06 August, 2015

SECOND EDITION

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

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Shraban 22, 1422, Shawwal 20, 1436

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 112

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

‘ENSURE SPEEDY TRIAL PARENTS KILL KID TO PROVE MOTHER FINALLY HOLDS FOR RAKIB KILLERS’ PAGE 3 SUPERNATURAL POWERS PAGE 5 BULLET-HIT SURAIYA PAGE 32

280 children raped in the first six months of 2015 Around 8:30pm on July 20, a 12-year-old girl of a garment worker mother and a rickshaw-puller father was watching television at their tin-roofed house in Dhaka’s Mirpur area.

Both her parents were out working and sensing that the girl was alone, Polash, the son of their landlord, knocked at the door.

The girl opened the door without any idea or suspicion about what ensued. Thirty-fiveyear-old Polash raped the helpless little girl who was still to reach puberty. When her mother came home, she told her everything and the family filed a case with the Mirpur model police station. Police were prompt to arrest Polash the very same day. But in less than a week, he was freed on bail.

On Sunday, August 2, two other girls were raped in Dhaka – a seven-year-old in Hazaribagh and a nine-year-old in Mirpur. Police managed to arrest the Hazaribagh rapist but the culprit who committed the crime in Mirpur has remained at large.

According children rights body Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF), there has been a spike in the number of child rape incidents in 2015; a total of 280 children have been raped

SHARP RISE IN CHILD RAPE 61 gang-raped 280 CHILDREN killed after rape RAPED 204 committed suicide after being raped FROM JAN TO JUN 28 victims of stalking 30 aged below six 39 children sexually harassed 79 aged 7-12

80

aged 13-18

91

exact age could not be verified

2015 2014 2013 2012

n Mohammad Jamil Khan

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) yesterday conducted drives in the capital to send unfit vehicles off the road.

Several teams of the BRTA carried out the drives at Karwan Bazar, Airport, Arambagh and Mawa, said officials.

A total of 57 cases were filed against owners of unfit vehicles and Tk65,000 was realised as fine.

BRTA Executive Magistrate Debashish Nagh said: “The drive will continue and there is no way we can take unfit vehicles into consideration.”

According to the BRTA record, at least 3,00000 vehicles having no fitness certificates are plying the roads across the country.

Apart from BRTA teams two more DMP  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

86

170 199

280

the fact that police fail to arrest the accused more often than not have contributed to the climbing number of child rape cases.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Drives keep unfit vehicles off the roads n Shohel Mamun

If operational, these buses lying idle at BRTC’s Pallabi bus depot could have made life easier for Dhaka commuters at a time when fitness drives are keeping private buses off road RAJIB DHAR

PAGE 3 War crimes verdict in Siraj Kosai case August 11

PAGE 5 Santu Larma: Existence of indigenous people threatened

Hasan and n Kamrul Raihanul Islam Akand in Gazipur

A Garo child was raped in the capital’s Bhatara area on Tuesday while a factory worker was gang-raped in Gazipur’s Sreepur on Monday night.

Police arrested two men in connection with the rape in Gazipur.

In Dhaka, a 10-year-old Garo child was raped allegedly by a 22-year-old man named Al Amin, who was absconding when this report was filed.

The victim’s mother filed a case in this regard with Bhatara police station on the same day, said Inspector (Investigation) Sazzadur Rahman.

In her statement, the victim’s mother, an employee at a private firm in the area, said her daughter was on the way to school around 10am when Al Amin lured her into a house in Nayanagar, saying he would marry her, and then raped her.

The victim did not return home until 5pm.

When her mother questioned her about the delay, she told her mother what had happened.

After the case was filed, police sent the victim to the One-Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 10pm on Tuesday for medical examination.

OCC Coordinator Dr Bilkis Begum said evidence of rape had been found during primary examination. “The forensic tests are also complete and the report should come soon.”

Inspector Sazzad said police were looking for Al Amin and he would be arrested soon.

This incident happened around two and a half months after the rape of a Garo woman in the same area.

In Gazipur, a garment factory worker was gang-raped by six men in Chhatir Bazar area of Sreepur upazila on Monday night.

In her statement, the victim said on Monday evening, she heard about her husband, autorickshaw driver Jibon Miah, going to Chhatir Bazar with two unknown women.

When she went there to verify, she found her husband with the women and two men.

The couple had an altercation when she confronted her husband, and at one point on Jibon’s instruction, one of the men accompanying him started beating the victim in public, in front of Jibon.

While she was being beaten, Jibon escaped with the women, and afterwards the man beating her went away as well. That is when

SOURCE: BANGLADESH SHISHU ADHIKAR FORUM (BSAF)

around the country in the first six months alone. The tally of all rapes stands at 896.

Rights activists say that the ease with which suspected rapists get freed on bail and

Garo child, factory worker raped in Dhaka, Gazipur

PAGE 10 Obama warns of dangers to Israel if Iran deal blocked

PAGE 20 NBR to restore source tax on coal import

PAGE 32 Government readying contingency plan for oil spills

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Sheikh Kamal’s 66th birth anniversary observed

Garo child, factory worker raped

n Abu Hayat Mahmud The 66th birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was observed yesterday.

The Awami League and its affiliated bodies placed wreaths at Sheikh Kamal’s portrait on Abahani Club compound in Dhanmondi at 8am. Other party leaders offered prayers at Kamal’s grave at Banani graveyard.

The Swechchasebak League organised a meeting in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhanmondi.

The Abahani also observed the day of its founder Sheikh Kamal with due respect. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended a discussion meeting as the chief guest on the club premises.

The Abahani Supporters Forum offered a doa mahfil and milad mahfil where club Chairman Salman F Rahman, Director-in-Charge Kazi Shahed Ahmed, ruling party lawmaker Kazi Nabil Ahmed and others were present. l

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina flanked by other leaders observe a moment of silence on the 66th birth anniversary of Abahani Club’s founding president Sheikh Kamal at a ceremony held on the club premises yesterday BSS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Drives keep unfit vehicles off road squads conducted the drives in front of the city’s Banani police box and Jatrabari to identify outdated vehicles on city roads.

DMP officials from the city’s Banani police box seized a dozen of buses during the drive.

Hundreds of passengers suffered as they had to step out of the buses during the drive.

Many passengers alleged that without any alternative measure such drives will only multiply sufferings of commuters.

Moreover, a few days later the same unfit vehicles will hit the street again, they said indignantly referring to several similar drives in the past that yielded no result at all.

Another passenger said the government should bring more BRTC buses to reduce public sufferings before such drives.

Executive Magistrate of DMP Mosiur Rahman said: “Our drive is not only against buses but also against all kinds of unfit vehicles. We have no other alternatives to mitigate people’s sufferings.”

A source in the BRTC said buses that were torched or damaged during the opposition-sponsored countrywide indefinite shutdown and blockade programme are yet to be repaired.

However, Road Transport and Highways Secretary MAN Siddique yesterday told the

Dhaka Tribune: “Those BRTC buses have already been repaired and are ready to hit the street very soon.”

As for the public sufferings due to the drives he said: “We have nothing to do as the drive is being conducted on the instruction of the court,” he said apologetically.

According to the Jatri Kallayan Samity report the city demands at least 15,000 buses and mini buses.

BRTC sources said, at present, the BRTC at present operates a total of 1,532 buses across the country while the number is 400 in the capital. l

280 children raped in the country in six months The BSAF tally – prepared on the basis of news reports published in 10 national dailies – shows that 30 of the victims were aged below six, 79 belonged to the 7-12 years age group, and 80 belonged to the 13-18. The age of the remaining 91 could not be known. Of these 280 victims, 61 were gang raped, 20 were killed after rape, and four committed suicide after being raped.

According to figures from the police headquarters, more than 5,000 rape cases were filed in different parts of the country in the last five years. Courts have delivered verdict in only 821 of them and just about a hundred of those rapists have been punished.

When contacted, Prof Mahfuza Khanam, member of the National Human Rights Commission, told the Dhaka Tribune: “It appears that people are first committing the crime and then easily securing bail from courts using loopholes in existing laws. After coming out, they look for another prey.

“This cycle of crime will go on and on as long as there are loopholes in the laws.”

How and why rapists get bail

Rape cases are generally non-bailable, but there are several reasons why the accused get bail.

First, rape cases rely heavily on the state-

ments given by victims or plaintiffs and the investigation officer. In the absence of victims or plaintiffs’ statement, cases lose strength.

Second, sometimes there are flaws in filing of lawsuits, resulting from faulty investigation, which also make cases weak.

Police claimed that victims’ unwillingness to come to court, even for closed-door camera trials, is one big reason for the sloth in the trial of rape cases.

According to Rabiul Islam Robi, a Supreme Court practitioner: “Rape victims’ statements are not recorded in open courts. They usually testify one-to-one with the judge inside a special room in front of a camera. This is known as camera trials.”

While talking to the Dhaka Tribune, psychologist Ashoke Kumar Saha said this unwillingness of the victims is not unusual.

“Rape is a traumatic experience for any victims. Therefore, it is nothing abnormal if a victim does not want to recount the trauma, even before a court. There is also the social stigma associated with being raped in our society. Women do not want to talk openly about this,” Ashoke said.

“They live with a phobia as long as they live. Such phobia affects their lives in every way,” Ashoke added.

BSAF data shows that in the first six months of this year, 39 children were sexually harassed and 28 fell victims to stalking in different parts of the country. Data compiled by the rights body also showed that the number of child rape incidents was 199 last year, 170 in 2013 and 86 in 2012.

None of the cases reported this years have gone to trial and the list of accused include both adults, and shockingly, teenagers.

Asked why teenage boys are turning into rapists, Prof Zia Rahman, who teaches criminology at Dhaka University, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Due to a deep-rooted patriarchal thought process, boys and men alike are learning not to respect women. Institutions that work on sex education have also failed to emit adequate knowledge and raise awareness.”

Why are children increasingly becoming victims of rape? Prof Zia said this is happening because children are more vulnerable than adult women.

Asked what police have been doing to reduce rape incidents, Abdullah Al-Mamun, a deputy inspector general of police, said: “Investigation of rape cases gets top priority from us. If any police officials are found to have shown negligence in investigation, we take action against them as well.” l

another autorickshaw driver, named Rubel Miah, 26, offered to drive her to MC Bazar, where the victim’s resident is.

While Rubel was driving the autorickshaw, he made several calls from his mobile phone.

Instead of MC Bazar, Rubel took the victim near a bridge in Chhatir Bazar, where seven other men arrived as well.

The men tied her hands and feet and took turns in raping her. “I cried and cried, and begged Rubel not to violate me but he did not listen to me,” the victim said. Rubel also snatched away her gold chain and mobile phone.

She said she passed out after six of the eight men raped her. When she regained consciousness, she returned home with the help of a passer-by.

As the news of the rape spread, locals in MC Bazar took the victim along to search for Rubel on Tuesday morning, found him in the afternoon and handed him over to Sreepur police station.

Inspector Mohammad Ali Jinnah of Sreepur police station said police had verified the victim’s statement and found it to be true.

“She was sent to Shahid Tajuddin Medical College Hospital for medical examinations before being sent to the OCC at the DMCH.” In primary interrogation, Rubel confessed to having committed the crime and gave the names of four other rapists. Among them, police arrested Faruk Hossain, 40. The three others are Kamrul, 25, Nazibuddin, 27, and Afazuddin, 23. The victim filed a case against the rapists as well as her husband.

“My husband is the reason why I am in this situation now,” the victim said.

Sreepur police said they were working to arrest the other accused.

Five arrested in Jatrabari gang rape case

Police have arrested five persons in connection with the gang rape of a college student in the capital’s Jatrabari area on Tuesday.

The arrestees are Shadat, 23, Faisal, 25, Babu, 23, Robin, 23 and Sumi Akhter, 40.

Among them, three were arrested on the spot on Tuesday evening, and the other two in Jatrabari yesterday. Among the four young detainees, three are students at Sir Salimullah Medical College, police said.

Police produced the arrestees before Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court yesterday, with a plea to place them on remand for 10 days. Metropolitan Magistrate Mollah Saiful Islam remanded Sumi for a day and the others for three days.

According to the case statement, the victim was gang-raped by local youths when she and her boyfriend visited the house of an acquaintance in Kutubkhali area.

The culprits tied up and beat her boyfriend, and raped her in front of him. They also snatched away some gold jewelleries and around Tk10,000 from the victim.

The victim’s father filed a case in this connection with Jatrabari police station late on Tuesday night.

During primary investigation, the arrestees confessed to robbing the victim, but denied the rape allegation, said Jatrabari police station OC Aboni Shankar Pal. The flat in which the victim was raped belongs to Sumi, police added.

The victim was sent to the OCC for forensic tests, where the primary examination confirmed that she had been raped, said OCC Coordinator Dr Bilkis. l

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Calls raised to try the murderers of Rakib under speedy tribunal n Our Correspondent, Khulna Those who brutally killed 12-year-old Rakibul Islam by pumping air into his rectum must be tried under the speedy trial tribunal, protesters in Khulna demanded, adding that the swift resolution of the case should set an example for the country’s justice system.

Urging the government to be alert in not letting the criminals slip through any legal loopholes, speakers at a human chain in Khulna city’s Picture Palace intersection also called upon the administration to stand beside the family of Rakib.

Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mostafa Kamal said all necessary efforts would be made to ensure a proper probe and an unbiased trial.

Saying the case would be sent to the speedy trial tribunal, the DC also assured that the district administration would take initiatives to

financially assist the family of the deceased.

Rakib’s parents – Nurul Alam and Lucky Begum – and younger sister Rimi also addressed those present at the human chain.

Other speakers at the programme said everyone should be aware to prevent any

Meanwhile, Khulna Metropolitan Police spokesperson Sheikh Moniruzzaman Mithhu said Sub-Inspector Kazi Mostak Ahmed has been assigned to investigate the murder of Rakib. Three senior police officials including SI Mostak have also been assigned to oversee the

The three-member team yesterday visited the two main accused at the prison cell of the KMCH but were unable to interrogate the suspects as they were both feeling unwell other child from being killed in such a vicious manner as the murder of Rakib. They also urged speedy trials for all child-murder cases.

Earlier, another procession was brought out from the same intersection by locals, while a human chain was staged at the Rupsha Stand Road demanding justice.

entire probe, said Special Branch ADC Mithhu.

The three-member team yesterday visited the two main accused in Rakib murder – Md Sharif and Mintu Miah – at the prison cell of the Khulna Medical College Hospital but were unable to interrogate the suspects as they were both feeling unwell.

The police team, led by KMP Additional Commissioner Md Mahbub Hakim, also visited the crime scene at Tutpara Graveyard intersection. They also went to Rakib’s house and spoke with his parents.

Investigation Officer SI Mostak said another suspect in the case – Beauty Begum – was presented before a court on Tuesday with a plea for a 10-day remand; the court, however, set Thursday for hearing on the plea.

The other two suspects who are currently being treated at the KMCH will be brought before the court after their health improves.

Meanwhile, Rakib’s uncle Khokon Sheikh said Khulna Divisional Commissioner Abdus Samad and Khulna DC Mostafa Kamal visited Rakib’s home yesterday morning. During their visit, the officials promised all necessary help to Rakib’s parents as well as ensuring justice for the death of their child. l

HC stay lifted, orders Khaleda to surrender n Tribune Report

Commuters take the trouble by crossing the first Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge by foot at Postogola in the capital yesterday, as transport workers continue their strike against the bridge toll for the fifth consecutive day MEHEDI HASAN

War crimes verdict in Siraj Kosai case August 11 n Tribune Report The International Crimes Tribunal 1 has fixed August 11 to deliver its verdict in the case against two razakars including Sheikh Sirajul Haque alias Siraj Kosai for their brutality against the Hindus in Bagerhat during the 1971 Liberation War. Tribunal Chairman Justice M Enayetur Rahim set the date yesterday.

The other accused in the case is Khan Akram Hossain. The court earlier abated the

third accused, Abdul Latif Talukder, from the charges as he died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on July 28.

The trio were indicted on November 5 last year on eight charges of crimes against humanity including genocide, murder, abduction and forceful conversion of Hindus into Islam.

Siraj Master was known as Siraj Kosai during the war because of his brutality. He used to slit throats of the victims, after they had been shot by the razakars, to confirm their

deaths. He was also a key associate of razakar founder AKM Yusuf during the war.

Of the charges, Siraj Kosai was indicted on four charges – for the killing of 600-700 Hindus in Rampal; 50 Hindus in Ranjitpur; abduction and killing of 19 people at Besargati and Kandapara; and the killing of seven people at Chulkathi.

Two common charges were brought against all of them – for the killing of 47 people while one each against Khan Akram and Latif. l

The High Court yesterday rejected the petitions filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia challenging the legality of trial proceedings against her in Gatco graft case.

The HC bench of Justice Md Nuruzzaman and Justice Abdur Rob passed the order on Wednesday afternoon.

The court also asked Khaleda to surrender before the trial court within two months from the date of publishing the full order of the High Court.

On Jun 17, the same bench kept the petitions waiting for verdict.

Following the court order Khaleda’s lawyer Khandaker Mahbub Hossain told reporters that they would go to the higher court after the full verdict is published.

On September 2, 2007, the ACC filed the case with Tejgaon police station against former prime minister Khaleda Zia and her younger son late Arafat Rahman Koko along with some of her cabinet colleagues.

The case was filed for graft in awarding Gatco the contract for container handling at depots in Dhaka and Chittagong allegedly causing a loss of over Tk14 crore to the state coffer.

Khaleda filed two writ petitions in connection with the Gatco scam cases with the High Court on September 27, 2007.

The High Court stayed the operation of the proceedings of the case on September 30.

Later, responding to an ACC plea, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court revoked the HC stay order, he added.

Shortly after the apex court order, Khaleda Zia filed another writ petition challenging the validity of initiating the case and the HC further stayed the Gatco scam case proceedings in July 2008, the ACC counsel further said. l

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Schoolboy hospitalised after corporal punishment n Our Correspondent, Barisal Nazmul Hasan, a 13-year-old class seven student at Union Polli Unnayan Institute of Wazirpur, was hospitalised after being beaten by a teacher at the school compound on Tuesday.

Headmaster Md Rezaul Kabir said the school committee has already issued a show cause notice to the accused teacher, Md Shahin, who has gone on leave. A probe committee has also been formed by the school.

Monowar Hossain, the victim‘s classmate, said Nazmul returned to the classroom after drinking water to find that his schoolbag had been tied up. Enraged, he and other students started shouting.

Md Shahin, who was teaching in an adjoining room, came to the scene after hearing the commotion and started beating Nazmul. Shahin continued to beat Nazmul even when the teenager fell to the ground in pain.

Other teachers rushed to the scene to rescue Nazmul from the grip of the angry teacher, and sent the teen home after giving him first-aid.

Nazmul, however, had to be admitted to the local health complex with high fever and severe pain, said his parents. l

AL leader held for links to gold smuggling n Tribune Report Awami League leader and Sirajganj sadar upazila chairman Riaz Uddin was arrested by detectives from Uttara yesterday for his involvement in gold smuggling.

The detectives detained him in a case filed over the seizure of 61kg of gold and Tk8 crore in the capital’s Paltan area in December last year.

Customs Intelligence and DB police in a joint drive had seized at least 528 gold bars weighing 61kg and local and foreign currency from a Purana Paltan flat on December 25, 2014, and arrested Mohammad Ali, 50, a businessman.

Ali had then told media that Riaz owned the gold and was involved in smuggling. Later, Ali made a confessional statement before the court about the involvement of Riaz.

When Riaz came to Dhaka to declare a new committee at the district AL, the police arrested him from a house in Uttara Sector 3, said DMP Deputy Commissioner Muntasirul Islam. l

Brother kills sister over monetary feud n Kamrul Hasan

A case was filed with Bongshal police yesterday over the death of a 60-year-old woman by her younger brother.

The deceased was Asma Akhter, who was murdered around 8:30am in her flat on Bagdash Lane in the capital’s Bongshal area. The lone accused, Akbar Hossain, is on the run.

Asma’s son Sumon claimed that Akbar, who is a businessman, had taken Tk15 lakh as loan from his mother, and was supposed to repay the amount long ago.

Akbar came to his sister’s flat around 8am.

At one point, they engaged in an altercation, and Akbar smothered Asma to death with a pillow, Sumon said. l

A mobile court of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority checking licenses to seize unfit vehicles plying on the road following a Hight Court order at Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue in the capital yesterday SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

BNP: All not equal before law n Tribune Report In an instant reaction to High Court’s rejection of Khaleda Zia’s petition challenging the legality of trial proceedings in Gatco graft case the BNP yesterday said all are not equal before the law in this country.

“Here law is applicable to someone at a greater speed while it loses momentum in the case of others. Law and justice here cannot go without the influence of the government.

Even after that we want to keep our faith in the wisdom and justice of our judges,” said Asaduzzaman Ripon.

Ripon, acting spokesperson of the BNP, said this to journalists at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters.

“We have seen that dates of some cases filed against former president Hussain Mohammad Ershad with the special Tribunal is set at an interval of a long period while it is

otherwise in case of Khaleda Zia,” he said.

Khaleda Zia is to attend the court almost each and every week.

“It is a mater of judge’s consideration; I think the judge probably wants to wrap up the trial in a short period while the judge in case of Ershad might want to prolong the trial,” he said in a mocking tone.

The BNP leader said: “We want to keep our faith in the country’s judicial system and the rule of law.”

Ripon alleged that the government was walking on the wrong side and the judiciary could not perform independently.

Hailing Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam’s statement that they do not want politics of division, Ripon said: “We also believe that we have to reach a consensus on various national issues. It is not possible to establish national unity undermining anyone.” l

Nasim: Khaleda must join next polls to save BNP n Abu Hayat Mahmud Ruling Awami League Presidium member Mohammad Nasim yesterday said to save her party’s existence BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia must join the next national polls in 2019.

“There is no doubt that the next national polls will be held in 2019. According to the constitution, the polls will be held under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. We hope all-party will also join the general polls,” he said.

Health Minister Nasim made the statement as chief guest of a discussion meeting organised by Awami League associate body

Swechchhasebak League in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhanmondi in the capital.

The meeting was organised yesterday to observe the 66th birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Nasim said: “BNP chief Khaleda Zia should join the polls in 2019 if she wants her party to exist. BNP will lose its existence If Khaleda makes another mistake in next national polls.”

The BNP boycotted the national polls held on January 5 in 2014 under the ruling Awami league government, resulting in the one-sided victory of the Awami League. l

Govt fines military project Tk50 lakh n Tribune Report

The government yesterday fined a military housing project Tk50 lakh for not getting environmental clearance for the project, a press release said.

Department of Environment’s (DoE) Enforcement Director Md Alamgir issued the fine after a hearing held at his office.

The housing project named Jolsiri is located between the Shitalaksha and Balu rivers at Rupgnaj in Narayanganj. It was penalised for running without having any environmental clearance, the DoE official said in the press release.

The government approved the project comprised of approximately 863 hectares of land last year, which is supposed to provide housing facility for 66,000 families.

The DoE said the project has changed the land formation by filling up water bodies.l

PM to inaugurate Hajj camp on August 13 n Tribune Report

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate this year’s Hajj camp on August 13 while the first Hajj flight will be taking off on August 16, a press release from the Ministry of Religious Affairs said.

After the inauguration, the premier will exchange greetings with the pilgrims at the Ashkona Hajj Camp in the capital’s Uttara area.

This year, 101,758 pilgrims will perform Hajj, Religious Affairs Minister Motiur Rahman said yesterday. Meanwhile, the primary health check-up and vaccination programme for the pilgrims started yesterday. l

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Santu Larma: Existence of indigenous people under threat n Nure Alam Durjoy The government has created a great threat for the existence of the country’s indigenous people by committing activities that went against the CHT Peace Accord and the interest of the indigenous people, Jyotirindra Bodhipriyo Larma has said.

Speaking at a press conference in the city’s Sundarban Hotel yesterday, the indigenous leader – better known as Santu Larma – also slammed the government for acting strongly to eradicate the indigenous Jumma people of the CHT region.

“The state is showing such an irresponsible behaviour to the indigenous people that has crossed all records of the past. United Nations has agreed to improve the lives of indigenous people, but the existence of these people faces a great threat in Bangladesh,” he told the press conference organised by Bangladesh Adibashi Forum as part of its run-up

to the upcoming International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples.

Asked why the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord was not being implemented, Santu Larma said ultra-nationalism, absence of democracy, lack of sincerity and goodwill of the rulers were some of the deterrents.

“No government takes proper steps to solve the problems. It is getting awfully worse and difficult day by day.

“A non-cooperation movement has already begun in some areas of the hilly districts,” he added.

Despite being some of the poorest people in the country, the indigenous people were not brought under the draft for the post-2015 Millennium Development Goal, Santu Larma pointed out.

Even though Bangladesh has been applauded for achieving its MDG targets, it was regrettable that the light of these development did not reach the indigenous communi-

ty, he added.

The country’s indigenous people were being evicted from their own land, becoming victims of communal attacks, raped and abducted, said the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti leader.

Land-centric violence was also increasing as the government was ignoring land rights that were otherwise recognised under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, he added.

“If the proposed Bangladesh Indigenous Rights Act is passed in parliament, the discrepancies in realising the rights to indigenous people will be reduced.”

Others present there including columnist Syed Abul Maksud, NAP President Pankaj Bhattacharya, and Institute for Environment and Development (IED) Executive Director Numan Ahmed Khan expressed their solidarity with Santu Larma’s statements. l

Parents kill baby girl to prove they possess supernatural abilities n Our Correspondent, Chandpur A couple in Chandpur have been sent to prison after they were detained for beating their daughter to death in order to prove that they possess supernatural power.

Taslima Sharmin, judge of Chandpur Judicial Magistrate Court 1, ordered to send Emran Hossain, 40, and his wife Amena Begum, 35, to jail after police produced them before her yesterday noon.

Meher is a carpenter by profession.

Police detained the couple from Meher (north) union of the district’s Shahrasti upazila in connection with the death of their fourth child, Sumaiya, 3.

The child died early in the morning on Tuesday and police recovered the body hours later from the house.

Her death was caused by brutal, indiscriminate beating by her parents for six days.

Police said Amena took out a loan of Tk1 lakh from a local NGO but planned with her husband to make money by working as a kabiraj in order to repay the loan as she defaulted on it.

According to the plan, it was announced in the area that Amena had obtained supernatural power and a baby would not cry even if she beat it up.

In order to make people believe the claim, Amena beat her own daughter up and attempted to practice exorcism on locals. She also began charging people for this.

To help his wife, Emran also beat Sumaiya and continued the torture for six days until the child died.

Locals attempted to save the baby girl from her parents’ torture and even succeeded once on Monday but the couple tortured her again.

Meher (north) union Chairman Saiful Islam Rony said Emran and Amena did it all just to

Zafrullah given time till Sunday n Ashif Islam Shaon The International Crimes Tribunal 2 has given time until Sunday to Gonoshasthya Kendra founder and freedom fighter Zafrullah Chowdhury to explain his comments on the tribunal judges.

The Magsaysay award-winner was supposed to place his reply yesterday, but appearing in the tribunal he sought more time.

Accepting his time petition submitted by his lawyer Sayed Ahmed Raza, the three-member tribunal led by Justice Obaidul Hassan fixed the new date for submission of the explanation.

Abdul Baset Majumder was supposed to represent Zafrullah at the court, but he was not present. His junior lawyer Sayed Ahmed Raza citing Majumder’s illness sought one month to submit the explanation.

During the hearing, the tribunal wanted to know whether Zafrullah would apologise or continue the legal battle. Sayed replied that they might apologise.

Responding to a petition, the tribunal on July 22 asked “why Zafrullah should not be punished for contemptuous remarks.”

On July 6, freedom fighter Monoranjan Ghoshal, an organiser of the Gonojagoron Moncho faction led by Kamal Pasha Chowdhury, and activists FM Shahin, Ali Asgar and Nazrul Islam filed the petition seeking trial of the freedom fighter.

The petition stated that Zafrullah made contemptuous comments before the media on June 10 after the special court had found him guilty of contempt of court, imprisoned him at the courtroom for an hour and fined him Tk5,000 for criticising the punishment of Bangladesh-based UK journalist David Bergman.

According to media reports, Zafrullah, said: “Today’s contempt of court verdict is the proof of mental sickness of the three judges.”

He also refused to pay the fines and filed a petition with the Supreme Court. The petition was disposed of after hearing as Zafrullah sought unconditional apology.

This is the third time Zafrullah is facing contempt of court charges for his comments on the tribunals and the judges. l

Missing boy found dead in a canal n Our Correspondent, Barisal

A couple torturing their three-year-old daughter to prove that they have supernatural power to the locals in Shahrasti upazila of Chandpur. The torture led to the death of the child Dhaka Tribune make people believe that the woman was in possession of supernatural power.

Officer-in-Charge (investigation) of Shahrasti police station Dildar Azad said Amena wanted to earn money as a fake kabiraj but her attempts led to the pathetic death of her own daughter.

“We are still not certain about whether Amena borrowed money from the NGO. After police took the couple to the court, they were

acting like crazy and were pretending to have obtained supernatural power.

“We will observe the situation before submitting a remand plea to the court,” he added.

Officer-in-Charge of the police station Mizanur Rahman said a murder case was filed in connection with the death of the child.

“Sumaiya was buried in the family graveyard on Tuesday night after doctors performed an autopsy on her,” he added. l

Floating dead body of a minor aged boy was fished out from Lakrar Khal (canal) at Taltali of Barguna. It is suspected that the boy was beaten to death for allegedly stealing some fish.

The victim was identified as Robiul, 11, son of Dulal Mridha, from Chhoto Amkhola of Sonakata union, Taltali.

Police, after being informed by local people, recovered the body on Tuesday evening and sent it to Barguna General Hospital morgue for autopsy on Wednesday.

Taltali police OC Babul Akhtar said there was a laceration on the left side of the victim’s forehead and one eye was swollen. Police arrested Md Miraj as one of the suspected killer.

Dulal Mridha, father of the victim, said Miraj, son of Delwar of the same village, went to Dulal’s house on Monday and alleged that Robiul stole some fish netted by Miraj; he threatened to kill Robiul if he found him.

Since then Robiul had been missing. l

DT

6 NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Thousands remain marooned due to embankment collapse n Our Correspondent, Feni

Come monsoon, thousands of people in the district of Feni suffer from waterlogging and flooding every year. Locals and experts have identified five reasons behind the recurring waterlogging that also affects agriculture, business, communication system and livelihoods.

A breach in the embankments of Muhuri and Kohua rivers, silt blocking the channel of Small Feni River, grabbing of various rivers and canals, and illegal construction on drains have been mentioned as the reasons behind waterlogging.

Besides, the poor drainage system is also affecting the villages of Musapur and Char Injiman.

Chairman of Dagonbuiyan upazila Didarul Kabir Ratan said the temporary dams built on the Feni river were not removed even after starting the Musapur regulatory. “This has resulted in silt blocking the outlet of the

regulatory. At least 30 villages of Feni Sadar and Dagonbuiyan upazilas are under water.

Thousands of people are marooned due to the stagnant water,” he added.

Kamal Uddin Mazumdar, chairman of Porshuram upazila said: “The continuous rain and rushing hill water has breached the embankments in Muhuri and Kohua Rivers. More than 20 villages of Fulgazi and Porshuram have been inundated. Though water has begun to recede, the flooding has caused extensive damage to people and crops. If it rains again, the villages will experience a fresh spell of flooding.”

Meanwhile, Sonagazi upazila Chairman Kamrul Alam blamed the recent cyclonic storm Komen for the flooding. “Sonagazi is always a victim of cyclones. The low-lying areas of the upazila are always under water. We have asked the authorities to take a permanent measure but nothing has been done yet.”

Chairman of Feni Sadar upazila Abdur Rahman said the water drainage system of the

town had been greatly hampered by the construction of illegal structures on the drains.

Also grabbing of various rivers and canals had contributed to the waterlogging, he added.

When contacted Executive Engineer of Water Development Board, Ramzan Ali, said: “The situation has become worse due to the silt in the Small Feni River. We have issued a work order to excavate the river, but it could not be done due to the monsoon. Also, we have sought Tk10 crore to repair the Muhuri embankment.”

Feni Deputy Commissioner Humayun Kabir Khandkar said no canal or drain grabber would be spared. “We will take action and free the drains and canals from illegal possession soon.”

Nizamuddin Hajari, Awami League’s MP from Feni-2 constituency, assured to look into the crisis personally. “I will see whether there is any negligence on part of the Feni administration. No corruption will be tolerated. If necessary, I will also talk to the prime minister to alleviate the sufferings of the people.” l

Father jailed for killing daughter n Our Correspondent, Munshiganj

A skeleton that was found dumped inside a sack in Sholoani village under Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj around six months ago, has been confirmed to be the body of a teenage girl murdered by her father.

After long investigation, yesterday around 8pm police arrested Abul Hossain, 45, from Narayanganj for murdering his daughter Sumaiya Akter, 15.

During primary investigation, Abul said Sumaiya had developed a love affair with Rajib Dewan, 18, son of their neighbour Khabir Dewan, going against his will.

Abul noticed his daughter Sumaiya going out of the house to meet her boyfriend during night. Outraged, he hit Sumaiya with a bamboo stick on the head leaving her dead on the spot. He put the body in a sack and threw it away in a nearby ditch.

Police could not confirm the date when the

incident happened.

According to the case statement, on February 11, villagers noticed the skeleton and informed police. Police recovered the skeleton and after investigation found that it was Sumaiya’s dead body.

Gazaria police station Officer-in-Charge ABMS Doha told the Dhaka Tribune: “We suspected that Abul was involved with the murder. After arrest he confessed of murdering his daughter.” l

Fake doctor held n Our Correspondent, Gazipur

A man was held in Gazipur for running a herbal research centre without holding any degree in medical science.

A mobile court arrested Hakim S Chowdhury who held himself as a doctor and run a herbal research centre in Jhumur Cinema Hall Market in the city.

Executive Magistrate Rebeka Sultana, who led the drive, said Hakim was sentenced to six months imprisonment for fooling people with his fake designations and also selling date-expired drugs. The drugs were destroyed during the drive. l

Alleged robber killed in Khulna gunfight n Tribune Report

A suspected forest robber was killed during a ‘gunfight’ with members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Alki area of the Sundarbans in Koyra upazila on Tuesday night.

The deceased was identified as Farhad, 33, second-in-command of‘Elias Bahini’.

Khulna Rab-6 commanding officer Khalikuzzaman said on a tip-off that the forest robber gang was preparing to commit robbery in the area, a team of the elite force launched a drive there at about 7:30 pm.

Sensing the presence of the elite force members, the robbers opened fire on them, forcing them to fire back that triggered a gunfight.

Farhad was caught in the line of fire and seriously injured while other members of the gang managed to flee the spot.

Farhad was rushed to Koyra Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead at about 9:30pm. l

DT

NEWS 7

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

CU shuttle train catches fire n Tribune Report

The shuttle train of Chittagong University (CU) yesterday afternoon caught fire in Sholoshahar Rail Station area in Chittagong city.

However, no causality was reported in this connection, said police sources.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Arob Ali of Government Railway Police of Sholoshahar police outpost said the Chittagong Railway Stationbound shuttle train’s locomotive caught fire around 2:15pm when it started its journey toward railway station after landing at Sholoshahar Station from campus.

Locomotive driver Md Kamal Uddin told Dhaka Tribune that the fire ignited at the rooftop of the engine from an eclectic spark during start of the engine.

Panic gripped a number of the students who were boarding on the train for journey during the incident, said witnesses.

Sholoshahar Railway Station Master Md Sahabuddin said sensing the fire, the railway staffs brought the fire under control by using fire extinguishers while the fire fighters put it out totally after half an hour.

Later, another loco motive coming from Pahartali dock rushed to the spot and took the train away at Battali Railway Station at around 4:30pm, he added. l

Quader: No compromise over decision of three-wheeler ban n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong Mentioning reckless running of three wheelers and small vehicles are the main reasons behind road accidents on highways, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the government would not compromise over decision of three-wheeler ban on highways.

“We have imposed ban on plying of three wheelers on only 3,000 kilometres highways across the country while the vehicles can run rest of 250,000 kilometres roads in the country.

We will construct separate by-lanes for three wheelers and small vehicles in future,” he said.

Claiming road accidents on highways have reduced remarkably after the Awami Leagueled government assumed power, the minister said discipline was needed for transport sec-

tor to get cherished results of government’s mega projects, including Padma Bridge, Karnaphuli Tunnel, Metro Rail, Elevated Expressway, across the country.

The government is determined to stop plying of three-wheelers on highways to lessen road accidents and loss of lives and properties, the minister said while addressing a programme arranged on the occasion of Sheikh Kamal’s birth anniversary. Organised by the Chittagong Abahani Limited the programme was held at a hotel in the port city.

Chittagong City Corporation Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, Awami League Lawmaker Shamsul Haque Chowdhury, Patiya Constituency and Chittagong Abahani Limited’s Football Committee President Talukdar Ruhul Amin also spoke at the programme.

The minister said Sheikh Kamal, founder

of sports organisation Abahani Club Limited, was the role model for youths and organisers.

Answering a question, Quader said lives of both drivers and commuters would be saved by this decision.

Amid sharp rise in road fatalities, the government clamped a ban on the movement of three-wheelers, auto-rickshaws and non-motorised vehicles on highways across the country with effect from August 1.

Protesting the decision, three wheelers owner-drivers called dawn-to-dusk strike in Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachhari, Luxmipur, Noakhali and Feni districts on August 13.

Over 600 such vehicles have been fined and cases filed against 52 vehicles across the country from August 1 to 3 for plying on the highways, according to highway police. l

WEATHER THUNDERSHOWER WITH RAIN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 DHAKA TODAY

TOMORROW

SUN SETS 6:39PM

SUN RISES 5:30AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY 33 32 34 32 32 32 32 31

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

26 26 26 27 26 26 25 26

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

35.4ºC

24.8ºC

Jessore

Sylhet Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

4:04am 5:28am 12:05am 4:42pm 6:40pm 8:10pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

A road in Baghmara area lies in a sorry state for lack of repair much to cause sufferings for locals. The photo was taken on Tuesday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Torrential rain batters Khulna road communication n Our Correspondent, Khulna The incessant rain induced by cyclone Komen has damaged the roads and highways of the district vastly.

Consequently, the smooth vehicular movement was being hampered particularly on the busy Khulna-Jessore and Khulna-Satkhira highways creating immense suffering to the commuters.

Besides, the communication system of in Paikgachha upazila almost came to a halt to have developed potholes amid the nonstop rain.

Sources at Roads and Highways Department (RHD) said there are a total of 371km pitched road in the district. Of them, Shipyard road, Dilkhula road, Mujgunni road, Khalispur road, Golakhali road, Boira road, Sona-

danga road, Basopara road under the Khulna City Corporation saw havoc damage in the latest rain.

When asked, Khulna RHD Executive Engineer Md Aliar Hossain acknowledged the sorry state of roads saying the incessant rain badly damaged the important Khulna-Jessore and Khulna-Satkhina highways.

“Though there was pothole repair works on the highways, the erratic rainfall has created big potholes causing obstacle to the smooth vehicular movement. Even the newly-made Khulna-Paikgachha road gets damaged in the rain water, Aliar Hossain continued.

The RHD engineer went on that starting repair works was quite impossible before returning normalcy to the weather.

Paikgachha upazila acting upazila nirbahi officer Md Kamrul Islam said: “Rain water

has damaged all roads in my locality. Of them, the condition of newly-built 10-12km road in Garoikhali union is very poor as roadbeds got washed out duo to the water flow on it.”

Dumuria upazila Chairman Khan Ali Mansur said many potholes developed on the Khulna-Satkhira highway owing to the weeklong nonstop rain and the vehicular movement was being hampered vastly till Ataromail and Chuknagar areas from Khulna Zero point via Sadar upazila.

Khulna City Corporation Executive Engineer Md Masiuzzaman said earlier they conducted repair works on most of their roads, but the unusual rain damaged those anew.

“We have formed a committee to spot the dilapidated roads and the repair works there will be started soon,” the KCC engineer went on. l

DT

8 WORLD

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Examination of suspected MH370 plane part begins n AFP, Toulouse

Experts in France began examining a washedup plane part yesterday which likely belonged to the MH370 plane that vanished mysteriously last year, hoping to find clues to one of aviation’s greatest enigmas.

The Malaysia Airlines jet disappeared on March 8 last year, inexplicably veering off course en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board.

But last week’s discovery of a two-metrelong (almost seven-foot) wing part called a flaperon on the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion raised fresh hopes for relatives desperate for answers.

French and Malaysian experts including Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, the head of Malaysia’s civil aviation watchdog, arrived at a laboratory in the southern French city of Toulouse yesterday for the tests.

A source said a full probe of the wing part would “likely take at least a few days.” l

Damaged coaches of passenger trains are pictured after they derailed near Harda in Madhya Pradesh, India yesterday

Up to 27 dead after two India trains derail in floods n AFP, New Delhi

Two passenger trains derailed after flash floods struck a bridge they were crossing in central India, killing up to 27 people in the latest deadly accident on the nation’s crumbling rail network.

Rescuers pulled scores of terrified passengers to safety after they became trapped in carriages that toppled over on the weakened and flooded tracks in Madhya Pradesh state, railway and government officials said.

A total of 10 carriages and one engine from the express trains, travelling in opposite directions, were derailed minutes apart outside the

India unblocks pornography sites n Reuters, New Delhi

India has partially revoked an order to block hundreds of pornographic websites following an uproar on social media, but the government ordered Internet service providers to shut down sites that promote child pornography.

The government last week asked operators to block access to 857 adult websites on grounds of morality and decency, resulting in an angry backlash on Twitter and a debate about censorship.

Service operators will now need to unblock most of those sites but will still disable those that promote child pornography, a spokesman for India’s department of telecoms said yesterday.

The revised order is drawing the ire of service providers, who have been effectively asked to check and decide which sites need to be blocked. l

town of Harda just before midnight on Tuesday.

The government has ordered an inquiry into the accident, but Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu said it appeared the cause was a “flash flood due to heavy rains.”

Passengers described how they were jerked awake by the falling carriages, which quickly filled with muddy water.

The Kamayani Express, travelling from the financial hub of Mumbai, came off the rails shortly after a surge of water from the nearby Machak river washed away soil on the small bridge, officials said.

The Janata Express, coming the other way from the eastern city of Patna and bound for

REUTERS

Mumbai, then crossed over.

State railway police chief M.S Gupta said 27 people had been killed and another 70 injured. “All the coaches have been cleared and all bodies have been collected from inside,” Gupta told AFP. Madhya Pradesh government spokesman Anupam Rajan said 25 bodies had been recovered. Officials said rescuers, who worked mostly in darkness through the night into yesterday morning, were hampered by the waters.

An express train ploughed into a stationary freight train in May last year in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, killing 26 and injuring 44 others. l

Tsipras says loan deal close n Reuters, Athens

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said yesterday that Greece was close to concluding a deal with lenders on a multi-billion-euro bailout, which he said would end doubts over its place in the euro zone.

The comments were the latest in a series of unusually upbeat assessments by Greek and European officials of progress in talks towards up to 86 billion euros ($93.6 billion) in fresh loans to stave off the country’s financial ruin and economic collapse.

“We are in the final stretch,” Tsipras said. “… Despite the difficulties we are facing we hope this agreement can end uncertainty on the future of Greece.”

An accord must be settled by August 20, when a 3.5 billion euro debt payment to the European Central Bank falls due.

Both sides have said such a deal is possible, although the European Commission described the target as ambitious, suggesting much remains to be done.

Discussions between Greece and representatives from the IMF, ECB, European Commission and the euro zone’s bailout fund, the European Stability Mechanism, started in the last week of July.

Over the next two weeks Greece must conclude loan terms, or at least secure a bridge loan. It received a bridge loan last month to cover its immediate financing needs. Greek officials say the country wants a full bailout immediately rather than a bridge loan.

Greek media has reported up to 10 billion euros of the first tranche of bailout aid could be channelled to banks, which urgently need recapitalizing after mass cash withdrawals earlier this year that culminated in capital controls. l

Abe asks Biden for probe of possible US spying n Reuters, Tokyo

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe asked US Vice President Joe Biden yesterday for an investigation into possible spying on high-level Japanese government and corporate officials following WikiLeaks’ release last week of a list of spying targets, Japan’s top government spokesman said yesterday.

“If it is true that these Japanese individuals were targeted, it could shake the relationship of trust in our alliance and I would have to express serious concerns,” Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga quoted Abe as telling Biden in a phone conversation.

WikiLeaks released a list of 35 secret Japanese targets of spying by the US National Security Agency, including ministry officials in Abe’s government, as well as the natural gas division of Mitsubishi Corp and the petroleum division of Mitsui and Co. l

American arrested for smuggling North Koreans n AFP, Bangkok

A US citizen working as a Christian missionary in Thailand could face up to five years in jail on charges of smuggling seven North Koreans into the kingdom, police said yesterday.

Thai police said US citizen Lee Isaac Byungdo, 39, was arrested Monday in the northeastern province of Nong Khai for helping to smuggle the group of North Koreans – six men and one woman – into Thailand from neighbouring Laos.

Hundreds of North Koreans risk their lives each year to escape poverty and repression in the hardline communist nation.

Most cross the frontier into China – which repatriates those whom it catches. A group of 19 were arrested in northern Chiang Rai province in June 2012. l

DT

WORLD 9

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Turkey: Comprehensive battle against Islamic State imminent n Reuters, Istanbul/Beirut

Turkey said yesterday a US-led coalition will soon launch a “comprehensive battle” against Islamic State militants from Turkish air bases, but Syria said any military action not coordinated with Damascus would breach its sovereignty.

NATO-member Turkey formally agreed to open its air bases to US and coalition aircraft last month, a major policy change after years of reluctance in taking a frontline role against the Islamist fighters pressing on its borders.

Ankara and Washington have been working on plans to provide air cover for a group of US-trained Syrian rebels and jointly sweep Islamic State from a strip of territory stretching about 80 km (50 miles) along the Turkish frontier.

“As part of our agreement with the US we have made progress regarding the opening up of our bases, particularly Incirlik,” Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told state broadcaster TRT, referring to a major air base near the southern city of Adana.

“We’re seeing that manned and unmanned American planes are arriving and soon we will launch a comprehensive battle against Islamic State all together,” he said during a trip to Malaysia.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem was quoted by state television yesterday as

saying Syria supported efforts to combat Islamic State provided they were coordinated with Damascus.

“For us in Syria there is no moderate opposition and immoderate opposition. Whoever carries weapons against the state is a terrorist,” he was quoted as saying during a visit to ally Iran, adding Damascus had been informed about the presence of the US-trained rebels.

“The United States contacted us before they sent in this group and said they are fighting against Daesh [Islamic State] and not the Syrian army at all,” he said.

“We said we support any effort to combat Daesh in coordination and consultation with the Syrian government, otherwise it will be a breach of Syrian sovereignty.”

Diplomats familiar with the coalition plans say cutting off Islamic State’s access to the Turkish border, over which foreign fighters and supplies have flowed, could be a game-changer in the fight against the insurgents.

The core of the US-trained rebels, who number fewer than 60, will be highly equipped and be able to call in close air support when needed, they say.

But there are major challenges.

Washington said on Tuesday it had indications some of the rebels trained by its military were captured by fighters from al-Qaeda’s Syria wing, Nusra Front, underscoring the

vulnerability of a group only deployed to the battlefield in recent weeks.

Turkey is meanwhile distrustful of the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which has proved a useful US ally in fighting Islamic State and which controls adjacent territory. Ankara wants the Kurdish guerrillas to advance no further than the Euphrates river, on the eastern fringe of the planned “safe zone.”

Turkey launched several air strikes against Islamic State fighters in northern Syria just under two weeks ago after one of its soldiers was killed in cross-border fire. It also carried out near-simultaneous attacks on camps belonging to the PKK Kurdish militant group in northern Iraq.

Opponents have accused President Tayyip Erdogan of using the war against Islamic State as a cover for preventing Kurdish gains, pointing out the air strikes against the PKK have so far been heavier than those against the Islamist radicals.

Turkish officials deny the campaign against Islamic State is a cover, saying the offensive is a joint operation with the coalition and will only begin in earnest when Washington and its allies are ready.

“There are other countries within the coalition ... interested in joining such as Britain and France, while among the countries in the region, there is a possibility that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan will take part,” Cavusoglu said. l

UN: Death sentence for Iranian spiritual leader an outrage

n Reuters, New York

In the wake of high profile killings of unarmed black men by police, Americans feel blacks are treated less fairly today than they were in 2007, according to a survey released on Tuesday.

Whites, blacks and Hispanics also expressed a new low in their satisfaction with the way blacks are treated in US society, according to the Gallup 2015 Minority Rights and Relations poll.

Overall, about 49 percent of respondents said they were satisfied, compared to 62 percent just two years ago, pollsters said.

The survey of more than 2,000 respondents, conducted from June 15 until July 10, comes at a tense time between US law enforcement and the communities in which they operate, particularly after grand jury decisions not to indict white officers who killed unarmed black men in Ferguson, Missouri and in New York City.

“The effects of those incidents have led to an increase in the US public’s perceptions of race relations as the most important problem in the country, a decline in confidence in the police and a significant decrease in Americans’ satisfaction with the way blacks are treated in the US,” Gallup said on its website.

The decline in satisfaction among blacks 33 percent in 2015 compared to 47 percent in 2013 was expressed “even though blacks themselves are no more likely than two years ago to report being treated unfairly in various situations because of their race, including dealing with the police,” Gallup said. l

UK radical preacher charged with inviting IS support n AFP, London

n AFP, Geneva

The United Nations yesterday called for the unconditional release of an Iranian spiritual leader who was sentenced to death at the weekend after being convicted of spreading “corruption on earth.”

Mohammed Ali Taheri, who founded a spiritual movement and practised alternative medicine, was sentenced on Saturday by Iran’s Revolutionary Court, according to a statement from the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.

“I call on the Iranian authorities to immediately withdraw the charges against Taheri and ensure his unconditional release,” Zeid said.

“For an individual to be sentenced to death for peaceful exercise of freedom of expression, religion or belief is an absolute outrage.”

The charges levelled against him include “insulting Islamic sanctities,” touching “non-relatives of the opposite sex,” and unlawfully providing medical treatment, Amnesty said in a report earlier this year.

Taheri, who has attempted suicide and launched 12 hunger strikes while in detention, was only granted access to a lawyer of his own choosing in December, Amnesty said.

According to the London-based rights group, Taheri lawfully opened a cultural and education centre in Tehran in 2006 after receiving what he described as spiritual messages. l

Americans say blacks treated less fairly in 2015 than 2007

Buddhist believers visit the Peace Memorial Park to pray for victims of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima yesterday. The western Japanese city will mark the 70th anniversary of the world's first atomic attack on August 6 AFP

British radical preacher Anjem Choudary was yesterday charged under anti-terror laws with inviting support for the Islamic State jihadist group, prosecutors said.

The 48-year-old is regularly interviewed

by British media for his views on Islam and the Middle East.

He and a second man, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, 32, were charged with inviting support for the IS group, a proscribed organisation, between June 29, 2014 and March 6, 2015.

“Each man is charged with one offence contrary to section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000,” said Sue Hemming, head of special crime and counter-terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service.

“It is alleged that Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Rahman invited support for IS in individual lectures which were subsequently published online.”

Both men were arrested on September 25 last year on suspicion of being members of a proscribed organisation and released on police bail.

They were detained again pending a formal charging hearing at a London court later yesterday. l

DT

10 WORLD

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Obama warns of dangers to Israel if Iran deal blocked n Reuters, Jerusalem President Barack Obama told US Jewish leaders it was likely rockets would fall on Tel Aviv if a nuclear deal with Iran was blocked and military action ensued, one of them said yesterday.

In a separate appeal to American Jews, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a fierce opponent of the July 14 accord, pushed back in a webcast on Tuesday against the Obama administration’s argument that the pact was the only way to avoid war with Iran.

The Republican-led US House of Representatives will vote on whether to reject the agreement when lawmakers return to Washington in September, party leaders said on Tuesday, setting up a showdown with the president.

Greg Rosenbaum, of the National Jewish

Democratic Council, quoted Obama on Israel Radio: “’You’ll see more support for terrorism. You’ll see Hezbollah rockets falling on Tel Aviv.’ This is what he said would happen if the US had a military strike on Iran.”

Netanyahu, in the webcast organised by Jewish groups in North America, reiterated Israel’s arguments that the nuclear deal was not enough to curb Iranian nuclear projects.

With surveys showing American Jewish opinion mixed on a dispute that has strained the US-Israeli alliance, Netanyahu cast his opposition to the Iran deal as non-partisan.

“I don’t oppose this deal because I want war. I oppose this deal because I want to prevent war. And this deal will bring war,” he said, cautioning that sanctions relief would result in a financial windfall for Iran. l

DT

EDITORIAL 11

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

INSIDE

Where is the outrage?

Somewhere in that inexorable march to progress, we have lost our souls. We are evolving into a nation of apathy, greed, and intolerance

PAGE 12

Bringing them all to school It is estimated that currently there are approximately 4 million children below the age of 14 who are excluded from the basic education system

PAGE 13

Complacency aids evil.

All children deserve protection

W Rise of the Tigers Bangladesh needs to replicate its homeground success in foreign lands. We have started doing so by beating giants such as Australia and England in the past -- we should continue to do so in the future

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

e are deeply saddened by the brutal murder of 12-year-old Md Karakul Islam in Khulna, who was killed by having air pumped into him via a garage air compressor.

It is highly disturbing his killers reportedly felt entitled to act on their grudge that he had left employment at their garage as he was frequently beaten there. It shows cold calculation on the part of the accused that they waited several months for a chance to carry out their evil act.

This horrific killing follows shortly after the high-profile murder of Sheikh Samiul Alam Rajon, the 13-year-old boy in Sylhet, whose torturing to death by a group of men was filmed in a harrowing video.

It is not enough to call for Rajon and Rakib’s muderers to be held to account and punished to the full extent of the law.

Questions must also be asked about how one of the perpetrators in Rajon’s case apparently bribed his way out of the country. Although he has since been caught, an open inquiry needs to be made into whether authorities were culpable in the escape.

As a society, we need to reach deeper to address the complacency which places children at risk in the first place.

It is easy to express revulsion at Rakib’s murder and to call for action against employers who beat any staff, let alone children.

What we should be asking, however, is why people are not surprised that a 12-year-old had to work in garage, or a murderer was so easily able to flee abroad?

Millions of children are denied education. Some are vulnerable to employers who habitually lash out at those weaker than themselves.

Even within families and schools, a widespread tendency to cover up criminality leaves many children open to abuse and violence.

Our laws to protect children will not succeed in helping the vulnerable while society tolerates such behaviour.

Justice for Rajon and Rakib demands more than punishing their murderers. Everyone needs must learn to stop turning a blind eye.

Laws to protect children will not succeed while society turns a blind eye to abuse and exploitation

DT

12 OPINION

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Where is the outrage?

Rakib deserves more outrage from all of us

n Zubier Abd

C

an a person’s apathy “grow” the more it is in use? Is it like a muscle that, over time, becomes stronger and larger? Or rather, as a culture, is our apathy a form of selective blindness? We are completely willing to share wise quotes by an Indian politician, or the latest in Naila Nayem’s crazy antics. We express outrage over the murder of a lion, and yet, nary a whisper can be heard from across a million Facebook time-lines over what happened on Monday night.

But then again, why should it? Almost every month, something brutal and horrid shows up on our computer or television screens, and shakes us off of our seats.

The anatomy of each reaction is the same, however, save a few minor differences.

The news reaches us -- we decry to all who would listen to us about the sorry state of our country, about how things are going downhill, and how people are stepping into barbarity and savagery, as though the past was a rosy-hued wonderland.

Inevitably, someone finds a way of blaming the government and then the issue is dissected by a triumvirate of talking heads on your favourite news channel around 10pm, and then, slowly, everything is forgotten.

Sometimes, if we care just a little bit more, we join a procession or a protest somewhere -- more often than not, in Shahbagh.

Newspaper staff come out to these events, pictures are taken, we wave our social media activist flag, tweeting pictures and our rage

in 140 characters, and then we all leave for home, our broken hearts mended and our dissonant conscience assuaged.

Until something else happens, that is.

Think back over the year of bloodshed that we have seen -- the murder of the child in Uttara last November (Zubair), the boy who fell down the open shaft in December (Jihad), the innumerable people who died in the political violence at the start of the year, and so on. I can give even more examples, but the point is this How many of their names do we even remember?

It is truly disheartening to realise that we live in a country where people are more vocal about whether gay people can legally marry in a country 8,000 miles away -- or about the murder of a lion -- than the sadistic torture and subsequent death of a child.

Or perhaps there is a flavour of the month aspect in our collective outrage -- a selective attention to the kind of things we pretend to be shocked and appalled by on Facebook. Is that why the outrage over Rakib’s death is the tiniest fraction of what it is when Bangladesh plays a cricket match? We’ve already expressed how shocked we are over Rajon -is our collective unconscious so numb that it is thinking to itself: “I’ve already showed my outrage over the murder of a child this week, time for something else …”?

It could even be the nature of the media itself -- a by-product of our lowered attention spans and our avoidance of great walls of text. Perhaps the only reason the murder of Rajon garnered so much coverage was because of how egregious it was, and more

BIGSTOCK

Somewhere in that inexorable march to progress, we have lost our souls. We are evolving into a nation of apathy, greed, and intolerance

importantly, because there was ample photographic evidence of it.

Does Rakib’s death not merit even a whisper because there were no graphic photos showing his distended stomach as air was pumped into his body till he died? Perhaps we should retire our saying of “machhe bhaate Bangali” and adopt something more along the lines of “out of sight, out of mind”?

Our country has made great strides in recent years -- our status as a middle income country, and the recent settlement of the land issues which have caused untold suffering for thousands of people for the past 60 years.

They should be lauded. But it seems, somewhere in that inexorable march to progress, we have lost our souls. We are evolving into a nation of apathy, greed, and intolerance, where not a tear is shed when a child is brutally murdered. l Zubier Abd is a freelance contributor.

DT

OPINION 13

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Bringing them all to school

Total development is not possible without total education

The inequity begins with the access to education and basic health services. It is estimated that currently there are approximately 4 million children below the age of 14 who are excluded from the basic education system

n SA Chowdhury

T

he recent study on the Creative Productivity Index (CPI) prepared by the Economics Intelligence Unit for the Asian Development Bank, ranks Bangladesh 22nd out of 24 Asian economies (only above Lao PDR and Myanmar) in overall input index, 20th in human capital, and 23rd for infrastructure.

Unless serious and accelerated developments take place in human development, physical, power, IT infrastructure, banking, financial services, and the creation of a pool of high quality manpower that will propel the knowledge economy, Bangladesh’s goal of achieving middle income status will remain a dream.

In addition, when a significant portion of the citizens are excluded from the fruits of development, there cannot be a fair and just society. The inequity in social justice begins with the access to education and basic health services where the poor are generally discriminated against. According to official statistics, there are currently over five million

BIGSTOCK

illiterate children under the age of 14, and another 28 million youths and adults over the age of 15 (who are either in the unskilled labour market or unemployed). This article illustrates a story of an innovative effort to address part of the problem.

Supporting the hardest-to-reach children through basic education, SHARE is a unique education program both in design and implementation. It provides direct grant support by the EU to a number of national NGOs who were selected through a competitive process based on published criteria and proven track record of their work in basic education in Bangladesh.

It is estimated that currently there are approximately 4 million children below the age of 14 who are excluded from the basic education system. The numbers include those who never went to primary school as well as those who were once enrolled in public schools but dropped out for reasons such as poverty, social and cultural exclusion, geographical remoteness, etc.

Through four lead NGO project operators and their local partners, SHARE is currently working in 219 upazilas/thanas under seven administrative divisions of Bangladesh. The goal is to provide quality basic education to about 655,000 poor and marginalised children who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to go to school.

The schools are essentially one classroom structure (with an average of 30 pupils) and one teacher per school, but the projects adopt four different approaches in the education they provide. However, all of them offer national curriculum and textbooks in addition to supplementary materials developed by individual projects.

In one sense, these are very low-cost alternative schools with formally structured learning processes which generally meet or even exceed the practices followed in public primary schools. And yet, they are popularly known as non-formal primary schools in Bangladesh for the simple reason that these schools are operated by the NGOs outside of the public education system.

Although, theoretically, these so-called non-formal primary schools are supposed to enrol only children above the age of eight per government policy, many SHARE schools like the Brac primary schools enrol children from the age of six (official age for grade I) in areas which are unserved or underserved by the public system, viz tea gardens, hilly areas, haor (marshy area,) char (newly emerged river islets), urban slums, etc.

Non-formal primary school is a misnomer.

These schools have all the features of any regular school; one distinguishing feature is that the school is run by one teacher only -usually recruited from the local community with support of the local school management committee (the SMC usually comprise of 50% women).

Although the current common goal is to prepare all children to sit the national Primary Schools Certificate (PSC) examination, the four projects have different approaches to teaching. SHIKHON completes the primary cycle in 48 months including three months’ readiness program for the children, Aloghar in 60 months, UNIQUE in 37 months, and SUSTAIN in 36 months (accelerated program).

They are all based on their proven track record and field-tested experience of their parent organisations (viz Save the Children, Caritas, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, and their partners, namely RDRS, CODEC, CCDB, YPSA, UCEP, Nari Maitree, etc). In almost all cases, the schools have been built or donated by the poor and impoverished communities for the education of their children, many of whom are first generation learners.

Because these projects are mainly working with the local community, one of their key strengths is the creativity and innovation in the teaching-learning process. In addition, the flexibility in project design has given them the opportunity to think out of the box and innovate in aspects of teaching-learning and managing the activities at local levels.

During my recent field visits in some remote and isolated parts of Bangladesh, I was surprised to note a number of these innovations and good practices developed by locally based project personnel.

I thought these home-grown innovations should be captured and recorded for the greater benefits of the NGO community operating such schools, as, in my view, Bangladesh will continue to need these types of alternative schooling for a long time until the government gains the capacity and resources to provide sustainable quality basic education to all children of the country, wherever they may be located. l SA Chowdhury is former Principal Social Sector Specialist at the Asian Development Bank, Manila, and is currently working with the European Unionfunded SHARE Education Program.

DT

14 OPINION

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Rise of the Tigers n Mamun Rashid

M

y nephew is a die-hard cricket fan. So is my childhood buddy Ashraf. These guys are interested only in cricket, and would do anything for their love of cricket. I have always been a “passer-by” when it comes to cricket.

But the sudden rise of Bangladesh in cricket has now arrested my attention as well. I feel like I’m nowhere if I am not kept updated on what is happening in the cricket world, especially the Bangladeshi team. My Australian friend, who has no interest in Bangladesh, has now decided to visit Bangladesh to watch our team after the Tigers defeated England in the last World Cup. Many of my friends overseas know Bangladesh through the success of our cricket team, and for some, it is the land of Shakib Al Hasan. After Indian Prime Minister Modi’s visit, many of my friends in India asked me: “Who is this Al Hasan?”

Who is to be credited for the present state of cricket in Bangladesh? Is it Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who takes a keen interest in cricket and watches and encourages the Tigers whenever possible?

Is it our BCB president Nazmul Hasan Papon, who ushered in so much success for Bangladeshi cricket? Is it Saber Hossain Chowdhury, who brought us test playing status despite criticism about its prematurity?

Is it AHM Mustafa Kamal, our planning minister and former BCB chief, who has a portion of his heart dedicated to cricket? Is it KZ Islam whose Nirman School Cricket undeniably paved the way for Bangladesh’s cricketing success? Or is it the founder of BKSP, who paved the way for today’s cricketing heroes, such as Shakib and Mushfique?

In cricket, nothing can stop Bangladesh from taking over the world

Bangladesh needs to replicate its home-ground success in foreign lands. We have started doing so by beating giants such as Australia and England in the past -- we should continue to do so in the future

Marketing guru Philip Kotler advised us to brand Bangladesh around RMG. I guess the days are coming when another guru will tell us that Bangladesh’s cricket is the best brand for the nation. Shakib, Tamim, Mushfique, Rubel, Taskin, Soumya Sarkar, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mominul Haque, Mustafiz, Imrul Kayes, Anamul Haque, Al Amin Hossain, Mahmudullah Riyad, Abdur Razzak, Shahriar Nafees, Alok Kapali, Aftab Ahmed, Shafiul Islam, Liton Das, and many of their friends are becoming household names in Bangladesh.

While Shakib was suspended, I rushed to my friend Papon and asked him what happened. He replied: “Let him play well, we will do whatever possible. Apa (our PM) was

equally concerned with this news, but I think I can convince her.”

During the Happy-Rubel incident, upon inquiring a senior police officer about it, he smiled and replied: “We needed to protect Rubel, our pride.”

Bangladesh recently played terrifically against the visiting Pakistan, India, and South Africa teams. NDTV is full of praise for our 19-year-old wonder-bowler from Satkhira, Mustafiz. Many commentators are gung ho about batsmen Soumya, Mahmudullah, and bowlers Rubel and Taskin.

Some of them tipped their hats to our cricket academy and BKSP. Many of them felt that, even after the departure of Shakib,

Tamim, and Mushfique, the team should be able to hold on, if not move forward. Some of them even gave credit to our former coach Dav Whatmore, and of course, present coach Chandika Hathurusingha.

My cricket-loving friends strongly feel that nothing can hold back Bangladeshi cricket now. They give a lot of credit to Nirman School cricket, Under 19 cricket, district sports councils, and our cricket academy.

They feel that more academies should be put up, and had a lot of kind words for the building up of high performance programs under the leadership of Mahbub Anam, another BCB stalwart. They also expressed that young bowlers and batsmen, like Mustafiz and Soumya, should be sent to the Australian Cricket Academy in order to learn the latest techniques.

What has helped the Bangladesh team to come to this stage? Apart from the above, analysts give credit to team management, diligent coaches, fielding coaches, and even the BCB physiotherapists. Why physiotherapists? Bangladesh players come from diverse and relatively impoverished backgrounds -- they are not physically fit to play long games, and are also very prone to getting injured.

Where is the confidence coming from?

From our world-class batsmen like Tamim, Shakib, Mushfique, and Soumya; amazing

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

bowlers such as Rubel, Taskin, Mustafiz, Mashrafe; and quick wicket-keepers like Mushfique, Anamul Bijoy, and Liton Das. Of course, newer stars are slowly emerging from the Under 19 league.

My friends are a little disturbed by the comments of former England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott and former Pakistan cricketer Rameez Raja. While I don’t pay much attention to Rameez Raja, I think there are merits in Geoff Boycott’s comment: “Bangladesh needs to beat big teams abroad.”

Of course, Bangladesh needs to replicate its home-ground success in foreign lands. We have started doing so by beating giants such as Australia and England in the past -- we should continue to do so in the future.

For that, they need to remain fit, take practice seriously, and follow a disciplined lifestyle. The BCB leadership should also try to keep team members away from any politics. We should encourage the establishment of more cricket academies or BKSP-like bodies, either under public or private ownership, or as joint ventures with renowned international cricketing institutes.

Cricket should be taken seriously by Bangladesh, and I can tell you that the return on the investment will be very high. l Mamun Rashid is a business professor and financial sector entrepreneur.

DT

18 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

News, analysis and recent disclosures ACI: The Company has informed that their Board of Directors has taken decision that the Company under its Electronics Business of Consumer Brands will launch a range of Smart and Feature Mobile handsets and accessories in the name of STYLUS with a view to demonstrate the company s business excellence in the information technology sector having an initial sales target of Tk. 720.00 million in 2016.

FEKDIL: The Company has informed that the Board of Directors has taken decision of an expansion project. Main features of the expansion project are as follows: i) Total cost (Civil works, Machinery & Miscellaneous) of the expansion project is estimated at Tk. 26.00 crore with financing from the City Bank Limited. ii) Capacity of finished garments will increase by approximately one million pieces per month in basic T-Shirt. iii) The project is expected to be completed by March, 2016.

CMCKAMAL: (Q2 Un-audited): EPS for April-June, 2015 was Tk. 0.41 as against Tk. 0.40 for April-June, 2014, EPS for Jan-June, 2015 was Tk. 0.75 as against Tk. 0.69 for Jan-June, 2014. NOCFPS was Tk. 0.93 for Jan-June, 2015 as against Tk. 0.83 for Jan-December, 2014.

NAV per share was Tk. 20.38 as of June 30, 2015 and Tk. 19.62 as of December 31, 2014.

Dividend/AGM 8THICB: 140% cash. 7THICB: 150% cash 6THICB: 120% cash 5THICB: 250% cash. 4THICB:

300% cash. 3RDICB: 300% cash. 2NDICB: 450% cash.

1STICB: 1,000% cash. Record date: 12.08.2015.

BERGERPBL: 100% interim cash dividend. Record date for entitlement of interim cash dividend: 20.08.2015.

PRAGATILIF: 17% cash and 5% stock dividend AGM: 29.09.2015,. Record Date: 20.08.2015.

SHASHADNIM: 10% interim cash dividend for 2015, Record date for entitlement of interim cash dividend: 20.08.2015.

NAVANACNG: 15% cash general shareholders (excluding Sponsors), AGM: 16.09.2015, Record Date: 18.08.2015.

SUNLIFEINS: 6% stock, AGM: 15.09.2015, Record Date: 18.08.2015.

APEXSPINN: 20% cash AGM: 30.09.2015, Record date: 18.08.2015.

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.

MEGHNALIFE: 13% cash and 20% stock, AGM: 27.08.2015, Record Date: 30.07.2015.

FAREASTLIF: 35% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 16.08.2015, Record Date: 23.07.2015.

Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

Company Anwar Galvanizing-B Rangpur Foundry -A IFIC Bank - A Al-Haj Textile -A Renwick Jajneswar-A LR Global BD MF1-A The Ibn SinaA AMCL (Pran) -A R. N. Spinning-Z Usmania Glass -A

Closing (% Change) 9.95 9.92 9.90 8.89 8.72 8.70 8.45 7.98 7.79 6.95

CSE GAINER Company IFIC Bank - A The Ibn SinaA Anwar Galvanizing-B Samorita Hospital -A R. N. Spinning-Z Beach Hatchery -A AMCL (Pran) -A Rangpur Foundry -A Midas Financing-Z Bata Shoe Ltd. -A

Closing (% Change) 9.84 9.77 9.74 9.51 8.70 8.41 8.30 7.55 6.92 6.13

DSE LOSER Company Daffodil Computers -Z UNITED AIR-A Shasha Denims -N Phoenix Fin. 1st MF-A Navana CNG-A EBL First M F-A Miracle Industries -B Popular Life 1st M.F.-A BSRM Steels-A FAR Chemical-N

Closing (% Change) -4.58 -4.27 -4.05 -3.85 -3.73 -3.70 -3.68 -3.64 -3.63 -3.61

CSE LOSER Company PragatiLife Insu. -Z BD Fixed Income MF-A EXIM Bank 1 MF-A ISN Ltd. -Z Zaheen Spinning -N Tallu Spinning -Z Daffodil Computers -Z Pragati Gen. I -A Delta Brac HFCL-A Fine Foods A

Closing (% Change) -28.00 -21.00 -10.00 -6.03 -4.93 -4.89 -4.67 -4.41 -4.26 -4.12

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

DSE key features August 5, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

DSE GAINER

Sector

9,023.74 236,012,747 175,052

Traded Issues

322

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

149

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

169

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

4

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,744.00

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

32.26

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 1041.15 278.17 120.76 1396.13 413.82 1952.44 12.35 870.65 1274.15 30.22 157.49 34.03 75.91 387.05 70.21 32.75 61.74 184.16 227.90 402.39 0.28

% change 11.54 3.08 1.34 15.47 4.59 21.64 0.14 9.65 14.12 0.33 1.75 0.38 0.84 4.29 0.78 0.36 0.68 2.04 2.53 4.46 0.00

Million Taka 88.50 19.81 5.41 117.13 30.91 240.72 56.28 81.65 1.69 11.42 3.15 4.57 21.00 8.97 0.97 3.18 12.86 27.69 33.09 0.01

Average (% Change) 8.38 8.66 8.22 4.03 8.18 8.61 8.00 6.20 6.99 4.51

Average (% Change) 8.36 5.23 10.44 9.52 6.70 8.69 6.57 7.00 6.75 6.04

Average (% Change) -2.77 -0.52 -2.77 -1.94 -3.13 -2.41 -2.98 0.56 -4.42 -3.16

Average (% Change) -28.00 -21.00 -10.00 -5.79 -2.61 -6.31 -2.77 -2.21 -4.33 -1.75

CSE

ClosingAvg. 47.10 103.19 20.53 116.85 272.91 4.92 116.82 215.20 24.79 110.60

ClosingAvg. 20.73 113.78 46.23 86.39 24.85 23.26 217.33 101.24 13.91 1378.56

ClosingAvg. 14.76 11.43 45.68 5.06 60.04 5.27 15.97 5.42 88.71 51.53

ClosingAvg. 108.00 7.90 6.30 10.90 27.23 17.66 14.38 26.60 85.46 9.55

% change 11.51 2.58 0.70 15.23 4.02 31.30 0.00 7.32 10.62 0.22 1.49 0.41 0.59 2.73 1.17 0.13 0.41 1.67 3.60 4.30 0.00

Closing 47.50 104.20 21.10 121.20 276.80 5.00 118.10 219.20 24.90 112.30

Closing 21.20 116.90 46.20 86.40 25.00 23.20 220.60 101.20 13.90 1379.80

Closing

DHIGH 47.50 104.20 21.10 122.40 276.80 5.00 119.70 220.70 25.40 113.50

DHIGH 21.20 117.10 46.30 86.70 25.30 23.50 221.50 99.90 14.30 1380.90

DHIGH

14.60 11.20 45.00 5.00 59.30 5.20 15.70 5.30 87.60 50.70

Closing 108.00 7.90 6.30 10.90 27.00 17.50 14.30 26.00 85.50 9.30

Million Taka 1129.64 297.97 126.17 1513.25 444.74 2193.16 12.35 926.93 1355.80 31.90 168.91 37.17 80.48 408.05 79.18 33.72 64.92 197.01 255.59 435.48 0.29

DLOW 43.20 94.50 19.50 109.00 256.00 4.60 107.10 203.50 23.40 105.30

DLOW 19.40 105.00 46.00 85.00 23.70 22.20 205.00 102.90 13.80 1350.00

DLOW

15.20 12.00 47.00 5.20 61.30 5.30 16.40 5.60 91.90 53.10

DHIGH

14.50 11.10 44.60 5.00 59.00 5.20 15.50 5.30 87.20 50.20

DLOW

108.00 7.90 6.30 10.90 27.90 18.00 15.70 27.00 85.50 9.80

Total

108.00 7.60 6.30 10.90 26.80 17.20 14.00 26.00 85.20 9.20

% change 11.54 3.04 1.29 15.45 4.54 22.40 0.13 9.47 13.84 0.33 1.72 0.38 0.82 4.17 0.81 0.34 0.66 2.01 2.61 4.45 0.00

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

19.281 26.948 66.846 105.748 8.383 21.162 54.523 44.303 18.403 12.941

Turnover in Million

0.68 3.42 3.36 1.07 3.91 0.40 4.82 6.19 0.48 -1.39

Latest EPS

6.150 0.993 0.129 0.242 3.252 20.737 1.394 0.333 0.078 0.172

Turnover in Million

69.3 30.2 6.1 109.2 69.8 12.3 24.2 34.8 51.6 -ve

Latest PE

3.36 4.82 0.68 2.11 0.48 1.29 6.19 3.42 -1.55 40.26

Latest EPS

1.799 194.167 120.679 2.258 57.090 2.377 8.749 7.178 85.335 112.411

Turnover in Million

Latest PE

6.2 23.6 68.0 40.9 51.8 18.0 35.1 29.6 -ve 34.2

Latest PE

0.80 0.86 5.24 0.65 3.54 0.69 0.36 0.63 6.18 3.23

Latest EPS

0.000 0.008 0.000 0.001 0.365 0.417 0.087 0.007 0.049 0.130

18.5 13.3 8.7 7.8 17.0 7.6 44.4 8.6 14.4 16.0

Latest PE

2.38 0.51 0.56 -0.20 1.92 -0.21 0.80 1.44 6.04 -0.27

45.4 15.5 11.3 -ve 14.2 -ve 18.0 18.5 14.1 -ve

CSE key features August 5, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

769.00 22,383,908 27,284

Traded Issues

263

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

122

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

137

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

4

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,639.05

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

31.99

DT

BUSINESS 19

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Stocks end flat amid roller-coaster ride UPGDCL flexes muscle after lock-in shares expiry stocks with turnover worth n Tribune Report Tk100 crore—accounting for

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company United Power-N Islami Bank BD - A Square Pharma -A LafargeS Cement-A ACI Limited- A UNITED AIR-A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A BSRM Ltd. -A Appollo Ispat CL -N Beximco Pharma -A

Beach Hatchery -A Grameenphone-A Khulna Power-A Khan Brothers-N Familytex (BD) Ltd.-A Bengal Windsor-A Summit Power -A

VolumeShares 6,417,698 9,671,736 819,113 1,687,525 336,545 16,988,595 5,637,891 1,592,754 7,091,781 2,037,534

Value in Million 1049.60 270.71 220.16 210.85 196.15 194.17 193.17 163.95 161.67 143.94

% of TotalTurnover 11.63 3.00 2.44 2.34 2.17 2.15 2.14 1.82 1.79 1.60

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

6,037,968 426,097 1,806,505 4,396,410 8,530,451 2,024,625 3,568,579

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company United Power-N UNITED AIR-A Olympic Accessories -N BSRM Ltd. -A Beximco Pharma -A Beach Hatchery -A Familytex (BD) Ltd.-A Islami Bank BD - A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A LafargeS Cement-A

Keya Cosmetics -A BSRM Steels-A Shahjibazar Power-N Appollo Ispat CL -N Square Pharma -A Appollo Ispat CL -N Summit Power -A

1,075,208 2,142,663 381,997 230,986 313,853 891,486 1,083,631 544,350 431,260 116,355

688,412 150,160 70,449 521,798 42,800 524,632 272,278

139.82 138.46 135.61 130.17 125.65 144.54 144.03

176.35 24.46 24.42 23.79 22.13 20.74 15.93 15.22 14.76 14.47

14.16 13.37 12.72 11.87 11.49 12.03 10.99

1.55 1.53 1.50 1.44 1.39 1.56 1.55

22.93 3.18 3.18 3.09 2.88 2.70 2.07 1.98 1.92 1.88

1.84 1.74 1.65 1.54 1.49 1.72 1.57

ClosingP 172.20 28.10 268.00 124.30 580.60 11.20 34.10 101.40 22.60 70.20

23.10 324.00 74.80 29.30 14.60 72.00 40.40

ClosingP

Change % 5.13 1.44 -0.45 -0.96 1.10 -4.27 -0.87 -3.15 -0.44 -1.82

6.45 -1.19 -1.45 2.09 -0.68 6.19 3.32

Change %

170.30 11.20 63.20 101.50 70.00 23.20 14.60 28.00 34.00 123.60

20.30 87.70 182.20 22.50 267.70 22.60 40.60

4.61 -3.45 -1.71 -3.43 -1.96 8.41 0.00 1.45 -1.16 -1.12

-0.49 -3.41 2.36 -0.44 -0.48 -2.59 3.57

ClosingY 163.80 27.70 269.20 125.50 574.30 11.70 34.40 104.70 22.70 71.50

21.70 327.90 75.90 28.70 14.70 67.80 39.10

ClosingY

162.80 11.60 64.30 105.10 71.40 21.40 14.60 27.60 34.40 125.00

20.40 90.80 178.00 22.60 269.00 23.20 39.20

DHIGH 174.00 29.30 270.90 126.50 595.00 12.00 34.70 107.40 23.20 71.60

23.80 329.00 76.40 30.20 15.00 74.00 41.00

DHIGH

171.50 12.00 65.50 106.90 71.80 23.50 14.80 29.10 34.80 125.70

20.80 91.00 184.50 23.10 270.00 23.30 40.90

DLOW 156.90 26.90 267.40 124.00 578.60 11.10 33.90 100.10 22.40 69.90

22.00 323.30 74.40 29.00 14.50 68.40 39.00

DLOW

156.50 11.10 63.00 100.30 69.70 22.20 14.50 27.20 34.00 123.00

20.20 87.40 176.10 22.30 267.00 22.50 39.00

AvgPrice 163.55 27.99 268.78 124.95 582.84 11.43 34.26 102.93 22.80 70.64

23.16 324.94 75.07 29.61 14.73 71.39 40.36

AvgPrice

164.01 11.42 63.93 103.00 70.51 23.26 14.70 27.97 34.22 124.39

20.56 89.03 180.61 22.75 268.50 22.93 40.36

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

12505.32920

(+) 0.04%

1889.75587

(-) 0.79%

14949.77720

(+) 0.15%

12505.32920

(+) 0.15%

9103.14010

(+) 0.12%

▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲

Stocks closed flat amid roller-coaster ride yesterday as late profit booking sell-off cut early gains.

The market swung between positive and negative heavily as the benchmark index DSEX fell about 30 points at open, but shot up almost 67 points in mid-session, crossing 4,900 points level, riding on banks.

At the end of the day, the DSEX, however, inched more than 2 points higher to 4,873.

It also ended marginally higher in previous session.

The Shariah index, DSES, was down 5 points or 0.5% higher to 1,202. The blue chip comprising index DS30 shed 15 points or 0.8% to 1,889. The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index, CSCX, rose 10 points to settle at 9,103.

Turnover at DSE continued to remain strong for the second straight session. It stood at Tk900 crore, down 2.8% over the previous session.

United Power Generation and Distribution Company Limited (UPGDCL) flexed its muscle as it rose over 5%.

It was the most traded

11.6% of the total turnover and highest turnover by a single company in a single day in recent years. And its turnover even exceeded from its debut day when its turnover was over Tk79 crore.

The power generation company’s higher turnover surprised many as it dominated the trade despite shares, locked in for institutional investors, expired in previous session.

“Generally, share supply is supposed to increase in the market after the expiry of lock-in shares, meaning supply is higher against low demand. But the stock behaved just opposite to this, which seemed to be fishy,” said a market analyst.

Large cap sectors experience correction except financial sectors. Both banks and non-banking financial institutions posted a significant gain of about 1.7% and 2% respectively.

But the market’s bellwether, telecommunication sector, went through a significant correction of 1.2%.

Cement, pharmaceuticals, textile, power and, food and allied declined. l

ANALYST Generally, share supply is supposed to increase in the market after the expiry of lock-in shares, meaning supply is higher against low demand. But the stock behaved just opposite to this, which seemed to be fishy

DT

20 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

NBR to restore source tax on coal import n Syed Samiul Basher Anik The National Board of Revenue is set to restore advance income tax on coal import to ensure maximum mobilisation of revenues from the sector.

The move comes after The National Green Tribunal in India on July 31 lifted ban on the export of coal from Indian state of Meghalaya.

The tribunal said the current withdrawal would only remain effective till November 30 and there will be no further extension.

As the bar has been lifted, Bangladesh is

likely to resume coal import within a week and a half from India, which has a rich deposit of high quality coals.

After India imposed ban on its coal export, NBR earlier on 15 December 2014 withdrew 5% customs duty, 4% advance trade VAT (ATV) and 5% AIT on coal import from other countries.

Later in June this year, the customs wing of tax authorities restored 5% customs duty and 4% ATV on coal import. Importers are also liable to pay 15% VAT. In July, Sylhet Zone income tax Commissioner Mahmudur Rahman requested the

revenue board to impose AIT on import of the item because its withdrawal was affecting the revenue collection largely. The AIT on import of the item is one of the major sources of revenue collection from Sylhet zone.

Now, the income tax wing is working to issue a SRO (statutory regulatory order) on restoration of AIT. According to Sylhet Coal Importers Group, Bangladesh imports around 42 lakh tonnes of coal annually, of which, the Meghalaya coal accounts for half the amount because of its high quality.

Bangladesh to import 30-50MW of electricity from Indian private firm n Asif Showkat Kallol The government is going to purchase 30-50 MW of electricity from an Indian private company at a cost of around Tk280 crore to meet the demand in the country.

A power division proposal for importing power from an Indian firm, which was placed before the cabinet committee on public purchase, was approved yesterday.

The meeting presided over by Finance Minister AMA Muhith also approved another proposal for appointing a Singapore-based Sembcorp Utilities Pte Ltd to set up a 400MW dual fuel Independent Power Project (IPP) in Sirajganj district.

The government had earlier selected the Singaporean firm through an unsolicited deal under a joint venture with the North-West Power Generation Company of Bangladesh.

According to the power division proposal, the country has been importing 500MW of electricity from India since October 2013 through grid inter-connectivity between Bohorompur in India and Bheramara in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh received 250 MW of electricity through NVVN and the remaining 250 MW from Power Trading Company India Ltd (PTC), according to the agreement.

The country has been receiving 30-50 MW

of electricity less due to subsidiary consumption at the generating station and losses during transmission, said the power division in its proposal.

‘The country has been receiving 30-50 MW of electricity less due to subsidiary consumption at the generating station and losses during transmission’ Later on, a decision was made last year at the seventh meeting of the joint steering committee, which was formed under the agreement signed between Bangladesh and India on electricity cooperation since 2010, to purchase 30-50 MW more electricity from the Indian private sector.

According to the Power division proposal, the average charge of the agent will be around Tk0.05 per kWh and the lowest cost will be over Tk1crore while the highest will be over Tk2 crore for a year for the import of 30-50 MW of electricity from India.

Bangladesh Power Development Board(BPDB) will arrange limited scale tendering between two Indian power generation firmsNVVN and Power Trading Corporation of India Limited (PTC).

After floating a tender, the Indian firm will appoint a trading agent which will purchase power form the Indian open market and supply to Bangladesh only for a year.

As per proposal of Independent Power Project (IPP) in Sirajganj,BPDB will purchase power from the plant at a price of Tk3.19 per unit, if it was run by the natural gas while the rate will be Tk13.57, if it was run by HSD, in the next 22 years.

As per the proposal, the company will have to provide 282MW electricity to the national grid within two years of agreement signing while it will be 400MW within three years.

Per unit price of electricity from the proposed 400MW IPP is lower among the two other Independent Power Plants-Summit Megnaghat 355MW combined cycle IPP power plant, which has currently started simple cycle operation while Lanco 367MW at Sirgjaganjthat was previously canceled, reads the proposal.

The electricity demand is increasing by 1012% every year in Bangladesh. As per the Power System Master Plan 2010, the country will require 24,000 MW electricity from 2021. l

CORPORATE NEWS

BEPZA bags $406m investment in FY15 n Tribune Business Desk

Jamuna Bank has recently launched foreign remittance distribution services through Union Bank for Placid NK Corporation, a global exchange house under associate bank agreement. The DMD of Union Bank, Syed Abdullah Mohammed Saleh, DMD of JBL, AKM Saifuddin Ahamed, and CFO of Placid, Mohammed H. Rashid were present on the occasion among others

Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has attracted $406.35m investment in FY15, said a press release.

Cumulative investment stood at $3.59bn in the operating and under construction enterprise of eight EPZs, as on fiscal year-end of 2015.

BEPZA has also signed investment agreements with 19 more companies in the last fiscal year, who are likely to invest $205.48m for setting up industrial units. l

While Barapukuria mines supply 10-12 lakh tonnes, the remaining demand is met by charcoal.

The group president Falah Uddin Ali Ahmed said they agree with NBR to pay the AIT at 3% instead of 5%, if the 4% ATV on the import is withdrawn.

According to the group, coal import through six major land stations would resume in a week and a half. The coal is mainly imported from Meghalaya through Tamabil, Bholaganj, Sutarkandi, Barchara, Charagaon and Bogla borders of Sylhet. l

China July services activity quickens to 11-month high n Reuters, Beijing

Activity in China’s services sector expanded at its fastest pace in 11 months in July, thanks to stronger new business, a private survey showed yesterday, a welcome development at a time factories in the world’s second largest economy are struggling.

The services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) compiled by Caixin/Markit rose to 53.8 from June’s 51.8. The July level is the highest since August 2014 and marks a 12th straight month of expansion. A reading above 50 points indicates growth on a monthly basis, while one below that points to a contraction.

A sub-index measuring new business jumped to 54.0 from June’s 52.2 while the employment sub-index also edged up, indicating increased hiring on stronger new businesses.

Both input prices and selling prices increased in July, indicating a slight pick-up in inflationary pressure.

The Caixin PMI report did not specify if there was an impact on the services sector from the crash in the country’s stock markets from mid-June. A sharp rally early in the year had boosted performance for banks and brokerages, and gave a much needed lift to the cooling economy.

The official services PMI released on Saturday showed that activity quickened slightly in July from the previous month.

The relatively resilient services sector could help offset some downward pressure on the economy as the manufacturing sector struggles to cope with weaker demand at home and abroad.

The final Caixin/Markit factory survey showed activity contracted the most in two years in July while the official PMI showed manufacturing growth unexpectedly stalled.

The official surveys focus on large, stateowned firms, while the private ones measure activity across small to medium-sized firms, which are facing tougher financial and operating conditions.

The services sector has accounted for the bigger part of China’s economic output for at least two years, with its share rising to 48.2% last year, compared with the 42.6% contribution from manufacturing and construction.

The government has taken a series of steps since last year to try to put a floor beneath sputtering economic growth, including accelerating infrastructure spending and repeated reductions in interest rates. l

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Photos: Bigstock

INSIDE

news

22

ACI launches mobile handset brand STYLUS Bangladeshi conglomerate ACI has recently unveiled a range of smartphones and feature phones under the brand name STYLUS. Syed Alamgir, executive director of ACI consumer brands, says: “Updated telecommunication device brand STYLUS will enhance the lives and lifestyles of consumers around the country as a continuation of its successful ventures in the fields of pharmaceuticals, agro business, consumer brands and Swapno, the retail chain shop.�

According to business manager Rafiq Uddin, every single STYLUS handset has been designed

T-JUNCTION

The start of something beautiful keeping in mind the ever-changing nature and diverse needs of users.

One of their first smartphones to enter the market runs on an octa-core processor along with 4000mAh battery, a combination aimed at consumers who are heavy-duty internet users. This particular model, the O65, comes with a smart flip cover free of cost.

The other smartphone is the Q75, which runs on quad-core processor, Android Lollipop, and comes with a 5-inch HD display. The feature phone P76 has an 2.8-inch display, JAVA and

Innovation

Exploring the CORE

24 DIY

Bead is all you need! includes 128/64GB memory support and users can stay connected on social media like Facebook and WhatsApp just as easily as smartphone users.

Currently, STYLUS phones are only available in Dhaka and Chittagong. l

news

NSU Model United Nations Conference 2015

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22 T-JUNCTION

Innovation

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Exploring the CORE A story of a fellowship program influencing a global youth networking platform

n Imran Fahad It was truly an honor to be a part of the Professional Fellowship Program (PFP) as an emerging youth leader from Bangladesh. We came across wonderful people, numerous brilliant ideas and gained priceless experiences, which helped me both personally and professionally. I divided the program into three phases: explore, excite and engage.

In the first week, we explored some great ideas and possibilities, The second week was pure bliss and excitement, as we engaged and played around with these ideas. The final week was focused on implementation, as the idea of creating a sustainable global youth networking platform began to form.

The Professional Fellowship Program (PFP) was funded by US Department of State, and was implemented in the US by Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication and University of Oklahoma (OU). In Bangladesh, BRAC Business School’s Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) acted as the implementing partner of OU (for the entire program’s Bangladesh related activities). The total length of the fellowship program was 40 Days.

The idea of launching CORE globally was decided. CORE (Creating Opportunities & Responsibilities for Entrepreneurs) engaged all 222 professional fellows from 44 countries and 5 continents in 1 particular global youth networking platform. The platform was launched under the Professional Fellows Congress at Washington DC.

news

JPGSPH, BRAC University celebrates a decade The James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University (JPGSPH) celebrated its 10th year anniversary this week. The celebrations commenced on August 2 at the main JPGSPH campus in Mohakhali.

A cultural programme performed by the current batch of public health students, followed by a concert by popular local band, Shunno.

The festivities continued with a formal reception held on August 4 at BRAC Centre. Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, founder and chairperson of BRAC, Professor Syed SaadAndaleeb, vice-chancellor of BRAC University and Dr John Clemens, executive director of ICDDR’B, shared the vision

behind establishing JPGSPH, the school’s contribution to public health education and research.

The event was attended by Md Abdul Aziz, director, NIPORT; Edouard Beigbeder, country representative, UNICEF; Timothy Evans, senior director, World Bank Group; Carol Henry, assistant dean, University of Saskatchewan; Saleemul Huq, director, International Centre for Climate Change and Development; Ian Lapp, associate dean, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health; Quazi Suraiya Sultana, executive director, RHSTEP; as well as other noted dignitaries from government and international organisations.l

T-JUNCTION 23

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Innovation

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

I want to engage our young generation with my dream. I believe, we can be involved with more countries with our sustainable global youth networking platform.

How does CORE Global work?

The idea is to create a networking platform where we can engage people of different countries and culture, which will create a bridge among entrepreneurs and global startups.

In addition, CORE Global will create a sustainable platform in the areas of entrepreneurship development, leadership empowerment, empowering women, climate change and creating sustainable global startups.

CORE Global believes in creating a positive impact towards the society and contribute for a better world through promoting youth leaders.

What is CORE Global working on now?

Currently, CORE is promoting “Impact Investment” projects for youth leaders, by providing idea implementation and provision of funds for the selected projects.

It’s really important to be a progressive youth leader to create an impact towards the society. That’s why CORE Global gives them the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other youth leaders worldwide.

Imran Fahad

is the founder and chairman, CORE Global.

news

Workshop on IPC at BBS BRAC Business School (BBS) hosted a workshop on a full-funded training program for the social entrepreneurs titled “International Project Catalyst, USA-2015 (IPC)” on July 13 from 12pm to 1pm at BRAC University GDLN conference room. Organised jointly by BBS and “It’s Humanity Foundation,” the interactive session was designed to explore the unique opportunity to attend the IPC program to be held in Seattle, Washington, USA, which will be sponsored and organised by Jolkona Foundation of Seattle and hosted by the US department of State.

The key objectives of this workshop were to encourage the active social entrepreneurs

towards exploring the extraordinary platform in order to better drive the social change in their respective contexts and to provide full-fledged assistance to them in applying for the IPC Program.

The program was being spearheaded

by Nusrat Hafiz, lecturer and event coordinator of BBS, who was also the speaker in the program. Md Adnan Hossain, founder and CEO of “It’s Humanity Foundation,” was the guest speaker. The social entrepreneurs from the audience were connected with the executive director of Jolkona, Monica Mendoza and program manager Katie Randon over Skype to explore opportunity with the IPC. l

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24 T-JUNCTION

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

DIY

Bead is all you need!

Because aren’t fabric curtains too mundane?

What to do:

n Farhana Shahnaz No matter how dirty and quirky hippies are, we all loved their funky flower crowns, the smiley faces and of course, their beaded curtains. You can now easily bring back this 60’s classic to add some artistry and colour to your room, and it doesn’t involve taking a ride on the Tardis.

1. Measure your valance or doorway and cut a piece of string or ribbon slightly larger than that to hang the curtain.

Make sure your string is strong enough to support the curtain.

2. Cut vertical lengths of the string in your desirable length for your curtains.

3. Tie a firm knot on one side of your string and string the beads. You can also add a few adornments for some extra flair. You can even add more strings if you want your curtain to look more flamboyant or add a few ones if you want the minimalistic look.

4. Firmly knot the other end of the string to keep the beads in place and then attach them to your previously cut vertical string by making knots.

5. Once your curtain looks complete, hang them across making sure the string is taut and enjoy your little punch of hippiness!

What you need: • Acrylic or wooden beads of different shapes, sizes and colours • String or ribbon • Scissors • Pompoms, decorative flowers or adornments (optional)

news

WTU offers 13 scholarships to BUFT

Ten students and three faculty members from the various departments of BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) received “President Scholarship-2015” from the Masters program at Wuhan Textile University (WTU), China, under their education collaboration agreement.

Faculty members selected for scholarship were Mohammed Irfan Iqbal and Soumya Chowdhury from the textile engineering department and Tanjibul Hasan from the fashion design and

technology department.

The name of the students were Sourab Ghosh, Md Ashiqul Islam, Md Adnan Hossain from apparel manufacture & technology department; Atharul Islam Dipto, Md Shariful Islam, Md Tanvir Hayat from knitwear manufacture and technology department and Md Ataullah, Md Nazmul Haque Maruf, Md Moniruzzaman and Abdullah Jaman Jony from the fashion design & technology department.

The scholarships cover all the living and educational expenses. l

You can personalise these curtains by experimenting with different shapes and designs. Go for an arch-like silhouette to add a touch of some oomph to your doorway and make a royal. Or if you have too much time to spare or just like to challenge yourself, try for more complicated patterns. l

NSU Model United Nations Conference 2015

The very first session of the North South University (NSU) Model United Nations Conference 2015 took place on July 30.

More than 250 participants were present at the three-day long conference, coming from various prestigious institutions across the globe and played roles as delegates of different countries. There were ten committees at the conference, namely, UNSC, UNEP, UNIDO, CCPCJ, SOCHUM, SPECPOL, UNHCR, UNHRC, NGO Global, and SAARC. These participants worked ecstatically, delivering upon resolutions in accordance to their own respective committees and its agendas, under the general theme of “Ensuring sustainable development through good governance.”

Participants delegated for agendas such as “Framework on the prevention of

militarisation, weaponisation and arms racing in outer space,” “Comprehensive notion on foundational issues and root causes of modern-day slavery” and “International cooperation in combating transnational organised crime and corruption.” The chief guest of the event, M A Kashem, chairman of NSU board of trustees, expressed similar thoughts in his opening speech by saying “I also hope that this conference has enlightened you in the sphere of leadership, negotiation, and diplomacy.”

The event began with an opening ceremony at the Exhibition Arena of NSU on July 30. The first ever publication of NSU Model UN Club, named Resolution 2015, was also circulated at the opening ceremony. l

Mahela Jayawardene is set to be appointed as a batting consultant

by England for their series away to Pakistan in the UAE later this year after officials confirmed Tuesday they were in talks with the SL great

Sport 26

BULLET HITS WASIM’S CAR AFTER ACCIDENT SPAT

27

I WON’T QUIT, SAYS DEFIANT SKIPPER CLARKE

28

25

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CONSULTANT

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

DI MARIA ‘DELIGHTED’ WITH PSG MOVE

The joyous Bangladesh contingent oblige the media’s request for photographs following their arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday. Bangladesh had an impressive campaign in the just-concluded 14th Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles where they bagged 54 medals, including 18 golds, 22 silvers and 14 bronzes MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Jubilant Bangladesh Olympians return home n Shishir Hoque A delighted Bangladesh Special Olympics contingent returned to the country yesterday after a successful campaign in the just-concluded 14th Special Olympics World Games that was hosted by Los Angeles from July 25-August 2.

A total of 54 athletes from Bangladesh took part in six disciplines – athletics, badminton, bocce, football, swimming and table tennis – and claimed as many as 54 medals including 18 gold, 22 silver and 14 bronze.

Most of the athletes who won gold medals could barely talk but the unbridled joy on their faces was clearly evident when they set foot on their home soil and saw the familiar faces.

Shuttler Abdul Kader Sharan bagged the highest number of gold medals among the Bangladesh participants and like Parul Akter,

who notched gold in 100m freestyle (swimming), he cannot speak. However, it did not take a rocket scientist to comprehend the joy on their faces.

National director Faruqul Islam, who headed the 77-member delegation in Los Angeles, summarised their trip. “The performance was good from our team. Everything went good out there – food, accommodation and everything. There was only one little problem; nearly half of us were staying 50km away from the other half.”

One source of disappointment however, turned out to be the absence of footballer Jaynul Abedin, who was missing from the team that landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

“We did not find him after the second day of the Special Olympics. We informed the police and they asked us to send his information along with his relatives. They

said they will find him within a week. Let’s see what happens,” Faruqul told Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Faruqul added that they were unlucky not to retain the gold medal that they had won in the previous Special Olympics four years ago.

Bangladesh lost 4-3 in the tie-breaker against Great Britain in the final of the 11-a-side football event. Faruqul said a vital decision – the awarding of a penalty - went against them in the final and GB duly took advantage, stroking home the spot-kick.

When queried to mention their most memorable event from the trip, Faruqul said, “No doubt, the visit to Hollywood.”

He further added, “We could have won one more gold in swimming. Khushi Khatun finished covering the final turn before any other swimmer in the pool but she forgot to touch the finishing line. Instead, she started celebrating.” l

Shuttler Abdul Kader Sharan poses with his three gold medals yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

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26 Sport

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Bullet hits Wasim’s car after traffic accident spat n DAWN Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram escaped unhurt when bullets fired near his car grazed the vehicle following a traffic accident on Wednesday.

“A car crashed into my vehicle and when I asked him [the driver] to pull over, he stepped out and opened fire. His appearance resembled that of an official,” Akram told local media.

Akram’s manager also confirmed that a car had intercepted the former captain’s Mercedes.

“Wasim was driving himself and the car next to him tried to jam his car to one side and opened fire. He did not get hit,” Arsalan Haider, Akram’s manager told ESPNCricinfo.

Akram, who is currently conducting a fast bowling camp at Karachi’s National Stadium, was on his way to a training session when his car was hit.

According to police, there were several cars involved in the crash but Akram said his car had been deliberately targeted.

Speaking to the media outside the National Stadium, Deputy Inspector General East Munir Sheikh said the episode was a clear case of road rage.

TWITTER REACTIONS ANIL KUMBLE Just heard about the attack on Wasim Akram @wasimakramlive. Good to know that he is safe and unhurt!

“According to preliminary investigation, the incident appears to be a case of road rage.

But we cannot say clearly what the motive behind the attack on Wasim Akram was. We have identified the car from CCTV footage and will have the suspect in custody in a couple of hours,” Sheikh said.

“It was an incident of road age,” said Sheikh.

Wasim Akram visited the office of DIG East and recorded his statement before the police.

Very soon after the incident police announced that a raid was conducted on a house situated on DHA’s Khayaban-e-Hilal during which the vehicle identified by Wasim Akram had been recovered.

Gulshan SP Abid Qaimkhani said that after the car accident, Akram chased the passengers travelling in the car and blocked their vehicle. “An exchange of hot words ensued between Mr. Akram and others.

All of a sudden, one of the passengers in the car opened fire, [a bullet] hit Wasim’s Mercedes,” he said.

“Later on, one of them identified the former captain of the Pakistan cricket team and asked the others to run. It was not an act of terror or attempt on life of the former player,” he added. l

IMRAN KHAN WAHAB RIAZ

Tambe in trouble playing T20 game with Ashraful n PTI Veteran Rajasthan Royals leg-spinner Praveen Tambe has come under spotlight after it was learnt that he had played an unsanctioned T20 match in the United States alongside tainted Bangladeshi cricket Mohammed Ashraful, who is banned on charges of match-fixing.

According to a report published in the ESPN Cricinfo, 43-year-old Mumbai bowler and former Bangladesh captain Ashraful represented South Gujarat CC Juniors against Bulls on July 27 in the ‘Lauren Hill Cricket tournament.

Tambe has in fact admitted that he did not take permission from the Mumbai Cricket Association to take part in an unsanctioned tournament.

Tambe is playing in the Liverpool league in England and from there, he travelled to the United States for a break between July 23-31.

“I had no idea it was an official tournament,” Tambe was quoted as saying

by ESPN Cricinfo. “I had just gone there to visit my friends in the U.S. for a week of holidays and I was enjoying. I did not even have a kit with me.” l

Following a long and successful season, members of the Bangladesh cricket team are enjoying a well-deserved break of around three weeks. The Tigers will resume their fitness camp on August 21 ahead of the upcoming bilateral home series against Australia, slated for this October.

Most of the cricketers already left for their respective home towns to spend time with their families while some are busy signing endorsement deals, including Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who became the brand ambassador of online-based shopping website “daraz.com” during a programme at a hotel in the capital yesterday.

“It feels good as Bangladesh are playing consistent cricket for quite some time now.

Good to knw tht @wasimakramlive is safe.

May ALLAH keep u in best of health

HARSHA BHOGLE

Just got a message that all is well with Wasim bhai. Good to know. Important not to jump to conclusions....

SHAHID AFRIDI

Saddened & condemned the Firing on Wasim Akram. Government should act with details to apprehend the Criminals into front.

SAQLAIN MUSHTAQ Its great to hear my brother @wasimakramlive is safe.May Almighty protect him and his family at all times.

AHMAD SHEHZAD

Just got to know about the attack on @ wasimakramlive in Khi while he was going to teach young bowlers that’s horrifying!Good that he s safe!

Feels good to be associated with brands: Mushfiq n Mazhar Uddin

I am glad to know Wasim Akram is safe.

Everyone seems to be associated with some brand or the other. Well, I think the cricketers need to get associated with such things as our expenses have gone up now. It is good that the cricketers are getting more income from this sector,” Mushfiq told the media yesterday.

Mushfiq added that the forthcoming twoTest series against Australia will be a tough challenge for the Tigers but informed that it will be a good series for the home side if they can continue playing consistent cricket.

“Obviously Australia are always a good side in every format of the game and no matter how they are performing at the moment, they will always come hard against the opponent. And I think they have a very talented side. However, we also have a good mixture of youth and experience and I hope we can continue our consistent performance,” he said. l

Farashganj banned for two years, fined Tk5lakh n Shishir Hoque Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League side Farashganj SC have been suspended for two seasons after they refused to obey the referee’s decision and boycotted last Monday’s match against Sheikh Russel KC at Bangabandhu National Stadium.

The disciplinary committee of the Bangladesh Football Federation confirmed the decision last Tuesday.

The Old Dhaka outfit were also barred from taking part in the remainder of their league campaign.

The club were fined Tk5,00,000 and were asked to return the participation money of Tk1,300,000 to the federation. Farashganj football committee chairman Selim Khan and official Gazi Sarwar Babu were also handed show-cause notices.

Last Monday, the Farashganj-Sheikh Russel encounter barely lasted 14 minutes when the former protested a decision of referee Jashim Uddin. The club officials instructed their players to leave the pitch and were demanded not to return unless the referee changed his decision.

Sheikh Russel were declared the winner of the game by a 3-0 margin.

Such an event is the first in Bangladesh’s premier league history where a club refused to play after taking the field. The incident prompted Sheikh Russel head coach Maruful Haque to term the incident “unprofessional”, saying, “It’s very frustrating, unfortunate and unprofessional. It may only happen in amateur football. It can’t be expected in professional football. l

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

I won’t quit, says defiant Australian skipper Clarke n AFP, Sydney

QUICK BYTES Aussie Stosur captures 500th career singles win Australia’s Samantha Stosur, the 2011 US Open champion, won her 500th career singles match victory Tuesday, defeating France’s Kristina Mladenovic 6-2, 6-2 at the WTA and ATP Washington Open. The 31-year-old second seed from Brisbane needed only 64 minutes to improve to 4-0 against Mladenovic and book a second-round date with American Irina Falconi.

–AFP

Boateng set for Sporting Lisbon move Ghana international Kevin-Prince Boateng arrived in Portugal on Tuesday where he is set to sign a two-year deal with Sporting Lisbon, local media reported. The 28-year-old midfielder, who is also a German citizen and has played for Schalke 04 since 2013, did not make any comment as he was shown on television at Lisbon airport.

–AFP

Ex Cardiff boss Solskjaer in talks with Toronto Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in talks to become the manager of Major League Soccer outfit Toronto FC, the agent of the former Cardiff City boss has said. Asked by newspaper Dagbladet if Solskjaer was talking to the Canadian club, Jim Solbakken replied: “Yes.” He did not go into any further details about the negotiations.

–REUTERS

Gradel joins Bournemouth from Saint-Etienne Promoted Premier League side Bournemouth on Tuesday announced the signing of Ivory Coast forward Max-Alain Gradel from Saint-Etienne on a four-year contract. The deal sees Gradel, 27, return to a club where he previously spent two spells on loan during the 2007-08 season. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media reports said Bournemouth had agreed to pay a fee of around £7 million.

–AFP

‘I’d have stopped playing for Argentina if I was Messi’ Argentina coach Gerardo Martino has said that if he was Lionel Messi he would have stopped playing for the national team after receiving so much criticism. Messi again failed to bring home any silverware after Argentina lost the Copa America final to hosts Chile last month and it led to a torrent of abuse from fans and the media.

–REUTERS

Torres scores with first touch in Atletico win Fernando Torres scored with his first touch as Atletico Madrid cruised to a 3-0 exhibition match victory over Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Shanghai International Port Group in China on Tuesday. The former Liverpool and Chelsea striker came on at half-time and scored just seconds after the restart with a neat header from Yannick Carrasco’s looping cross. In an open and attacking game played in very humid conditions at Shanghai Stadium, Atletico had opened the scoring in the ninth minute.

–AFP

England captain Alastair Cook takes part in a practice session yesterday ahead of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, England today AFP

Inconsistent England eye Ashes glory n AFP, Nottingham England head into the fourth Test against Australia at Trent Bridge starting on Thursday knowing they are just one win away from recapturing the Ashes yet being equally aware they’ve yet to string back-to-back victories together in Tests in 2015.

Since drawing their series opener against the West Indies at Antigua in April, England’s next seven Tests have seen them alternate between winning and losing.

Indeed their eight-wicket win in the third Test at Edgbaston, which put England 2-1 up in the five-match Ashes series followed a defeat by the huge margin of 405 runs in the second Test at Lord’s.

England will also be without all-time leading wicket-taker James Anderson, who took an Ashes-best six for 47 at Edgbaston but was subsequently ruled out of the fourth Test with a side strain.

England would like to recall Durham quick Mark Wood, whose absence through injury

paved the way for Middlesex fast bowler Steven Finn to take a Test-best six for 79 on his return to the side at Edgbaston.

However, they will have to decide if he Wood is over the ankle trouble that forced him out at Edgbaston, with Liam Plunkett and uncapped Derbyshire left-armer Mark Footitt standing by. Australia left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson insisted Anderson’s absence would leave a huge hole in England’s attack.

For Australia, captain Michael Clarke is desperate to end a mediocre run of form. It is Adam Voges, averaging 14.60 this series, however, who is in greatest danger of being replaced by reserve batsman Shaun Marsh.

Meanwhile Nottinghamshire groundsman Steve Birks is under pressure too after last year’s Test pitch at Trent Bridge was officially classed as “poor” after a run-glut draw between England and India proved heart-breaking for any bowler above medium-pace.

But Broad said overhead conditions often held the key to the outcome of matches at Trent Bridge. l

Defiant and angry Australian captain Michael Clarke Wednesday vowed to keep playing after the Ashes series with England, with those suggesting he was finished talking “a complete load of rubbish”.

Pressure has been building on Clarke, who has a meagre Ashes series total of 94 runs in six innings at an average of under 19, with Australian media Tuesday saying he looked “lost” and knew the end was near.

But the 34-year-old, who has scored 28 Test centuries, said he was going nowhere, with the desire to play still burning strongly.

“The criticisms of my game at the moment are deserved and I wouldn’t expect anything different, especially as the captain of the team,” he said in a column for Sydney’s Daily Telegraph.

“But I’ve heard there have been a few articles questioning me for not having that hunger inside me. I think somebody said they could ‘see it in my eyes’ that I was finished after this series.

Clarke said: “People can certainly have a shot at me about my performance, but they can’t have a shot at me about my desire and my will to play this great game.

“To this day, I’m the first to training and the last to leave, so don’t tell me that I don’t have the desire and the hunger,” he said.

“I have no intention to walk away from cricket. Chris Rogers waited until 35 years of age to play his second Test. I’m 34 not 37 and I want to keep playing for Australia beyond this series, however I will be judged on performance like everyone else.”

He added: “To question me on my hunger kills me, it absolutely kills me, because I pride myself on trying to get better every single day. After 13 years in this team I still think I can improve.”l

Australia’s Michael Clarke plays a shot during a training session in Trent Bridge yesterday REUTERS

DT

28 Sport

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Bale scores as Real Madrid meet Bayern in Audi Cup final n AFP, Munich Gareth Bale scored against former club Tottenham Hotspur as Real Madrid won 2-0 on Tuesday to set up a final against Bayern Munich in the pre-season Audi Cup friendly tournament in Germany.

The Wales international was playing against Spurs for the first time since his £85.3m world record transfer to Madrid in September 2013.

The 26-year-old found the net on 79 minutes after James Rodriguez headed home the opener after 36 minutes at Munich’s Allianz Arena.

Last year’s tournament winners Bayern Munich later dominated AC Milan 3-0 to join the Spaniards in Wednesday’s final.

The win boosted Pep Guardiola’s Bayern side three days after their German Super Cup loss on penalities to Wolfsburg, the only title the Spaniard has failed to win since his arrival in Bavaria. Juan Bernat opened the scoring after 24 minutes for the hosts with the help of a Cristian Zapata deflection, but it was new signing Douglas Costa who was the man of the match until his substitution at the break.

Chilean Vidal - who arrived from Italian champions Juventus last week - almost scored twice with two thumping headers - the first hitting the crossbar on 36 minutes with the second just missing the target seven minutes later.

Despite dominating, Bayern had to wait until the 74th minute to get a second with Gotze scoring as Robert Lewandowski completed the scoreline five minutes from time with a powerful shot that left Diego Lopez with no chance in the Milan goal. Overrun by the Bundesliga champions, AC Milan will look to save face against Tottenham in the thirdplace play-off, also on Wednesday. l

RESULTS Real Madrid

2-0

Tottenham

Rodriguez 36, Bale 79

Bayern Munich Bernat 24, Goetze 74, Lewandowski 85

3-0

AC Milan

Ajax Amsterdam’s Dutch striker Anwar El Ghazi (2R) challenges Rapid Vienna’s Slovakian goalkeeper Jan Novota during their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round match at the Amsterdam Arena on Tuesday AFP

Ajax dumped out, Monaco through n AFP, Paris Four-time European champions Ajax have been eliminated at the third qualifying round stage of the Champions League after a humiliating 3-2 second-leg defeat to Rapid Vienna on Tuesday as Monaco advanced with a 4-0 win over Swiss side Young Boys.

After a 2-2 first-leg draw in the Austrian capital last week, Ajax were strong favourites to progress to the play-off round, but they suffered a torturous night at the Amsterdam Arena.

Frank de Boer’s men let a two-goal lead slip at the Ersnt-Happel Stadion last week and the visitors - seemingly buoyed by that comeback - started where they left off last week.

Rapid progress to the play-off round after a

5-4 aggregate victory.

Last season’s quarter-finalists Monaco are into the play-off round after a thumping 4-0 second-leg win over Swiss side Young Boys.

UCL QUALIFIERS Molde (NOR)

3-3

Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)

4-4 on aggregate. Dinamo win on away goals

Apoel Nicosie (CYP)

0-1

Midtjylland (DEN)

2-2 on aggregate. Apoel win on away goals

2-3

Ajax (NED)

Rapid Vienna (AUT)

Rapid win 5-4 on aggregate

Monaco (FRA)

4-0

Young Boys (SUI)

Monaco win 7-1 on aggregate

The Ligue 1 side - who reached the 2004 final where they were beaten by Portuguese giants Porto - were already 3-1 up from last week’s first leg in Bern and finished the job handsomely at the Stade Louis II thanks to a blistering second-half display.

Meanwhile, Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb survived a thrilling comeback by Norwegian side Molde to progress on away goals after a 3-3 second-leg draw.

Cypriot champions APOEL remain on course for a second successive appearance in the group stages despite a 1-0 second-leg loss to Danish champions FC Midtjylland. The Cypriots were beaten by Erik Sviatchenko’s early goal in Nicosia but progressed on away goals after a 2-1 first-leg success last week. l

Di Maria ‘delighted’ with PSG move n AFP, Paris

A handout picture made available by the Aspetar hospital on Tuesday shows Argentinian football player Angel Di Maria (L) taking a routine medical check at the Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Doha ahead of his transfer from Manchester United to Paris Saint-Germain AFP

Argentina winger Angel Di Maria said he is “delighted” to be joining French champions Paris-Saint Germain in an interview screened on BeIn Sports on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old has yet to officially sign for the Qatari-backed Parisians ahead of a move from Manchester United.

But in an interview with BeIn Sports, who are owned by the same Qatari Sports Investments group that includes PSG in its portfolio, Di Maria spoke of his joy at securing a move to the big-spending outfit.

“I’m delighted to sign for PSG because the club has done everything to bring me here,” said Di Maria, who passed a medical in Doha

on Tuesday.

“I’ll try to do my best, I’ll work hard to give my utmost and if everything goes well, we’ll win a lot of trophies.”

The former Real Madrid star said his goal was to bring more than just domestic glory to last year’s French treble-winners.

“My aim is to help Paris get past the Champions League quarter-finals.”

Di Maria’s arrival will be PSG’s biggest in the current off-season following those of German goalkeeper Kevin Trapp from Eintracht Frankfurt and French midfielder Benjamin Stambouli from Tottenham. The Argentine spent just one season at Manchester United, who have agreed a £44.3 million (63 million euros; $68.9 million dollars) fee with PSG. l

DT

Sport 29

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

US Open champ Cilic, Nishikori tested but win

‘Doping claims declaration of war’ n AFP, London

n AFP, Washington

Reigning US Open champion Marin Cilic and runner-up Kei Nishikori advanced to the third round of the ATP and WTA Washington Open in hard-fought matches that finished early Wednesday morning.

Japan’s fifth-ranked Nishikori rallied to beat Australian James Duckworth 6-7 (8/10), 6-1, 6-4 while Croatia’s eighth-ranked Cilic defeated 77th-ranked South Korean teen Chung Hyeon 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 in their first hardcourt appearances on the road to this year’s US Open.

“It wasn’t easy to put him away,” Cilic said.

“He’s a great counterpuncher.”

Cilic, the first reigning US Open champion to play in the US capital since Andre Agassi in 2000, and second seed Nishikori each had first round byes and saw their matches pushed into the wee hours by a rain delay.

“It gives me more confidence,” Cilic said of his Grand Slam title.

Next in Nishikori’s path will be the winner of a Wednesday match between Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer and Slovenia’s Blaz Rola.

The 25-year-old Asian number one, playing his first match since pulling out of Wimbledon in the second round with a calf injury, fought back after dropping a tense tie-breaker to seize command of the match.

In his first match since a Wimbledon quarter-final loss to eventual champion Novak Djokovic, Cilic surrendered a break in the seventh game but broke back in the eighth.

In the tie-breaker, Cilic jumped ahead 6-1, double faulted, then blasted a service winner to win the set after 53 minutes, taking all 18 of his first serve points in the set.l

Kei Nishikori of Japan plays a forehand against James Duckworth of Australia on Day 2 of the Citi Open at the Rock Creek Tennis Center in Washington, DC on Tuesday AFP

New doping claims against athletics are a “declaration of war” on the sport, British Olympic great and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) presidential candidate Sebastien Coe said on Wednesday.

“The fightback has to start here,” said Coe in a statement after the Sunday Times and German broadcaster ARD published evidence of hundreds of allegedly suspicious blood tests.

“It is a declaration of war on my sport.

There is nothing in our history of competence and integrity in drug-testing that warrants this kind of attack.”

Coe, a two-time Olympic gold medallist at 1,500 metres, is vying with former Ukrainian pole-vaulter Sergey Bubka to succeed Lamine Diack, the head of world governing body the IAAF, in an election on August 19.

The doping claims came to light following the leak of an IAAF database. It allegedly shows details of over 12,000 blood tests between 2001 and 2012 that revealed “extraordinary” levels of doping, with over 800 athletes producing suspicious blood tests. The IAAF dismissed the allegations on Tuesday as “sensationalist and confusing” and said the test results did not constitute concrete proof of doping.

While Coe, currently an IAAF vice-president, has attacked the claims, he accepts that some countries need to address longstanding concerns over doping practices.

“I don’t think anybody should underestimate the anger that is felt in our sport. We have led the way on this,” he told BBC Radio 4.

“To suggest that in some way we sit on our hands at best, and at worst are complicit in a cover-up, is not borne out by anything we have done in the last 15 years.”l

Van Gaal faces many questions as season looms n Reuters, London

Manchester United’s fourth place in last season’s Premier League was regarded as a qualified success but more importantly the launch pad to return the club to former glory.

A few weeks later, however, with uncertainty over the future of goalkeeper David de Gea, Angel di Maria’s expected sale to Paris St Germain rumbling on and worries about vir-

DAY’S WATCH Star Sports 1 4:00PM Australia tour of England (Ashes) 4th Test, Day 1

Star Sports 2 Pro Kabaddi League 2015 8:20PM Kolkata v Bengaluru 9:30PM Hyderabad v Patna

Star Sports 4 2:00AM International Champions Cup Citi Open Washington DC

tually every area of the pitch, United’s legions of fans still need convincing that things are moving in the right direction.

Chief among Van Gaal’s concerns will be goalkeeper De Gea, who is wanted by Real Madrid. The Spaniard appeared distracted when United lost 2-0 to PSG in a friendly last week. Then there are concerns about the physical condition of new signing Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich.

The German midfielder’s pedigree is beyond question but the 14 million pounds ($21.85 million) United paid for the 31-yearold will only represent a sound investment if they have signed the powerhouse he was at his peak - not the injury-plagued player whose influence was on the wane at Bayern.

Van Gaal showed faith in English defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones last season but neither were convincing.

With Robin van Persie gone, Van Gaal will hope Memphis Depay will form a potent strike partnership with talisman Wayne Rooney.

French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin was also signed from Southampton. But there is a feeling of more questions than answers as United go into a crucial opening period which begins at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday and continues with a vital Champions League qualifier the week after.l

Retaining title will be tougher for Chelsea, feels Mourinho n Reuters Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho feels it will be more difficult for his side to retain the Premier League title with the other contenders having made strong additions to their squads.

Chelsea won the title at a canter last season, finishing on 87 points, eight ahead of second-placed Manchester City.

“A year ago we got immediately Costa and Fabregas which was a quick reaction to the fact that we didn’t win the title,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.

“This year you can see from the reaction of Liverpool, Arsenal Man City, Man United.

“They’ve bought strong they’ve bought well. They are trying to make an impact because they couldn’t get the title.”

The 52-year-old Mourinho expects a close title race and low scoring season with smaller teams also attracting strong players.

“Maybe I am wrong but I have the idea that less points will win the title this season,” the Portuguese added. “Other teams are investing very well and this is not normal.”

Mourinho, currently in his second stint as manager with Chelsea, has won three Premier League titles, two League Cups, one FA Cup and one Community Shield with the London-based club. l

Giovani Dos Santos of the Los Angeles Galaxy holds up his new jersey at a press conference in Carson, California on Tuesday AFP

DT

30 DOWNTIME

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Punctuation marks (6) 6 Male sheep (3) 9 Sun-dried brick (5) 10 Deal with successfully (4) 11 Souvenir (5) 12 Copy (3) 13 Fate (6) 15 Examine (4) 18 Sport (4) 21 Glittering particles (6) 24 Gratuity (3) 25 Vestment (5) 28 Region (4) 29 Singer (5) 30 King (L) (3) 31 Hate intensely (6)

DOWN 1 Gem weight (5) 2 Lyric poem (3) 3 Lounges (5) 4 Kimono sash (3) 5 Part of the body (4) 6 Wander (4) 7 Call for aid (6) 8 Fitting (4) 14 Undermine (3) 16 Widespreading dominion (6) 17 Seaman (3) 19 Sheeplike (5) 20 Not concealed (5) 21 Heavenly body (4) 22 Summit (4) 23 Satisfy fully (4) 26 Encountered (3) 27 Long-leaved lettuce (3)

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

You have two letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares.

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

As you get the letters, fill in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

A B C D E FG H I J K L M N O P Q RST UVWXYZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU How to solve: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeating.

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

DT

SHOWTIME 31

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Swapnodal to observe Hiroshima Day staging anti-war play

CELEBS ON SOCIAL

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n Showtime Desk Like the previous occasions, theatre troupe Swapnodal has organised staging of an anti-war play to observe Hiroshima Day today. The play titled, Tringsha Shatabdee one of the most acclaimed productions of the troupe, will be staged today at the Experimental Theatre Hall of BSA at 7:00pm.

Adapted from the original script by Badal Sircar, the play has been directed by Zahid Repon.

Though the plot of the play is based on the effects of the atomic explosion of Hiroshima-Nagasaki, one of the darkest chapters of humanity, it also focused on Bangladesh’s liberation war and other global turmoil as well. The cast and crew of the play included Hasan Rezaul, Sonali Rahman Julee, Fazle Rabbi Sukorno, Rakib Hossaim, Samad Bhuiyan, Zebunnesa Alo and SM Tareq.

In addition, Zahid Repon has packed some punches against the contemporary brutal wars initiated by the United States

forces. And through a replicated military exercise he has depicted the nuclear activities of the global superpowers.

Hiroshima Day is observed around the world, recalling the United States’ dropping of the first atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The day is marked with special vigils and peace marches.

Organising special programmes on this day since 2002, the troupe took a firm stance against war and expressed their solidarity with war victims. l

Cumberbatch fans brush up on theatre etiquette before Hamlet n Showtime Desk Yesterday, after a year long wait, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Hamlet premiered at the Barbican, London. It was a show that was one of the most talked about theatre productions of all time. 100,000 tickets tickets that went on sale in August last year were sold out within a matter of minutes. Not only did Cumberbatch break theatre history he also propelled the increase of ticket prices in the black market right before the show premiered. Originally priced at £65, up until Tuesday, tickets sold for upto £1,500.

In the prelude to the theatre production, obsessive Cumberbatch fans took it upon themselves to brush up on their knowledge of Shakespeare as well as theatre etiquette.

Fans took to social media with earnest queries that ranged from what was the best way to camp for tickets to how to dress for the theatre.

As most of Cumberbatch’s fans were going to visit the theatre for the first time, there seemed to be a considerable amount of nervous excitement surrounding the event. “I think a fair percentage of attendees are first time theatre goers so they’re new to that and new to Shakespeare,” stated Naomi Roper, the main woman who runs Cumberbatchweb Twitter stream for over 100,000 fans. “People are definitely coming from all over the world to see it -Benedict’s fanbase is truly global,” she added.

Roper also mentioned that for 18 months fans had been reading up on Shakespeare and Hamlet along with watching previous versions of the film to help them understand the storyline well ahead of the show. She also had to maintain a constant question and answer stream with fans, aiding them solve problems ranging from where to charge their phones to where to go to eat after the show.

“Mostly they want to know about what they should wear -I think people were worried that there was some theatre dress code and didn’t want people being unkind to them or making them feel unwelcome,” she continued.

Sonia Friedman, the show’s producer, told the New York Times: “I hope that, for those that have never seen Shakespeare, it will be really rock-and-roll, and really exciting, and that they’ll understand that Shakespeare is as easy to understand as a television show or a blockbuster movie.”l

WHAT TO WATCH Parker HBO 7:08pm A thief with a unique code of professional ethics is double-crossed by his crew and left for dead.

Assuming a new disguise and forming an unlikely alliance with a woman on the inside, he looks to hijack the score of the crew’s latest heist.

Cast: Jason Statham, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Chiklis Mission Impossible III Zee Studio 9:30pm Agent Ethan Hunt comes into conflict with a dangerous and sadistic arms dealer who threatens his life and his fiancee in response.

Cast: Tom Cruise, Michelle Monaghan, Ving Rhames The Incredible Hulk Star Movies HD 9:30pm Bruce Banner, a scientist on the run from the US government must find a cure for the monster he emerges whenever he loses his temper.

However, Banner then must fight a soldier who unleashes himself as a stronger threat.

Cast: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth

DT

32 BACK PAGE

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

AIRFARES SET TO BECOME COSTLY PAGE 15

JUBILANT BANGLADESH OLYMPIANS RETURN HOME

PAGE 26

SWAPNODAL TO OBSERVE HIROSHIMA DAY PAGE 31

Mother finally holds bullet-hit Suraiya in her arms n Kamrul Hasan

National Eye Institute, who examined Suraiya and said her right eye had been injured badly and required Yesterday may have been the happiest another surgery. day in Nazma Begum’s life as she was “However, the baby is still not finally able to hold her baby daughter strong enough for the surgery. The Suraiya in her arms – 12 days after she specialists suggested continuing the was born. ongoing treatment,” Kaniz told the Nazma was taken to the Neonatal Dhaka Tribune.

Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Dhaka She said at the rate that Suraiya’s Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where condition is improving, it is likely that Suraiya has been undergoing treatment, the doctors will be able to perform the yesterday morning and was allowed surgery in two weeks’ time. to take her baby in her arms. She also Suraiya was hit by bullets while she nursed her child for a short while. was still in her mother’s womb when Nazma herself is undergoing treateight months pregnant Nazma was ment at the hospital. shot in the abdomen during a clash It was a happy day for her husband between two factions of Jubo League and Suraiya’s father Bachchu Bhuiyan as in Magura on July 23. well.

One of the bullets went through “Today is a good day. My wife was able the unborn baby’s right shoulder and to hold our baby for the first time. I saw another damaged her right eye. She tears in her eyes but she kept smiling. I was born after a three-hour caesarean know it was the best moment of her life,” section at Magura General Hospital.

Bachchu told the Dhaka Tribune.

As of yesterday, law enforcers have He said the family had received arrested at least six people in connecanother good news – their elder child and tion with the incident, including the son was recovering from the trauma he main accused Suman Sen. had suffered after watching his mother The clash was the result of the getting shot last month. “My brother tendency of recruiting criminals in told me our son had started to behave as local political groups, said Magura usual this morning.”

Although Nazma only held her daugh- Sixteen days after delivery, Najma Begum, who suffered bullet wounds in Magura while carrying her child in womb, gets to Superintendent of Police AKM Eksan Ullah. ter for the first time yesterday, she met hold her daughter Suraiya yesterday. The photo was taken at Dhaka Medical College Hospital He also said another main accused, her two days ago. Since Suraiya was still However, Kaniz said the medical board for Surai- Ajibor, might have fled to India, as police lost his in critical condition, doctors did not allow Nazma to condition is improving and all her reports are trace in Benapol. ya’s treatment was considering another surgery in showing progress. hold her then.

“We have found trace of another prime accused her bullet-hit right eye.

“She is recovering from jaundice and the chancDr Kaniz Hasina, associate professor at the named Ali and are taking preparations to arrest “In a meeting today [yesterday], the board has es of a blood infection is decreasing. We are hoping DMCH’s paediatric department who has been him,” the police official said. l decided to invite three specialist doctors from the she will make a fast recovery.” supervising Suraiya’s treatment, said the child’s

Government readying contingency TIB: Coaching centres are to blame plan for oil spills for question paper leaks n Abu Bakar Siddique Following two major oil spill incidents within the span of only six months, the government is finally taking a long-overdue initiative to formulate a national contingency plan for oil spills, the environment secretary has said.

The Ministry of Environment and Forest is now finalising the contingency plan by consulting with different stakeholders, Secretary Kamal Uddin Ahmed told a workshop at the city’s Cirdap auditorium yesterday.

Bangladesh was supposed to formulate such a plan in 2010 when it signed a MoU with India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to formulate a regional contingency plan. The other signatory countries have already formulated their national contingency plan.

In the absence of a guideline, there were two major oil spills: an oil tanker capsized in the Sundarbans’ Sela River in December last year and three rail wagons containing furnace oil derailed in Karnaphuli River this June. Both

incidents caused severe damage to the local biodiversity and ecology of the water bodies.

Regarding the long delayed response, the secretary said the government had forgotten about the issue after signing the MoU. “If we had taken the initiative at the right time, the damages from these two incidents could have been avoided,” he told the workshop organised by the ministry.

According to government figures, around 5,000 large water vessels including oil tankers and some 7,000 other small and medium water vessels operate on the country’s coast and the inside channels each year, releasing large amounts of oil in the water by both operational and accidental ways.

According to the 2010 MoU, Bangladesh is supposed to prepare a national contingency plan which will help the country get regional cooperation to tackle any oil spill disaster.

As per the document, the government has to select a designated authority which will be the focal point of the contingency plan. l

n Tribune Desk Coaching centres are to blame for leaks of public examination question papers, which has an impact of moral decadence and deterioration of quality of education in the nation.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has stressed the need for effective implementation and stricter laws relating to prevention of leakage of question papers.

Coaching centres played a leading role in the market by collecting questions and photocopy of test questions and creating a network of distribution to students and parents.

TIB pointed out that elementary education teachers, Secondary and Higher Secondary Education boards, BG press, district administration, test centres, relevant educational institutions/schools are involved directly and indirectly to coaching centres. Also, students, friends and guardians are also to blame for encouraging leakage of question papers.

The study also pointed out that students are

forced by teachers to take private tuition.

A research report was revealed which focuses on the formulation, printing and distribution of public examination questions such as PSC, JSC, SSC and HSC at the TIB office in Dhanmondi in the capital.

As many as thirty two participants along with teachers and students were interviewed by three researchers over a period of six months for a qualitative research methodology.

According to the research findings, the possible reasons of recurring question paper leakage are too many steps and long processes to formulate questions. Other contributing factors are inaction against those involved with leaking questions, moderators of coaching centres providing questions in the form of suggestions, etc. There is also government’s lack of action in the information sector about the monitoring and usage of internet technology.

The research was conducted by staff members of TIB Nihar Ronjon Rai, Nina Shamsun Nahar, and Rumana Sharmin. l

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