their hearts, there is so much more to it than the books these days. The people behind the video games have remastered “Secrets Can Kill”, added new challenges and tweaked the graphics.

This will definitely be great news for people who like to put themselves in Drew’s shoes and solve mysteries and puzzles.

Here is an interesting fact: Throughout the years, different writers have penned the novels, but they have always been published with the name Carolyn Keene as the author.l

CELEBS ON SOCIAL

versatile Mosharraf Karim is somehow different from my previous experiences.

As my previous ventures with him have been praised by the audience, I hope this too will achieve the same level of success.”

The TV play went on the shooting floor from May 3 in Pubail, on the outskirts of the capital. The cast also includes Fazlur Rahman Babu, Shirin Alam and Arfan Ahmed in supporting roles.

Famous for her claim to fame with the beauty pageant Lux Channel i Superstar’s 2009 edition, Orsha previously worked with Mosharraf in a few TV plays including “Similar To,” “Cha Othoba Coffee” and “Sei Rakom Cha Khor.” l

James Franco @JamesFrancoTV

The Long Home.

(Image is gonna be leaked anyway, so here it is first. EXCLUSIVE)

Gary Barlow @GaryBarlow

Not your average cop show

‘May the 4th be with you’ and ‘watch your mouth son or you’ll find yourself floating home’ #starwarsbant

Ed Sheeran @edsheeran

Gonna eat my body weight in wings now. send help.

WHAT TO WATCH

Friends with benefits C HBO 5:32pm While trying to avoid the clichés of Hollywood romantic comedies, Dylan Harper and Jamie Rellis soon discover however that adding the act of sex to their friendship does lead to complications.

Cast: Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Patricia Clarkson

n

Mahmood Hossain

We’ve seen plenty of crime thrillers and detective dramas that are award winning master strokes. Then there’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine. It’s a complete and total humorous take on the cops of New York City in Brooklyn at the 99th Precinct. Well into its second season, this is definitely binge worthy. The main character, Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), is an immature yet very talented NYPD detective. The hilarious contrast is Captain Ray Holt (Andre Braugher), who runs the precinct in stern fashion. There isn’t a single episode that will leave you unsatisfied, as

the crazy antics of the supporting cast take funny to a new level.

There are no dramatic sequences or tear-jerking scenes. It’s a pure, laugh out loud comedy. With the addition of Terry Crews (playing Sergeant Terry Jeffords), Stephanie Beatriz, Melissa Fumero, and Joe Lo Truglio there’s no worry of dead weight or bland performances. And the snarky assistant Gina Linetti, portrayed

by Chelsea Peretti, adds the right amount of spice in a clever comedic recipe. As the second season comes to a close in about three episodes, stick around a couple of weeks before you binge on both seasons. l

Resident Evil: Retribution C+ Star Movies 6pm Alice fights alongside a resistance movement to regain her freedom from an Umbrella Corporation testing facility.

Cast: Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory, Michelle Rodriguez, Aryana Engineer, S.W.A.T B+ Z Studio 9:30pm An imprisoned drug kingpin offers a huge cash reward to anyone that can break him out of police custody and only the LAPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics team can prevent it.

Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, Michelle Rodriguez

DT

32 BACK PAGE

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

ACCORD FINDS MODEST CRACKS JUVE EYEING FIRST CL NOT YOUR AVERAGE IN 3 RMG FACTORIES PAGE 15 FINAL IN 12 YEARS PAGE 25 COP SHOW PAGE 31

Bad news for Dhaka water supply Third phase of Saidabad water treatment plant expected to miss July deadline n Asif Showkat Kallol The third phase of the Saidabad water treatment plant that could have done a world of good to Dhaka’s acute summer water crisis is likely to miss the July deadline for a start because a Danish fund is not yet available.

There are also fears that the water of Shitalakkhya, the prime source of Dhaka’s water supply, may no longer be treatable because of heavy industrial contamination.

These alarming facts were revealed at a recent meeting of the evaluation committee of the Saidabad phase three water treatment plant project, sources said.

Around 40% or $200m of the $500m project cost is supposed to come from the Danish International Development Agency (Danida).

But, with less than two months to go before the scheduled start of the project, the government’s Economic Relations Division is not yet clear whether the money will come as a grant or a project loan, an official of the Local Government Division told the Dhaka Tribune.

Apart from Danida, the French Develop-

ment Agency and the European Investment Bank have pledged $130m and $70m respectively.

When contacted, Taqsem A Khan, managing director of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa), admitted that it will not be possible to kick off the construction of the project by July.

On the basis of a feasibility study conducted recently, the evaluation committee said that the water of Shitalakkhya will cease to be usable in near future.

Hence, the use of Meghna River water has been recommended, but the river’s geographical distance with Dhaka is not as convenient as that with Shitalakkhya.

The water of Buriganga, the other major river in the capital city, has never been used by the treatment plants, also because of severe contamination, Md Sirajuddin, deputy managing director of Dhaka Wasa, was quoted as saying in the meeting.

In fact, all the water treatment plants in Dhaka might be using Meghna waters in future, meeting sources said.

Dhaka Wasa serves around 12.5 million people in a 360 sq-km area using the water of Shitalakkhya at a pre-treatment plant and then at the Saidabad treatment plants. The river water, which is a form of surface water, meets up 22% of the total demand in Dhaka. Wasa meets the remaining 78% by extracting groundwater.

Ensuring a sustainable source of safe surface water is imperative because according to an estimate of Dhaka Wasa, the groundwater table has been depleting by around three metres every year, with roughly 1.5 metres of annual recharge.

According to a master plan to be implemented by the year 2035, the authorities should be ideally using 30% groundwater and 70% surface water to meet the residents’ demand which would be effectively reversing the current practice.

Md Khairul Islam, country representative of WaterAid Bangladesh, thinks that the water crisis in the capital city is a major politically sensitive issue.

“The media do not care if a woman in the remote areas of the country has to walk 10

miles to fetch fresh water. But if there is a water crisis in Dhaka, it never skips the media’s attention.”

Buet Professor Dr Mujibur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune that carrying water from Meghna River without addressing the sewerage system in Dhaka will prove to be expensive for the government.

He also argued that there is enough water in Shitalakkhya to operate the three water treatments plants at Saidabad.

“The water in the rivers in and around Dhaka is being polluted for a long time because of poor sewerage system. Most of the human waste of Dhaka goes into Balu River.

Since Shitalakkhya and Balu are connected, the former is continuously getting polluted,” the professor said.

Local Government Secretary Abdul Malek told the Dhaka Tribune that the project proposal for the third water treatment plant is likely to be placed before the Executive Committee on National Economic on May 5. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over the meeting. l

Sense of the sacred being used to put an end to public urination

Royal baby named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana

Al-Masum Molla and n Mohammad Asif Islam

n Tribune Report

A two minute video circulating on social media sites has captured a novel and effective way to get public urination, the scourge of Dhaka city, to stop.

Using an intervention that relies on psychology, illiteracy and religious devotion, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is using a sense of the sacred to get people to stop dirtying the streets and footpaths.

By simply replacing Bangla script with Arabic lettering on signs prohibiting public urination, young men are being deterred from soiling public spaces – because of their fear the Arabic lettering may be of religious texts.

Being a largely Muslim nation, Arabic is a sacred language for most people even though few actually understand it.

As the video’s narrator puts it: “Same message, holier language.”

The video captures the effect, on men about to relieve themselves against a wall, of seeing Arabic letters painted on it. Every one of them is shamed into zipping up and zipping off.

The ministry’s programme is predicated on the idea that in a city of 10,000 mosques – each equipped with toilet facilities – there is no justification for urination or defecation in

A wall carrying an anti-urination message written in Arabic, part of an effort to combat public urination, has been defaced. The photo was taken yesterday at Karwan Bazar SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN public spaces.

Matiur Rahman, the religious affairs minister, is recorded on the video as saying: “I am thinking of urging every mosque to open its toilets half an hour before namaz.”

Despite initial successes with the Arabic signage on six Dhaka city walls, some walls

were defaced after locals realised the writing was not sacred verse.

Nevertheless, more walls will be adorned with the Arabic public service announcements, officials said.

Produced by advertising firm Grey, the video was launched on May 1. l

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have named their daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, Kensington Palace said.

The fourth in line to the throne will be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.

She was born on Saturday in the Lindo Wing of London’s St Mary’s Hospital weighing 8lbs 3oz (3.7kg).

Charlotte, the feminine form of Charles, has a long royal pedigree and became popular in the 18th century when it was the name of George III’s queen.

The King bought Buckingham House in 1761 for his wife Queen Charlotte to use as a family home close to St James’s Palace - it became known as the Queen’s House and is now Buckingham Palace.

Earlier in the day gun salutes took place in London to mark the birth.

Soldiers from The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery rode out in a procession from Wellington Barracks, near Buckingham Palace, to sound 41 shots in Hyde Park.

At the same time, the Honourable Artillery Company left their Armoury House barracks in the City of London to fire a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London. l

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