08 April, 2015

SECOND EDITION

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

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Boishakh 25, 1421, Rajab 18, 1436

DHAKA DIALOGUE ON KHOKON’S MIND PAGE 3

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 26

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SEISMIC MARINE SURVEY ON THE CARDS PAGE 4

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PM FOR SPEEDY PROBE INTO POLLS VIOLENCE PAGE 32

LBA gets final nod, finally Modi calls Hasina, greets her and people of Bangladesh n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

n Abid Azad

and Shohel Mamun

After Rajya Sabha, India’s lower house Lok Sabha yesterday also unanimously passed the constitution amendment bill to pave way for ratifying and implementing the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement between Bangladesh and India.

The bill, piloted by Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, was passed by a vote of 331-0 in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.

After the bill’s passage, Modi personally thanked Sonia in the Lok Sabha, Indian TV channel NDTV reported.

Modi also called Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to give her the good news.

He tweeted: “Spoke to Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and conveyed my greetings to the people of Bangladesh on this landmark occasion.”

Meanwhile, Hasina yesterday ordered the Home Ministry officials to ensure security for the people in the enclaves during the acquisition and transfer of territories.

During the passage of the bill, a number of lawmakers said the implementation of the agreement would help protect human interest.

Rajya Sabha passed the bill on Wednesday,

a day after the Indian cabinet approved it.

Bangladesh and India signed the LBA in 1974 and the protocol in 2011. While Bangladesh ratified the deal in 1974, India has ratified it through passage of the constitution amendment bill.

With the implementation of the agreement, the enclaves will now be exchanged and inhabitants will have access to civic amenities, of which they have been deprived

Online shopping worth Tk7,184cr each year

of for the last 67 years, while the adversely possessed land will be handed over.

Bangladesh has 52 enclaves with an area of 2,877 hectares inside India while India has 111 enclaves with an area of 6,944 hectares inside Bangladesh. The enclaves spread across four districts in Bangladesh – 59 in Lalmonirhat, 36 in Panchagarh, 12 in Kurigram and four in Nilphamari.

Internet users in Bangladesh spend over Tk7,184.018 crore in online shopping each year, with the amount expected to grow further with the increase in use of smartphones, a survey by Google has found.

A Google research paper titled “Research Insights: Emerging Trends as Bangladesh goes Digital” found that 22% of the country’s total internet users shop online, spending Tk7,594.10 annually on an average.

According to the survey, 32% of the respondents said they recalled seeing online advertisements; of them, 82% went on to initiate online action, 35% took offline action and 17% went on to buy the product. Of the respondents, 19% admitted that they are more likely to discover brands that advertise online.

Sami Kizilbash, Google’s business head for South Asia’s emerging markets, presented the findings yesterday at the first ever Digital Investment Summit in the capital’ Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel.

“Bangladesh has a growing number of internet users which includes communicators,

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Rajshahi city mayor Bulbul suspended n Tribune Report Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul has been suspended following the framing of charges against him in several cases including one for the murder of police constable Siddhartha Sarker.

The Local Government Division (LGD) yesterday issued a notification regarding the suspension of the pro-BNP mayor who has been in prison in several lawsuits.

According to section 12 (1) of the City Corporation Act, “if charge sheet is accepted by court against any city corporation mayor and councillor, the government has right to suspend him or her  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

PAGE 4 Four return from Nepal

PAGE 3 Varsity Professor shot and mugged

PAGE 5 RAB arrest five in the capital

PAGE 7 Mass resignation at JU withdrawn

PAGE 6 Diarrhoea breaks out in Meherpur

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2 NEWS

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Hasina’s homecoming day observed n Tribune Report Yesterday marked the anniversary of Awami League President and present Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s return home after a ban on her return during the state of emergency in the country in 2007-2008.

The then military-backed caretaker government put the ban on Hasina’s return to Bangladesh in April 2007, when she was visiting the US for treatment, stating that her return would create disorder in the country.

The ban was lifted a few days later and she was able to return home on May 7, 2007, received with a warm welcome by the leaders and workers of her party and its associate bodies, as well as many of her followers.

In observance of the day, Awami Swechchasebak League organised a public rally in front of Awami League’s central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital.

Awami League joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif attended the rally as chief guest. l

8 fortune seekers rescued, 4 held n FM Mizanur Rahaman, Chittagong Bangladesh Coast Guard, East Zone, in a drive rescued eight fortune seekers being trafficked into Malaysia, and arrested four boatmen from a fishing trawler in the outer anchorage of Chittagong Port yesterday evening.

Details of the rescued persons and the arrestees could not be ascertained immediately, said Captain Shahidul Islam, zonal commander of Bangladesh Coast Guard (East Zone).

Captain Shahid said, acting on a tip off, a Coast Guard team conducted the drive on a

wooden boat at the outer anchorage near Parki Beach under Anwara upazila at around 5:30, and rescued the eight. During the primary interrogation, the boatmen admitted to sending the eight to Malaysia through the waterway in exchange for Tk1.50 lakh per head, added the Captain.

The boatmen were handed over to the Patenga police station, while legal measures were under processing in this connection.

The Coast Guard on November 17 last year rescued 625 persons from the deep sea, far from Saint Martin Island, while they were being trafficked to Malaysia. l

Dhaka South City Corporation’s new Mayor Sayeed Khokon goes to Nagar Bhaban on a horse carriage yesterday to attend his first day in office after being elected. Story on Page 3 DHAKA TRIBUNE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Online shopping worth Tk7,184cr each year knowledge seekers, influencers, aspirers, networkers and functionals.

“Using a growing number of smartphones, it also increases the number of internet users. Now people can get many useful mobile application, while they also can make online shopping,” he said.

However, Kizilbash pointed out the different obstacles to online shopping in the country, saying: “People still do not have much interest in buying from online market as there is lack of sufficient opportunities, while many people do not know even about the existing opportunities. Most importantly, people are afraid of transaction security through online.

“As the there is an emerging online mar-

ket in the country, the government and other private partners should be more concerned to create a secured and fast online market,” the Google executive added.

The findings on the Google report were based on 1,000 offline interviews and 1,026 online surveys between June 2014 to September 2014.

According to another recent study, Bangladesh currently has around 43 million internet users.

Compared to the Bangladeshi e-commerce market of over Tk7,000 crore, neighbouring India has reportedly made great strides in the past three years. According to Google, the Indian retail e-commerce sector has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 35% since 2012, expecting to hit $7.69b in 2015.

Meanwhile, the prime minister’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, who was the chief guest at the summit, also talked about different digital services introduced by the government and expressed his optimism about expanding 3G and broadband services to the union level soon.

Other speakers at the summit urged for better innovations, investment and policy support regarding digital investment in the country.

The day-long program was organised by Telenor group, Accenture and BASIS in collaboration with the ICT Division and Telecom Ministry.

The program was addressed by Telenor group President and CEO Jon Fredrik Bakaas, while State Minister for Telecom Zunaid

Ahmed Palak, A2I project Policy Adviser Anir Chowdhury, BTRC Chairman Sunil Kanti Bose were also present. l

remain vigilant.

Senior Indian politician and leader of Samajwadi Party Mulayam Singh Yadav supported the bill and urged the government to expand the areas of cooperation.

He emphasised on creating a powerful bloc comprising of India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

All India Trinamool Congress lawmaker Sugata Bose said: “We are protecting human interest.” He favoured unhindered movement of people and exchange of culture.

Trinamool Congress founder and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had opposed the bill, on Tuesday said her government now supports the LBA as the people want it. She, however, sought a package from the central government for rehabilitation of those affected.

fer, according to Home Ministry officials.

Hasina at yesterday’s meeting with the Home Ministry officials ordered the law enforcers to prevent any untoward situation to make the process peaceful.

She also suggested that deputy commissioners of the districts concerned, police superintendents and upazila nirbahi officers be ordered to ensure lasting security in the enclaves.

She noted that it was the Awami League government that had taken the initiative to solve the boundary related problem.

“This government has resolved the two problems with India – one is the LBA and the other is maritime boundary dispute,” a Home Ministry official, who was present at the meeting, quoted the prime minister.

State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan told the Dhaka Tribune that the government would abide by the prime minister’s directives about lasting security arrangements in the enclaves. l

Rajshahi city mayor

in consultation with the Election Commission.”

When contacted, LGD Senior Assistant Secretary Jasim Uddin Hawlader told the Dhaka Tribune that Bulbul had been removed from his post as per the aforesaid section.

Earlier, the government suspended another pro-BNP Sylhet Mayor Ariful Haque Choudhury on the same ground.

On September 18, 2013, Bulbul started serving as the mayor of Rajshahi. l

LBA gets final nod, finally Moreover, of the adversely possessed land, Bangladesh will receive 917 hectares while India to get 1,124 hectares.

As many as 37,334 Indian citizens (2011 census) are living in the enclaves inside Bangladesh and they do not have access to electricity, education or health service. Bangladeshi citizens living in enclaves in India suffer the same fate.

Now they will be given a scope to choose their citizenship and enjoy civic amenities.

There are 14,215 Bangladeshi people living in the 52 enclaves situated in India.

After the bill was passed in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, it was decided that it would be placed before the Lok Sabha yesterday. But it was not on the list of business in the morning.

Sushma Swaraj placed the bill in the Lok Sabha in the afternoon.

In her introductory speech, the foreign minister chronologically described the history of the agreement. She also admitted that her party, BJP, opposed the bill in the beginning.

A good number of lawmakers spoke on the bill. Everyone except for one Assamese lawmaker welcomed it and gave their opinion in favour of the bill.

Lawmaker Sirajuddin Ajmal of All India United Democratic Front requested Sushma Swaraj to withdraw the bill.

BJP lawmaker from West Bengal SS Ahluwala gave his speech in Bengali. He said the bill had been passed in the month of May since the agreement was signed by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Indira Gandhi in May, 1974.

He, however, demanded that Dahagram-Angorpota, a Bangladeshi enclave inside India, be a part of India.

Under the agreement, Dahagram-Angorpota becomes a part of Bangladesh and it would not be exchanged.

Ahluwala feared that communal forces might take exploit the situation and create communal riots in Bangladesh and India. He suggested that the law enforcement agencies

Hasina orders strengthening security

Bangladesh government fears that a haphazard situation may arise among the inhabitants of the enclaves during acquisition and trans-

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FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Dhaka Dialogue one of the first things on Khokon’s mind n Tribune Report One day after taking oath as the first mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, Sayeed Khokon went to his office – the Nagar Bhaban – yesterday on a horse carriage.

The traditional Old Dhaka vehicle carrying Sayeed Khokon arrived at the DSCC headquarters around 11am. Soon after his arrival, city corporation staff gave their new boss a warm welcome with a bouquet and by showering flowers.

He spent the next hour or so getting acquainted and sharing ideas with his staff, leaders of labour organisations and the supporters of his party ruling Awami League.

The new ward councillors, who got elected alongside Khokon in the April 28 elections, were present during the view-exchange session.

After joining his office, the new mayor said that he would soon hold the “Dhaka Dialogue” – one of his key electoral pledges – with city dwellers, civil society leaders, urban planners and professionals, reports Dhaka Tribune’s Abu Hayat Mahmud.

During the dialogue, he would first learn in details the problems that they had been facing and then discuss how a workable city development plan could be laid, Khokon said.

Later in the day, Khokon, along with Nagar Bhaban officials, took part in a clean-up drive

in the Bangabazar, Bongshal, Dholaikhal and Naya Bazar areas. He also directed the officials to remove some illegal structures in these areas in the quickest possible time.

However, Annisul Huq, Khokon’s counterpart in the north of Dhaka, did not attend office yesterday. On Wednesday, he visited the temporary headquarters of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) after being sworn in as the mayor by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina alongside Khokon and Chittagong City Corporation Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin.

DNCC Public Relations Officer Md Monowar Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune that Annisul would officially take over on Sunday. l

PM to inaugurate new Sirajganj power plant n Aminur Rahman Rasel Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will formally inaugurate a 225MW combined cycle power plant in Sirajganj today.

The power plant is implemented by stateowned North-West Power Generation Company Ltd (NWPGL).

“The dual fuel- (gas and diesel) based power plant, financed by the Asian Development Bank, started its commercial generation 10 months ago. Now the PM will formally inaugurate the plant,” AM Khurshed Alam, Managing Director of NWPGL, told the Dhaka Tribune.

She will lay the foundation stone of another 225MW combined cycle power plant in the same location, Khurshed said.

The Power Development Board is buying electricity from the plant at Tk2.14 per unit, he added.

NWPGL plans to build a power hub in Sirajganj. As part of the hub, the company will build another 225MW plant by March 2017.

The other two plants, to operate at 220MW and 414MW, will be operational by June 2018.

The company will also upgrade the 150MW Khulna plant to 225MW, to be completed by November 2015. The combined cycle 360MW dual-fuel Bheramara power plant will begin generating by December 2016, and the 1,350MW coal-based Paira power plant will start production by 2019. To feed the plant, coal will be imported from Indonesia. The Paira port authority will install a terminal to unload coal. Land has been acquired for the terminal. l

Abbas among 37 BNP men chargesheeted n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

An excavator digs up wastes from the banks of the Buriganga River in a bid to clean the lifeline of Dhaka. However, it is only a matter of time before the banks again get filled up by solid wastes and clean up efforts are re-launched. This cycle has been going on for a while and the authorities are yet to take any permanent measure to check waste dumping. The photo was recently clicked from the Keraniganj side of the river MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Police yesterday submitted the charge sheet against BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and 35 other activists in a case filed over the death of a Chhatra Shibir member in 2013.

Sub-Inspector of Rampura police station Mamun-ur-Rashid, also the investigating officer of the case, submitted the charge sheet to Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court.

Metropolitan Magistrate SM Ashikur Rahman signed the charge sheet after it was submitted. The court also issued a warrant for the arrest of two BNP leaders - Sadeque Hossain Khoka and the party’s Joint Secretary General Salahuddin Ahmed. l

University professor shot in city 6 testify in 2001 CPB blast case n Tribune report A university professor was shot and mugged by unidentified miscreants in the capital’s Mohammadpur area in broad daylight yesterday afternoon.

Parimol Kanti Biswas, professor of Agronomy at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University was shot in front of Dhaka Residential Model School and College around 1pm. Tk7.7 lakh was snatched from him at that time, said Officer in-Charge of Mohammadpur police station Azizul Haque.

Vice-chancellor of the university Mohammad Shadat Ulla said the incident happened

when Parimol was returning from Mohammadpur post office after receiving the money.

Mohammadpur police inspector (investigation) Jaan-e-Alam said the professor carried the money in a paper bag and took a rickshaw to the university.

When the rickshaw reached near the college, three miscreants on a motorbike shot him in the leg and fled towards the Tajmahal Road with the money, said the police official.

Critically injured, professor Parimol was taken to Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital.

Inspector Jaan-e-Alam said they had talked to the victim and visited the spot but the miscreants could not be identified yet. l

n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu Six more prosecution witnesses gave depositions yesterday in a case filed over the bomb attack on a rally of the Communist Party of Bangladesh at Paltan Maidan.

Wakil Ahmed, Mrittunjoy Goldar, Sukumar Das, Shaktipad Roy, Abdur Razzak and Shunil Mandal – are activists of the CPB – testified in the explosives case.

Dhaka Metropolitan Special Sessions Judge KM Imrul Kayes recorded their depositions and fixed Sunday for the next prosecution witnesses in the case.

On September 4 last year, the court framed

charges against 13 activists of banned militant outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami (Huji) in the two cases filed on this incident.

Seven of the accused have been on the run since the case was filed, while another secured bail. The five others, including Huji chief Mufti Hannan, were produced before the court.

The attack, which took place on January 20, 2001, killed eight people and injured over 50.

Manjurul Ahsan Khan, then president of the CPB, filed the cases with Motijheel police.

CID Inspector Mrinal Kanti Saha, the investigation officer of the cases, submitted charge sheets before the court on November 27, 2013 listing 137 people as prosecution witnesses. l

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FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Foreign joint venture to conduct seismic marine survey n Aminur Rahman Rasel A government-formed evaluation committee has recommended the Energy and Mineral Resources Division to go ahead with the signing of a deal with a foreign joint venture to conduct a 2D seismic marine survey of Bangladesh’s offshore areas.

“We recommended the Energy and Mineral Resources Division to sign a deal with TGS-NOPEC and Schlumberger, a Norwegian-US joint venture, to conduct a 2D seismic survey,” a member of the committee said, seeking anonymity.

Earlier, the state-owned Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation, commonly known as Petrobangla, invited tenders from international geophysical companies on behalf of the government to conduct the survey on a non-exclusive multi-client basis.

Responding to the invite, five international geophysical companies submitted tender documents in this regard on March 29 this year.

The government formed a tender evaluation committee headed by a Petrobangla direc-

tor to evaluate the documents, who evaluated and selected a company to enter a 10-year deal, a Petrobangla official said.

Petrobangla will share the profits from the sale of the data, he added.

The survey coverage area is around 118,000sq-km with water depth ranging from 20 metres to more than 2,500 metres.

After a three-year pause, the government is planning to formulate a fresh production sharing contract (PSC) model to award offshore hydrocarbon blocks in the Bay of Bengal.

The survey, the first of its kind in the country’s history, was deemed necessary after Bangladesh’s maritime boundaries with Myanmar and India were settled recently.

The maritime border settlement awarded Bangladesh a territorial sea covering 118,000sq-km and an exclusive economic zone extending to 200 nautical miles.

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

Four return from Nepal n Tribune Report After flying with relief goods for the fourth time to disaster-hit Nepal, a Bangladeshi aircraft landed in Dhaka with two women and two children yesterday.

An Inter Service Public Relations Directorate press release said the four returned in the afternoon but their identities were not disclosed.

The special flight of Bangladesh Air Force flew to Kathmandu with relief materials for Nepal’s earthquake victims

earlier in the morning.

Flight C 130 returned and landed at Tejgaon Airport after 4pm.

The first shipment of relief goods was sent to Nepal on April 26, and was followed by two other shipments on May 1 and 3.

The relief materials were sent to the Himalayan nation as per the direction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

A devastating earthquake hit Nepal on April 25 and the death toll topped 8,000, Times of India reported yesterday. l

Shahidul Islam, director of Uttaran, and Ruhi M Ahmed, head of CSR, PR and communicatio of BSRM, sign an MoU for installing deep tube-wells in disaster-prone areas in Barisal, Patuakhali, Borguna and Bhola yesterday

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FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Man to die for killing child after abduction

The judge said Jahirul was a cold-blooded murderer who killed 7-year-old Sifat for money On March 26, 2012, Jahirul abducted Tonn Md Sanaul Islam Tipu moy, a second-grader of Mirpur Model AcadA Dhaka court yesterday sentenced a man to death for killing seven-year-old Sifat Ali Tonmoy after kidnapping him in 2012.

Judge Tanzina Ismail of Dhaka Women and Children Repression (Prevention) Tribunal 5 passed the verdict against Md Jahirul Islam, 30, in a packed courtroom where the convict was also present. The judge also fined Jahirul Tk1 lakh.

In her observation, the judge said Jahirul was a cold-blooded killer who carried out a killing for money. She also pointed out that the killer had put up a normal appearance in front of others following the murder of the child, even going as far as walking in front of the victim’s parents feigning ignorance.

The convict must receive the capital punishment as no child was free from his heinous greed, the judge said.

According to the case statement, Jahirul was a tenant of the house of Hazrat Ali, the victim’s father.

emy, from the capital’s Mirpur.

On the following day, the parents received a phone call from an unknown number with a woman on the other end demanding Tk8 lakh in ransom.

Tonmoy’s father immediately notified the Darussalam police, while the Detective Branch of police arrested Jahirul after a brief investigation. They found Tonmoy’s body at Jahirul’s room; the child had been strangled to death.

The same day, victim’s father Hazrat Ali filed a case against Jahirul with Darussalam police station under Women and Children Repression (Prevention) Act. The investigation officer, DB Sub-Inspector Md Sheikh Moniruzzaman, pressed charge sheet against the accused on November 15, 2012, and the court framed charge on March 15, 2013.

After examining 15 out of 18 prosecution witnesses, the judge handed down the verdict. l

RAB arrests five in the capital n Kamrul Hasan Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested five people in connection with illegal medicine business, fake bank notes and drug abuse yesterday.

The arrestees were Moin Uddin, managing director of Dream Together Pvt Limited, Md Nur-e-Alam, 32, Ratan, 26, Babul Fakir, 28, and Sumon Badya, 25.

Among them Nur-e-Alam and Ratan, both hailing from Comilla, were accused of drug business while Babul Fakir and Sumon Baidya, from Gopalganj were arrested for being allegedly involved in making fake notes.

A team led by RAB-2 Deputy Commanding Officer Major Salah Uddin Ahmad busted the office of Dream Together Pvt Limited in Banani, where they found a huge deposit of various medicines worth Tk8 lakh.

Director of the company Moin Uddin con-

fessed that the company had no license and the medicines were stored without any permission from the concerned authorities.

Mohammad Anisur Rahman, RAB executive magistrate and officials from The Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) were present at that time.

RAB also found the medicines to be of low quality and fined the company Tk2 lakh or 3-months jail for failing to pay the fine.

In the meantime, two separate drives at Mohammadpur area arrested four men.

RAB-2 arrested Babul and Sumon from Asadgate area with fake notes worth Tk6000 and 26 cans of beer.

Another team picked up Nur-e-Alam and Ratan from Bizli Moholla with heroine.

They confessed their involvement in the crimes, said Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police Maruf Ahmed, operation officer of RAB-2. l

Writ seeks probe into polls irregularities n Tribune Report A writ petition was filed with the High Court yesterday seeking its directive to form a judicial inquiry commission for investigation into the reported irregularities during the April 28 city corporation polls.

The petitioner prayed to the High Court (HC) to direct the Election Commission (EC) and the government to form the commission with its retired judges. Eunus Ali Akand, a Supreme Court lawyer, submitted the petition.

He also prayed the HC to issue a rule upon the EC and the government to explain why their alleged failure in holding the city elec-

tions in a free and fair manner should not be declared illegal.

In the petition he requested the court to make the EC, chief election commissioner and secretaries to the LGRD, home and law and returning officers of Dhaka North, Dhaka South and Chittagong city corporations respondents.

Citing media reports that said there were massive irregularities during the three city polls, the petitioner also claimed that different countries and international organisations including the United States, United Kingdom and United Nations have demanded investigation into the irregularities. l

Internet access to be available to all n Tribune Report Prime Minister’s ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy yesterday said the government had a plan to make internet access available to all across the country. Joy made the statement at the inaugural function of the Digital Investment Summit at a city hotel.

“We are placing emphasis on the devel-

opment of information and communication technology (ICT) sector to ensure access of people of all levels to internet facilities. To fulfill the target, the existing telecommunication policy to be amended,” he told the function.

Joy emphasised on the ICT sector to ensure access of people of all levels to internet facilities aiming to supplement the efforts to build a “Digital Bangladesh” by 2021. l

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FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Diarrhoea outbreak Correspondent, n Our Meherpur Diarrhoea broke out at an alarming rate during last three days in Meherpur district.

Sources said a total of 500 people had been affected by the disease. Of them, 300 were admitted to hospital.

Dr Alok Kumar Das, medical officer of Meherpur General Hospital said that everyday a good number of patients attacked by the disease got admitted to the hospital.

“The number of diarrhoea affected patients, most of whom are children, has drastically risen. There are 10 beds allocated for diarrhoea-affected patients, however, currently 300 patients are admitted here.” he said.

Some patients alleged that the they did not get proper

treatment and the physicians behaved rude with them.

Dr Alok said medicines provided by the government had been given to the patients earlier and there was no medicine for them.

During a visit, it was found a number of patients suffering from the disease were lying on the floor of the hospital due to the shortage of enough beds.

An on-duty nurse said the flow of diarrhoea affected child patients was increasing every day Civil Surgeon Dr Azizur Rahman Siddique said a medical team led by Dr Alok had been formed to face the situation.

Mayor Motassim Billah Matu said the reason behind the disease was under investigation and a medical team had been formed already in this connection. l

Charvita pry school students attend classes under open sky Correspondent, n Our Thakurgaon The students of Charvita Government Primary School in Haripur upazila have long been compelled to take part in classes under open sky because of having a serious classroom and bench crisis there.

The sorry condition of the school remained continued for about six months as the authorities concerned are yet to take any initiative to erect new establishment for them.

It was learnt that Charvita Government Primary School was established in 2001. At present, there are four teachers for 176 students. Educational activities was initially started through erecting bamboo-fence establishment with the help from locals and since then the process had remained continued.

In 2014, a nor’wester badly damaged the school, compelling its students to take part in classes under sky.

Being informed, officials from the local administration and the district education officer visited the school. No government steps to build new building for the school have appeared yet.

On the other hand, local philanthropists established two semipucca tin-shed classrooms, each of which houses only 13 benches. Even some students were taking class on floor in two other rooms.

A class-IV student named Rekha said they have to take shelter under the establishment during rain although sometimes she finds her books and other materials wet.

Another student, namely Ali, from class-V, said he was very much concerned about the upcoming PSC examination as he cannot keep concentration duo to the classroom problem.

The school’s teacher Rehana Begum said they students have been victim of different sort of diseases caused by the scorching sun and sudden rain.

On April 30, local Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Chandra Biswas paid a visit to the school to observe its sorry state.

Nurul Islam, the school’s managing committee president, said although they had informed the higher authorities about the vulnerable condition of the school, but any reply is yet to appear in this regard. l

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FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Mass resignation at JU withdrawn as protest sees the end n JU Correspondent The agitating 27 teachers of two departments of Jahangirnagar University (JU), who earlier placed letter of resignation to realise home their demands, have retreated from their move following an assurance from the university authorities.

The decision came from a meeting between the teachers as well as the department’s students and the JU authorities on Wednesday night.

In line with the development, the students who launched a fast unto death strike have also called off their movement following the aforesaid grounds.

Source said the agitators have called an end to the movement as the teachers’ union and the dean committee jointly on behalf of the JU authorities met them on Wednesday and assured them to meet their demands.

Later, the protesters announced the decision of protest withdrawal through a press release.

Earlier, JU Teachers’ Association (JUTA) formed an eight-member committee in order

WEATHER

DRY WEATHER FRIDAY, MAY 8 DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 6:30PM

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:20AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY 32 34 35 32 37 35 29 33

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

25 26 25 24 25 26 22 26

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

37.4ºC Rajshahi

21.7ºC Srimangal Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr

3:56am

Sunrise

5:20am

Jumma

11:55am

Asr

4:33pm

Magrib

6:29pm

Esha

7:59pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

to break the impasse. Biochemistry and molecular science department Prof SM Badiar Rahman and pharmacy department teacher Prof Mafruhi Sattar were made its convener and member secretary respectively, source said.

When contacted, CSE Chairman Prof Sharif Uddin yesterday told the Dhaka Tribune: “We have withdrawn our movement over the authorities’ assurance of solving the ongoing crisis and the teachers also cancelled their letter of resignation.”

Prof Sharif continued that the committee decided not allow anybody to use the disputed second and third floors of the newly-built science building unless the ongoing crisis sees the end.

When asked, JUTA General Secretary Prof Mafruhi Sattar said: “We have talked to the protesting sides concurrently and we have decided to call off the movement with a view to bringing out a permanent solution in this regard.”

On April 30, the JU syndicate committee in an emergency meeting allotted 28,000sqft of the two floors in the building to environmental science department. l

Student hacked to death in Jhenaidah n Our Correspondent, Jhenaidah A student was hacked to death at Bherakhali village in Harinakundo upazila of the district yesterday night.

The victim was identified as Kamruzzaman, 22, son of Selim Miah. He was a student of Alamdanga Agriculture Diploma College.

Ershadul Kobir, officer-in-charge of Harinakundo police station said some miscreants hacked Kamruzzaman with sharp weapons entering his bedroom while he was sleeping.

He died on the spot. l

Lightning strike kills 5 n Our Correspondent, Mymensingh Five people, including two siblings, were killed and six others injured in separate incidents of lightning strike in the district Abdul Haque, officer-in-charge of Dhobaura police station said two siblings Delwar Hossain, 12, a Class III student of Gujirkandi Government Primary School and son of Atar Khan of Kandapara village in Dhobaura upazila and his sister Rahima Khatun, 9 died on the spot as a thunderbolt hit them while they were reading lessons in a balcony of their house in the village in the morning.

Three people were also injured in the incident, he said.

They were first taken to Dhobaura Upazila Health Complex and later shifted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

On the other hand, farmer Kafil Uddin, 55, was killed as a lightning struck him at Bhita village in Fulpur upazila, officer-in-charge of Fulpur police station Majharul Haque said. l

Mother, daughter killed in Ctg n Tribune Report A woman and her 10-year-old daughter were killed by slitting throats in Dakshin Nalapara area of Sadarghat in the port city yesterday morning.

The deceased were Nasima Akhtar, 30, wife of Md Shah Alam, and their daughter Riya Akhtar Falguni, a fourth grade student of Madarbari Government Primary High School, said Assistant Commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police Shah Mohammed Abdur Rauf.

Police recovered a knife from the spot and detained four persons in this connection.

AC Abdur Rauf said police suspected that

they were killed during a robbery as 10 tolas of gold and Tk120,000 have remained missing.

Domestic help Jamela said like every day she had gone to the flat around 10am and spotted the them in a pool of blood and informed Shah Alam’s brother-in-law Alal. Later, Alal informed Shah Alam.

Mobasser Hossain Mia, owner of the building, Shah Alam had rented the flat three months back where seven members were living there”.

Additional deputy Commissioner Tanvir Arafat of CMP’s DB said murderer were familiar to the family, but professional assailants might have been involved. l

Alleged robber lynched in Ctg n Tribune Report An alleged robber was beaten to death by a mob at Lord Chandrapur village at Banskhali upazila in Chittagong early yesterday.

The deceased was Habibur Rahman alias Kalu, 35, the chief of Kalu Group, said Officerin-Charge of Banskhali police station Swapan Majumdar. The two persons—Ziaul Haque and Abdur Rashid were injured during chasing the robbers, said the OC adding that he said they

were admitted at Banskhali Upazila Heath Complex.

OC Swapan Majumdar said a group of 8 to 10 robbers had stormed into one Ozi Ahmed’s house at eastern side of the village at around 2:30am and looted one tola of gold, cash and cell phone at gun point.

Later, the locals hearing the hue and cry of the residents of the house chased the robber gang and caught Kalu and gave him a good beating, leaving him dead on the spot, said the OC. l

DT

8 WORLD

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

CAR to take ‘legal action’ against rape accused French soldiers

n AFP, Bangui The Central African Republic will take legal action against the French soldiers accused of raping children in exchange for food at a refugee camp, the country’s justice minister said Wednesday.

“Legal action will be pursued ... These are still very serious acts,” said Justice Minister Aristide Sokambi, insisting his nation was not targeting France but individual soldiers.

Several children - the youngest just nine - allege that 14 soldiers dispatched to the impoverished nation as part of a peacekeeping force sexually abused some of them in exchange for food between December 2013 and June 2014. l

UN urged to oppose EU migrant boat ‘bombing’ plan As human remains are retrieved from a mass grave yesterday, more than 50 Thai police officers have been punished over suspected links to human trafficking networks involving Bangladeshi and Rohingya victims REUTERS

Hunt on for modern-day slavers n Reuters More than 50 Thai police officers have been punished over suspected links to human trafficking networks, the country’s police chief yesterday said after the prime minister ordered a probe into the discovery of trafficking camps near the Malaysian border.

Thirty-three bodies, believed to be migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh, have been found in shallow graves over the past week in the southern province of Songkhla. Some of the bodies were found at a suspected human trafficking camp hidden deep in the jungle.

“We have transferred over 50 police officers over this issue because commanders in local areas know who has been involved in what,” Chief of Royal Thai Police General Somyot Poompanmuang told reporters ahead

of a meeting in Bangkok to discuss efforts to crack down on the illicit trade.

“In the past there were no sincere efforts to solve this problem. This is only something that has happened recently.”

Some Thai officials say human trafficking has been allowed to flourish for years amid indifference and, sometimes, complicity by Thai authorities.

Thai army rangers found another abandoned camp on Thursday, according to a Reuters reporter at the scene, around 5 kilometres from a camp discovered on Wednesday where six bodies were dug up.

A man’s body in a shallow grave was found around 300 metres from the camp uncovered yesterday.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered a clean up of suspected human

trafficking camps around the country within 10 days, while UN officials have called for a regional effort to end the illicit trade.

Sunai Phasuk of Human Rights Watch told Reuters that the latest crackdown was the “first effort by the Thai government to leave no stone unturned” and called for an investigation of military personnel suspected of involvement in human trafficking.

“We see local politicians and police being investigated and named but what about military personnel? What about officials from forestry departments which have long been alleged to have provided support to human traffickers?”

Thai police have arrested four men - three Thais and a Myanmar national - on suspicion of human trafficking. Arrest warrants have been issued for a further 14 people, police said yesterday. l

Russian spaceship to burn up on re-entry today

Limits on US surveillance elusive

n AFP, Moscow

n AFP, Washington

Russia said an unmanned supply ship set for the International Space Station will fall back to Earth Friday and burn up in the atmosphere, after the spacecraft suffered a communications failure.

A few hours after launch, mission control lost contact with it. The Progress is expected to “end its existence on May 8 [between 21:45 GMT Thursday and 03:36 GMT Friday],” the Russian space agency said.

“The space ship will completely burn up in the layers of the atmosphere and only a few small parts of its construction could reach the surface of our planet,” the space agency said.

It said the crash would be similar to a planned descent. Russia sends three or four such spacecraft per year to supply the ISS. They then fall back to Earth and burn up in the atmosphere above the Pacific Ocean. l

Many US lawmakers and an array of interest groups want to rein in the government’s surveillance programs. With a deadline looming less than a month away, consensus on how to curb data collection has proven elusive.

The coming weeks are critical because of a June 1 expiration of a key section of the US Patriot Act which has been used as a legal basis for much of the vast surveillance carried out by the National Security Agency.

Privacy advocates are divided on the steps to be taken.

Many activists are pinning their hopes on the USA Freedom Act, set to go before the House of Representatives in the coming week after a bipartisan 25-2 approval in committee.

The bill would end bulk collection of Americans’ phone and Internet data under section 215 of the Patriot Act, and would open some

of the secretive practices of data collection.

The American Civil Liberties Union says a better option is to let the law expire and to foster a broader debate on the scope of government surveillance.

Others say the bill would do more harm than good.

A letter to lawmakers from more than 30 organizations -- including the AmericanArab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the Sunlight Foundation and Demand Progress -- urges lawmakers to oppose the bill.

“The USA Freedom Act pays companies to spy on Americans, plain and simple, and then gives them liability protection, even when what they’re doing breaks the law. What a horribly bad policy,” said Sascha Meinrath, director of X-Lab, a Washington technology and policy think tank. “Section 215 was designed to sunset, and it is well past time that it did so.” l

n AFP Italy’s Red Cross president on Wednesday spoke out against European plans to destroy migrant boats used by smugglers in the Mediterranean, as the United Nations weighed whether to endorse the military campaign.

Francesco Rocca, president of the Italian Red Cross, told UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that instead of resorting to force, more legal avenues must be opened to allow asylum-seekers to reach Europe safely.

The most controversial option under discussion would involve military action to destroy the boats used by the smugglers before they are overloaded with migrants.

Ban has also criticized the plan, saying that destroying boats could affect the livelihoods of local fishermen who may be forced into dealings with the smugglers to make ends meet.

Security Council members Britain, France, Spain and Lithuania are working with Italy on a draft resolution that would endorse the EU plan. l

Ivory Coast bans skin whitening creams

n AFP, Abidjan

Ivory Coast has banned skin whitening creams, which are widely used in west Africa, because of fears they cause lasting damage to health, the health ministry said Wednesday.

The ban affects whitening creams and lotions containing mercury and its derivatives, cortisone, vitamin A or more than two percent hydroquinine, a lightening agent that is used to develop photographs.

Lightening products can lead to hypertension and diabetes, said Elidje Ekra, a dermatologist at the Treichville University hospital in Abidjan.

The creams are also extremely popular in India, Pakistan and Japan, as well as in the Middle East. l

DT

WORLD 9

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

US, Saudi Arabia announce 5-day ceasefire in Yemen ‘soon’ n AP, Riyadh Saudi Arabia and the United States yesterday said a renewable, five-day cease-fire in Yemen’s war would start soon to facilitate aid to millions of civilians in need, if Iran-backed rebels and their allies also agree to stop fighting.

At a joint news conference, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said the kingdom would halt airstrikes in Yemen because it is determined to expand relief assistance to the Yemeni people. Saudi Arabia will provide

A lone pedestrian walks to a Jewish settlement in the mainly Arab eastern sector of Jerusalem on Wednesday. Israel has approved 900 new settler homes since its new government was formed AFP

Palestinian ire over new Israel government n AFP, Jerusalem After reaching a late-night deal on a new coalition, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu signed an agreement yesterday giving a senior role to the far-right Jewish Home that firmly opposes a Palestinian state.

Following six weeks of intensive negotiations, the Israeli premier finally managed to forge a government late on Wednesday, just an hour before a legal deadline. Had he failed, he would have forfeited his position as premier.

The Palestinians immediately denounced Netanyahu’s new administration, with chief negotiator Saeb Erakat saying it was clear it would not be working for peace and would seek to expand settlements.

This coalition “will be one of war which will be against peace and stability in our region,” he told AFP. “This government will set its sights on killing and reinforcing settlement activities,” he said of Israel’s ongoing construction on land the Palestinians want for a future state.

As the new government took shape, Israel gave the green light for construction of another 900 new homes in Ramat Shlomo, a settlement neighbourhood east Jerusalem, the Peace Now settlement watchdog said.

The composition of Netanyahu’s rightwing,

religious coalition marks a new shift to the right by giving increased prominence to Naftali Bennett’s nationalist-religious Jewish Home party, which strongly backs settlement activity.

The move looks set to likely to complicate Israel’s damaged relationship with the Palestinians and further strain ties with the international community.

But with a wafer-thin majority of 61 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, the coalition looked set to face an uphill battle for survival, with commentators unanimous that Netanyahu would seek to broaden it out in the coming months.

Analysts said there was not likely to be any immediate change in Israel’s policy towards the Palestinians, while acknowledging that Bennett’s strong position at the table would likely strengthen the settlement enterprise.

Under terms of the agreement, Bennett and his party will take several key portfolios, including justice and education, as well as control of the World Zionist Organisation’s settlement division, which transfers money to settlements.

The party will have two seats in the security cabinet and his number two, Uri Ariel, will also become deputy defence minister with responsibility for the Civil Administration that runs all civilian affairs in most of the occupied West Bank. l

$274 million in new assistance, he said.

Secretary of State John Kerry said the socalled “humanitarian pause” wouldn’t start for several days, enough time for diplomatic efforts to convince the Houthi rebels and their backers to accept the terms of the deal.

Kerry said the cease-fire would mean “no bombing, no shooting” and no repositioning of forces. The UN says at least 646 civilians have been killed since the start of the bombing campaign March 26. Some 300,000 have been uprooted from their homes. l

DT

10 WORLD

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Officials: Hundreds of bodies buried in Nepal avalanche n Reuters Body parts are strewn on the slopes of a mountain in Nepal, and up to 300 people, many of them foreigners, are believed buried there by an avalanche set off by last month’s devastating earthquake, an official said yesterday.

Rescuers pulled out six bodies from the Langtang village area, 60 km (40 miles) north of Kathmandu, on Wednesday but operations were being hampered by bad weather, said Gautam Rimal, assistant district administrator in the area.

About 100 bodies were recovered in the area on Saturday and Sunday and Rimal had previously said about 120 more were buried there.

But on Thursday he said the number could

be as high as 300, including 110 foreigners.

“There are body parts, broken limbs and pieces of flesh scattered in the area,” he said.

The government has said 7,759 people were killed in the April 25 earthquake and more than 16,000 injured.

Only a fraction of the emergency funds the United Nations has requested for victims of the earthquake have come in, UN officials said yesterday, as crises around the world put unprecedented demands on international donors.

Of the $415 million requested by the UN and its partners last week, just $22.4 million has been provided.

“It’s a poor response,” Orla Fagan, spokeswoman for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told Reuters. l

DT

EDITORIAL 11

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

New mayors must pass the recycling test

O

nly around half of the waste generated in Dhaka is collected by the city’s waste collection system.

The new mayors must make it a priority to increase this amount and ensure proper treatment and recycling. Dhaka’s Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Plan has failed to make adequate progress against a backdrop which has seen waste grow by over a half in the last decade.

Totally unacceptable hazards and nuisance are caused by the dysfunctional state of current recycling services which sees noxious and often toxic materials tipped out daily for sorting on major roads.

Collection rates must be improved and recycling sites better managed so public perception of waste is transformed from being a hazard into a resource that sees increased recycling rates support the livelihoods of waste pickers and informal recyclers.

There is no shortage of laborious and expertise to make a city-wide waste and recycling service work properly. What we need is leadership and awareness-raising so that all residents feel a responsibility to dispose of litter responsibly and support recycling schemes. This must be supported by regularly emptied recycling and waste bins to facilitate more sensible waste disposal.

Community based recycling schemes should be rolled out city-wide, so more household waste is processed responsibly. Experience shows well managed schemes are highly cost effective and not only boost recycling rates but also make people less likely to litter in other areas.

As the economy grows, more waste will be created. We cannot afford not to build a system which treats it properly.

Community based recycling schemes should be rolled out citywide, so more household waste is processed responsibly

No excuse for lack of clean water

I

t is deeply regrettable that the third phase of the construction of the Saidabad water treatment plant is going to miss its July deadline.

Officials are citing a shortage of funds allocated by the Danish International Development Agency (Danida) which is due to fund 40% of the $500m project. Reportedly, the government is currently confused over whether this money will come as a grant or a project loan.

It makes little sense for the project to be delayed for such a basic reason at such a crucial phase. The government must take responsibility for the failure to ensure this crucial project is implemented in a timely and efficient manner.

Dhaka needs WASA to make swifter progress on building water treatment and sewage facilities suitable for a city of its size.

Making matters worse is the deteriorating condition of the Shitalakkhya river. There is a growing risk of the prime source of Dhaka’s water supply becoming untreatable in the near future. Problems such as these should have been foreseen much earlier, especially given our nation’s summer water crises, which reoccurs every year.

Clean water is not a luxury or an unforeseen necessity. The poor progress on this type of project indicates unacceptable indifference and inefficiency by the authorities responsible. The government must do more to fulfill its duty to ensure safe and adequate supplies of water for the public. This requires real reform to overcome project delays and more foresight in tackling pollution and planning for a water and sewage system fit for the capital’s growing population.

Dhaka needs WASA to make swifter progress on building water treatment and sewage facilities suitable for a city of its size

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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Learn to respect women

April 17 clothed. sundar “Stop feeling ashamed of the human body, sundar the naked human body” -- then what is the Dev Saha: Yes, go on respecting, no problem problem, why this unnecessary noise? Some with that, the problem is with those who people who are fond of the naked human are not interested in respecting anybody body tried to take some women’s clothes off -- clothed or naked. What are you going to their bodies in that festive procession. do with them?

There was, according to the author, Our comments, in whatever lovely nothing to be ashamed of. If the women language and feeling that is expressed, are concerned and the accompanying not going to rectify them. How to cope with participants took it sportingly as part them, that is the question. Thousands of of the festivities, there would not have people were there but none of them, except been any problems. Why the women a frail-bodied Liton Nandi, went to the folk feel ashamed of the event is not victims’ aid. understandable.

Dev Saha sundar: Crap! If the touching is consensual and in private, that would be okay. Obviously that was not the case here. Respect we must, whether a person is naked or fully

Breadbitten sundar: You can’t just read some parts of the article and base your baseless argument on one tangent of the said article -- that’s anarchy!

DT

12 OPINION

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

BIGSTOCK

What happened to the third-party candidates? n Zafar Sobhan

T

he recently concluded Dhaka North mayoral election was a disappointment for those who had been hoping to see the rise of non-AL and BNP candidates.

Dhaka South and Chittagong were twohorse races, but Dhaka North had a number of interesting third-party options, most notably Zonayed Saki, Mahi B Chowdhury, and Abdullah al-Kafi.

As it happened, Mahi did not cross 15,000 votes, Saki did not cross 10,000, and Kafi did not cross 5,000 votes. In fact, all small party candidates combined barely scraped together 50,000 votes compared to the 325,000 recorded by the BNP-backed Tabith Awal and the 460,000 bagged by AL-backed Annisul Huq. Now, one should not read too much into the numbers, and certainly the fact that BNP as well as Saki withdrew from the race in the early afternoon on voting day, together with the irregularities that marred the process, combined to deliver a result that tells us less than we would have hoped.

However, any way you slice it, it wasn’t a good outing for third-party candidates.

So why did the small party candidates do so badly? Is it conclusive evidence of the enduring popularity of the AL and the BNP? Is the take-away that these two parties retain an iron grip on the affections of the Bangladeshi voter and that there is no room in the political firmament for anyone else?

By no means.

What we saw in the DNCC mayoral elec-

tion was nothing more than the realpolitik of the Bangladeshi electoral system writ large.

Bangladeshi voters are nothing if not shrewd and calculating. They understand the rules of the game and how the game is played.

In the first instance, they understand how difficult it would be for a small party candidate to deliver if he or she were to win.

tioned accordingly, and wards which return a high proportion of votes for the winning side can expect far better service delivery than those that choose the wrong side. Too many votes for the wrong side, and we have seen this time and again in the aftermath of elections in Bangladesh, and the retribution sought will be physical as well as material.

Most crucially, despite everything, the

The failure of the third-party candidates does not tell us that there is no market or appetite for them and their wares, only that under the current electoral system, that they will always remain shut out Navigating the mire of city politics would be challenging for anyone, but for someone without major party backing to be able to operate effectively through all the intricacies of ward-level politics would be a tough ask.

In the second, they understand that there are advantages to ending up on the winning side. Many Bangladeshi voters vote for the party they believe will win, not the one they think ought to win or would like to see win, because they know that when the dust settles that the winning party will remember which localities turned out for it and which localities did not.

The spoils of governance will be appor-

advantages that supporting a major party offers at the polls still outweigh the promise of something fresh and new.

The real problem third-party candidates face is that our first-past-the-post electoral system loads the dice heavily against them, making it extremely difficult for even an excellent third-party candidate to get traction at the polls.

It could be that many voters would have preferred to vote for one of the smaller candidates but calculated that it was best to vote for either AL or BNP as these were the only two that had a realistic chance of winning.

If you really wanted to stop AL, then a

vote for BNP remained your best bet. And if you really wanted to ensure that BNP did not come to power, then you had no choice but to vote for AL. This is how it has always been in Bangladeshi politics.

In short, the failure of the third-party candidates does not tell us that there is no market or appetite for them and their wares, only that under the current electoral system, that they will always remain shut out.

This is true of third-party candidates the world over, and not just in Bangladesh.

But the take-away from this should not be that third-party candidates are failures or cannot deliver, but that if we want a more participatory democracy, with more voices being heard, and giving the voters the chance to empower someone other than the big two, that our current electoral system is not equal to the task.

The disappointing showing of third-party candidates in the DNCC elections suggests more about the failings of our electoral system than it suggests about the candidates’ inability to connect with voters.

If the big parties really feel that third-party candidates cannot and do not connect with voters, they should be happy to put that theory to the test.

But until and unless that happens, a poor showing at the polls tells us very little about what voters think about such candidates or whether they would vote for them if they felt they could vote with their conscience and their preference. l Zafar Sobhan is the Editor, Dhaka Tribune.

DT

OPINION 13

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Don’t just blame the police n Faruque Hasan

A

lmost everyone is blaming the police for its failure to prevent the sexual assault on women by a group of men during the Pohela Boishakh celebrations at the Dhaka University campus.

But how far can the police be blamed for this failure and inaction?

First of all, the place where the terrible incident took place is a no-action zone for the police. That place is the de facto sanctuary for the members of a certain student wing of certain a political party.

They enjoy immunity from the long arms of the law. And in practice, the place exclusively belongs to that all-powerful student organisation. When someone commits an offence in that area, the police assume he is the member of that student organisation.

So, a policeman does not dare take action against the offenders, fearing that his job will be at stake. If he is not sacked from his job for taking action, there is a great possibility that he will be transferred to a remote part of the country, or will undergo some sort of punishment. Who would willingly bring misfortune upon himself, when inaction saves himself from such perils? This might also be the reason the nearby police personnel stayed as indifferent onlookers when Avijit was heinously murdered.

There are countless complaints against the police force of Bangladesh. One complaint is its inefficiency. Is this a fair accusation? We have seen in the past that during the short tenures of the undemocratic, unconstitutional caretaker governments, the same police force became quite efficient.

During that time, criminals were in hibernation; and the crime rate in the country took a nosedive. Which magic wand made our police force so efficient in no time? And why do they go back to their old practices under democratic regimes?

Whenever a democratic government in Bangladesh takes the reins, many government-backed people are put in powerful positions. In the eyes of the law, every citizen of this country is equal. But as Orwell said in Animal Farm, these people are more equal than others.

Their solemn duty is to protect criminals -- from murderers to rapists -- from the law of the land by using their influence. How can the police be efficient and protect law and order in the country while they are in constant fear of these heavyweights?

We need to recognise the reality that our police force is faced with when we judge them. Blaming only the police will not solve the problem.

There is no denying that members of our police force are not properly trained. Once our car got stuck in the middle of a London street; from nowhere, two police officers came running and helped us push the car to the side of the street.

We cannot expect things like this in Bangladesh. Police think that their only duty is to beat up people when orders come from the high-ups. Except this duty, they do not know what their other duties and responsibilities

DHAKA TRIBUNE

We cannot blame the entire police force for the untoward acts of a few members of the force. There are dirty officers even in the police forces of developed countries

are. They should be taught during their training that their first and foremost duty is to serve the people.

The whole police force is constantly being accused for its failure to protect the victims of the sexual assault on Pohela Boishakh; the police are denying the occurrence of any such incident with equal vehemence. We

cannot blame the entire police force for the untoward acts or inactions of a few members of the force. There are dirty officers even in the police forces of developed countries.

If we stop blaming the whole police force and the government for what has happened, then they will stop denying the incident, and will eagerly go to catch the culprits, which is

what we want. Otherwise, we will be stuck in this vicious cycle of blaming and denying.

During violent hartal days, when we go out of our house for a few hours, our family members worry about our safety. How must the members of the police-families feel when their dear ones spend the whole day on-duty out in the streets, facing brick-bats and bombs being hurled?

The incessant political chaos in the country is not their making. But they are the ones to bear the brunt of the political violence.

Few are aware that during hartal days, they work 14 to 16 hours a day.

People must not dread the police or any other law enforcment agency. Law-abiding people should respect and love them; criminals are the ones who should dread them.

In order for our police force to be efficient, it needs to be freed from the bondage of unscrupulous influential people. l Faruque Hasan is a freelance contributor.

DT

14 OPINION

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

A dream that hasn’t come true n SM Shahrukh

B

angladesh was born in 1971 after an unprecedented genocide that saw millions killed, hundreds of thousands of women raped, millions made orphans, people losing all their worldly possessions in the blink of an eye.

After Operation Searchlight was launched on March 25, 1971 as the West Pakistani tanks rolled on the streets of Dhaka, millions fled and the unlucky ones lay dead by the gutters.

It is not only the minority Hindus who were targeted but the masses in general faced the barrel of a gun.

Indiscriminate slaughter of innocents resulted and the intelligentsia were in the process of getting wiped out. The Pakistani army found wiling cronies in certain die-hard believers of the failed dream of Pakistan and many of them were Bengalis themselves.

These people were marked as collaborators.

They have been tried for their crimes and then let go, after political upheaval in the state of Bangladesh changed personnel at the top tier of power. Their trials have started again recently.

The conflict created over 10 million refugees that fled to neighbouring India and an Indian offensive on East Pakistan became inevitable. The Bengalis, after the initial shock of the offensive launched by the marauding West Pakistanis, gathered themselves and started a guerilla warfare. The intention of gaining autonomy became an all out scream for independence. They were helped by the Indians.

From The Blood Telegram by Gary J Bass: “In London, the Sunday Times published a

detailed and gruesome story by a Pakistani journalist, Anthony Mascarenhas, with the screaming headline GENOCIDE. Newsweek ran a horrific cover story. Village after village had been reduced to rubble, with stinking corpses.

The magazine said that a quarter of a million Bengalis had died. It told of a three-yearold child and his teenage mother, both of them refugees : They sat on the ground made muddy by the steady drizzle of the summer rains. The baby’s stomach was grotesquely distended, his arms no thicker than a man’s finger. His mother tried to coax him to eat some rice and dried fish. Finally, the baby mouthed the food feebly, wheezed -- and died.”

Why did the Pakistanis (Western wing) run amok among the people of East Bengal? The Bengalis wanted autonomy (they won the elections of 1970 resoundingly), so the Pakistanis, with overt support from the Nixon administration, rolled tanks over them.

But as is obvious from history, the balance was not tilted in favour of the marauders and the Bengalis, with the Indian army in full support, forced the Pakistanis in the East Wing to surrender within nine months.

A new state was born in the world map: Bangladesh.

A new dawn was seen at the end of a long night of tyranny and people hoped. They hoped that the dawn would never end, it would never see the harsh sun of noon, the long and chilly night would never come. Alas, it was hope in vain; the world kept spinning on its axis.

The people of the landmass called Bangladesh fought in 1971 for their economic eman-

cipation and freedom from exploitation by powers outside her boundaries. They fought not only to save their lives, but hoping for a country free from tyranny, a more equitable distribution of wealth, a country standing on the pillar of religious tolerance -- call it secularism if you want; a country propagating socialistic ideals, not communism.

The wealth of the country has grown, but oppression and exploitation are rampant. People hoped for life to be easier, but that has not happened

Over 40 years after that glorious moment of physical emancipation, what one sees is a dream that has remained a dream, turning to nightmares even, at times. A state religion has been inducted into the constitution which goes against the goals of the original constitution.

Bengalis were always a religious and God-fearing people, but religion was always a private matter. We have not seen that to be the case in a land that is fast losing tolerance for other faiths besides the one practiced by the majority. Politicians are flaunting their “holi-

ness” by ostentatious display of their “piety.”

Deep down, mendacity is eating away the core of the country. A corrupt official or thieving minister is often seen going on holy pilgrimage with a bandwagon in accompaniment.

Equitable distribution is still a far cry. Some people, a small minority, have become fat cats and they have successfully created a plutocracy. The wealth of the country has grown, but oppression and exploitation are rampant. People hoped for life to be easier, but that has not happened; life is a struggle, unnecessary struggle it seems, for teeming millions. But they hope and struggle on.

People should want a lot more and not sit and hope. Whether they get what they hope for or want should not be a consideration; they should still want things to change. Anarchy should not be encouraged but accepting life as fate and lying down in defeat and thinking of better days, that may or may not come, cannot be the answer.

Good days need not be a mirage in the distance, but should seem somewhat palpable.

People need to get at least some of what they want, a lot more than what they are getting now. The cats need some slimming down.

Bangladesh was a dream before inception but cannot remain a dream over four decades after coming into being. She will forge ahead, but things veer off in the wrong direction too often and that is not acceptable.

Rabindranath Tagore wrote: “What we want, we want in folly; what we get, we never wanted at all.” l SM Shahrukh is a freelance contributor.

16

Oil’s bull run hides a deep disconnect, crude traders warn

17

First global code of conduct for FX trading may be within reach

19

Stocks edge up amid volatility

20

DT

Business

15

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Import rebounds in March after twomonth drop

RMG export growth nosedives

Myanmar preferential trade talks in June

n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

n Tribune Report

The readymade garment export growth plunged sharply in April compared to previous three months, which the exporters said was aftershock of the political unrest.

The garment exports grew 1.16% to $1.93bn in the month from one year ago while January, February and March saw growths of 7.98%, 7.22% and 8.40% respectively.

According to the provisional data of Export Promotion Bureau, the overall export earnings in April also declined by 0.53% to $2.39bn.

“January was the booking time, but the manufacturers failed to attract buyers and capture orders due to the political unrest, which is reflected in export earnings of April, Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) president Abdus Salam Murshedy told the Dhaka Tribune.

The July-April data showed the country earned $20.56bn by exporting clothes, which

is 2.98% higher compared to the same period last financial year.

The overall export earnings grew by 2.63% to $25.3bn in the first 10 months FY2014-15, which was $24.65bn in the same period of last fiscal year.

January was the booking time, but manufacturers failed to attract buyers and capture orders due to the political unrest “Exchange rate, particularly the devaluation of Euro against dollar, might have cast impact on the export earnings (in April),” Khondaker Golam Moazzem, additional research director of Centre for Policy Dialogue told the Dhaka Tribune.

Export earnings of April reflected the orders of January, which was to some extent barred due to the weeks-long political unrest and if it is the impact of the unrest, export earnings may see further slow-down in the upcoming months, he added.

Abdus Salam Murshedy said price competitiveness is another factor that acted as catalysts for the slow-down. Due to compliance and new wage structure, Bangladesh lost competitiveness to its competitors, he added.

As per the provisional data, woven sector earned $10.55bn, which was 3.85% higher compared to the same period last year, while Knitwear earned over $10.05bn posting 2.7% growth.

Bangladesh has set an export target of $33.2bn this fiscal year while the last year’s export earnings amounted to $30.18bn.

The government also has set export target of over $26.89 bn for the apparel sector, which employed over 4.4m workers mostly the rural women. l

56 businesspersons awarded CIP cards n Tribune Report The Ministry of Industries yesterday awarded 56 industrialists with prestigious Commercially Important Person (CIP) card, recognising their contributions to the economic growth of the country in 2014.

The CIPs, who were selected under seven categories received a CIP card, a crest and a certificate at a function organised at a city hotel.

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu handed over the crests to the award recipients as the chief guest while Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed was special guest.

Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, secretary to the ministry, chaired the function.

The CIPs were awarded for their contributions to employment generation, development of industries from private sector, manufacturing of goods and rise in national income in the year of 2014.

The CIP card was delivered in line with the CIP (industry) policy 2012.

Addressing the meeting, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu said the function was organised to encourage the industrialists and recognise their contributions to the economy through honouring them.

“The CIPs will work as Bangladesh ambassadors to international arena. The government will keep in mind about your concerns so that products manufactured by you are properly exported abroad,” he said.

The minister also said the industry-re-

lated policies will have strong emphasis on advancement of private investments for the development of private sector.

Among the CIPs, 12 are recognised as ex-officio, 21 representing large-scale industry while nine medium industry, six small industry, two micro industry, one cottage industry and five service industry.

CIPs under ex-officio category are Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Chamber of Industries President AK Azad, National Association of Small and Cottage Industries of Bangladesh President Mirza Nurul Gani Shovon, Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Atiqul Islam, Bangladesh Employers Federation president Tapan Chowdhury, Women Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh President Nasreen Fatema Awal, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) President AKM Salim Osman, Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Sangita Ahmed, Bangladesh Jute Mills Association President Mohammad Shams-Uz-Joha, Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Rupali Haque Chowdhury, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry former President Mohammad Shahjahan Khan and Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry former president Rokia Afzal Rahman.

CIPs from other six categories include Abdul Monem Limited Managing Director (MD) Abdul Monem, BRB Cable Industries Ltd MD M Parvez Rahman, Envoy Textiles Ltd MD Ku-

tubuddin Ahmed, Square Consumer Products limited MD Anjan Chowdhury, ACI Formulations Ltd Chairman M Anis Ud Dowla, Runner Automobiles Ltd Chairman Hafizur Rahman Khan, Gem Jute Ltd MD Kazi Enam Ahmed, Gemini Sea Food Ltd MD Kazi Shahid Ahmed, Igloo Foods Ltd Director ASM Moinuddin Monem, Navana Real Estate Vice-Chairman Sajedul Islam, Navana Limited Chairman Shafiul Islam and Sheltech Limited MD Taufiq M Seraj.

The selected CIPs will enjoy a number of facilities including a card to be used for entering secretariat, invitation in national programmes and city corporation’s citizen reception programmes for the next one year from May 7, 2015.

During their business-related visits, they will get reserved seats in government’s air services, rail, road and waterways.

With regard to their visit abroad, they will be awarded with a letter of introduction from the Foreign Ministry which they can submit to high commissions and Embassies for getting visa.

The CIPs, their spouses and children will get priority in getting cabin facilities in government hospitals for medical treatment. They will also be allowed to use VIP lounge II in airport.

The government can also include their names as members while formulation of industry-related policy. l

Bangladesh has decided to start talks with Myanmar from June on signing preferential trade agreement, said official sources.

The decision was made at an inter-ministerial meeting in Dhaka yesterday.

The business people and other stakeholders attended the meeting which discussed pros and cons of signing such trade deals with the next-door neighbour.

“We will start negotiations with Myanmar authorities from June about signing PTA,” Senior Commerce Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon told Dhaka Tribune after the meeting.

He said air services with Myanmar had also begun as a step to enhance bilateral ties.

The secretary said local businessmen were facing acute problems in financing their trade with the country as no traditional banking system is in place between the two nations.

The meeting stressed the need to remove lack of trust between the two countries on Rohingya refugee and some other border-related issues.

Bangladesh Tariff Commission recently carried out a study on the prospect of trade deals like PTA between the two neighbouring countries and submitted it to the ministry of commerce.

The study has portrayed both positive and negative sides of the potential trade pact under which both countries are supposed to cut back on duties.

It revealed that Myanmar has freed up its market recently after democratic government came to power and many reforms are taking place there.

Many western companies have already started investing in the former junta-ruled country. Some of the Bangladeshi companies are also among them.

Statistics show that in fiscal year 2012-13, Bangladesh exported goods worth $13.67m to Myanmar and imported goods of $484m from there.

Bangladesh’s major export products to Myanmar include frozen foods, agro-products, chemical products, leather, jute goods, knitwear, woven garments, rice, lentils, fish and timber. l

DT

16 BUSINESS

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Giant Textiles installs eco-friendly technology in its new venture n Tribune Report Giant Group has recently introduced environmentally friendly and Water Saving Technology in its new venture, Giant Textiles Limited, to satisfy customers in a distinctly superior manner providing quality products with highest price-to-value ratio.

Giant Textiles Limited (GTL), the latest and largest venture of the group, is a state-of-theart environmentally friendly energy saving and fully vertically integrated composite Knit unit with a daily capacity of 25 tonnes of fabrics, said a statement.

As per the commitment, the company installed European machinery, which are energy efficient that require less water and are harmless to environment.

GTL installed the I-Master, the latest mod-

el from the world’s best Thies Dyeing machine from Germany, which is internationally acclaimed and certified as Environmentally friendly dyeing machine.

“Through the aforesaid initiatives, the GTL is all set to implement its core vision to be the best company in clothing industry, reaching company financial goals and developing our two most valuable resources, people and environment,” said Faruque Hassan, managing director of Giant Group.

GTL is fully equipped with an effluent treatment plant (ETP) solution in order to make sure that water released after dyeing is properly treated.

It has full-fledged biological ETP solution from Italy with a capacity of 100 cubic meter per hour that can treat the discharged water close to 30 tons of fabrics per day, said Hassan.

The company also also taken the initiative to recycle the slush and convert it to organic fertiliser. As a part of its eco-friendly initiatives, the group has taken up a new project titled “Water Saving Technology” (WST) together with Lidl Stiftung Co, a leading apparel buyer from Germany to reduce the use of water in dyeing process significantly.

GTL has adopted sustainable and environment friendly dyeing technology supported

by Green Project WST. “We will not only save water, but also reduce carbon emission,” said Hassan Apart from this WST programme, GTL is also signed up for Partnership Agreement on Cleaner Textiles (PACT) programme initiated

by International Finance Corporation (IFC) and world’s largest apparel retailer Zara-Inditex of Spain. l

Oil’s bull run hides a deep disconnect, crude traders warn n Reuters, London While oil futures prices rebound with vigor as analysts cite strong demand, the physical crude market tells a much more cautionary tale.

Tens of millions of barrels are struggling to find buyers in Europe with traders of West African, Azeri and North Sea crude blaming poor demand.

The deep disconnect between the oil futures and physical markets looks similar to the events of June 2014 when the physical market weakness became a precursor for a futures price crash.

“Being large physical buyers of crude we have a direct pulse of the market and feel immediately when it is well supplied, as is happening now,” Dario Scaffardi, executive vice resident and general manager of independent Italian refiner Saras, told Reuters.

“In the short-term, futures prices do not necessarily reflect accurately the physical market.”

Benchmark Brent oil futures prices LCOc1 more than halved between June 2014 and January 2015 after OPEC refused to cut output and instead chose to undercut more expensive producers, including a booming U.S. shale oil sector.

But since January’s lows of $46 per barrel, prices have risen back to $69 per barrel on Wednesday on fears the output in the United States would fall deeper than expected and on signs of a faster-than-expected demand rise across the world.

However, data from OPEC and the International Energy Agency show the world is still pumping 1.5 million barrels per day more crude than it consumes. Traders say they are seeing increased evidence of crude barrels struggling to find a home.

Traders in Azeri Light crude, usually one of Europe’s favorite grades due to its high quality, said some 10 cargoes from the May tanker loading program are struggling to find buyers, just two days before June volumes are due to go into the market. As a result, the Azeri price premium to benchmark dated Brent is the weakest since December, when it hit a five year low.

In the North Sea, Norwegian Ekofisk crude fell to its weakest since August last year due to a significant number of unsold May cargoes, despite June program already trading.

The worst situation, however, is in Angolan and Nigerian crude, which has struggled in the past two years due to the U.S. oil boom.

Traders said around 80 million barrels of

Nigerian and Angolan crude oil are on the market with at least a dozen May-loading cargoes still available.

Indian refiners, which had bought large quantities of Nigerian oil in March and April, are now turning to cheaper Iraqi Basra and Venezuelan crudes.

“Near term oil market fundamentals continue to look dire, particularly in the Atlantic Basin, with Nigerian, Mediterranean and North Sea differentials all weak,” analysts from London-based Energy Aspect consultancy said on Wednesday.

Pushing the mythic rock uphill

There is no guarantee oil futures will definitely follow the physical market as they did after June 2014.

A number of unknowns could take oil prices either way. A failure to reach a nuclear deal between Iran and the West in June will reduce the likelihood of increased supplies from the Islamic Republic and therefore give prices some support.

The ex-boss of BP, Tony Hayward, said last month the withdrawal of capital and workforce from the U.S. shale oil industry was so steep that a new oil price bull market may come much quicker than expected. l

IBM, Facebook team up on analytics, advertising n AFP, Washington IBM and Facebook announced Wednesday they would collaborate with marketers to develop better online advertising targeted to specific customers.

The companies said in a statement they would work together on data analytics for “tailored marketing capabilities that reach the right people at the right time.”

The statement said IBM will use “deep analytics,” on top of Facebook’s anonymized and aggregate audience data, to give marketers a clearer picture of their target audiences.

For example, a retailer can use Facebook data to find people interested in running in order to offer them deals on apparel and other gear for the sport.

“All of this means better ads for people,” the statement said.

Facebook also becomes the first company to join the new IBM Commerce ThinkLab, a research group that works with marketers.

“Our partnership with IBM will help top brands achieve personalization at scale by using IBM’s marketing cloud to find and engage their target audiences on Facebook, as well as solve their vexing challenges by consulting with IBM Commerce ThinkLab,” said Blake Chandlee, vice president of partnerships for Facebook. l

IMF’s Lagarde: Bankers’ pay needs reform

n AFP, Washington International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde called Wednesday for more reform to bankers’ compensation, saying they are still encouraged by their pay packages to take too much risk.

“Incentives related to compensation practices need to change, so that rewards are no longer so much tied to myopic actions and excessive risk taking,” she told a forum co-hosted by the Institute for New Economic Thinking in Washington.

“Compensation packages can be structured to favor the long-term performance and soundness of the firm,” she said.

Lagarde pointed to the possibility of financial institutions cancelling or taking back pay to executives whose actions result in poor performance or force the institution to seek government support. l

CORPORATE NEWS

Industrial Promotion and Development Company of Bangladesh Limited (IPDC) has recently held its 33rd annual general meeting in Dhaka. Chairperson of IPDC of Bangladesh, Sulaiman Ajanee attended the meeting among others, where the management declared a 5% cash and 10% stock dividends for the year 2014

Dutch-Bangla Bank has recently donated Tk100m to Faridpur Diabetic Association to meet up the cost of construction of 5 floors (11th to 15th floor) of the Diabetic Association Medical College & Hospital Building at Jhiltuly, Faridpur. The bank’s MD, KS Tabrez and Mir Nasir Hossain, president of Faridpur Diabetic Association & chairperson at governing body of Diabetic Association Medical College & Hospital have signed an agreement in this regard

National Bank Limited has recently held a foundation course for its probationary officers at the bank’s training institute. The bank’s MD and CEO, Shamsul Huda Khan was present at the closing ceremony as chief guest

DT

BUSINESS 17

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

‘First global code of conduct for FX trading within reach’ n Reuters, London Central banks seeking to quell misconduct in the $5tn a day currency market are hopeful that for the first time they can unify the industry’s disparate codes of conduct into one central document within the next two to four years.

An annual meeting in Tokyo last month of

the central bank-led committees who oversee the largely unregulated market was viewed as a step forward in efforts to create a new framework for monitoring trader behaviour.

The minutes from the meeting say there will be analysis of ways to further harmonise codes after an eight-page global preamble is published. That preamble will sit on top of re-

China pulls out stops to avoid lay-offs as economy cools n Reuters, Beijing As growth in China’s sagging economy looks on the verge of spilling below 7%, officials worried about a spike in unemployment are pulling out all the stops to avoid mass lay-offs.

State firms are encouraged to keep idle workers employed, subsidies and tax breaks are given to companies that do not fire their workers, and some businesses are even enticed into hiring despite the slackening economic growth.

The measures appear to be working for now, said a senior economist at the Development Research Centre, a think-tank affiliated to China’s cabinet.

“There is no big problem in employment. They (top leaders) are more worried about financial risks and debt risks,” said the economist, who declined to be named.

But things could change quickly.

In one of the first signs of distress in China’s labour market, the Liaoning government said in April it had slashed its 2015 job creation target to 400,000 from 700,000, to reflect a “severe” employment trend.

That came in the wake of data that showed Liaoning, one of three rustbelt provinces in northeastern China, grew just 1.9% in the first three months of the year, the slowest of China’s 31 provinces and regions.

Disappearing job opportunities or a spike in unemployment are always a concern for China’s stability-obsessed government, especially with 7.5 million university graduates estimated to join the labour market this year.

A rise in the jobless rate could spur government to stronger policy action to cushion the world’s second-largest economy from what will this year be its slowest growth in a quarter of a century.

“As long as we can prevent

people from losing their jobs and prevent social unrest, we should raise salaries and provide social security and pensions,” said a researcher at China’s powerful economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission.

Flawed measure

In the first quarter, when growth slipped to 7%, the official unemployment rate barely budged. It stood at 4.05% at the end of March, compared with 4.1% at the end of 2014.

But the official figure is widely recognised as a flawed measure since it does not properly account for China’s 274 million rural migrant workers, those most vulnerable to job losses in a cooldown.

Indeed, a handful of indicators already suggest mounting pressure. A private survey of China’s factory sector showed factories have cut jobs for 18 months, while official data showed job creation across the country slowed in the first quarter to 3.24 million, from 3.44 million a year ago.

Worse, a range of disappointing economic data in March stoked worries that annual growth may fall below 7% in the coming months, retreating further from the 7.2% growth that Premier Li Keqiang said was needed in 2014 to create 10 million new jobs.

To keep employees in their jobs, local governments are doing what they can.

Authorities in Shaanxi in central China are giving companies that do not dismiss workers, or dismiss the bare minimum, subsidies worth half the employment insurance that they pay, according to Chinese media reports.

But Julia Wang, an economist at HSBC in Hong Kong, doubts China can avoid a rising unemployment rate for long and could struggle to hit its 10 million new jobs goal this year. l

gional codes, which run upwards of 100 pages.

In private, some central bankers at the centre of the process go further, saying the project may now have enough momentum to overcome long-standing differences between the big market centres in London, Tokyo and New York.

“If we can come up with some regime which is broadly the same right across the

whole market, then it will be good for all sides of the market,” said a senior official from one G10 central bank.

“One place to start will be to say here are all the codes, what are the similarities, what are the differences, what can we do to flesh out the commonalities. That work is going to go on over the next few months.” l

DT

18 BUSINESS

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

News, analysis and recent disclosures NCCBANK: 10% stock dividend, AGM: 24.06.2015, Record Date: 18.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 1.86, NAV per share of Tk. 17.88.

PEOPLESINS: 13% cash dividend, AGM: 09.06.2015, Record Date: 18.05.2015. EPS of Tk. 2.09, NAV per share of Tk. 22.33.

UnAudited Financials: [Company: (Quarter): Current EPS/ Previous EPS in taka] IDLC: (Q1): 0.59/-0.18. PTL: (Q3): 1.36/ 1.76 MEGHNACEM: (Q1): 2.31/ 1.75.

Dividend/AGM LEGACYFOOT: 5% stock, AGM: 13.06.2015, Record Date: 14.05.2015.

RUPALIBANK: 15% stock , AGM: 31.05.2015, Record date: 14.05.2015.

UNIQUEHRL: 20% cash dividend, AGM: 25.06.2015, Record Date: 24.05.2015.

WATACHEM: 5% cash and 25% stock dividend, AGM: 11.06.2015, Record Date: 14.05.2015.

CMCKAMAL: 12.50% stock dividend, AGM: 31.05.2015, Record Date: 17.05.2015.

ARAMITCEM: 10% cash dividend, AGM: 13.06.2015, Record Date: 13.05.2015.

GOLDENSON: 12.50% cash dividend, AGM: 27.06.2015, Record Date: 14.05.2015.

GQBALLPEN: 10% cash dividend, AGM: 25.06.2015, Record Date: 14.05.2015.

SUMITPOWER: 10% cash and 5% stock dividend, AGM: 28.06.2014, Record Date: 17.05.2015.

SPPCL: 25% cash dividend, AGM: 28.06.2015. Record Date:

17.05.2015.

TAKAFULINS: 12% stock dividend, AGM: 25.07.2015, Record Date: 21.05.2015.

PRAGATIINS: 10% cash dividend, AGM: 25.06.2015, Record Date: 20.05.2015.

PLFSL: 10% stock dividend, AGM: 25.06.2015, Record Date: 17.05.2015.

BSRMLTD: 10% cash dividend, AGM: 15.06.2015, Record Date: 13.05.2015.

ZAHEENSPIN: 15% stock dividend, AGM: 23.06.2015, Record Date: 21.05.2015.

BAYLEASING: 15% cash dividend, AGM: 08.06.2015, Record Date: 13.05.2015.

RENATA: 80% cash and 20% stock dividend, AGM: 20.06.2015, Record Date: 13.05.2015.

KAY&QUE: No dividend, AGM: 21.06.2015, Record Date: 24.05.2015.

SAFKOSPINN: 10% stock dividend, AGM: 13.06.2015, Record Date: 18.05.2015.

INTECH: 10% stock dividend, AGM: 24.06.2015, Record Date: 14.05.2015.

ARAMIT: 50% cash dividend, AGM: 13.06.2015, Record Date: 13.05.2015..

CONFIDCEM: 25% cash dividend, AGM: 16.06.2015, Record Date: 17.05.2015..

SALVOCHEM: 10% stock dividend, AGM: 27.07.2015, Record date: 29.06.2015.

MONNOSTAF: 10% cash dividend, AGM: 24.06.2015, Record Date: 18.05.2015.

ACI: 100% cash and 15% stock dividend, AGM: 11.06.2015, Record Date: 13.05.2015.

Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

Company ConfidenceCement A MeghnaCement -A BD Submarine Cable-A Continental Insur. -A Orion Pharma-N SonarBangla Insu. -A Islami Ins.BD-A Republic Insu.-A Golden Harvest Agro-N Familytex (BD) Ltd.-A

Closing (% Change) 9.96 9.95 9.93 9.92 9.79 9.76 9.72 9.70 9.63 9.56

CSE GAINER Company Peoples Insur -A ConfidenceCement A City G Insu.-A BD Submarine Cable-A MeghnaCement -A National Life I -A Navana CNG-A Eastland Insur -A Saiham Cotton-A Orion Pharma-N

Golden Harvest Agro-N

Closing (% Change) 12.70 10.00 10.00 10.00 9.95 9.94 9.94 9.90 9.88 9.82

9.63

DSE LOSER Company Mercantile Bank -A AB Bank 1st Mutual Fund-A Northern Jute -Z Fareast Finance-Z Rahim Textile -A BD Fixed Income MF-A Modern Dyeing -Z Progressive Life-A Ambee Pharma -A Shahjibazar Power-N

Closing (% Change) -7.89 -6.12 -5.69 -5.22 -5.00 -5.00 -4.55 -4.17 -4.07 -3.54

CSE LOSER Company Aziz PipesZ Mercantile Bank -A Sonargaon Tex -Z AMCL (Pran) -A Wata Chemicals -A LR Global BD MF1-A ICB AMCL 2nd NRB -A S. Alam CR Steel -A Bata Shoe Ltd. -A Shahjibazar Power-N

Closing (% Change) -9.09 -7.96 -6.98 -6.97 -6.88 -5.56 -5.00 -4.49 -4.08 -3.75

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

DSE key features May 7, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

DSE GAINER

Sector

4,193.18 97,577,604 116,684

Traded Issues

310

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

241

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

66

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

3

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,373.36

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

28.77

Bank NBFI Investment Engineering Food & Allied Fuel & Power Jute Textile Pharma & Chemical Paper & Packaging Service Leather Ceramic Cement Information Technology General Insurance Life Insurance Telecom Travel & Leisure Miscellaneous Debenture

DSE Million Taka 206.44 188.73 22.79 588.98 97.06 993.60 2.02 310.27 860.84 8.63 158.82 12.56 96.64 102.94 68.42 41.41 68.81 233.75 34.45 88.24 7.80

% change 4.92 4.50 0.54 14.05 2.31 23.70 0.05 7.40 20.53 0.21 3.79 0.30 2.30 2.45 1.63 0.99 1.64 5.57 0.82 2.10 0.19

Million Taka 13.71 142.11 1.29 54.85 6.45 97.94 27.35 37.39 1.05 12.75 0.66 7.50 9.54 4.42 0.39 4.78 36.25 7.90 9.89 0.00

Average (% Change) 10.57 10.85 8.06 8.78 9.79 10.38 8.57 4.71 12.53 9.16

Average (% Change) 17.30 9.62 7.62 7.60 9.89 9.95 9.57 11.29 8.89 9.56

ClosingAvg. 80.63 80.68 121.92 13.01 35.55 13.50 15.71 14.24 20.29 14.77

ClosingAvg. 14.78 80.53 11.87 120.84 82.90 179.10 51.87 21.10 17.64 35.65

9.31

Average (% Change) -7.48 -5.50 -5.72 0.26 -5.46 -14.54 1.98 -3.77 -2.65 -1.81

Average (% Change) -9.26 -7.10 -3.13 -6.98 -3.53 -5.00 -5.00 -1.59 -4.08 -1.99

CSE

20.19

ClosingAvg. 10.39 4.64 192.26 11.52 213.75 5.70 67.99 57.74 294.44 175.68

ClosingAvg. 15.97 10.34 8.04 180.09 205.48 3.42 5.70 26.02 1,235.32 175.56

% change 2.88 29.84 0.27 11.52 1.35 20.57 0.00 5.74 7.85 0.22 2.68 0.14 1.58 2.00 0.93 0.08 1.00 7.61 1.66 2.08 0.00

Closing 81.70 80.70 124.00 13.30 35.90 13.50 15.80 14.70 20.50 14.90

Closing

DHIGH 81.70 80.70 124.00 13.30 35.90 13.50 15.80 14.70 20.50 14.90

DHIGH

14.20 81.40 12.10 123.20 82.90 179.10 52.00 21.10 17.80 35.80

10.50 4.60 192.10 10.90 210.80 5.70 67.10 57.50 287.80 174.40

Closing 16.00 10.40 8.00 180.10 203.00 3.40 5.70 25.50 1,235.30 174.70

Million Taka 220.14 330.84 24.08 643.82 103.51 1091.54 2.02 337.62 898.23 9.68 171.57 13.22 104.15 112.48 72.84 41.80 73.58 270.01 42.35 98.13 7.80

74.90 80.50 113.80 12.40 33.30 12.80 14.30 13.70 18.60 13.70

DLOW

15.00 81.40 12.10 123.20 82.90 179.10 52.00 21.10 17.80 35.80

20.50

Closing

DLOW

14.20 75.00 11.10 112.50 82.90 179.10 51.10 21.10 17.00 34.10

20.50

DHIGH

19.20

DLOW

10.90 4.80 200.00 12.50 223.90 5.70 67.50 57.60 305.00 180.00

DHIGH 16.00 10.60 8.20 180.50 211.90 3.60 5.70 26.40 1,287.00 182.00

Total

10.30 4.60 188.00 10.80 210.00 5.70 66.00 57.50 278.30 172.20

DLOW 15.90 10.20 8.00 180.00 203.00 3.40 5.70 25.20 1,207.40 173.00

% change 4.71 7.09 0.52 13.79 2.22 23.38 0.04 7.23 19.24 0.21 3.67 0.28 2.23 2.41 1.56 0.90 1.58 5.78 0.91 2.10 0.17

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

11.066 1.902 118.601 3.194 28.804 0.142 0.533 0.836 9.135 31.769

Turnover in Million

6.24 8.52 0.64 1.66 5.07 1.65 1.48 1.71 1.32 3.25

Latest EPS

0.033 1.248 0.088 30.007 0.159 0.011 0.640 0.002 0.022 2.415

Latest PE 7.1 12.9 8.2 188.8 9.7 14.4 14.7 8.0 12.3 7.0

1.32

Latest EPS

15.564 1.085 0.313 10.921 1.629 0.006 0.024 0.094 2.339 106.086

Turnover in Million

12.9 9.5 190.5 7.8 7.0 8.2 10.6 8.3 15.4 4.5

2.09 6.24 1.45 0.64 8.52 12.46 3.53 2.65 1.43 5.07

0.766

Turnover in Million

Latest PE

15.3

Latest PE

1.59 0.76 1.75 1.88 9.67 0.51 0.76 2.30 4.68 8.44

Latest EPS

0.007 0.716 0.047 0.091 0.164 0.038 0.003 0.289 0.041 6.199

6.5 6.1 109.9 6.1 22.1 11.2 89.5 25.1 62.9 20.8

Latest PE

-2.64 1.59 -2.17 6.19 5.79 -0.70 0.87 1.56 42.84 8.44

-ve 6.5 -ve 29.1 35.5 -ve 6.6 16.7 28.8 20.8

CSE key features May 7, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

476.21 19,621,081 17,953

Traded Issues

238

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

172

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

61

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

5

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,302.46

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

27.91

DT

BUSINESS 19

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Stocks edge up amid volatility n Tribune Report

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company United Power-N ACI Formulations-A ACI Limited- A Ifad Autos -N BD Submarine Cable-A Grameenphone-A SAIF Powertec-N MJL BD Ltd.-A WesternMarine -N Shahjibazar Power-N

RAK Ceramics-A BSRM Ltd. -N Khulna Power-A LafargeS Cement-Z Shasha Denims -N

VolumeShares 2,515,096 1,563,761 314,763 1,560,352 972,802 353,312 1,595,786 864,714 2,346,811 603,848

Value in Million 489.38 316.43 169.43 124.66 118.60 115.15 112.06 110.14 107.50 106.09

% of TotalTurnover 11.67 7.55 4.04 2.97 2.83 2.75 2.67 2.63 2.56 2.53

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Intl. Leasing-B United Power-N BD Submarine Cable-A BSRM Ltd. -N WesternMarine -N ACI Formulations-A SAIF Powertec-N MJL BD Ltd.-A RAK Ceramics-A FAR Chemical-N

Khulna Power-A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Grameenphone-A Shahjibazar Power-N UNITED AIR-A

1,548,179 1,344,188 1,181,194 641,459 1,810,679

10,414,905 320,601 248,325 440,224 233,637 51,084 135,283 65,884 117,676 201,521

110,050 255,061 19,184 35,311 855,575

94.64 74.70 71.75 69.96 68.60

130.35 62.48 30.01 24.36 10.75 10.36 9.47 8.37 7.19 6.81

6.67 6.58 6.25 6.20 6.09

2.26 1.78 1.71 1.67 1.64

27.37 13.12 6.30 5.12 2.26 2.18 1.99 1.76 1.51 1.43

1.40 1.38 1.31 1.30 1.28

ClosingP 198.70 206.30 532.60 78.80 124.00 325.40 69.00 126.70 45.20 174.40

60.90 54.40 59.80 108.20 37.40

ClosingP

Change % 6.60 8.29 -1.61 -2.84 9.93 -1.66 -1.85 -1.48 -0.88 -3.54

1.50 2.06 -1.32 0.09 -0.53

Change %

13.80 198.60 123.20 54.20 45.30 205.30 69.10 126.10 61.10 34.00

59.70 25.80 325.30 174.70 7.00

5.34 6.43 10.00 1.12 -0.88 8.22 -1.71 -1.79 2.52 4.62

-1.32 1.57 -1.45 -3.75 -1.41

ClosingY 186.40 190.50 541.30 81.10 112.80 330.90 70.30 128.60 45.60 180.80

60.00 53.30 60.60 108.10 37.60

ClosingY

13.10 186.60 112.00 53.60 45.70 189.70 70.30 128.40 59.60 32.50

60.50 25.40 330.10 181.50 7.10

DHIGH 203.90 207.80 551.30 82.50 124.00 329.70 71.90 129.30 47.00 180.00

62.70 57.50 61.90 111.40 38.80

DHIGH

14.10 204.10 123.20 57.50 47.60 207.00 71.90 128.80 63.00 34.90

62.10 26.20 330.50 182.00 7.30

DLOW 188.00 194.60 531.00 77.00 113.80 322.90 68.60 126.00 45.00 172.20

59.80 53.70 59.50 107.50 37.00

DLOW

12.50 188.50 112.50 53.90 45.00 195.00 68.40 125.00 60.00 32.90

59.40 25.50 320.00 173.00 7.00

AvgPrice 194.58 202.35 538.28 79.89 121.92 325.92 70.22 127.37 45.81 175.68

61.13 55.57 60.74 109.06 37.89

AvgPrice

12.52 194.89 120.84 55.34 46.02 202.88 70.02 127.05 61.13 33.82

60.59 25.82 325.63 175.56 7.11

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

4122.32408

(+) 0.79%

1558.20129

(+) 0.61%

12712.40510

(+) 0.84%

10319.00550

(+) 0.53%

7728.94700

(+) 0.91%

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

Stocks edged up yesterday, extending the gaining streak for the third consecutive sessions since the regulator stepped in to prevent continuous fall.

The market jumped more than 60 points in the early trading but some selling pressure came in the mid-session eroding some gains.

The benchmark index of Dhaka Stock Exchange, DSEX, ended at 4,122, rising 32 points or 0.8%. The rally was led by insurer, energy, banks, food and allied issues which saw moderate rise.

The Shariah Index DSES rose marginally almost 2 points or 0.2% to 1,010. The comprising blue chips DS30 was up 9 points or 0.7% to 1,558.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, gained 57 points to close at 7,717.

Both selling and buying pressure helped the DSE turnover exceed Tk400 crore. The turnover stood at Tk419 crore, which was 15% higher over the previous session.

On Monday, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange

Commission asked the institutional investors to support the declining market.

Gainers took a modest lead over the losers as out of 309 issues traded, 189 advanced, 90 declined and 30 remained unchanged at the DSE. Life Insurance was the day’s top gainer with a rally of over 6%, driven by sector heavy-weight Delta Life Insurance that soared 8.8%.

Among other well performing sectors, power surged 1.6%, followed by banks 1%, food and allied 0.9%.

Most other sectors, including cement and pharmaceuticals, ended flat while telecommunications lost 1.3%.

United Power Generation and Distribution Company continued to dominate the top turnover chart with shares worth Tk49 crore changing hands, followed

by ACI Formulations, ACI, IFAD Autos and Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited.

Confidence Cement was the day’s top gainer, posting a rise of almost 10% while Mercantile Bank was the day’s worst loser, plunging by 7.9%. l

ANALYST

Most other sectors, including cement and pharmaceuticals, ended flat while telecommunications lost 1.3%.

DT

20 BUSINESS

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Import rebounds in March after two-month drop n Tribune Report

The country’s import expenditure increased in March, breaking continuous falling trend in last two months.

Import rose by over 23% in March, thanks to surge in capital machinery import, according to the Bangladesh Bank data released yesterday.

The letter of credit (LC) settlement value rose to $3.33bn in March compared to $2.71bn in February this year.

The country experienced negative import growth of around 11% in February and 5.18% in January compared to previous months.

The capital machinery import rose by around 63% to $246m in March in comparison with $151m in February. The growth was

negative 14.5% in February amid sluggish investment climate.

The import growth increased in March as the business expansion activities started to move amid lowering lending rate by banks, said a senior executive of Bangladesh Bank.

Though LC settlement value rose on monthly basis, it dropped slightly by 3% in

March compared to the same period last year.

However, LC opening value rose by 30.26% during the month compared to previous month and 9.6% compared to the same month last year.

The LC settlement value against petroleum oil significantly rose by 155% to around $336m in March compared to $131m in previous month. l

DT

21

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

T-JUNCTION

Vibrant mix Photo: Tasmia Momin

INSIDE

22 recipe

Colours of the rainbow news

Regency’s turf

24

awareness

23 recipe

Tasty Tacos

Bringing flavours from around the world is easier than you think.

The good in business

news

The debate club champs

DT

22 T-JUNCTION

Tantalise

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

recipe

Photo: Tasmia Momin

Rainbow Salad Ingredients: • 1 whole pineapple • 1 cup of chopped purple cabbage • 1 red chili chopped • 1-2 tbsp. honey • ½ tsp. red chili flakes (optional) • Sprinkle of rock salt • A squeeze of lime • A handful of chopped mint leaves Place all ingredients in a large bowl and toss it all in to combine them. Add your tweaks by adding thin ribbons of cucumber, cut with a vegetable peeler, or julienne cut carrots. This recipe is refreshing and delightful, especially if you chill it in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before tucking in.

news

Surf n Turf Revolution is just about to begin at Dhaka Regency Savor the sumptuous weeklong Surf & Turf Special courses at Dhaka Regency with the perfect combination of the two amongst chicken, Grate lobster tail, beef, prawn and an abundant choice of appetizers, hearty salads, Chinese specialties, imported sirloin fajita and medium prawns served with flour tortilla and salsa, as well as luscious desserts.

Surf and turf is a main course in American cuisine, which combines seafood and meat in different combination. The “surf” part can refer to lobster, prawns, or shrimp, which may be grilled or breaded and fried.

The “turf” part usually refers to a steak.

Dhaka Regency invites all to come out and join the Surf n Turf revolutionary courses in every lunch & dinner from May 8th to the 15th, This event will take place in Grandiose Restaurant on level 06, which will be undoubtedly a satisfying and congenial culinary experience. If you’re really in search of the authentic Surf n Turf flavour, then look no further than the Dhaka Regency in its weeklong Surf n Turf series. Reservations can be reached easily at 01713332661 for advance booking and further information.

T-JUNCTION 23

DT

Tantalise

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

One Pot Pasta If you don’t have time to cook up elaborate meals, it doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot cook things that taste just as fabulous.

This recipe is super easy and is done within minutes!

Ingredients: • 1 cup of uncooked pasta • 2 whole sausages • A glug of olive oil • 4 cloves of garlic • 4 whole tomatoes • Handful of green peas • ½ tsp dried oregano • A splash of Worcestershire sauce • Salt & pepper • 2 cups of water • 1 cube of chicken stock (optional) • Handful of coriander leaves • Cheese of choice

On a hot pot, add a glug of oil, and crushed up garlic. Add a few sliced sausages as a substitute for any kind of protein. Once the garlic turns a bit golden, add the chopped tomatoes, salt & pepper, and cook for a minute. You can also use tinned tomatoes as a substitute. Then add in the green peas, oregano, Worcestershire sauce or any preferred sauce and water with or without the cube of chicken stock. Once the mixture starts bubbling, add in all your uncooked pasta. Let the pasta boil for five minutes, turn the heat on medium low, and let it simmer for another two minutes. Add in the coriander leaves and take it off the stove. Finally, top it off with some cheese!

Photos: Tasmia Momin

Easy Mini Tacos If you’re out of time and fancy recipes, why not try out something Mexican with your leftover tortillas.

Ingredients: • 2 leftover tortillas (roti) • Desired amount of marinated chicken • Coleslaw • Cheese of choice Brush your tortillas with a little amount of oil, and simply fold them over two bars on your oven rack. Bake them at 200 degree Celsius for about 10 minutes. Then leave them on a wire rack for five minutes and voila! You’ve got your tortilla taco shells.

For quick recipes, one of the essential steps is to marinate a few chicken strips for later use. You can marinate it with your choice of spices like ginger-garlic paste, chili paste, soya sauce, salt & pepper, etc.

Fry off the chicken strips with a small amount of oil on a frying pan.

news

A sweet something for Mother’s Day Get mother to leave the Sunday cooking behind and head out to Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort for celebrating the most thrilling Mother’s Day on May 10, 2015. Dhaka Regency is devoted to bring you the opportunity to treat your Mom to a spectacular, hassle-free Mother’s Day Buffet Lunch or dinner, which is complementary for all the mothers, filled with a delightful selection of dishes like appetizers, soups, hot western and oriental dishes, alongside great desserts.

Cheers to Mom, and enjoy a festive brunch served at its charming Grandiose Restaurant, Level 06, which will be transformed into a fount of Mother’s Day beautification.

Dhaka Regency Hotel and Resort welcomes

the whole family on this Mother’s Day by providing a unique offer to compliment a truly memorable event to celebrate with mom. All the families are requested to bring their mothers on this special occasion as free buffet lunch or dinner will be offered to all the moms at Dhaka Regency starting from 12pm and onwards. Kids below five years will be delighted by the free buffet, whereas kids from 5-12 years will be charged under the Dhaka Regency’s kids pricing policy. To check availability, make reservations and find out more information about the offer. Please call 01713332661 for advance booking and further information.

Meanwhile, for the quick coleslaw, chop up cabbage and carrot and mix it up with some mayo.

You can either mix up the coleslaw and shredded chicken or place them separately over the taco shell and top it off with cheese.

DT

24 T-JUNCTION

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Awareness

The business of social goodness n Syeda Samira Sadeque Kazi Samiul Hoque is a final-year student at North South University, and divides his time between studying, socialising and bringing the issue of social business to the fore for Bangladeshi youth.

“Social business is a concept that was generated by a Bangladeshi. But sadly, the people of Bangladesh never quite tried to understand what social business is,” he tells me.

“So we try to create awareness about it among our students, so that they understand the concept of our Nobel Laureate,” he adds.

Samiul is one of the founders of Social Business Youth Alliance (SBYA) Global, a platform that helps to raise awareness about social business and train students in the field.

“Although SBYA is non-profit, they try to work in the structure of a corporate organisation because it creates more value for others in society,” says Samiul.

Their platform began in 2013, after he and a few of his friends attended Social Business Day, a global event on social business that engages youth worldwide through videoconferences and online seminars.

It inspired Samiul and his friends to take it further, to engage the youth and make them realise their potential.

The fog of ‘Social Business’ However, in a country that is still new and has a lot of its traditional beliefs regarding many issues, it is difficult to break through this barrier.

“We’re undergrad students, we have our studies and social life. We cannot really fully engage ourselves into social business,” says Samiul.

“But there are some who can. And we believe they can make changes,” he adds. “But

they don’t know what social business is. So we emphasise on letting them know, conveying the message to them so they can get encouraged and engage in social business.”

“When we talk to people outside the platform of SBYA, few people seem to understand the concept of social business. We get mixed reactions,” says Shah Waseef Azam, the university coordinator between SBYA and United International University.

“Some do understand it fully, while others have difficulty grasping the concept,” he says.

“Maybe because they come from different backgrounds, or maybe the traditional sense of business has more value than what we have right now.”

There remains a general lack of understanding among the youth regarding social business and what it entails.

Waseef suspects that the fact that the platform does not propose financial benefit but a social one, may be confusing to many.

“For many of them, since the word “business” is there, it means you have to have money,” he says.

And that is the issue they try to address through their workshops and events. Most recently, the group organised Training on Social Business Development (TSBD), where about 100 teams, each of three people, participated.

“A platform like this gives you a lot of time to think, research and improvise,” Mopasha Samaddar, one of the participants of TSBD, had earlier told me. “This is very important because you cannot just jump into a business like that, it needs time and that is being provided here.”

Social Business: what it actually is “The main concept of social business is that it has to emphasise on or target a social problem and continuously generate solutions to solve

that problem,” says Waseef.

Thus it is important, in order to get the average Bangladeshi out of the traditional idea about “business”, to raise awareness about the issue of social business and convey the message about its benefits.

“Social business is a business which will run in a conventional way, but without any dividend for the investor,” explains Samiul.

“S/he will get the amount s/he invested in the business, and will also receive a market standard salary – but the dividend or profit the business makes will be reinvented in the business so the business can expand.”

He adds: “The business has to have a motive, which usually focuses on trying to solve a social problem.”

Khalid Hossain Anik, the Jahangirnagar University coordinator for SBYA, says it is importance to remember the voluntary work involved in social business.

“I’m not a business student myself and I am involved with a lot of voluntary organisations,” he says. “In my voluntary work, I’ve seen the importance of the sustainability of voluntary work. In social business, the way you solve a problem is sustainable.”

“One of the key features of social business is that it is designed to make sure that this particular initiative cannot fail,” says Waseef.

“Usually one of the reasons why businesses fail is because they take out too much money too soon. But here, you’re supposed to reinvest almost all the money – you’re supposed to take out a salary not a profit.”

He adds: “Social business is not about making money. It’s about generating money, not making profit.”

Venturing out Although many people in Bangladesh may still be unaware of the scenario of social

business, it has spread as a concept in many parts of the world – an opportunity that SBYA has captialised on.

Most recently, they branched out their platform to Nepal and Uganda, where local social leaders are following SBYA’s footsteps and creating this space in their own communities.

Samiul says the modules in these countries can be adjusted to their local and cultural needs, although there are certain guidelines in their Memorandum of Understanding that they ought to follow.

They also have 22 wings in different universities both in and outside Bangladesh.

Their international reach spans from universities in England to those in Australia.

Samiul says although they are not officially registered at these universities, there is a presence of SBYA members who help spread the word about the movement.

While expanding across borders, SBYA continues to urge and inspire the youth of Bangladesh to start practicing social good through entrepreneurship. Currently they have the SBYA Champ 2015, funded by First Security Islami Bank Limited. They will also host Social Business Youth Summit, which Samiul claims is the first ever social business event that is geared specifically towards the youth, on June 1.

news

IUB debate club wins Chittagong debate championship The best debators of Chittagong and Dhaka clashed in a battle of logic and rhetoric from May 1st to 3rd in an English debate tournament designed to increase co-operation and exposure between debating communities from the two cities.

The tournament was arranged by International Organisation, Junior Chambers International in conjunction with the Chittagong School of Business and Humanities and Debating organisation, and Performance Enhancing Debates. The grand final & gala dinner were held in style at the Chittagong Khulshi Club.

From the 26 participating teams, it was Independent University Bangladesh who emerged as the champions. The team comprised of Christopher Sangma and Tahsin Islam who defeated participants from North South University, BRAC University and Chittagong University in the final. Christopher was also named the “Best Speaker of the Final.”

Manchester United have agreed to sign Dutch int’l forward Memphis Depay. ‘PSV have reached an agreement with Man United for the transfer of Memphis,’ his club PSV said on their website

Sport 26

DOUBLE CENTURION AZHAR’S BRILLIANT RUN CONTINUES

27

SK RUSSEL DISAPPOINT, FENI EDGE CTG ABAHANI

28

25

DT

WELCOME TO OT

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

THREE MINUTES, TWO GOALS, ONE MASTER 2ND TEST, DAY 2

PAKISTAN 1ST INNINGS

R

B

Hafeez c Mushf Rahim b Shahid Sami Aslam c Shahadat b Taijul Azhar Ali c Mahmudullah b Shuvagata Younis Khan c Shuvagata b Shahid Misbah-ul-Haq b Shakib Asad Shafiq c Mahmudullah b Shuvagata Sarfraz Ahmed not out Wahab Riaz c Kayes b Taijul Yasir Shah lbw b Taijul Extras (lb 8, w 2, nb 5)

8 19 226 148 9 107 21 4 0 15

16 58 428 195 22 167 21 9 1

Total (8 wickets dec; 152 overs)

557

Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-58, 3-308, 4-323, 5-530, 6-545, 7-552, 8-557 Bowling Shahadat 0.2-0-4-0, Soumya 17.4-1-57-0, Shahid 31-10-72-2, Taijul 51-3-179-3, Shuvagata 16-0-76-2, Shakib 30-3-136-1, Mominul 3-0-120, Mahmudullah 2-0-12-0, Imrul 1-0-1-0

BANGLADESH 1ST INNINGS

R

B

Tamim Iqbal lbw b Junaid Imrul Kayes b Yasir Mominul Haque c Sarfraz b Junaid Mahmudullah c Azhar b Wahab Shakib Al Hasan not out Mushfiqur Rahim b Yasir Extras (lb 2, w 2)

4 32 13 28 14 12 4

4 46 34 32 27 24

Total (5 wickets; 27.5 overs)

107

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-38, 3-69, 4-85, 5-107 Bowling

One by one bites the dust. (L-R) Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal, Mominul Haque, Imrul Kayes, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim trudge back to the dressing room in disappointment during the second day of the second Test against Pakistan in Mirpur yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Junaid 6-2-26-2, Imran 7-0-31-0, Wahab 8-133-1, Yasir 5.5-1-15-2, Hafeez 1-1-0-0 Bangladesh trail by 450 runs in the 1st innings

Tigers experience a bad day in the office n Minhaz Uddin Khan Hosts Bangladesh were left to rue their decision of fielding first as Pakistan posted 323/3 on the opening day of the deciding Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium last Wednesday.

The home side’s sufferings increased yesterday on the second day as the visitors not only racked up 557/8 declared in their first innings, but later took five Bangladesh wickets to take a strangle-hold of the game. The Tigers, who will resume the third day’s play today on 107/5, are trailing Pakistan by 450 runs with 251 still required to avoid the follow-on.

The visitors earlier put up a mammoth 557/8 declared riding on the back of yet another 200-odd run partnership between Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq. Azhar blasted his

maiden double hundred in Tests while Shafiq reached his eighth century. In the process, Pakistan registered their third highest total in the format against Bangladesh.

However, what disappointed the Bangladesh supporters the most was the way their batsmen failed to learn from their past mistakes. Sometimes, attack is the best defence but yesterday, this approach proved to be the undoing of the Tigers batsmen as the entire top- and middle-order departed inside 28 overs.

Pakistan left-arm paceman Junaid Khan was the wrecker-in-chief, taking two wickets.

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah was also among the wickets while Wahab Riaz picked up one.

Junaid caused the first blow as he removed in-form opener Tamim Iqbal in just the fourth delivery of the Bangladesh innings. There was tinge of doubt with the leg-before decision though as replays suggested that the ball might just have struck, or even missed, the leg-stump.

Mominul Haque was the next to depart as he under-edged a Junaid delivery to wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed.

Opener Imrul Kayes, who was scintillating in the drawn first Test in Khulna, showed glimpses of brilliance en route to 32 only to be cleaned up by Yasir later.

Nineteen balls later, it was Mahmudullah’s turn to make his way to the dressing room. The right-handed batsman had a terrific 2015 ICC World Cup, scoring back-to-back centuries, but was a mere shadow of himself in the ongoing bilateral home series. His glorious shots in this series have been too few and far between.

Mahmudullah’s departure brought the two most experienced Bangladesh campaigners – Shakib al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim - to the middle. The fifth-wicket duo did survive seven overs but Mushfiq paid the price for attempting a cut shot as Yasir shattered the timber.

The Tigers batsmen would have been ex-

tremely dejected at the mode of their dismissals, given the fact that the visitors earlier put a heavy price on their scalps.

Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq might have been dismissed early on the day off the bowling of Shakib but Azhar and Shafiq was able to recover their side from the early damage. Both the batsmen were cool and calm in their approach and only went for shots when the opportunity arose. Azhar, who started the day on an unbeaten 127, prolonged his inning further and reached his double hundred in style, courtesy a six off Shakib. Shafiq, on the other end, reached his milestone by taking a single off Taijul Islam.

Azhar was then removed by Shuvagata Hom before Pakistan suffered a mini debacle, losing three wickets in double quick time.

Misbah realised that Pakistan had enough runs on the board and had no reservation declaring their first innings right before the evening session.l

DT

26 Sport

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

‘One big partnership needed’ n Mazhar Uddin

Double centurion Azhar’s brilliant run continues n Mazhar Uddin

Bangladesh might be trailing Pakistan by 450 runs in the second and deciding Test but Tigers opener Imrul Kayes said their imminent target will be to avoid the follow-on mark.

In reply to Pakistan’s first innings tally of 557/8, Bangladesh ended the second day yesterday on 107/5 and require a further 251 runs to avoid the ignominy of the follow-on.

Centurion in the first Test in Khulna, Imrul was bowled by leg-spinner Yasir Shah for 31 but he is still hopeful that the Tigers would be able to cross the follow-on if one big partnership prospers on the third day today.

“Two of us (Imrul and Tamim Iqbal) took the team to a good position in the last match from a similar position. We have Soumya [Sarkar] to come and Shakib [al Hasan] is still at the crease. I think if we have set batsmen at the middle, it will help us. If Shakib and Soumya can put together a good partnership, we can reach a good position. Our first target will be to avoid the follow-on and take it from there,” Imrul told the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.

The 28-year old admitted that the Pakistan bowlers bowled at a very good line and length but he said the scenario could have been a bit different had Tamim not departed off a marginal leg-before decision which could have gone either way.

Imrul also defended captain Mushfiqur Rahim’s decision to field first. Mushfiq’s decision surprised many but Imrul said there was something in the pitch for the bowlers on the opening day of the Test match.

“We have an experienced captain who understands the game well. We have coaches and a team management. There was something in the wicket on the first day. It was our bad luck that [Shahadat Hossain] Rajib got injured. We were playing with three pace bowlers. We had two catches taken that were both no-balls. If we could have properly used the conditions, then they would not have scored so many runs,” he added.l

2

Number of 200-plus partnerships during Pakistan’s first innings. There has been only one previous occasion where Pakistan’s batsmen have posted two 200-plus stands in the same Test innings against India in 1983.

4

Instances since December 2011 of three or more Pakistan batsmen scoring hundreds in the same innings of a Test match.

20

Pakistan batsmen who have scored a double-hundred in Tests. Pakistan now have exactly as many double-centurions as India. The only countries with more double centurions are West Indies (27), England (34) and Australia (34).

51

Overs bowled by Taijul Islam in the first innings, the tenth instance of a Bangladesh bowler bowling more than 50 overs in an innings. Interestingly, nine of these 10 instances have involved left-arm spinners.

1

Pakistan have lost a Test match only once after declaring their first innings for a 500-plus score - against Australia in Melbourne in 1973.

Azhar Ali continued his purple patch in the ongoing bilateral series against Bangladesh as the right-handed batsman blasted his maiden double hundred yesterday to take Pakistan to a position of authority in the second and final Test.

Resuming the second day on 323/3, Pakistan added a further 234 runs before declaring their first innings on 557/8 with Azhar leading the way with a fine 226. In reply, Bangladesh ended the day on 107/5, trailing the visitors by 450 runs with three days remaining.

With Pakistan in a strong position, weather seems to be the only obstacle on their path to a series victory. Weather forecast suggests the remainder of the Dhaka Test will be affected by thunderstorms but Azhar said they are only focussing on their performance, rather than the weather.

“First of all, I think we are sitting in a very good position and I think we have to play good cricket throughout the game. You know, unless it’s over we have to focus while you can’t really control the weather. We are only focussing on our game,” Azhar told the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.

The 30-year old was in terrific touch until Shuvagata Hom dismissed him for a wellmade 428-ball 226. Azhar smote 20 boundaries and two sixes and his 226 was the 22nd instance of a cricketer smashing a double hundred against Bangladesh.

“Overnight, everyone was thinking about it but you can’t think at 127 that you can make 200 based on what the situation was. So, that required a little bit of calmness. I did that. After that, we started rotating the strike and in the end it went quite well,” he said.

The Pakistan ODI skipper believes the pitch might not have had assistance for the spinners in the first two days but from the third day onward, it will have some purchase for the slow bowlers as cracks will start to appear.l Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali celebrates reaching his maiden double hundred, against Bangladesh on the second day of the second Test in Mirpur yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

PLAYS OF THE DAY

BANGLADESH v PAKISTAN, 2ND TEST, DAY 2, MIRPUR Azhar Ali’s perfect riposte

Having failed to lead Pakistan to a single win in the three-ODI series against Bangladesh, Azhar, being the captain of the side, bore the brunt of the criticism. Many demanded his removal from the side while others termed him “inappropriate” for the role of captaincy.

Azhar did score 209 runs in the three ODIs, including a century in the third and final match but it was not enough to cool down the critics.

Azhar transformed his good run of form from the ODIs to the Tests, contributing 83 runs to Pakistan’s huge first innings score of 628-allout in the opening five-dayer in Khulna. And yesterday, he registered his maiden double hundred on the second day of the Dhaka Test. His majestic 226 will no doubt ease the pressure off him now.

The right-hander was a delight to watch as he

smashed a six off Shakib al Hasan to bring up his double ton. He performed a fitting celebration to go with his milestone.

both the stands.

First, Azhar partnered Younis Khan to post 250 runs for the third wicket. Then, Asad Shafiq joined Azhar at the middle and added 207 runs for the fifth wicket.

The late act

Riding on two 200-run partnerships

Pakistan will be indebted to two batting pairs for enabling them to a big first innings total of 557/8 declared. And, Azhar was the pivot in

Pakistan resumed the second day’s play on 323/3. Despite the early loss of skipper Misbah-ul Haq for nine in the second over of the day, the visitors were still going strong, courtesy Azhar’s maiden double hundred and Shafiq’s sixth century. The Bangladesh bowlers were left frustrated and nothing was going right for them. Following Misbah’s departure, 55 overs passed without any wickets.

The Tigers were desperate for a breakthrough and Shuvagata Hom came to their rescue, removing Azhar for 226. Shuvagata followed it

up by dismissing Shafiq for 107.

A couple of overs later, Taijul Islam made a double-strike, removing Wahab Riaz and Yasir Shah in quick succession.

From a handsome position of 530/4, Pakistan lost four wickets for 27 runs, paving the way for Misbah to declare the innings.

– MINHAZ UDDIN KHAN

DT

Sport 27

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

QUICK BYTES Siddikur begins at joint-46th Premier Bangladesh golfer Siddikur Rahman began his AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open campaign at Heritage Golf Club yesterday with a par-71. Siddikur ended the first round on joint 46th position, tied with 16 other golfers. The 30-year from Madaripur carded four birdies against four bogeys in the $1.1m event.

–Tribune Desk

Flawless Hamilton seeks to add to Alonso misery

Defending world champion Lewis Hamilton seeks to build on his 27 points lead in this year’s title race with another victory for Mercedes at the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend. After three wins in four races, the 30-year-old Briton has built a strong early defence of his crown in near-flawless fashion that has left his rivals trailing and many paddock observers lost in admiration.

–AFP

Khan open to September Mayweather bout

Britain’s Amir Khan has declared that his observance of the Muslim festival of Ramadan would not prevent him from fighting Floyd Mayweather in September. After preserving his unbeaten record with a points victory over Manny Pacquiao in their long-awaited mega-fight last weekend, Mayweather said that his final bout will take place in Las Vegas in September. Ramadan, during which Muslims are obliged to fast, is due to end on July 17 this year and Khan believes that would give him enough time to fully prepare for an encounter with the American pound-for-pound master.

–AFP

United agree deal for Depay Dutch international forward Memphis Depay has agreed to join Manchester United when the transfer window opens in June, his club PSV Eindhoven said on Thursday.

United also confirmed the transfer and British media said the deal, subject to the 21-year-old passing a medical, was around 30 million euros ($34 million).

Depay has spent his entire career with PSV and finished as the Dutch league’s top scorer with 21 goals as Phillip Cocu’s side wrapped up their first title in seven seasons with three matches to spare.

–Reuters

Murray clinches Madrid win Andy Murray made the Madrid Open third round with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 win over Philipp Kohlschreiber in a match which ended at 3 o’clock Thursday morning. The second seeded Murray had already defeated his German opponent in three sets in the rain-delayed Munich Open final on Monday to register his first claycourt title.

His latest meeting with Kohlschreiber only got underway at just after 1 o’clock after a succession of marathon matches at the joint ATP-WTA tournament had thrown the schedule into chaos.

–AFP

Sheikh Russel striker Jahid Hasan Ameli (C) celebrates scoring his side’s opening goal against Farashganj in the Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League at BNS yesterday COURTESY

Sk Russel disappoint, Feni edge Ctg Abahani n Raihan Mahmood Producing a below-par performance, former champions Sheikh Russel were left frustrated with a 2-2 draw against relegation battlers Farashganj in the Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

National forward Jahid Hasan Ameli and Cameroonian striker Paul Emile put Sheikh Russel 2-0 ahead but Shahanur Rahman and later Shankar Das equalised for Farashganj to deny the Blues from taking home the three points.

Sheikh Russel are fifth in the 11-team standings with 13 points from seven matches while Farashganj are second bottom with three points from the same number of games.

Meanwhile in the day’s other match at the

same venue, Feni Soccer Club posted a crucial 2-1 victory over Chittagong Abahani to move to eighth position in the standings. Soccer Club have eight points from seven matches while the port-city outfit are a place behind in ninth with four points from the same number of games.

Mohammad Hanif gave Chittagong Abahani the lead but Sohel Mia soon brought parity for Soccer Club. Mohammad Zahirul Islam grabbed the winner for the Feni outfit.l

RESULTS Sheikh Russell

2-2

Ameli 12, Emile 26

Feni Soccer Club Sohel 59, Zahirul 80

Farashganj Shahanur 34, Shankar Das 71

2-1

Chittagong Abahani Hanif 45

Premier Hockey still uncertain n Raihan Mahmood The Dhaka Metropolis Premier Division Hockey League was hit with a big blow yesterday when the governing body, the Bangladesh Hockey Federation, failed to sort a way out to resolve the ongoing crisis.

Dhaka Mohammedan, Mariner Youngs, Wari and Bangladesh Sporting have been boycotting the premier hockey since last year, demanding the resignation of current general secretary Khaja Rahmatullah. Yesterday’s meeting saw last year’s runners-up side Usha KC undecided over their participation.

National Under-21 coach and governing body member Mamunur Rashid admitted the complex situation. “Things are getting

complicated day by day and a resolution also seems to be a bit hard to attain. I have to admit the premier league is uncertain for the time being,” said Mamun yesterday.

The inter-club players’ transfer formalities for the Metropolis Premier Division Hockey League has been deferred for about three weeks, complying to the appeal of the participating teams last week.

As per the fresh schedule, the three-day hockey players’ transfer formalities for the league will now begin on May 24 instead of May 5.

The meeting also decided to start the Club Cup Hockey from June 10 and the Premier Division Hockey League two days after the completion of the Club Cup Hockey.l

Rony blasts ton, Kapali waiting on in BCL longer-version n Mazhar Uddin Rony Talukdar smashed a brilliant century as Walton Central Zone ended the first day on 248/7 against Prime Bank South Zone in the Bangladesh Cricket League longer-version at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium yesterday.

Batting first, Central made a good start as Rony added 69 runs for the opening wicket alongside Shamsur Rahman (30). Rony added a further 93 runs for the second wicket with Raqibul Hasan (42) before completing his century.

The 24-year old opener smashed 19 boundaries and a six in his 129-ball knock before being dismissed by paceman Mustafizur Rahman.

Veteran left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak scalped two wickets for South.

Islami Bank East Zone v BCB North Zone The unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 93 runs between Alok Kapali and Asif Ahmed took East to a strong position following the opening day’s play at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong yesterday.

Kapali and Asif, undefeated on 86 and 52 respectively, will resume the second day’s play today with East on 250/4. Opener Shadman Islam earlier chipped in with a valuable 69.l

BRIEF SCORE Central Zone 248/7 v South Zone Rony Talukder 106, Raqibul Hasan 42 Abdur Razzak 2/75

East Zone 250/4 v North Zone Alok Kapali 86*, Shadman Islam 69, Asif Ahmed 52*

DT

28 Sport

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Three minitues, two goals, one master n Reuters, Barcelona

WHY BAYERN LOST

Lionel Messi’s exquisite Champions League double for Barcelona against Bayern Munich was a case of history repeating itself with an added magnificent assist for Neymar to seal an emphatic 3-0 semi-final, first leg win.

With the European heavyweights locked at 0-0 in Wednesday’s absorbing clash at the Nou Camp, the Argentina forward picked up a 77th-minute pass and lashed a shot into the corner past Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to put Barca 1-0 up.

Three minutes later, Messi left Bayern’s Germany defender Jerome Boateng on the seat of his pants and beat Neuer with a delicate chip that sent his adoring fans packed into the giant arena into delirium.

The parallels with Barca’s last-four, first leg win at Real Madrid in 2011, when Messi netted two late goals including a breathtaking second, were obvious but this time around there was more to come from the South American genius.

The match had already ticked into stoppage time when Messi sent a pass into space for Neymar and the Brazil forward raced away to make it 3-0 and virtually assure Barca of a place in June’s final in Berlin.

Messi’s second goal, in particular, drew effusive praise from all sides, with headlines in Thursday’s sports papers dubbing him everything from a god to an extra-terrestrial.

The 27-year-old recaptured the record for Champions League goals from Real’s Cristiano Ronaldo and now has 77, including a competition-best 10 in the latest edition.

“It was over in a second, it just happened like that,” Messi, with typical self-effacement, told reporters when asked about his second strike.

“I imagined that Boateng would expect me to switch to my stronger (left) foot so I cut back the other way,” he added.

With Messi on this kind of form, it is hard to imagine Bayern mounting a comeback in Tuesday’s second leg in Munich and Barca are looking good to repeat 2009’s treble of Champions League and Spanish league and Cup titles won under former coach Guardiola.l

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi scores his second goal past Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer during their Champions League semifinal first leg at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on Wednesday AP

Social media turns on Boateng after slip n AFP, Berlin

n AFP, Barcelona

Germany defender Jerome Boateng was roundly ridiculed on Twitter Thursday for slipping up ahead of Lionel Messi’s second goal in Barcelona’s 3-0 Champions League drubbing of Bayern Munich.

Messi’s magical footwork at the Camp Nou for his second left Germany defender Jerome Boateng flat on the turf in a move former England international Jamie Redknapp described as “almost illegal”.

UK newspaper the Daily Mail wrote: “He may have won the World Cup, the Champions League and three league titles, but that does not exclude him from being ridiculed on the internet”.

“Internet wasn’t gonna let this slip #Boateng” posted one fan with a mocked up picture of Boateng prostrate on the Camp Nou turf with a child’s slide super-imposed behind him.

“Watch it in slow motion and you can see the exact moment when Messi reaches over and takes Boateng’s batteries out,” tweeted freelance reporter Iain Macintosh.l

3-0

LIONEL MESSI The midfield maestro netted twice in three minutes to stun Pep Guardiola’s Bayern before putting Neymar through to score the hosts’ third goal with the type of inspired performance which could make the Argentinian a shoe-in for the 2015 Ballon d’Or if repeated.

JEROME BOATENG He may have won the World Cup, the Champions League and three Bundesliga titles, but the Germany centre-back was left prostrate on the Camp Nou turf in the wake of some magical footwork from Messi for his second goal. It was a move former England international Jamie Redknapp described as “almost illegal”.

NO ARJEN ROBBEN OR FRANCK RIBERY Robben scored 19 goals this season before torn stomach muscles, then a torn calf on his return ended his season. Likewise, Bayern have been missing France winger Franck Ribery since March 11 due to an ankle injury. Without their pace, Bayern have struggled to sparkle down the flanks.

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI’S MISS The Poland striker played at the Camp Nou with a protective mask after fracturing his cheekbone and nose in Bayern’s German Cup semi-final defeat to Borussia Dortmund. But Bayern’s top hot-shot, who has scored 23 times this season, missed an absolute sitter on 18 minutes when Thomas Mueller’s cross brushed past his boot right in front of goal. Had Bayern taken an early lead, the Germans chances in the return leg would look a little less pessimistic.

DEFEAT TO DORTMUND Bayern’s German Cup semi-final defeat week last Tuesday in a penalty shoot-out cost the Bavarians dearly on a number of levels. Bayern’s hopes of repeating their 2013 treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and cup titles were ended.

The defeat was followed up by a league loss at Bayer Leverkusen last Saturday which seemed to take Bayern’s confidence down a few notches. As Bayern coach Pep Guardiola admitted, winning the German league or cup does little to satisfy the Bavarians’ hunger for titles: they want to win the treble, including the Champions League.

Messi leaves Guardiola undone “Messi devours Guardiola,” screamed the front page of Spanish sports daily Marca on Thursday as the Argentine won the battle of Barcelona legends past and present in a 3-0 win for the Catalans in the first-leg of their Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.

Pep Guardiola could see it coming, yet was powerless to prevent it. Stop Lionel Messi?

“Impossible,” he said 24 hours before the game.

“There is not a system or coach to stop talent of his magnitude,” he added, and so it proved as Messi struck twice and set up Neymar in the final 13 minutes to take Barca to the brink of next month’s final in Berlin.

On his homecoming to the Camp Nou after 11 years as a player and captain and then four more as the club’s most successful coach ever in winning 14 trophies between 2008 and 2012, Guardiola tried his best.

An almost suicidal back three going manto-man with Barca’s front three of Messi, Luis

Suarez and Neymar, who now have 111 goals between them this season, was ditched early on, but Bayern still displayed a bravado beyond almost any other side when faced with the daunting task of a rampant Barca at the Camp Nou. Despite being plagued by injuries, most notably to the two men who tore Barca to

RESULT Barcelona (ESP)

3-0

Bayern Munich (GER)

Messi 77, 80, Neymar 90+4

shreds in a 7-0 thrashing for the Catalans at this stage of the competition two years ago in Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, Bayern still had more possession.

Yet, in this test of Barca old verus Barca new, Guardiola’s old friend Luis Enrique was vindicated as his more powerful, direct approach won out.

“Percentages here and there don’t matter.

The important thing is how much you have the ball in the opposition half because that is

where you can cause damage,” said Enrique afterwards.

The statistics that mattered backed him up too. Barca didn’t just score the only three goals on the night, they had all of the eight shots on target too.

Given the exploits of Messi, Suarez and Neymar this season, the defensive solidity instigated by Enrique has often gone overlooked.

This was their sixth consecutive clean sheet, a 31st in 54 games this season.

Yet, with 77 minutes on the clock, Bayern looked to have done their job.

The one man mountain threatening to prove his coach wrong and stop Messi, as he had in last year’s World Cup final, was Manuel Neuer. His giant frame had pulled off brilliant saves to deny Luis Suarez and Dani Alves.

Yet, even he proved fallible to Messi’s brilliance. When given space on the edge of the area for the first time in the match, the fourtime World Player of the Year looked towards the far corner then hooked the ball back in at the near post leaving Neuer flummoxed.l

DT

Sport 29

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Narine’s action cleared once again, given ‘final warning’ n

Cricinfo

West Indies and Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Sunil Narine has been cleared to bowl once again by the BCCI’s Suspect Bowling Action Committee but he has been given a “final warning”. Narine’s name has been taken off

DAY’S WATCH BTV, Gazi TV, Star Sports 1 10:00AM Pakistan Tour of Bangladesh 2nd Test, Day 3

Ten Cricket 8:30PM Indian Premier League Chennai v Mumbai

Ten Action 12:30AM French Ligue 1 PSG v Guingamp

Ten Sports 7:30PM ATP 1000 Masters Mutua Madrid Open: QFs

Star Sports 4 2:00PM F1: Barcelona Grand Prix Practice Sessions 12:10AM Spanish La Liga Eibar v Espanyol

the list of bowlers with suspect actions but he was informed that another transgression would result in him being banned for this IPL season.

It is understood Narine was delivering the offbreak with a flex in his elbow, which meant he was going back to the old action that had

been reported during the 2014 Champions LeagueTwenty20. The review committee wanted him to be consistent with his remodelled action.

“In its decision on 28 April 2015 to ban Mr. Narine from bowling off-spinners in the IPL, the BCCI Suspect Bowling Action Committee noted that the player could request a further Official Assessment by the Committee,” the BCCI said in a release. “This request was received and accordingly the player underwent a third biomechanical analysis of his action at the ICC and BCCI accredited Sri Ramachandra Arthroscopy and Sports Sciences Centre (SRASSC) in Chennai - this time for his remodelled action (i.e. the one that had been cleared by the Committee immediately before the IPL season).

This analysis has re-confirmed the conclusion of the first Official Assessment by the Committee - namely that the remodelled action for the off-spinner does not contravene Law 24.2 (as read with Law 24.3).

“The Committee, however, has drawn Mr. Narine’s attention to paragraph 4.9 of the IPL Suspected Illegal Bowling Action Policy. Any further report for a suspected illegal bowling action during the course of this season will automatically mean that Mr. Narine is banned from bowling for the rest of the season.”

After the match between Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 22, the onfield officials reported a number of Narine’s deliveries as suspect. Narine underwent fresh tests immediately and was cleared to bowl all his deliveries expect the offbreak, which was deemed illegal. On April 29, Narine underwent a retest on his offbreak, which was banned by the BCCI, and was cleared on the evening of May 6.l

The case of the missing statue n AFP, London A bronze statue that went missing and then reappeared has become the symbol of the steady and unedifying decline of former Premier League football club Blackpool.

Depicting club legend Stan Mortensen, scorer of a hat-trick against Bolton Wanderers in the 1953 FA Cup final, the statue had stood on a plinth outside Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road home in northwest England since August 2005.

Last week it vanished, after fans ear-

marked it as a rallying point for a protest against the club’s owners, the Oyston family, prior to the final game of the season against Huddersfield Town.

Although it reappeared on Wednesday, the club’s fans are furious, with the Blackpool Supporters’ Trust describing what happened as “beyond contempt”.

“It’s embarrassing that we’ve got owners at the club that could even think about it, let alone do that to a club’s hero,” Stephen Smith from fan group Tangerine Knights told AFP. “It’s utterly disgraceful.”l

Spanish competitions suspended from May 16 in TV dispute n AFP, Madrid The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced on Wednesday that it intends to suspend all competitions from May 16 in a dispute with the Spanish government over a new law introduced to regulate the sale of television rights.

The suspension could affect the end to the La Liga season with the penultimate round of fixtures due to take place on May 17.

The RFEF said in a statement it will “suspend competitions of all categories starting from May 16 indefinitely”.

“At the same time, once more we reiterate the RFEF is open to dialogue with the Spanish government.”

If there is no resolution to the dispute, the key May 17 title clash between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid would fall victim to the stoppage. The Spanish Cup final, set for May 30 between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao, would also not take place.

The new TV deal signed into law recently by the Spanish government was seen as a means of helping loosen the financial stranglehold of Barcelona and Real Madrid, the two giants of the Spanish game.

Under the new government plan, announced last week, the tradition of clubs being allowed to negotiate their own TV deals would end.

Instead, the rights would be auctioned just as they are in England’s lucrative Premier League.

The RFEF said it was unhappy over the partition of the money as well as the reduction of revenue from betting streams.

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi had even added his voice to supporting industrial action.

“The AFE have met with us. The players are with them in what they say,” said Messi. l

Real top Forbes’ most valuable teams list n Reuters European champions Real Madrid are the world’s most valuable soccer club for a third straight year, according to a Forbes poll released on Wednesday that showed the average value of the top 20 teams rose 11 percent over last year.

The Spanish club’s value fell five percent to $3.26 billion but their $746 million in revenue, the highest of any sports team in the world, was enough to keep them top of the list, Forbes said in a statement.

Barcelona ($3.16 billion), Manchester United ($3.10 billion), German champions Bayern Munich ($2.35 billion) and Manchester City ($1.35 billion) rounded out the top five.l

10 most valuable soccer teams (in billions) 1. Real Madrid $3.26 2. Barcelona $3.16 3. Man United $3.10 4. Bayern Munich $2.35 5. Man City $1.38

6. Chelsea $1.37 7. Arsenal $1.31 8. Liverpool $982 9. Juventus $837 10. AC Milan $775

DT

30 DOWNTIME

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Exhibit (4) 3 Absent (4) 7 Reverential fear (3) 8 Operatic airs (5) 11 Delineate (4) 12 Get up (5) 13 Coming after (5) 15 Encounter (4) 18 Paradise (4) 19 Wish upon evil (5) 20 Conscious of (5) 21 Sibilate (4) 23 Happen again (5) 24 Land measure (3) 25 Swarm (4) 26 Consumer (4)

DOWN 1 Firm (6) 2 Narcotic (6) 4 Armed conflict (3) 5 Rouses from sleep (6) 6 Tree (3) 9 Sports enclosures (6) 10 Knight’s title (3) 11 Affectedly modest (6) 14 Have high opinion (6) 16 Builds (6) 17 Extreme fear (6) 19 Vehicle (3) 21 Headwear (3) 22 Bishop’s territory (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 21 represents C so fill C 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

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Sutopar Thikana set to release today

CELEBS ON SOCIAL Jennifer Lopez @ JLo Woke up in LA, to SF, back to LA for #Idol then Orlando.

Whew...What are you doing today? #BusinessBarbie

n Showtime Desk “Sutopar Thikana,” alternatively called “Her Own Address,” is all set to release today in the movie theaters marking the Mother’s Day. Directed by independent film-maker, Proshoon Rahman, who assisted the late Tarque Masud on a few projects, the film depicts a woman’s dependant life in various stages. The film is a screen adaptation of a book titled “Ishhorer Ichhe Nei Boley,” written by the director himself.

Aparna Ghosh has played the eponymous role in the film while it is one of those rare kinds which hold a female lead.

Dramatically depicted the four different stages of Sutopa as an adolescent girl, as a married woman, as a widow and lately as old lady, the story emphasises on the woman in the South Asian region.

Apart from Aparna, Shahadat Hosain, Jayanta Chatyapadhaya and Mahmudul Islam Mithu have also worked in the film.

Kumar Bishwajit has produced music for the film while Samina Chowdury, Kumar Bishwajit, Kishor, Kona and Chondona Mozumdar has lent voices to the songs.

The film, produced by Imation Creator, won the National Filmmaking Grant and are aiming to secure a place in the International film festivals schedule after its elease. l

Victoria Beckham @victoriabeckham Looking forward to @sgfashionweek ! x vb #SGFW

Aamir Khan @ aamir_khan I visited Nepal recently, and my heart breaks with the rising death toll.

Please lets help the affected children http://www. supportunicef.org/ Nepal

WHAT TO WATCH

event

Blood Diamond A HBO 6:38pm A fisherman, a smuggler, and a syndicate of businessmen match wits over the possession of a priceless diamond.

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly

A poetic evening Anik Khan and Kelly McCarthy invites all to join them for a night of poetry. At the occasion poetry will be performed in both Bangla and English!

Anik Khan is an Executive Editor of UNMAD Satire Magazine, a Show Host at Radio Foorti 88.0 FM in Dhaka, Host/ Researcher at ATN News.

Former resident of Dhaka, Kelly McCarthy, on the other hand, is a Foreign Service Officer for the United States of America. She has a knack for writing poetry and organises poetry readings and rooftop gatherings.

Ticket: BDT 100, free for EMK Center Members upon showing ID card. Tickets will be available at the venue before the event.

May 13- Film Screening: Gulabi Gang May 16- 2Day GRE Workshop May 19- Experience Sharing:Post Graduate and Research Assistantship

The Matrix A WB 10:00pm A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers.

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss

Breaking Bad n Showtime Desk Behind the spotlight, Salman Khan appears to have a dark side. In his nearly three-decade-long career, Salman has mesmerised his fans by playing a wide range of roles. From romancing his heroines to fighting villains, the Khan has done it all. However in reality, Salman Khan is known as the “bad boy” of Bollywood.

In 1998, he allegedly killed two black bucks, an antelope species. About four years later, he drove over homeless pedestrians sleeping on a pavement in Mumbai. Salman was also accused of abusing his former girlfriend who herself is a famous actress. And quite recently,

Fast & Furious 6 Star Movies 6:53pm

Salman was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison. However, nothing could bring down his massive fan base.

Salman is widely called “Bhaijaan” among his friends, family and fans. Despite all the controversies, he is loved for the talented man he is and also because of his down-to-earth personality, which has inspired a film named “Being Bhaijaan.”

Director, Shabani Hassanwalia, told the New York Times that his personality and attributes usually appeal to the men who feel left behind in India’s race towards development.

Fan or not, everyone is wondering what’s next for India’s biggest super star. He has currently been granted bail and his lawyers are trying to argue down the verdict. l

B

Hobbs has Dominic and Brian reassemble their crew to take down a team of mercenaries: Dominic unexpectedly gets convoluted also facing his presumed deceased girlfriend, Letty.

Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwanye Johnson

DT

32 BACK PAGE

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

RMG EXPORT GROWTH NOSEDIVES PAGE 15

A BAD DAY AT THE OFFICE FOR THE TIGERS PAGE 25

SUTOPAR THIKANA SET TO RELEASE TODAY PAGE 31

PM orders fast probe into polls-related cases She also asked officials to carry out investigation for identifying those who finance militancy n Shohel Mamun Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the law enforcement agencies to speed up investigation and submit charge sheets in the violence-related cases filed against the leaders and activists of the BNP and its allies perpetrated before and after last year’s January 5 polls.

She also asked the Home Ministry officials to continue the joint force’s operation to resist “anti-people activities” with a view to keeping law and order situation under control.

The premier, who is also in charge of the Home Ministry, held several meetings at the ministry yesterday. She went to the Secretariat in the morning and discussed law and order, and the pending cases regarding political violence with the top officials.

Hasina asked the officials concerned to expedite probe in the cases registered for violence before and after the first anniversary of

the January 5 polls this year.

The Detective Branch of police on Wednesday submitted two charge sheets against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and 38 others in a case filed for petrol bomb attack on a passenger bus in the capital’s Jatrabari area on January 23. Khaleda, also the chief of 20-party alliance, has been mentioned as mastermind in the charge sheets.

One person died while 14 others sustained burn injuries in the attack, carried out allegedly by the BNP-Jamaat men during the alliance’s non-stop blockade and hartals demanding resignation of the incumbent government.

At least 102 people were killed since the blockade was called on January 6. Most of the victims did not have any political affiliation.

A total of 1,717 cases were filed over the incidents across the country.

Earlier, series of violent incidents took place

before and after the 2014 general election, which the BNP-led alliance boycotted. At least 146 people, including 17 police personnel, were killed in the incidents. A total of 3,800 cases were filed in connection with the violence.

According to police record, they have so far pressed charge sheets in 1,156 cases.

The prime minister yesterday also instructed the Home Ministry officials to execute the recommendations made by a judicial inquiry committee over the planned attacks perpetrated upon the Hindus and Awami League supporters just after the October 1, 2001 national polls.

The committee formed in 2009 following a High Court order had identified dozens of top BNP-Jamaat for instigating massive violence, rape, arson and looting across the country.

The report was handed over to the Home Ministry on April 25, 2011. The ministry was supposed to formulate guidelines on how the

Britain polls predict dead heat n Reuters, London

Britons voted on Thursday in the tightest election for decades; one that could cause government gridlock, push the world’s fifth-largest economy closer to leaving the European Union and stoke a second attempt by Scotland to break away.

Final opinion polls showed Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservatives and Ed Miliband’s opposition Labour Party almost in a dead heat, indicating neither will win enough seats for an outright majority in the 650-seat parliament.

However, the surveys suggested there had been some late movement toward Labour.

“This race is going to be the closest we have ever seen,” Miliband told supporters in Pendle, northern England, on the eve of the vote. “It is going to go down to the wire.”

Cameron said only his Conservatives could deliver strong, stable government: “All other options will end in chaos,” he insisted.

The Conservatives portray themselves as the party of jobs and economic recovery, promising to reduce income tax for 30 million people while forcing through further spending cuts to eliminate a budget deficit still running at 5 percent of GDP. Labour says it would cut the deficit each year, raise income tax for the highest 1 percent of earners and defend the interests of hard-pressed working families and Britain’s treasured but financially stretched National Health Service.

“I think Labour is best for the good of the whole country. The Conservatives have cut spending too much,” said student Abi Samuel at a polling station in Edinburgh’s well-heeled New Town.

recommendations could be implemented.

According to the report, as many as 3,625 incidents of violence took place across the country between October 1, 2001 and December 31, 2002. During that time, 355 political murders occurred while the rest are related to rape, gang rape, arson, looting and other serious crimes.

To uproot militancy, the premier yesterday asked the officials concerned to investigate whether illegal money generated from drug dealing and smuggling was being used to finance militant outfits in the country, said a Home Ministry official, present at the meeting, preferring anonymity.

After the meeting, State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told the Dhaka Tribune that they would start working seriously to follow the instructions made by the prime minister. “We are trying to identify the financiers of the militants,” he said. l

DMP awaiting Khaleda’s arrest warrant

n Mohammad Jamil Khan

An advertising van with images of Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron and leader of the opposition Labour Party Ed Miliband drives around Parlaiment Square, central London, Britain yesterday REUTERS Retiree Robert McCairley said it had been a messy campaign.

“What disappoints me is that there was too much on the National Health Service, hospitals and schools but not enough on the deficit - no one showed us the figures,” he said.

If neither party wins an overall majority, talks will begin on Friday with smaller parties in a race to strike deals.

That could lead to a formal coalition, like the one Cameron has led for the past five years with the centrist Liberal Democrats, or it could produce a fragile minority govern-

ment making trade-offs to guarantee support on key votes.

Britain’s top share index fell to a onemonth low over the election uncertainty although there was no expectation of any significant sell-off.

The pound was slightly weaker but the short-term cost of protection against swings in the pound jumped to multi-year highs.

“What is important to us is clarity as soon as possible,” Andrew Witty, chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline, Britain’s sixth-largest company by market value, told reporters. l

Police will take action against the 31 absconding accused, including BNP chief Khaleda Zia, in the Jatrabari arson attack case soon after getting arrest warrant.

“After filing charge sheet against 38 leaders and activists of the BNP-led 20-party alliance on Wednesday, also appealed to the court to issue an arrest warrant against the 31 absconding accused,” said Monirul Islam, head of the DB and spokesperson of DMP. He was talking to reporters at his office in Minto Road in the city yesterday.

Two cases were filed under the explosives and special power acts in connection with the January 23 arson attack on a loaded bus in the capital’s Jatrabari area. The charge sheet was filed in the explosives act, said Monirul.

Police have found that 39 people were involved with the attack. One of the suspects was killed in a gunfight with police, so that the investigation officer pressed charges against 38.

Monirul said that soon after the attack that left one dead and several others injured, police arrested seven people. All of those seven had given confessional statements.

“The charge sheet was prepared on the basis statements from victims and witnesses,” the DB boss said.

At least 28 passengers sustained burns after a bus was firebombed in Jatrabari on January 23 during the BNP-led alliance’s nationwide blockade programme.

Monirul said Khaleda Zia is named as the mastermind and they need a warrant to arrest her and the other absconding accused who include a number of professional criminals. l

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