29 July, 2015

SECOND EDITION

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

|

‘RAJON WAS NOT A THIEF’ PAGE 3

Shraban 14, 1422, Shawwal 12, 1436

|

Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 104

ADP IMPLEMENTATION AT 5-YEAR LOW PAGE 15

JMB chief’s son, 7 others arrested n Mohammad Jamil Khan Leaders and activists of banned militant outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) wanted to prove their strength by attacking on prison van to snatch its jailed chief Maulana Saidur Rahman, detectives say after the arrest of the group’s acting chief.

Apart from Saidur, they had also planned to free Mufti Jashim Uddin Rahmani, the chief of another outlawed group, Ansarullah Bangla Team, now in the same Kashimpur High Security Jail.

Once they became successful in the prison van attack, the JMB leaders were supposed to contact with international Islamist militant groups Islamic State and al-Qaeda to fulfil their aim of establishing a Shariah-based state here.

Monirul Islam, joint commissioner of police’s Detective Branch, at a press conference yesterday said they had arrested Abu Talha alias Fahim alias Pakhi, also the son of JMB chief Saidur Rahman, at a house in Uttara earlier in the day along with seven others. They are Md Shafiqul Islam, Md Ruhul Amin, Md Imdadul Haque, Md Rafiq Ahmed alias Royel, Md Mostofa, Md Sakhawat Ullah and Md Ali Ashraf Rajib.

“They almost finalised the plans about the prison van attack. They were set to launch the attack when Pakhi’s father would be taken to Mymensingh court for hearing in cases from jail,” he said.

Some dishonest jail officials had provided Saidur and Rahmani with mobile phones.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

|

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

DCS ASKED TO WORK FOR MID-INCOME TARGET PAGE 32

Exclaves rife with rumours of Indian aid package On the eve of the Bangladesh-India territory exchange, exclave residents are in the spotlight as they choose whether to move or to stay. The fourth part of this report looks at the uncertainty and speculation driving their decisions

n Jebun Nesa Alo from Kurigram Rumour mills in the Indian exclaves are working overtime on the eve of the final settlement of the Bangladesh-India territory exchange, with suggestions swirling about that India will handsomely reward those who retain their Indian nationality.

At the stroke of midnight on July 31, the two states will formally exchange territories.

The following day the population transfer of those who wish to return to their respective mainlands will begin.

Apex court to decide SQ Chy’s fate today n Tribune Report The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court is all set to deliver its verdict today on an appeal filed by BNP leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, challenging his death penalty awarded for committing genocide and systematic killings during the Liberation War in 1971.

A four-member bench headed by Chief Justice SK Sinha will deliver the verdict at 9am. Other members of the bench are Justice Nazmun Ara Sultana, Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Hasan Foez Siddique.

The bench had fixed the date on July 7 after completing hearing on the appeal for 13 days. It will be the fifth verdict of the Appellate Division in war crimes appeals.

The International Crimes Tribunal 1 found notorious war criminal Salauddin, 66, guilty of nine of the 23 charges brought against him by the prosecution. On October 1, 2013, the tribunal sentenced him to death on four charges, 20 years in jail on three and five years in jail on two other charges.

Salauddin, who had served then prime minister Khaleda Zia as her parliamentary affairs adviser during 2001-06, was given death penalty for his involvement in two acts of genocide, the killing of Nutan Chandra Singha, and Awami League leader Mozaffar

PAGE 3 Board formed to treat bullet-hit mother

SQ CHY CASE December 16, 2010

Arrested

More sub-standard wheat in queue at Chittagong Port n Abu Bakar Siddique

three other defence witnesses echoed him.

His counsel reiterated the claim during the appeal hearing.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Shown arrested in war crimes case April 4, 2012

Indicted August 14, 2013

End of arguments October 1, 2013

Tribunal verdict October 29, 2013

Appeal filed June 16, 2015

Hearing begins July 7, 2015

End of arguments July 29, 2015

Appellate Division verdict

PAGE 5 Father throws newborn from seventh floor

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

Around 225,000 tonnes of wheat imported from Europe have been waiting in vessels at the Chittagong Port because the Food Department says the cereal is of low quality.

Five vessels full of wheat imported from France and Romania have been waiting at the Kutubdia outer anchorage and the Chittagong Port outer anchorage for months.

MV Spar Canis, carrying 51.34 tonnes, has been waiting for 55 days; MV Jin Yao with 50.14 tonnes waiting for 43 days; MV Western Texas carrying 52.5 tonnes for 33 days; MV KP Albatross carrying 52.5 tonnes for 18 days; and MV Pintail has been waiting for 26 days with 5,797 tonnes.

The Dhaka Tribune however could not immediately verify the importers’ details.

Chittagong Divisional Food Controller Jahirul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that they had not yet got the consignments released because the grains did not match the specifications set out in the tender.

This comes in about a month after the Food Ministry faced severe criticism for importing 200,000 tonnes of wheat from Brazil

December 19, 2010

Ahmed and his son in Raozan of Chittagong.

The convict, however, refuted all the charges claiming that he had been in Pakistan from March 29, 1971 to April 20, 1974, and

Many exclave residents are considering opting for India in the hope of getting financial assistance from the Indian government, residents said.

Exclaves are portions of the territory of one state completely surrounded by the territory of another state as viewed by the home territory. This was the case with portions of Indian and Bangladeshi territory until the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) was settled.

The term “enclave” is sometimes used – incorrectly – when reporting on the LBA and the

PAGE 8 Gaddafi’s son Saif sentenced to death

PAGE 9 Saudi air strikes shatter Yemen truce

PAGE 15 Teletalk mulls Tk4,000cr network expansion

DT

2 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

China highlights close defence ties at embassy function n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Bangladesh hosted a reception yesterday marking the 88th founding anniversary of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Senior Colonel Zhang Wei, Chinese defence attaché in Bangladesh, said the rapid progress in China-Bangladesh military cooperation has reached “unprecedented levels.”

Chinese PLA Navy hospital ship Peace Ark visited Chittagong again and provided humanitarian services for locals. “Bangladesh so far is the only country to receive the medical ship twice.”

A press release also said over the past three decades, Bangladesh and China have maintained close defence ties.

“China not only is a reliable and affordable source of weapons and equipment for the Bangladesh Armed Forces, but also provides military technology and training.”

The press release also said: “During the honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to China, the two sides have agreed to forge closer defence relations in the future, which includes a growing number of high-level exchange visits, training programmes, joint exercises, defence procurement, security cooperation such as counter-terrorism, anti-piracy, peacekeeping cooperation and disaster management.” l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Apex court to decide SQ Chy On the other hand, seven people including Salauddin’s family members, lawyer and manager were sued for their alleged involvement in leaking the draft verdict from the tribunal’s computer. The Dhaka’s Cyber Tribunal is set to hold the indictment hearing on September 20.

Supreme Court lawyer Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, also an adviser to the BNP chief, placed arguments for the convict at the apex court while Attorney General Mahbubey Alam represented the state.

Mahbubey prayed to the court to uphold the death penalty as the charges brought against Salahuddin had been proven beyond reasonable doubt. After the hearing, the attorney general hoped that the apex court would uphold the death penalty.

On the other hand, defence counsel Mahbub claimed that most of the prosecution witnesses had not been eye witnesses and that they gave hearsay statements. He hoped that his client would be acquitted.

The defence started placing arguments on July 5. Earlier the state concluded their argument part on July 1. The court started holding the hearing on June 16.

The former BNP lawmaker from Raozan, Chittagong appealed against the tribunal verdict on October 29, 2013. He was arrested on December 16, 2010, and shown arrested in war crimes case on December 19 the same year.

The tribunal indicted him on April 4, 2012.

Some 2,000 police members were de-

ployed at Raozan, Rangunia, Sitakunda, Hathazari, Fatikchhari upazilas yesterday to avert any untoward incidents centring the verdict, Superintendent of Police Hafiz Akhtar told the Dhaka Tribune.

“Along with the police, we sought two platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh personnel in the upazilas to be deployed from tomorrow [this] morning,” said the SP adding that the police in other upazilas were too put on high alert.

Gonojagoron Moncho, a platform of youths demanding death penalty for all war criminals, has been observing sit-in at Shahbagh since Friday. On the other hand, Salauddin’s lawyer Mahbub has alleged that the Moncho’s demanding to uphold his client’s death penalty was contemptuous.

In its verdict, then tribunal chairman Justice ATM Fazle Kabir said: “We are of the unanimous view that the accused deserves the highest punishment as provided under law for committing such gravest crimes that tremble the collective conscience of mankind.”

The tribunal’s judgement said that Salahuddin sought to wipe out the Hindus by launching large-scale systematic attacks and killed unarmed civilians, unleashing a reign of terror in the locality. “As a result, millions of people were compelled to leave the country and took refuge in India,” it said.

During his detention at Kashimpur High Security Jail, Salahuddin was also sued on sodomy charges in March 2013. l

JMB chief’s son, 7 others arrested The leaders had regular contact with the JMB leaders outside, Monirul, also the DB chief, added.

Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and its wing Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) were banned in 2005. Founders of the groups – Shayakh Abdur Rahman and Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai – were hanged in 2007.

The law enforcers on September 18 last year arrested another acting chief of JMB, Abdullah Al-Tasnim Nahid, from Ashulia. Tasnim admitted that they had plans to kill the president and the prime minister along with other VIPs in a bid to draw the attention of the Islamic State.

He too had contact with the JMB chief.

Police last year revealed that the chiefs of JMB, Ansarullah and another banned militant group Harkat-ul Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh (HujiB) during their meeting in the jail had agreed to work together since their aim was the same.

Twelve HujiB leaders arrested recently also told detectives that they were planning to attack prison vans to free the leaders.

Militant activities have risen up significantly since last year after al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri in a video message called for floating their wing in the subcontinent.

DB chief Monirul yesterday said in absence of Saidur, his son Pakhi was leading the group.

He is accusing in a number of cases filed in Ra-

jshahi and Habiganj districts.

His elder brother Mohammad Shamim has been in Habiganj jail since 2005. Shamim used to work as JMB’s Information Technology unit chief.

Among the seven other arrestees, Shafiq leads the JMB unit in Sylhet district while Ruhul and Imdad jointly deal with its activities in Mymensingh district. Sakhawat used to collect jihadi video contents from the internet. Rest of the arrestees are also top leaders of the outfit.

“A huge number of jihadi books, leaflets, CD, militant training videos, 10 mobile phones containing militant information and video clips, and a motorcycle were recovered from their possessions,” Monirul said.

A case was filed against the arrestees with Uttara police under the Anti-Terrorism Act. “During their interrogation in remand, we will try to know about their financiers,” he added.

To materialise their prison van attack plan, the JMB members were given training based on the incident of February 23, last year when three top leaders including Boma Mizan had been snatched by the JMB members killing police members.

They were also shown video clips of JMB founder Shayakh Abdur Rahman and his aide Bangla Bhai given in Bagmara of Rajshahi ear-

lier, and those on the militant activities in the Middle East, collected from the internet.

Monirul said after the Trishal incident, law enforcement agencies had held a number a meetings held at the Home Ministry to stop mobile phone use by the jail inmates while the authorities concerned were issued alert. “But it did not work. We have nothing to do with this,” he said.

“The JMB leaders also used to share information through their lawyers and family members when they are taken to court or they meet in jail.”

During the briefing, the detectives showed a video clip where the JMB and JMJB chiefs asked the people to stand beside the Muslims.

Monirul said the JMB activities were traced mainly in the capital’s Mirpur, Uttara and Kadamtali areas; Bhaluka of Mymensingh and Rajshahi.

After the arrest of three JMB members in the capital’s Sayedabad area on July 30 last year, detectives said at least four businessmen in Dhaka had been financing the revival of the banned outfit.

With the money, the JMB bought land in Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar areas, and set up camps to train its new members, DB police told reporters. l

More sub-standard wheat in queue at Chittagong Port which were found to be of below standard by two government-initiated laboratory tests.

This year, the government is importing 600,000 tonnes of the cereal under 12 international tenders. The quality of the 200,000 tonnes that came in February and March gave rise to the criticism in June.

One part of that consignment was supplied by Singapore-based contractor Olam

International.

At that time, Food Minister Kamrul Islam, who has been blamed for importing rotten wheat, claimed that there was nothing wrong with the imported grains.

But two separate tests done by two government-owned agencies proved that the import from Brazil was of sub-standard quality and a significant volume was found to

be rotten.

One of those studies was conducted by the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) and the other by the laboratory at the Directorate General of Food – both arranged by the government.

Amid all the hullabaloo, the government transferred the then director general of the food directorate, Sarwar Khan. l

Exclaves rife with rumours of Indian aid package bilateral territory exchange. An enclave is defined as a portion of territory surrounded by a larger territory whose inhabitants are culturally or ethnically distinct.

Joynal, a resident of Dasiar Chhara exclave in Kurigram district, said: “I heard that the Indian government would provide a flat to everyone who opts for India as part of the rehabilitation package.

“I have no land in the exclave so it is better offer for me to live in India,” he said.

Joynal’s family does not want to go to India, but he has nevertheless decided to leave Bangladesh after hearing rumours of the generous Indian rehabilitation package.

“The Bangladesh government has not declared any compensation for exclave residents who have lived without basic amenities for years,” he said.

He could not offer proof of the package because he says he has neither seen nor heard any official announcement of it by the Indian government.

But that does not deter him. Joynal believes the Indian policy is to conceal the rehabilitation package until the population transfer is completed.

When asked whether India or Bangladesh had officially declared any rehabilitation packages for exclave residents, the chief of the Bangladesh survey team, Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Habibur Rahman, declined to comment.

He said the details of the exclave exchange agreement had still not been finalised.

A high official in the Bangladesh Home Ministry dismissed the rumours as Indian propaganda.

The officer, who is working with the exclave exchange team, said the terms of the agreement have been kept secret by the Bangladesh government because some conditions appear to be against Bangladesh’s interests.

“The minutes of the agreement still give priority to Indian interests,” he said. “As a result, Bangladesh government officials are strictly forbidden to disclose details of the agreement until it is finalised.”

Mizanur Rahman Mizan, a resident of Dasiar Chhara who works as a farm hand in India, said he heard from an Indian source that those who choose India will receive benefits.

Mizan, also the president of the Exclave United Council, said the offer might have been concealed so that no one leaves Bangladesh.

Moniruddin, 55, a resident of the same exclave and a member of the coordination committee to help the survey committee, said he too had heard the rumours.

“Rumours of an Indian government rehabilitation package has confused many people,” he said.

“Many people have decided to opt for India because of the rumours, but we have not received any official announcement confirming that the offer is true.” l

DT

NEWS 3

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

Board formed to treat bullet-hit mother The newborn might lose sight in her right eye, says doctor n Kamrul Hasan Dhaka Medical College Hospital authorities have formed a nine member medical board to treat the infant who miraculously survived a shooting and was admitted to the hospital early on Sunday.

The board, which will be led by Professor Abid Hossain Mollah, head of the paediatric department at DMCH, will be formed to monitor the infant’s condition.

Doctors said the condition of the newborn, who sustained bullet injuries while in the womb, is stable. However, she might lose sight in her right eye as a result of the injuries.

However, doctors have not given confirmation about the loss.

In the meantime, the mother of the baby, Nazma Khatun’s condition was improving yesterday, and she might come to DMCH in the afternoon today to see her baby, her relatives said.

Professor Ashraf-ul-Haq Kajol, one of the members of the board, told Dhaka Tribune that Nazma’s baby is out of danger.

However, she is now under monitoring by the medical team, he said, adding: “We are hopeful of returning the baby to her mother’s lap.”

Dr Kaniz Hasina of the department overseeing the treatment of the infant said, as part of this treatment, an eye specialist of the hospital has examined the baby. Though nothing can be said yet about the condition of the baby’s right eye, the specialist said she might lose eyesight in that eye.

She will recover from her other injuries very soon, and hopefully these will not create any serious problems for the baby, the doctor added.

The baby was born after a four-hour long caesarean operation on her mother at Magura General Hospital on Friday night.

The newborn received bullet injuries when her eight-month pregnant mother was shot in the abdomen during an attack by a Magura Jubo League faction on the extended family of another rival faction on Friday afternoon.

The newborn, who was shot allegedly by Jubo League men five days ago, while she was still in her mother's womb, is being treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The photo was taken yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU The attack left one of the family members dead and another person injured.

The mother was also worried about her child, and wanted to come to Dhaka. But in observing her own health condition, doctors advised her to wait at the hospital and said she would be released on Wednesday morning, said Bachchu Bhuiyan, Nazma’s husband.

The incident took place when pro-ruling party activists Azibar Sheikh and Mohammad Ali along with several of their followers attacked Kamrul Bhuiyan and his relatives who too belong to a pro-ruling group.

RAB arrest one more in Nijam murder case n Kamrul Hasan Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested another person in Rupganj, Narayanganj yesterday in connection with the murder of teenage boy Nijam on April 13.

Md Saiful Islam, 28, son of Abdul Latif, was arrested from his in-laws house in the morning on charge of his involvement in the brutal murder four months ago, said Operation Officer of RAB-1 ASP Muhit Kabir Serniabat.

Earlier, police and CID arrested five people in connection with the incident.

Son of local vegetable vendor Jalal Uddin of Mastul village, Najim, 16, was killed by a mob on charge of stealing a pigeon from a neighbour’s house.

Najim’s body was recovered from the

Shitalakkhya River at Noapara of Rupganj on April 16 and buried as an unidentified person.

The father of the victim later filed a case with the police station as his family came to know about the incident on April 17.

The gruesome incident was also videotaped.

The boy was alive till the end of the 5:39-minute-long footage but was later killed and his body was dumped nearby the Balu River.

The Criminal Investigation Department also formed a three-member committee led by the Assistant Superintendent of Police to find out the killers as soon as possible.

According to the RAB sources, they had identified 23 people who were involved with the murder. l

Nazma is the wife of Kamrul’s elder brother, Bachhu Bhuiyan.

Police and local sources said there is a long-standing feud between Kamrul and Azibar. Living in the Doyarpar area of Magura town, both are involved in Jubo League district-level politics.

Kamrul’s uncle Momin Bhuiyan, 65, who was injured by the gunshots and bomb splinters, died at Magura General Hospital early on Friday morning.

A supporter of Kamrul, Miraz Sheikh, 27, was also hacked during the attack.

The baby’s uncle, Rezwan Kabir Bhuiyan, said another Jubo league leader Sen Sumon was behind the attack.

A total of 16 people, including district BCL vice president Sen Suman, were accused in the case filed by Momin’s son Rubel Bhuiyan, he added.

Superintendent of Magura police AKM Ehsan Ullah said two teams of police were working to arrest the remainder of the accused.

Police officers have already traced some of them and hopefully will arrest them soon, he added. l

‘Rajon was not a thief’ n Our Correspondent, Sylhet

Rajon was not a thief and it was security guard Moyna who accused him of being a thief and started beating him, said Ayaz Ali, one of the accused in the Rajon murder case.

In his statement before Sylhet Metropolitan Magistrate 1 Court, Ayaz said Rajon was playing with other children in front of the automobile workshop in Kumargaon, of which Moyna is the security guard. Rajon and the children was playing with a van, when Moyna accused him of trying to steal it, grabbed him and tied him with a pole.

“I assisted Moyna in tying Rajon up, but I did it as a joke,” Ayaz was quoted by Detective Branch Inspector Suranjit Talukdar.

Ayaz also said he did not participate in Rajon’s brutal torture, but Moyna, Kamrul and other accused did, Suranjit told the Dhaka Tribune.

Ayaz was arrested by a combined opera-

tion of Jalalabad police and detectives on Friday around 1am and was presented before the court on Saturday by Inspector Suranjit, who asked to place Ayaz in remand for five days.

The court granted three days of remand, which ended yesterday and also brought out a statement from Ayaz.

Ayaz is from Jahangirgaon in Doarabazar, an upazila in Sunamganj district. He currently lives in Kumargaon area.

Thirteen-year-old Sheikh Samiul Alam Rajon was brutally beaten to death by locals Kamrul Islam, Muhit Alam, Moyna and a few other men, who recorded a video of the barbaric torture and later uploaded it to the internet.

The video caused an outrage across the country and police arrested 13 people in connection with the murder.

Besides Ayaz, accused Muhit, his brother Ali Haider, Moyna, Firoz Ali, Noor Miah and Azmat Ullah have given their confessional statement before the court as well. l

DT

4 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

CASE AGAINST KHALEDA FOR CALLING AL ATHEIST FORCE

Holy Cross ex-principal Sister Mary dies n Tribune Online Report

n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

Former principal of Holy Cross College Sister Joseph Mary, CSC, breathed her last at Saint Mary’s Convent (Retirement House) in Indiana in the US. Sister Mary was 85 years old, having been born on February 14, 1930.

According to a press release, the former principal passed away at around 6:50am (BD time) yesterday. Her death was caused by old age complications.

She had made major contributions to education in Bangladesh, having served in the sector from 1956 till 2014.

She had served as the director of student affairs, vice-principal and principal of Holy Cross College, as well as the coordinator of The Holy Cross Sisters’ Association of Asia. l

Probe report submission date Aug 27 A Dhaka court yesterday fixed August 27 for submitting a probe report in a case filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on charge of calling Awami League a party of atheists.

Metropolitan Magistrate Shamsul Arefin passed the order as Shahbagh police failed to submit the probe report before the court on Tuesday.

The deadline for submitting the probe report has been extended several times by the court as Shahbagh police have failed to submit it on the scheduled dates.

On October 21, 2014, AB Siddique, president of Jananetri Parishad, a pro-Awami

League organisation, filed the case with Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court against Khaleda Zia under section 153 (a) and 295 (ka) of the penal code.

According to the case statement, Siddique alleged that Khaleda on October 14, last year, at a function in the capital’s Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh said, “The Awami League doesn’t believe in secularism but in atheism.”

She called the Awami League a party of atheists and alleged that it professed itself to be a secularist part which was nothing but a sham.

Her remarks had hurt the religious sentiment of people, the plaintiff said in his complaint.

At the programme organised to mark the Shubha Bijoya, Khaleda further said secularism is Awami League’s mask and it is the ruling party that attacks religious communities whenever it gets a chance.

Terming the incumbent government a power grabber she further said the ruling party men were torturing the Hindu community across the country.

But the government had not taken any action against them, complainant mentioned in the case statement.

After recording the case statement, Metropolitan Magistrate Md Mustafizur Rahman directed Shahbagh police to investigate the case and submit a probe report before it by November 19 last year. l

Hearing against Fakhrul, 25 others moved to Aug 26

n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

A Dhaka court yesterday set August 26 to hold a hearing on charges framed against BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and 25 others.

A case had been lodged against them for vandalising and setting fire to vehicles.

Metropolitan Magistrate Tareq Moinul Islam Bhuiyan set the date accepting a time petition filed by the defence counsel in the case.

The hearing had been set to be held yesterday, but defence counsel Zaynal Abedin Mesbah pleaded to adjourn the date, stating that Mirza Fakhrul could not appear before the court due to illness and is now staying abroad for treatment.

Police had filed the case on the charges of vandalism and arson of the vehicles at Paltan area in the capital on March 2, 2013.

Sub-inspector Aminul Islam of Paltan Police Station later submitted a charge-sheet against the 26 BNP men, including Mirza Fakhrul, BNP standing committee members barrister Moudud Ahmed, Mirza Abbas and Gayeshar Chandra Roy, and joint secretary general Aman Ullah Aman, on March 26, 2013. l

Rizvi denied bail again n Tribune Report BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi was again denied bail in two cases filed on charge of his involvement in street violence.

The cases were filed with Motijheel police station in the capital. Metropolitan Magistrate Shamsul Arefin rejected his bail petition filed by defence counsel Syed Zaynal Abedin Mesbah.

The court also rejected another petition submitted by Motijheel police seeking a 20day remand for Rizvi in the two cases.

The court, however, asked police to quiz him at the jail gate within two working days in connection with the cases.

According to the case documents, the cases were filed for torching vehicles in front of Basic Bank Bhaban on Circular Road and in Wapda auditorium during the BNP-led-alliance blockade programme on January 8 and 19 this year.

On January 31, Rizvi was arrested from a house located on the Park Road in Baridhara area in the capital. l

A mobile court burns fake cigarettes and cigarette making materials worth millions during a drive at a cigarette factory in Bakshorai village under Rajshahi’s Poba upazila yesterday. The factory used to produce cigarettes using different brand names AZAHAR UDDIN

Law minister stresses new law to end cyber crime n Tribune Report

Law Minister Anisul Haque yesterday said a new law will soon be enacted to resist cyber terrorism and for the trial of cyber terrorists.

He said this while speaking at a seminar on Resisting Cyber Terrorism: Role of the Government and Civil Society at Dhanmondi’s WVA auditorium in the capital.

The Forum for Secular Bangladesh and Trial of War Criminals of 1971 organised the programme.

The defeated forces of 1971 started a war in a new format and this time too they will be defeated, he added.

Zunaid Ahmead Palak, state minister for the ICT, said after the five basic rights Internet facility is one of the most important needs.

He also stressed the need for a new law to stop cyber crime.

Justice Syed Amirul Islam, Advisor of the Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, said enactment of the new law is not only solution to bringing an end to cyber crime the law must be implemented.

Mustafa Zabbar, president of Bangladesh Computer Society said, as the present law is not adequate to fight cyber crime the government should go for a new ICT law.

Among others, Shahriar Kabir, acting president of Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, Shamsundar Shikdar, secretary, the ICT ministry and Md Abdur Rashid, executive director of the Institute of Conflict, Law and Development Studies were present at the programme. l

World Tiger Day today n UNB The World Tiger Day is being celebrated across the country today, aiming to build awareness across the globe to save the remaining population of the majestic big cat from extinction.

The global population of tiger, which is also popularly known as Bengal Tiger, the national animal of Bangladesh, has declined to 3,200 from one lakh in just 100 years since 1900.

The outlook has become bleaker for the population of tiger in the Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans, a world heritage site and the world’s largest abode of tiger, as the population here is declining alarmingly, according to experts and officials.

The Forest Department and different non-government organisatins have chalked out elaborate programmes in the capital as well as Satkhira, Bagerhat and Khulna districts to raise awareness among people for tiger conservation. l

DT

NEWS 5

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

An angry group of pedestrians try to vandalise a bus that injured a pedestrian at Banani’s Kakoli intersection in the capital yesterday. To escape a possible mob beating, the driver and helper of the bus managed to flee despite the presence of a traffic police at the scene SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Father throws away newborn from seventh floor n Nadim Hossain, Savar

Sending shock waves to the nation, a man in Savar has chosen the most tragic way to escape paying bill of a hospital by throwing his 25-dayold boy from the rooftop of the hospital.

Fazlul Hoque, father of Abdullah, yesterday confessed to the police after conducting the brutal act on Monday morning.

The baby was born in a local hospital in Savar on July 2. He started suffering from viral blood infection and pneumonia since birth.

Fazlul, who is a private car driver, admitted his son to Enam Medical College and Hospital four days after his birth. Abdullah was admitted at the neonatal intensive care unit of the hospital and his mother Nurunnahar, 25, kept at cabin number 716.

After receiving treatment for 21 days, Abdullah was sent to the cabin to stay with his parents on Sunday. In the night, Abdullah, Nurunnahar, Fazlul and his sister Jobeda Khatun, 50, stayed in the cabin.

Fazlul confessed to Savar police that he could not sleep at that night as the hospital had prepared a bill of Tk2,50,000 which he had to pay on Monday morning, said Additional Police Super of Dhaka Ashraful Azim.

He was also worried that the child might get infected again after going back home. So to get rid of the stress and tension he threw the child away from seventh floor of the hospital.

Ashraful said: “To escape paying the bill, Fozlul chose this path of cruelty. He confessed of killing his newborn boy during primary interrogation.”

In the morning, the hospital authorities found the body of the baby lying on the ground behind the hospital building. They recovered the body and informed police.

Police sent the body to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for an autopsy and detained Fazlul’s sister Jobeda Khatun in this connection on Monday. Police yesterday released Jobeda and arrested Fozlul following his confession. l

Police hunt for mastermind of NBR member shooting case n Kamrul Hasan Investigators have arrested four people for their alleged involvement in the NBR member shooting case at Banani on March 23.

According to the police, they were contract killers and the mastermind is yet to be identified.

The four are just contract killers. The police are now looking for the person who planned the crime Around 7pm on that day, the miscreants shot 56-year-old NBR Member Barrister Jahangir Hossain Howlader when he was out walking near the customs officers’ quarters on Banani Road 2.

A case was filed with Banani police against unidentified persons on March 24.

Police primarily suspected that he might have been mistakenly targeted by the unidentified gunmen. Later, the case was handed over to the DB police.

DB sources said two of the four arrestees

had given confessional statements to a Dhaka court and were later sent to jail by the court.

The sources said two of them had come out of jail recently after being imprisoned for more than 10 years.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of DB (south) Md Nurunnabi said the police had arrested the four men who were present during the shooting. Among them, one had shot the NBR member.

However, the ADC could not confirm their identities.

He said there was no reason for them to have shot him. They were just contract killers.

The police are now looking for the person who had planned and financed the crime.

The ADC said the police had received information about the mastermind from the four men and continuing their investigation to arrest the criminal.

After Jahangir had received a bullet wound to his waist, surgeons had operated on him and were able to remove the bullet.

Doctors said the National Board of Revenue (NBR) member was out of danger, but was still being monitored at the ICU of the capital’s United Hospital. l

DT

6 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

TORTURE ON ORPHANAGE GIRLS

Probe committee found staff guilty n Our Correspondent, Barisal The probe committee formed to investigate torture on girls at Sarkari Shishu Poribar orphange, found staff and officials of the institution guilty.

The probe committee also recommended stern actions against staff who indiscriminately torture two girls when they tried to flee away from the orphanage facing repression.

A seven-member committee led by Abul Kalam Azad, additional deputy commissioner, was formed on July 14 after the incident of torture on two girls came to the light.

According to the probe report, such kind of torture on orphange girls is a common phenomenon for lack of proper monitoring and staff ’s negligence on duty.

Health Assistant Md Dulal Mia was directly found guilty for torturing the girls and Manoj Kumar Gharami, deputy director and Ismat Ara Khanam, in charge of the orphanage accused of gross negligence in duty and failure in preventing irregularities.

The irregularities include violation of government service rules and regulations, substandard feeding, lack of entertainment for orphans, unwanted and random entrance of outsiders inside the orphanage area, said the report.

To remove these irregularities the report suggested formation of monitoring committee headed by ADC of the district administration, inter-ministry transfer of staffs and officials, added the report.

Providing standard food, health and sanitation facilities, different types of entertainment facilities like television, indoor and outdoor sports and recreation, arranging monthly family-day were also suggested in the report.

Corporal punishment against two girls at an orphanage run by Social Welfare Directorate in Barisal has caused uproar among the public after its footage went viral on social networking sites.

The incident of torture took place on July 4, the district administration became aware of it after the footage went viral on different social networking sites.

The footage uploaded on Facebook shows Md Dulal, health assistant at the institution, is indiscriminately beating two girls as they try to flee from the shelter home.

According to orphanage sources, Akhi, 9, daughter of Taslima Begum of Tajkati village, Sadar upazila, and Dalia, 10, daughter

Highway blocked over BCL rivalry Correspondent, n Our Noakhali Bangladesh Chattra League (BCL) of Senbag upazila unit blocked Noakhali- Chittagong Highway at Senbag Rastar Matha yesterday demanding cancellation of the new committee.

The leaders and activists of the old committee of the upazila BCL unit observed the blockade programme from 11:30pm to 12:30 pm, rejecting the newly formed upazila committee.

Scores of passengers were left stranded when vehicular movement on the highway halted for over an hour due to a road blockade, over a dispute between two committees of Senbagh upazilla unit.

Witnesses said that the supporters of the former BCL committee president Saiful Islam and general secretary Shah Emran took to the highway around 11:00pm. They obstructed ve-

hicular movement by placing tree logs and oil drums and burning tyres on the highway.

A police team, led by the officer-in-charge of Senbagh police station Mostofa Kamal, tried to brought the situation under control, but the protesters refused to leave the highway. However, the protesters withdrew the blockade after Begumganj police circle assistant superintendent Imam Hassan Sikder visited the spot, and talked with them.

BCL leader Firoze Alam said, the upazila BCL unit formed a new two-member committee with him as the president and Mazedul Tanvir as the general secretary on July 21. The old BCL committee was against this decision. President of the former committee Saiful Islam said the new committee was illegal.

The protests will continue until the new committee is abolished, he added. l

of Bilkis Begum of Bhuterdia, Babuganj upazila have been living in the home for a few months. Both are students of class III at a local primary school.

Bilkis Begum had come to the orphanage to meet with her daughter. Then, Dalia wanted to leave with her mother, but authorities had not given her permission to leave the home.

Later, Akhi and Dalia were seen at a mobile phone shop at Sagardi Bazar.

Afterward, the orphanage authorities forcefully brought them back, said the sources.

Then, Health Assistant of the orphanage Md Dulal beat them indiscriminately, leaving them critically injured. l

DT

NEWS 7

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

11 men sent to jail over arson attacks

Bad weather hampers relief efforts food worth Tk250,000 among the flood affected people of around 50 villages.

“We have started visiting the flood-affected areas and have already dispatched around 200 tonnes of rice and Tk500,000 for the residents of Chouddagram, Laksam, Nangolkot and Manoharganj upazilas,” said AKM Mamunur Rashid, deputy director of Comilla local government.

n Our Correspondent, Barisal At least 11 leaders and activists of BNP-led 20-party alliance Banaripara upazila unit were sent to jail yesterday afternoon in connection with subversive activities during back-to-back hartals and non-stop blockade.

The leaders and activists includ Golam Mahmud Mahbub, upazila secretary, Khalilur Rahman, municipal secretary of BNP, Habibur Rahman Jewel, president, Kamrul Islam, Ilias Kabir, Sagar Majhi, Azmal Hossain, activists of upazila JCD, Atikul Islam, Al-Amin and Year Hossain.

Sheikh Humayun Kabir Masud, defence lawyers, said twenty-one leaders and activists of Banaripara upazila 20-party alliance and front organisations were accused in a case over arson attacks on Banaripara office of upazila engineer on February 17, 2015.

Police filed charge sheet against 16 out of 21 accused on early July and 11 of 16 charge-sheeted accused yesterday surrendering before special tribunal no 3 appealed for bail.

However judge of the tribunal rejecting their bail prayers ordered to send them to jail. l

WEATHER THUNDERSHOWER WITH RAIN

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29 DHAKA TODAY

TOMORROW

SUN SETS 6:43PM

SUN RISES 5:27AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY Dhaka

33

26

Chittagong

28

25

Rajshahi

33

26

Rangpur

34

26

Khulna

32

25

Barisal

30

25

Sylhet

33

26

Cox’s Bazar

27

26

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

36.9ºC

23.0ºC

Dinajpur

Rangamati Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

4:00am 5:25am 12:05am 4:44pm 6:44pm 8:14pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

Flood still bad in other districts

Thousands of residents of the Bhuigarh area of Narayanganj have been trapped by waterlogging caused by last few days’ rain. Things have been particularly difficult for many families whose houses have gone under dirty water MEHEDI HASAN

n Tribune Report The flood situation is improving in Bandarban district, but the weather remains bad enough to cause hindrance in relief efforts in the remote flood-affected areas.

Sources at Bandarban District Council said communication with the remote parts of the district has been severely damaged and many places are inaccessible.

Parts of the Thanchi and Ruma roads have collapsed due to flood while communication through water routes remains suspended for the same reason. Road communication with Rowanchhari has also collapsed.

A team of Bangladesh Army attempted to take two tonnes of rice on a helicopter to Thanchi’s Tindu and Remakri areas yesterday morning, but the weather in the area was still too rough and it returned to the base. The aircraft will start for Thanchi again once the weather gets better, sources said.

But road communication to Naikkhangchhari and some other upazilas resumed after

floodwater started to recede. Tourists who were stranded in the district were able to start for Dhaka as the capital-bound bus service resumed yesterday morning, In Bandarban municipality area, the district council distributed 60 tonnes of rice among the flood-affected people of seven upazilas.

Relief efforts started in Chittagong and Comilla districts as well.

In Chittagong’s Satkania uapzila, local government officials said the alloted relief items were not enough.

Satkania upazila parishad Vice-Chairman Mohammad Ibrahim Chowdhury said his upazila had received 21 tonnes of rice and Tk50,000, whereas the administration had asked for 150 tonnes of rice and Tk50 lakh.

“Around 400,000 people are marooned in Satkania due to flood. The relief we received is not enough,” he told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

In Comilla, Chouddagram upazila administration distributed 75 tonnes of rice and dry

Minors forced into begging n Our Correspondent, Habiganj

Police rescued six minor boys in the district yesterday while they were forced into begging.

Superintendent of Police Joydeb Kumer Bhadra said in a press briefing the member of law enforcers held the boys while they were begging at several points in the town in uniform of a madrasa in the district.

The rescued boys are Sohad, 10, Jewel, 11, Junayed, 16, Nayem, 9, Rezaul, 12, and Buruj Miah, 13. They hailed from different villages of Tarail upazila.

The police super said Shahid Miah, 40, and Imran, 35, of Sekendarnagar village in Tarail upazila took the six boys to Shayestaganj in Sadar upazila from different villages of Tarail one year back promising to get them admitted to the madrasa.

However, the duo kept the boys confined to a residential hotel named SR Hotel in

Natun Bridge area of Shayestaganj and forced them into begging.

Joydeb said the culprits used to drop the boys, draped in madrasa uniform, each to a certain area in the morning every day and forced them to seek alms to others.

At the end of the day, they used to pick the boys up and take them to the hotel again.

They also used to beat up the minors if anyone failed to collect desired amount of alms, said the SP. When three boys-Sohad, Jewel and Junayed went to Kalutola village in Bahubal upazila on Monday morning, a local man caught them on suspicion and informed police.

According to information provided by the boys, police conducted a drive at the hotel at night and rescued the three other boys.

During the drive, they also arrested hotel manager Russell, 25.

A case was filed in this connection accusing four persons, said the SP. l

While the situation in Bandarban may have started to improve, it is still bad in other south-eastern districts.

In Noakhali, heavy rainfall damaged at least 400 hectares of Aman padd seedbeds in nine upazilas. Almost th entire district went under water after it started to rain on Thursday, which continued when this report was filed yesterday evening.

Thousands of family were displaced from their homes. “Our crops are destroyed. Our cattle and fish farms have been washed away.

We will starve if the water does not recede soon,” said Md Fazlu Miah and Md Ibrahim in Subarnachar upazila.

In Chittagong, roads in both in and outside of the port city have been heavily damaged due to the incessant rain and the resulting flood.

In the city, around 250 kilometres of the total 800 kilometres of road is in a dilapidated state due to the rain for the past few weeks, sources at Chittagong City Corporation told the Dhaka Tribune.

Outside the city, road communication between Chittagong and Dhaka and Rangamati is normal, but several roads in the internal network, as well as Keranirhat-Bandarban road, Satkania-Banshkhali road and Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf highway are under knee-deep water.

Rain has stopped in the city, but continues in Satkania and Fatikchhari upazilas. The terrible weather and road condition has caused several fatal road accidents.

In Comilla, more than 500,000 people are marooned in more than 100 villages. Crops and other farms are damaged, and in some places, the power connection has been disrupted. l

Schoolgirl brutally killed after gang rape n Our Correspondent, Gopalganj A girl was brutally killed after gang rape at Sordi village under Muksudpur upazila of the district yesterday. The deceased is Rikta Khanam,14, daughter of Razzak Sheikh of the village. She was Class VII student of Dig Nagar High School.

Sources said Rikta went missing while she was returning home from her relative’s house on Monday.

Later, locals found her dead at an abandoned jungle in the area.Sub-Inspector Giasuddin of Sindiagaht police outpost in the upazila said the body bore sever injury marks. Police suspected that the girl was killed brutally after gang-rape.

The police arrested Uzzal Sheikh,28, son of Awalad Sheikh, Nur Alam Molla, 30, Habibur Rahaman Molla, Haiul Sheikh,23, son of Sohrab Sheikh, and Tishar Sheikh, son of Khalekh Sheikh of Fatehpur village for interrogation, the SI said. l

DT

8 WORLD

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

Libyan court sentences Gaddafi’s son Saif, eight others to death n Reuters, Tripoli A Libyan court yesterday sentenced Muammar Gaddafi’s most prominent son, Saif al-Islam, and eight others to death for war crimes including killings of protesters during the 2011 revolution that ended his father’s rule.

The former Gaddafi regime officials sentenced to die by firing squad included former intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi and ex-prime minister Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi, Sadiq al-Sur, chief investigator at the Tripoli state prosecutor’s office, said.

Eight ex-officials received life sentences and seven jail terms of 12 years each, Sadiq said. Four of the 37 defendants were acquitted, others got shorter jail terms.

Muammar Gaddafi himself was killed by rebels who captured him after months on the run.

Sadiq did not spell out the charges on which the verdict was based, referring to

the expected written ruling. Defendants had been accused of a range of offences including the use of deadly force against unarmed demonstrators, as well as corruption.

The verdict on Saif al-Islam was passed in absentia in Tripoli since he has been held since 2011 by a former rebel group in the mountainous Zintan region beyond central government control. Factional disorder and conflict now plagues Libya.

Saif appeared by video link only at the start of the trial. The Zintanis have refused to hand him over, saying they do not trust authorities in Tripoli to make sure he does not escape, but agreed to let him be tried there.

The sentences can be appealed and must be confirmed by Libya’s Supreme Court, but legal experts and rights advocates said the proceeding was tainted and politicised from the start.

New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said defence lawyers lacked full and

timely access to case files and several had been unable to meet with clients in private while two quit after receiving threats.

“There are serious questions about whether judges and prosecutors can be truly independent where utter lawlessness prevails and certain groups are unashamedly shielded from justice,” Joe Stork, HRW’s deputy Middle East and North Africa director, said.

“This trial was held in the midst of an armed conflict and a country divided by war where impunity has become the norm ...The victims of the serious crimes committed during the 2011 uprising deserve justice, but that can only be delivered through fair and transparent proceedings,” Stork said.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) had wanted to try Saif al-Islam and Senussi in The Hague but in 2013 granted Libya the right to do so at home despite doubts about the impartiality and competence of its judicial system. l

White House: Snowden should ‘come home, be judged’ n AFP, Washington

The White House rejected a call yesterday to pardon Edward Snowden, saying the former intelligence contractor should “be judged by a jury of his peers” for leaking US government secrets.

The US administration re-iterated its tough stance against the exiled fugitive, whom supporters regard as a whistleblower, in response to a petition on the White House website signed by more than 167,000 people.

Lisa Monaco, an advisor on homeland security and counterterrorism, said Snowden’s “dangerous decision to steal and disclose classified information had severe consequences for the security of our country and the people who work day in and day out to protect it.”

She said that Snowden, who has been granted asylum in Russia after he leaked documents on vast US surveillance programs to journalists, is “running away from the consequences of his actions.”

“He should come home to the United States, and be judged by a jury of his peers – not hide behind the cover of an authoritarian regime.”

The US administration has branded Snowden a hacker and a traitor who endangered lives by revealing the extent of the National Security Agency spying program. l

Sri Lanka opposition says no autonomy for Tamils n AFP, Colombo

Former Gaddafi regime officials sit behind bars during a verdict hearing in a courtroom in Tripoli, Libya yesterday. A Libyan court yesterday sentenced Muammar Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, and eight others to death for war crimes including the killings of protesters during the 2011 revolution REUTERS

Russia names US foundation first ‘undesirable’ group n AFP, Moscow

Russian prosecutors yesterday declared the US Congress-funded National Endowment for Democracy the first “undesirable” foreign group under a new law to ban overseas organisations perceived as a threat. “... Prosecutors came to the conclusion that it presents a threat to the constitutional order of Russia, its defence capabilities and state security,” prosecutors said in a statement.

Prosecutors accused the American non-profit organisation of using local NGOs to undermine elections and organise political rallies in the country. l

Tech leaders warn over killer robots n AFP, Paris A group of top tech leaders, including British scientist Stephen Hawking and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, yesterday issued a stern warning against the development of so-called killer robots.

Autonomous weapons, which use artificial intelligence to select targets without human intervention, have been described as “the third revolution in warfare, after gunpowder and nuclear arms,” wrote around 1,000 technology chiefs in an open letter.

“The key question for humanity today is whether to start a global AI (artificial intelligence) arms race or to prevent it from starting,” they wrote.

“If any major military power pushes ahead

with AI weapon development, a global arms race is virtually inevitable,” the letter continued.

The idea of an automated killing machine is moving swiftly from science fiction to reality, according to the scientists.

“The deployment of such systems is – practically if not legally – feasible within years, not decades,” the letter said.

The scientists painted the Doomsday scenario of autonomous weapons falling into the hands of terrorists, dictators or warlords hoping to carry out ethnic cleansing.

“There are many ways in which AI can make battlefields safer for humans ...” the letter concluded. It was presented at the opening of the 2015 International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Buenos Aires. l

Sri Lanka’s main opposition party yesterday scrapped a long-standing promise to give greater autonomy to minority Tamils, as it tries to win over hardline sections of the Sinhalese majority before a general election.

In its manifesto launched in Colombo, former strongman Mahinda Rajapakse’s United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) said it would refuse to grant more powers to a local council in the Tamils’ northern heartland if it won the August 17 election.

Before he was toppled in presidential polls in January, Rajapakse had promised to build on a law passed in 1987 giving some autonomy to ethnic Tamils.

The law was brokered by neighbouring India to try to end a decades-long conflict between Sri Lanka’s military and Tamil rebels fighting for a separate homeland.

Rajapakse, an ethnic Sinhalese, remains popular among big sections of the island’s largest community for overseeing the defeat of the rebels in 2009.

Rajapakse, who was defeated amid allegations of corruption and nepotism, said he was contesting a seat in the parliamentary poll to ensure Tamil areas did not slip back into conflict.

The manifesto did not say why the party was withdrawing the autonomy promise, but political observers said it was aimed at winning over hardline Sinhalese who oppose power-sharing with Tamils.

The UPFA manifesto also pledged to double the minimum wage and give tax-free cars to wide sections of society. l

DT

WORLD 9

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

India court puts off decision on deathrow bomb convict n Reuters, New Delhi

A malnourished child lies in a bed at a hospital in Yemen’s capital Sanaa yesterday. The war in Yemen has killed more than 3,500 people. UN children’s agency Unicef says the death toll includes 365 children REUTERS

Air strikes shatter Yemen truce n AFP, Aden A humanitarian truce in Yemen has failed to take hold after Saudi-led warplanes resumed raids yesterday on rebels, who clashed with loyalists, military sources said.

Iran, which backs the Shiite Huthi rebels, accused its Sunni regional rival Riyadh of “playing with fire and with the ceasefire.”

An international rights group, meanwhile, urged the United Nations to investigate air strikes last week that killed scores of civilians, calling them an “apparent war crime.”

The five-day truce that began on Monday was unilaterally declared by the pro-government Arab coalition to allow the delivery of desperately needed relief supplies.

But the coalition, which began its air campaign against the Shiite Huthi rebels and their allies in late March, had said it also reserved the right to strike against any military movement by the insurgents.

Air strikes targeted rebels north of Aden, Yemen’s second city, most of which was recaptured by loyalists last week after four months of ferocious fighting,

military sources said.

Raids also struck rebels in nearby Lahj province, where forces loyal to exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi have tightened the noose on insurgents in the strategic Al-Anad airbase.

Three air strikes targeted a rebel convoy near Sabr, north of Aden, where loyalists had advanced over the past days, sources said.

Other raids hit a building occupied by insurgents in Jaawala – also north of Aden – and an overnight strike hit rebels in Marib east of Sanaa, witnesses said.

Fighting around Aden has killed 28 people since Monday, among them 22 rebels, two civilians and two pro-Hadi southern fighters, city health chief Al-Khader Laswar said.

On Monday, coalition warplanes mistakenly hit positions of pro-government forces in Lahj, killing 12 people and wounding 30, military sources and witnesses said.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, accused Riyadh yesterday of stirring regional unrest.

“Saudi Arabia, by committing a strategic error in attacking Yemen, is playing with fire

and today is playing with the ceasefire,” Iranian state television quoted him as saying.

“The continued use of force in Yemen highlights the lack of security and promotes terrorism in the region,” Amir-Abdollahian said.

Human Rights Watch (HRW), meanwhile, called on the United Nations to investigate coalition air strikes that hit residential areas, condemning them as an “apparent war crime.”

Last week, coalition aircraft repeatedly struck two compounds housing the families of workers at the Mokha Steam Power Plant, killing 65 civilians, HRW said.

“With no evident military target, this attack appears to be a war crime,” said HRW senior emergencies researcher Ole Solvang.

Four months of fighting have left 3,984 people dead, nearly half of them civilians, according to the United Nations.

The International Committee of the Red Cross urged the warring parties yesterday to respect the safety of humanitarian workers, after two people were killed when a Red Crescent ambulance came under fire in Taez. l

Malaysia PM shuffles cabinet as corruption allegations mount n AFP, Kuala Lumpur Malaysian premier Najib Razak yesterday sacked his deputy premier and attorney general in a cabinet reshuffle widely seen as an attempt to strengthen his hold on power as he battles corruption allegations.

Najib has come under growing pressure in recent months over claims that huge sums of money had been siphoned off from state-owned development company 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), which he launched in 2009.

Calls for Najib, 62, to step down mounted earlier this month after a Wall Street Journal report alleged that nearly $700 million had been routed to Najib’s personal bank accounts. The prime minister and 1MDB have vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

In a televised address, Najib announced he had dumped Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who has been critical of Najib’s handling of the affair and has called for transparency. He is also considered Najib’s chief rival for power.

Muhyiddin was replaced by Home Minis-

ter Zahid Hamidi, who is considered a Najib loyalist. Najib said cabinet members “should not air their differences in an open forum that can affect public opinion against the government and Malaysia.”

In total, seven new ministers and nine deputy ministers were appointed, according to reports, in a shuffle that Najib said was aimed at creating a more “unified team.”

Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail, who was part of a task force investigating 1MDB, also was sacked for “health reasons,” a government statement said. l

India’s Supreme Court has put off by a day a decision on whether to stay the execution of the only person sentenced to death for India’s deadliest bomb attack, meaning the convict will learn his fate just hours before he is due to be hanged on Thursday.

Yakub Memon was convicted as the “driving spirit” behind blasts in Mumbai in 1993 that killed at least 257 people, but his case has divided opinion in India, with several eminent figures saying the sentence is too harsh.

The Supreme Court last week rejected one appeal, but Memon again approached the court arguing an order to hang him was passed while he still had legal recourse available.

A two-judge Supreme Court bench yesterday gave a split verdict and referred Memon’s mercy plea to a larger bench of justices, which is due to hear the case on Wednesday.

Supporters of Memon’s plea said he cooperated with investigating agencies. His imminent hanging in the central city of Nagpur has ignited a debate in the media.

Memon’s plea has been turned down by the president. Several prominent people, including lawmakers and retired judges, on Sunday asked the president to reconsider.

Calls for reprieve grew after an Indian news website last week released a 2007 article written by intelligence official B Raman, who coordinated Memon’s arrest in 1994, and said he believed he should not be hanged. Raman has since died. “In their eagerness to obtain the death penalty, the fact that there were mitigating circumstances do not appear to have been highlighted (by the prosecution),” Raman said in the article.

$3bn ADB credit to help end Philippines Muslim rebellion n AFP, Manila

The Asian Development Bank is to lend about $3 billion to the Philippines over the next three years, part of which will help support a peace deal ending a long-running Muslim insurgency, a joint statement said yesterday.

The loan – up 66% from the $1.8 billion agreed for 2015-2017 – will help the Philippines build roads and other infrastructure, improve its basic education system and reform its capital markets, said the statement issued jointly with the Philippine government.

Bank president Takehiko Nakao said boosting lending to the country was in part aimed at “supporting the government in its effort to bring lasting peace and development” to the Catholic nation’s Muslim south.

His comments come after a peace deal was struck in March last year with the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, aimed at ending decades of fighting that has claimed 120,000 lives.

Parliament is currently debating a proposed law to grant minority Muslims self-rule in the violence-racked area, which President Aquino hopes will be passed before next year.

The government also plans to pour large amounts of aid to the region, and the ADB said it is now working with local authorities to prepare a development plan. l

DT

10 ADVERTISEMENT

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

DT

EDITORIAL 11

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

INSIDE

Oh city, city!

Another nice inclusion could be a proper bus system where passengers do not have to fear for their lives. Perhaps better-incentivised relocations could also play a role in a more movementorientated traffic

PAGE 12

The world prepares to recommit on climate change The many kinds of extremes climate change has contributed so far are: Heat waves, heavy rain, wildfires, droughts, and decreased snow and ice

PAGE 13

Consequences of not having an intending civil society BNP believes in the supremacy of a single religion over others in politics.

Does our civil society even see it as a problem?

PAGE 14

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email letters.dt@ dhakatribune.com

Send us your Op-Ed articles:

opinion.dt@dhakatribune. com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook. com/DhakaTribune

BIGSTOCK

Tigers are more than just a symbol

T

he tiger population in the Sundarbans is falling to a perilously low level.

A recent survey suggests there are only about 106 tigers dwelling in the Bangladeshi part of the mangrove forest.

While doubt has been cast on the figure of 440 recorded in a 2004 study, with experts calculating that 200 might be a more reasonable population for the habitat, the new tiger survey conducted using camera-based sampling, records a clear fall in their number.

If action is not taken soon, there will be a real risk of extinction for tigers in their natural habitat.

Although poaching is a problem with the Forest Department estimating 49 Bengal Tigers have been killed by poachers in the last 14 years, the bigger threat to the tiger population comes from human disturbance and the encroachment of protected forest reserves.

The government has to take firmer steps to stop the tiger population dwindling and to safeguard the unique World Heritage site of the Sundarbans.

The Bengal Tiger is not only a symbol of national pride. Its habitat is a vital wildlife sanctuary and natural bulwark against the sea. Our ability to protect the Sundarbans is a measure of how successful the nation is in pursuing sustainable development.

Many nations which have undergone industrialisation and population growth have been able to use increasing prosperity to improve their ability to preserve the environment and natural habitats. There is no reason why Bangladesh cannot do the same.

Failing to do so and compromising the sanctity of the Sundarbans forest further will not only diminish our environment , but irreversibly damage national pride.

It is incumbent on everyone to press the government to place more priority on reducing risks to the region’s important ecosystem from vessel movements and industrial encroachment.

We must do more to cherish and protect this unique environment if we are to save the tiger.

Protect the Sundarbans from encroachment to stop tiger numbers falling

DT

12 OPINION

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

Oh city, city!

The state of the roads right after the Eid holidays can be particularly obnoxious

Another nice inclusion could be a proper bus system where passengers do not have to fear for their lives. Perhaps better-incentivised relocations could also play a role in a more movement-orientated traffic

n Syed Shehzar M Doja

I

t is often difficult to be articulate when one is trapped within the traffic of the city. It can feel like coagulated phlegm throbbing away inside the chest, formulating a disturbing and nauseating sense of unease.

The usual remedy consists of dissolving it or forcing it out altogether somehow, but unfortunately, that analogy is more difficult to enact on the tightly-packed streets of our ever-expanding metropolis.

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

We, as a society, perpetually confined within buses, cars, or CNGs, do our utter best to come up with solutions that we feel are unique but that could, more often than not, result in potential plagiarism lawsuits.

Perhaps, as a test scenario, we could come together as citizens to fund a more efficient private traffic police task force to tackle the accumulation of unnecessary and oftentimes melodramatic scenarios. That idea, however, doesn’t seem likely to come true.

But, supposing that hypothetical scenario does come to pass, what, then, stops the unyielding allure of coerced money from suddenly apparating into the magical Mary Poppins-themed pockets of these new enforcers? Nothing. The very notion of accountability is as magical and mystical as the famed Arthurian quests for The Holy Grail.

Without, of course, the benefit of the passage of time to sanctify any unwarranted cynicism.

Why is there so much traffic in the city?

The days surrounding Eid (only recently gone) is often an obnoxious and malignant mirage to us city-dwellers. As soon as we reach out to touch it, it fades back into

the despondent hue of bus smoke and lamentations towards God, asking for the traffic to move a few inches. And that is in the most literal sense applicable.

As only a sporadic visitor to my home city, the first few days of acclimatising myself with the traffic congestion can feel like quite the adventure.

I imagine myself as a sole narrator inside an epic dramatic monologue. A lone sojourner somehow trapped and forced to come to an overwhelming narration of things to be.

But sadly, that realisation slowly begins to draw bleak parallels within the similarly confined spaces of the late 19th and early 20th century cities described by the likes of William Blake in London: I wander thro’ each charter’d street, Near where the charter’d Thames does flow.

And mark in every face I meet Marks of weakness, marks of woe.

In every cry of every Man, In every Infants cry of fear, In every voice: in every ban, The mind-forg’d manacles I hear Or in the general atmosphere best illuminated in Baudelaire’s poetic-prose depiction of “the city of lights” in Le Spleen de Paris.

Playing that role for a longer period in the city comes at a great price. That homebound feeling which is filled with biased saturations of vividly-coloured memories finds itself usurped by a sudden coup d’état of resentment by the never-ending struggle of having to wait one-and-a-half hours to move an insignificant distance. In the aftermath of that uprising, trapped in a prison between exhausts and perpetual exhaustion, I do ponder over certain things.

Perhaps I muse all this with the naivety of a child’s inquisitiveness, but why is it simply so difficult to just improve the infrastructure of the city?

If we are incapable of addressing this concern ourselves, there is no dearth of countries we can approach for help regarding the issue, provided it becomes a frequently discussed topic, of course.

If there were internal communications via trains coming into the city from the outskirts (like Gazipur, for example, which happens to be the astounding distance of 37km away, not counting in hours for brevity’s sake) for daily commute, then some might fancy utilising just that.

If the British could cover nearly the whole of India by railway more than a century ago, I highly doubt it would take such a long time to cover the whole of Bangladesh, within a slightly improved timeframe of course.

Another nice inclusion could be a proper bus system where passengers do not have to fear for their lives or the lives of those notfortunate-to-be-in-that- bus-at-that-giventime. Although a lot of industries seem to be migrating out of the city now, perhaps even better-incentivised relocations could also play a role in a more movement-orientated traffic?l Syed Shehzar M Doja is Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Luxembourg Review.

DT

OPINION 13

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

Is the world prepared to recommit on climate change?

Hossain and n Moazzem Stephen O’Grady

T

he four-day conference in Paris at the start of July on “Our Common Future under Climate Change” was the largest forum for the scientific community to come together, ahead of the 21st UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP21) in December, and addressed key issues around climate change in the broader context of global change.

The conference was attended by nearly 2,000 delegates from almost 100 countries to highlight the cases of adaptation, mitigation, and the sustainable development solutions, which in place address problems all nation states are now facing, due to the emission of carbon dioxide and other gases from using non-renewable energy.

The conference’s main objective was to save the planet from self-destructing before this century ends.

Keeping global warming under 2 degrees Celsius in order to attain the goals of the IPCC’s 5th Assessment Report (AR5) with respect to adaptation, mitigation, and sustainable development solutions was the main focus.

Up to 600 oral conference papers and 800 posters dealt with both problems and solutions in this regard.

The concluding statement clearly identified the following issues with “the solution” and “the problem” spaces.

The problem space

Warming of the climate system is unequivocal. Human activities are to blame for much of the warming to date. l Climate change has affected every continent, from the equator to the poles, from the mountains to the coasts. The many kinds of extremes climate change has contributed so far are: Heat waves, heavy rain, wildfires, droughts, and decreased snow and ice. l Vulnerability has been exposed due to climate change. Vulnerability is especially daunting where poverty, inequalities, lack of infrastructure, and ineffective governance combine to constrain options. l Continued high emissions of heat-trapping gases increase the risk of impacts that are severe, pervasive, and irreversible. l

The solution space

If greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are cut by 40-70% below current levels by 2050, warming can be kept below 2C at reasonable cost by 2100. l Near-term mitigation will determine longterm warming and risks. l Investments in adaptation and mitigation can provide a wide range of co-benefits to the nations. l Carbon pricing can support the ambitious mitigation goals of the nations. l Sustainable economic growth of all nations can be assured by effective implementation l

of the additional investment required to transition to clean energy. l GHG reduction is easier in some sectors than others.

All the issues mentioned above were presented in several plenary sessions and numerous large and small parallel sessions including the 800 posters displayed at both of the venues.

One of the keynote speakers of the plenary session on July 10 was Professor Joseph E Stiglitz of Columbia University and a Nobel laureate in economics. He emphasised three areas related to the solution space: Creating a “green economy,” introducing cross-border carbon taxes, and creating an environment to find a successful solution in Paris COP21.

The closing plenary session was presented by the chairman of the IPCC, UNFCCC Climate Negotiations co-chairs, the French minister for ecology, sustainable development, and energy, and the French minister of foreign affairs and international development. All these top officials will play major parts in COP21 in Paris.

In his concluding remarks, the foreign affairs minister emphasised that the nature of the agreement in COP21 is expected to be based on the intended target of carbon reduction or intended nationally-determined contributions.

For example, China pledged its carbon reduction in terms of carbon intensity recently in Paris.

In other words, China aims to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product by 60-65% from 2005 levels, unlike the EU, which committed to reducing carbon emissions by at least 40% by 2030 from 1990 levels.

In addition, the French foreign minister emphasised financing the poor countries to reduce subsidies on fossil fuel, and the need for innovative measures to involve the local authorities, NGOs, and civil society to implement the targets of emission reduction to achieve 2C warming by 2100.

In this closing plenary, Scientific Committee Chair Chris Field summed up the conference:

We have to stop destroying our home planet with carbon emissions

Climate change has affected every continent, from the equator to the poles, from the mountains to the coasts. The many kinds of extremes climate change has contributed so far are: Heat waves, heavy rain, wildfires, droughts, and decreased snow and ice

“We are moving to a post-carbon era, where climate change mitigation and adaptation are combined with other goals to build a sustainable future.”

He also noted the deep commitment of scientists to be part of the solution.

This was evident during the four days as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate

BIGSTOCK

Change gathered, compiled, and distributed data and outcomes.

This was a big job and a big challenge, and they have done a good job. Time pressures limited opportunities to research contributions in smaller, focused groups.

This would be a useful exercise where the opportunity is presented or created between now and December.

In any case, it looks again like the world is committed to reaching a binding agreement at COP21 in Paris in December. l Moazzem Hossain is Associate Professor in the Department of International Business and Asian Studies at Griffith University. Stephen O'Grady is Communications Officer at Griffith University. This article previously appeared in the Red Couch Blog of the Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.

DT

14 OPINION

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

Consequences of not having an intending civil society n Omar Shehab

I

n the July 10 Dhaka Tribune opinion piece titled “The law of unintended consequences,” Zafar Sobhan made willful predictions about the consequences of a diminishing BNP. I would like to humbly disagree with the reasons identified by Sobhan. It is unexplainable how legal cases against a handful of leaders reduces BNP to non-existence. A healthy organisation should have an in-built, self-healing system, allowing the emergence of new leadership in such a crisis. This is the very essence of organisational culture.

It is not the prosecution, but the illthought policies tantamount to terrorism, leadership flaws, and organisational weaknesses that may render BNP nonexistent. The government should remain agnostic of the disaster-management capacity of an organisation and follow the law when it comes to corruption and terrorism.

BNP needs to take into account that the AL has faced more adverse situations before, including pre-liberation Bangladesh. It is our responsibility to keep the government under pressure to ensure justice is served for the 300+ arson murders in the name of politics.

We have to ensure the accountability of the opposition too, both in and outside the parliament. It needs to be made clear to the BNP that criminals are not welcome in politics. They cannot evade perpetrators of arson attacks being brought to justice. The media can play an important role in calling upon BNP to shun negative politics and adopt corrective measures for reform. There is no alternative to starting to reconnect with the people. A political party should not boycott elections. That subverts the very notion of a democratic process.

We need to give attention to the democratic process too. The show must go on and the parties need to catch up, not the other way round. This may also pave the way for fresh ideas, and new organisations may emerge.

As citizens, we should not expect the elections to be as dramatised as soap operas.

The election needs to be seen as a means to an end rather than the end itself. The focus should be on the agenda being pursued rather than who is participating. The ideas should matter more than the identities.

If civil society does not raise these questions, BNP may cease to exist, but the problem of our politics will not vanish. We need an environment in which political parties continue to improve their organisational capability and communicative pro-people politics. The question of how to develop a political culture which centres more around resilient organisational systems instead of individual personalities is a bigger problem.

In the article, Sobhan does not clearly define the “BNP problem.” The AL will not necessarily see BNP as a problem if the latter’s popular footprint in the election diminishes significantly. Why would the AL want to wipe off a diminished and weak BNP? In recent years, AL has formed governments a number of times but it has never attempted to wipe off the Muslim League.

Are cases against a handful of leaders enough to make BNP disappear?

BNP believes in the supremacy of a single religion over others in politics. Does our civil society even see it as a problem?

It may be mentioned here that, despite the waves of BNP-Jamaat “insurgency” in Sobhan’s words, the government has not banned them. If there were similar terrorist activities in other countries, the parties responsible would be immediately banned.

The “BNP problem” can be defined more deeply. Their constitution contradicts at least one major pillar of the constitution of 1972: Secularism. BNP believes in the supremacy of a single religion over others in politics. Does our civil society even see it as a problem?

Depending on the definition of the problem, there needs to be a solution. If we believe in the four principles (ie secularity, nationalism, democracy, and socialism), every political party should recognise and practice them. They may differ on how the country should run, not on why the nation was founded.

If an organisation doesn’t believe in them, they should not be allowed to participate in the elections. This was so from the very beginning until Bangabandhu was murdered.

Is our civil society ready to stand up for our founding values?

What happens if the BNP is wiped off or becomes insignificant like the Muslim League?

It depends on how our society is cultivated to fill up the vacuum. Sobhan predicts that a more hardcore right-wing party will appear to take BNP’s place.

Sobhan does not say how soon this is going to happen. The article also does not explain how hardcore that organisation might

be. We already have Jamaat-e-Islami, Olama League (an AL affiliate), Muslim League, etc -- none of which has been criminalised yet.

We have also had JMB, ABT, Hizb ut-Tahrir etc, which are now banned. None of these parties has been able to secure the amount of votes comparable to that of BNP. There is no reason to believe they can do that in the future.

Our people have never subscribed to the idea of religious supremacy in politics.

There are sporadic pockets of extremism, but they will never become a decisive factor.

On the contrary, voters have considered the elections as opportunities to vent antiincumbency frustrations on the party in power by alternating them.

Even that is changing. As the communication between the government and citizenry improves amidst new and more frequent channels (check out the Facebook page of the foreign state minister), the election may not be the only way to vent disappointment.

The BNP has failed because the antiincumbency mindset is, in fact, changing in favour of peace, stability, and continuity that can bring development.

A more hardcore right-wing party surely cannot secure close to 10% of the popular votes in the 2019 election, let alone replace BNP’s core share of 30%. There is no sign of a more organised effort of crystallising hardcore politics.

Let me speculate what may happen then.

Given that religion had never been the trump card in the elections and the role of the anti-incumbency mindset is changing, I think the AL MPs will face greater scrutiny from within the party. They will have competitors who will try to capitalise on the frustration of the voters and challenge the official candidates.

Our law does not allow a person to contest independently after he or she buys the nomination from the party. This might be a blessing in disguise. People may think about contesting independently from the very beginning. Over the years, a group of AL members may secede and start a new party (or something similar might happen in the BNP too). The new organisations will capitalise on people’s support for the pillars of the 1972 constitution, the same people who have been casting their votes for AL, as they are the only

REUTERS

option. As a result, we will see new secular organisations attracting angry voters.

That is not unprecedented. Check the history of the AL. As citizens, if we create the environment of granular criticism, it will be easier for everyone to compare the politicians at the level of individual performances, especially of respective MPs, and think about possible alternatives at the same level.

It is a tall order. Years of depoliticisation and criminalisation of politics have given birth to a “I-hate-politics” culture. It is time to start a “take-back-my-politics” and “takecare-of-our-future” campaign to counter it.

Civil society should take a clear stance with regards to what kind of ideology is welcome and what isn’t in politics.

I disagree with Sobhan’s predictions in the short-term and medium-term, but yes, we may face such possibilities in the distant future. It should take generations of failure from our side. If we skip asking the fundamental and existential political questions, like we are doing now, organisations with misguided philosophies may gain enough momentum in politics.

We should also ask the politicians about their interpretation of the organisational ideologies and practices for future leadership development. News reports from the early 70s have witnessed Bangabandhu, Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed etc elaborating their interpretations of the four principles. I wish the journalists of our time would have asked our present leaders the same.

The future is never automatically bright.

So our political future can roll into a dark age if we do not break the culture of not questioning the political leaders’ fundamental and existential questions. And, in this regard, the BNP has a lot to answer for, particularly in the context of its organisational principles contravening secularism, its support for Islamist extremist groups, and its orchestration of violent movements tantamount to terrorism.

We cannot avoid these unkind questions for the sake of the nation. l Omar Shehab is a PhD candidate at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. His area of professional interest is quantum information science. He is also a member of the International Crimes Strategy Forum.

16

Oil price falls to four-month low

17

India to consider ‘black money’ report

19

Stocks post modest rally

20

DT

Business

15

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

Muhith asks DCs to net new taxpayers

ADP IMPLEMENTATION 5-YEAR LOW

Political unrest, unused Padma fund blamed n Kayes Sohel The government expenditure on improving people’s living condition reduced to five years low in last fiscal year, with planning minister citing political unrest and non-utilisation of Padma Bridge fund as reasons.

Despite the government’s efforts to improve its development spending, Revised Annual Development Programme (RADP) in fiscal year 2014-15 stood at 91% – its lowest since FY2009-10, according to finance ministry.

The figure was four percentage point down than that of previous fiscal year which also suffered political turmoil.

The data provided by the planning ministry, however, showed it would be two years low. It said 55 ministries and divisions spent Tk71,079 crore, which was 91% of Tk77,836 crore RADP. The implementation rate was 93% in FY2013-14 and 91% in FY2012-13.

“I failed to keep my word of full ADP implementation just because of destructive politics and non-utilisation of Tk3,300 crore from Padma bridge fund,” said Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal at a press briefing yesterday.

The government spent Tk4,565 crore or nearly 60% of Tk7865 crore total allocation for Padma bridge in FY2014-15.

ADP IMPLEMENTATION TREND 90% 92% 92% 2012-13 96% 2013-14 95% 2014-15 91%

2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Photo shows Padma Bridge works in progress Source: MOF and IMED

“But as a planning minister I cannot say we will fail to spend 100% as I should always try to cheer up the nation by encouraging words.

If I become pessimistic, negativity will be all around,” Kamal said.

He argued: “The FY2014-15 was not a normal year. First three months of second half of

MEHEDI HASAN

the year was jostled by the political unrest, badly affecting the country’s economy.”

In keeping with tradition, the implementation of ADP became faster in the final months of the fiscal year, making room for wastage of public money.

At a press conference last month, Kamal said

it was partially true that hurried expenditure in last quarter of the fiscal year hampered the quality of overall development programme.

The government had spent 67% of the ADP in first 11 months, 56% in 10 months and 44% in nine months of the immediate past fiscal year, showed the data from Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED).

Out of total 55 ministries and divisions, entrusted with implemention of 1,449 projects, 10 spent more than 100% of their respective allocations in the RADP for the year.

Twenty two ministries and divisions spent over 90% while 10 ministries and divisions spent from 80% to 90%.

Housing and Public Works Ministry was the best performer in the year with 111%, followed

by Post and Telecommunication Ministry 106% and ICT Ministry 102%. Social Welfare Ministry, Women and Children Affairs Ministry and Power Divisions spent 101% each.

The allocated funds were fully spent by the ministries of food, defence, fisheries and livestock, science and technology and road, transport and highways division. Mustafa Kamal said the implementation rate would be much better if the ministries and divisions could implement more donor-funded projects under the development budget.l

Teletalk mulls Tk4,000cr network expansion plan n Ishtiaq Husain

Teletalk Plan at a Glance

Teletalk, the lone state-run mobile operator, plans to invest Tk4,000 crore for the expansion of its 3G network across the country and roll out of its 4G or LTE (Long-Term Evolution) network.

The LTE is the standard for high-speed data wireless communication through mobile phones and data terminals.

Meanwhile, the mobile operator Teletalk has chalked out a design to reach up to Upazila and Union levels to materialise the government’s ICT vision 2021.

As Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is planning to float 4G auctions in 2016, Teletalk is also preparing for rolling out its 4G network.

An official of Teletalk said, “The operator has already sent a letter to the Post & Telecommunication Ministry with a request for providing Tk4,000 as soft loan.”

According to a ministry source, “The government has also been trying to obtain a loan from China to modernise the Teletalk network for boosting digital connectivity as Teletalk had earlier received loan from China to roll out its 3G network in 2013.”

However, the state-own company is still

Tk3,000 crore investment for 4G network 4G roll out target in 2017

TK1,000 crore investment for 3G expansion 3G network to reach up to Union levels Current number of BTS 3,800 Target is to double the BTS Subscribers at present 41.61 lakh Market share as of now 3.2% far behind the other mobile phone operators in terms of network coverage and updated services.

As of now, the country’s largest mobile operator Grameenphone has 12,000 Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) whereas Teletalk has only 3,800 BTSs across the country.

Teletalk entered into the mobile market in 2005 but failed to make any profit as yet because the company could not attract a significant number of the subscribers due to its poor network and services.

“The huge investment would help us to increase number of subscribers for competing with the other private mobile operators,’’

If we will be able to construct more BTS across the country, undoubtedly number of subscribers and services would increase significantly,” said Gias Uddin Ahmed, managing director of Teletalk.

He said: “We need a lot of money to implement all the plans to make profit but fund shortage is the main problem for us to expand our network and services. Private operators can instantly undertake a plan and can implement it instantly. But, we can’t take any plan on urgent basis to carry out it due to bureaucratic tangle.”

A high official of Teletalk informed the Dhaka Tribune that at the beginning of the 3G roll out, it wanted to invest Tk2,000 crore but finally got only Tk678 crore.

“Over the last 15 years, each of the private operators invested at least Tk15,000 crore on an average while Teletalk invested only around Tk3,000 crore. To tap the growing mobile communication market it needs huge amount of money,” he added.

Since its inception in 2005, state-owned company man-

aged to grab only 3.2% market share. In terms of the number of the mobile subscribers, Teletalk is the smallest operator in the country with only 41,61,000 subscribers.

According to the figures released by BTRC up to May 2015, the total mobile subscribers of the Teletalk reached 41.61 lakh. The regulatory figure, however, showed that Teletalk was able to add 65,000 more subscribers in May 2015.

On the contrary, during the same period, Robi added highest 10 lakh subscribers and Banglalink added 6 lakh while GP’s subscribers’ number increased around 5 lakh. l

DT

16 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

Dollar under pressure on China equity rout concerns n AFP, Tokyo

A view of the state owned Pertamina offshore oil and gas production rig Mike-Mike off the coast of West Java, Indonesia

REUTERS

Oil price falls to four-month low n Reuters, Singapore Oil prices fell towards four-month lows yesterday, dropping for a fifth straight session on persistent worries about a global supply glut, while stock market sell-offs on both sides of the Pacific also rattled investor sentiment.

Earlier in the day, Asian stocks fell to threeweek lows, with a deepening rout in Chinese stocks heightening fears about the financial stability of the world’s second biggest economy and top energy consumer.

Uncertainty over the health of the Chinese economy, reflected in the sell-off in the stocks, lacklustre US oil demand and increasing oil supplies all added to investors’ negativity about oil prices, said Jonathan Barratt, chief investment officer at Sydney’s Ayers Alliance “When the Chinese market drops to such an extent, it sparks a lot of fear among investors.

The drop in crude oil prices is because of that fear,” said Daniel Ang, an investment analyst with Phillip Futures in Singapore.

“We really have to see how the China market will move going forward,” he told AFP. Analysts fear the turmoil in China’s stock market will affect demand in the world’s second biggest economy and top energy consuming nation.

“We would be watching the Chinese equity markets closely,” said Bernard Aw, market strategist at IG Markets Singapore.

“More specifically, it would be interesting to see what else the Chinese government can roll out to defend the markets.”

“Technical levels continue to break. It’s a trend which says investors are selling,” Barratt said. “It’s all about sentiment - it’s a one-way traffic.”

Brent dropped 47 cents to $53 as of 0645 GMT, after a 2% drop in the previous session.

It dipped to $52.88 earlier, near a four-month low of $52.83 reached on Monday.

US crude dropped 24 cents to $47.15 a barrel after ending the previous session down 75 cents. It fell below $47 post-settlement, the lowest since March 24.

The bearish sentiment will continue, testing technical support levels, although oil prices are expected to end 2015 higher than at current levels, according to a note from Phillip Futures on Tuesday.

“For today, we believe the next support for WTI and Brent to be at $46.73 and $52.40.

Provided the bearish trend continues, lower supports of $45.90 and $50 could be tested,” it added.

Investors are now eyeing weekly data on US inventory levels for further trading cues.

US commercial crude oil stocks likely slipped last week after crossing the five-year seasonal average build in the previous week, a preliminary Reuters poll of analysts showed ahead of industry and official weekly reports.

Crude stocks fell about 300,000 barrels to 463.6 million barrels in the week ended July 24, analysts estimated.

“We’re not seeing the level of demand in the US one usually expects related to the summer drive-time,” Barratt said.

“The world is awash with oil,” he added. l

The dollar recovered slightly against the yen yesterday, although gains were limited as investors remain on edge after a sharp plunge in Chinese stock markets hit risk sentiment.

In Tokyo the greenback fetched 123.68 yen, up from 123.24 yen in New York late Monday.

The euro changed hands at $1.1062 and 136.60 yen, against $1.1091 and 136.69 yen in US trade, where it rallied thanks to a rise in German business confidence and signs of a pickup in lending in Europe.

Global markets were jolted Monday after Shanghai stocks plunged 8.48% - the steepest one-day fall in eight years - as data showing more weakness in the Chinese economy combined with fears government support measures for the mainland market will not last.

The losses continued Tuesday, with Shanghai closing down 1.68%, following almost three weeks of relative calm after Beijing unveiled a series of measures to end a month-long rout that saw Shanghai slump more than 30%.

“Yen-buying sentiment was strong as players were trying to avoid risk as the Chinese market slumped,” said Minori Uchida, head of Tokyo global markets research at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ. The yen is considered a safe investment in times of uncertainty.

However, the dollar ticked up as the morning progressed and Chinese shares pared some losses.

Traders are now awaiting the Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting that starts later Tuesday.

While the central bank is not expected to raise interest rates, dealers are hoping for some forward guidance, with most analysts tipping a rise in either September or December.

“Players remain cautious ahead of the Fed meeting - they want to see its statement before taking positions,” Uchida said.

The dollar was sitting at or near multi-year highs against some Asia-Pacific currencies.

It edged up to 13,463 Indonesian rupiah from 13,460 rupiah Monday, after it hit a 17-year-high of 13,465 rupiah last week. l

Asian markets sink as Shanghai falls further n AFP, Hong Kong

Asian markets mostly fell again yesterday, with Shanghai seeing another round of wild volatility a day after the mainland Chinese market’s heaviest one-day losses in more than eight years.

Fears of a resumption of the rout that strafed Chinese shares over a month until July 8 sent global traders running Monday, with Wall Street falling for a fifth day in a row and safe-haven gold edging back up after a recent slip.

The dollar recovered morning losses, although analysts said the latest crisis on Chinese markets could affect Federal Reserve policymakers’ decision when considering hiking interest rates.

Shanghai, which collapsed 8.48% Monday, was 3% lower in the afternoon. The benchmark index gyrated heavily through the day,

falling as much as 5% and rising almost one percent into positive territory.

However, Hong Kong was 0.71% higher in late trade after slumping more than three percent Monday.

In other regional markets Tokyo eased 0.10%, or 21.21 points, to 20,328.89 and Sydney lost 0.17%, or 9.40 points, to end at 5,580.50. Seoul was flat, edging up just 0.27 points to 2,039.08.

Chinese investors rushed for the exit Monday as more data showing the economy still struggling mixed with fears that government measures to prevent a market crash - including providing vast sums of cash to support shares - will not last.

The moves - introduced after a more than 30% dive that wiped trillions off valuations in just under four weeks - had been credited with helping to stem the bleeding, stabilise trading

and put prices back on an upward trajectory.

The market had surged more than 150% in the year to hit a near-term peak on June 12.

Tuesday’s losses came despite assurances from Beijing that it will unleash more cash to provide stability to jittery share markets.

State-backed China Securities Finance Corporation (CSFC), which has reportedly already pumped billions of yuan into mainland equities under a government plan, will continue to buy stocks, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

“The worst time has passed but we think there is a final leg for this correction,” Steve Yang, strategist at UBS Group AG, said. “Fundamentally there is no reason for funds to come in and buy aggressively.”

But Castor Pang, head of research at Core-Pacific Yamaichi Hong Kong, warned the latest comments might not be enough with-

out concrete action.

“The government’s current intervention was not able to stop the market’s slide and only delayed the decline.”

Return of volatility

Shares had climbed about 17 percent since hitting a trough on July 8.

Analysts said the events could be a key issue on the agenda when the Fed’s policy meeting takes place this week. While it is not expected to lift interest rates now, dealers are hoping for some guidance on its plans.

“The return of market volatility in China will be a significant discussion point at the US Fed in terms of what this is telling us about the Chinese economy,” Matthew Sherwood, Sydney-based head of investment strategy at Perpetual Ltd., said. “There is a lot of global weakness and significant external risk.” l

DT

BUSINESS 17

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

India to consider ‘black money’ report n Reuters, New Delhi

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government would take into account the impact on foreign investments should it act to prevent illegal funds or “black money” from flowing into India through popular equity derivative products.

The comments came after a Supreme Court-appointed panel said on Friday that India needed to take stronger measures to identify the owners of participatory notes (P-notes), or derivatives that track domestic equity markets.

P-notes are popular with foreign funds, but regulators also suspect some of these flows are in reality illicit domestic money being repatriated back into India, taking advantage of looser registration standards for owners of these products. About 2.75tn rupees ($42.9bn) worth of P-notes were outstanding as of the end of June.

India’s broader Nifty fell more than 1% on Monday and headed for its biggest daily decline since June 11, as investors were concerned government action against P-notes would also hit genuine foreign investments.

“The government will apply its mind in due course, keeping in mind the investment environment of the country,” Jaitley told reporters when asked about what government action would be taken in response to the panel’s report on Friday.

The broader Nifty was down 1.7% at 3:00 pm, although analysts said a tumble in China’s equity markets on Monday played a large role in affecting market sentiment.

India has been a popular destination for foreign stock investors on the back of hopes for economic reforms from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which was

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley speaks at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York elected in May last year.

About $22.5bn in investments have flowed into Indian stocks from abroad since the start of 2014, including to P-notes.

Analysts cautioned the government would need to tread carefully with P-notes given worries that in going after “black money” - or illegal funds stashed abroad to avoid taxes -

the government would overplay its hand.

The Modi government got into a tussle with overseas investors this year after tax authorities in December started to retrospectively impose a tax called the minimum alternate tax (MAT), sparking an outcry that hammered the country’s stock and bond markets.

Among the leading decliners on Monday

Russian ruble hits 4-month low on falling oil prices

German business confidence up as Greece fears ease

n AFP, Moscow

n AFP, Berlin

The Russian ruble on Monday plummeted to a four-month low after stabilising to a degree in spring, hurt by falling oil prices amid a global oversupply of crude.

The ruble hit the psychological threshold of 66 rubles per euro in afternoon trading in Moscow, a four-month low.

The Russian currency also edged closer to 60 rubles per dollar, weakening to 59.8 against the dollar.

The “short-term outlook for the ruble looks cloudy,” said Dmitry Polevoi, chief Russia economist at ING. “The ruble may easily test 60 against the dollar today or in the coming days, and the negative pressure may” continue.

President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the authorities were watching oil prices closely but stressed it was too early to draw any long-term conclusions.

The Ukrainian crisis has led to unprecedented Western sanctions on the Russian economy and last year’s collapse of oil prices plunged Russia into a monetary crisis at the end of 2014 that has now become a deep recession. l

German business confidence rose slightly in July, reflecting relief in Europe’s biggest economy about the easing of the Greece debt crisis, the Ifo economic institute said Monday.

Ifo’s closely watched business climate index rose to 108 points, the first increase in three months, from a revised 107.5 points in June, beating analysts’ expectations, the institute said.

“Forget about Greece? This is at least how German businesses seem to look at Greek turbulences of the last weeks, judging from the latest Ifo numbers,” wrote Carsten Brzeski, chief economist at ING-DiBa. “In the eyes of German businesses, the external tailwinds, stemming from low energy prices and a weak euro, clearly outweigh any downside risk from the Greek crisis on the German economy.”

After months of crisis talks and fears Greece would crash out of the euro common currency, eurozone ministers and Athens have agreed to resume talks for a third EUIMF bailout.

“The recent easing of the Greece situation contributed to stronger sentiment in the Ger-

man economy,” Ifo president Hans-Werner Sinn said in a statement.

“Assessments of the current business situation improved significantly after last month’s setback. Business expectations were also somewhat more optimistic after declining for three consecutive months.”

The index is based on survey responses from some 7,000 companies in manufacturing, construction, wholesaling and retailing.

They are asked to give their assessments of the current business environment and their outlook for the next six months.

The sub-index measuring current business in July rose to 113.9 points, while the outlook sub-index was up to 102.4 points.

‘On steroids’

Brzeski said the data was good news for Germany’s export-driven economy, writing that “even if the doses has been reduced somewhat, the German economy is still on steroids”.

Looking ahead, however, he pointed to risks, including “the never-ending Greek crisis, which despite latest positive developments is still far from being solved and could re-escalate quickly at almost any time”. l

REUTERS

were heavily-owned blue chips such as ICICI Bank.

“There is more than 2tn rupees in exposure in participatory notes. You don’t have the luxury of restricting it: ultimately the government will have to compromise,” G Chokkalingam, founder of Equinomics, a Mumbai-based research and fund advisory firm said. l

Facebook to scale up free mobile Internet service to boost usage n Reuters, Mumbai

Facebook Inc plans to scale up its service to offer free basic Internet on mobile phones, an executive said, after introducing the application in 17 developing countries over the past year.

In a blog post released to mark the first year of the initiative, Facebook said it will open a portal allowing any mobile operator to offer the service under its Internet.org platform. Facebook currently partners with specific operators to launch the service in different countries.

Internet.org has brought over 9 million people online over the past year, Chris Daniels, vice president of product for Internet.org, told Reuters on Monday. Facebook developed the platform with six technology partners to bring an estimated 4.5 billion unconnected people online, mainly in Latin America, Asia and Africa.

Facebook’s blog post said that over the past year, the service had bought new users onto mobile networks on average over 50% faster and that more than half the people using Internet.org are paying for data to access the wider Internet within 30 days. l

DT

18 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

News, analysis and recent disclousres APEXSPINN: 20% cash dividend for the year ended on March 31, 2015. AGM: 30.09.2015, Record date: 18.08.2015. The Company has also reported net profit after tax of Tk. 23.20 million, EPS with fair valuation surplus/deficit of Investment of Tk. 2.27, EPS without fair valuation surplus/deficit of Investment of Tk. 2.76, NAV per share of Tk. 50.02 and NOCFPS of Tk. (1.79) for the year ended on March 31, 2015 as against Tk. 18.80 million, Tk. 3.35, Tk. 2.24, Tk. 49.75 and Tk. 2.50 respectively for the year ended on March 31, 2014.

RUPALILIFE: (HY): Increase in life revenue account Tk. 33.50 million with total life insurance fund of Tk. 3,403.92 million as against increase of Tk. 118.69 million and Tk. 3,135.49 million respectively for Jan-June, 2014.

EBL: (HY): Consolidated EPS for Jan-June, 2015 was Tk. 2.03 as against Tk. 1.55 for Jan-June, 2014.

Consolidated NAV per share was Tk. 32.88 as of June 30, 2015 and Tk. 30.74 as of June 30, 2014.

LANKABAFIN (HY): Consolidated EPS for Jan-June, 2015 was Tk. 0.11 as against Tk. 0.63 for Jan-June, 2014. Consolidated NAV per share was Tk. 28.06 as of June 30, 2015 and Tk. 28.87 as of December 31, 2014.

SAPORTL: (HY): Consolidated EPS for Jan-June, 2015 was Tk. 0.45 as against Tk. 0.43 for JanJune, 2014. Consolidated NAV per share was Tk. 32.36 as of June 30, 2015 and Tk. 42.28 as of December 31, 2014.

IDLC: (HY): Consolidated EPS for Jan-June, 2015 was Tk. 3.25 as against Tk. 1.22 for Jan-June,

2014. Consolidated NAV per share was Tk. 28.42 as of June 30, 2015 and Tk. 25.97 as of December 31, 2014.

ICBIBANK: (H/Y): EPS for Jan-June, 2015 was Tk. -0.14 as against Tk. -0.40 for Jan-June, 2014. Accumulated profit/ (loss) of the Company was Tk. (16,999.44) million as on 30.06.2015 resulting total shareholders’ equity stands at Tk. (9,719.66) million.

RECKITTBEN: (HY): EPS was Tk. 29.10 for Jan-June, 2015 as against Tk. 18.18 for Jan-June, 2014. NAV per share Tk. 63.84 as of June 30, 2015 and Tk. 41.99 as of June 30, 2014.

ISLAMICFIN: (HY): EPS for Jan-June, 2015 was Tk. 0.54 as against Tk. 0.72 for Jan-June, 2014. NAV per share was Tk. 12.25 as of June 30, 2015 and Tk. 11.61 as of June 30, 2014.

UTTARAFIN: (HY): EPS was Tk. 4.68 for Jan-June, 2015 as against Tk. 4.53 for Jan-June, 2014. NAV per share Tk. 47.88 as of June 30, 2015 and Tk. 50.56 of December 31, 2014.

Dividend/AGM

RECKITTBEN: 500% interim cash dividend, Record date for entitlement of interim dividend: 05.08.2015.

LINDEBD: 200% interim cash dividend, Record date for entitlement of interim dividend: 03.08.2015.

GP: Interim cash dividend 80%, Record date for entitlement of interim dividend: 29.07.2015.

SQURPHARMA: 30% cash and 12.50% stock dividend, AGM: 16.09.2015, Record Date: 13.08.2015.

Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

Company Standard Ceramic -A Monno Ceramic -B ISN Ltd. -Z ICB Islamic Bank-Z Islamic Finance-A AsianTigerSandhani GF-A BD Fixed Income MF-A Bangladesh Welding -B AramitCementA PHP 1st M. F.-A

Closing (% Change) 10.00 9.90 9.80 9.52 9.45 9.20 9.09 9.01 8.67 8.51

CSE GAINER Company Monno Ceramic -B Samata LeatheR -Z ISN Ltd. -Z BD Fixed Income MF-A Islamic Finance-A Midas Financing-Z Standard Ceramic -A EXIM Bank 1 MF-A Bangladesh Welding -B Bangladesh Lamps -A

Closing (% Change) 9.97 9.89 9.80 9.47 9.38 9.30 9.24 9.21 9.05 8.97

DSE LOSER Company Savar Refractories-Z Zeal Bangla Sugar -Z Jute SpinnersA Stylecraft -A BGIC -A PragatiLife Insu. -Z Central Insur -A Dulamia CottonZ Saiham Cotton-A Rupali InsurA

Closing (% Change) -6.73 -5.71 -5.66 -5.17 -4.84 -4.73 -4.02 -3.70 -3.35 -3.30

CSE LOSER Company MeghnaCement -A Apex Footwear-A Rupali Bank - A City G Insu.-A Eastland Insur -A Imam Button -Z R. N. Spinning-Z Rangpur Foundry -A NLI 1st M F-A Continental Insur. -A

Closing (% Change) -7.41 -6.65 -5.22 -4.35 -4.24 -3.74 -3.23 -3.16 -3.09 -3.03

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

DSE key features July 28, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

DSE GAINER

Sector

7,201.25 188,919,373 147,176

Traded Issues

320

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

196

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

138

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

6

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,716.37

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

32.93

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 443.19 566.39 148.42 1054.18 362.12 1173.87 2.82 600.53 1186.93 25.41 135.34 24.05 199.58 406.68 56.02 26.50 67.19 238.67 181.28 301.11 1.00

% change 6.15 7.87 2.06 14.64 5.03 16.30 0.04 8.34 16.48 0.35 1.88 0.33 2.77 5.65 0.78 0.37 0.93 3.31 2.52 4.18 0.01

Million Taka 20.21 41.93 4.12 120.30 14.43 100.77 43.39 68.80 2.25 8.83 1.73 10.39 28.60 3.81 0.59 2.72 21.34 25.06 29.41 0.02

Average (% Change) 7.91 9.34 9.22 6.25 6.64 8.25 8.24 4.16 5.87 4.89

Average (% Change) 12.08 9.97 9.38 29.03 8.47 9.30 9.17 8.95 4.77 9.08

Average (% Change) -6.73 -5.43 -6.89 -5.89 -6.12 0.33 -3.38 -0.64 -3.82 -4.67

Average (% Change) -7.37 -6.66 -3.75 -2.22 -4.28 -5.63 -2.38 -3.16 -3.09 -3.03

CSE

ClosingAvg. 45.82 32.65 11.13 4.42 13.65 9.45 8.28 23.52 36.80 4.93

ClosingAvg. 32.56 30.00 11.20 10.40 13.71 14.10 46.05 8.28 23.51 149.38

ClosingAvg. 48.50 6.62 45.00 1025.40 17.78 107.13 19.16 7.78 20.41 17.76

ClosingAvg.

% change 3.68 7.64 0.75 21.92 2.63 18.37 0.00 7.91 12.54 0.41 1.61 0.31 1.89 5.21 0.69 0.11 0.50 3.89 4.57 5.36 0.00

112.44 345.35 47.95 13.20 22.60 10.05 24.17 92.00 9.40 16.00

Closing

DHIGH

47.30 33.30 11.20 4.60 13.90 9.50 8.40 24.20 37.60 5.10

Closing 33.10 30.00 11.20 10.40 14.00 14.10 46.10 8.30 24.10 149.40

Closing 48.50 6.60 45.00 1025.40 17.70 102.80 19.10 7.80 20.20 17.60

Closing 112.40 345.40 47.20 13.20 22.60 10.30 24.00 92.00 9.40 16.00

Million Taka 463.40 608.32 152.54 1174.47 376.54 1274.63 2.82 643.92 1255.73 27.66 144.17 25.78 209.96 435.28 59.84 27.09 69.90 260.00 206.34 330.51 1.02

DLOW

47.30 33.30 11.20 4.60 13.90 9.50 8.40 24.40 37.80 5.10

DHIGH

43.50 29.70 10.40 4.10 13.00 8.60 7.80 21.90 35.00 4.70

DLOW

33.10 30.00 11.20 10.40 14.00 14.10 46.40 8.30 24.30 150.80

DHIGH

32.00 30.00 11.20 10.40 12.80 14.10 42.40 8.10 22.20 139.10

DLOW

48.50 6.80 45.00 1051.00 18.30 111.20 19.60 8.00 21.00 18.10

DHIGH

48.50 6.60 45.00 1015.00 17.50 102.00 19.00 7.80 20.10 17.40

DLOW

114.00 347.00 49.00 13.20 22.60 10.30 24.50 92.00 9.40 16.00

Total

111.40 345.00 46.50 13.20 22.60 10.00 24.00 92.00 9.40 16.00

% change 5.98 7.85 1.97 15.15 4.86 16.45 0.04 8.31 16.20 0.36 1.86 0.33 2.71 5.62 0.77 0.35 0.90 3.35 2.66 4.26 0.01

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

Turnover in Million

Latest EPS

6.320 8.142 1.069 4.115 24.891 4.858 3.028 85.076 11.440 8.137

Turnover in Million

0.49 0.16 0.16 -0.28 1.08 0.60 0.51 -0.40 0.72 0.71

Latest EPS

0.376 0.000 0.013 0.021 1.507 0.020 0.617 0.007 9.228 0.575

Turnover in Million

93.5 204.1 69.6 -ve 12.6 15.8 16.2 -ve 51.1 6.9

Latest PE

0.16 -0.05 0.16 0.51 1.08 -1.55 0.49 0.56 -0.40 4.32

Latest EPS

0.010 0.073 0.002 0.323 2.075 4.527 0.172 0.007 11.967 0.873

Turnover in Million

Latest PE

203.5 -ve 70.0 20.4 12.7 -ve 94.0 14.8 -ve 34.6

Latest PE

-0.64 -45.17 -31.68 62.57 3.48 2.38 2.32 -3.15 1.43 2.60

Latest EPS

0.533 0.069 0.023 0.001 0.002 0.016 1.553 0.092 0.052 0.008

-ve -ve -ve 16.4 5.1 45.0 8.3 -ve 14.3 6.8

Latest PE

7.30 -37.80 5.84 1.98 2.60 -1.21 0.44 3.12 1.83 2.84

15.4 -ve 8.2 6.7 8.7 -ve 54.9 29.5 5.1 5.6

CSE key features July 28, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

548.68 15,733,101 21,666

Traded Issues

260

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

144

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

111

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

5

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,611.19

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

31.65

DT

BUSINESS 19

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

Stocks post modest rally n Tribune Report

Stocks registered modest rally amid volatility yesterday, breaking the two-day profit booking fall.

This gain was led by mainly cement, pharmaceuticals, telecommunication and non-banking financial institutions.

The benchmark of Dhaka Stock Exchange, DSEX, rose almost 22 points or 0.5% to close at 4,797.

The Shariah index, DSES, inched 6 points or 0.6% higher to 1,189.

The blue chip comprising index, DS30, was up almost 10 points or 0.6% to 1,879.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange surged 55 points to settle at 8,962.

Textile sectors performed well led by the sector heavyweight Square Textiles that soared 3.6%.

Among the large cap sectors, pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 0.9%. Telecommunication and non-banking financial institutions rose 0.7% and 0.6% respectively. Cement and banks witnessed marginal gains.

Power, food and allied, and life insurance edged lower.

The turnover at DSE was strong as it stood at Tk720 crore, which was 11.1% higher than the previous session’s value.

At DSE, 165 securities gained price and 109 declined, while 44 remained unchanged.

Lanka Bangla Securities said DSEX showed modest move to the upside closing the day just below 4,800 mark.

“As some companies managed to show growth in recent quarter amid tough business condition during the beginning of this year, the market is restoring confidence among the investors.” IDLC Investments said after two sessions of shakeout, the market returned to positive trajectory riding on uptick trade on majority of the scrips traded.

It said the buoyant market attracted participants to the trading screen, increasing turnover.

Square Pharmaceuticals Limited was the most-traded stocks with shares worth nearly Tk36 crore changing hands.

It was followed by Lafarge Surma Cement, United Power Generation and Distribution Company Limited, Beximco Limited, Khulna Power Company and Grameenphone. l

Bhe buoyant market attracted participants to the trading screen, increasing turnover

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Square Pharma -A LafargeS Cement-A United Power-N BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Khulna Power-A Grameenphone-A Beximco Pharma -A RAK Ceramics-A Olympic Accessories -N IDLC Finance -A

People`s Leasing-A UNITED AIR-A Olympic Ind. -A FAR Chemical-N Shahjibazar Power-N

VolumeShares 1,499,329 2,542,045 1,371,591 6,426,297 2,747,226 588,526 2,738,867 2,208,389 2,624,810 2,657,182

Value in Million 408.76 314.08 228.53 215.44 213.34 199.33 183.28 173.25 167.90 163.09

% of TotalTurnover 5.68 4.36 3.17 2.99 2.96 2.77 2.55 2.41 2.33 2.26

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

9,257,926 13,769,175 527,046 2,495,861 668,819

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Olympic Accessories -N United Power-N Square Pharma -A UNITED AIR-A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A LafargeS Cement-A BSRM Ltd. -A Grameenphone-A Beximco Pharma -A People`s Leasing-A

Shahjibazar Power-N MJL BD Ltd.-A Bangladesh Welding -B Ratanpur Steel -N WesternMarine -N

686,688 221,602 90,006 2,102,920 670,315 181,886 204,738 49,142 226,449 704,440

62,619 107,026 392,471 153,963 183,883

161.02 148.40 143.76 130.55 128.71

43.83 36.89 24.54 22.63 22.48 22.42 19.67 16.64 15.14 12.26

12.04 11.82 9.23 8.74 8.41

2.24 2.06 2.00 1.81 1.79

7.99 6.72 4.47 4.13 4.10 4.09 3.58 3.03 2.76 2.23

2.20 2.15 1.68 1.59 1.53

ClosingP 273.80 124.00 167.10 34.00 77.40 339.20 67.90 77.50 63.30 60.90

17.80 10.90 275.10 51.90 190.10

ClosingP

Change % 1.82 1.22 3.08 2.41 -0.64 0.53 3.66 -0.77 1.77 1.00

6.59 3.81 -0.83 -0.19 -2.36

Change %

63.10 166.80 273.50 10.90 33.90 123.50 95.70 338.90 67.90 17.70

190.70 109.70 24.10 57.70 45.60

1.28 2.90 1.86 4.81 2.42 1.23 -0.93 0.47 3.82 5.99

-2.10 -1.26 9.05 6.85 0.66

ClosingY 268.90 122.50 162.10 33.20 77.90 337.40 65.50 78.10 62.20 60.30

16.70 10.50 277.40 52.00 194.70

ClosingY

62.30 162.10 268.50 10.40 33.10 122.00 96.60 337.30 65.40 16.70

194.80 111.10 22.10 54.00 45.30

DHIGH 274.90 124.50 168.00 34.20 79.00 339.90 68.00 79.70 65.50 62.50

18.00 11.10 279.70 53.20 197.50

DHIGH

65.50 167.90 274.70 11.10 34.10 124.40 98.00 340.00 68.00 17.90

197.50 113.00 24.30 57.80 46.20

DLOW 267.60 121.80 163.00 32.90 77.00 337.00 65.00 77.20 62.00 60.60

16.50 10.40 270.50 51.50 188.90

DLOW

61.40 163.30 267.70 10.40 33.00 122.20 93.60 337.50 65.10 16.70

189.50 109.10 22.20 55.00 45.00

AvgPrice 272.63 123.55 166.62 33.52 77.66 338.70 66.92 78.45 63.96 61.38

17.39 10.78 272.77 52.31 192.45

AvgPrice

63.83 166.48 272.66 10.76 33.53 123.28 96.06 338.71 66.86 17.40

192.34 110.46 23.51 56.77 45.74

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

12177.30400

(+) 0.46%

1879.15585

(+) 0.53%

14718.13210

(+) 0.63%

12177.30400

(+) 0.66%

8962.39400

(+) 0.63%

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

ANALYST

As some companies managed to show growth in recent quarter amid tough business condition during the beginning of this year, the market is restoring confidence among the investors

DT

20 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

Muhith asks DCs to net new taxpayers n Tribune Report Finance Minister AMA Muhith has asked the deputy commissioners to take an initiative to find out the new taxpayers outside the major cities across as number of tax-payers are still low in the rural areas comparing to the urban areas.

The minister came with the directives at the ongoing “Deputy Commissioners Conference 2015,” which began at an auditorium of the cabinet division in the secretariat in the city yesterday.

Pointing at the allegation that the member of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), customs and VAT officials do not coordinate with the deputy commissioners to raise the number of the taxpayers at the district levels, Muhith also urged the deputy commissioners to help in the implementation of the current fiscal year budget.

“Deputy Commissioners should have special initiatives to achieve the target of the National Board of Revenue,’’ he added.

A deputy commissioner told the conference that they would identify 10,000 new taxpayers in their respective areas in line with the previous survey of NBR that revealed that

Golam Fakhruddin made new MD of BTCL n Tribune Report

the total taxpayers could be increased to 18 lakh.

According to the National Board of Revenue, the total number of taxpayers is now only 12 lakh that will increase up to 30 lakh by

the end of fiscal year 2018-2019.

NBR has already set up 85 new tax offices at various Upazillas while all the 488 Upazillas will come under NBR network within the next couple of years. l

Golam Fakhruddin, additional secretary of the Information & Communication Technology Ministry, has been appointed managing director of Bangladesh Telecommunication Company limited (BTCL).

Fakhruddin was working as controller of electronic certificate giving authority under Information and Communication Technology (ICT) department.

Public administration ministry yesterday released an official order in this regard.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, Mir Mohammad Morshed Ahmed, director (public relations), yesterday said, “BTCL authority got the Public Administration Ministry’s order at around 5pm today regarding the appointment of a new managing director.”

Former managing director of BTCL Mahfuz Uddin Ahmed went LPR on July 11.

After his retirement Shawkat Mostafa, additional secretary of Post & Telecommunication Ministry, was made managing director of BTCL as additional charge. l

CORPORATE NEWS

Islami Bank ranked as world’s top 1,000 banks n Business Desk Swan Garment workers demonstrate in front of Islami Bank, seeking their outstanding wages. The picture was taken recently MEHEDI HASAN

Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited has recently been ranked among top 1000 banks of the world in 2015 by an UK based century-old

magazine, The Banker. Islami Bank has continued to thrive in spite of continuing global economic pressures and social and political unrest in many of its strongholds, said the magazine in its statement. l

Swan Garments committee seeks loan from Islami Bank again n Tribune Report The committee, formed to settle the Swan Garment crisis, sought Tk1.39 crore as loan or help under Corporate Social Responsibility programmes from Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd to pay at least one month wage of the workers.

A letter was sent to the bank authorities seeking the amount as per the decision made at the second meeting of the committee yesterday.

Swan Garments mortgaged its properties to Islami Bank. It owed Tk42 crore to the bank.

The government formed the committee to find solution to the payment of outstanding wages and other dues of over 1,300 workers of Swan Garments.

In the first meeting of July 23, the committee also sought loan from the bank. But the bank rejected the request of lending Swan Garments as there was no legitimate heir to the

factory properties after the owner had died.

“We have urged the bank to provide Tk1.39 crore as loan or help under CSR to pay wages of the workers for one month,” DIFE Inspector General Syed Ahmed told Dhaka Tribune.

“If loan is not possible due to legal complexities, I hope the bank will make it under CSR considering the human aspect of the crisis as the workers are suffering due to the non-payment,” he said.

Syed Ahmed said they requested the bank authorities to settle the issue by Thursday.

As per the committee’s assessment, the factory owner needs over Tk1.39 crore to pay wages of the workers.

If the bank again denies to pay loan, there will have no option but selling four bighas of land located in Gazipur, which belongs to the owner of the Swan Garments, to pay the workers’ dues. l

Premier Bank has recently opened a branch at Bashgari in Bhairab, Kishoreganj. The bank’s MD, Khondker Fazle Rashid was present on the occasion among others

Mutual Trust Bank Limited has recently signed an agreement with IT Consultants Limited (ITCL) for upgrading the bank’s card management software. The bank’s MD and CEO, Anis A Khan and Dr Kazi Siafuddin Munir, MD & CEO of ITCL have signed the agreement

Harmonious melody

T-JUNCTION

Photo: Sazzad Hossain

news

Anchor “ShopnoJoyee Maa” story writing competition concludes The prize giving ceremony of ANCHOR “ShopnoJoyee Maa” story writing competition recently took place at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. The programme was attended by the honorable Managing Director of New Zealand Dairy Products Bangladesh Ltd S A Mallick, FCA; Head of Marketing Obaidul Haque; Brand Manager of Fonterra Bangladesh Rabiul Islam and other high officials of New Zealand Dairy Products Bangladesh Ltd. ANCHOR “ShopnoJoyee

Maa” story writing competition was judged by notable authors Anisul Haque and Selina Hossain.

DT

21

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

Renowned author Imdadul Haque Milon attended the program as a special guest.

The 1st prize was education insurance with a face value of Tk10 lakhs, awarded to Saheli Sultana Sharna from Chandpur. The other prizes were also handed over to the rest of the winners. The judges shared their experience and thanked the management of New Zealand Dairy Products Bangladesh Ltd for organising such a program.

New Zealand Dairy Products Bangladesh Ltd, one of the leading business organisations in Bangladesh has been striving to provide top quality milk based products at affordable rates.

The company is currently marketing well-known brands to cater to the local market such as Diploma, Red Cow, Anchor, Farmland, Farmland Gold, Shape Up, etc. l

INSIDE

22

Trial room

Euphony of life

24 decor

Marvel on the marble room of the week

The house of many faces

DT

22 T-JUNCTION

Trial Room

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

Euphony of life On occasion of Shraban, T-Junction fulfilled it’s need for a special musical tête-a-tete with Fahmida Nabi

n Saudia Afrin For Fahmida Nabi, it was always her passion to discover her life through music. Even though Fahmida is from a musical family, she still believes that her own passion for music made her who she is today. She said, “My parents never pressured me into singing.

Me and my siblings were fully supported by our parents as they gave us the independence to set our own goals. However, we felt strongly about keeping our family heritage alive.”

The beautiful thing about her family is that they hold on to their family tradition to love, nurture and practice music, generation after generation.

Favourite instrument She took a while to think and said, “Every instrument has its own features. No matter what ghorana the music is from, the harmonium always turns the mood into ragoshree. Instruments don’t guide us, rather we guide them. It depends on my mood and how I’m feeling, really. But the guitar and the piano have a very special place in my heart.”

Her favourite tunes She claims that her life is all about music.

Her soft yet euphonious voice is capable of touching all the magical notes, for which, Fahmida Nabi, is regarded as one of the most melodious singers our country has ever produced. Whether she’s singing or just listening to music, she opts for soothing, melodious and romantic music.

Aspirations A lot of people might not know about her talents as a lyricist and a composer, Fahmida aspires to please her audience and take them to a whole new level of harmonious trance. She mentions, “If the lyrics and the composition click, the music can take you to that state but if it doesn’t, it is up to the singer to decide how to collaborate and create harmony.” This convergent lady is also a firm believer of positivity. She adds, “Whenever I have to sing any sad song, I try to give it a happy ending to keep the hope of life alive.”

Photos: Sazzad Hossain

T-JUNCTION 23

DT

Trial Room

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

“I see my life as one that is deeply connected with music” Fahmida Nabi

Her idea of teamwork Fahmida is saddened by how the teamwork between singers, composers and writers no longer exist due to improvements in technology, as most of the work is done online. She argues that teamwork is necessary to produce the best of work which can reach the audience’s heart.

The audience knows best Fahmida refuses to make a list of her favourite co-artistes. Rather, she prefers to leave it on the audience. “It was and never will depend on us, it solely depends on the audience’s preferences and who they think will collaborate well as a pair. Besides, coartiste’s need to understand the situation as well. Having a big ego can kill brilliant possibilities.”

Moment of fear On her first stage programme, the presence of her father Mahmud Un Nabi made her more nervous than the presence of the large audience. She said, “I was constantly conscious about what sort of feedback I would get from Abba.”

Sibling love Several times, our TV screens have been graced with the presence of Fahmida and her equally talented younger sister, Samina. Surprisingly, both sisters differ on the type of music they like; the elder of the two likes soft music, whereas the younger likes music with high energy. However, the one thing they have in common, is the love for flowers and they adorn themselves with it whenever they can. A smiling Fahmida said, “We keep on forgetting our accessories, so flowers have always been there to complete our outfits.”

“I personally love how the women in Hawaii roam around the beach with a flower tucked behind their ear a flower garland on their necks,” she adds.

According to Fahmida, the duo have supported each other through thick and thin. She brings up Samina’s knack of remembering lyrics, which she lacks but appreciates.

Favorite book Her love for detective stories makes her fall in love with all the plots from the stories of Sherlock Homes.

Pet peeves Fahmida says that she dislikes autonomous authority in any aspect of her life.

Her biggest critic Regardless of whether it is something as small as the decor tips for a tiny corner in her house, Fahmida takes notes from her daughter Anmole. Anmole is also the biggest critic of her mother’s work. Perfectionist Fahmida makes her daughter listen to her sing for honest feedback. “Anmole always gives me the best possible feedback, by saying, ‘Ma you need to improvise on these areas, or you need softer emotion here rather then being loud’”, she happily shares.

Her mentor “As a student of philosophy, I take Socrates to be my mentor and refer to a saying of his, ‘A cup of poison cannot kill me but only the truth can kill me’ as an essence of life. To live by enjoying every moment of my life along with loved ones, is all I desire.”

We had to finish our conversation a tad bit early as she had to head for a recording session. Fahmida expressed just how much she disliked the fast pace of her life. “I haven’t had time to actively listen to something in such a long time!” she exclaimed hastily before concluding our interview. l

DT

24 T-JUNCTION

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

Tucked in

decor

Marvel on the marble All about the royal stone

n Mithul Roy Timeless and elegant, marble has a way of elevating any space in your house, whether it is a marble covered side table, dining table, bathroom counter tops, shower closets or even flooring. However, most people shiver at the thought of using marble in their homes out of fear of staining and etching of it’s porous surface. We break some of the myths and help you take care of your marble merchandise to keep it looking as good as new.

Choose the right kind

Marble flooring: In the case of marble flooring, dust-mop floors frequently and clean with a mild, phosphate-free biodegradable liquid dish-washing soap or powder, or a stone soap. After washing, rinse with clean water and dry. Never use cleaners that contain acid, such as bathroom cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, which can cause etching and avoid pulling trolleys or luggage over it.

The most popular marble finishes are polished and honed. A polished finish has a glossy surface, reflects light and shows off the colour and markings in the marble. A honed finish is more satiny and smoother, with little light reflection and is common for floors, stairs and other heavily trafficked locations while honed marble is more porous and will stain more easily.

A polished piece of marble will stain less but etch more so it’s a compromise either way.

Clean carefully

Marbletop surfaces: There is no need to mollycoddle your marble top; chances are it will stain little to none even if you accidentally drop the turmeric doused curry on it.

Just make sure you wipe it off as soon as possible.What you do need to look out for is etching caused by spillage of acidic substances i.e vinegar, milk lemon juice or tomato sauce. If it is not

room of the week

The house of many faces Room: Zahin Tajwaar Area: Dhanmondi

wiped up right away, the acid reacts and eats away at the calcium carbonate in the stone, producing permanent markings that look like dull, slightly darker spots or rings on the marble (every home maker’s nightmare specially if it’s in a well lit spot). Do not use cleaners containing acid on marble, including bleach. Instead use mild soap and warm water, using sponge to rub at the spots.

Marble showers: Wipe down after each use to get rid of water and residue or use a non-acidic residue remover or solution of ammonia and water (about ½ cup ammonia to 1 gallon water). However, use sparingly as overuse of ammonia solution may dull the surface of the stone.

Alternative options

If you are still uneasy, switch to synthetic options(quartz and its relatives) or opt for granite. And if you are hellbent on marble but don’t have the time for its upkeep, get a plastic table cover (similar to a cellphone guard) which you can peel off for parties. l

Former Chelsea star Didier Drogba joined Major League Soccer’s Montreal Impact on Monday.

He will join the Impact when his Canadian work permit and transfer certificate are obtained. Drogba signed an 18-month contract at just over $3m a year

Sport 26

STEYN ENJOYING BANGLADESH STAY

27

GERMAN CLUBS ARE SCARED OF BAYERN: HUMMELS

29

25

DT

MLS CALLING

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

RODDICK MAKING BRIEF RETURN TO PLAY DOUBLES

Tamim credits support staff for recent successes n Minhaz Uddin Khan

Bangladesh opening batsman Tamim Iqbal runs alongside trainer Mario Villavarayan during training at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

The second and final Test against South Africa, beginning tomorrow, will be Bangladesh’s last match of the extended 2014-15 season. The cricket season in Bangladesh usually runs from August to April but this year, the calender was stretched to the month of July despite the heavy monsoon.

Many predicted that the Bangladesh cricketers would find it hard to cope with the long season but the exact opposite happened.

As the season neared its end, the Tigers became sharper and elevated themselves to a higher level, especially in the ODIs. They bagged back-to-back series wins over Zimbabwe, Pakistan, India and lastly, the Proteas.

In between, the Tigers also made the world

of cricket sit up and take notice when they stormed into the quarter-finals of the 2015 ICC World Cup. And Bangladesh Test vice-captain Tamim Iqbal believes a change in mindset proved to be the difference and kept the team moving in the right direction. The southpaw also informed that the support staff should be credited for keeping the Tigers on their toes in the face of some intense and gruelling training sessions.

“It (coping with long season) depends on the mindset, I think. The reality is that the team have never been this successful until this year, especially in one-day cricket. Every player in the team is hungry for success and wants to improve in the longer-version. The performance is affected if you have a tired mind. But, our physiotherapist (Baizidul Islam) and trainer (Mario Villavarayan) worked really hard for us,” the Tigers opener told the media at Sher-eBangla National Stadium yesterday.

“They tried new ways of training so that no one feels tired or gets bored. We have started to enjoy the pressure of the team meetings and intense practice sessions. I think once you do that, it becomes easy to perform and achieve results,” he said.

Since last August, Bangladesh played 23 ODIs, winning 15 of them. As far as Test cricket is concerned, the Tigers played nine matches, winning three and losing and drawing as many. Tamim is of the opinion that they have the golden opportunity to further improve on their recent record in Tests but said they need to register their best performance if they are to take anything from the Dhaka five-dayer.

“We are well aware that we are playing against the world’s number one Test side so in order to get a good result against them we will need to play a very good quality of cricket in all the departments. A good start to the game will be the key. Being able to carry the good start throughout the game will get us a positive result,” said the Chittagonian.

Tamim and his fellow opening partner Imrul Kayes made a positive start for Bangladesh in the first innings of the Chittagong Test. Even though the partnership was broken on 46 following Imrul’s dismissal, Tamim made sure of carrying on. The hard-hitting Tamim was composed and played his shots in accordance with the merit of the delivery. He survived 129 balls and added 57 runs to the Tigers’ first-innings tally before an unattractive looking shot off left-arm spinner Dean Elgar ended his stay. Although Tamim rued the manner of his departure, he said he is looking to right the wrong in the Dhaka Test.

“I will try to be more cautions in the coming days but that does not mean I will not play my shots. I will not regret if I get dismissed while playing my favourite shot but what I can do is I can be a little more careful,” Tamim concluded.l

DT

26 Sport

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

Rohit’s Test spot ‘in tricky position’ n Cricinfo Indian Rohit Sharma has some unfinished business with Sri Lanka. Not the team but the country. He might have broken all records while scoring that 264 in an ODI against them, but the country itself has not been a happy hunting ground for him. The last time he went there for a bilateral series, in 2012, he returned ODI scores of 5, 0, 0, 4, 4. By some warped logic, Rohit, the next in line for Test debut until then, actually lost those rights to Suresh Raina for the upcoming home season. When he later went to Sri Lanka for the World Twenty20, he managed to face just 63 balls in four innings as India failed to make the semi-finals.

Now Rohit goes across the Palk Strait with his Test spot precariously placed. Ever since the two centuries he scored in his debut series, at home against West Indies, he has passed 50 only twice in 17 innings, with a best of 72. Also, whenever India played five bowlers, Rohit was the batsman who sat out: and the numbers suggest he didn’t have much to complain about.

“It is very priceless,” Rohit told bcci.tv about his spot in the Test side. “It is very close to me.

I don’t want to let go of it so easily. I stand in a very tricky position. I definitely want to do well every Test match I play. But knowing how Test matches are played these days, it’s not easy. In fact it was never easy. Test cricket. It is a challenge, and I love challenges.” l

Steyn enjoying Bangladesh stay n Mazhar Uddin Prior to the Bangladesh Tests, one of Dale Steyn’s comments during an interview to Cricinfo regarding his future created a lot of controversy and hurt the Tigers fans, who used to idiolise the South African tearaway.

However, ever since arriving in Bangladesh, the fast-bowling sensation has been friendly to everyone and seems to be enjoying every moment. The 32-year old has been tweeting

The people, environment, grounds and everything.

It’s just magnificent in here and posting pictures of his Bangladesh adventure regularly and even played some street football with kids when persistent rain was causing havoc in the Chittagong Test.

Steyn also had a great time with the world’s number one all-rounder Shakib al Hasan during an informal conversation at a dinner party recently. There, he tweeted: Dinner on the cool cat! I mean Tiger! Thanks bud.

Steyn-gun has been affable with almost

every single person who asked for his photograph and even thanked everyone after each photo, which is unlike his aggressive attitude on the field.

These are surely messages of affection from Steyn to the Tigers supporters who were hurt and angry after he said in the interview that he wants to extend his career rather than waste his remaining strength in the Bangladesh series.

The world’s number one Test bowler later apologised for his comments and clarified his statement on Twitter by tweeting seven-eight more posts where he praised Bangladesh and its people.

Yesterday, the Proteas paceman spent some time bowling and batting in the nets and after the conclusion of the training session, he was surrounded by the local photographers and groundsmen.

When queried over his feelings on touring Bangladesh, Steyn replied with a smile, “The people, environment, grounds and everything. It’s just magnificent in here.”

Steyn concluded by saying he was looking forward to reaching the 400-wicket club in Tests, only the second South African after all-rounder Shaun Pollock.l

South African fast bowler Dale Steyn arrives for training at SBNS yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

There are eleven hungry Proteas in the change-room, says Morne Morkel n Mazhar Uddin Rizwan Ahmed

Ali Akmal

Football expats expected today n Shishir Hoque Two expatriate footballers based in Wales Rizwan Ahmed and Mohammad Ali Akmal – are scheduled to visit Dhaka today to undergo a trial after showing their interest earlier to play for Bangladesh.

Rizwan and Akmal, who both play for Welsh football club Dinas Powys, land in the capital today afternoon and will stay at the Bangladesh Football Federation dormitory till the trial concludes.

“They are coming [today] at noon and will take rest for a couple of days in order to adjust with the new weather and environment. [Assistant coach] Saiful Bari Titu and the other BFF coaches will observe them during the trial,” said BFF spokesperson Ahmed Sayed Al-Fatah.

Both Rizwan and Akmal are 19-year old full-backs who have been staying in the UK since childhood. Rizwan plays as a left-back while Akmal features on the right for Dinas Powys seniors, a second division side based in south Wales.

Meanwhile, BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag informed that Dutch head coach Lodewijk de Kruif’s date of return to Bangladesh is yet to be ascertained. De Kruif recently underwent surgery in the Netherlands. l

It has been a frustrating time for the South African side as heavy monsoon deprived the visitors of action from the fourth day onward in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong.

However, nearly a week has elapsed since then and the weather has improved slightly.

Ahead of the series decider in Dhaka, starting tomorrow, the sun was shining bright and South African fast bowler Morne Morkel yesterday informed that they could hardly wait

to get back on the field.

“We are very, very happy (with the improvement in weather). I think we have got a bit of cabin-fever sitting in the hotel. And, most of the guys were playing football out in the rain. Really excited to go and get this Test match on its way. There are 11 hungry Proteas in the change-room,” Morkel told the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

The 30-year old stated that weather will play a big part in the Dhaka Test but said once the five-dayer does roll on the field, the tourists will be looking to make the Bangladesh

South African fast bowler Morne Morkel addresses the media during a press conference at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

batsmen play more deliveries.

“I think it’s one thing we have discussed, especially with the heat and humidity, we cannot afford to waste any deliveries. We need to be clearer and more on our money with our plans to certain batsmen and make them play more and go for three dismissals instead of one. I think I enjoy bowling in the sub-continent because I don’t get as much bounce in South Africa. So, it brings me a little bit more in the play. It’s time for us now to step it up a bit now and show why we are the number one team in the world,” Morkel said before adding, “I mean, if you can get the ball to reverse, it’s a great ball to bowl. How I see it, we just need to get 20 wickets, no matter it is a stumping down the leg-side or a yorker. We have had a look at their batting line-up again and we are going to go with different plans. Hopefully, that will work for us in the second Test.”

Despite being one of the most ferocious fast bowlers in world cricket, the 6’4’’ lad, who is the younger of the Morkel brothers, remained wicket-less. The Tigers batsmen faced no problems nullifying his threat and Morkel, ranked the world’s 10th best Test bowler, informed that he is looking forward to improving on his recent form when the Dhaka Test gets underway.

Morkel also spared a thought for his partner in crime, Dale Steyn, who is just a wicket away from becoming the second South African, after all-rounder Shaun Pollock, to bag 400 wickets. Morkel hoped that his team mate would be able to reach the milestone in the series decider. l

DT

Sport 27

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

QUICK BYTES Chelsea sell Filipe Luis back to Atletico Brazilian winger Filipe Luis is returning to Atletico Madrid just a year after they sold him to Chelsea, the clubs said Tuesday. Atletico sold the long-haired 29-year-old to the London side for a reported 15.8 million pounds (22 million euros, $25 million) a year ago after they won the Spanish league in the 2013-2014 season.

–AFP

People like Blatter deserve Nobel prize, says Putin FIFA boss Sepp Blatter deserves a Nobel Prize for his stewardship of soccer’s governing body, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview aired by Swiss broadcaster RTS on Monday. On Saturday, at a meeting with Putin in St Petersburg, Blatter said that FIFA, facing a major bribery scandal, had passed a resolution offering full support for holding the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

–REUTERS

Shaun Wright-Phillips signs for Red Bulls Queens Park Rangers winger Shaun Wright-Phillips is to be reunited with his brother Bradley after signing for Major League Soccer outfit the New York Red Bulls, the club announced on Monday. Former England international Wright-Phillips, 33, heads to New York after barely featuring for QPR during their doomed battle against relegation last season.

–AFP

Bayern Munich defender David Alaba (L) and midfielder Thiago Alcantara (R) stretch during a training session in Munich on Monday

Stoke sign winger Afellay

n AFP, Berlin

Stoke City have signed Netherlands winger Ibrahim Afellay on a two-year contract, the Premier League club said on Monday. The 29-year-old, who has played 50 times for his country, left Barcelona at the end of last season after four years. “It’s no secret that Ibrahim was wanted by a number of clubs and we are understandably delighted that he has chosen to join us,” Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes told the club’s website.

–REUTERS

Most German clubs are afraid of playing against Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich - and it needs to stop, says Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels says.

Bavarian giants Bayern kick off the new season on August 14 at home to Hamburg and are bidding to become the first team to win four straight league titles, having won last season’s Bundesliga with four games left.

But Hummels said most German teams make the Bavarians’ life easier by showing them too much respect - both on and off the pitch.

“In Germany, too many clubs behave with an element of fear against Bayern, both verbally and on the pitch,” the Germany defender

Tigres underdogs in old v new Libertadores final The Libertadores Cup final on Wednesday pits old against new as River Plate bid to win the tournament for the third time and Tigres aim to become the first Mexican side to lift South America’s version of the Champions League.

The Mexicans have invested heavily to end that streak, signing Brazilian forward Rafael Sobis, French striker Andre-Pierre Gignac, Mexican midfielder Javier Aquino and Nigerian international Ikechukwu Uche.

–REUTERS

Villa sign striker Ayew, agree deal for Crespo Aston Villa have recruited striker Jordan Ayew from French side Lorient, the Premier League club said on Monday. The 23-year-old Ghana international has signed a five-year contract at Villa have also agreed a deal to sign 28-yearold Cordoba fullback Jose Angel Crespo, the Spanish club said.

–REUTERS

German clubs are scared of Bayern, says Hummels and World Cup winner told magazine Kicker.

“They would do well to cut that out. You often get the feeling that many other teams have already written off their matches against Bayern before the game even starts.”

Hummels says too many teams simply opt for damage limitation against Pep Guardiola’s Bayern.

The point was proved when Paderborn coach Andre Breitenreiter said “Many thanks for the experience!” in the direction of the Munich bench after his side’s 6-0 defeat last season.

Dortmund finished seventh in the league after a disastrous start to the season which left them bottom in February, leading to coach Jurgen Klopp’s resignation at the end

Chand eyes Olympics after gender ruling n AFP, New Delhi Indian sprinter Dutee Chand said Tuesday she was “super excited” about returning to athletics after a landmark ruling on the validity of so-called gender tests.

Chand’s hyperandrogenism - a condition that produces high testosterone levels - meant she fell foul of International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) rules on gender.

But in a ruling Monday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) suspended the controversial regulation for two years, allowing her

to compete again.

The CAS also said the rule would be scrapped permanently if the IAAF failed to prove that enhanced testosterone levels led to improved performance in hyperandrogenic athletes.

“I am very happy and relieved,” India’s reigning under-18 100 metres champion told AFP by telephone from the southern city of Hyderabad.

“I have gone through a lot of suffering and humiliation. Now I want to forget everything and start afresh,” said Chand, now 19, her voice choked with emotion. l

AFP

of the campaign.

Having won the 2011 and 2012 Bundesliga titles with Dortmund under Klopp, Hummels will play under new Borussia coach Thomas Tuchel when their season opens at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach on August 15.

Dortmund face a two-leg play-off against Austrian side Wolfsburg to qualify for the Europa League next season, but Hummels says their focus is on the Bundesliga.

“The fact we want to - and need to - reach the (Europa League) group stages is beyond question,” he said.

“But for us players, it’s clear that what counts is places one to three (in the league), with fourth place as a bare minimum. That’s what we’re working for.” l

DT

28 Sport

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

Barca fined over whistling at king n AFP, Madrid

Sterling nets twice as City thump Vietnam n Reuters, Hanoi

Spanish authorities Monday moved to fine FC Barcelona 66,000 euros ($67,000) and Athletic Bilbao 18,000 euros over last season’s Cup final where fans of the Catalan and Basque sides whistled Spain’s King Felipe VI. The state Higher Sports Council proposed the sanctions for “behaviour whose aim was to transform the sporting event into a stage for political demands through intolerant acts”.

These included “whistling the national anthem and His Majesty the King”, patron of the cup, the council said in a statement.

It also proposed a 123,000-euro fine for the Royal Spanish Football Federation as organiser of the Copa del Rey final at Barcelona’s Nou Camp ground on May 30, which Barca won 3-1.

Fans of both sides drowned out the Spanish national anthem with boos and whistles at the start of the match as Felipe stood solemn-faced.

The controversy came at a time of high political sensitivities, with Catalan leaders campaigning for independence from Spain ahead of a key regional election expected in September.

The sports council’s Antiviolence Commission set various administrative fines for the whistling and for alleged security shortcomings including the burning of flares.

Those targeted by the fines can appeal against them to the state authorities, who will hear their claims before making a final ruling, a council spokesman told AFP. l

Raheem Sterling scored twice in 12 minutes to lead Manchester City to an 8-1 rout of Vietnam on Monday, stretching an impressive pre-season run after his recent high-profile move from Liverpool.

The Englishman, who left Anfield in a 49 million-pound ($76 million) deal, clinched his brace inside 31 minutes amid a flurry of forays into the box that shook Vietnam and left the hosts struggling to stem the onslaught.

Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva both scored a goal in each half for a City side testing out youngsters in a lop-sided match before near-sellout Hanoi crowd.

The victory was City’s third in four pre-season games on the road after wins in Australia over Melbourne City and Roma and a 4-1 defeat by Real Madrid. City play VfB Stuttgart in Germany on Saturday.

Kolarov put the visitors ahead in the 11th minute, floating a 25-yard free kick into the corner with the keeper rooted to the ground.0 Sterling opened his account after 19 minutes with a superb curling shot from an angle after being teed up by Silva. Silva prodded a loose ball home from close range just moments later, after his header was pushed on to the crossbar by Vietnamese keeper To Vinh Loi. City made it four when Sterling darted into the area and blasted low into the corner after a one-two with Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho.l

Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling (L) fights for the ball with Vietnam’s Mai Tien Thanh during their friendly match at My Dinh stadium in Hanoi on Monday. Manchester City won 8-1 AFP

Van Gaal seeking galactico touch for United n Reuters, London Louis van Gaal wants to recruit a new galactico match-winner for Manchester United in a bid to fulfil his ambition of bringing another Premier League title to Old Trafford before he walks away from the club in two years.

Yet though United’s Dutch manager also talks of his side still needing more speed and creativity, the impact of his new signings on their successful pre-season U.S. tour persuades him he now has a team that is better equipped to launch an assault on the title after finishing fourth last season.

Van Gaal, who vowed to stick to his promise to retire in 2017, cut an upbeat figure after the tour win over European champions Barcelona, suggesting that in his second year at the

Cavani banned for Jara incident n AFP, Montevideo Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani has been suspended for two matches over his flare-up with Chilean defender Gonzalo Jara at the Copa America, the South American Football Confederation announced.

The ban means he will miss his country’s first World Cup qualifying tie away to Bolivia in October. Cavani, who plays for French champions Paris Saint-Germain, was sent off midway through the second half of Uruguay’s stormy 1-0 Copa America quarter-final defeat for a second yellow card after he flicked a hand into Jara’s face. l

United helm his side could be ready for a more concerted challenge for major silverware.

“You want always more,” Van Gaal told reporters in San Jose.

“In my other teams I was already, in my first year, a champion so I hope that we can manage that in three years’ time. But when it is this year I am very happy. But I cannot say this year we shall be the champion. We have to fight for it. That is the most important thing. Until the end we have to challenge the number one. And maybe we are.

“I think that we have now a selection more balanced than last year. The positions are occupied double. But I think we need still more speed in front and also more creativity and that is why I want (Angel) Di Maria to stay.

But we don’t know that so we have to wait

Benitez plays down De Gea rumours after Real crush Inter n AFP, Guangzhou Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez brushed off rumours of making a bid for David de Gea and said he was confident Sergio Ramos would stay at his club after watching his side beat Inter Milan 3-0 in Guangzhou on Monday.

Manchester United earlier on Monday signed Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero, ramping up the speculation that De Gea would head back to his home country, possibly in a deal involving Ramos going the other way.

“De Gea?” said Benitez when asked about the rumours by reporters. “All I know is we scored three goals and I’m very happy.”

Benitez added that Ramos had met club president Florentino Perez in Guangzhou on Monday and reiterated his belief that the defender was going nowhere and would sign a new contract soon.

“I asked Perez how the meeting with Ramos went on Sunday after dinner,” said Benitez. “He told me both parties were optimistic. I am optimistic.” l

and see.”

Asked if it would be difficult to secure the signing of a creative superstar, Van Gaal said: “Of course. I can give examples of champions. Bayern Munich have (Franck) Ribery and (Arjen) Robben, Chelsea have (Eden) Hazard and Willian, speed and creativity.

“Real Madrid have (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Gareth) Bale. Manchester United fans want us to compete with these teams. Barcelona have Neymar and (Lionel) Messi. “(Ashley) Young has made a fantastic season. (Juan) Mata the same, with assists and goals but to win the Champions League we need speed also.”

United, who have won all their three matches in America, end their tour on Wednesday against Paris St Germain in Chicago. l

DT

Sport 29

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

I can cope with move up to three: Bell n Reuters, London Struggling England batsman Ian Bell is backing himself to come good at number three in this week’s third Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston, he said on Monday.

The 33-year-old, under pressure for his place after a poor run of form, will move up the order in place of the axed Gary Ballance on his home ground.

“For me it’s about performing,” Bell told BBC Sport. “Whether you’re batting three, four or five you’ve got to score hundreds and I’m looking forward to that challenge.

“I know that when I play at my best I’m a world-class cricketer.”

Bell has made 117 runs in the last six Tests.

“It’s a brutal environment, international sport,” he said.

“You have to perform. I’m realistic enough to know that I haven’t played to the best of my ability in the last two months.”

Bell, who averages 43.18 in 112 Tests, made the last of his 22 Test centuries against West Indies in April.

“I went from a hundred in Antigua to a little tricky run. Who’s to say that there’s not a hundred round the corner and I go off on a good run?” he said.l

England captain Alastair Cook (R) and Joe Root share a light moment during a training session at Edgbaston on Monday

REUTERS

England aim to overcome Mitch hitch in third Test n AFP, Birmingham Joe Root is confident England’s latest collapse against an Australia pace attack led by Mitchell Johnson won’t still haunt them come the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston starting on Wednesday.

Left-arm fast bowler Johnson took 37 wickets at 14 apiece as Australia thrashed England 5-0 on home soil to regain the Ashes in 2013/14.

DAY’S WATCH Star Sports 1 4:00 PM Australia Tour of England (Ashes) 3rd Test Day 1

Star Sports 2 8:20 PM Pro Kabaddi League Pune v Kolkata 9:30 PM Jaipur v Delhi

Star Sports 4 5:50 AM International Champions Cup FC Barcelona v Chelsea 7: 50 AM Club America v Benfica

Ten HD 3:30 PM FFA Cup Palm Beach Sharks v South Melbourne 5:30 PM ATP World Tour 500 Bet At Home Day 3

Johnson, however, was mocked by England fans while going wicketless during the first innings of Australia’s 169-run defeat in Cardiff in the opening match of the current Ashes campaign.

It was though a very different story in the second Test at Lord’s, where Johnson had match figures of six for 80 during Australia’s crushing 405-run win that levelled the fivematch series at 1-1.

England captain Alastair Cook may be in

better form than Australia counterpart Michael Clarke but that counted for little as the hosts, with Johnson taking three cheap wickets, slumped to a humiliating 103 all out in their second innings.

But a defiant Root said of Johnson: “It’s wrong to single one man out. You look at Cardiff and he only got two expensive wickets so it’s about putting him under pressure.”

Australia left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc was not concerned by England’s at-

tempts to stabilise a top order that has been 43 for three or worse seven times in their past 13 Test innings and promised there would be no let-up from the tourists’ pace attack.

Australia, meanwhile, are set to field an unchanged side.

Wicket-keeper Peter Nevill is also likely to retain is place after impressing on debut last time out even though Brad Haddin is available again after withdrawing for “family reasons” ahead of the second Test.l

Roddick making brief return to play doubles at Atlanta n Agencies Even retirement couldn’t stop Andy Roddick from one last chance to play doubles with his friend Mardy Fish in this week’s Atlanta Open.

Roddick, 32, says Atlanta served as the “bookends” of his career. It’s where he won his first tour title in 2001 and his last in 2012.

He retired in 2012 and being back, if only for a week, left him feeling “awkward.”

“I feel like the kid who’s too old to go back to the high school dance,” Roddick said Monday before beating Frances Tiafoe, 17, a top young American player, 6-3, 6-4 in a singles exhibition.

Fish, who won the Atlanta tournament in 2010-11, recently announced he will retire after the U.S. Open. He plans to play in Washington and Cincinnati before the U.S. Open.

Fish also is in the singles draw in Atlanta.

Fish has battled health problems since March 2012 when his heart started racing un-

controllably the night after he lost a match at Key Biscayne, Florida.

Roddick said he can see a change in Fish since he announced his retirement plans.

“It seems like since he made his announcement and he can kind of see the finish line, it’s almost a weight has been lifted off his shoulders a little bit,” Roddick said. “If I can be a small part of kind of helping him this week, I’m happy to do it. We have a very long history. It’s something I wanted to do.” l

Roddick plays a backhand in an exhibition match

South Africa’s first post-isolation captain Rice dies n Reuters, Cape Town South Africa’s first captain of the post-isolation era Clive Rice died on Tuesday after battling a brain tumour, the country’s cricket board said.

Rice’s family confirmed his death to South Africa’s Eye Witness News, saying he was admitted to hospital on Sunday with severe stomach pains. The allrounder captained South Africa at the age of 42 on their historic post-isolation limited overs tour of India in 1991, but was left out of the squad for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand the following year.

He also briefly represented Scotland before the Proteas’ readmission to international cricket. l

DT

30 DOWNTIME

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Provoke (3) 3 Diplomacy (4) 6 Swarm (4) 7 Floor covering (3) 9 Norwegian capital (4) 10 Ship’s record (3) 11 Utter wildly (4) 13 Omit in pronunciation (5) 16 Very hard mineral (5) 18 Sly look (4) 19 Little devil (3) 20 Violently deranged (4) 21 Digit (3) 23 Colour (4) 24 Head and neck covering (4) 25 Concealed (3)

DOWN 1 Edge (5) 2 Flightless bird (3) 4 Church recess (4) 5 Also (3) 6 Hooked claw (5) 8 Ingrained dirt (5) 9 Above (4) 12 Proficient (5) 14 Vegetable (4) 15 Fully sufficient (5) 17 Surrender (5) 18 Sport (4) 20 Tree (3) 22 Kimono sash (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 13 represents V so fill V every time the figure 13 appears.

You have two letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares.

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

As you get the letters, fill in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

A B C D E FG H I J K L M N O P Q RST UVWXYZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU How to solve: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeating.

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

DT

SHOWTIME 31

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

Five essential films on Cuba

CELEBS ON SOCIAL

n Showtime Desk With the United States having recently re-established diplomatic relations with Cuba, and the embargo against the country could be lifted any time soon, this might change the playing field for Cuban cinema and its world exposure. Significantly, under the recent regulations, documentary film making in Cuba by US citizens will no longer require special permission – though, feature-length commercial films have not yet been specifically authorised.

However, a new horizon in film awaits to open, as more Hollywood directors are about to access Cuba. This island is a beautiful and unique location to film in, with iconic colonial buildings, stunning beaches and areas of unspoiled natural beauty. And just imagine, Oliver Stone won’t have to worry about fines anymore.

We’ve selected some old greats to give you a sampling of what to expect.

I Am Cuba (Soy Cuba) This is without a doubt one of the most luscious propaganda pieces ever committed to film. Directed by Soviet film maker Mikhail Kalatozov, I Am Cuba is an unabashed propaganda film that uses amazing film making techniques to glorify Castro and the revolution that created the Communist government that still has Cuba in its grasp today.

Che: Part One Steven Soderbergh brings all his gifts to bear in this glorious biopic of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevera. With the incomparable talent Benecio del Toro portraying Che, the movie is a must-see for anyone with even a passing interest in Cuba.

Mortdecai The hilariously unfunny Mustachio

n Sadia Khalid British aristocrat Charlie Mortdecai (Johnny Depp) is an art dealer of questionable means who owes the British Government eight million pounds in back taxes. When a rumour breaks out about a stolen Goya containing the codes of a Swiss bank account with Nazi gold, he treads the globe in search of the artefact with his man-servant who is named after sports underwear (Jock Strapp). Based on Kyril Bonfiglioli’s 1973 comic/thriller novel Don’t Point That Thing At Me, Mortdecai is an unfunny comedy with the exception of a few dopey gags.

Ashwin Ravichandran @ashwinravi99 The impact the back foot has on your front door driving @gennextcricket high performance with trainer

Before Night Falls This Julian Schnabel’s directorial debut uses the epic setting in the aftermath of the Cuban Revolution, depicting the harsh realities of the newly formed Cuban Communist regime with remarkable deftness.

Starring the Academy Awardwinning actor Javier Bardem, the film tells the story of the struggles of the poet Reinaldo Arenas.

Memories of Underdevelopment Adapted from the novel of Edmundo Desnoes, the film is another of the mostpraised films that concern the aftermath of the revolution. Director Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, who is considered by most Cuban film critics as the finest Cuban filmmaker of all-time, gives audiences a tale of a middle-class intellectual who faces a new post-revolution reality that is not what he expected.

The film anchors its comic foundation in Mortdecai’s ancestral mustachio, which has become an integral part of his selfimage and which his wife Joanna (Gwyneth Paltrow) doesn’t abide. Her nearly throwing up every time she comes close to that moustache is not remotely amusing and yet it is the punch-line for scores of scenes.

The funniest parts of the film were perhaps the many scenes where Jock Strapp (Paul Bettany) can’t seem to stay out of Mortdecai’s shooting range. Scotland Yard’s charming inspector Alistair Maitland (Ewan McGregor) has a mortal crush on Joanna.

She takes every advantage of his affliction to get all the classified information she needs to find the Goya.

The film rides heavily on the stylised self-conscious acting of Johnny Depp, who seems to be having a rather difficult time detaching himself from his persona of Captain Jack Sparrow or some Tim Burton character for quite some time now.

Maybe his newfound style of hyperbolic over-acting would pan out better on stage plays. I, for one, did not want to see Johnny Depp in yet another ridiculous character in his final years before old age claims his good looks forever. To complement our disappointment, Gwyneth Paltrow’s portrayal of Joanna was so bland, it felt like she wanted the audience to forget she ever

Paulo Coelho @ paulocoelho Life has a way of testing a person’s will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen at once Buena Vista Social Club The documentary follows the efforts of the famous Cuban musician Ry Cooder to bring back together forgotten musical treasures from Cuba’s musical past to record a CD. Cooder travels through Havana to bring musical legends together, and in the process he resurrects their careers. The musicians not only are filmed playing beautiful music, but they are also interviewed by director Wim Wenders about their experiences during and following the revolution. l

had anything to do with this film.

Director David Koepp misjudged how many jokes about facial grooming one audience can stand while screenwriter Eric Aronson possibly blew his first chance in fourteen years to redeem himself after the teen movie On the Line (2001). Critics have been rather unkind to this film grading it close to an F where it ostensibly deserves at least a D for daftness. l

Jatratonica II

Date: August 1, 2014 (Saturday) Time: 7pm - 11pm Venue: 60 Kemal Ataturk Avenue, 1213 Dhaka, Bangladesh Jatratronica returns after its debut last year. This time they’re bringing in a mix of musical media, multiple talents working with unique sonic structures, challenging soundscapes and arresting visuals.

Line up: Creature Comforts, Polaroid, Fahad Zaman, Fahim Imam, Ahsan Sajid, and live visuals by Kaaktalio.

Book or buy your tickets in advance on www.imdhaka.com or at the venue on the event day.

Tea and phuckha included in the ticket price of Tk500. l

Marlo Thomas @ MarloThomas “Teach your daughters to worry less about fitting into glass slippers and more about shattering glass ceilings.” - Melissa Marchonna #QOTD

WHAT TO WATCH

Inception HBO 10:52 pm A thief who steals corporate secrets through use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a CEO Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page The Italian Job ZStudio 6:40 pm After being betrayed and left for dead in Italy, Charlie Croker and his team plan an elaborate gold heist against their former ally.

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, CharlizeTheron, Edward Norton, Seth Green, Jason Statham, MosDef The Island WB 11:54 pm Lincoln Six Echo is just like everyone elsehe’s waiting to go to the island-the only place left in the world to actually live a life.

Thousands of people stay at a facility waiting to go to the island. It all sounds like paradise but Lincoln Six Echo soon discovers that there’s actually a sinister purpose going on at that facility and must escape.

Cast: Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson, Sean Bean, DjimonHounsou, Steve Buscemi

DT

32 BACK PAGE

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

MUHITH ASKS DCS TO NET NEW TAXPAYERS PAGE 20

TAMIM CREDITS SUPPORT STAFF FOR RECENT SUCCESSES PAGE 25

FIVE ESSENTIAL FILMS ON CUBA PAGE 31

PM asks DCs to work for mid-income target DCs seek more logistics from home minister for better controlling law and order in the districts power to punish offenders in the absence of According to a charter of the public ad- and water bodies, wildlife and scenic beauty. n Abu Hayat Mahmud The conference kicked off at 11:40am after confessional statements. ministration ministry, deputy commissionPrime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the deputy commissioners to work for making Bangladesh a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed country by 2041.

She made the call while addressing the three-day DC Conference 2015 at the Shapla Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Dhaka yesterday.

Issuing a 21-point directive for the DCs, Hasina said they would have to pay special attention to these alongside the various responsibilities that come with their jobs.

The PM said that the DCs will have to ensure that projects such as the Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar (one house one farm) benefit everyone instead of a limited number of people.

Highlighting that the government has allocated Tk200 crore for improving the lives of the exclave dwellers, Hasina told the district administrators that they should also play a role in curbing human trafficking, drug trade and stalking.

ers have to play 37 different duties including revenue and magisterial functions, administration of jails, control of fire arms, anti-cor-

Sheikh Hasina: DCs will have to play key roles in curbing human trafficking, drug trade, stalking ruption, land acquisition, election matters, border, census, relief and rehabilitation and conducting public examinations.

Hasina asked the DCs of the Chittagong Hill Tracts districts – Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari – to work in coordination with the Regional Council. She said steps should be taken for protecting and conserving the area’s geological features, landscape, forests, rivers

the premier finished delivering her speech following an inaugural ceremony at 10am.

Members of the Cabinet, secretaries, divisional commissioners and senior government officials were present at the programme.

On the occasion, the PM gave the Digital Service Award to one divisional commissioner and three deputy commissioners for their outstanding contribution in promoting digital services in their areas. The recipients are: Delwar Bakth, divisional commissioner of Rangpur; Kushtia DC Syed Belal Hossain, Panchagarh DC M Salauddin and Narayanganj DC Anisur Rahman Mia. Cabinet Secretary M Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, who inaugurated the conference, said that the DCs had submitted a total of 253 proposals in the conference.

Cabinet Division sources said the DCs would press for the enactment of two laws – the Public Service Act 2015 and the Mobile Court Act 2015 – which would give them more

Home minister’s directives

Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal asked the DCs to hold regular meetings of the local law and order committees to keep situation calm in the districts.

“The law and order committees formed with local community people should be further activated and sittings should be held regularly for proper coordination to maintain the law and order situation,” the minister told reporters after attending a session of the ongoing three-day DC Conference at the Secretariat yesterday. He also said that an amendment to the mobile court act is all set to be placed in the Jatiya Sangsad soon.

The DCs sought more motor vehicles, expansion of jails, speedboats and other necessary equipment for more smooth functioning of the police department at the district level, Asaduzzaman said. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207. Phone: 9132093-94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com