04 May, 2016

SECOND EDITION

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

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Boishakh 21, 1423, Rajab 26, 1437

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 12

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

Singapore-based militant squad uncovered 8 held in Singapore for questioning, 5 sent back and in Bangladeshi custody n Mohammad Jamil Khan Singapore’s Internal Security Department has detained 13 expatriate Bangladeshi workers for their alleged involvement with militant activities and plotting terror attacks, the second such detention in six months.

Of the arrestees, the Singaporean authorities have sent back five Bangladeshis but kept the others in custody for interrogation under the Singapore Internal Security Act (ISA), Monirul Islam, chief of Counter-terrorism and Transnational Crime unit of police, confirmed yesterday.

Monirul said the five suspected militants were picked up from different parts of the city yesterday.

A case was also filed against them with Rampura police.

The five are Mizanur Rahman Galib alias Galib Hasan, 38, of Brahmanbaria; Rana Miah Pilot, 29, of Bogra; Alamgir Hossain, 31, of Meherpur; Tanzimul Islam, 24, of Chandpur; and Masud Rana, 31 of Pabna.

They are all supporters of banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team that has claimed the murder of several teachers and secular activists since 2013, police sources said.

In a statement, the Singaporean Home Ministry has said that the

Target of enimies forces need to kill 1. Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) 2. Rapid Action Batalian (RAB) 3. Police 4. Civil Information Defence (CID) 5. Air Forces 6. Navy Forces 7. MP

Islam Shariful

Mamun Leakot Ali

Md Jabath Kysar Haje Norul Islam Sowdagar

Miah Rubel

Rahman Mizanur

Sohag Ibrahim

Sohel Hawlader Ismail Hawlader

Zzaman Daulat

8. Minister 9. Chairman 10. Government officer (General & Secretary level) 11. Leaders of Government Republic 12. Media Peoples 13. Disbelievers (Hindu, Christian, Buddhists, Nastiks, Munafiks etc.)

Eight of the detainees who are kept in Singapore for interrogation eight others were arrested in April this year. They formed a group named Islamic State in Bangladesh (ISB) and were collecting members since January.

The eight are Rahman Mizanur, 31, Mamun Liakot Ali, 29; Sohag Ibrahim, 27; Miah Rubel, 26; Uzaman Daulat, 34; Islam Shariful, 27; Md Jabath Kysar Haje Norul Islam

Sowdagar, 30; and Sohel Hawlader Ismail Hawlader, 29.

The statement says that Mizanur was an S-Pass holder while the seven others were Work Permit holders.

They were all employed in the local construction and marine sectors.

The authorities claim that these workers belonged to ISB set up by Mizanur in March this year. The

detainees informed the police that there were at least two other members of ISB in Bangladesh.

They reportedly intended to join international terrorist group Islamic State as foreign fighters.

However, finding it difficult to travel to Syria, they focused their plans instead on returning to Bangladesh and establish Shariah.

Four Kishoreganj razakars get death penalty n Ashif Islam Shaon

INSIDE

Four collaborators of the Pakistani Army have been sentenced to death while another to imprisonment until death for the crimes they had committed in Kishoreganj during the 1971 Liberation War. The three-member International Crimes Tribunal headed by Justice Anwarul Haque delivered the verdict yesterday. The convicts were found responsible for abductions, torture and killings to help the Pakistani occupation forces.

Of the death row convicts, only

Gazi Mannan

Nasir

Shamsuddin Ahmed, a lawyer from the district, was in the dock. His brother Captain (retd) Md Nasiruddin Ahmed, razakar commander Gazi Abdul Mannan and Hafiz Ud-

Samsuddin

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Kuwait might open doors for Bangladeshi professionals n Adil Sakhawat

sentences would be carried out after their arrest or surrender. It also asked the home secretary and the police chief to arrest the fugitive

Kuwait is likely to soon start welcoming expert workforce from Bangladesh, diplomatic sources have told the Dhaka Tribune.

The news came as Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah arrived in Dhaka on a three-day official visit.

A special aircraft carrying the

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Hafiz Uddin

din are still on the run.

Another absconder, Ajharul Islam, was sentenced to imprisonment until his natural death.

The tribunal ordered that the

The investigations found that ISB had identified several possible attack targets in Bangladesh.

A document titled “We Need for Jihad Fight” was recovered from Mizanur which contained a list of Bangladeshi government and military officials who could be targeted for attack. He also possessed

Azhar (life term)

Verdict on Nizami’s review tomorrow

5,000-1 Foxes complete miracle on grass

No good news for 90% Boro farmers

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court is set to deliver verdict on the review petition of condemned war criminal Motiur Rahman Nizami.  PAGE 3

Millions around the world watched in wonder as Leicester City completed arguably the greatest fairytale in sporting history by becoming English Premier League champions.  PAGE 25

Even though the government has significantly increased procurement targets for Boro paddy and rice this year, farmers are unhappy as the target is less than 10% of total production.  PAGE 32

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IGP: Cracked 90% militant cases n Mohammad Jamil Khan Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque yesterday claimed to have solved 90% cases filed over militant attacks since 2013.

A total of 37 militant attacks and murders were reported in Bangladesh since 2013. “Thirty-one of them are still being investigated.

A verdict has been delivered in one case and charges have been pressed in court in five others,” he told the media.

Replying to a query, he said police were capable of solving militant cases. “We unearthed motives in 33 cases and arrested 144 people.”

The IGP stressed that foreign militant groups did not exist in Bangladesh saying, “The government banned a number of militant groups but some of them are still active and carrying out sabotage, attacks and killings.”

Forty-nine of the suspects confessed to their crimes before court and said they were members of local groups, the police chief said adding that they arrested people after collecting hard evidence against them.

According to the police headquarters, two militant incidents were reported in 2013, 26 in 2015 and nine in the first four months of 2016.

Asked why the number of attacks was rising when police were successful in cracking cases, the IGP said local militants took inspiration from international groups and carried out the attacks.

“The situation is under control thanks to our various steps,” he said. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Singapore deports 5 documents on weapons and bomb making, as well as a significant amount of IS and al-Qaeda radical material which he used to recruit ISB members in Singapore.

The ISB members planned to recruit other Bangladeshi nationals working in Singapore to grow the group. The group had also raised funds to purchase firearms to carry out their planned terror attacks in Bangladesh. The money has since been seized.

The ISB poses a security concern to Singapore because of its support for IS and its readiness to resort to the use of violence overseas, the Singapore police said.

Mizanur said he would carry out an attack anywhere if he was in-

structed by IS to do so, though there are no specific indications that Singapore had as yet been selected as a target. Several of those detained may be liable for prosecution for terrorism financing, reads the Singapore Home Ministry statement.

The authorities, however, did not find the involvement of the five other Bangladeshis with the ISB, for which they were repatriated to Bangladesh. The statement reads that the Singapore government was strict about militancy and it would not allow any foreigner to practice any political agenda.

Monirul said that they kept an eye on the five Bangladeshi once they had been informed about the deportation.

He claimed that the five persons had no connection with any militant group. “We have come to know that they used to read the books of banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team chief Jashim Uddin Rahmani, and nothing else,” Monirul added.

“They are interested to know about Ansarullah’s activities and used to discuss the issue together.”

He also said that they had not got any evidence of their plans to conduct terror attacks in Bangladesh. “But we will interrogate them in custody,” he added.

The Singapore government earlier arrested 27 Bangladeshis, who reportedly supported IS and al-Qaeda, between November 16 and De-

cember 1 last year. All but one were deported to Bangladesh.

The DB police arrested them and investigated the allegations. Later they claimed that 14 of them had supported Ansarullah’s activities.

So the 12 others were released.

“We never found any evidence that any Bangladeshi directly joined the IS from this country,” Monirul said.

According to the DB police database, so far two dozens of Bangladeshis joined the IS in Syria and a couple of them have been killed during the war. The latest Bangladeshi killed in Syria is Mohammad Niaz Morshed, who hails from Hathazari of Chittagong. He completed MBA from Australia and later joined the IS. l

Kuwait might open doors for Bangladeshi Kuwaiti prime minister and members of his entourage landed at Shahjalal International Airport around 5pm yesterday.

Several bilateral deals are expected to be signed during the visit of this high-level delegation to Bangladesh.

Seeking anonymity, a senior official at the Bangladesh Embassy in Kuwait told the Dhaka Tribune that Kuwait is expected to start importing expert workforce from Bangladesh following this visit by the Kuwaiti premier.

Kuwait’s job market had been closed for Bangladeshis for around seven years until January 2014, when the country started taking in Bangladeshi blue collar workers in agriculture, cleaning and driving sectors.

However, if negotiations go through during the ongoing visit, Kuwait is likely to start inviting professional workforce like doctors and engineers.

According to an unofficial figure, around 200,000 Bangladeshi expatriates are currently living in Kuwait.

Optimism about a positive outcome from the visit was also expressed by the immediate-past Bangladeshi ambassador to Kuwait, Maj Gen (Retd) Mohammad Ashab Uddin.

“I met with Kuwait’s prime minister before leaving Kuwait [a few days ago]. I also requested him to take many professionals from Bangladesh besides the labour workforce,” he said.

According to Bangladesh Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training, a total 6,252 Bangladeshis have gone to Kuwait to work as of May 2 this year; for the entire last year the number was 17,472.

Bangladeshi expatriates in Kuwait remitted $254.85m in the first three months of this year; remittance for the entire 2015 was $1,052.55m.

The positive developments come at a time when Kuwait has reportedly stepped up its deportations of expatriate workers this year.

A newspaper in the Gulf emirate reported on Friday that most of the deported were expelled for overstaying their residency per-

mits, but others were sent home for committing traffic offences.

In the first four months of the year, authorities deported 14,400 expatriates, compared to 26,600 for the whole of 2015, Al Anba newspaper reported.

Expatriates make up some 70% of Kuwait’s 4.3 million population.

However, a number of Bangladeshi expatriates living in Kuwait told the Dhaka Tribune over phone that they were not at all affected by these deportations.

Habib Mintu, a Bangladeshi who works as a transport manager in Kuwait’s Shuwaikh city, said: “We have not yet heard such news regarding any Bangladeshi that I know.”

But he added that some Bangladeshis who had been living in Kuwait for a long time without residency permit were voluntarily leaving the country.

Labour counsellor of Bangladesh Embassy in Kuwait, Abdul Latif Khan, said: “The Bangladeshi expatriates who already left this country willingly are few in num-

ber who have to surrender to the local police to be deported.

“After they surrender, the Kuwait police contact us to make legal documents for them to deport them from Kuwait. Then after we process the documents, those Bangladeshis return to the country,” Latif said.

He also said there were some Bangladeshis living in Kuwait for 25 to 30 years. Many of them had earlier been arrested for living without residency permit or with an expired permit, but had been released to work again after the Bangladesh embassy negotiated with the Kuwait government and arranged new employers.

Another embassy official also told the Dhaka Tribune that everyday the embassy found two to three cases who had voluntarily surrendered to the police to come back to Bangladesh, while there were a couple of cases every month where Bangladeshi expatriates had to be deported for committing an offence. l

in many crimes during the war as a razakar member. Ajharul of Haidhankhali village of the same upazila also received madrasa education before joining the razakar force in Karimganj.

Gafur at Khudir Jungle Bridge in Karimganj upazila on September 26. Mannan got acquittal.

All the five accused got imprisonment until death on charge four that describes the abduction of Md Fazlul Rahman Master and his confinement to a bungalow used

by Peace Committee before being killed on August 23.

On the fifth charge, only Shamsuddin was given death penalty for killing Paresh Chandra Sarker at Ramnagar village of Karimganj on September 7.

Mannan was sentenced to life in prison until death for the abduction, torture and murder of Abu Bakar Siddique and Rupali from Purba Nabaid Kalipur village on August 25.

Mannan was also given five years’ imprisonment for torching 20-25 houses at Atkaparha village on September 15 during the war. l

Four Kishoreganj razakars get death penalty convicts, and seek the help of Interpol, if needed. “The death sentences will be executed by hanging or shooting, as the government decides.”

The convicts will now get a month to move an appeal before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

Local people, freedom fighters and family members of the victims expressed satisfaction after the verdict. They distributed sweets at different villages in Kishoreganj’s Karimganj where the razakars had committed crimes against humanity during the war.

The defence lawyers said that they would appeal against the verdict as they did not get justice. On the other hand, the prosecution said they were pleased with the judgement.

After the judges finished reading out the verdict, convict Sham-

suddin protested it from the dock saying: “False witness … false judgement ... Verdict came based on fake witnesses.” Four of his family members were present in the courtroom.

The tribunal’s investigation team started the probe against the five war criminals in June 2013 and completed it in November last year.

Police arrested Shamsuddin from Nandail of Mymensingh in November 27, 2014.

The tribunal took the seven charges into cognisance in May last year and indicted the accused in October. A total of 25 people testified as prosecution witnesses. The defence produced no witnesses to prove their innocence.

The tribunal kept the case for verdict on April 11.

Who are they?

Shamsuddin is a member of the

Kishoreganj District Bar Association. Born in 1956 at Karimganj upazila’s Madhyapara village, he joined the razakar force during the war but went into hiding after the independence.

Nasiruddin is the elder brother of Shamsuddin. He joined the razakar force after the duo had received training from razakar commander Gazi Abdul Mannan.

Nasir too went into hiding but joined the army after the independence. The army sent him to forced retirement in 2002 over ethical grounds.

Mannan of Karimganj’s Charpara became a razakar commander during the war and acted as the local organiser of the atrocities committed by the Pakistani occupation forces.

Hafiz of Karimganj’s Khudir Jungle, who received education at local madrasas, was involved

The sentences

On charge number 1, Shamsuddin, Nasiruddin and Mannan were sentenced to death and Ajharul and Mannan to imprisonment until death for the killing of eight people and wounding of another of Bidyanagar and Ayla villages of Kishoreganj’s Karimganj in November 1971.

Nasiruddin was given death sentence on the second charge – murder of Miah Hossain of Ayla Village on November 13.

Hafiz was awarded death penalty while Shamsuddin, Nasiruddin and Ajharul got life in prison for the abduction and murder of Md Abdul

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‘Fear to talk damaging spirit of Liberation War’ n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla Noted human rights activist Sultana Kamal yesterday said the spirit of the Liberation War was being damaged by Bangladeshis’ increasing fear of speaking freely.

She was speaking at a seminar titled “The State of Press Freedom in Bangladesh: Challenges and Way Forward” held at CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka.

“We cannot deny that people are afraid to talk. This is the reality.

Then comes the question: Why did we fight the Liberation War? One of the main goals of the war was freedom of expression, freedom of thought. If I have to live in fear, and fear to speak, the spirit of the Liberation War will be hampered,” she said.

Sultana said democracy and freedom were closely linked. “Both should be ensured to build a prosperous society.”

A former advisor to the caretaker government, Sultana said: “Government will not do everything. As citizens, we also have to be active to ensure our rights.”

AJM Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan, who presented the keynote paper, said section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology Act potentially restrained freedom of expression. “It should either be deleted or amended. If it is deleted, the Code of Criminal Procedure needs to be updated to deal with crimes committed using social media.

“It can be amended with the inclusion of clear definitions of the offences mentioned, and by assign-

Speakers adress a seminar marking World Press Freedom Day 2016, organised by ICS at Dhaka's Cirdap auditorium yesterday

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Users must become aware.”

Speakers discussed the uses and abuses of social media and hate speech disseminated online.

Saleem Samad, representative of Reporters Without Borders, said there should be no control or regulation in the social media.

Then Toufique Imrose Khalidi, editor-in-chief of bdnews24.com, referred to an untrue article shared on social media and asked the audience if this should be allowed to continue?

Khalidi said advertising interference was a barrier to freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

Although he said state surveillance of the media was understandable in the prevailing context, he said he opposes government control of the media.

He said when extremists create an extreme situation, the state has to interfere in some activities of some media, adding that, unfortunately, the state interferes when the state’s interests are hurt. l

ing punishments according to the magnitude of the crimes. And, the relevant court should be authorised to decide whether an accused will get bail or not.”

Noted journalist Syed Badrul Ahsan said differences between constructive and destructive criticism should be understood very well.

Mentioning section 57, interference by the ruling party and other issues as barriers to freedom of expression, he said: “Very often me-

dia houses impose self-censorship which is also harmful for freedom of expression.”

Sultana said: “Bangladesh is probably the only country in the world where there are two forces – pro-liberation and anti-liberation forces.”

Golam Rahman, the Information Commission chief, said: “Newspaper, radio and television are the mainstream media. The new challenge is social and new media.

“Who will control social media?

Shab-e-Meraj today

Verdict on Nizami’s review tomorrow

n UNB

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court is set to deliver verdict on the review petition of condemned war criminal Motiur Rahman Nizami.

A four-member bench led by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha fixed the date yesterday afternoon after holding a three-hourlong hearing on the petition filed by Nizami, the incumbent chief of Jamaat-e-Islami. The other members are Justice Nazmun Ara Sultana, Justice Syed AB Mahmud Husain and Justice Hasan Foez Siddique.

Nizami filed the petition on March 29 seeking acquittal. The International Crimes Tribunal issued his death warrant on March 15 after the Appellate Division of Supreme Court released its full verdict.

The war criminal was convicted in October 2014 by the tribunal for the atrocities he had committed during the 1971 Liberation War. He was found guilty of involvement in mass murders and rapes of Banga-

The holy Shab-e-Miraj will be observed in Bangladesh tonight with due religious fervour.

On Rajab 27 of the Arabic calender every year, the Muslims observe the Shab-e-Meraj, the night when Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) embarked on a special journey to meet Allah.

In the journey, the Prophet traveled on the “Buraq” to Heaven where Allah gave him some instructions to take back to the faithful regarding the details of prayers.

Different Islamic organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes, including milad mahfils, on the occasion.

The Muslim devotees offer special prayers throughout the night in mosques and homes, seeking blessings of Allah for the welfare of the entire nation and the entire Muslim Ummah. l

n Ashif Islam Shaon

lis in Pabna and massacre of intellectuals in Dhaka.

Nizami was the chief of Jamaat’s student’ wing Islami Chhatra Sangha, members of which formed al-Badr militia force. The tribunal verdict said that Nizami had civil superior responsibility in the commission of the offences as chief of both Chhatra Sangha and al-Badr in 1971.

Now, the review petition will be the last legal battle for the war criminal. If rejected, Nizami will have the chance to seek presidential pardon. If he does not receive it or opts to not seek clemency, the government will carry out the death sentence.

Former minister Nizami was also sentenced to death in the sensational 10-truck arms haul case.

Yesterday, Nizami’s counsel Khandaker Mahbub Hossain and Attorney General Mahbubey Alam presented arguments in the case from the two sides.

After the hearing, Mahbub, also an adviser to the BNP chairperson,

said he hoped that his client would be acquitted from the charges while the attorney general hoped that the review petition would be rejected.

Mahbub said that they had presented arguments against the three charges which earned Nizami death sentences. “We have said that the witness and evidences prosecution presented in favour of these charges are very weak. None can be awarded death sentences depending on those.”

He also alleged that there was inconsistencies in the testimonies of two witnesses given to the investigation officer and the tribunal.

“We hope that justice will be done … then the next generation will decide whether the trial was rightly conducted or not,” Mahbub said.

On the other hand, Mahbubey Alam said: “The defence counsels said that the witnesses were not trustworthy and Nizami cannot be charged with the killing of intellectuals in 1971.”

But Nizami had provoked his

al-Badr force to assassinate the intellectuals. “He wrote a book on al-Badr in 1971 which is another example of his provocation. The witnesses have told the tribunal that when his force was taking away a doctor, the members told his wife that Nizami ordered them to do so.

“The Appellate Division convicted Nizami rightly and there is no need to entertain his review petition. His counsels even did not argue against the charges which earned him life in prison, which means they only wanted his acquittal from the death, not other sentences,” the chief law officer of the country said.

Earlier, the government executed the death sentence of another Jamaat leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid for war crimes, especially the barbaric massacre of the intellectuals in the second week of December 1971 as a top al-Badr leader. Two other al-Badr leaders – Chowdhury Mueen Uddin and Syed Ashrafuzzaman – were given death sentence for the same charge. l

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

Two men found dead in Old Dhaka n Arifur Rahman Rabbi Police yesterday recovered the bodies of two men reported to have been murdered in the Chawkbazar area of Dhaka.

One of the deceased was identified as Jamil, 35, a plastic products trader. Chawkbazar police station OC Shamim-Ur-Rashid told the Dhaka Tribune: “Based on information, we went to the spot and recovered the body wrapped in polythene early yesterday.

His throat was slit.”

Police detained Jamil's wife Moushumi and two others named Aslam and Alamin due to their suspected involvement in the incident . The case is under investigation, added the OC. The OC also said Moushumi confessed to being involved in an extramarital affair with Aslam, a store manager in the area who often met Jamil for business purposes. She planned the murder with her

two associates who fed Jamil milk mixed with narcotics to sedate him before hacking him to death using sharp weapons. His body was then wrapped and hidden under the bed at the couple's home.

Jamil's brother in law, Anwar told reporters the couple were married seven years ago and had a five-year-old son, named Taj. They would often quarrel due to Moushumi's affair.

Meanwhile, after receiving information, Chawkbazar police Sub-Inspector Morshed Alam said they went to Mosque lane at Dhakeshwari Road in Palashi area, where Ataur Rahman lived alone and recovered his body around 2pm yesterday.

Ataur , 38, the sales representative of a medicine company, had marks on his neck and is suspected to have been strangled.

Both bodies have been sent to Mitford Hospital morgue for autopsies. l

'More budget needed for health of young population' n Abid Azad Speakers at the National Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) urged the government to allocate more budget for the health of the large number of young population in Bangladesh.

The three-day long conference started yesterday at the Bangla Academy in Dhaka, and will end on May 5.

The conference is jointly organised by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Embassy of Sweden, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

UNFPA Deputy Representative Iori Kato said: “The country now has a large number of young population who will play a vital role in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs). So the government should allocate more budget for the health of this young population.”

“We have shortage of manpower in the grass root level across the country. If we want

to reach a sufficient number of midwives, we need to recruit more people in this service,” said Mohammad Wahid Hossain, director general at Directorate General of Family Planning.

Session on the first day of the conference included a general overview of SRHR in Bangladesh, while the second day will highlight diversity in SRHR with topics such as adolescent health, child marriage, menstrual hygiene management and private sector involvement.

The final day of the conference will celebrate International Day of Midwife by focusing on midwife-led maternal and newborn health care, including family planning and other sexual and reproductive health care services.

The keynote speech was presented by UNICEF Health Section Chief Dr Lianne Kuppens, while the programme was attended by Health Ministry Secretary Syed Monjurul Islam, Education Ministry Additional Secretary AS Mahmud, and Martine van Hoogstraten, deputy head of Mission of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. l

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Ashraf relieved from parliament’s Defence Ministry charge n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam was relieved from the charge of parliament’s Defence Ministry.

A press release of parliament secretariat yesterday said that Law Minister Anisul Huq was assigned to his place. However, the press release did not mention any clarification of this sudden change.

On yesterday’s Order of the day Syed Ashraful Islam was supposed to place two bills –Defence Services Law Amendment Ordinance, 1978 and Defence (Supreme Command)

Ordinance, 1979 – in parliament.

But Law Minister Anisul Huq placed the bills and Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury asked Anisul Huq to place the bills in charge of the Defence Ministry in parliament.

Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam has been in charge of the Defence Ministry in parliament since the beginning of the 10th parliament.

Last year when Ashraf was relieved from the LGRD Ministry, there was huge discussion in the political arena and within one week he was given the Public Administration Ministry. l

Bangladesh Extra Muhuri Association holds a rally in front of the National Press Club yesterday demanding that they be included under the national pay scale SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Padma Bridge rail link project approved n Kayes Sohel The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) yesterday cleared Tk34,988.86 crore Padma Bridge Rail Link Project for setting up a rail communication between Dhaka and the southwestern region through the bridge.

The approval came at the Ecnec meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at the NEC conference room in the city.

The Bangladesh Railway is expected to complete the project by June 2022.

Of the total project cost, Tk10,239.81 crore will come from the state exchequer while

Tk24,749.05 crore as project assistance from the Chinese government.

The Padma Bridge Rail Link project has already been included in the list of Fast Track projects.

After the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said this railway network will connect Jessore and then Khulna, Benapole, and Mongla through Mawa and Bhanga.

According to the project summary, the total length of this new railway track will be 215.22 kilometers, including three kilometers double line on Dhaka-Gendaria section.

In reply to a question about the

44.24 km respectively alongside decreasing the travel time.

There will be four-lane roadway in the upper deck of the bridge while broad-gauge railway track would be set up in the lower deck of the bridge so that direct rail link could be set up from Jessore, Khulna, Benapole and Mongla.

Under the project, some 215.22 km broad gauge railway track including 169 km main line, 43.22 km loop and three km double track will be constructed.

Earlier, an agreement was signed between China Railway Group Limited (CREC) and Bangladesh Railway on January 28, 2015 for implementing the project. l

project cost, he said the land acquisition would be the main reason for pushing up the cost of the project.

“The land price is much higher in Bangladesh compared to countries like Thailand and Myanmar.”

The rail track will go through seven districts of Dhaka Division – Dhaka, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Faridpur and Gopalganj – and two districts of Khulna Division – Narail and Jessore.

The planning minister said the Padma Bridge Rail Link project would reduce the distance between Dhaka and Jessore, Dhaka and Khulna, and Dhaka and Darshana by 184.72 km, 212.05 km and

AUST teacher accused of sexually harassing students n Shadma Malik Students have raised allegations of sexual abuse against an assistant proctor of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST).

Mahfuzur Rashid Ferdous had been abusing his position and sexually harassing students for a very long time, the students claimed.

“Nobody complained against him out of fear,” first semester final year student Kazi Anshu said. “He threatens students with giving poor marks if they do not listen to him.”

There are seven departments at AUST and Rashid has influence over them, he said, noting that this

is why he had been going scot-free.

“We have evidence against him.

He sent indecent messages on WhatsApp to female students. We provided the evidence to the university authority,” said Rajit Chowdhury, final year student of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE).

A female student claimed Rashid had sent her vulgar images. She said she gave him a piece of her mind.

“There are several other female students whom Rashid sent his indecent images and asked them to follow suit. He invited female students to his Panthapath residence where he lived alone sometime,” said EEE

TEMPERATURE FOREC AST FOR TODAY

THUNDERSHOWER WITH RAIN WEDNESDAY, MAY 4

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DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 6:29PM

EEE head Prof Abdur Rahman Mollah who contacted the VC. “We are investigating the allegations,” the VC said. “We gave him a good position as we were impressed by his work... We will take actions as per the investigation committee’s recommendation.”

Mauli Azad, Senior Assistant Secretary (legal) of University Grants Commission told the Dhaka Tribune that the Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers’ Association was looking into the issue as well.

Former AUST student Rashid became a lecturer in 2001. He married his former student Lubaba Bashar Momy, who also teaches at AUST. l

student Fahmida Rumjhum.

Rashid, an EEE teacher, was suspended for 30 days on April 30.

He could not be reached for comments.

Students have been demonstrating in front of university’s Tejgaon campus in Dhaka since Saturday, demanding his punishment. They have decided to boycott academic activities until he is dismissed.

Vice-Chancellor AMM Shafiullah told the Dhaka Tribune: “When we received evidence against Rashid, we called him and sought explanation. He rejected the allegations.

Then, we decided to suspend him.”

The victims initially approached 39

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YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:22AM

36.6ºC Jessore

19.0ºC Srimangal

Source: Accuweather/UNB

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PRAYER TIMES

DEACTIVATING SIMS

Operators yet to receive govt directives n Ishtiaq Husain Mobile operators say they have not received government directives to temporarily block SIM cards that are yet to be re-registered in the biometric verification process.

A senior official of a private mobile operator, seeking anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune that they were not taking any steps as asked

by State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim.

She had announced extending re-registration time until May 31, saying all unregistered SIMs would be completely blocked afterwards.

She also asked operators to randomly block unregistered SIMs for three hours until they are re-registered and asked them to submit a list of SIMs they had temporarily turned off to the BTRC by May 2.

No operator has executed the directive claiming that it will harass the subscribers.

Tarana said 1.5 million SIMs belonging to people with disabilities would not be deactivated.

A mobile company official said the BRTA did not send instructions until yesterday. “So, why will we take initiatives to execute the decision following an oral instruction!”

Secretary General of Association of Mobile Telecommunication Operators of Bangladesh TIM Nurul Kabir declined to comment. l Sylhet

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Fajr: 4:55am | Zohr: 1:15pm Asr: 5:00pm | Magrib: 6:34pm Esha: 8:30pm Source: Islamic Foundation

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News

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

Worries haunt Nilkhet vendors n Nure Alam Durjoy Due to their forthcoming eviction from Nilkhet Bakushah Hawkers Market, vendors are troubled about where to conduct business.

Located beside the Dhaka University campus area, Nilkhet, is a strong hub for purchasing different types of pirated and original academic as well as non-academic books.

Bakushah Hawkers Market is going to be developed into a 20-storey building In the area that is comprised of eight to 10 markets.

Proprietor of NH Computer, Md Arif said his family’s livelihood depends on his shop and he does not know what the future holds since he has been told to move out from the space. Arif made his living by providing photocopy and printing services for four years.

On a visit to Nilkhet Bakushah market yesterday, it was found that many of the shops are being vacated due to the upcoming eviction. Books, computers, photocopy machines and other items were seen being shifted to nearby roadsides.

“It would be great if they gave us until Eid, but we had to evacuate,” said Md Babul, owner of a food shop at the market. “We do not know where to go now as there is no guarantee when construction will be complete.”

The financially capable are already renting new spaces at nearby markets in Nilkhet, said the vendors.

“We have leased areas a few me-

Labourers are seen dismantling shops of Bakushah Hawkers Market which is going to be developed into a 20-storey building soon. The photo was taken on Monday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

tres ahead from here. Those who own large businesses are renting on the other side of Nilkhet while small business owners are shifting to residential areas,” said Shahjahan, a proprietor of Shahana Prokashani at

Juba League leader murdered, 4 arrested n Our Correspondent, Natore

A Juba League leader was murdered in the Easinpur area of Natore Sadar upazila in Natore yesterday.

Sadar police forces have recovered the body of the deceased, identified as Abdur Razzak Bapari, 32, son of Abdul Matin Bapari of Tebaria village of Sadar upazila in Natore.

Police have also made 4 arrests for interrogation and the arrestees’ suspected involvement in the murder. The arrested were identified as Nadim Hossein, 29, son of Roisuddin of Easinpur-Ramnagar; Shamser Ali, 30, son of Mandar Ali of Easinpur; Mithun Ali, 31, son of Ali Sarker of the same village, and Motaleb Hossein, 28, son of Moksed Ali of Dhulauri of Sadar upazila. No case has been lodged so far.

SI Amirul Islam of Sadar police

station said that locals informed the police about a dead body beside Easinpur rail station signal room early Tuesday. Upon receiving information, police recovered and sent the dead body to Natore Sadar hospital for autopsy. Later, police arrested four youths suspecting involvement in the murder. Police suspect that the miscreants may have murdered Razzak due to some business feud.

Local resident Sajedur Rahman said that Razzak was running his fish business, along with a guava orchard.

Malek Sheikh, joint secretary of district AL confirmed Razzak as a Juba League leader.

Mizanur Rahman, OC of Sadar police station said they saw wound marks on the back of the victim’s head, and some marks on the body believed to have been made using iron rods. l

700 were to be evacuated.

“The vendors began to evacuate their spaces from yesterday. We have warned them to leave several times. The construction work will start soon,” Majid said. l

Nilkhet Bakushah Market.

Daud Ullahil Majid, secretary of Bakushah Hawkers Market Somobay Somiti Ltd, said: “We have an agreement with the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha that they

will finish construction within four and a half years. If not, payment will be provided for each shop after the time frame” There were 1,138 shops in Bakushah Market alone, out of which

3 sued over attack on journos n Our Correspondent, Feni

2 identified involved in RU teacher murder

A case was filed with Feni Model police station yesterday accusing three persons in connection with the attack on four journalists in the district on Monday.

Sources said Sheikh Uddin Akter, general secretary of Feni Press Club, filed the case accusing Somoy TV’s Feni bureau chief Bokhtearul Islam Munna, Masranga TV correspondent Zamir Baig and district correspondent of Ekushey TV Mostofa Kamal Bulbul.

According to the sources, miscreants hacked four journalists, including Feni press club president and also private TV channel Banglavision’s correspondent Rafiqul Islam, after storming into the press club at night.

Press club member Sheikh Farid Uddin said a gang of miscreants stormed into the club around 8pm and hacked four journalists. l

n BSS

Police identified two persons involved in the killing of Rajshahi University Professor AFM Rezaul Karim Siddiquee on April 23.

According to the police sources, one of them was identified as Sariful Islam of Department of English of RU. However, identity of the other was not revealed as it could hamper arrest attempts.

Sardar Tamij Uddin, Additional Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, told the local journalists that no personal motive behind the murder has been established yet. Police are certain that a terrorist organisation executed the killing due to ideological reasons.

Police believe the two had links with terrorist groups and had a hand in the murder of the professor.

Meanwhile, so far, five people

have been arrested in these connections with the murder. Sariful Islam’s father and brother are among those detained by the police.

The names of the two were revealed during interrogation by those detained earlier, police said.

Interrogation of the arrestees could help police establish the motive and the identity of the group involved in the murder, police officials believe.

Meanwhile, a court granted police a four-day remand for a madrasa student and an Imam who were arrested earlier.

Police Inspector of Court Abu Hasan, said that the two were produced before the court on Thursday seeking a seven-day remand for interrogation.

Hearing the plea on Monday, the court granted four-day remand, he added. l

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Failing to get tender, MP’s brother vandalises government office Correspondent, n Our Netrakona

A ruling party man and also brother of Lawmaker Chobi Biswas yesterday vandalised a Project Implementation Office under Disaster Management Department located at Kamlkanda upazila, Netrokona.

Sources of the Disaster Management Department said the ruling party men also assaulted assistant officer of the project Mizanur Rahman as he tried to put up resistance against them.

Local sources said Sujon Biswas, brother of the MP, committed the

crime as he did not win tender bid floated for the construction works of five bridges in the locality.

The sources said Disaster Management Department has recently called a tender bid for the construction work of five bridges involving Tk2 crore.

On April 28, four persons from Netrokona sadar and one from Kamalkanda won the tender bid and got the work.

Since then, Chandon Biswas, president of Kamalakanda upzila unit Awami League and Sujon Biswas have been pressuring Project Implementation Officer Md Asaduzzaman to give the work to

the influential quarter, said the sources.

On Monday, Sujon Biswas along with his musclemen came to the office and asked him to give the tender of the construction work to them.

As Asaduzzaman refused the proposal again, he at one stage became furious and started vandalising the office. Later, he along with his cohorts beat up one officials brutally.

On receiving information, police went to the spot and brought the situation under control.

They also arrested two Jubo League activists from the spot. The

Five die as bus collides with human haulier in Chakaria n Abdul Aziz, Cox’s Bazar Five people, including a woman and a teenage girl, were killed and seven others injured in a head-on collision between a bus and a human haulier on the Cox’s Bazar-Chittagong Highway at Fasia, Chakaria upazila, Cox’s Bazar yesterday morning.

The deceased are Tareq Mia, 16, son of Mohammad, Nurun Nahar, 50, wife of Bahadur Alam of Ringbong area, her daughter Ayesha Begum, 14, Ahadul Karim, 18, son of Sabbir Ahmed, and Abu Sayeed, son of Mia Azam, a resident of Ali Akbar Dail area un-

der Kutubdia upzila.

Officer-in-Charge of Chakoria highway police outpost Sub-Inspector Anwar Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune that a Cox’s Bazar-bound bus of ‘Unique Paribahan’ had collided head-on with a Chakaria-bound human haulier, locally known as Chander Gari, on the highway around 11:30am, leaving four people dead on the spot.

Later, Nurun Nahar died after she was taken to Chakaria Upzila Health Complex.

Sub-Inspector Anwar Hossain said: “Being informed police went to the spot and recovered the bodies as well

as rescued the injured persons and sent them to hospital.

All of the deceased were passengers of the human haulier.”

Residential Medical Officer of Chakoria Upazila Health Complex Mohammad Saber told the Dhaka Tribune that of the injured five people had been referred to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital as their conditions deteriorated.

Earlier, two personnel of Bangladesh Army were killed and two others were injured in a road accident in Chakaria upazila on Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar Highway on October 5, last year. l

Two lifters held with eight laptops in Chittagong Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong Detective Branch (DB) of Chittagong Metropolitan police (CMP) in a drive arrested two lifters in possession with eight stolen laptops and 15 mobile phone sets from Bakalia area of Chittagong city early yesterday.

Uzzal, 35, alias Hatkata Jahangir and Osman Gani, alias Yaba Gani, 38, are the active members of Hamka Group, a gang involved in mugging and stealing in the port city, DB sources said.

Jahangir is accused in four cases while Osman is accused

in three cases filed with different police stations of the city.

“Being tipped off, a team of DB police led by Additional Deputy Commissioner AAM Humayun Kabir conducted drive in Kalamia Bazar area on Monday night and detained the two lifters”, said Deputy Commissioner of DB Moktar Hossen.

Acting on their confessions, police conducted another drive in city’s Jalsha Market under Kotwali police station and recovered eight stolen laptops, 15 stolen mobile phones and two tabs, added the DC.

During the drive, the cohorts of Hatkata Jahangir, including the shop owners and employees, managed to flee the scene sensing the presence of DB, DC Mokter.

A case was filed with Bakalia police station.

Meanwhile, DB personnel also arrested two persons in possession with seven Bangladeshi passports from city’s Katalganj area under Panchlaish police station in the early hours of the day.

The arrestees were identified as Donendra Barua, 55, of Raozan upazila and Sakib Hossen, 22, a resident of Chittagong University (CU) area. l

arrested are Awal and Uttam. But Sujon has remained traceless since the incident.

Md Asaduzzaman said they were still panicked as Sujon and his cohorts would swoop on them anytime.

Upzilla Nirbahi Officer of Kamalakanda Md Saifuzzaman told the Dhaka Tribune that they had already informed deputy commissioner about the matter.

Officer-in-Charge of Kamalakanda police station Mahbubul Alam told the Dhaka Tribune that police were trying to arrest Sujon Biswas.

After the incidents, third and fourth class employees of several

government offices went on work abstention and staged demonstration against the vandalism and assault.

Yesterday morning, the workers formed a human chain in the distrcit town protesting the incident.

Workers’ leader Judge Miah presided over the programme where the speakers demanded the exemplary punishment of Sujon and his cohorts.

Chobi Biswas said he had ordered the law enforcers to investigate the matter. He said the law enforcers should take measures against the people who were responsible for the attack. l

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Feature

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

‘As Bangladeshis, we have multiple identities’ Sara Hossain: An active voice for justice

n Shuprova Tasneem Sara Hossain is a lawyer in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and honorary executive director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST). This year, she was given the International Women of Courage Award in recognition of her leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment. We speak to Hossain about BLAST’s work with the Rana Plaza tragedy and greater trends in human rights law.

Post-Rana Plaza tragedy, have there been positive steps in making firms more accountable?

In terms of change in the industry, positive steps have been taken including setting up the Rana Plaza Trust Fund which put money in the hands of victims.

Internationally, there are still efforts to get compensation from some brands and from the companies that did compliance audits to ensure accountability.

In Bangladesh, the High Court has frozen accounts of the factory owners and the building owner, and is also holding the property itself. These are important and unusual steps that can contribute funds for compensation. There is also the question of who authorised the building itself, and approved the safety plans, Rajuk or the Savar authorities, and it’s important to know what the government position on this will be.

We have a strong building law and a national building code, but unfortunately it is taking years to set up the national building authority who will actually enforce this code. So honestly if there was another Rana Plaza tomorrow, we’d more or less be in the same position in terms of not knowing who failed to ensure building safety. In terms of dealing with safety and other infrastructure, measures have been taken, new inspectors are to be recruited for example, but there are urgent outstanding issues.

It’s important to recognise that a lot of what has happened is because of the globalised nature of the industry. This includes positive developments, such as companies being held to account by international consumer conscience, and therefore by the market. The rights of workers in other sectors – purely domestically regulated - are recognised far less than in this one.

Do you think the Suppression of Violence against Women and Children Act 2000, has been

effective in upholding women’s rights?

This law recognises various forms of violence acid attacks, rape, custodial rape, trafficking, among others and resulted from the women’s movement’s activism.

It reflected a recognition that the legal system wasn’t functioning properly due to delays, and complex processes. It dealt with a lot of procedural issues and enables quicker trial and also provides protection to victims to varying degrees. The Government has also brought in important institutional changes such as the one-stop crisis centre, policerun victim support centres, and the national hotline on violence against women (anyone can call 10921 – 24 hours a day). The women’s movement also played a crucial role in bringing about the Domestic Violence Act 2010, which criminalises domestic abuse and is a big step forward in ensuring women’s and children’s rights in the family.

There is obviously strong political commitment at the highest levels to dealing with violence against women, but it doesn’t necessarily translate further down the line in the absence of enabling conditions. For example almost 80-90% of cases at BLAST involve women in family disputes and include violence, but women tend to come to us for maintenance claims to survive, not for punishment or protection.

Unless there is an extreme form of violence, people tend to push it to the back and focus on getting on with their lives.

Part of the reason is social, but because there is not sufficient state protection involved, the social taboos remains intact. The law has set out these excellent progressive measures, but how do you reach a shelter from a remote area? How do you ensure the police cooperate in every case?

How does a woman survive and provide for her children without greater social security? There are measures in place, but more needs to be done to ensure a holistic response, making it possible for women to not just seek but secure justice.

Too often we will hear - “should you really end a marriage because of such an incident?” or “the man is so nice and has a brilliant career. How can she leave?” This is embedded right across our society - social attitudes on marriage, family, career prospects and most importantly, the ‘shame’ and stigma ascribed to women facing abuse, coupled with lack of economic alternatives, means that many women can’t

strands in our society who fight against that. As far as the law goes, I think we should be clear that the criminalisation you are talking about is a colonial legacy, from before the constitution, and not something that we have decided upon after independence.

Photo: Courtesy determine their own fate.

The cases that are filed also tend to go on for so long that it becomes very difficult to stay the course without proper support.

Is child marriage another issue where the law is being modified due to social pressure?

Whatever’s happening with the debate still raging around the minimum age, 16 or 18, there is already a strong political message out there - child marriage is being seen as a wrong, and the law is starting to be enforced, people are being arrested for being involved. Obviously this hasn’t been enough and shouldn’t be the only approach; we need to provide incentives in education and employment opportunities as alternatives to marriage for young girls. We also need to have more open conversations about women’s safety and sexuality, and focus on the issues centering around consent. Many people fear that if their daughters aren’t married, they will be raped or assaulted on the way to school/ college, although the reality is that once she is married, if it is without her consent and she is in fact below the age of consent, then she will be raped on the marriage bed instead, but we don’t think that’s a problem so long as there is a blue marriage paper in between. This mindset has to change.

Do you think South Asia is ready

to decriminalise LGBT rights?

How do you think other minorities fare in Bangladesh?

This is less a discussion about law and more a discussion about lives as they are lived. I certainly think that all across South Asia, there are thousands of people who are not heterosexual, live with their families/friends and are accepted by them. But it is difficult for them to be public because of the law that criminalises homosexuality.

What’s interesting is that this isn’t even an indigenous law, but a colonial legacy and that too of Victorian England, which had strict rules of sexual behaviour and didn’t even allow women to divorce if they were abused.

When I first started my career, in the late 80s/early 90s, the big battles were about the kind of government we should have and military rule. There are still of course very strong debates on democracy and its forms, but in the last 20 years, a change that we have seen is that all kinds of identities have been expressed in Bangladesh, and there is a critical space to talk about these issues, whether it is the rights of indigenous people or people with disabilities.

As Bangladeshis, we have multiple identities and there is a tradition of acceptance in our part of the world - we have multiple religions, ethnicities, languages and abilities, and multiple identities in terms of how we live our lives. There are

How do we deal with the gender gap in the legal profession?

It’s worrying that while many women are qualifying in law schools and universities, there is a terrible dropout rate. Women often don’t survive in the profession because of the unfriendly working hours and difficulties in having a work/family balance. Because women are still perceived traditionally as caregivers and homemakers, the burden falls disproportionately on them. To change it, we need to have a more disciplined court environment, efficient processes in chamber practices, and concentrated efforts in dealing with harassment at work.

More importantly, we need men to take up some of these burdens also.

Women are now easily included in the labour force, but men have not been incorporated into responsibilities of the home to the same extent. Until that happens, you have to be a superwoman who does everything – juggles family, children, work, social life, social commitments. Women from our parents’ generation did it – I would prefer a different less exhausting approach.

Are you worried that certain human rights are being sacrificed in the name of greater security and development?

I think the best thing on this issue was said recently by Sultana Kamal - “‘what is the point of development if we do not have safety and security?”

The things that are happening now are making us question the assumption that economic development will make everything better. It’s quite obvious we have to fight for the rule of law as well.

People are struggling to establish their rights, identities and entitlements and are increasingly conscious of them. But we are also in an environment where people are stopped from speaking out of fear.

Fear of terrorists and extremists of course, but also fear rising from how political authorities respond.

The extreme conflict between different political beliefs, and the threats by extremists, alongside the increasingly repressive attitude by people in power to any form of critique or dissent are the biggest obstacles to furthering people’s rights. l

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Hanging by a thread The impending death of the pool scene in Bangladesh

Photo: Bigstock

n SK Farhan Rahman For most, not too long ago, there were solid years spent at a pool club, playing a game or two, while hanging out with friends.

The pool scene in Bangladesh suddenly burst into our lives during the early years of this decade, and sadly, seems to have lost most of its charm today. The obsession with the game has disappeared. Ironically, kids in Bangladesh still play pool, just on their smartphones now.

While it isn’t completely at a standstill, the interest in pool clubs seems to be wavering a lot.

The industry is almost at the brink of death. Here’s an insight into the current situation of the pool or billiards scene in Bangladesh, and why it is failing rapidly.

Mentality It’s no surprise that once something becomes popular, everyone follows suit to stay on par with the new trend. Pool clubs in Bangladesh faced the same fate, it was once known to only a certain part of the urban population. Since it gained widespread popularity

in Bangladesh, people started coming in, all sorts of people.

The problem being, there are times when certain parts of the population don’t mix, they just cannot get along with one another. Since mentalities never seemed to match, the more sensible minded players just stopped visiting these clubs, and just stopped playing pool.

Gambling Once the popularity of pool clubs reached its peak, it started to draw attention from unwanted people. These people being heavy gamblers, literally scared most of the customers away. All these wannabe hustlers try to bet big on each and every game they play, and tend to get rough once they are owed money. Unwanted attention seems to have made people edgier. After all, who wants to lose money and get threatened for their lives when all they actually wanted was to relax and have fun with their friends?

Entertainment For most, playing pool is a way out, a chance to pause the hectic city life, and just have

fun. Pool clubs are supposed to be a form of entertainment, and entertainment only. Quite miserably though, the wrong kind of crowds got involved with pool clubs that sparked numerous illicit activities like smoking and drinking. Bringing these into the mix automatically restricts playtime for school going teenagers, who are of course, underage. These teens were once a huge source of income for the pool clubs. And as soon as alcohol was brought into the mix, most of the teenage craze simmered down.

Advertising For strange and unknown reasons, all pool clubs in Bangladesh have opted to be inconspicuous. Not only do they not advertise, most are located in places where no one would think to look twice, let alone figure out what the place actually was. Most have very small signboards above them that are barely noticeable. Apart from being discreet about their location, pool clubs never seem to advertise on social media or any physical sources. For some bizarre reason, owners are happy with the

business they are getting. Lack of advertising is bound to affect the business; maybe pool clubs just don’t want to draw unwanted attention. Perhaps that’s the reason for all the cloak and dagger.

Location In the capital, certain pool zones will have you believe that the industry is still thriving, albeit in certain locations. pool clubs in Dhanmondi, Gulshan, and Banani generally seem to generate a lot of good buzz, and are always full.

You’d be hard pressed to find a free table there on weekends.

What these pool clubs have over all the rest are the people, the players themselves. Unlike the rest, players in certain locations tend to gel quite easily, and usually find it easier to make new friends to socialise and play with.

Misinterpretation Even though many teens may crave the occasional cue ball, the restrictions imposed by their families turn out to be problematic. Most parents think that pool clubs are generally portrayed as a place of addiction.

While this may be true in some

cases, most pool clubs are usually family friendly. Yes, pool zones may become smoking zones at times, but are never a hub for illegal substances.

Alternatives Let’s face it, the main reason for people visiting pool clubs in the first place was to hang out with friends; playing pool just was an added bonus. Today however, there are ample places to hang with friends, with sheesha lounges being the first to come to mind. That, coupled with cheap restaurants have seriously hurt the pool scene in Bangladesh.

Lack of awareness In the Bangladeshi perspective at least, pool is yet to be classified as a professional sport. Most people see it as a form of leisure, a way to pass the time. Rarely are there tournaments held to promote the players, and even if they are, they lack proper marketing and advertising. This undoubtedly hurts the pool industry in Bangladesh a lot. If people are not properly aware of its existence, how are they expected to participate? l

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Editorial 11

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

INSIDE

Secularism is a Bangladeshi trait Lest we ever forget, it was our undying commitment to secular culture that underlined the Language Movement PAGE 12

A Syrian issue in an American election Does this mean that the Americans should have intervened earlier and more forcefully in Syria? Not necessarily PAGE 13

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Invest to climb the RMG value chain

A

Let’s talk about dope This culture isn’t gender or age-specific.

Being able to score and grind and roll a joint is a skill as common as typing PAGE 14

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/ DhakaTribune.

The views expressed in Opinion articles are those of the authors alone. They do not purport to be the official view of Dhaka Tribune or its publisher.

new World Bank study “Stitches to Riches?” reports the Bangladesh RMG sector is well poised to take advantage of rising production costs in China.

With more and more Chinese companies planning to offshore manufacturing as labour costs rise, the report highlights Bangladesh as an attractive location with huge potential to grow new export jobs.

China has by far the biggest market share of the global apparel trade: 41% compared to Bangladesh’s 6.4%. If even only a small proportion of its garment manufacturers increase sourcing from Bangladesh, this can put the Bangladesh garment sector well on its way to achieving its goal of doubling exports to $50 billion by 2021.

The study rightly highlights the need to invest in better compliance and higher productivity factories to help drive a virtuous cycle of more orders and growing FDI. As sustainability and environmental issues become ever more integral requirements for global consumers, Bangladesh’s manufacturers need to invest for the future and move up the value chain.

It is encouraging to see Bangladeshi denim manufacturers lead the way in innovation by directly investing in the design and development of new products.

As can be seen by the interest shown by leading buyers at last week’s Bangladesh Denim Expo, this is helping producers attract new orders through offerings of their own new designs. It is also benefiting buyers by spreading research and development costs and providing new pathways to innovation.

The denim sector has shown foresight by investing in eco-friendly technology to cut water usage and produce more sustainable denim, with at least 28 factories certified by the US Green Building Council and another 120 already registered for setting up apparel units.

The wider garment industry should emulate the innovation being shown by denim manufacturers to create better, more secure long-term jobs.

Bangladesh is well placed to benefit from Chinese companies outsourcing manufacturing

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

Secularism is a Bangladeshi trait Our nation has a storied history of tolerance and diversity

It was our undying commitment to secular values that led to the nation’s birth

Lest we ever forget, it was our undying commitment to secular culture that underlined the Language Movement

n Ibtisam Ahmed

T

here is a door in Ahsan Manzil that is carved with the utmost love and intricacy that embodies a culture rich in its diversity.

Commissioned by a Muslim nawab and created by Hindu artisans, it has panels depicting Jesus, Buddha, Durga, and Krishna -surrounded by both Arabic and Bengali calligraphy, and once serving as the entrance for British

imperial officials wishing to speak with Dhaka’s ruler.

That door single-handedly represents the heart and soul of what our identity is. We are a region that draws inspiration from a variety of faiths and we are at our strongest when we are united.

History proves this assertion.

Undivided Bengal was the greatest and the last conquest of the British East India Company. It was one of the pivotal hubs of dissent against imperial rule, being a space for multi-religious cultural protest as well as the oft-overlooked Tanka tribal movements.

The crown countered this unity with partition in 1905 only to revoke it six years later. Although religious divisions shaped the destiny of the sub-continent in subsequent decades, the confluence of faiths and cultures

REUTERS

did not diminish, ultimately leading to our independence in 1971.

Lest we ever forget, it was our undying commitment to secular culture that underlined the Language Movement in order to protect our right to a derivative of Sanskrit and not one of Arabic.

And it was that same commitment that flew in the face of the rhetoric of an Islamic nation, allowing us to gain our independence in 1971.

Secularism has never been about a rejection of religion, at least, not in South Asia. Rather, it is a promise to respect and protect all faiths (and individuals of no denomination), while favouring none.

All one has to do is look at the writings of Rabindranath Tagore’s essays on nationalism to understand that this is not an

idealistic observation but a fact.

Mapping the history of nationalist movements in Asia in comparison to Europe, Tagore notes how identities in Europe, particularly during the time of the Peace of Westphalia and the creation of the nation state, relied heavily on religious denomination as an identifier. The Self was of similar faith; the Other being heathen.

South Asian nationalism, by contrast, had always been about transcending ethnic and religious differences by placing importance on cultural commonalities and unity. This was as much a strategic ploy as a magnanimous one.

After all, it would be much easier for Muslim dynasties like the Mughals to successfully rule Hindu areas, and for Hindu dynasties like the Mauryas to do the same with Muslim communities, if they undermined the notion of religion being a key aspect of identity and autonomy.

Regardless of the motivations, it is safe to say that Bengali nationalism has a deep historic connection with secularism that we have since forgotten.

Critics and deniers of this legacy would have us forget the door in Ahsan Manzil. They would focus on the Islamic identity of our Bir Sreshto freedom fighters while ignoring the likes of Surjo Sen and Pritilota Waddedar. They would underline the religious affiliations of some of our icons like Nazrul and Jasimuddin, while conveniently forgetting those of Tagore and Modhushudon Dutta.

They would have us ignore the fact that our capital is a tribute to the goddess Dhakeswari, that our new year celebrations are heavily influenced by Hindu, Buddhist, and even Sikh rituals, and that our weddings are a colourful explosion of various faiths.

The political compromises that have led to our country being defined as secular while the Supreme Court still retains Islam as a state religion do not reflect our historic commitment to being a tolerant nation. And the deafening silence and inaction in the face of blogger murders only serve to strip others of their voice.

The truth of the matter is, however, that our daily lives are a testament to our diversity and the strength we derive from it. Our history is in danger and we must do our utmost to protect it before it is too late. l Ibtisam Ahmed is a Doctoral Research Student at the School of Politics and IR in the University of Nottingham.

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

A Syrian issue in an American election The presidential candidates’ stance on Libya matters

n William Milam

I

saw a few days ago that President Obama has said on several occasions lately that the only foreign policy decision he regrets is the US intervention in Libya. This was the intervention that he said, at the time, the US was leading from behind.

His regret seems to be twofold: First, that the Americans undertook to lead it from behind without having thought through the endgame; second, that the Europeans didn’t follow through on the internal political and economic development needs of a Libya without Gaddafi.

This interests me for two reasons. The first is personal -- I served in Libya in 2007-2008, not long enough to claim to be an expert, but long enough to realise clearly the extent of Gaddafi’s destruction of all the institutions of state to the point that he was the equivalent of a nonaccountable chief of a village, but the village was a country. Nothing could happen in Libya without his approval or instigation.

The second is that the Democratic party front-runner for the party’s nomination to be the next president, Hilary Clinton, clearly doesn’t share the president’s discomfort about the Libyan intervention, and she was his secretary of state at the time. In fact, Mrs Clinton seems to believe that not only was it the right thing to do, but its unsatisfactory aftermath so far can be a guide to intelligent and effective US involvement in the Middle East in the next few decades.

The domestic politics of this divergence is tricky. Mrs Clinton is running on Mr Obama’s record, on a platform that promises a continuation of his policies and programs.

On the domestic policy side, there is no incompatibility. She will focus in the general election on his economic achievements, the greatest of which was probably an interventionist domestic policy which avoided a serious depression (which might have been reminiscent of the 1930s) and after several difficult years the resurgence of that economy -- and of important parts of the manufacturing sector to levels of production and job creation that come close to the boom years that preceded the bust.

And, she will promise to continue to improve his other notable achievement, the

Affordable Care Act (called “Obamacare” by the Republicans).

But the foreign policy of her campaign will have to be more nuanced.

She has said in this campaign that she believes the president made the right decision on the Libyan intervention.

In a campaign which is based on the idea that her administration would be almost a linear continuation of the Obama administration, she is unlikely to contradict the president directly in his repentance of the Libyan intervention, and more likely when she addresses the Libyan issue, her focus will be on what might have been and how that informs her own vision of US Middle East policy.

The Democrats, of course, are likely to go on the attack when it comes to the Middle East, pointing out that much of the chaos that now obtains throughout the region was the result of George W Bush’s

Does this mean that the Americans should have intervened earlier and more forcefully in Syria? Not necessarily

invasion of Iraq in 2003 -- a classic example, of course, of not thinking through the consequences and the endgame (which has not come yet). I believe most Americans now believe the Iraq war to have been a horrendous mistake, and this argument will have resonance with many voters.

The Republican response at this point (which assumes Mrs Clinton will be the Democratic nominee) is to tie her specifically to the Middle East chaos and the rise of ISIS through Libya -- she strongly supported the intervention, which they will say triggered the rise of ISIS -- and then use the inadequate follow up to the intervention to claim she sent Americans in harm’s way without adequate protection, linking this to the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens in Benghazi.

I believe the argument for

Who is responsible for the state of Libya now? the intervention was quite clear and compelling. It avoided what was looking to be another Syria -- a murderous civil war that might have dragged on for a long time and in which hundreds of thousands would be killed and/or displaced.

Those who argued against the intervention at the time either didn’t believe Gaddafi’s threat to kill all the rebels like dogs, or didn’t care. I knew enough about Gaddafi to believe every word, and at the time, so did President Obama and Secretary Clinton, as well as the European leaders who led the charge.

The European leaders, after all, knew the extent of his megalomania, having seen it only a couple of years earlier when Gaddafi camped out in his Bedouin tent in the centres of their capitals on his European coming out tour.

With Rwanda and Bosnia fresh in their memories, and watching the looming Syrian catastrophe develop, how else could they have reacted?

Does this mean that the Americans should have intervened earlier and more forcefully in Syria? Not necessarily. Each case is sui generis, and Syria was, in fact, a much more complicated society. But Mrs Clinton is quick to go back to the immediate postintervention period in Libya when things looked promising.

The lessons learned in Iraq and Afghanistan were incorporated in plans to help a Libya free of Gaddafi to build institutions from

scratch (there were effectively none left after Gaddafi), disarm, and demobilise the militias, and help rebuild the society. Things started well with the elections of 2012, in which the Libyans voted for moderate parties.

The problem not foreseen was the Libyans. The new leaders could not deliver, and the offers of assistance went unaccepted.

And most importantly, the Libyans refused to consider an international security force that was on offer.

In effect, the Libyans ruled out an effective international program to help them back on their feet by refusing any international security forces. Even the small initial UN security force, ready to go almost as soon as Gaddafi fell, was ruled out. And without security, most of the other assistance was impossible to deliver.

Obviously, the UN and the intervening Western countries were not going to invade Libya to save the Libyans from themselves.

Thus, in a sense, the Libyans are alone responsible for the failed aftermath and the state of near anarchy that obtains there now.

The other unexpected block was US politics -- the vicious partisan attack on Clinton and the Obama administration after the tragic death of Ambassador Stephens.

This came just before the 2012 election and effectively froze US policy on Libya. It is not clear that the outcome would have been any different given the Libyan

REUTERS

attitudes, but any chance of the US playing an effective and mediating role ended with that frenzied partisan attack.

Chris Stevens was my deputy during my tenure in Tripoli. We became good friends. I knew him well enough to say that he would have been horrified at how his name has been used to undermine policy that was intended to bring peace and stability to that benighted country.

Moreover, he was a superb and courageous officer and brilliant in his ability to relate to and work with people of the Middle East.

I wonder sometimes if Chris did not, in some way, epitomise the kind foreign policy, and certainly Middle East policy, that Mrs Clinton seems to believe in.

He certainly believed that the US has long-term interests in the region that warrant patient diplomacy and building even more expertise in the region, and that effective foreign policy means taking risks that sometimes can be dangerous.

I never saw any illusions in him that the US could, or should, do it all, but that we could lead in developing consistent multilateral mechanisms for investing in inclusive institutions in these countries while eschewing reliance on local strong men. l William Milam is a Senior Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington, DC, and former US. This article was previously published in The Friday Times.

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Let’s talk about dope Does Dhaka have a drug problem?

Do you need drugs to enjoy a party?

n SN Rasul

I

don’t know about Bangladesh but Dhaka definitely has a drug “problem.”

In the early 90s to the mid2000s, weed was rarely heard. Of course, ganja was something I’d always heard about, often from my parents’ and guardians’ lips while referring to the wayward children of near and distant relatives.

It was a product utilised by either the “bokhate” kids who had strayed from the path, or the lower working class who would often be seen puffing on a stick under the shadow of a tree in the nook of some dodgy lane or alley.

This was “drugs” and this was very, very “bad.” The other kind of drugs one would hear about was phensidyl, stories of which served more as the defining addiction of the previous generation. One would eavesdrop on a conversation about a friend of their father’s, or maybe even an uncle, who had once indulged in what the cough syrup had to offer.

It was something distant, rather far away, outside of the realms and

BIGSTOCK

circles of people like me.

But then, as time went on, and the millenials grew up, something changed. Instead of the child of some distant relative, it became news among friends and cousins.

It started with weed, of course.

changed. It became more common. “Smoking up” entered the mainstream colloquy without a bump on the road. From something to do every now and then, it became a quotidian ritual.

In between classes, students

a bad thing. With its effects being minimal (definitely less harmful than cigarettes) and its legalisation imminent and already in place in many countries, this is perhaps an evolution of acceptance, changing pre-conceived notions.

This culture isn’t gender or age-specific. Being able to score and grind and roll a joint is a skill as common as typing

Some individual would come in and say, in that bloodshot, raspy voice kind of way: “Dude, I’m so high.”

Even then, it was kind of an anomaly. It was new and it was still kind of exciting. Occasionally, they would bring a joint into the folds and the amateurs would partake in it and get buzzed enough to say: “Dude, I never want to do this again.”

Slowly, though, that, too,

“smoke up” and go on with their daily routine. At the end of the day, people smoke up to unwind.

Any rooftop/balcony “chill out” session isn’t complete without a puff of that ol’ joint. This culture, for those who are wondering, isn’t gender or age-specific. Being able to score and grind and roll a joint is a skill as common as typing.

The weed is a communist drug: It recognises no classes.

One doesn’t quite know if this is

But drugs like yaba and, recently, MDMA, have become, though not as regular, but an inherent part of Dhaka’s party culture. It is common to be “up” as one dances to the meaningless whomping of an underworked, overpaid DJ in the midst of a crowd of people who have little idea of the environment that surrounds them.

This is maybe the uglier side of Dhaka’s drug culture.

With the availability of pills and grass as easy as getting a friend with an American passport who can score you alcohol, the raging hormones combined with the selfimposed carpe diem of the urban youth have resulted in a decadent miasma of hedonistic indulgence.

The subsequent effect isn’t pretty. Students become older, people driving under the influence become more common, lethargic weekdays turn into permanent weekends.

It is only a matter of time before someone we know, surrounded by a group high on life and substance, gives in to a passing joint, only to conform to a culture that takes him into the midst and stagnates his progress. There is little hope for those who wish to remove themselves from the culture without becoming a pariah.

Whether or not this is a good thing is perhaps dependent on the drug. Whether or not it will end up being a good thing, only time will tell. l SN Rasul is a sub-editor at the Dhaka Tribune. Follow him @snrasul.

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INSIDE Unicef launches programme to help garment workers’ families

The United Nations International Children and Education Fund (Unicef) yesterday launched an initiative for the garment manufacturers that want to go that extra mile to support the rights of children, working parents and young workers.  PAGE 16

Emerging markets unlikely to overcome challenges soon

IMF lowers GDP growth forecast n Kayes Sohel After the World Bank, this time the International Monetary Fund has lowered its economic growth forecast for Bangladesh for this year.

In the latest Regional Economic Outlook: Asia and Pacific report released yesterday, IMF projected 6.6% GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth for this year from 6.8% as forecasted in its October World Economic Outlook report.

It said the growth in frontier economies and small states has, on average, been relatively robust and steady over the past couple of years though there have been variations.

“Bangladesh, for example, experienced solid growth in 2015 as it continued to benefit from lower commodity prices and strong FDI inflows.”

The report said frontier economies and small states are expected to continue to record steady growth.

“Bangladesh’s growth is expected to accelerate to 6.6% in 2016 and 6.9% in 2017, helped by lower commodity prices and strong investment in the manufacturing sector.”

Last month, the World Bank had downgraded economic growth to 6.3% from 6.7% as forecasted in January for the country.

The IMF projection, however, is closest to the Asian Development Bank’s forecast of 6.7% but far from the government’s 7.05%.

In sharp contrast, the government has revised its upward GDP growth forecast to 7.05% from 7% for this fiscal year as it claimed that the GDP growth has already exceeded 7% in the first nine months of the current fiscal year.

The World Bank, however, has expressed its doubt over the government’s estimated economic growth of over 7% as it found no match between higher economic growth and some economic indicators.

The IMF identified natural disasters as risk for small states and some low-income countries, saying that revenue mobilisation and prudent fiscal policies are critical to build large buffers to deal with costly (and frequent) natural disasters.

“Natural disaster risks in many countries in the region have been on the rise, and fiscal policy is often the primary tool to reignite reconstruction efforts and prevent sharp and sustained drops in growth.”

For South Asia, IMF report predicted growth in Asia to 5.3% for this year, down from its previous forecast of 5.4%.

China’s economy, the world’s

second biggest and a crucial driver of global growth, is tipped to expand 6.5% this year and 6.2% in 2017.

Japanese growth is tipped to slow, with the IMF saying exporters would be hit by the strengthening yen - which is at 18 month high against the dollar - and slowing trade with China.

The report halved its growth outlook for Japan to 0.5% in 2016 and tipped it to shrink 0.1% owing to an expected consumption tax rise while it also cited the long-running problem of an ageing population and a huge debt mountain.

In South Korea, the growth was forecast to rise to 2.7% this year and to 2.9% in 2017 - up from 2.6% in 2015 and again boosted by domestic demand.

Australia’s growth is expected to remain stable at 2.5% in 2016 and pick up in 2017. l

Women entrepreneurs to get Jica funds n Jebun Nesa Alo The weakness of emerging economies could prove lasting as deep-seated structural problems rather than fleeting troubles are the root cause, posing a risk to growth even in advanced economies, the European Central Bank said yesterday.  PAGE 17

France hits out at US-EU trade pact

France yesterday took aim at a vast but controversial EU-US pact to create a free-trade zone covering 850 million people, with President Francois Hollande threatening to veto it as it stands.  PAGE 18

Capital market snapshot: Tuesday DSE Broad Index

4,272.2

2.4% ▲

Index

1,044.1

2.4% ▲

30 Index

1,644.5

2.8% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

4,058.5 -12.0% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

124.8

24.4% ▲

All Share Index 13,128.9

2.4% ▲

30 Index

2.0% ▲

CSE

Selected Index

12,134.6 7,981.8

2.4% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

231.9

-5.3% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

10.2

-5.4% ▼

Women entrepreneurs will be entitled to get funding from JICA-backed project styled ‘’Financial Sector Project for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises (FSPDSME)’’.

Bangladesh Bank has brought some necessary amendments in the operating guidelines of the project fund in favour of the women entrepreneurs by providing medium and long-term financial support, according to a Bangladesh Bank statement issued yesterday.

The steering committee of the project came up with the decision on January 6 this year to include women entrepreneurs under the re-financing fund.

“Women entrepreneurs will get refinance at a favorable interest rate from the second phase of the FSPDSME project,” said the circular with immediate effect.

According to the circular, an entrepreneur can get loans up to 75% of project costs under the

A woman entrepreneur participating in a recent SME fair in Dhaka FSPDSME project in line with the operating guideline. Women entrepreneurs were excluded from the project.

But from now on, women entre-

Inflation eases in April n Kayes Sohel Inflation eased in April, helped by fall in rice prices in the market, according to official data released yesterday.

Month-to-month inflation stood at 5.61% in April, slightly down from 5.65% in March, says the Bangladesh Bureau of Statis-

tics (BBS).

During the period, food inflation moved down to 3.84% from 3.89% and non-food inflation declined to 8.34% from 8.36%.

“Drop in rice prices has helped ease inflation in the last month,” said Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal while releasing

preneurs will enjoy 100% refinancing facilities at a bank rate of 5%.

Though the FSPDSME project ended on March 31 this year, financing activities will continue

DHAKA TRIBUNE

from the revolving funds through the banks and financial institutions, who have signed the contract with the project, said the circular. l

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DSEX hits biggest single-day rise in a year n Kayes Sohel Stocks witnessed a steep rise yesterday with the benchmark index DSEX hitting the biggest single-day rise after nearly a year.

The market started on an upbeat note but continued to scale up on buying binge as investors reacted positively to the Bangladesh Bank’s clarification on banks stock market exposure.

The DSEX ended at 4,272 with a sharp rise of over 100 points or 2.5% – its single day highest rally since May 25 last year. This anticipated rally broke the seven days consecutive fall.

On Monday evening, Bangladesh Bank said the banks need not sell shares to bring down their overexposure within the regulatory limit.

Rather, the banks would be al-

lowed to adjust their overexposure through restructuring the exposure components and enhancing the capital of their subsidiaries with some internal adjustments.

According to the bank company law, the commercial banks will have to reduce their capital market exposure to 25% of their equity by July, 2016.

Lanka Bangla Securities said the market’s nerve was stained in the

last few trading sessions as Tk9,983 crore of market value evaporated from the stock market in the span of just eleven trading days.

“Half of that loss, however, has been recovered in a single epic session as the benchmark index came roaring back. Stocks have got the boost from the BB’s declaration on relaxation of adjustment in the capital market exposure of banks.”

The market participation, how-

APG team refused probe report on $101m heist

Need all policy tools to support growth n Reuters Asia’s top economies will remain the engine of global growth this year producing relatively high expansion, but the risk of a global slowdown persists, a meeting of the ASEAN+3 finance minister and central banks governors concluded yesterday.

“Under these circumstances, we stressed the importance of utilizing all necessary policy tools monetary, fiscal and structural - to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth and foster confidence,” officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, plus China, Japan and South Korea said. l

n Asif Showkat Kallol

The government has declined to give the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering the probe committee report on the Bangladesh Bank heist.

A visiting team of the group asked for the report during a meeting with the Bank and Financial Institutions Division yesterday, according to official sources.

Bank Division said the report was yet to be published and so could not be supplied to the visiting APG officials.

The report of the probe body led by an ex-BB chief is yet to published The sources said the APG team had expressed their worries over the money laundering situation in the Bangladeshi banking sector. It said the country’s central bank is “severely vulnerable” to money laundering.

The six-member APG team headed by David Shannon arrived in Dhaka on May 1 for a five-day tour.

On April 19, a government-formed committee probing the $101m heist from Bangladesh’s central bank account with Federal Reserve Bank of New York submitted its preliminary report.

The three-member probe committee, led by former Bangladesh Bank governor Mohammed Farashuddin, was formed in March immediately after the incident became known.

Bangladesh was kept out of the gray list in 2014 after being placed there alongside countries with a bad record in regulatory affairs on money laundering in 2008 by Paris-based Financial Action Task Force. The APG is an affiliate body of the task force. l

ever, did not increase in line with the price movement as the total turnover stood at Tk405 crore, down 12% over the previous session.

Nearly 18% turnover came from the block trading of Islami Bank and Grameenphone.

Almost all the sectors posted gain with engineering leading the way of 3.5%, followed by non-banking financial institutions 2.9%, banks 2%, pharmaceuticals 1.9%. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 A woman working at a garment factory in Bangladesh. A Unicef programme has been launched to protect the rights of workers’ children RAJIB DHAR

Unicef launches programme to help garment workers’ families n Tribune Business Desk The United Nations International Children and Education Fund (Unicef) yesterday launched an initiative for the garment manufacturers that want to go that extra mile to support the rights of children, working parents and young workers.

Garment manufacturers who join the “Children’s Rights and the Garment Industry in Bangladesh” initiative will be supported to establish family-friendly workplaces to help improve the situation of working parents, particularly women, young workers and surrounding communities, said a press statement.

The initiative is aimed at creating awareness of the impact of the garment industry on the rights of children and working parents in

Bangladesh. It also will focus on engaging stakeholders – business, government, civil society and non-governmental organisations in the challenges shaping the sector’s contribution to children’s rights and development in Bangladesh.

“BGMEA is committed to ensuring safety, dignity and well-being of the readymade garment workers. So, the trade association will welcome any positive endeavor of Unicef for the industry,” said BGMEA Vice President Mohammed Nasir.

Unicef Representative Edouard Beigbeder said: “Currently, over four million garment workers and their families live in deprived communities, with many more migrating to already overcrowded areas as the industry grows. Access to basic services in these slums is often impossible or cost prohibitive.”

“Disease, poverty, illiteracy and

exploitation are prolific, trapping garment workers and their families in a cycle of poverty,” said Edouard.

This initiative will create an opportunity for the leaders in the RMG sector to join other industry stakeholders to expand the existing structures, drive sustainable change for children contributing to healthy, educated, stable communities and workforces, he added.

Khondaker Mostan Hossain, a joint secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said: “The impact of the RMG sector on workers’ children is significant. Supporting children of the predominantly female workforce – with appropriate child care solutions, maternity rights at work, breastfeeding support –can have significant long term impacts on children’s health, education and well-being outcomes.’’ l

Inflation eases the monthly consumer price index (CPI) after the Ecnec meeting at the NEC conference room yesterday.

He said the rice consumption in Bangladesh is the biggest one and its price fell in April, which cast an impact on the CPI. However, according to the stateowned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh, all types of rices remained stable.

Earlier, the planning minister apprehended that the inflation rate in April might rise further due to the widespread celebration of Bengali New Year.

The BBS data showed that in rural areas, the food inflation decreased to 3.11% in April, down from 3.15% in the previous month, while the non-food inflation slipped to 7.8% in April against 7.82% in March.

In urban areas, the food inflation was also down to 5.51% in April from 5.61% in March. The non-food inflation saw a fall of 9.11%, which was 9.12% during the period.

The national wage index rate witnessed a 6.13% growth in April from 5.93% growth in March. l

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Emerging markets unlikely to overcome challenges soon n Reuters

Mario Draghi, President of the European Central Bank attends the 49th annual meeting of the ADB in Frankfurt REUTERS

The weakness of emerging economies could prove lasting as deep-seated structural problems rather than fleeting troubles are the root cause, posing a risk to growth even in advanced economies, the European Central Bank said yesterday.

ECB President Mario Draghi has repeatedly cited subdued growth in emerging market as a drag on the euro area recovery and one of

the reasons underpinning its ultra-easy policies.

Elaborating on this point in a regular economic bulletin, the ECB said potential growth among some key emerging economies has weakened, raising the risk of a “sizable” negative impact on global growth.

It cited waning productivity growth, weak investments, rising external debt, tighter financing conditions and deteriorating demographics as some of the reason behind the fading momentum.

‘Fed may need more powers during crises’

Eurozone growth forecast cut as global risks, Brexit loom

The US Federal Reserve may need more powers to provide emergency funding to securities firms in times of extreme stress in order to deal with a liquidity crunch, New York Federal Reserve President William Dudley said last week.

“Providing these firms with access to the discount window might be worth exploring,” Dudley said in prepared remarks at a financial markets conference in Amelia Island, Florida organized by the Atlanta Fed. The discount window is a credit facility through which banks borrow directly from the U.S. central bank in order to cope with liquidity shortages.

The Fed currently has limited ability to provide funding to securities firms in such situations, with the discount window only available to depository institutions.

But the transformation of securities firms since the financial crisis, Dudley said, with the major ones now part of bank holding companies and subject to capital and liquidity stress tests, meant the environment has now changed.

“To me, this is a more reasonable proposition now than it was prior to the crisis when the major dealers weren’t subject to those safeguards,” he said.

Dudley did not mention monetary policy or the US economic outlook in his remarks.

Other “significant gaps” remain in the lender-of-last-resort function, Dudley added.

On this, he cited work being done on a global level by the Bank of International Settlements, known as the central banks’ central bank, which is studying deficiencies with respect to systemically important firms that operate across countries.

Dudley called for greater attention in order to determine which country would be the lender-oflast-resort for such companies during another crisis. l

n AFP, Brussels

n Reuters

The EU cut yesterday its eurozone growth forecasts for this year, warning that global risks including the slowdown in China and the danger of Britain leaving the bloc were harming the economic recovery.

The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, also warned that major member states France, Spain and Italy were on course to break the bloc’s rules on public spending.

Warning of increased global risks for the 19-country single currency area as it continues its sluggish recovery, the Commission trimmed its 2016 forecast to 1.6% from 1.7%.

The Commission also said that eurozone growth would accelerate to 1.8% growth next year, instead of the earlier forecast 1.9%.

“Growth in Europe is holding up despite a more difficult global environment,” said EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, who unveiled the forecast at a press conference in Brussels.

“The recovery in the euro area remains uneven, both between member states and between the weakest and the strongest in society. That is unacceptable and requires determined action from governments, both individually and collectively.”

Eurozone nations are still dealing with the threat of a new crisis in debt-hit Greece, which nearly crashed out of the currency a year ago, as wrangling continues over

its huge bailout.

The EU warned that the “uncertainty surrounding the forecast is extraordinarily high”, suggesting major revisions to the outlook could be expected in the future.

“External risks include the possibility that slower growth in emerging markets, particularly China, could trigger stronger spillovers or turn out worse than expected,” the Commission’s forecast said.

UK referendum ‘uncertainty’

It also pointed to domestic problems in Europe that posed “considerable” risks, including the slow pace of reforms “and the uncertainty ahead of the UK’s EU referendum”.

These dangers “could prove to be stronger than expected”, the Commission warned.

Britain’s own economy faces risks from the June 23 referendum with the EU firmly slashing its growth outlook for the UK. It projected annual growth of 1.8% in 2016 and 1.9% in 2017, compared to its earlier forecast in February of 2.1% for both years.

Moscovici said that the forecast was based on Britain remaining in the EU. The Commission said inflation would also continue to be very low and far off the 2% target of the European Central Bank.

The Commission slashed its inflation forecast for the eurozone to 0.2% in 2016 and to 1.4% in 2017. l

Key emerging economies have been under strain this year with China’s slowdown and rebalancing setting off waves of turbulence on financial markets earlier this year.

Although emerging markets still generate 70% of global growth, their growth rate declined for the fifth straight year last year with many key economies likely weighing on growth both in 2016 and 2017, the IMF said earlier.

“Some of these challenges are unlikely to be overcome quickly,”

the ECB said.

“The rebalancing process that is under way is necessary to ensure sustainable growth over the medium term, but the transition path is likely to be bumpy and risks will tend to be on the downside,” the ECB added.

Potential growth has been declining for years and some indicators suggest that emerging markets were already overheating during their boom years, as suggested by surging private debt ratios. l

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IMF warns China, Japan growth to slow sharply in 2016

France hits out at US-EU trade pact

n AFP, Hong Kong

n AFP, Paris

China and Japan’s economies are expected to slow sharply over the next two years but Asian growth will remain strong as domestic demand takes up the slack from weak global trade, the IMF said yesterday.

Government stimulus measures, lower commodity prices and low unemployment will help drive regional expansion, the International Monetary Fund said, and called on leaders to push on with reforms.

However, in its Regional Economic Outlook for Asia and the Pacific, the Fund also warned of several external challenges, from weakness in advanced economies, weak global trade and increasingly volatile global financial markets.

Since its previous outlook on the region in October, global markets have seen wild volatility, with

worries over China’s economy and plunging oil prices hammering shares in January and February, wiping trillions off valuations.

While there has been a slight recovery since March, investors remain on edge.

“Asia remains the most dynamic part of the global economy but is facing severe headwinds from a still weak global recovery, slowing global trade, and the short-term impact of China’s growth transition,” the Fund said.

“To strengthen its resilience to global risks and remain a source of dynamism, policymakers in the region should push ahead with structural reforms to raise productivity and create fiscal space while supporting demand as needed.”

The Fund predicted growth in Asia to come in at 5.3% this year and next, down from its previous forecast of 5.4%.

China’s economy, the world’s second biggest and a crucial driver of global growth, is tipped to expand 6.5% this year - the lower end of Beijing’s target - and 6.2% in 2017. l

France yesterday took aim at a vast but controversial EU-US pact to create a free-trade zone covering 850 million people, with President Francois Hollande threatening to veto it as it stands.

Hollande warned that Paris would reject the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) “at this stage” because his country opposes “unregulated free trade.”

“Never would we accept the undermining of the essential principles of our agriculture, our culture, of mutual access to public markets,” Hollande told a left-wing political conference.

Earlier Tuesday, a top French trade official warned that the talks could grind to a halt because of Washington’s reluctance to make concessions.

“In view of the United States’ state of mind today, that seems to

be the most likely option,” chief French trade negotiator Matthias Fekl told French radio when asked if the TTIP talks, which began in 2013, could stop. Given France’s weight in the EU, “there cannot be an agreement without France, and much less against France,” said Fekl.

The French comments reflect deep suspicion in Europe that the deal will erode ecological and health regulations to the advantage of big business. Washington and Brussels want the mega-deal completed this year before US President Barack Obama leaves office, but it has faced mounting opposition on both sides of the Atlantic.

On Monday, environmental pressure group Greenpeace released a trove of leaked documents about the closed-door negotiations, charging that a deal would inflict a dangerous lack of standards on US and European consumers. l

| event |

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| offers |

Samsung Bangladesh offers Cool Summer Celebration

UAP-Chakri.com Career Fair A two-day long career fair took place at the City campus of University of Asia Pacific (UAP) on Friday, April 29, 2016.

Professor Jamilur Reza Chouddhury, vice chancellor of UAP, inaugurated the fair by releasing balloons as the chief guest. Prof Abdul Matin Patwari, Professor Emeritus of UAP, Qayum Reza Chowdhury, chairman of board of trustees at UAP and

Anisul Hoque, associate editor of Prothom Alo were present as special guests.

In the first day of the fair, two seminars on “Opportunity in Call Centre and BPO Industries” and “CV writing and facing interview: dos and don’ts” were held as well. 18 different organisations including software-development firms, multinational companies, and NGOs set-up their stalls

for providing jobs among new graduates.

There were two seminars on the second day titled, “Opportunities in ICT industry for non-ICT Graduates” and “Local and Global Opportunities in ICT industry,” where speakers from different organisations took part.

UAP and Chakri.com jointly organised the Career Fair, and the fair will continue until Saturday. l

| event |

Meghna Bank signs agreement with mobility I Tap Pay

Samsung Electronics, the global leader in consumer electronics, has announced the ‘Cool Summer Celebration’ in Bangladesh. With this offer, Samsung Electronics Bangladesh has introduced attractive prices of refrigerators and air conditioners for its valued customers.

Samsung is offering new prices of its Triangle Air Conditioners, which is BDT 6,000 to BDT 10, 600 less than previous prices. Samsung Triangle Air Conditioner’s exclusive design and engineering deliver powerful cooling performance and cleaner air quality. This Air Conditioner also features Virus Doctor, which neutralises harmful contaminants in the air.

Customers can avail this offer with Triangle Air Conditioners of 1 ton, 1.5 ton and 2 ton capacities in Bangladesh.

Customers can also get cash discounts of BDT 1,300 to BDT 16,250 on various models of refrigerators. These refrigerators come with the best in class features like Digital Inverter, Convertible Refrigerator and Coolpack.

The offer can be availed from all Samsung authorised showrooms located nationwide.

The authorised distributors of Samsung Refrigerator and Air conditioner are Transcom Digital, Electra International and Rangs.

To know details, interested customers can call 09612-300300. l

| offers |

Mother’s day plans at Le Meridien Dhaka

Recently, Meghna Bank Limited has signed an agreement with Mobility I Tap Pay to facilitate inward remittance of expatriate Bangladeshis residing abroad, online shopping, utility bill

payments and so on. Md Zahir Uddin, chairman of Mobility I Tap Pay is handing over the agreement to Mr Mohammed Nurul Amin, managing director and CEO of Meghna Bank Limited in a simple ceremony at Meghna

Bank Head Office on April 24, 2016. Mr H N Ashequr Rahman MP, chairman of Meghna Bank Limited attended the Occasion as the chief guest. High Officials from both organisations were present at the ceremony. l

The first ever Mother’s Day celebration since the hotel began its operations will take place at Le Meridien Dhaka on 08 May 2016. The hotel has designed a host of creative ways to engage its guests and make the day more memorable for its participants.

The hotel’s all day dining restaurant Latest Recipe, which is well-known for its interactive live-kitchen buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner and chocolate confectionery, has also arranged a special baker’s corner for guests and their mothers, where they can design special cakes according to their own tastes as takeaway gifts. Buffet lunch and dinner at Latest Recipe has also been set to a special promotional

price of BDT 1,499 per person and BDT 3,600 per person respectively, for the day.

The hotel’s two specialty restaurants have also created unique menus for the day.

While the rooftop-terrace Mediterranean restaurant is offering a lavish Oriental buffet dinner at BDT 3,600 per person, the classic Italian dining restaurant Favola is offering a curated three-course set menu of the same price. The lobby lounge Latitude 23 will also be selling chocolate gift boxes of six, twelve and twenty-four pieces at 15% discount from the regular price.

Guests may contact +8801990900900 to learn more or reserve a table. l

DT

20

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Boring tool (3) 3 Sober (6) 8 Large-horned wild goat (4) 9 Born (3) 10 Dry inflammable matter (6) 11 Call for aid (6) 14 Result from (5) 17 Steps’ vertical face (5) 20 Subjoin (6) 24 Salty (6) 26 Self (3) 27 Jokes (4) 28 One’s right wits (6) 29 Plaything (3)

DOWN 1 Operatic air (4) 2 Flaccid (4) 3 Stiff hair (4) 4 Banishment (5) 5 S American mountains (5) 6 Golfing aid (3) 7 Weird (5) 12 Hawaiian dish (3) 13 First woman (3) 15 Pinch (3) 16 Container for ashes (3) 17 Flowers (5) 18 Drawing room (5) 19 Scope (5) 21 Vegetables (4) 22 Direction (4) 23 Obligation (4) 25 Mature (3)

Downtime CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 2 represents N so fill N every time the figure 2 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 DE FG H I J K L MN 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

World 21

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

INSIDE INSIGHT

A year on, SE Asia’s trafficking victims trapped in desperate limbo n AFP, Bayeun, Indonesia Maimed Indian domestic help in Saudi becomes face of trafficking Munirathinam’s desperate bid to escape last September hit international headlines after the housemaid said her employer had chopped her hand off in the affray, with the injury resulting in an operation to amputate her arm.

PAGE 22

Rohingya camp blaze leaves hundreds of families homeless A fire on Tuesday burned down a refugee camp in Myanmar’s Rakhine State that shelters members of the country’s persecuted Rohingya minority, leaving 440 families homeless.

PAGE 23

Spain gears up for snap polls on June 26 Spain’s King Felipe dissolved parliament on Tuesday and called a new national election for June 26 after a vote in December left such a fractured political landscape that no government could be formed.

PAGE 24

One year after struggling ashore during Southeast Asia’s human-trafficking crisis, Sonamia and hundreds of other desperate Rohingya migrants remain in limbo, forgotten footnotes as record numbers worldwide flee violence and persecution.

Sonamia was among about 400 starving people plucked to safety off Indonesia from an overloaded green boat that became emblematic of the crisis, its emaciated passengers pleading for help as countries in the region rejected them in an impasse that triggered global outrage.

Under pressure, Indonesia and Malaysia eventually allowed Rohingya boat people to land, pending resettlement within a year.

But none have been resettled, hundreds are stuck in camps and detention centres, and some have once again risked their lives by taking to the high seas at the hands of people-smugglers.

“I have learned to wait,” Sonamia, who goes by one name, said. She is currently residing at a temporary shelter in Bayeun village in Indonesia’s Aceh province.

The 42-year-old is still tormented by nightmares of what was termed an appalling game of human “ping-pong”, with boats bouncing between unwelcoming countries as food and water ran out.

“I feel upset every time I recall that, because it felt like we were not human,” he said.

About 1,000 Rohingya, a Muslim minority that has fled persecution in mostly Buddhist Myanmar, were welcomed ashore in staunchly Islamic Aceh, but only around 300 remain.

The rest are believed to have quietly sailed for Muslim-majority Malaysia -- attractive because of its relative affluence -- where they face uncertainty as illegal immigrants.

Bleak prospects

In Malaysia, 371 Rohingya who were allowed in amid the crisis remain shut away in an immigration centre, government officials say.

The US has agreed to take 52, but resettlement prospects for the rest remain bleak, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says.

Several hundred Bangladeshis were also among the boat people but most have been labelled economic migrants and are in various stages of being sent home.

Human trafficking in Southeast Asia

2015 saw huge numbers of people risking life to leave the Bay of Bengal

Rakhine State, Myanmar Home to some 800,000 Rohingya Muslims Buddhist-majority Myanmar views the Rohingya as illegal Bangladeshi immigrants

An estimated 139,000 people displaced since 2012

BANGLADESH MYANMAR

Cox’s Bazar Sittwe

Jan-April 2015

25,000

$90-370

Price range for a ticket to embark

BAY OF BENGAL

THAILAND

Estimated number of people leaving the Bay of Bengal by boat Between 40-60 percent reckoned to be from Rakhine, Myanmar. Others thought to be from Bangladesh At least 370 people lost their lives at sea January - June 2015, according to the UN Hundreds, if not thousands, remain unaccounted for, according to Amnesty

ANDAMAN SEA

Banda Aceh

Koh Lipe

Aceh

Penang MALAYSIA

INDONESIA

Some 1,000 people were brought ashore, around 300 still remain

Rohingya trafficking camps were discovered in 2015 The remains of 139 people were discovered in camps in Malaysia

$2,000 Amount some migrants have been charged on arrival in Thailand or Malaysia for release from a holding camp

Source: UNHCR/Arakan Project/Malaysia government/Amnesty

Last year’s crisis began when Thailand discovered mass graves in a human-trafficking camp along its southern border and launched a crackdown on the brutal networks that ferry migrants to Malaysia.

The traffickers subsequently abandoned boatloads of migrants at sea, leaving several thousand to be rescued or swim ashore.

Indonesia and Malaysia have not signed the UN refugee convention, complicating the already difficult resettlement process.

The UNHCR says the process has become further paralysed as Europe’s own migrant crisis overwhelms countries that might normally accept refugees.

“When you see the number of Syrians and others arriving by boat in Europe, and the crisis that the European countries are facing there, resettlement out of this region has to be seen in that context -- and it’s very, very difficult now,” Thomas Vargas, the UNHCR’s representative in Indonesia, said.

UNHCR officials -- who complain they were not consulted

beforehand on the one-year resettlement deadline -- say that timeframe was unrealistic, especially given the long refugee queues.

Malaysia already has about 158,000 registered asylum-seekers, including 55,000 Rohingya, though most are believed to be content to earn money working illegally rather than be resettled.

Indonesia has more than 7,000 registered asylum-seekers.

Life goes on

The Rohingya still stuck in Aceh a year later are trying to get on with their lives at temporary shelters built across the province by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), subsisting largely on donated food and supplies.

Some have married, babies have been born, and others have planted vegetable gardens or are training as auto mechanics or learning sewing. But they cannot work legally, making a normal existence impossible.

“Here we only eat, sleep and pray,” said Abdul Rasyid, 25, one of a handful of “green boat” survi-

vors still in Aceh.

“We are not allowed to work here although I need money to send to my family in Myanmar.”

Traffickers have in recent years taken tens of thousands of desperate Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants -- many of whom pay for passage with their life savings -- on the dangerous sea voyage to jungle camps along the Thai-Malaysian border.

Many perish en route, and harrowing stories of abuse and exploitation by traffickers are common, including demands that relatives back home pay ransoms before their migrant kin are allowed to move on to Malaysia.

But since the crisis, migrant numbers have dropped sharply, said UNHCR Malaysia representative Richard Towle.

Rohingya migrants and activists say possible reasons include the crackdown, global exposure of the journey’s dangers, and hopes among Rohingya that the recent end of military rule could bring a favourable Myanmar government policy change toward them. l

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

World

INSIGHT

Maimed Indian domestic help in Saudi becomes face of trafficking n Thomson Reuters Foundation, Chennai When Kasthuri Munirathinam crawled out of the window of a second floor apartment in Riyadh, she was scared for her life.

The 55-year-old Indian housemaid from Tamil Nadu was determined to escape from her employer’s apartment where she worked as a domestic help.

She had been in Saudi Arabia for just two months, one of thousands of Indians heading to the Gulf states every year for work, but was terrified she would never see her family again.

“I thought they would kill me. I had to escape. I wasn’t given enough to eat. They had my wages, my passport, my phone,” Munirathinam said during an interview in her home in Vellore.

Munirathinam’s desperate bid to escape last September hit international headlines after the housemaid said her employer had chopped her hand off in the affray, with the injury resulting in an operation to amputate her arm.

Saudi police said Munirathinam’s arm was amputated due to injuries she sustained in the fall from the building.

Munirathinam is still waiting for action to be taken against her employer. Munirathinam’s widely reported story has put a human face to the dilemma faced by many Indian workers, particularly women - whether to leave their villages to take up jobs overseas paying up to three times more than in India but putting their fate in the hands of recruitment agents.

Government figures show there are an estimated 6m Indian migrants in the six Gulf states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Oman. In 2015, more than 700,000 Indians moved to the Gulf states where domestic help is in high demand.

Better paid jobs

Indians from Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Kerala have traditionally travelled to the Gulf states for work but in recent years, Indian government has also opened offices in the northern Indian states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Munirathinam said she decided to go overseas to work when her family racked up debts of Rs30,000 ($450) by taking out loans to fund her daughters’ weddings and to build a house.

Like Munirathinam, many migrant workers move in a bid to support their families at home - but taking these higher paid, overseas jobs can actually add to their financial burden.

A migration survey by the Tamil Nadu state government released in 2015 showed that a migrant spends an average of Rs108,112 ($1,600) to a secure a job overseas, with half going to recruitment agencies and the rest for visas and travel.

But the survey of 20,000 households also revealed that 39% of women and 21% of men who work abroad reported not receiving the promised wages.

Since the 1980s, India has signed various agreements with the Gulf states to address the protection and welfare of Indian workers but even a new series of agreements was not seen by campaigners as likely to stop human trafficking.

Last month, India’s external affairs ministry said the latest accord with the UAE would ensure rapid investigations and prosecutions of traffickers and safeguard the rights of victims.

But activists say these agreements are unlikely to change the situation for the millions who travel for work but end up trapped in abusive situations with employers taking away their identity documents.

“The bilateral agreements are focused on ensuring more people get jobs and bring back remittances, but not protecting the worker and his basic rights,” says Bernard D’Sami, coordinator of the non-government Arunodhaya Migrant Initiative in Chennai, which works on labour issues arising out undocumented migration.

In response to a query in India’s parliament in March, the concerned ministry said their diplomatic missions in all six Gulf states had registered complaints of physical abuse, maltreatment, non-payment of salary, and other grievances.

Indian officials took up 538 cases in Kuwait in 2015 and 282 cases of physical abuse in Saudi Arabia. Figures for the other states were not available. l

The photo shows Kasthuri Munirathinam and copies of her employment documents in Saudi Arabia

AP

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

Rohingya camp blaze leaves hundreds of families homeless n Agencies A fire on Tuesday burned down a refugee camp in Myanmar’s Rakhine State that shelters members of the country’s persecuted Rohingya minority, leaving 440 families homeless.

According to an estimation, the fire destroyed about 44 “long houses” and damaged up to nine, affecting 440 households, where about 2,000 people had lived.

The charred remains of wooden shelters and twisted metal roofs were visible through a thick haze of smoke after the fire broke out in the early morning, a stark reminder of dire living conditions for over 100,000 Rohingya confined to a network of bleak camps in Rakhine state.

Rakhine state Department of Social Relief official Cho Cho Win said 49 bamboo shelters, each containing eight rooms, burned down at the Baw Du Pa 2 camp north of the state capital, Sittwe. He and Aung Win, a Rohingya community leader who lives near the camp and witnessed the blaze, said no deaths have been reported.

The cause of the fire is being investigated. Initial reports indicated it was an accident from a cooking fire, the Reuters reported quoting a UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) statement.

AFP further reported quoting the OCHA statement that 14 people had been injured, with unconfirmed reports that there could have been fatalities.

Fires are not unusual during Myanmar’s hot season, especially in crowded quarters such as slums and refugee camps. At least one fire truck was at the scene but failed to control the fire.

Cho Cho Win said his agency had sent 45 tents to temporarily house the fire victims, along with 448 emergency aid kits.

United Nations statistics last December gave the camp’s population as 6,917. It said 58 camps in Rakhine housed more than 145,000 people, mostly Muslim Rohingya who lost or fled their homes in 2013 due to clashes with Rakhine Buddhists.

Myanmar’s Rohingya population is stateless and thousands of

SOUTH ASIA

Pakistan brands Donald Trump ignorant Pakistan’s interior minister has launched a blistering assault on “ignorant Donald Trump” after the Republican presidential frontrunner vowed to free the doctor who helped track down Osama bin Laden if he wins office. In a statement Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said Shakeel Afridi’s fate would be decided by the Pakistani courts and the government of Pakistan and not by Trump.

-AFP

INDIA

3 detained over Dalit student’s rape, murder

Boys search for useful items among the ashes of burnt houses after fire destroyed shelters at a camp for Rohingyas in Rakhine State on Tuesday REUTERS them have fled persecution and poverty, often by boat to other parts of Southeast Asia.

Some 125,000 Rohingya remain displaced and face severe travel restrictions while living in camps.

Faced with apartheid-like restrictions that limit access to jobs, education and healthcare, thousands have braved perilous boat journeys in search of better lives in Malaysia and Indonesia.

An exodus last year sparked a regional crisis and a crackdown on smuggling routes.

Last month at least 20 Muslims from a Rakhine displacement camp drowned when their boat capsized in choppy waters while it was travelling to a market in Sittwe.

Passengers said they were forced to take the dangerous sea route because authorities ban them from travelling by road. l

Q&A

When’s a boot on the ground not a boot on the ground No one disputes that US military forces are fighting in combat in Iraq and Syria - except maybe President Barack Obama and some members of his administration.

The semantic arguments over whether there are American “boots on the ground” muddy the view of a situation in which several thousand armed US military personnel are in Iraq and Syria. Obama has said more than a dozen times that there would be no combat troops in Iraq and Syria as the number of service members in those countries grows; last week, Defence Secretary Ash Carter acknowledged the military personnel there were in combat and “we should say that clearly.”

So, when is a military boot on the ground? And what does it all mean?

Are Us military troops in Iraq?

Yes. More than 5,500 US service members. The Pentagon, however, counts them in different ways. Obama recently authorised an increase in the number of troops that can deploy to Iraq to advice and assist Iraqi forces in fighting the Islamic State. The cap was increased last week from 3,870 to 4,087. But a number of troops aren’t counted against the cap because of the military’s personnel accounting system. For example, troops assigned to the US embassy for security or

AP

those sent to Iraq for temporary, short-term assignments are there in addition to the 4,087.

Yes. Last week the Pentagon announced an increase in the number of US forces working in Syria from 50 to 300. Those troops are working with local Syrian forces and are mainly Army special forces, but the latest increase will also include medical and logistics units.

country to meet with local Syrian opposition forces. They aren’t based in Syria, so they travel in and out, sometimes staying in the country for several days at a time. According to officials, the additional 250 forces will do the same thing. They will not be based in Syria, but will instead work out of neighboring countries, such as Iraq or Turkey. And they are not there to fight alongside the Syrians, they are there to provide advice and other assistance.

So, that would mean there are US boots on the ground in Iraq And Syria, wouldn’t it?

Why does the administration say there are no US boots on the ground?

Yes it would. In Iraq there are advisers, trainers, special operations forces and others stationed at Iraqi bases, working with the Iraqi forces. They had been working with Iraqis at the division headquarters level. In Syria, the US has about 50 special operations forces going into Syria from a base in a neighbouring

Obama administration officials have consistently told the American public since 2013 that there will be no combat “boots on the ground” in Iraq and Syria. Their argument is based on the idea that there are no conventional US ground forces in large units fighting the Islamic State militants in direct

Are US military troops in Syria?

DT

World

combat. Saying there are “no US boots on the ground” - while inaccurate - is meant to convey the administration’s view that US troops are not on the front lines waging the war. Instead, US troops are advising and assisting the Iraqi and Syrian forces, providing training, intelligence, and logistical support from behind the battlefront. The parsing of words is meant to differentiate the latest IS conflicts from earlier wars in Iraq and Afghanistan when thousands of US troops were battling the enemy in small units and in close combat.

Aren’t special operations forces in direct combat in Iraq or Syria?

Probably. But the Pentagon doesn’t talk about the often highly classified operations that US commandos - including Army Delta Force or Navy SEALs - are doing no matter where they are. And Army special forces - or Green Berets - are in many war-torn countries providing training and assistance, because that’s one of their key jobs. In some cases, US officials have acknowledged special operations missions to capture or kill high-value targets or to try and rescue hostages. But those are not considered “boots on the ground” because they often move in and out quickly, and stay for short periods of time. l

Source: AP

Indian police detained three people Tuesday over the brutal rape and murder of a young Kochi student in a case echoing the 2012 gang-rape of a Delhi woman that sparked mass protests. Police said the attack on the 30-year-old law student from the lowest Dalit caste was so vicious she was found lying dead in a pool of blood, her intestines hanging out.

-AP

CHINA

China to release last Tiananmen prisoner China plans to release the last prisoner known to be held in connection with the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests after nearly three decades in jail. Miao Deshun, 51, is due to be released in October, after serving more than 27 years in prison for his involvement in the mass demonstrations that were brutally put down by China’s government.

-AFP

ASIA PACIFIC

Japan to lease military aircraft to Philippines Japan will lease military aircraft to the Philippines in another sign of deepening security ties between the two former foes to counter Beijing’s increasing regional influence. Under the accord, Tokyo will lease up to 5 TC-90 training airplanes, which can be used as surveillance aircraft, and help Manila train pilots and aircraft mechanics.

-AFP

MIDDLE EAST

Saudi gives women right to possess copy of marriage contract Saudi brides will now get a copy of their marriage contracts, a privilege that was previously exclusive to men in the ultra-conservative kingdom, the kingdom’s justice ministry has announced. According to a directorate issued by the justice minister, Walid al-Samaani, clerics who register marriage contracts will now have to hand a copy to the bride to ensure her awareness of her rights and the terms of the contract.

-THE GUARDIAN

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World

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

USA

US warns Russia it will defend allies US Defence Secretary Ash Carter warned Tuesday that Nato would defend its allies against Russian aggression as he presided over the passing of the alliance’s European command to a new general. Carter said Nato would keep the door open for Russia for cooperation on global security challenges if Moscow abandoned its sabre-rattling.

-AFP

THE AMERICAS

UN picks Mexican diplomat to head climate office A veteran Mexican diplomat has been chosen to head the United Nations’ newly upgraded climate office, UN chief Ban Ki-moon announced.

Ban said he will appoint Patricia Espinosa Cantellano as the new UNFCCC Executive Secretary for a term of three years, referring to the body which oversaw the international negotiations in December leading to a historic climate pact. -THE GUARDIAN

UK

Poll: UK voters fear Scottish independence more than Brexit Britons are more worried about the prospect of Scotland gaining independence than of the UK leaving the EU, a poll published on Tuesday found. A BMG poll in Scotland’s Herald newspaper found that 68% of voters cited Scottish secession from the UK as their least preferred option when compared to Britain leaving the EU, which got 32% backing.

-REUTERS

EUROPE

Senegal signs accord giving US forces permanent access Senegal and US on Monday signed a defence accord allowing the permanent presence of American soldiers in the west African country, especially to help fight against the terrorist threat. A key point of the accord will give US troops access to areas in Senegal, such as airports and military installations, in order to respond to security or health needs.

-AFP

Republicans voting in Indiana’s primary election on Tuesday might give New York billionaire Donald Trump an almost unstoppable advantage in his turbulent journey toward the party’s presidential nomination.

The real estate mogul holds a double-digit polling lead in the Midwestern state over his main rival, US Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.

Fresh off a sweep of five Northeastern states last week, Trump wants a win in Indiana to put him within reach of the 1,237 delegates required to lock up the Republican nomination before the party’s convention in July.

“If we win Indiana, it’s over,” Trump told a cheering crowd in Terre Haute, Indiana, on the eve of the vote.

Cruz has trumpeted Indiana, one of the last big states in the fight to get on the November 8 presidential ballot, as his golden moment to stop Trump and force a brokered nomination at

the convention.

He vowed on Monday to “compete to the end” but a loss in Indiana would be particularly crushing for the senator, who has argued that his brand of religious conservatism is a natural draw for heartland Republicans. He won the endorsement of conservative Indiana Governor Mike Pence.

Trump now has 996 delegates, compared with 565 for Cruz and 153 for Ohio Governor John Kasich, according to The Associated Press. Another 57 delegates are up for grabs in Indiana, a state that has voted Republican in nine of the last 10 presidential elections.

The outcome in Indiana may ride on the votes of evangelical Christians after Trump offered praise for Planned Parenthood family clinics and signaled support for gay and transgender rights - views that rankled some Christian conservatives.

Cruz had hoped for smooth sailing in Indiana after he and Kasich reached a “stop-Trump” deal in which Kasich would steer clear of the state while Cruz would do likewise in Oregon and New Mexico.

Indiana has the second-largest

US delegate count

As of May 2

DEMOCRATS

2,383

Total delegates

2,165

Hillary Clinton 1,645

Still to vote Delegates obtained Total with super delegates

1,357

Bernie Sanders 1,318

REPUBLICANS

1,237 Needed to win nomination 2,472

Total delegates

996

Donald Trump Ted Cruz John Kasich

Needed to win nomination 4,763

Still to vote Delegates obtained

565 153

Source: RealClearPolitics

delegate haul of the 10 states remaining in the 2016 Republican nominating contest, behind California, which holds its primary June 7.

On the Democratic side, front-runner Hillary Clinton holds a lead of more than 6-percentage points in Indiana over rival Bernie

Sanders, according to an average of recent polls compiled by RealClearPolitics.

Despite Clinton’s formidable delegate lead, the US senator from Vermont campaigned heavily in Indiana on his message against income inequality and Wall Street excesses. l

Spain gears up for snap election on June 26 n Reuters, Madrid

Spain’s King Felipe dissolved parliament on Tuesday and called a new national election for June 26 after a vote in December left such a fractured political landscape that no government could be formed.

The new vote follows four months of fruitless coalition talks between Spain’s four main parties after the inconclusive ballot stripped the conservative People’s Party (PP) of acting prime minister Mariano Rajoy of its majority.

The re-run is not expected to herald a major shift in voting patterns, opinion polls show, likely forcing bickering leaders to once again try to forge a coalition.

“Let’s hope we’ve all learned our lesson and that the next parliament reaches an agreement (on forming a government) as soon as possible,” Speaker Patxi Lopez told a news conference, confirming the king had signed the election decree.

Conducted against a backdrop of economic hardship and with a political elite tainted by accusations of corruption, December’s election marked the end of the

Spain’s failed outgoing parliament Assembly elected in December 2015

2

40

90 69

Abso lut

123

350

26

seats Failed political alliances 163 Right-wing bloc 161 Left-wing bloc

Izquierda Unida

Green-Communist alliance

em

176

AFRICA

n Reuters, Bedford

: rity

Hungary’s top court gave its green light Tuesday for Budapest to hold a referendum on EU plans to relocate migrants among member states, a move fiercely opposed by conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The Supreme Court, which had been asked to rule on the EU’s mandatory migrant quota by two small opposition parties, approved the referendum question proposed by the government.

-REUTERS

Trump looking for decisive blow against Cruz in Indiana

ajo

Top court approves Hungary’s proposed migrant referendum

INSIGHT

253

Grand coalition PP + socialists

199 Anti-PP coalition

Left + Catalan parties

dominance of the two traditional parties, the PP and the Socialists, that have governed Spain since its transition back to democracy in the mid-1970s.

Their power base was eroded by the emergence of two newcomers, anti-austerity Podemos (We Can) and centrist Ciudadanos (Citizens).

During negotiations the quartet of party leaders failed to bridge significant policy gaps, including

PSOE

Socialists

Podemos

Far-left alliance

Popular Party

Conservatives

Ciudadanos

Centre-right

Regional parties in parliament Catalans Basques ERC EH Bildu Left-wing, proindependence

Left-wing, proindependence

DL

PNV

Centre-right, Right-wing pro-independence 1 8 9 Canary Islands

PNC

Centre-right

26

6

2

how to manage the economy and how to soothe an independence drive in regional powerhouse Catalonia.

A blame game between parties on who was responsible for the repeat election is likely to dominate campaigns - due to kick off formally on June 10 - as politicians seek to galvanise frustrated voters and ward off a rise in abstention.

Some of the parties are already

considering alliances.

Podemos may team up with the former communists of Izquierda Unida (United Left), which would help unite the vote on the left.

That may pose a strong challenge to the Socialists, which came second in the December vote.

Podemos finished third and Ciudadanos fourth.

The political uncertainty has yet to derail Spain’s continued recovery from a deep recession, with growth expanding at a steady rate in the first quarter and output due to increase at one of the fastest rates in the euro zone this year.

But Spain is under pressure to trim its public deficit after overshooting its goal by a wide margin last year, meaning it can ill-afford any slowdown in the months to come.

The European Commission said on Tuesday that Spain’s deficit could come in at 3.9% of gross domestic product in 2016 the highest in the euro zone and above the 3.6% envisaged by the acting government - and warned that it would not drop below a required threshold of 3% in 2017 as planned. l

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

INSIDE

Bangladesh nearer to pink ball reality BCB is looking to explore the possibilities of day-night Test matches soon. Nizamuddin Chowdhury, the BCB CEO, said they are willing to try out the day-night matches at the domestic circuit from next season. PAGE 26

Sunday, Lee Tuck demolish Sk Jamal Riding on Sunday Chizoba’s sensational four-goal haul, Abahani Limited stunned Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi with a humiliating 6-0 defeat in the Dhanmondi derby at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. PAGE 27

Leicester’s players and staff pose with the ‘Premier League champions 2015-16’ banner at the club’s training ground yesterday

5,000-1 Foxes complete miracle on grass n AFP, Leicester

Ranieri thanks Chelsea for 2-2 draw Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri called Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink to thank him for the draw with Tottenham that gave his team the title. Spurs’ 2-2 draw brought Leicester the first top-flight title in their 132-year history. PAGE 28

Thousands celebrated and millions around the world watched in wonder as 5,000-1 underdogs Leicester City completed arguably the greatest fairytale in sporting history by becoming English Premier League champions.

Second-placed Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-2 draw at Chelsea late on Monday was enough for last year’s relegation battlers to seal a scarcely credible title after outshining some of football’s most glamorous teams.

Masterminded by manager

Claudio Ranieri, Leicester’s season of 22 wins out of 36 games and just three defeats was enough to make them champions with two games to spare, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool all trailing behind.

After fighting off relegation last year and being rated 5,000-1 for the title at the start of the season, the Thai-owned club pulled off a shock rated by many as the biggest seen in sport.

The modest East Midlands club are England’s first new champions since Brian Clough’s Nottingham

Real banking on Ronaldo goal power Real Madrid are hoping the fit-again Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo can lead them into the Champions League final although strike partner Frenchman Karim Benzema remains a doubt for today’s return match with Manchester City.

PAGE 29

Forest in 1978, and their surge in the world’s most watched football league has won them admirers across the globe.

Dancing fans waving blue and white flags poured onto the streets of Leicester.l

STANDINGS Team

GP W D L GD PTS

1 Leicester City 36 22 11 3 30

77

2 Tottenham

70

36 19 13 4 39

3 Arsenal

36 19 10 7 25

67

4 Man. City

36 19 7 10 30

64

5 Man United

35 17 9 9 12

60

6 West Ham

35 15 14 6 17

59

7 Southampton 36 16 9 11 14

57

8 Liverpool

35 15 10 10 11

55

9 Chelsea

35 12 12 11

48

10 Stoke City

36 13 9 14 -14

48

11 Everton

35 10 14 11

6

44

12 Watford

35 12 8 15 -6

44

13 Swansea City 36 11 10 15 -13

43

14 West Brom

41

36 10 11 15 -14

15 Bournemouth 36 11

Leicester's players celebrate their title triumph in Jamie Vardy's kitchen following Tottenham's draw with Chelsea on Monday

7

8 17 -20

41

16 Crystal Palace 36 10 9 17 -10

39

17 Newcastle

36 8

9 19 -25

33

18 Sunderland

32

35 7

11 17 -18

19 Norwich City 35 8

7 20 -26

31

20 Aston Villa

7 26 -45

16

36 3

Band of brothers n AFP, London

Leicester captain Wes Morgan hailed the Premier League champions as “a band of brothers” as they celebrated their astonishing title triumph on Monday.

Claudio Ranieri’s side were confirmed as kings of English football for the first time in their 132-year history after second placed Tottenham’s 2-2 draw at Chelsea ended their hopes of overhauling the leaders.

Leicester’s incredible rise from 5,000-1 pre-season outsiders to best in the Premier League has captivated millions of fans around the world and Morgan was quick to pay tribute to his team-mates for making the seemingly impossible into a glorious reality.

“It’s the best feeling of my career and I couldn’t be prouder that it’s as part of this team,” Morgan said.

“Everyone’s worked so hard for this, nobody believed we could do it, but here we are, Premier League champions and deservedly so.

“I’ve never known a spirit like the one between these boys, we’re like brothers.

“People saw it last season when everyone expected us to be relegated, but we fought back to prove people wrong.

“This season’s been a continuation of that. We’ve built on the momentum, but I don’t think anyone believed it would come to this.” l

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‘Kolsindur Messi’ Tohura conquers hardship

Exclusive

n Shishir Hoque

Bangladesh nearer to pink ball reality n Mazhar Uddin Bangladesh Cricket Board is looking to explore the possibilities of day-night Test matches soon.

Nizamuddin Chowdhury, the BCB chief executive, informed that they are willing to try out the day-night matches at the domestic circuit from next season.

Ever since the inaugural daynight Test match between Australia and New Zealand staged in Adelaide in November last year, interest among cricket boards have grown to play the day-night Test with the unconventional pink ball.

“It is definitely part of our plan to play day-night Test matches. We tried it as a test case at the domestic level. In the present situation, we are going along the same line as the other member countries who are exploring day-night Tests. We are hopeful of trying it out in our domestic competitions (next season),” said Nizamuddin.

The day-night Test match has a positive impact in terms of the financial aspects in which the board is looking forward to bank on in future, according to Nizamuddin.

“From the information we have received so far, day-night Tests are more commercially viable. But we cannot say it with certainty without exploring the possibility. We will definitely be sitting with our players before anything is decided,” he said.

Kazi Inam Ahmed, the BCB’s

marketing and commercial committee chairman, said day-night Test match can receive a positive feedback financially but at the same time he added that there should be a competitive game to attract the viewers.

“I think day-night Test matches can be commercially successful as playing longer version cricket under lights will certainly raise the in-

The day-night Test match has a positive impact in terms of the financial aspects in which the board is looking forward to bank on in future terest as there will be more viewers to watch the game, obviously for the timing. But at the same time we also need to have a competitive game of cricket which is the most important part,” said Inam.

BCB did host a day-night longer version game in the final of the Bangladesh Cricket League back in 2013 where Central Zone won the title over North Zone by 31 runs at the home of cricket in Mirpur.

Wicket-keeper batsman Nurul Hasan, who has the experience of playing the only day-night game

for Central Zone, informed that it has been a memorable experience for him to play with the pink ball under lights.

“It was a memorable experience for me playing longer version cricket under lights for the first time.

Personally I was very excited to play with the pink ball. I think it’s something different for us playing four-day match under lights though I had to adjust initially to set the eye-sight of the pink ball both as a wicket-keeper and also a batsman but later it was normal,” said Nurul.

On the other hand, Tigers fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, who also played the final three years back for Central Zone, however, faced some difficulties with the pink ball once it gets older.

“Yes, I remember the game where we played with the pink ball under lights for the very first time.

The problem which I faced personally was that the pink ball got softer and it was hard to grip the seam when the ball got older. But I would like to play day-night Test match as it’s something very exciting to play longer version cricket under lights,” said Taskin.

Bangladesh team will be touring New Zealand in December this year where the New Zealand Cricket Board has already proposed a daynight Test match to the BCB and if things go well, the Tigers may even play their first ever day-night Test match against the Kiwis.l

Bangladesh midfielder Tohura Khatun, top-scorer of the recently concluded AFC Under-14 Girls’ Regional Championship (south and central zone) in Tajikistan, had to overcome a lot of hardships before eventually savouring the sweet taste of success.

Tohura’s father, Firoz Mia did not want his young daughter to take up football as a career while her mother was not at all amused to see the fascination and passion in her girl, who virtually idolised the sport.

In the last five years, Tohura continued to defy the wishes of her parents, thus establishing her famous nickname – the Messi of Kolsindur.

The attacking midfielder though waited patiently for an opportunity in the international arena and it duly arrived in the 2016 AFC U-14 Girls’ Regional Championship.

And she wasted little time to grab the limelight, scoring an impressive 10 goals in only four matches to inspire her nation to the title. Her crowning moment came later in the presentation ceremony where she was awarded for being the highest scorer of the tournament.

The Bangladesh girls landed in the capital city yesterday night and it seems Tohura is finding it difficult to let go of the top-scorer’s trophy. No doubt one of her most prized possessions, the 13-year old from Kolsindur, a remote village in Mymensingh near the Indian border, held the trophy tightly for the majority of the reception programme, arranged to felicitate the triumphant Bangladesh girls.

When asked to describe her success, Tohura, quiet and unassuming in nature, gave a plain and humble speech in the programme. She however, made no effort to hide or overlook her hard work and struggle.

“We did a lot of hard work to become the champions. My coach

always says, ‘It does not matter how good you play, if you are not disciplined’. Another thing is seriousness. We were determined to perform well,” said Tohura in her local language.

She continued, “When the national anthem was being played in our first match, we could not hold back our tears. It inspired us to give our everything in order to beat India for the very first time.”

In the meantime, Tohura’s forehead was sweating a little bit, despite being inside an air-conditioned hall-room. More than nervousness, it was due to all the things that she had to carry with her two hands.

There was a crest, a bouquet of flowers, a money-filled envelope and the top-scorer’s trophy. Before going on to share one of her childhood stories, she kept aside everything else but the highest scorer’s trophy.

“It was in the afternoon. I was in standard two at that time. One day on my way home from school, I saw some of my elder sisters playing football. My elder brother asked me, ‘Why don’t you play with them? You go and play’.

“My parents did not like me playing football. They thought girls should not play games like football and should only move outside in veil. I used to practise in their absence. Now they are happy and proud of me.”

When queried if she brought anything for her five sisters and one brother, Tohura said, “We did not have enough time to hang around.

We only celebrated after the final victory. A sister from Tajikistan liked my playing style. She took me out for a while and bought me shampoo and soap as gifts. That’s the only thing I brought for my brother and sisters.”

She added in a hopeful tone, “We do not want to get stuck in here. We want to continue. We hope you (sponsors) extend your hands of support so that we can perform better in future.” l

Bangladesh Under-14 star Tohura Khatun poses with the trophy and medal at BFF House yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

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QUICK BYTES Khelaghar edge Abahani in Women’s Cricket League

RESULT Abahani

Khelaghar Samaj Kalyan Samity bagged a three-wicket win over Abahani Limited in the Dhaka Premier Division Women’s League yesterday. Batting first, Abahani posted 115 runs for the loss of all of their wickets in 39.5 overs, aided

by Jahanara Alam’s 41 runs. Later, Khelaghar chased down the target in 32.2 overs, losing seven wickets.

Earlier on the first day of the tournament last Monday, Rupali Bank defeated Gulshan Youth Club by six wickets while in the second game, Mohammedan Sporting Club picked up a 90-run win against Indira Road Cricket Academy.

Burnley returned to the Premier League at the first attempt with a 1-0 home win over Queens Park Rangers guaranteeing promotion from the Championship on Monday. Brighton & Hove Albion’s earlier 1-1 draw with Derby County meant Burnley would go up with a game to spare with victory over QPR and they achieved it through a Sam Vokes header on the hour.

Burnley, relegated last year, have 90 points, two more than Brighton and Middlesbrough who face each other in next weekend’s final round of fixtures. Middlesbrough’s goal difference is marginally superior of Brighton’s meaning a draw would be enough for them to take the second automatic promotion spot. Promotion is estimated to be worth at least 100 million pounds ($146.74 million) for next season.

–REUTERS

DAY’S WATCH FOOTBALL TEN 2 12:45AM UEFA Champions League SF: Real Madrid v Man City

STAR SPORTS 1 4:00PM AFC Champions League Becamex Binh Duong v FC Tokyo

STAR SPORTS 4 4:30PM AFC Champions League Buriram Utd v Shandong Luneng

CRICKET SONY SIX 8:30PM Indian Premier League Kolkata v Punjab

Sheikh Jamal

STARTING XIs SHEIKH JAMAL Hemel; Kesto, Linkon, Yeasin, Sweet; Enamul, Rakib, Sharif, Landing; Wedson, Emeka ABAHANI Shakil; Ariful, Waly, Topu, Mamun; Emon, Faisal, Jewel; Tuck, Camara, Sunday

Abahani forward Sunday Chizoba (C) runs with the ball during their Independence Cup semi-final against Sheikh Jamal at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday

–TRIBUNE REPORT

Burnley promoted to Premier League with victory over QPR

6-0

Lee Tuck 47, 50, Sunday 60, 64, 81, 83

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Sunday, Lee Tuck demolish Sheikh Jamal n Tribune Report

Riding on Sunday Chizoba’s sensational four-goal haul, Abahani Limited stunned Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi with a humiliating 6-0 defeat in the Dhanmondi derby at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

In the process, Abahani became the first team to reach the final of the KFC Independence Cup and will now face the winner of the second semi-final between Chittagong Abahani and Sheikh Russel, scheduled for today at 5:30pm.

Along with Nigerian striker Sunday’s four goals, Abahani’s new English recruit Lee Andrew Tuck

also played a key role, netting the opening two goals, whilst also setting up two other to hand Sheikh Jamal their biggest margin of defeat in their six-year club history.

The scenario of the game changed totally after a barren first half with Lee Tuck scoring and creating some amazing chances for Sunday. Sheikh Jamal were nowhere near the performance that they had exhibited against Tampine Rovers earlier last week.

It is the first time in recent years that Abahani have reached the final of a professional tournament. On the other hand, this is the first time that Sheikh Jamal have conceded

six goals or more in a game.

Abahani appeared a completely different side after resumption with Lee Tuck scoring the opener from the spot with only three minutes into the second half. Sheikh Jamal defender Kesto Kumar Bosh had brought down Camara Sarba.

Lee Tuck doubled the lead just two minutes later. After receiving a through pass from Camara, Sunday passed it to Lee Tuck inside the box who fooled the keeper before smashing the ball into the net.

Another brilliant delivery by Lee Tuck at the hour mark helped Abahani extend the lead. The English forward found Sunday with a

lovely through pass and the Nigerian broke into the right side of the penalty area before slotting home calmly into the far post.

Four minutes later, a miscommunication between Sheikh Jamal keeper Mazharul Islam Hemel and his fellow defenders allowed Jewel Rana collect the ball before passing it to Sunday, who fired home from the edge of the box.

Sunday netted two more in three minutes to complete his treble. Sunday headed home a Jewel cross for his second while he completed the rout with a powerful strike from just outside the left corner of the box.l

MSC ease past Rupganj n Minhaz Uddin Khan An all-round effort by Mohammedan Sporting Club saw the side register a seven-wicket victory against Legends of Rupganj in Fatullah’s Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium yesterday. Mohammedan were backed by Naeem Islam Jr’s fourfor, the left-arm spinner who got reported for suspected bowling action in the previous game against Victoria Sporting Club.

Mohammedan won the toss and invited Rupganj to bat first. The openers, Mizanur Rahman and Junaid Siddique provided a smooth start posting 107 runs. Naeem Jr removed Junaid for 39 in the 24th over. Two overs later, Mizanur also departed scoring 63 and from there on in, Rupganj failed to capitalise.

The side lost the remainder of their wickets adding just 96 runs to the tally. Naeem Jr led the Mohammedan bowlers with four scalps in 10

overs, conceding 48 runs, followed

by Habibur Rahman with three wickets in 10 overs, leaking 26 runs only.

Later, the Mohammedan top-order made a solid reply as the side reached their shore in 46 overs, losing three wickets only. Upul Tharanga led the chase with 71 off 99 balls, featuring seven boundaries

BRIEF SCORE LEGENDS OF RUPGANJ 212 (Mizanur 63, Naeem Jr 4/48, Habibur 3/26) lost to MOHAMMEDAN SC 215/3 (Tharanga 71, Mushfiq 51*, Saykat 34) by seven wickets and a six. Captain Mushfiqur Rahim has been in good touch in the tournament and on the day scored an unbeaten 51 off 64.

Mohammedan picked up their second win in three matches. While for Rupganj, the defeat is their first in three games. l

Mohammedan captain Mushfiqur Rahim plays a shot in Fatullah yesterday MI MANIK

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FROM PRECIPICE TO GLORY 2015 MARCH 21 Leicester lose 4-3 at Tottenham Hotspur to find themselves bottom, seven points adrift. They have won four of their 29 games. Jamie Vardy scores - his second goal of a season that eventually produced five goals in 37 appearances.

MARCH 26 The remains of King Richard III, discovered under a Leicester car

park, are reburied in the city’s cathedral - later seen as the turning point in the club’s fortunes.

APRIL 4 The fightback begins with a 2-1 home win over West Ham United.

APRIL 25 A 1-0 victory at relegation rivals Burnley makes it four wins in a row

and hauls Leicester out of the bottom three.

MAY 16 A goalless draw at Sunderland confirms Leicester will remain in the Premier League with a game to spare.

MAY 24 Leicester end the season in style by thumping Queens Park Rangers 5-1. Having won four of their first 29 games they won seven and drew one of their final nine to finish 14th in the 20-team league.

QPR, Burnley and Hull are relegated. Aston Villa, Sunderland and Newcastle escape by the skin of their teeth.

JUNE 17 James Pearson, son of manager Nigel, is one of three Leicester

Ranieri thanks Chelsea n AFP, London Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri called his Chelsea counterpart Guus Hiddink on Monday to thank him for the draw with Tottenham Hotspur that gave his team the Premier League title.

Spurs’ 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge brought Leicester the first top-flight title in their 132-year history and Ranieri, who was sacked by Chelsea in 2004, was quickly on the phone to express his gratitude.

“Just after the final whistle, I got a call from Ranieri,” Hiddink, Chelsea’s interim manager, told his post-match press conference.

“He called us and thanked us for what we did, especially in the second half. I congratulated him for being champion.

“I think they deserve it. It might be not a surprise anymore, but maybe a shock for the established clubs that they did so well.

“They didn’t implode. There was no tension when they started smelling the title. That’s why I think they deserve the title.”

Asked if Ranieri, who cried on the pitch following Leicester’s recent 2-0 win at Sunderland, had sounded emotional, Hiddink replied: “Yeah. I didn’t see any tears because it was not a Facetime conversation.

“But his voice was trembling a bit. Five times, (he said) thanks.

Because the emotion is going up.”

Ranieri, 64, was reported to have returned to England earlier on Monday after making a quick trip to Italy in order to have lunch with his 96-year-old mother, Renata. l

CLUBS WHO HAVE WON EPL

20 Manchester United 18 Liverpool 13

Arsenal

9

Everton

7

Aston Villa, Sunderland

5

Newcastle United, Chelsea

4

Sheffield Wednesday, Manchester City

3

Huddersfield Town, Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers

2

Portsmouth, Preston North End, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur, Derby County

1

Sheffield United, West Bromwich Albion, Nottingham Forest, Ipswich Town, Leicester City *Since the League began in 1888-89

players sacked by the club after their involvement in a racist, sexual incident with three local woman during the club’s “goodwill tour” of Thailand.

JUNE 30 Nigel Pearson, hero of the city a month before, is fired amid rumours of a fallout with the club’s Thai owners related to the sacking of his son.

JULY 13 Italian Claudio Ranieri is appointed manager of his 15th club.

AUG 8 Ranieri’s Leicester kick off the new season with a 4-2 home win over Sunderland.

SEPT 26 Leicester’s six-game unbeaten start to the season is brought to an emphatic end with a 5-2 home defeat by Arsenal.

NOV 21. Leicester win 3-0 at Newcastle United and go top of the league.

NOV 28 Leicester draw with Manchester United. Vardy is on target and becomes the first player to score in 11 consecutive Premier League games.

DEC. 23 Leicester win 3-2 at Everton to secure top spot at Christmas - eight of the last 11 teams in that position have gone on to win the league.

2016 JAN. 13 After a relatively dry spell of a defeat and two draws that launched a thousand “bubble has burst” conversations, Leicester are back to winning ways with a 1-0 success at title rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

JAN. 16 A scrappy 1-1 draw at Aston Villa is enough to put Leicester back on top of the table, ahead of Arsenal on goal difference.

FEB. 6 “And now you’re going to believe us, we’re going to win the league!” roar the Leicester fans, and few people are arguing as, four days after beating Liverpool 2-0, they destroy Manchester City 3-1 at the Etihad.

FEB. 14 The dream is on hold as Danny Welbeck comes off the bench to snatch a stoppage-time 2-1 win for Arsenal.

FEB. 27 The beginning of “phase two” as, with opponents wising up to

Leicester’s quick-fire counter-attacking game, they are forced to tough it out, starting with a scruffy 1-0 win at Norwich City.

APRIL 10 An impressive 2-0 victory at Sunderland means Foxes have kept five successive clean sheets and are seven points clear with five games remaining.

APRIL 17.Trailing 2-1 at home to West Ham, with Vardy sent off, Leicester are handed a last-gasp penalty lifeline that Leonardo Ulloa grabs to snatch a 2-2 draw, lifting the roof off the King Power stadium.

APRIL 24 Leicester shrug off the absence of suspended Vardy to hammer

Swansea City 4-0. To complete a great day, Riyad Mahrez is named PFA Player of the Year. Vardy, midfielder N’Golo Kante and centre-back and captain Wes Morgan are also included in the PFA Team of the Year.

APRIL 25 Tottenham, the only team who can catch them, are held 1-1 at

home by West Bromwich Albion, leaving Leicester needing a maximum of three points from their last three games to secure the title.

MAY 1 Leicester draw 1-1 at Manchester United to inch closer to the trophy.

MAY 2 Spurs need to win all three of their remaining games to have a chance

of taking the honours but after leading 2-0 at last year’s champions Chelsea, they are pegged back to 2-2 and the title goes to Leicester.

Leicester City fans celebrate their Premier League title outside The King Power Stadium yesterday

REUTERS

WHAT THEY SAID AFTER LEICESTER WON EPL “Leicester City have won the Premier League. The biggest sporting shock of my lifetime, and it’s only my team. I got emotional. It was hard to breathe.”

- Former Leicester and England striker Gary Lineker “Massive congrats @LCFC! It’s been a thrill to follow all season. #worthychampions.”

- Former world number one golfer Rory Mcllroy “Many congratulations to Leicester. An extraordinary, thoroughly deserved, Premier League title.”

- British PM David Cameron “To be Premier League champions is a fantastic achievement and I want to say well done to Claudio and the boys.”

- Mark Selby, the Leicester-born snooker player who won the World Championship title just shortly “Proud of you Spurs! But Leicester... What an inspiration, the best f***** story ever! Congratulations!!!! X” - Oscar-winning pop star Adele “An unbelievable night for Leicester. This is the greatest achievement in British sport. I was a massive sceptic of (Leicester manager) Claudio Ranieri but he proved me so wrong.”

- Former Leicester and Wales midfielder Robbie Savage “Well done, Leicester City. You showed all sportsmen that dreams and fairytales can come true, if u truly believe, amazing story. Congrats.”

- Australian legend Shane Warne “Congratulations to Leicester City for winning the Premier League against all the odds, magnificent well done. West Ham next year.”

- West Ham co-owner David Gold “Well done LCFC. What an amazing season.

Incredible achievement.”

- Rugby icon Jonathan Davies “There’s no doubt that is the greatest achievement in the history of our game. Football had become a closed shop with the same teams winning year after year and you never believed a story like this could happen. Statue for Ranieri in the morning I think.”

- Ex footballer Jamie Carragher

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Real banking on Ronaldo goal power against City

REAL MADRID Madrid have won ten league games in a row, their best run since Dec 2014 under Carlo Ancelotti (12).

Ronaldo has 16 goals in this season’s competition – one short of his own record for a single European Cup campaign, set in 2013/14.

n Reuters, Madrid

Ronaldo is the second highest scorer in the Liga this term behind Luis Suárez (35) on 31 goals, and is the first player in the league’s history to have found the net 30 times in six consecutive seasons.

Madrid are the only side to have scored more than 100 goals in seven consecutive Liga seasons.

MANCHESTER CITY City’s eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions was ended by Sunday’s 4-2 defeat at Southampton FC. Kelechi Iheanacho has four goals in his last two league appearances.

Yaya Touré suffered a right leg injury in the 4-0 victory over Stoke City FC on 23 April and sat out the first leg against Madrid and the Southampton match as a result.

David Silva was ruled out for two to three weeks with the hamstring injury he sustained in the semi-final first leg.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo during training at Valdebebas yesterday REUTERS

Real Madrid are hoping the fitagain Cristiano Ronaldo can lead them into the Champions League final although strike partner Karim Benzema remains a doubt for today’s return match with Manchester City.

Ronaldo completed a full training session on Monday for the first time since injuring his hamstring against Villarreal on April 20 and is expected to start the semi-final second leg against City who were held to a 0-0 home draw in the first game.

Benzema, who is also nursing a hamstring problem, could only do running exercises on Monday.

The 10-times European champions scraped a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday without their two top scorers.

Portugal marksman Ronaldo took no part in last week’s tie in Manchester while France forward Benzema went off at halftime. Although Real had the better chances they were noticeably lightweight up front in the second period.

The club’s all-time leading scorer Ronaldo has 47 goals in all competitions this season.

His hat-trick in the quarter-final second leg against VfL Wolfsburg overturned a two-goal deficit from the first match, averting an embarrassing exit for Zinedine Zidane’s side.

City coach Manuel Pellegrini made eight changes to his team against Southampton on Sunday, in preparation for the trip to Madrid, but the plan backfired as they lost 4-2.

The Chilean was unapologetic about resting some of his players as his side look to reach a first Champions League final.

“I would do exactly the same again because we have an important game [today],” said Pellegrini.

Real are eyeing their 14th final appearance, 60 years after defeating Stade de Reims 4-3 to win the inaugural competition.

The Madrid heavyweights have progressed in seven out of eight European ties after being held to a goalless draw in the first leg, losing only to Spartak Moscow in the 1991 European Cup quarter-finals. l

FIVE GREATEST FOOTBALL FAIRYTALES Euro 2004: Greece unlikely winners

Unfancied Greece produced one of the greatest ever sporting upsets when they clinched the Euro 2004 against all odds. Under the stewardship of German Otto Rehhagel, the Greeks just about survived the first round, eliminating powerhouse Spain in the process. Greece’s playing style might not have looked good to the eye but it was highly effective as heavyweight France and hosts Portugal were duly taken care of in the quarter-final and final respectively. Since then however, Greece have not enjoyed the best of times, failing to qualify for the 2006 World Cup and the 2016 Euro Championship and exiting meekly in the group stage in the 2008 Euro and 2010 World Cup.

1994-95 English Premier League: Blackburn create upset

The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool dominated English football in the early 1990s so it was quite a surprise when Kenny Dalglish’s charges pipped everyone else to the top-flight title in 1995. The inspiring leadership of former Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood and the prolific goal-scoring ways of Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton proved to be deadly combinations as Sir Alex Ferguson’s United fell short by just one point. That particular season proved to be a oneoff wonder as Blackburn have been unable to scale similar heights since then.

Euro 1992: Denmark shock established orders

A 0-0 draw against England and defeat to hosts Sweden did little to dispel the notion. Given a week’s notice to put a squad together when Yugoslavia were barred from the 1992 European Championships because of civil war, the Danes who had been runners-up to the Yugoslavs in qualifying - were given little hope. But a 2-1 win over fancied France put them into the semi-finals and they squeaked past the Netherlands on penalties.

The might of world champions Germany awaited in the final but Denmark rode their luck with goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel proving impregnable and goals from John Jensen and Kim Vilfort taking the team that had failed originally to qualify for the tournament to the most unlikely of victories.

1977-79: Clough’s Forest in European wonderland

Brian Clough’s miracle men would seem to be the closest predecessors to Leicester’s title triumph. But where Leicester have billionaire Thai owners, Clough’s Nottingham Forest once held cheese and wine events to raise funds. Despite that, Clough led them to the Football League championship at the first time of asking with four games to spare, and then two consecutive European Cups, dethroning the all-conquering Liverpool side of Bob Paisley - the Barcelona of their day - in both competitions. Their record unbeaten run of 42 games (the equivalent of an entire season) stood until Arsenal’s Invincibles in 2004.

2003-04 Champions League: Mourinho’s Porto conquers Europe

Having to go through a group phase and a knockout phase made it a great deal harder for the smaller teams to win the Champions League post 1990. Surprisingly, Jose Mourinho’s Porto managed to pull off this remarkable feat in the 2003/04 season. The Portuguese side were drawn into a group consisting of Real Madrid, Marseille and Partizan.

Overcoming Real Madrid proved an impossible task, but Porto did manage to qualify for the knockout stage as they finished ahead of Marseille and Partizan. Unlike many of the finals in the past, this was a complete rout as Porto won 3-0 against Monaco, thanks to goals from Carlos Alberto, Deco and Dmitri Alenichev. This was Porto’s second Champions League victory and their first after the rechristening of the tournament. l

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

Wonder days of Wonder Woman

From a wrestler to a music composer n Showtime Desk After finishing shooting his muchawaited Dangal, Aamir Khan will be seen on-screen portraying the role of a music composer in his manager’s Advait Chandan’s directorial debut, tentatively titled as Secret Superstar.

According to a report published on DNA India, the film was previously titled, Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai. However, the perfectionist will be seen in a supporting role, and the film’s lead cast, a mother-son duo, are yet to be finalised.

The story of the film is based on a teenager who saves her mother from an abusive father with the help of an alcoholic divorcee.

Apparently, the actor is planning to leave no stone unturned for this role, and is also planning to learn the tricks of the trade to get into his character.

The film is touted to be a musical, with music by ace

n Showtime Desk

composer Amit Trivedi and is set to start shooting in June.

Aamir is currently busy with his upcoming film Dangal, where he plays the role of a wrestler. The role is based on the life of wrestler Mahavir Phogat, for which Aamir

had to go through a gruelling weight gain and then weight loss regime. The film is slated to release in December 2016. l Sources: Times of India, Hindustan Times

Nancy wins her 7th Meril-Prothom Alo Award

n Showtime Desk Popular singer Nancy has bagged the Meril-Prothom Alo Award for the “Best Singer (female)” category for the seventh time.

The talented singer received the celebrated award at the ceremony of Meril-Prothom Alo

Awards 2016 held on April 29 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.

Voted by the critics, Nancy received the honour from distinguished singer Fahmida Nabi. She said she was very happy and that her father Naimul Haque was even happier.

Nancy said, “I have won the award six times before, however, this is the first time my father attended the ceremony. After announcement, I dragged him to the stage. He was standing by me when I received the award. That moment will remain memorable to me.” l

Every comic book geek and movie fan have been excited about Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, and even more so about the appearance of the new Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot.

Before Gadot made her debut as an actress in the Fast & Furious franchise, she was a model and winner of the 2004 Miss Israel competition and also worked as combat instructor in the Israeli military for a short time. Besides the Fast & Furious franchise, the model and superstar has appeared in some other films as well, such as Night & Day and Date Night, but her most recently released film, Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, is

an entirely different case. Many fans, as well as critics, have claimed that she was the best thing they saw in the movie, in contrast to the sluggish sameness of the two DC super heroes. The possibility being that unlike most super-heroines, Wonder Woman was not sexually objectified or in the need of saving by the superheroes, instead she trumps them by kicking the bad guy’s butt.

After her successful portrayal of Wonder Woman in the film, Gadot is currently working on Wonder Woman (2017), which will feature her as the main character. She is also set to film in part one and two of the upcoming Justice League movies. l

Autistic children highlighted on a TV series

A brand new mega TV serial titled Mayar Bandhon is scheduled to go on air from May 6 on Boishakhi TV with a different concept that focuses on the autistic children and their special needs. The serial features a new story in every 26 episodes.

The first story, Mayar Golpo revolves around a daughter of a rich father Ritu who manages the business of her father.

She married her long-time boyfriend, Anis but somehow their marriage didn’t last as expected. Eventually, the couple split and the plot sheds light on the separation effects the life of Maya, their autistic child.

The story aims to educate the viewers on the needs of autistic children and how they should be treated. Written by Shah Asiful Abed, the series is directed by Shusmay Shumon. l

Things you didn’t know about Satyajit Ray

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

WHAT TO WATCH

Commando Star Movies 3:30pm A retired elite Black Ops Commando launches a one man war against a group of South American criminals who have kidnapped his daughter to blackmail him into starting a revolution and getting an exiled dictator back into power.

Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rae Dawn Chong, Dan Hedaya, Vernon Wells, James Olson

n Hasan Mansoor Chatak This year, May 2 marked Satyajit Ray’s 95th birth anniversary whose niche in the hall of fame of international cinema is firmly secure. Ray now shares the dizzying heights where only a handful of film-makers stand. As British film-maker Lindsay Anderson once said: “I would compare Satyajit Ray to Eisenstein, Chaplin, Kurosawa, Bergman and Antonioni. He is among the greatest in world cinema.” Now, we bring to you, some lesser-known facts about the life-time achievement Academy Award winner, from Spielberg being accused of

borrowing things from Ray’s unfinished Hollywood project to his meticulous way of making film and more.

Ray’s first feature Pather Panchali took three years to complete filming in which he waited an entire year to maintain continuity in one scene because it featured a certain type of wild flower that bloomed at a particular time of year.

Ray was an amid fan of the Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi’s Tintin comics and even had some shots of some of the books in his films.

Ray wrote a script for a movie titled The Alien, in 1967 and Columbia Pictures showed

interest to produce it while Peter Sellers and Marlon Brando were supposed to play the leads.

However, Ray was surprised to find that the script he had co-written had already been copyrighted and with it’s fee appropriated. Eventually, he was disillusioned, had enough of Hollywood machinations and returned to India. Columbia was interested in reviving the project in the 1970s and 1980s but nothing came out of it.

When Steven Spielberg’s ExtraTerrestrial was released in 1982, many saw striking similarities in the film to Ray’s earlier script. Ray himself believed that Spielberg’s movie “would not have been

possible without my script of The Alien being available throughout America in mimeographed copies.” Spielberg denied this by saying, “I was a kid in high school when this script was circulating in Hollywood.”

Ray was very fond of Bollywood actor Nana Patekar and wanted to direct him but that never materialised.

Another legendary Japanese film-maker Akira Kurosawa and Ray were acquainted in a way.

Kurosawa praised Ray’s work, and once quoted, “To have not seen the films of Ray is to have lived in the world without ever having seen the moon and the sun.” l

Radiohead returns n Farhan Shahriar One of the most popular bands of all time from the UK is, Radiohead are known for doing things unconventionally, but they’re also incredibly shrewd marketers who really know how to build up platforms for themselves and their music.

After erasing all social media and website content, Radiohead gives its fans the bird by returning on the internet with a new track. However, instead of another distraught hymn warbled by frontman Thom Yorke, the band has released a literal birdsong, sung by an animated bird. While it feels like a troll, it’s actually a tantalizing tease.

Moreover, Radiohead registered a new company called Dawn Chorus, LLP in January, hinting

The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghost of Georgia WB 4:22pm A young family moves into a historic home in Georgia, only to learn they are not the house’s only inhabitants.

Cast: Abigail Spencer, Chad Michael Murray, Katee Sackhoff, Emily Alyn Lind, Cicely Tyson Parker HBO 4:47pm 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, Wendell Pierce, Clifton Collins Jr., Bobby Cannavale The Expendables 2 Zee Studio 7:40pm Mr. Church reunites the Expendables for what should be an easy paycheck, but when one of their men is murdered on the job, their quest for revenge puts them deep in enemy territory and up against an unexpected threat.

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris

that a new album was about to drop. The band did the same before releasing its two previous albums, creating a company called Xurbia Xendless Ltd. to

distribute In Rainbows in 2007, and Ticker Tape Ltd. for 2011’s The King of Limbs. The tease plays right into that expectation.

It’s a new day for Radiohead

fans who can expect a new album to drop any time, and certainly before the band starts touring later this month. l Source: Time Inc. Network

G.I. Joe: Retaliation Zee Studio 11:00pm The G.I. Joes have been set up to take the fall for a crime they didn’t commit and must now retaliate.

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, D.J. Cotrona, Byunghun Lee, Adrianne Palicki

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IMF LOWERS GDP GROWTH BANGLADESH NEARER TO THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW FORECAST PAGE 15 PINK BALL REALITY PAGE 26 ABOUT SATYAJIT RAY PAGE 31

No good news for 90% Boro farmers n Abu Bakar Siddique Even though the government has significantly increased the procurement targets for Boro paddy and rice this year, it does not make the farmers happy since the target is less than 10% of the total production.

It means they would have to sell 90% of their harvest to the wholesalers and millers, who do not buy paddy or rice at the government-fixed rate.

And those, who have already sold off their harvest before the government launches its collection campaign tomorrow, incurred huge loss as the paddy price remains very low in the local markets now.

According to the government, production cost of per kg Boro paddy is Tk20.70; which means the farmers spent around Tk773 to produce one maund paddy (1 maund=37.32kgs).

But they are now selling the paddy at Tk450-600 per maund in different markets whereas the government set rate is Tk858 per maund (Tk23/kg).

The price is Tk450-500 in Dinajpur and Tk550-620 in Naogaon – the highest Boro paddy producing region of the country, report our correspondents.

“The low price of paddy at the beginning of the harvesting season indicates that the price will fall more when the harvest will be in full swing,” said Benu Ram Sarker, a farmer from the district.

Our Naogaon correspondent re-

Farmers are seen taking their paddy harvest home at Rangunia in Chittagong. The picture has been taken recently ports that the price varies from Tk550 to Tk620 based on moisture content.

The government has estimated Boro rice production cost at Tk29 and fixed procurement price at Tk32. Generally, the millers buy paddy from the farmers and sell rice to the government and in the local market.

“We fixed the rates – production and procurement – considering the interests of the farmers,” Food Minister Md Kamrul Islam said last

month while declaring the Boro procurement target for this year.

The government has announced that it will procure 700,000 tonnes of paddy and 600,000 tonnes of rice from the local market which is much higher than all time. Earlier, the government used to buy around 1-2 lakh tonnes paddy every year.

The farmers are not content with the declaration as the total production of Boro paddy is around 19 million tonnes.

“The loss of the farmers can be reduced if the government procures paddy and rice directly from the farmers at the declared price,” said Dr Quazi Shahabuddin, former director general of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS).

“But it does not happen generally, despite having a provision to do so,” he added.

Last year, the government procured 1 million tonnes of rice at Tk32 per maund and 100,000 tonnes of

Rabin Chowdhury paddy at Tk22 from the local market during Boro season, against the production cost of Tk20 and Tk27.50 respectively for paddy and rice.

However, terming the government’s decision of procuring more paddy in this season a “welcome departure,” Shahabuddin said that the government should buy more paddy than rice from the farmers.

“When the government procures more rice, it means that the millers will be benefited,” he added. l

Analysts: Ethnic reconciliation Suu Kyi’s biggest challenge n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

The biggest challenge for the new Myanmar government is to end ethnic conflict and establish peace inside the country, political analysts have said.

Nobel laureate Aung Sun Suu Kyi’s party National League for Democracy (NLD) – which assumed power on April 1 – is trying to hold a peace conference known as Panglong Conference next month to have reconciliation among all citizens.

Han Thar Myint, one of the 13 Central Executive Committee members of the NLD, said: “We are trying to hold the Panglong Conference next month. Lets see if we can hold the conference.”

However, experts believe that

it would be very difficult to bring everyone under one umbrella.

Nyunt Maung Shein, a former ambassador and the incumbent chairman of Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies, said reaching a peace accord with the ethnic groups was the new government’s biggest challenge.

The government should uplift the quality of education, poverty alleviation, improve economic conditions and reform institutions, he said.

About the relationship between the political forces and the army, Shein said: “Of course the government should maintain a good and balanced relationship with the army.”

Saying that having a good relationship with China was of utmost importance, he added that one

can make friends but one cannot change neighbours.

Western countries were now showing interest about Myanmar but there should be a balance between the outside world and strong neighbours like China, the MISIS chairman said.

A neighbour like Bangladesh was also very important as the country was opening up for improving relations, said Shein, who served in Dhaka as a diplomat in the 1980s.

After five decades of military rule, Myanmar saw a general election last November where the NLD enjoyed a landslide victory.

Shein’s opinion was also shared by former NLD president and current chief patron Tin Oo, who said

the government’s major priority was to establish peace and resolve ethnic problems.

“Every ethnic community urged her [Suu Kyi], like her father, to initiate the Panglong Conference to achieve the goals of peace,” Oo said.

The first Panglong Conference was held in presence of then Myanmar leader General Aung San – father of Suu Kyi – and other ethnic leaders in February 1947, when an agreement was reached awarding autonomy in internal administration for the frontier areas.

Myanmar has 135 officially recognised ethnic groups that constitute 30% of the total population.

Oo said the government would pursue a policy of solidarity for the ethnic majority, but it would also

be inclusive to other people. “She [Suu Kyi] alone cannot achieve the goal.”

About the expectation of people, Oo said: “There is a desire to change the situation. There will be change. But it must be firm, thorough and stable.”

About NLD-army relations, he said: “We are gradually trying to make them [army] understand.”

They are not like old generals and they think in a modified way of how to proceed to achieve the people’s desire, he said.

ActionAid Myanmar Director Shihab Uddin Ahmed said he also felt that establishing sustainable peace among the 135 ethnic groups was the biggest challenge for the new NLD government.l

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