May 12, 2016

SECOND EDITION

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

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Boishakh 29, 1423, Shaban 4, 1437

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 20

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

Sluggish projects behind Dhaka’s traffic woes n Shohel Mamun If someone is looking for the reasons behind the ever-worsening traffic situation in Dhaka city, they need not look any further than the development projects in the capital that are moving at a snail’s pace.

The already horrible situation is only going to get worse for Dhaka dwellers with two new largescale projects – metro rail and elevated expressway – set to gain momentum in the next couple of years.

Authorities say such sacrifices are essential to achieve something better.

“Without suffering, it is not possible to create something wonderful. It is natural. So when an authority carries out a big con-

More schools with zero pass rate

struction work, it will create some sufferings for the city residents,” said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.

“However, it has been ordered to keep the sufferings at a tolerable level,” he added.

The minister also assured the residents of the capital that the ministry has made sudden visits to project sites and taken legal action against guilty officials and contractors whose mismanagement has caused sufferings to the public.

Moghbazar flyover

One of the largest ongoing projects in Dhaka city is the construction of the Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover. It is also one of the biggest causes of sufferings for city commuters.

It was originally supposed to be

completed by July 2014, but only a 2km part – one-fifth of the total length – has so far been opened to the public.

The second part, which stretches from Eskaton to Mouchak, is 86% complete. But the third part from Rampura to Shantinagar via Malibagh and Rajarbagh Police Lines is only 47% complete.

Authorities say the construction would be finished by this December.

But similar promises have often produced no result in the past, with project cost going up with each extension of the deadline.

“Unplanned underground utility service is the main cause for delay in the project. For this, we needed to change the design for the flyover,” said Ataur Rahman

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n Reuters, Baghdad

Bhuiyan Manik, chairman of Toma Group, which is one of the contractors for the MoghbazarMouchak flyover.

Visiting the project site and talking to the locals, the Dhaka Tribune found that massive tailbacks have been a daily story for the area ever since construction began as building materials continue to occupy a large part of the streets.

“Since work began on the flyover, we have seen hundreds of vehicles stuck on this road for a long duration. Passengers have to get down from their vehicles at Malibagh rail crossing and walk to their destinations,” said Anowar Hossain, who works at a pharmacy on the DIT Road.

“We also fear that the road will

Three suicide bombings claimed by Islamic State across Baghdad killed at least 80 people on Wednesday, Iraqi police and hospital sources said, in the deadliest attacks in the Iraqi capital this year.

Security has gradually improved in Baghdad, which was the target of daily bombings a decade ago, but violence against security forces and Shia Muslim civilians is still frequent. Large blasts sometimes set off reprisal attacks against the minority Sunni community.

The first attack, a suicide car bomb at a bustling market in the Shia Muslim area of Sadr City, killed 55 people during morning rush hour and wounded 68.

Two more blasts struck at the end of the working day. A suicide bomber stormed a security checkpoint leading into Kadhimiya, a

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88.29% success in SSC, equivalent exams Mamun, Shadma n Shohel Malik and Nure Alam Durjoy

n Nure Alam Durjoy The number of institutions with a zero pass rate in the Secondary School Certificate and equivalent exams have increased this year as students from several institutions failed to pass the exams.

A total of 53 institutions, in both general and madrasa education, were unsuccessful this year, whereas the number stood at 47 last year.

While announcing the results yesterday at the Secretariat, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid expressed his dissatisfaction and said that measures would be taken against these institutions.

Among the institutions that failed, nine were from Dhaka, Comilla and Jessore boards, three from each. From Rajshahi, Barisal

IS suicide bombs kill 80 in Baghdad

Rajuk Uttara Model College students express their joy after the results were published yesterday

The results of this year’s SSC and its equivalent exams were published yesterday, with the pass rate standing at 88.29% - a growth of 1.25 percentage point compared to last year.

Students in Rajshahi Board performed the best with a 95.70% pass rate. But the Dhaka Board had the highest number of GPA 5 achievers – 40,833.

However, there was a fall in the overall number of students getting the top grade: a total 109,761 students secured GPA 5 this year, compared to 111,901 students getting the highest grade point average in 2015.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid handed over copies of the results to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday morning.

Both the prime minister and the MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

BB plays chicken with high-risk loan

Jamaat, BCL clash in Ctg over Nizami’s Janaza

Boy killed just before his SSC result

Bangladesh Bank has cleared the state-owned Janata Bank to grant a loan of Tk330 crore, marked as high risk, after it refused to approve the loan once.  PAGE 3

A fierce clash broke out between members of Jamaat-e-Islami and Chhatra League over holding a Gayebana Namaze-anaza of executed war criminal Motiur Rahman Nizami at Parade Ground in Chittagong yesterday noon.  PAGE 5

A student of Mirpur Adarsha High School with a score of GPA 5 in the Secondary School Certificate exams, the 17-year-old was killed a few hours before the results were published yesterday.  PAGE 32

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Pakistan ’saddened’

by Nizami execution n Tribune Report The Pakistan government has expressed deep sadness over the hanging of war criminal Motiur Rahman Nizami, while its National Assembly passed a unanimous resolution expressing grave concerns over the execution.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry said: “Pakistan is deeply saddened over the hanging of the Ameer of Jamat-e-Islami Bangladesh, Mr Moti-ur-Rehman [sic] Nizami, for the alleged crimes committed before December 1971. His only sin was upholding the constitution and laws of Pakistan.”

The act of suppressing the opposition by killing their leaders through flawed trials was completely against the spirit of democracy, the statement added.

The execution was also unfortunate for the people of Bangladesh who had elected Nizami as their representative in the parliament, it read.

“Ever since the beginning of the trials, several international organisations, human rights groups and international legal figures have raised objections to the court proceedings, especially regarding fairness and transparency, as well as reported harassment of lawyers and witnesses representing the accused.”

As part of the 1974 Tripartite Agreement, the government of Bangladesh “decided not to proceed with the trials as an act of clemency,” Pakistan claimed.

It should be mentioned that the 1974 tripartite agreement referred to only 195 Pakistani soldiers, and had no hint that Bangladesh would not try Bangladeshi nationals for their crimes against humanity.

The statement read that the government of Bangladesh should uphold its commitments as per the 1974 agreement.

Pakistan also offers condolences to the bereaved family members and the followers of Nizami. l

IS suicide bombs kill 80 in Baghdad northwestern area housing one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam, killing 17 and wounding more than 30.

Another bomb went off at a checkpoint on a commercial thoroughfare in a predominantly Sunni district of western Baghdad, killing eight and wounding 20.

Rescue workers stepped through puddles of blood to put out fires and remove victims.

Smoke was still rising from several shops hours after the explosion as a bulldozer cleared the burnt-out chassis of the vehicle used in the blast.

Islamic State said in statements circulated online by supporters that a car bomb had aimed at Shia militia fighters gathered in the area and two fighters wearing explosive vests targeted security forces in the later attacks.

The fight against Islamic State, which seized about a third of Iraq’s territory in 2014, has exacerbated a long-running sectarian conflict in Iraq mostly between Sunnis and the Shia majority that came to power after the US-led invasion in 2003. l

88.29% success in SSC, equivalent exams education minister expressed their happiness as students performed better than the previous year.

Analysts said a return to successful trends was partly because the political situation was more conducive for education this year.

In 2015, political turmoil in the form of countrywide hartal and blockades during the exam period disrupted the staging of the Secondary School Certificate and its equivalent exams. As a result, the pass rate experienced a 4.3 percentage point drop from 2014 results.

This year, school authorities, guardians and students enjoyed a more relaxed preparation for the exams – which was reflected in the results.

Prime Minister Hasina said there was no justification for failure when her government was providing so many facilities to students.

The premier also asked students to concentrate more on studies.

Addressing the media at the secretariat, Education Minister Nahid said 4,734 institutions have managed a 100% success rate, less than last year’s 5,095.

This year the Education Ministry did not classify schools as per merit. So the best institution in the country in terms of pass rate and GPA 5 achievers was not mentioned in the published results.

For the eight general education boards, the average pass rate was

88.70%, an increase of 1.98 percentage point from last year.

Overall GPA 5 achievers decline

n Nure Alam Durjoy

Though the overall number of GPA 5 scorers in this year’s Secondary School Certificate and equivalent exams have fallen, the general education boards saw an increase in their numbers.

The general education boards topped in GPA 5 with a total of 96,769 students achieving the hallmark, which was 93,631 last year.

But the Madrasa Education Board this year saw a significant decline in their numbers with only 5,896 GPA 5 achievers, whereas last year it was 11,338.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, while announcing the results yesterday at the Secretariat, said the ministry will examine the decline in Madrasa Education Board scores soon.

The total number students achieving GPA 5 this year stands at 109,761 in all boards, which is 2,140 less than last year. Among the achievers, 57,727 were male and 52,034 were female students. l

But the average result of Madrasa Board saw a drop. Compared to last year’s 90.20% success rate, madrasa students this year only achieved an 88.22% pass rate. The number of GPA 5 achievers also decreased.

Under the Technical Education Board, 83.11% of examinees passed, compared to last year’s 83.01% success rate.

“We believe that school authorities and guardians had taken care of the students, which eventually helped them secure success,” Mahbubur Rahman, chairman of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, told the Dhaka Tribune.

This year some 1,651,523 students from 28,119 educational institutions appeared in the SSC and its equivalent examinations.

Female students performed better with 88.39% pass rate than their male counterparts who managed 88.20% success.

This year’s SSC and equivalent exams began on February 1 and ended on March 15. l

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Sluggish projects behind Dhaka’s traffic woes become unusable during the upcoming monsoon as it is already full of potholes,” he added.

Metro rail

If the situation was not complicated enough, throw in the metro rail project – another sluggishly moving project – into the mix.

This project would cover a larger area than the flyover, with two separate routes starting from Uttara and Pallabi and stretching all the way to Sayedabad.

Although the metro rail project was initiated in 2012, only the preliminary work has been done so far, with the main construction expected to begin next year.

When that happens, some of the major thoroughfares would see added pressure of traffic; and unless there are alternative traffic routes planned, sufferings would grow at an exponential rate.

Project Director Mofazzel Hossain said: “The construction of viaducts, pillars and rail tracks of metro rail will start next year. During that time we think it will create traffic gridlock. But we will fix a plan for alternative traffic routes by discussing with the stakeholders.”

Nonetheless, Dhaka residents should brace themselves for a longhaul suffering as the first phase of construction – if everything goes according to plan – would be finished by December 2019. A further five years would be needed for the full project to be over.

Elevated expressway

The ongoing construction of Dhaka Elevated Expressway would go into full gear next year, increasing traffic woes from Dhaka airport to Jatrabari until the project is completed.

The expressway is another example of sluggish progress, with the project having already missed three deadlines in starting its construction work.

The process to build the expressway was initiated in 2011 and all work was supposed to be completed in 2013. But the Tk8,703 crore project has been plagued with delays since then.

Now, if work goes on uninterrupted, completion of the project is expected in 2018. Until then, residents from the far north to the far south can expect their traffic crisis to only worsen. l

Zero pass rate and Dinajpur boards, six institutions failed with two from each board and there was only one institution failing from the Sylhet Board.

T h e rest 37 institutions w h i c h saw zero pass rate w e r e from the Madrasa Board.

Meanwhile, the number

of institutions with a 100 percent pass rate have also decreased this year. It was 5,095 last year but this year the number stood at 4,734. l

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Central bank plays chicken with high-risk loan n Jebun Nesa Alo Bangladesh Bank has cleared the state-owned Janata Bank to grant a loan of Tk330 crore, marked as high-risk by its own investigation, after it refused to approve the loan once.

A source alleges that after Sonali Bank had rejected the loan, the borrower lobbied hard with high officials of the central bank to get it approved from Janata Bank.

In December 2015, Janata Bank acquired a loan of Tk142 crore for Habib Hotel International owned

by Alam Ahmed from National Bank.

The privately owned National Bank approved the Tk180 crore loan in 2013, but refused to extend the loan when the borrower tried to revise up the cost of the project.

A Bangladesh Bank investigation in 2014 found that the bank had breached regulations in granting the Tk180 crore loan and a large portion of it was diversified later on to an account named Tilottoma

Life Style, International Television Channel and Little Builders Limited. Investigators suggested that the bank should recover its money or classify the loan account.

Following the investigation, National Bank refused to release money beyond the Tk142 crore that had already been issued.

loan on the grounds that it will be risky and a violation of the bank's single borrower exposure limit.

The chairman recommended that the proposal be sent to the central bank for a no objection certificate (NOC).

The Department of Off-site Supervision (DOS) at Bangladesh

The bank's board opposed the loan on the grounds that it will be risky and a violation of the bank's single borrower exposure limit In December last year, Habib Hotel went to Sonali Bank, asking it to acquire the National Bank loan account and extend it to Tk339 crore.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir was the chairman of Sonali Bank at that time while Atiur Rahman was the central bank governor.

The bank's board opposed the

Bank declined to issue an NOC, assessing that the Habib Hotel project was vulnerable. Sources said the department noted that the owner's equity portion of the loan had not been fully utilised, the land was leased from the Public Works Department and the loan was being sought from a state bank, all of which signaled “an ill motive.”

The DOS also predicted that the

hotel would not be completed with this amount as its projected cost was over Tk750 crore.

After this failure, the borrower went to Janata Bank with the same proposal that same month. This time however, the central bank issued the NOC for a loan of Tk330 crore.

The sudden change of mind at the DOS was due to the borrower's connections with a top central bank official, said a senior executive of Bangladesh Bank.

The executive, who asked to remain unnamed, suggested that the borrower had lobbied hard with a top official. “Otherwise how is it possible that the central bank gave two different opinions in the same case?” the executive said.

The central bank's observer to Janata Bank Executive Director Ahmed Jamal, who was present at the board meeting where Janata Bank approved the loan proposal, said the loan was approved following an NOC from Bangladesh Bank. ''I was not aware about central

bank's investigation of that loan account. I did not even know it was rejected from Sonali Bank',” he said.

He admitted that financing the hotel business was risky at this moment in Bangladesh.

Asked about the changed decision, DOS in-charge General Manager SM Rabiul Hassan said: “The loan was approved subject to complying with strict conditions. Even the managing director of Janata Bank will be liable for the failure of the project or if the money is diversified.”

Janata Bank is one of the worst performers among the state-owned commercial banks, with classified loans of Tk2,829 crore as of December last year.

The default loan rate of the bank improved to 8.96% in December last year from 12.86% in the same period of the previous year thanks to massive rescheduling of loans.

The bank rescheduled loans of Tk1,063 crore as of September last year. l

Khaleda charged in two more arson cases n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

Police yesterday filed charge sheets against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and 26 other leaders and activists in two cases filed over arson attacks on buses at Dhaka’s Darussalam during the anti-government movement last year.

The investigation officers charged 27 people in a case filed under the Penal Code (attempted murder) and 24 in the other filed under the Special Powers Act. In the cases, 24 accused are common. Khaleda is named in the cases as instigator.

Earlier, Jatrabari police pressed charges against Khaleda and others in a case filed over arson attack on a bus during the movement last year that killed one person and injured at least 15 others. Khaleda secured bail in the case on April 5.

Metropolitan Magistrate Md Emdadul Huq received the charge

sheets yesterday and set May 31 and June 1 for a hearing, SI Md Jahangir Hossain, general recording officer of the CMM court, told the Dhaka Tribune.

The investigation officers also appealed to the court to issue arrest warrants against 25 of the accused including three-time former premier Khaleda showing them as fugitives.

The other accused include BNP leaders Amanullah Aman, Syeda Asifa Ashrafi Papia, Maruf Kamal Khan, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Meer Sharafat Ali Shafu and Sultan Salauddin Tuku.

According to the case statements, the BNP chief announced non-stop blockade across the country on January 5 and directed the senior leaders of the 20-party alliance to enforce the blockade until the fall of the incumbent government. l

Members under the banner of Non-MPO Educational Institutions' Teachers Employees Federation hold a rally in front of Central Shaheed Minar yesterday, demanding the inclusion of their instituions in the MPO MEHEDI HASAN

Verdict in three Habiganj razakar brothers case any day n Ashif Islam Shaon The International Crimes Tribunal will deliver its judgement any day in the war crimes case filed against three razakars – two brothers and their cousin from Habiganj.

The three-member tribunal led

by Justice Anwar Haque kept the verdict waiting after recording closing statements in the case.

Accused Mahibur Rahman alias

Boromia, his brother Mujibur Rahman alias Angur Mia and their cousin Abdur Razzak were present in the dock during the proceedings.

During their submission, the prosecution prayed for capital punishment of the accused while the defence counsels sought acquittal.

The trio are charged for the murder of two freedom fighters, rape of two women, confinement and tor-

ture of an unarmed civilian, and arson attack and looting of the house of Maj Gen (retd) MA Rob, the deputy commander-in-chief during the 1971 Liberation War. The trio hail from Baniachong Upazila’s Khagaurha Union. The siblings served as chairman of the union parishad.

During the trial, the tribunal recorded testimonies of 12 prosecution witnesses and seven from the

defence side. The accused were indicted in September last year and the trial began with prosecution statement on October 21, prosecutor Rezia Sultana Chaman told reporters.

The investigators found that two other brothers of Boromia and Angur Mia were also anti-liberation people. Their elder brother Kamaldhar was the chief of Khagaurha Union unit Peace Committee

while younger brother Mostafa was a razakar commander.

They controlled the razakar camp and torture cell at Khagaurha set up at the house of Kamrul Ahsan, then MNA (member of national assembly) of Nezam-e-Islami.

The trio were arrested on February 10 last year from Baniachong and produced before the tribunal after two days. Their cousin was arrested on May 17. l

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‘BNP plotting against whole Muslim world’ n Abu Hayat Mahmud The BNP has been plotting conspiracies against the whole Muslim world through their political nexus with Israel’s national intelligence agency Mossad, claimed Awami League Publicity and Publications Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday.

“The BNP has not only conspired against the government of Bangladesh but against the Muslim world as well. The party has made the commitment that it will develop ties with Mossad after assuming state power, which is dangerous and a big threat for Islam,” he alleged while addressing a press conference at Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s political office in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi.

The conference was held after a meeting of the sub-committee of Awami League’s Publicity and Publications unit and the agenda included preparations for the party’s 20th national council scheduled for July 10-11.

Hasan claimed that BNP Joint Secretary General Aslam Chowdhury had met the Mossad chief even though none of the governments of the Muslim countries, including Bangladesh, has any relation with Israel for its anti-Muslim stand.

“Also, the BNP echoed the view of Pakistan on the trials of war criminals. For whom the BNP is doing politics?” the Awami League leader said. l

Annisul to go live on web-cast today

n Abu Hayat Mahmud

With little care for the possible consequences, two school going children along with another man tries to cross the Shonir Akhra section of Mayor Hanif Flyover on Tuesday through an opening in the barricade. The barricade was given to prevent such risky crossings but one wonders why a hinged opening was kept by the authorities RAJIB DHAR

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Annisul Huq will address queries regarding his oneyear term through a live web-cast.

The mayor will be available at w w w.facebook.com/AmraDhaka// which is the Facebook page of “Amra Dhaka” today from 8pm to 10pm, a DNCC press release stated.

During the web-cast, Annisul will answer questions and take note of public concerns and suggestions.

Annisul Huq and Mohammad Sayeed Khokon the mayors of Dhaka north and south city corporations, have completed their first year in office through various challenges and the initiation of short and long term schemes to reform the capital city to a clean, green, livable version of Dhaka. l

Van puller dies in police custody n Our Correspondent, Sirajganj A van puller’s death in Sirajganj police custody has raised questions.

Kamarkhand police claim 35-year-old Babu Mia was a drug addict who committed suicide. His family alleges that a police informer handed him over to the law enforcers branding him a thief before murdering him in police custody.

Babu’s aunt Hasina Begum said her nephew and alleged police informer Faridul Islam, a readymade

garments worker, campaigned for rival candidates in last month’s union parishad polls.

Farid threatened Babu in front of others on the night of the election. Babu was branded a thief and arrested by Kamarkhand police OC Babul Uddin Sardar. “He was murdered in police custody. Police tried to admit his body to Kamarkhand Upazila Health Complex and later to the sadar hospital but failed,” Hasina said.

OC Babul claimed the villagers

had handed over drug addict Babu to them. He said a burglary case was filed against Babu and two others on Tuesday morning. Babu was arrested in the afternoon and was taken to accompany police in raids to nab others.

“Babu hanged himself from the bathroom’s grill yesterday morning. He was rushed to the upazila health complex but doctors declared him dead,” the OC claimed.

But Sirajganj Sadar Hospital’s resident medical officer Dr Akra-

muzzaman said Babu had died long before he was brought to the hospital.

Sirajganj police chief Miraj Uddin Ahammed visited the police station and questioned three men who were in the same cell with Babu. The men, held for drunk driving, the OC and SP Miraj said nobody beat up Babu.

They claimed Babu tried to kill himself after not being able to take drug for a long time and died when being taken to hospital. l

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Jamaat clashes with Chhatra League over holding janaza of Nizami in Chittagong n Anwar Hussain, Chittagong A fierce clash broke out between members of Jamaat-e-Islami and Chhatra League over holding a gayebana namaz-e-janaza of executed war criminal Motiur Rahman Nizami at Parade Ground in Chittagong yesterday noon.

Locals said several hundred members of Jamaat and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir began to take position from 11am in Chawkbazar area, known as a stronghold of Jamaat.

Chhatra League members also took position at the west gate of Chittagong College and began chanting slogans to resist the Jamaat-Shibir members.

Panic-stricken pedestrians ran for shelter and traffic came to a halt for a couple of hours on Chittagong College Road when the two groups chased each other.

Breaking open the gate of Parade Ground, some 5,000 Jamaat and Shibir members participated in the gayebana janaza led by Chittagong city unit Jamaat chief Shamshul Islam.

Failing to resist the Jammat and Shibir members, Chhatra League men put a blockade on Chittagong College Road, and vandalised some nearby shops and a CNG-run autorickshaw. They also brought out a procession from Chittagong College.

Rahman Nizami killing.

He made the remark before the gayebana janaza was held.

The Jamaat leader also vowed to take revenge of the “killing” of Nizami.

“The government executed Nizami out of political vendetta.

The allegations brought against Nizami are baseless,” claimed Shamshul, also a former Jamaat lawmaker.

He also urged his party members to make today's countrywide general strike a success.

Four Shibir men detained in Rajshahi

Jamaat-Shibir activists hurl bricks at the police yesterday during their clash with Chhatra League supporters near Chittagong’s Chawkbazar Parade Grounds. The violence broke out over a Gayebana Janaza of war criminal Motiur Rahman Nizami, but law enforcers managed to disperse the Jamaat-Shibir men by firing blank shots RABIN CHOWDHURY Abdul Aziz, officer-in-charge of Chawkbazar police station, told the Dhaka Tribune the Jamaat and Shibir members took position at the east gate of Parade Ground for attending the gayebana janaza.

“Members of Chhatra League chanted slogans to resist the Jammat and Shibir men from holding the janaza. The Jamaat and Shibir members went on a rampage and began to throw brick chips at po-

bers in collusion with police held the gayebana janaza. They also vandalised four motorcycles, and tore the banners of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” said Abu Mohammad Arif, vice-president of Chittagong College unit of Chhatra League.

Meanwhile, Chittagong city unit Jamaat chief Shamshul Islam termed the execution of Motiur

lice following the gayebana janaza.

Finding no other way, we fired several blank shots to bring the situation under control,” he said.

Md Saiful Islam, general secretary of Chittagong College unit of Chhatra League, said the Jamaat and Shibir members was able to hold the gayebana janaza as the police played the role of silent spectators.

“The Jamaat and Shibir mem-

Four Shibir members were detained in Rajshahi yesterday for trying to hold a gayebana janaza of Nizami.

Assistant Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Iftekhayer Alam said some Shibir members gathered at Hetemkha area of the city at around 2pm and attempted to hold a gayebana janaza.

“Police arrived on the scene after being informed and dispersed them. The Shibir members, while fleeing the scene, hurled bricks at police, forcing law enforcement officials to fire rubber bullets,” he said.

Iftekhayer also said a case would be filed against the four detained Shibir members. l

Three killers of Ananta Bijoy still traceless n Mohammad Jamil Khan The investigators dealing with science writer and war crimes trial campaigner Ananta Bijoy Das murder case are now looking for the three people who took part in the killing on a Sylhet street on May 12 last year.

“Three of the six suspected killers are already in jail. We are now looking for the three other people involved in the murder. We have got their photographs and other details,” CID Special Superintendent Mirza Abdullahel Baqui told the Dhaka Tribune last night.

“We will submit the charge sheet in the case once we arrest the trio,” he added.

Police Headquarters database shows that the law enforcers have already detected the motive and

blames banned militant group Ansarullah Bangla Team for the murder.

One of the suspects now in jail, Mannan Yahya alias Hira alias Abdul Munim, made confessional statement in the case on September 2 last year.

A former student of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Rahi was a close associate of outlawed militant group Hizb-ut Tahrir leader Shafiur Rahman Farabi. They used to instigate attacks on secularists and atheists on Facebook. Police said that Rahi had four accounts on Facebook.

Five masked miscreants killed Ananta, a banker by profession, near Dastidar Dighir Par of Subid Bazar in the city when he was heading for office in the morning of May 12 last year. The killers came

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on a motorcycle, intercepted Ananta near his house and hacked him to death with machetes in broad daylight after chasing him.

Brother of the victim Ratneshwar Das filed the case alleging that Ananta was killed in a planned manner for his writings against religious extremists.

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nent claimed responsibility for the murder. Ansarullah is believed to be the Bangladesh wing of the AQIS. Writer of several books, Ananta was the editor of science magazine Jukti and general secretary of Sylhet Science and Rationalist Council. He also regularly contributed to Mukto-Mona Blog whose founder Avijit Roy had been killed in a similar machete attack on February 26 last year.

A former SUST student, Ananta was also a member of the organising body of Sylhet Gonojagoron Moncho, a youth platform established to demand capital punishment for all war criminals.

The locals have installed a monument on the murder spot to remember the contribution of Ananta in the fight against communalism and religious extremism. It is set to

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be inaugurated this morning.

Meanwhile, two people held over the murder – Mohaymen Noman (brother of Mannan Rahi) and Abul Khayer alias Rashid Ahmed – secured bail in the case recently. The law enforcers arrested them again after they were released from jail on May 5. Noman was arrested along with his brother on August 28 and Rashid on September 2 last year.

Photojournalist Idris Ali of the daily Sabuj Sylhet was also questioned as he took photographs of the dead body just after the killing. He later got bail as the police did not find his involvement in the murder.

However, police earlier claimed that former madrasa student Idris was an active member of a militant group and that he actively took part in the attack. l Sylhet

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Fajr: 4:55am | Zohr: 1:15pm Asr: 5:15pm | Magrib: 6:40pm Esha: 8:30pm Source: Islamic Foundation

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THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

State Minister Promod Mankin dies BGB-BSF conference begins today n Tribune Desk State Minister for Social Welfare Advocate Promod Mankin died early yesterday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mumbai, India.

Promod died at Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai around 3:30am, said the minister’s Personal Secretary Abdur Rahman.

Promod, 77, was suffering from lung disease.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her condolence over the death. She

said the country has lost a patriotic political leader and people will remember him for his role in the country’s

progressive and non-communal politics.

The prime minister also expressed sympathy to his bereaved family members.

He was elected as a parliament member from Mymensingh 1 (Haluaghat) constituency four times consecutively.

He was born on April 18, 1939 at Ramnagar village under Durgapur upazila of Netrakona district.

He left behind five daughters, one son and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. l

Shazneen murder appeal verdict soon n Ashif Islam Shaon The hearing in the appeals case related to the rape and murder of Shazneen Tasnim Rahman in 1998 was concluded yesterday.

The Appellate Division bench of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice SK Sinha kept the verdict waiting for any day after hearing submissions from the lawyers of the state counsels.

The bench on April 6 heard arguments from the

lawyers of the five deathrow convicts.

On March 29, a three-member bench started the hearing, while two more judges were added to the bench on April 6.

Shazneen, a 15-year-old Scholastica student and the youngest daughter of Transcom Limited Chairman Latifur Rahman, was raped and killed on April 23, 1998.

On September 2, 2003, the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tri-

bunal sentenced all of the six accused to death. They are Shahidul Islam alias Shahid, a domestic help; Syed Sajjad Mainuddin Hasan, a contractor who was appointed to repair the house, Sajjad’s assistant Badal, carpenter Shaniram Mandal and two maids – Estema Khatun Minu and Parvin.

After hearing their appeals, the High Court acquitted Shaniram but upheld the death sentences for the other convicts. l

n Mohammad Jamil Khan Director General level border coordination conference between Bangladesh Border Guard and India’s Border Security Force begins today at the BGB headquarters in Dhaka.

Similar to previous years, the killing and injuring of and firing on Bangladeshi nationals at the Bangladesh-India border will be prioritised in the conference, according to a statement issued by the BGB HQ. Smuggling of phensedyl, alcohol, heroine and contraband tablets from the other side of the border into Bangladesh, detaining of Bangladeshi nationals, and arms smuggling will also be part of the agenda in the discussions.

A 21-member delegation – including BSF and Indian Home and Foreign Ministry officials – led by DG Shri K K Sharma arrived in Dhaka yesterday.

A statement, signed by BGB Public Rela-

tions Officer Mohsin Reza, stated that on behalf of BGB, a 21-member delegation will attend the conference led by BGB DG Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed.

Alongside BGB commanders, there will be officials from the Prime Minister’s office, Home Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Department of Narcotics Control, Land Record and Survey Department, and the Joint Rivers Commission who will be taking part in the conference.

A nine-member delegation of BSF Wives Welfare Association (BWWA) led by its President Renu Sharma – wife of Shri K K Sharma – is also visiting Bangladesh. Border Family Welfare Association, led by Begum Dilshad Nahar Aziz – wife of Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed – will hold talks with BWWA. The DG level conference is scheduled to come to a close on May 16, through the signing of the Joint Record of Discussion, the statement added. l

Number of GPA 5 achievers up in Ctg n Anwar Hussain, Chittagong The numbers of GPA 5 achievers and the average pass rate at the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination have increased compared to the previous year under Chittagong Education Board.

The pass percent was 82.77 in last year under the board while this year the percentage increased by 7.67% making it 90.44.

Mohammed Mahbub Hassan, Controller of Examinations of Chittagong Intermediate and Secondary Education Board, formally announced the result at the board office’s auditorium in city’s Murad-

pur area around 11am.

This year, a total number of 7,666 students have secured the maximum grade point GPA 5 while the number of GPA 5 was 7,116 last year. Of the 7,666 GPA 5 achievers, 3,932 are boys and 3,734 are girls.

The pass rates of boys and girls stand at 90.97 and 89.99% respectively.

95.33% students passed in Chittagong city while 90.37% passed in Chittagong district. Of the other districts, the pass rate was 91.27 for Cox’s Bazar, 84.00 for Rangamati, 78.74 for Khagrachhari and 82.64 for Bandarban.

Chittagong Collegiate School

secured best position in this year.

All the 402 examinees of the institution passed while 979 of them achieved GPA 5.

Government Muslim High School, Dr Khastagir Girls High School, Nasirabad Government Boys School, Bangladesh Mohila samittee Girls High School secured second, third, fourth and fifth position respectively, said Mahbub Hasan.

“The number of institutions securing 100 percent pass rate increased in Chittagong. This year, a total of 88 institutions achieved 100 percent pass which was 40 last year,” added Mahbub Hasan. l

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News

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

SSC pass rate in Barisal falls Rahman Swapan, n Anisur Barisal This year, the examinees under the Barisal Education Board have done far worse than last year, the decline being attributed to creative question system.

Mohammad Shah Alamgir, BEB controller of examination, made the remark in a press briefing held at his office yesterday.

The SSC pass rate under the board is 79.41% as 64,902 examinees passed out of 81,728 who had appeared and 16,826 (20.59%) failed.

The pass rates were 84.37% in 2015, 90.66% in 2014, 88.63% in 2013, 86.67% in 2012, 83.40% in

2011 and 74.64% in 2010.

3,113 students achieved GPA 5 this year, which was 3,514 in 2013, 4,762 in 2014 and 3,171 in 2015.

This year 2 out of 1,390 schools had no students who passed, which was none in 2015, one in 2014, none in 2013 and 2012, one in 2011 and four in 2010, said Shah Alamgir.

79 institutions this year have a 100% pass rate, which was 208 in 2014 and 146 in 2015.

Shah Alamgir said that creative form of questions caused bad results especially in Mathematics and English as educational institutions, teachers, and students are to yet acclimatise themselves with this curriculum. l

Girls do better in Barisal Rahman Swapan, n Anisur Barisal

Female examinees have achieved better results than their male counterparts in Secondary School Certificate examination under Barisal Education Board (BEB) this year.

1,609 out of 32,430 female examinees who passed have received GPA 5 while 1,504 secured GPA 5 out the 32,472 male examinees who have passed.

Girls also have a better pass rate with 80.08% while their male counterparts stand at 78.75%.

The female candidates have also done better in the sub-categories – 89.14% in science, 74.92% in humanities, 82.32% in business studies.

The male candidates were able to secure 88.33%, 70.89%, and 78.64% in science, humanities and business studies respectively this year under BEB, Barisal Education Board sources said. l

100% golden A+ in Rangpur Cadet College n Liakat Ali Badal, Rangpur

Secondary School Certificate test results at educational institutions in Rangpur under Dinajpur Education Board were good this year, with Rangpur Cadet College posting the best result as all 48 candidates of the institution secured golden GPA 5.

A total of 233 candidates out of 237 at Rangpur Police Lines School and College scored GPA 5.

In Rangpur Zilla School, 237 out of 245 students got A+ while the number is 303 out of 363 in Rangpur Cantonment Public School and College. l

Students of Government PN Girls’ High School rejoice their victory after the announcement of SSC results yesterday

Nobody passed in two schools in Rajshahi n Abdullah Al Dulal, Rajshahi Not a single student of two schools in Sirajganj district under Rajshahi Education Board passed this year’s Secondary School Certificate tests.

The schools are Dasuria High School in the district’s Raiganj thana and Khaza Yunus Ali Laboratory High School in Belkuchi thana.

Dasuria High School had only one candidate, and the other, which is an English medium

school, had two.

Rajshahi Education Board’s Secretary Anarul Haque Pramanik told a press briefing yesterday that the two institutions would face action for the academic disaster.

Meanwhile, the education ministry yesterday directed the Rajshahi education board to scrap the governing bodies of 148 non-overnment educational institutions for irregularities over SSC examination fees collection.

AZAHAR UDDIN

Comilla board sees low pass rate, GPA 5 The chairman of the education board has been directed to report to the minister in three days about scrapping of those governing bodies, said a pressrelease.

Earlier, the accused educational institutions were asked to return addition fees realized from the SSC examinees.

But 148 institutions neither gave back the extra money nor replied to the show cause notices, the release said. l

n Mohiuddin Molla, Comilla

Comilla Education board has experienced low pass rate and GAP 5 holders in yesterday’s SSC results.

The board’s pass rate is 84% though 15,000 students more than the previous year sat for the examinations. The rate was 89.92% in 2014 and 84.22% in 2015.

Some 6,954 students gained GPA 5 while the figure is lowest in last four years. The figure was 10,945 in 2014 and 10,195 in 2015. l

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News

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

Two policemen withdrawn Suspected criminal killed in ‘gunfight’ for trying to trap trader n n Monir Hossain, Shariatpur

Two police personnel were withdrawn yesterday after they were confined by locals for making a false allegation of drug peddling against a trader in Naria upazila of the district.

They are Assistant Sub-Inspector Mostafiz and constable Ibrahim of Naria police station.

According to local sources, the duo went to Ghorishar Bazar in the evening and conducted a drive at Rainbow Italian Ice-cream and Fastfood owned by Khalilur Rahman.

They came out of the shop after-while and charged Kahalilur

saying he was involved with yaba trading. Placing a packet in front him, they threatened him to take to the police custody.

Kahalilur strongly protested their allegation and disagreed to go with them. Sensing the incident, the other shopkeepers of the market gathered in front of the shop. At one stage, they confined the cops.

On information, Assistant Superintendent of Police Tanvir Hasan and OC Ekram reached the spot around 8pm.

The agitated people also confined them and made a barricade on the road demanding exemplary punishment to Mostafiz and Ibra-

him for making false allegation against the trader.

Around 9pm, they freed the police personnel after the ASP and OC ensured them that they would take steps against the accused police men.

Roman Hawlader, general secretary of Gharishar Bazar Banik Samity, said: “Kahlilur is an honest trader. The police brought false allegation against him.”

ASP Tanvir said the police personnel went to the bazar without informing the higher authorities.

“We have withdrawn them and sent to police line. Immediately they will have to face departmental punishment,” he said. l

Saiful Islam Swapan, Lakshmipur

A suspected criminal was killed in a “gunfight” with police in Boshikpur area under sadar upazila in Lakshmipur yesterday.

The deceased is Yusuf, son of Ali Akbar of Kachharibari area and the second-in-command of Laden Masum Bahini.

Condroganj OC AKM Azizur Rahman Mia said Lakshmipur police detained Yusuf from Bangshal area in Dhaka on Tuesday night.

“We took Yusuf with us and conducted a drive to recover arms from Boshikpur area early Wednesday,” he said.

Four ministers likely to join RU protest n Dulal Abdullah, Rajshahi State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam are likely to join a meeting on May 14 at Rajshahi University (RU) protesting the killing of Professor Rezaul Karim Siddique.

Rajshahi University Teachers Association Secretary Prof Shah Azam Shantanu confirmed yesterday the protest meeting would be held around 12.30 pm at Kazi Nazrul Auditorium in the university where the ministers and leaders of 14-party alliance would attend.

The ministers and several leders of the alliance had ensured us that they would join the programme.

On the other hand, Health Minister Mohammad Nasim is supposed to join another meeting at RU held on May 15 where he exchanged views with the city people.

Local sources said the teachers association held a protest programme on the campus for the 18th consecutive day demanding arrest and punishment to the killers.

Thousands of the teachers and students attended programme in front of Senate Bhaban where Dr Mohammad Shahidulla and Dr Mohammad Shah Azam spoke.

According local sources, a gang of suspected Islamic extremists on April 23, hacked to death Rajshahi University’s English department teacher Prof AFM Rezaul Karim Siddique, the fourth teacher of the institution to be killed in a decade.

Well-known for his enthusiasm for music and literary works, Prof Rezaul was hacked with machetes by two assailants on motorcycle in an alley near his house in Shalbagan area of the town around 7:30am.

He was attacked while walking to the main road to catch a bus for the university at that time when presence of people was very thin in the alley.

Following the murder, officials of several law enforcement agencies visited the spot and observing the crime scene suggested that it could be an act of the militants who recently killed a number of secular writers and activists, and preachers belonging to Shia, Ahmadiyya, Hindu and Christian communities.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, Yusuf’s associates opened fire at the police officials.

In retaliation, police fired back that Yusuf bullet-wounded while the others managed to flee the scene. Three police officials were also injured in the incident.

The OC said: “The duty doctors declared Yusuf dead when taken to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital.”

Meanwhile, the law enforcers recovered a foreign-made pistol, five rounds of bullets and two knives from the spot.

Police said he was an accused in nine cases including murder and robbery. l

3 killed, 20 hurt in Manikganj road accident n Motiur Rahman, Manikganj

Teachers and students of Rajshahi University form a human chain on the campus yesterday demanding punishment for killers of Prof AFM Rezaul Karim Siddique who was hacked to death by unidentified assaiulents on April 23 DHAKA TRIBUNE Later in the day, international militant organisation Dae’sh or Islamic State claimed responsibility for the murder of Prof Rezaul for “calling to atheism,” said US-based jihadi monitor website SITE Intelligence Group quoting Dae’sh’s Amaq news agency.

The government, however, refuses to accept Dae’sh’s presence in Bangladesh claiming that these attacks were conducted by local militants.

Earlier, three teachers of the same university were brutally killed by militants and members of Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student body of Jamaat-e-Islami.

Sociology department teacher Prof AKM Shafiul Islam was hacked to death by assailants near his house in Chouddopai area of Rajshahi city on November 15, 2014.

On February 1, 2006, Geography department’s Prof S Taher Ahmed went missing from the university’s residential area and his body found in a septic tank two days later.

Earlier, Economics department teacher Prof Dr Yunus was hacked to death by assailants in Binodpur area near the university on December 28, 2004. l

At least three people were killed and 20 others injured as a bus plunged into a roadside ditch in Abure Minar area in Manikganj yesterday.

The identity of the deceased could not be ascertained yet.

Manikganj sadar police station SI Sawkat Alam said: “A Barisal-bound bus of Eagle Poribohon plunged into a roadside ditch when its driver lost his control over the steering around 2am, killing three on the spot and injuring the others.”

He said the injured have been admitted to Manikganj Sadar Hospital and the bodies were kept in the hospital’s morgue. l

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Youth

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

| diy |

3 projects to help organise your life n Amreen Rahman Saying we’ll finally get around to organising our room is a commitment we make time and again. More often than not, we aren’t able to keep our part of the bargain, overwhelmed by enormity of it all. If you’ve finally gotten fed up of not

being able to find what you need or store your belongings in order, we’ve lined up three quick DIY sessions for you.

From shelf organisers to laundry holders to shelf cubbies - we’ve got you covered. Read on to find out the best and quickest way to get your home organised, DIY style.

The hold-it-all jar If you’ve got a whole lot of junk littered around your desks, look no further. To begin decluttering your table, organise the junk according to type: stationary, papers, notebooks, miscellaneous. The things you can group together, you can

Shelf-it right Once you’ve tackled the open surfaces - the desk, the bedside table and perhaps even the bed, it’s time we work our way inwards. Yes, we are talking about tackling the junk that resides on our shelves, in our cupboards and inside our desk drawers. This quick DIY will help you micromanage your junk so you really don’t have to sweat the small stuff.

always store in a more organised manner. Use old tin cans and turn them into organisers for the smaller items such as the stationary and the miscellaneous things. As for notebooks and larger items, stack them in a corner for a quick, clean look.

Directions Place your tape roll on top of your cardboard and trace out the shape with a pencil. Using your anti-cutter, cut out circles that match the diameter of your tape rolls. Cover the cut out cardboard with aica and then sprinkle on one layer of glitter. Wait for it to dry and then sprinkle the second layer. Take your tape roll and glue it on the circle to create a circular box or cubby. If you’re feeling particularly artsy you can

You’ll need Tin cans Rope Poster paint Brushes Glue gun Thin ropeno i am free thanks bye Plastic bowl (to mix colour)

Hang me right Directions Remove the tin can tops and wash and dry your cans. Take your rope string and wind it around one tin to see the length you’ll require for each. Cut off that bit and set aside. In a separate plastic bowl, dilute your poster colour and dip your rope string into the colour. Lift it up and let it dry. Once dry, cover your tin in glue and begin winding the coloured rope string around the tin can. Set aside until dry. Repeat according to the number of tin cans you have.

Once dry, you may use each jar to organise your stationary.

You’ll need Large scotch tape rolls Cardboard (cutouts and a flat plain one) Anti-cutter Gold glitter Aica

We’ve all got that one chair the one that lies in one corner, covered in yesterday’s clothes and old laundry. If there’s one piece of furniture that can quickly take your room from drab to fab - it’s the chair. Try out our version of the dumping spot, except one that looks better and far more organised.

You’ll need A sturdy hangar Shower rings Directions Find an empty spot on your walls to hang your hangar. Take a few strong shower rings and put it around the hangar. This will act as your micro-hangar for all your stray clothes that you would usually throw around your floor or “the chair.” Take stray scarves, T-shirts and/or other clothes and wind it through the shower ring so it’s all stacked side by side in one neat line. l

cover your empty duct tape rolls with adhesive velvet fabric. Take out your plain, large cardboard this will serve as the base for the cubbies. First you need to make sure it fits into your drawer, or on the shelf where you want to place it. Glue the tape rolls on the board so that it turns into your very own cubby shelf unit. You can tape the board itself into your desk drawer or your side shelf to organise your daily essentials.

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Feature

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

The regal beauty of the Royal Poinciana n Tanbir Uddin Arman Once in a great while, something is so striking in appearance that it deserves to be celebrated, even if there is no great story behind it.

This widely spread, flat-crowned tree is one of those things. It is the object of no controversy, requires no special treatment, and generously graces your yard with shade in the sweltering heat of summer.

Perhaps for its royal beauty and brilliant display of fiery orange flowers, ephemeral nonetheless, the tree in full bloom is given the name “Royal Poinciana,” and is more popularly known as Krishnachura in Bangladesh and West Bengal.

In addition, there is a popular myth among Saint Thomas Christians in the Indian state of Kerala centring around the tree’s flowers. They believe when Jesus was crucified, there was a small Poinciana tree nearby his cross.

The blood of Jesus was shed over the flowers of the tree. This is how the flowers got a sharp red colour

pursuant to them.

Native to Madagascar, Poinciana, however, heralds the coming of summer and the start of the season of storms. It is a semi deciduous tree – shedding the old leaves in spring, but new ones follow immediately, so it’s never without foliage. The fine, soft and delicate leaves provide dappled shade during the remainder of the growing season, making it a favourite shade tree or freestanding specimens in large, open lawns.

The tree is often broader than tall, growing approximately 40 feet high and 60 feet wide. As it is a slowly growing plant, as mature a tree as you can afford. Look for a nice trunk and branches extending off as high as possible to ensure that you can fit your entertaining space and tables and chairs underneath.

Remember, Poinciana is best suited to a position in the back corner of your garden or yard, providing an umbrella canopy. l Tanbir Uddin Arman is a journalist

The Royal Poinciana trees in full bloom line along Crescent Lake near the capital’s National Parliament Photo: Courtesy building, creating a beautiful street canopy for the people walking beneath. The photo was taken recently.

Review: One Punch Man

n Ashfaq Nafi Everybody from our generation, whether an anime fan or not, has heard of Goku from the Dragon Ball series, and almost all anime fans know about the legendary Naruto (Naruto) and Luffy (One

Piece). However, a certain web comic that later got adapted into manga and then anime, stole the spotlight and changed what it means to be a superhero.

He doesn’t have Goku’s (often glowing) long spiky hair, or the charismatic personality of

Naruto or Luffy, or even the crazy and aggressive attitude of Natsu (Fairy tail). It’s none other than Saitama, the bald and very unattractive guy who’s a superhero but one for fun!

He is none other than the main character from the series One

Punch Man. As a series that made millions go crazy in the fall of 2015, One Punch Man has an ever growing fan base.

The anime is actually a parody that challenges all previous Shonen (action) anime logic where initially, the hero would

be weak, and would later train hard to become strong. Here it’s a tad bit different. There’s no training to be strong - Saitama is already the strongest character in the anime universe, so much so that he is sad that there’s noone strong enough to challenge him. Instead of being loved and treated with awe for his superpower as is the case with other major shonen animes, almost noone even knows about his powers!

With studios Ufotable (best known for its Fate series and Garden of Sinners) and Madhouse (best known for Deathnote), you won’t find a single uninteresting character throughout the whole anime, except perhaps the main character himself. Saitama is perhaps the one character in the anime with the smallest backstory and character development, while the supporting characters all get their developments throughout the show.

It has been given a whooping 9.2 on IMDb and an ”Excellent” rating on Anime News Network.

Starting with the explosive opening theme, all the way up to the ending of the season’s final episode, this anime delivers what few manage to: un-ending laughter, epic action scenes, fluid movres, and of course, a nerve wrecking mindblowing parody to keep you on your toes. l

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Editorial 11

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

INSIDE

Bangladesh’s slow capitulation to Islamism The AL cannot both seek credit for being secular, and then appease Islamist sentiments to detrimental degrees PAGE 12

Confusing words, real concerns Ensure everyone’s safety instead of segregating the theists and the atheists, and improve overall law and order -- that will do for now PAGE 13

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

‘Tis the season to watch the US election opera

VIPs need to get in line

And a certain layer of brown people of the sub-continent are watching that eagerly, watching their English diction and flamboyant debates eagerly and then looking at some of their own politicians and sighing 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.

T

he High Court is right to require authorities to respond to public complaints about VIP cars constantly driving down the wrong side of the road.

It is completely unacceptable that vehicles used by high-ranking officials and ministers are routinely allowed to break traffic rules which are meant to apply to everyone.

Except under special circumstances, the law is not intended to enable ministers and staff travelling in flag-carrying cars to be routinely shielded from the realities of Dhaka’s chronic traffic congestion.

Dhaka’s dysfunctional traffic system is bad enough already. Barring special security situations, it makes no sense to exacerbate the problem further by routinely cordoning off roads to permit flag-carrying cars to drive down the wrong side of the road.

However, the practice is so widespread that Dhaka Metropolitan Police states it is not able to act on the evidence and footage it has collected showing a large number of influential people violating traffic rules.

The government needs to lead by example and end the unacceptable double standards which enables VIP cars to seemingly flout traffic rules with impunity.

This is crucial because when government officials flout rules without justification, they appear to give legitimacy to bad behaviour on the roads and make it even harder for police to enforce rules and regulations.

As public servants, MPs and staff in flag-carrying cars are tasked with improving life for everyone. They need to exercise their civic and moral responsibility better by fully obeying traffic laws.

The law needs to be followed by everyone, if it is to work properly.

Traffic rules should be followed by everyone, not flouted out of habit

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Opinion

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

Bangladesh’s slow capitulation to Islamism What is the real fuel for the rise of extremism in Bangladesh?

n Ikhtisad Ahmed

O

n April 25, Islamists butchered LGBTQ activists Xulhaz Mannan and Tonoy Mahbub in the presence of Xulhaz’s mother at Mannan’s home in Dhaka -- for being “the pioneers of practicing and promoting homosexuality in Bangladesh (sic).”

Two days before that, extremists hacked to death Rezaul Karim Siddique, a Muslim professor of English at Rajshahi University in north-west Bangladesh. His killers accused him of “calling to atheism.”

At the time of writing this piece, news of the hacking of a Hindu tailor accused of insulting the prophet had just come in -reportedly the doing of the IS or

We are all victims of the government’s inaction against fundamentalists

by BNP-Jamaat members, but also by sections of the liberal society who have their own reasons for their deep antipathy towards the Sheikh Hasina-led AL. Though this claim seems reasonable on the surface, it is found to be fallacious upon closer inspection, and effectively serves as an alibi for the crimes of Islamists.

during Bangladesh’s struggle for independence from Pakistan in 1971 should be brought to justice -but drew the support of the mass population.

The BNP-Jamaat and allied Islamists, such as the Qawmi madrasa-based network of fundamentalist clerics called Hefazat-e-Islam, sought to discredit the pro-trials protesters.

From Rajib to Nazimuddin, the bloggers who have been maimed and murdered were on hit lists announced by fundamentalists that comprised solely of people involved with, or supportive of, the Shahbagh Movement.

The Shahbagh movement link

Crimes of omission

The AL cannot both seek credit for being secular, and then appease Islamist sentiments to detrimental degrees its local agents. Along with the murder of the blogger Nazimuddin Samad earlier this month, the red hues greeting the Bengali New Year have been painted with blood.

The most recent killings mark the widening range of targets of the unconscionable machetewielding Islamists in Bangladesh.

A total of 35 such fatal attacks have taken place since 2004, and counted Hindus, Christians, moderate Muslim preachers, secular intellectuals and activists, and foreigners as their victims. By turns, al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent and the IS laid tenuous claims on these heinous killings -including ones that preceded their appearance in this region.

The war against secularism

Attacks on progressive intellectuals in Bangladesh date back to the country’s birth in 1971. They resumed again in the early 2000s, with the attacks on celebrated poets Shamsur Rahman and Humayun Azad. While Rahman survived with minor injuries, Azad died of his injuries months later.

Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s biggest Islamist party, and its proxies played a crucial role in the war crimes of 1971, including listing and rounding up leading intellectuals for revenge killings in the final three days of the war.

Ziaur Rahman, the founder

of the BNP and the country’s president from 1977 to 1981, rehabilitated the Jamaat in politics after the assassination of the nation’s founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1975.

The BNP and Jamaat have drawn closer over the decades, and during their last tenure in government (2001-2006), Bangladesh saw a sudden new rise of Islamism. During that time, Ahmadiyyas were branded as non-Muslims with a new vigour and minorities were subjected to communal violence on an unprecedented scale.

That period also witnessed the rise of homegrown terrorist organisations such as the Harkatul-Jihad al-Islami and the Jamaatul-Mujahideen Bangladesh, with full patronage of the BNP-Jamaat regime.

Many observers who have taken an interest in Bangladesh’s Islamist crisis, mainly since the advent of the so-called blogger killings, overlook that such killings go much further back than 2013, and include targets well beyond the bloggers. Yet, some commentators seek to paint this new spike of Islamist terror as an outcrop only of the political tussles of recent years.

It has become fashionable to argue that, as democratic space has shrunk under the ruling AL, it is natural for Islamist terrorism to rise. This line is spouted not just

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

The argument goes that if the AL was not as heavy-handed as it is, and had left space for opposition and dissenters, then one would not witness such vicious forms of protest. But Bangladesh’s democratic period has been limited and flawed -- it has known repressive regimes in the 1970s and 1980s.

The state of emergency of 2007-08 was possibly the most restrictive period in recent memory, yet terrorist violence was not automatically engendered.

The main opponents of that regime -- the AL and even the BNP then -- never chose to use violence targeting civilians as a tool.

To understand why this is happening now, one has to look at the timing more carefully. Rajib Haider, the first of the bloggers to die, was killed at the peak of the pro-war crimes trials movement of 2013. Known as the Shahbagh Movement, it was triggered by young bloggers -- who demanded that people guilty of war crimes

BNP-Jamaat know that they have no real case against trials that ought to have taken place a long time ago. Thus, they have mounted multi-million dollar lobbying in Western capitals to discredit the International Crimes Tribunal -- set up in 2009 to investigate war crimes by the Pakistan Army and its supporters during Bangladesh’s struggle for independence -- and highlight repressive measures taken by the AL (leaving aside the fact that they presided over similar actions and far worse -- bombings from 2001-06 killed both top AL leaders and many civilians).

They have further painted the bloggers who spearheaded the Shahbagh Movement as atheists -- a condemnation that carries a death sentence at the hands of Islamist vigilantes.

BNP-Jamaat’s decades-old anti-secular ideology and the consequent rise of more vicious and secretive Islamist outfits is the real fuel for dangerous extremism in Bangladesh.

For its part, the AL, which claims to be the last bastion of secularism in Bangladesh, has failed miserably to stand by the victims of fundamentalist attacks.

Any party in an overwhelmingly Muslim country may be wary of being seen as defending atheists or blasphemers, but its appeasing tone is emboldening the fanatics.

The AL cannot both seek credit for being secular, and then appease Islamist sentiments to detrimental degrees.

The party needs to unequivocally condemn murders as a violation of both law and human decency, irrespective of what the victims may have done or said. It seeks credit as the last defender of secularism, but its shameful victim-blaming must stop.

One can condemn the BNPJamaat for playing with human lives and with dangerous ideologies that they too will not be able to control someday, as seen from cases elsewhere in the world, however, the onus of preventing such crimes and prosecuting the perpetrators rests with the AL. Sheikh Hasina’s government cannot both enjoy being in power and shirk the responsibilities that come with that privilege.

BNP-Jamaat are constantly blamed by pro-government quarters for the crimes they commit, but it’s time that the government remembers that crimes of omission can be just as grievous. l Ikhtisad Ahmed is a human rights lawyer turned writer. His socio-political writings include the short story collection Yours, Etcetera. Twitter: @ikhtisad. This article first appeared on scroll.in.

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Confusing words, real concerns The government needs to let people know that it will not tolerate murders of any kind. This is the concluding part of a two-part long form

n Masuda Bhatti

U

ntil recently, many quarters, especially the government, claimed that the targeted killings had been conducted in a planned manner to undermine the image of the country in the global arena.

But now that it is really happening, Bangladesh is now labelled as a “blogger-killer country,” where terrorists are silencing free-thinkers with their “holy” machetes.

Here the government’s role has also been questioned, as it has failed to ensure safety and security for its citizens.

This is a glimpse of what the foreign media is talking about when it comes to us. Sometimes, conscious foreign friends ask me personally to know what actually is happening in Bangladesh, though they know the answer.

We can see how people with “alternative thoughts” are being killed one after another and how it is creating panic among the common people. These killers are also identifying themselves in public after completing their missions, as per the eyewitnesses and the law enforcers.

On the other hand, the overall law and order implies that no one is safe anymore from the clutches of the invisible forces that are trying to grab power, taking people’s lives hostage. We can say so beyond any doubt because such attempts had been made in the past too.

In these circumstances, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made some comments during the Pohela Boishakh celebrations at her residence, and it has created grievances. Many people have alleged that the premier’s statement would inspire the killers as she said her government would not shoulder responsibility for murders occurred because of writing against religion.

I went through the same report on several newspapers, but found only an online portal publishing her speech in detail while others published a part of the comments that they want to tell the readers.

Here is a quote from her speech taken from an online newspaper: “As a Muslim, I follow the religious guidelines regularly. I am hurt when someone writes about it. And why would you blame the government if anything awkward takes place because of that writing? Everyone should get rid

Let’s make sure no killer goes unpunished of discourtesy and maintain self restraint and decency.”

About the people who kill in the name of religion, she said: “Killing people is not a solution.

Someone will write something and someone else will kill him/her as a revenge -- it is not what Islam says.

Allah said He will try them on the judgement day. Those who do not rely on Allah want to kill others.

They do not follow Allah and the Prophet. They want to do the Allah’s task -- it is shirk.”

She also came down heavily on those who are propagating against the Pohela Boishakh celebrations.

“I doubt whether they follow religious teachings. There are many festivals in our country. We celebrate Eid as well as Pohela Boishakh. There is no scope for obstructing someone from celebrating the festivals.

“I do not know why they are opposing. People are trying to make many different comments on the issue. Some claim that it resembles Hindu culture. We live in Bangladesh even though we are Muslims. We are Bangali because we achieved independence through a war as Bangalis. There is no ground to say ‘you cannot

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Ensure everyone’s safety instead of segregating the theists and the atheists, and improve overall law and order -- that will do for now be a Muslim if you are following Bangali culture.’ Where did you find it in the religion [Islam]?”

Describing the protests against the festival as “unfortunate,” the premier said: “It is unfortunate that different parties make different opinions. [Actually] everybody follows their own religious rites. We need to practice tolerance so that we can maintain peace in the country. Peace is the main concern. No progress can be made without a peaceful atmosphere. Peace prevails in the country now, for this, our GDP growth is increasing, the per capita income has risen, and this year, Pohela Boishakh is being observed at the rural level.”

About the teachings of Islam concerning tolerance, she said: “We practice our religions. Islam says that everyone will follow their own religious practices. It does not suggest attacking another religion.

The Prophet has asked all not to cross the limit regarding religion.”

Does anyone still have any doubts that she cannot or did not instigate the machete-wielding killers? If not, let’s talk about it a little more.

Those who love debate can argue whether Bangladesh is a Muslim country or a secular one.

We have to discuss the matter accepting the reality. Either Bangladesh has changed or, more specifically, it has been changed.

I mentioned it many times in the past that it would be unjust to expect a single political party to advocate for secularism or dream about a secular state, while the other parties keep trying to turn it into a Muslim country; when only the AL will continue supporting liberals and, for this, invite blame on itself as a party of atheists. l Masuda Bhatti is a poet and columnist.

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‘Tis the season to watch the US election opera The sub-continental game of thrones is different from the American version

The US exerts a force the whole world has to reckon with

n Garga Chatterjee

I

t’s the season of a series of crucial assembly elections in the Indian Union whose consequences will be farreaching. Simultaneously, the US political drama is unfolding in the form of presidential candidate nomination contests of the two major parties.

And a certain layer of brown people of the sub-continent are watching that eagerly, watching their English diction and flamboyant debates eagerly and then looking at some of their own politicians and sighing.

They are also attracted by the discreet charm of an authoritarian state -- ruthless and decisive. A pluralist, multi-party democracy is deemed to be inefficient by them. This is said keeping the USA in mind, the pre-eminent poster child of a two-party system.

A two-party system isn’t one which limits participation to two political poles. Rather, it’s a system that’s designed to keep dissenting voices out, or co-opt them. The fact that the US with 300 million has two parties to

represent nearly 95% shows a serious representation crisis.

This non-representation project is ably served by systemic forces including big corporations and mainstream media, who take it upon themselves to herd popular

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When a US presidential candidate manages a turnout of 30,000 at a rally, it’s considered outstanding, a groundswell of support and whatnot. In the sub-continent, similar turnout at a centrally located rally of a senior politician

control of political narrative. Only a certain kind of grooming makes the cut, irrespective of political inclinations.

Sub-continental politics, due to its robust plural reality with a million fault-lines, is a different game

And a certain layer of brown people of the sub-continent are watching that eagerly, watching their English diction and flamboyant debates eagerly and then looking at some of their own politicians and sighing opinion along narrow predesigned bipartisan lines. Such models are increasingly popular in the Delhi’s media, academia, and think-tanks, and they are peddling it to the peoples of the Indian Union.

The outcome of the US presidential elections has its ripple effects globally. The US is a powerhouse in many respects -- economic, military, and ideological. A slight twitch in the behemoth causes ruckus in other parts of the globe.

would be considered a failure.

Few politicians would dare to even call a central rally if they think that the turnout would be around that figure.

People’s political participation in brown lands make US politics look like a niche opera performance, something Bernie Sanders has been able to breach somewhat of late. In the US, the political focus is often on trivial aspects of a politician like diction, voice, posture -- the sad effect of near-total television media

altogether. Here “big tent” parties have their limits. Politicians of every level have to contend with more parameters than their US counterparts can ever imagine.

This kind of politics requires a grade of acumen, understanding of people, posturing, and brinksmanship that more homogeneous societies cannot even fathom.

If one could hypothetically pit one brown mass politician against a US biggie, in such a contest, Laloo Prasad or Mamata Banerjee

or Mayawati would bodyslam Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama every single time. Clintons of the world are simply no match for the mass political rootedness of subcontinental mass-leaders.

The Indian Union suffers from the colonial disease of centralisation. Democracy and decentralisation mean nothing when one can achieve majorities with about 1/3rd support, as in the Indian Union, and then decide most aspects of the peoples of the states.

Devolution means asking the powerful to give up power, of power moving from centre to states.

The states in the US, though more homogeneous, have lots of power and autonomy. In the Indian Union, the states are almseekers during the day, cash cows at night.

That the brown class that envies US political style also has a disproportionate influence in the Indian Union is most unfortunate. l Garga Chatterjee is a political and cultural commentator. He can be followed on twitter @gargac.

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INSIDE BANGLADESH EXPORT TREND TO EU Figure in $bn

20 15

11.95

12.74

13.97

16.38 17.03

n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

10 5 0

2010-11

Move to boost trade with Nepal

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

Source: EBB

First EU Business Council Bangladesh meeting today Since the buyers consider the compliance issue seriously, Bangladesh will highlight the issue in the first-ever European Union Business Council Bangladesh (EUBCB) meeting scheduled to be held today in the capital. PAGE 16

Emirates Group announces record profits Emirates Group posted a US$2.2 billion profit for the financial year ending 31 March 2016, up 50% from last year. The Group’s revenue reached US$25.3 billion, a decrease of 3% over last year’s results, and the Group’s cash balance increased strongly to US$6.4 billion. PAGE 17

China tech workers asleep on the job - with the boss’s blessing Dai Xiang has slept his way to the top. The 40-year-old Beijinger got his start as an engineer, pulling 72-hour shifts at a machinery company while catching naps on the floor. PAGE 18

Capital market snapshot: Wednesday DSE Broad Index

4,318.4

-0.3% ▼

Index

1,062.5

-0.3% ▼

30 Index

1,673.5

-0.4% ▼

Turnover in Mn Tk

3,220.2 -25.2% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

78.8 -30.5% ▼

CSE All Share Index 13,279.2

-0.2% ▼

30 Index

12,298.7

-0.4% ▼

Selected Index

8,071.3

-0.3% ▼

Turnover in Mn Tk

182.8

-5.8% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

6.5

-7.4% ▼

Bangladesh and Nepal have agreed to remove technical barriers in bilateral trade with a view to enhancing trading activities between the two South Asian nations.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh and the Public Trading Corporation of Nepal on the matter.

During a press briefing at his office yesterday, Senior Commerce Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon told the journalists about the move to bolster bilateral trade with Nepal and signing of the MoU on the matter.

He said the decision to boost bilateral trade removing barriers was made at the third commerce secretary level meeting between the two countries which began in Dhaka on Tuesday after a fouryear break.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh sought duty-free access of 56 items to Nepal while Bangladesh offered duty-free benefits to 108 products of Nepal.

The both parties agreed on formulating modalities for transit cargo transportation between the two countries, launching Kakarbhita-Panirtanki-Phulbari commercial routes fully, setting up a railway communication and increasing comprehensive tourism between two countries.

The meeting also reached a consensus on investing in hydroelectricity in Nepal, participation in trade fairs in each country, easing the registration process of pharmaceutical products and signing a memorandum of understanding between the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh and the Public Trading Corporation of Nepal.

Emphasising the regional connectivity, commerce secretary said the export to Nepal was not increasing due to lack of proper connectivity.

He said Nepal wanted to use seaports of Bangladesh - Chit-

tagong, Paira and Mongla – that “will help to increase bilateral trades and we are working on it.”

He said the government was concentrating on the implementation of the Motor Vehicle Agreement that was signed between four nations - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN).

“The agreement is to help increase regional trades as the bilateral trades among the South Asian countries remain only 5% (of total bilateral trade). But this is about 50% among the countries in America,” Hedayetullah Al Mamoon said.

He said a joint decision had been made to launch tour packages to increase tourism between Bangladesh and Nepal.

According to Bangladesh commerce ministry data, in the financial year 2014-15, Bangladesh exported products of $25.05m to Nepal and imported products of $11.5m from the Himalayan nation.

The export products include fish, processed foods like potato chips and wafers, construction materials, refrigerators, lead acid battery, garments, plastic goods, cement, tobacco, tomato sauce and biscuits. l

NBR holds meeting with PM today on draft budget n Tribune Business Desk The National Board of Revenue has a scheduled meeting today with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on finalising the draft outline of the fiscal year 2016-17 budget, officials said.

The next fiscal year’s budget, which could be nearly Tk3,40,006 crore, is likely to be placed at the Parliament on June 2.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith will place the proposed budget announcing strategies and plans to implement it.

The government may set the total tax and non-tax revenue target at Tk2,42,752 crore for the next fiscal year. It may set the NBR revenue amount at Tk2,03,152 crore for the year that will begin from July.

To achieve the NBR revenue target, the government may emphasise the expansion of tax-base making necessary changes to its tax and duty structure and pre-

venting tax evasions with the help of policy measures.

The next budget will be putting the highest importance on skills development, generation of human resources and employments, and on development of power, energy and information technology sectors.

The tax authorities will discuss with prime minister about initiatives to be taken to protect the interests of local manufacturers.

The discussions may also be held on introduction of a policy to come out of tax exemption culture so the tax-GDP ratio can be increased and a favourable environment for all taxpayers can be ensured.

Among the other core issues, the tax authorities may also discuss at the meeting with prime minister about introduction of a uniform tax structure for all types of tobacco products.

The uniform tax structure for all tobacco products irrespective

of price has been envisaged both to discourage tobacco consumption plus to generate extra revenues.

The NBR will also discuss about raising the tax-free ceiling of the individual taxpayers.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, State Minister for Finance and Planning M A Mannan, NBR Chairman Nojibur Rahman and NBR members, among other officials concerned, will be present at the meeting.

On May 15, NBR has another meeting with prime minister about finalising the budget outline.

Officials said after the budget placement, finance minister will hold a press conference to answer queries on the proposed budget and clarify different issues related with budget.

Prime minister will deliver her closing speech on the budget before the house passes it on June 29. l

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Three new ports come under container scanning system n Syed Samiul Basher Anik The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is now set to bring four customs stations including a new land port station, a new sea port and a new inland container depot under a container scanning system to reduce clearing time, enhance trade facilitation and combat any possible threat against trade and national security.

As part of the initiative, the authorities have already handed over mobile container scanners to four custom houses-Benapole Customs House, Chittagong Customs House, Mongla Customs House and Inland Container Depot (ICD) Kamalapur-for installing them in the respective ports to ensure ease and reduce the cost of doing business.

Currently, only Chittagong Port has a mobile scanner and several container scanning machines.

State Minister for Finance MA Mannan handed over the machines to the respective commissioners of the customs houses at a function held at the NBR headquarters in

the city yesterday.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ma Mingqiang attended the function as special guest while NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman presided over the event.

Mobile cargo scanners are used to provide excellent screening features with flexible maneuverability and rapid deployment. It can provide flexible scanning heights, offset scanning angle and various scanning modes for the best operational mobility and efficiency.

The government had earlier approved the project on December 8 last year. The project was scheduled to be accomplished by December 31, 2016 with a cost of over Tk117 crore, of which around Tk94 crore is Chinese grants while rest of amount worth around Tk24 crore will come from government exchequer.

Giving a presentation on the impact of scanning on revenue and security at the function, Chittagong Customs House Commissioner Hossain Ahmed has identified absence of dedicated scanning

division, shortage of machinery, shortage of officers, lack of expertise, intermittent malfunctioning of scanners, radiological hazard and unclear scanning machines, major challenges to the existing systems.

“Currently, the customs houses have to open up the containers or luggage if any suspected product is identified, which takes long time to examine the products, but the process will go smooth once the scanner is in place,’’ said Ahmed.

Speaking as chief guest, MA Mannan said: “The non-intrusive inspection is a requirement of the World Trade Organisation Trade facilitation Agreement where Bangladesh is a prospective signatory.”

“If we think about the security, it’s a great global concern. On the other hand, quick customs clearance and trade facilitation are the demand of time,” he added.

The non-intrusive inspection through the mobile container scanners will meet the demand of both the security as well as quick clearance of cargo, said Mannan, adding that it will reduce the cost of doing

business.

Cargo scanning or non intrusive inspection refers to non-destructive methods of inspecting and identifying goods in transportation systems. It is more effective, cost efficient and time saving than manual inspection. The system creates deterrent effect and can detect special nuclear materials and can reduce congestion at ports.

NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman said: “Bangladesh custom is keeping on its pace with the pace of the global customs environment.”

“Trade volume of Bangladesh in terms of both export and import is increasing very rapidly. To manage the huge increasing trade volume, Bangladesh customs is modernising its activities,” he said.

After commencement of the non-intrusive inspections with the help of supplied mobile scanners, the revenue authorities can ensure ease of doing business, it can reduce cost of doing business and thus facilitate legitimate trade and put an impetus to digitalise Bangladesh, hoped NBR chief. l

First-ever EU Business Council Bangladesh meeting today n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

BANGLADESH EXPORT TREND TO EU

Since the buyers consider the compliance issue seriously, Bangladesh will highlight the issue in the first-ever European Union Business Council Bangladesh (EUBCB) meeting scheduled to be held today in the capital.

The European Union Business Council Bangladesh (EUBCB) was officially launched on 4 February 2015 in Dhaka.

The EUBCB is composed of key EU business representatives who are members of the national chambers of commerce, the Ambassadors and/or Heads of commercial sections of all the EU Member State missions, as well as representatives of the EU Delegation to Bangladesh. It also has a select number of members representing EU companies having a strong market presence in Bangladesh.

EUBCB has been formed to act as a facilitator in dealing with trade and investment issues between the EU and Bangladesh and to play an advocacy role on issues of common interest.

Some 25 members from the EU, an economic block of 28 countries, are the members of the joint busi-

20 15

Figure in $bn

11.95

12.74

13.97

16.38 17.03

10 5 0

2010-11

2011-12

ness council.

During the meeting, the Bangladesh side will discuss the issues including incentives what we can offer for the investors of the EU countries with a focus on the area for EU investment in Bangladesh, said a ministry official.

According to officials, the meeting will also focus on identifying technical trade barriers and devising ways to resolve those for increasing trade volume as it is the prime destination of Bangladeshi products.

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

Source: EBB

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed is expected to inaugurate the opening session to be held at his ministry. European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Pierre Mayaudon will lead the EU while private sector representative from the EU member countries and Bangladesh will join the meeting.

“Buyers and retailers of the EU consider the compliance and safety issues very seriously in importing products from Bangladesh. That is why, the issue would be broadly discussed in the council meet-

ing,” Senior Commerce Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon told the Dhaka Tribune.

Among the third world country, Bangladesh has made rapid improvement in safety and compliance issues, said Mamoon.

European Union is the highest importer of Bangladeshi products especially the clothing products. In the last fiscal, Bangladesh fetched US$15.90 billion exporting apparel products, which is about 60% of total RMG export.

According the latest data of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), in the last fiscal year, Bangladesh earned $17.04 billion. In the FY 2013-14, Bangladesh earned $16.38 billion. While import from the EU countries stood at $2.45 billion in the same period.

The issue of safety in the country’s apparel sector came under the spotlight after the Rana Plaza building collapsed, killing more than 1,135 workers three years ago.

In the aftermath of the incident, the tripartite initiatives were taken to improve safety standards in the country’s RMG sector. The tripartite inspection found less than 2% factory vulnerable, which had been closed. l

Walton extends consumer installment facility n Tribune Business Desk

The local electronics’ giant Walton has further eased installment for its customers by offering six-month installment benefit with zero interest on all products, except mobile phone sets.

All Walton outlets across the country have been providing the interest-free six months installment facility to the customers from May 8, 2016.

Walton declared the new offer at a press conference on “Offer Declaration Programme” held at the conference room of Walton Media Office in the capital yesterday.

The press conference was attended by the company’s Executive Director and Chief Coordinator (Marketing) Eva Rizwana, Executive Director and Policy, HRM & Admin Head SM Zahid Hasan, Walton Plaza Sales and Development Department’s Senior Additional Directors Kamal Hossain and Motiur Rahman and other senior officials.

The new offer has been announced for the customers, particularly for those who cannot buy Walton products due to shortage of money, officials said.

At present, all Walton Plazas across the country are providing conditional installment facilities, ranging from 3-36 months as per the company’s installment policy.

The company also extended the number of installment payments on HMRP (Hired Market Retail Price) up to 12 months from the previous 6 months.

Addressing the press conference, Kamal Hossain said earlier customers had to pay a little extra, plus the product’s cash price for enjoying the company’s six-month installment benefit.

From now on, consumers can buy various products by six-month installment facility by paying only the product’s cash price, he said adding, they will not have to pay any interest or extra amount for buying the company’s product at six-month installment facility.

Eva Rizwana said Walton is strongly committed to bringing high technology-based world-class products to people’s doorsteps.

The new offer will enable the consumers to buy Walton brand television, refrigerator, air conditioner, generator and all other electronics, home and kitchen appliances on six-month installment plan with zero interest rate.

SM Zahid Hasan said Walton is selling service, not products. Thus, It is continuously introducing new sorts of facilities to the customers, he added. l

Emirates Group announces record profits n Tribune Business Desk Emirates Group posted a US$2.2 billion profit for the financial year ending 31 March 2016, up 50% from last year.

The Group’s revenue reached US$25.3 billion, a decrease of 3% over last year’s results, and the Group’s cash balance increased strongly to US$6.4 billion.

The Emirates Group comprising Emirates Airline, dnata and other subsidiaries on 10 May announced its 28th consecutive year of profit and steady business expansion, ending the year with record profits, and in a strong position despite the global and operational challenges during this period.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group released the Annual Report.

He said: “Emirates and dnata delivered record profits, solid business results, and continued to grow throughout 2015-16. Against an unfavourable currency situation which eroded our revenues and profits, an uncertain global economic environment dogged by weak consumer and investor sentiment, as well as ongoing socio-political instability in many regions around the world, the Group’s performance is testament to the success of our business model and strategies.”

In line with the overall profit, the Group declared a dividend of US$681 million to the Investment Corporation of Dubai.

Emirates Airline successfully managed increased competitive pressure across all markets to record a profit of US$1.9 billion, an increase of 56% over last year’s results, and a healthy profit margin of 8.4%, the strongest margin since 2010-11.

Emirates’ total passenger and cargo capacity crossed the 56 billion mark, to 56.4 billion ATKMs at the end of 2015-16, cementing its position as the world’s largest international airline. The airline increased capacity during the year by 5.5 billion Available Tonne Kilometres (ATKMs), or 11% over 2014-15.

Emirates received 29 new aircraft, its highest number

during a financial year, including 16 A380s, 12 Boeing 777-300ERs and one Boeing 777F, bringing its total fleet count to 251 at the end of March. At the same time nine aircraft were phased out, taking the average fleet age down to 74 months or approximately half the industry average of 140 months. The airline remains the world’s largest operator of the Boeing 777 and A380 – both aircraft being amongst the most modern and efficient wide-bodied jets in the sky today.

With significant currency devaluations against the US dollar and fare adjustments following the reduction in fuel prices, Emirates revenue dropped 4% to US$23.2 billion.

Carrying a record 51.9 million passengers (up 8%), Emirates crossed the 50 million passenger milestone, and achieved a Passenger Seat Factor of 76.5%. The decline in passenger seat factor compared to last year’s 79.6%, is relative to the strong 13% increase in seat capacity by Available Seat Kilometres (ASKMs), and also in part due to lingering economic uncertainty and strong competition in many markets.

To fund its fleet growth, Emirates raised a record of US$7.3 billion, using a variety of financing structures.

Emirates closed the financial year with a healthy and new record of US$ 3.8 billion cash flow from operating activities.

Emirates SkyCargo, cargo division of Emirates continues to play an integral role in the company’s expanding operations, contributing 14% of the airline’s total transport revenue.

During 2015-16, Emirates SkyCargo officially inaugurated its purpose-built cargo terminal for freighter operations at Al Maktoum International airport (DWC), and received delivery of a Boeing 777F, rounding off its total freighter fleet to 15 aircraft: 13 Boeing 777Fs, and two Boeing 747-400Fs. In its 57 years of operation, 2015-16 has been dnata’s most profitable yet, crossing US$287 million profit for the first time.

Building on its strong results in the previous year, dnata’s revenue grew to US$ 2.9 billion. dnata’s international business now accounts for more than 64% of its revenue. l

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Asia markets struggle to hold gains, yen recovers n

AFP, Hong Kong

Asian markets tapered yesterday after an early rally as nerves returned to trading floors, with a pick-up in the yen skimming Japan’s Nikkei.

The day started on a positive note as gains on Wall Street and in Europe - fuelled by upbeat Chinese inflation data and progress on Greece’s debt relief - provided a healthy buying catalyst after last week’s sell-offs.

The gains initially extended into Asia, with Tokyo’s Nikkei surging with exporters thanks to the weakening yen but the rally petered towards the end of the day as the Japanese unit recovered.

By the close of trade Tokyo was up 0.1%. The dollar slipped to 108.67 yen from 109.27 yen late in New York, but analysts said the losses were to be expected after rallying over the past week and the dollar could hit 110 yen soon. The greenback hit a recent trough of 105.50 yen last Tuesday.

Japanese leaders, including Finance Minister Taro Aso, have tried to cap yen gains by keeping the possibility of government intervention on the table.

“Talk of intervention from Japan is one catalyst pushing the yen lower,” Masato Yanagiya, head of currency and money trading at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. in New York told Bloomberg News.

A pick-up in the yen - it is up more than 10% against the dollar this year so far - led Toyota on Wednesday to warn that net profit in the current fiscal year would fall by about a third.

In other markets Shanghai ended 0.2% higher and Sydney rose 0.6% but Seoul slid 0.1%.

Manila soared more than three percent as the controversial Rodrigo Duterte tried to soothe investor worries after his landslide victory in presidential elections Monday.

Hong Kong was one percent down as mainland shares listed in the city were hit by fears China may not introduce any fresh stimulus for some time after a warning over debt levels by the government mouthpiece People’s Daily.

Energy firms struggled to maintain initial gains as oil prices retreated from Tuesday’s surge. West Texas Intermediate had jumped 2.8% and Brent climbed 4.3% following data showing producer giant Nigeria’s output had hit a 22year low because of pipeline sabotage and increasing unrest.

A report indicating US stockpiles increased last week also stunted buying sentiment. l

China tech workers asleep on the job - with the boss blessing n Reuters Dai Xiang has slept his way to the top.

The 40-year-old Beijinger got his start as an engineer, pulling 72hour shifts at a machinery company while catching naps on the floor.

After a switch to the tech industry and around 15 years of catching naps on desks and other flat surfaces, Dai co-founded his own cloud computing firm, BaishanCloud, last year.

One of his first orders of business - installing 12 bunk beds in a secluded corner of the office.

“For technology, it’s more of a brain activity. Workers need time to find inspiration,” Dai said. “Our rest area isn’t just for sleeping at night, the midday is also OK.” Office workers sleeping on the job has long been a common sight in China, where inefficiency and a surplus of cheap labour can give workers plenty of downtime in many industries.

But China’s technology sector is different. Business is booming faster than many start-up firms can hire new staff, forcing workers to burn the midnight oil to meet deadlines.

“The pace of Chinese internet

Han Liqun (left), HR manager of RenRen Credit Management Co, and IT engineer Xiang Siyang sleep on camp beds at the office after finishing work early morning, in Beijing REUTERS company growth is extremely fast.

I’ve been to the US and the competitive environment there isn’t as intense as in China,” said Cui Meng, general manager and co-founder of start-up data company Goopal.

The company’s programmers, in particular, work overtime every day, he said. To get them through, they are allowed to sleep around lunchtime and after 9 pm, either facedown at their desk or by commandeering the sofa or a beanbag chair.

Living at the office

At its most extreme, some tech company employees even live at the office during the work week.

Liu Zhanyu at DouMiYouPin, a recruitment and human resources platform, bunks down in a converted conference room Monday-to-Friday to avoid the daily commute of more than an hour to his home in Beijing’s far eastern suburbs.

The head of the “large clients” department usually retires to the

room shared with one or two others between midnight and 3 am.

“We have to get up at 8:30 am because all our co-workers come to work at 9:30 and we wash in the same bathroom everyone uses,” said Liu. While workers across companies said the potential pay-off of working at a start-up was worth the long hours, they aren’t without a social cost.

“My kid misses me, I get home and he lunges at me like a small wolf,” Liu said, speaking about his three-year-old son who he only sees on weekends. “That makes me feel a bit guilty.”

Programmer Xiang Shiyang, 28, works until 3 or 4 am at least twice a week at Renren Credit Management, which uses big data to help firms manage financial risk, leaving little room to socialize outside of work.

“I don’t have that many opportunities or much time to find a girlfriend,” he said.

The company provides cots for workers like Xiang to sleep on during late nights.

“Actually working overtime is a very casual thing,” he said. “Because I’ve invested the whole of my being into this company.” l

CORPORATE NEWS

Managing director of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, Mohammad Abdul Mannan has recently received the Asian Banker CEO Leadership Achievement Award, said a press release. The award was given at Asian Banker Summit held in Vietnam

DHL Express Bangladesh has recently signed an agreement with Mutual Trust Bank Ltd on providing the bank with air express solutions, said a press release.

The bank’s COO, Md Hashem Chowdhury and director commercial of DHL Express Bangladesh, ASM Shakil have signed the agreement

LankaBangla Finance Ltd (LBFL) has recently signed an agreement with Apollo Hospitals Dhaka on providing its cardholders and employees with discounts and other facilities at the hospital. EVP of LBFL, Khurshed Alam and director (business development) of Apollo Hospitals Dhaka, Enayet Ullah Khan have signed the agreement

Bangladesh Krishi Bank has recently promoted Rohini Kumar Paul as its general manager, said a press release.

Prior to his new position, he was the bank’s deputy general manager.

He started his banking career at Bangladesh Krishi Bank in 1983 as a senior officer.

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THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

| event|

| tech |

French naval ship arrives in Ctg on goodwill visit

Bangladeshi girl elected as ‘top speaker’ at Google developer summit

A French naval ship, Aconit has arrived in the port city of Chittagong for a six-day goodwill visit. The frigate was recieved

by Bangladesh Navy with traditional naval ceremonies on Tuesday.

Rear Admiral Akhter Habib,

commander of Chittagong Naval area welcomed the crew members in the presence of the French Ambassador, Sophie Aubert. Captain Laurent Machard de Gramont is leading the 140 crew members and they are scheduled to take part

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Biz Info

in naval exercise alongside BNS Bangabandhu and BNS Shadhinota.

Earlier, BNS Shadhinota welcomed the French ship right after it entered the Bangladesh waters in the Bay of Bengal. l

| meal|

Crab crunch at Lime and Thyme

The most demanded dish for crab lovers has finally arrived. Lime and Thyme is now presenting food lovers the “Crab Crunch.” A dish made with jumbo crabs, the crab meat is in the form of cutlets. The shells are fried with crumbs and then served with mouthwatering tartar sauce. For more information contact Road-08, House-24, Block-F, Banani, Dhaka or call 01797-777052. l

Bangladeshi Rakhshanda Rukkhan has been elected as “top speaker” at developer summit of the upcoming Google I/O, the largest technology conference in the world. She was elected via Internet voting from 500 participant from 100 countries.

Google Developer Group Project Manager Nadian Rose has confirmed that Rakhshanda, has, in fact been elected as the winning speaker.

Rakhshanda will take a session on Women Tech Makers activism titled “Inspiring 3,500 plus women in three years” at the tenth edition of Google’s annual conference at Mountain View, California from May 18-20. At the conference, top developers, digital experts and technology professionals affiliated with Google are expected to participate.

As a pre-event initiative, they will host the Google Developer Summit a day before the conference. Around 500 developer group managers, google developer relation team members and google developer experts from 100 countries are expected

to be present. There will be four Bangladeshi google community managers including Rakhshanda who attended the developer summit.

Rakhshanda bagged 61 votes from 500 developers. Besides, Ukrainian developer Vitaliu Zasadri ranked second with 44 votes and Sanjib Parida from India got 41 votes that secured him third position.

Regarding being elected as the top speaker, Rakhshanda said, “The responsibilities are much higher now. We will try to flag the nations not only as participants but also as an important part of the conference. I hope a Bangladeshi will one day take the place of the top executive of a technology giant such as Google.”

Rakhshanda Rukham, final year student of Telecommunication and Electronics Engineering at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur has been working with Google Developer Group Dhaka since 2012. In 2015 she was elected as the Google Women Techmakers Lead in Bangladesh. l

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Downtime

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THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Desert plant (6) 4 Corded cloth (3) 7 Sky coloured (5) 8 Hostility (6) 11 Weight (3) 12 Twist out of shape (4) 13 Sibilate (4) 15 Rate of progress (5) 16 Person under age (5) 20 Domestic animals (4) 23 Fish (4) 24 Bricks trough (3) 25 Jubilant (6) 26 Astound (5) 27 Sweet potato (3) 28 Like better (6)

DOWN 1 Sharp curved nails (5) 2 Storm (7) 3 Waistband (4) 4 Grooves (4) 5 Love god (4) 6 Female swan (3) 9 40 winks (3) 10 Anger (3) 14 Ape (7) 17 Fastener (3) 18 Unit (3) 19 Radiolocation (5) 20 Deep sleep (4) 21 First man (4) 22 Ooze (4) 24 Dried fodder (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 3 represents C so fill C every time the figure 3 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

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World 21

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

INSIDE INSIGHT

Taliban being steered by the Haqqanis? n Tribune International Desk Crooks, terrorists, tax evaders: Can new US shell company rule stop them?

The US Treasury Department wants to go after money launderers, tax evaders and terrorists by cracking open the shell companies they use to hide cash flows, but critics say a new agency effort to identify them could be easily evaded.

PAGE 23

‘Internally displaced people by conflict hit record in 2015’ The number of people uprooted inside their own countries by war and violence hit a record 40.8 million in 2015, with Yemen recording the most cases of newly displaced, an international aid group said on Wednesday.

PAGE 23

NZ PM thrown out of parliament In a bizarre incident, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has been kicked out of the parliament by the Speaker on Wednesday.

PAGE 24

A shadowy, Pakistan-based militant faction is on the rise within the Taliban after its leader was appointed deputy and played a key role in unifying the fractured insurgency, reports Associated Press.

The ascendency of the Haqqani network, a US-designated terrorist organisation, could significantly strengthen the Taliban and herald another summer of fierce fighting in Afghanistan. The firepower it brings to the Taliban was shown by a Kabul bombing last month that killed 64 people, the deadliest in the Afghan capital in years, which experts say was too sophisticated for the insurgents to have carried out without the Haqqanis.

The network’s role could also further poison already tainted relations between Islamabad and Kabul. Afghanistan is pressing Pakistan to crack down on the Haqqanis, accusing it of tolerating the group, a charge the Pakistanis deny.

An audio recording of a recent meeting of the top Taliban leadership offers a glimpse into the influence the Haqqani network now holds within the movement.

Sirajuddin Haqqani, the network’s leader and newly elevated deputy head of the Taliban, tells the gathering that they must end differences and focus on fighting. “It is time to work. The mujahedeen (Islamic holy warriors) are happily going to the battlefield,” he is heard saying. The voice is recognizable as Haqqani’s.

Haqqani’s rise to the deputy post is the highest, most direct role that the network is known to have taken in the Taliban leadership. The network pledged allegiance to the Taliban years ago but has traditionally operated independently.

The network was founded by Jalaluddin Haqqani, a one-time ally of the US who achieved fame fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 1980s and who developed close ties to the slain al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. After his death, his son Sirajuddin Haqqani took over.

The elder Haqqani aligned his group with the Taliban after the insurgents were driven from power in the US-led invasion that followed the September 11, 2001 attacks. He was a formidable militant financier, travelling to Saudi Arabia and the UAE to raise money.

The network is believed to command thousands of fighters. Over the years, the Haqqanis

In this April 19 file photo, Afghan security forces inspect the site of a Taliban-claimed suicide attack in Kabul

AP

THE HAQQANI NETWORK FACTOR Ü The Haqqani network, which has the backing of elements within the Pakistani security establishment, is one of Afghanistan’s most experienced and sophisticated insurgent organisations. Ü Although the Haqqani network is officially subsumed under the larger Taliban umbrella organisation led by Mullah Omar and his Quetta Shura Taliban, the Haqqanis maintain distinct command and control, and lines of operations. Ü Siraj Haqqani, the son of the famous anti-Soviet fighter Jalaluddin Haqqani, is the current leader of the Haqqani network. Siraj is more extreme than his father and maintains closer ties to al-Qaeda and other foreign extremists in Pakistan. Ü The Haqqani network maintains a safe haven in North Waziristan, Pakistan, across Afghanistan’s southeastern border. The Pakistani Army has consistently refused to launch a military operation in North Waziristan despite the presence of al-Qaeda senior leadership. Ü From 2008 to 2009, the network launched an offensive aimed at strengthening their positions in Loya-Paktia, while projecting suicide bombers into Kabul to launch some the most lethal attacks of any insurgent group in Afghanistan. Ü Recently, US and coalition troops lacked sufficient forces to reverse the momentum of the Haqqani network. The massive increase of special operations forces over the past year, combined with the increase in the number of conventional forces to execute counterinsurgency operations, is beginning to disrupt and degrade the Haqqani network’s infrastructure and operations.

Sources: ISW emerged as the Taliban’s strongest asset because of their battle-hardened fighters and traditional links to Pakistan’s security agencies.

Both US and Afghan intelligence agencies say Pakistan’s intelligence network, known as ISI, has allowed the Haqqanis to live freely for decades in Pakistan’s tribal regions, a claim Islamabad denies.

The Taliban leadership meeting, held early last month at an undisclosed location, focused on strategies and battles ahead, the audio recording shows. During the meeting, Sirajuddin Haqqani called on the Taliban to close ranks, reminding them their enemy is the “foreign infidel” and not each other.

Since last summer, Sirajuddin Haqqani has been instrumental in reconciling differences among Taliban commanders, who balked at recognising Mullah Akhtar Mansoor as the supreme Taliban chief following the announcement that the insurgency’s reclusive leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, was dead.

As soon as Mansoor became leader, he announced that he had named Haqqani as his deputy.

Haqqani quickly set about

THE HAQQANI NETWORK What do they want to achieve?

There goals are to remove western influence in the Afghan regions and restructure the Afghan government

Infamous events The Haqqani Network attempted an assassination on Hamid Karzai. They have performed numerous kidnappings and extortion’s. The kidnapping of British journalist Sean Langan and the kidnapping of David Rohde.

Funding The Haqqani Network obtain funding through kidnapping and holding for ransom, drug trafficking and other business sectors.

uniting the fractured Taliban, first by bringing Mullah Omar’s son, Mullah Yaqoob, and his brother, Mullah Abdul Manan Omari, into the fold, according to a Taliban official.

Haqqani then coaxed Zakir Qayyum, a Taliban strongman in the battleground southern Afghan province of Helmand and the former head of the Taliban military committee under Mullah Omar, to swear allegiance to Mansour, healing some of the biggest divisions within the Taliban, the Taliban official said.

Islamabad claims it decimated the Haqqani network’s infrastructure in a military operation launched two years ago in North Waziristan, where the Haqqanis are headquartered. It points to its own grievances with the Haqqanis, who also maintain links with the Pakistan Taliban, a separate group that has killed hundreds of Pakistani soldiers in recent years.

Should the Haqqanis be pushed out of Pakistan and back into Afghanistan, Ghani’s government and Afghan forces would likely be overwhelmed, say analysts. l

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THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

Advertisement

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THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

#PANAMAPAPERS LEAK

SOUTH ASIA

Crooks, terrorists, tax evaders: Can new US shell company rule stop them? n Reuters, New York The US Treasury Department wants to go after money launderers, tax evaders and terrorists by cracking open the shell companies they use to hide cash flows, but critics say a new agency effort to identify them could be easily evaded.

Treasury last week issued a new rule, effective in 2018, requiring financial institutions to obtain the identities of “beneficial owners” of their client companies and at least one senior manager.

Financial firms will have to verify their identities through documents such as passports - but will not have to confirm their ownership stakes in the companies.

That could allow criminals to provide false information with little risk of getting caught, critics say.

“If a company has criminal intent, they are probably not going to file that their beneficial owner is ISIS,” said Anders Rodenberg, who oversees relationships with financial firms in North America at Bureau van Dijk, a beneficial-ownership data provider.

The Treasury Department says its rule - along with separate but related legislation it proposed to US Congress - strikes the right balance between rooting out corruption and avoiding burdensome requirements on financial firms and legitimate clients.

But what if a customer lies?

“Then they are committing fraud,” said Steve Hudak, spokesman for Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

Treasury and law enforcement officials can contact the person a company names as a senior manager if they want to investigate further, Hudak said.

The regulation - called the Customer Due Diligence rule - has been in the works since 2012. It comes at a time when President Obama and other world leaders are under pressure to respond to Panama Papers revelations.

Treasury’s rule will apply to banks, brokers, mutual funds and other financial firms. It will require them not only to collect data on owners and managers, but to update records with changes they discover during routine checks.

Legislation proposed by the

WHAT IS SHELL COMPANY? A company incorporated having no significant assets or operations.

A company formed to act as a trustee or to deal with trusts.

A flexible form of enterprise that blends elements of partnership and corporate structures. agency, which requires congressional approval, would create a federal database and require companies to register either when they incorporate or transfer ownership to the US from overseas.

Critics contend that the plan does not go far enough to unmask shell companies’ true owners.

They argue a criminal enterprise can, for instance, keep individual ownership stakes below 25% and list anyone as a point person, even if he or she has no real management responsibilities.

Industry groups ranging from the American Bankers Association to the American Bar Association have offered different criticism,

Reuters n Thomson Foundation, Barcelona

Syrian refugees stuck between Jordan-Syria border waiting to cross general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, which runs IDMC. The UN refugee agency has said the number of people forcibly displaced worldwide was likely to have “far surpassed” a record 60m in 2015, including 20m refugees, driven by the Syrian war and other drawn-out conflicts.

The IDMC report said displacement in the Middle East and North Africa had “snowballed” since the Arab Spring uprisings that began in 2010 and the rise of the Islamic State militant group, which is waging war in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere.

“What has really led to the

REUTERS

spike we have seen most recently has been the attack on civilians indiscriminate bombing and air strikes, across Syria but also Yemen,” said Alexandra Bilak, IDMC’s interim director.

Disaster prevention

Globally, there were 19.2m new cases of people forced from their homes by natural disasters in 2015, the vast majority of them due to extreme weather such as storms and floods, IDMC said.

In Nepal alone, earthquakes last year uprooted 2.6m people.

Egeland said many countries,

US defies Myanmar request to stop using term Rohingya The new ambassador of the US to Myanmar, Scot Marciel, said he would keep using the term Rohingya for the persecuted Muslim minority, even after the current Suu Kyi government - asked him to refrain from it. Last month Buddhist monks joined several hundred protesters outside the US embassy in Yangon to demand it stop using the term Rohingya.

-THE GUARDIAN

INDIA

arguing compliance with the rules will be too costly and time-consuming.

In April alone, more than 12 million ownership changes - 400,000 a day - took place at corporations worldwide, according to Orbis, a database of incorporation records owned by Bureau van Dijk.

A few corporations may change ownership to hide from international sanctions, but most times it happens as a result of ordinary business practices like opening a foreign subsidiary.

The sheer volume of changes makes it difficult for even legitimate companies to track and report them. l

‘Internally displaced people by conflict hit record in 2015’ The number of people uprooted inside their own countries by war and violence hit a record 40.8 million in 2015, with Yemen recording the most cases of newly displaced, an international aid group said on Wednesday.

Globally there were 8.6m fresh cases of people fleeing conflict last year within borders, an average of 24,000 a day, the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) said in a report. More than half of those were in the Middle East.

Some 2.2m people in Yemen, or 8% of its population, were newly displaced in 2015, largely the result of Saudi-led air strikes and an economic blockade imposed on civilians, the report said.

IDMC said the number of people forced from their homes by conflict but staying in their own countries was twice those who have become refugees by crossing international borders.

“The world is in a tremendous displacement crisis that is relentlessly building year after year, and now too many places have the perfect storm of conflict and/or disasters,” said Jan Egeland, secretary

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World

such as Cuba, Vietnam and Bangladesh, had improved their record on preventing and preparing for natural disasters.

“But in Asia I would say, and to some extent Latin America, still too little is done to meet the growing strength of the forces of nature fuelled by climate change,” he added.

The former UN aid chief urged this month’s World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul to focus on building resilience to natural disasters, and finding ways to avert conflicts and protect civilians in war.

IDMC’s Bilak said political action was needed to stop more people being forced from their homes, and staying displaced for long periods.

“The numbers are increasing every year, which clearly shows that the solutions to displacement are not being found,” she said.

Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Sudan and South Sudan have featured in the list of the 10 largest displaced populations every year since 2003, the report noted.

“People are not returning, they are not locally integrating where they have found refuge, and they are certainly not being resettled somewhere else,” Bilak said. l

Top court orders disaster fund for drought-hit India India’s top court criticised the government Wednesday for failing to set up a disaster fund to help drought-hit farmers and villagers suffering crop losses and severe water shortages. Acting on a petition, the apex court issued a slew of orders to the government including creating a national plan to tackle the crisis, a mitigation fund and standard procedures for declaring areas drought-hit.

-AFP

CHINA

Taiwan wades into South China Sea row A Taiwanese group has intervened in the Philippines’ international court case against China’s claims in the South China Sea, pressing Taipei’s position that Taiwan is entitled to a swathe of the disputed waterway as an economic zone.

The government-linked Chinese (Taiwan) Society of International Law submitted written evidence to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, even though Taiwan is neither a member of the UN, nor a signatory to UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. -REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

Arms manufacturers gather in Vietnam Vietnam hosts a defence symposium this week attended by top American arms manufacturers, ahead of a visit

by US President Barack Obama and as Washington weighs whether to lift an arms embargo on its former enemy.

Secrecy has surrounded the event staged by the communist country and attended by firms including Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

-REUTERS

MIDDLE EAST

Yemen’s Houthis deny agreement to release all prisoners soon Yemen’s Houthi fighters have denied reports that warring parties have reached a preliminary agreement on Tuesday to release all prisoners beginning within 20 days.

Government sources at UN-backed peace talks earlier on Tuesday said an agreement had been struck to release the prisoners.

-REUTERS

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THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

USA

Poll: Trump surges in support, almost even with Clinton Donald Trump’s support has surged and he is now running about even with Democrat Hillary Clinton among likely US voters, a dramatic turnaround since he became the Republican party’s presumptive presidential nominee, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday. 41% of likely voters supported Clinton while 40% backed Trump.

-REUTERS

THE AMERICAS

Canadian oil hub works to restore power Crews worked Tuesday to start restoring water and electricity in this Canadian petroleum hub crippled by huge forest fires, as officials said stalled oil production could resume in days. Oil is the lifeblood of the economy in this part of Alberta province, and the fires raging around Fort McMurray for the past 10 days or so have led to a 40% drop in output.

-AFP

UK

Study: Brexit would cost financial firms $25bn Leaving the EU would cause a decade of uncertainty that could cost Britain’s financial services an estimated $25bn and make lawyers rich, a thinktank study said on Tuesday. Analysts at JWG says if Britain votes to leave in June’s referendum, financial firms will end up trying to maintain business as usual while making fundamental changes.

-REUTERS

EUROPE

Georgia begins US-led military exercise, angering Russia The Georgian army began 2 weeks of military exercises with the US and UK on Wednesday, drawing an angry response from Russia which called the war games a provocative step. Some 500 Georgian, 650 US and 150 British troops are taking part in the drills, billed as the largest ever to be held in the Caucasus nation, which fought a brief war with Russia in 2008.

-AFP

AFRICA

Western Libyan forces prepare attack on IS stronghold Forces in western Libya are preparing to advance on the city of Sirte, seized by IS last year, pushing ahead with plans for a counter-attack after the Islamists made territorial gains in the last week. The fighters based in the city of Misrata would like international logistical support to help retake what has become Islamic State’s most important base outside Syria and Iraq.

-REUTERS

Trump narrows running mate list n Tribune International Desk Shifting swiftly to the general election, Donald Trump says he’s narrowed his list of potential running mates to “five or six” people and doesn’t want to accept public money to finance a fall campaign against likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, reports Associated Press.

But in a break from recent major party nominees, Trump does not plan to invest heavily in a data-driven effort to target voters in the fall campaign. Despite pressure, the billionaire businessman also doesn’t expect to release his tax returns before November, citing an ongoing audit of his finances. He said he will release them after the audit ends.

“There’s nothing to learn from them,” Trump said in an interview Tuesday. He also has said he doesn’t believe voters are interested.

Trump’s comments came as he begins to prepare for a long, expensive general election campaign. His two remaining Republican rivals suddenly dropped out of the race last week, anointing him the party’s presumptive presidential nominee faster than even the confident candidate expected.

A Hindu priest applies a ‘tika’ on the portrait of Donald Trump, during a prayer organised by Hindu Sena, a right-wing group in New Delhi Wednesday REUTERS As part of his general election planning, Trump said that he’s moving aggressively to identify a running mate with deep political experience. While he would not provide a full list of names, he did not rule out New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, the former rival whom he’s already tapped to head his transition planning.

Trump’s campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, is running the vice presidential vetting effort “with a group,” Trump said, that includes former competitor Ben Carson and himself. “Honestly, we’re all running it. It’s very much a group effort,” said Trump.

A first-time political candidate, the celebrity businessman said there’s no need for another business person on the Republican ticket and he wants a running mate who can help him pass legislation as president. By joining forces with a political veteran, Trump would also signal a willingness to work with the Republican establishment that he’s thoroughly bashed during his campaign.

Trump said he doesn’t plan to announce his running mate until the Republican National Convention in July, a four-day event that he’s planning to remake with a showman’s touch.

US to switch on European missile shield despite Russian alarm n

Reuters, Bucharest

The United States’ European missile defence shield goes live on Thursday almost a decade after Washington proposed protecting Nato from Iranian rockets and despite Russian warnings that the West is threatening the peace in central Europe.

Amid high Russia-West tension, US and Nato officials will declare operational the shield at a remote air base in Deveselu, Romania, after years of planning, billions of dollars in investment and failed attempts to assuage Russian concerns that the shield could be used against Moscow.

“We now have the capability to protect Nato in Europe,” said Robert Bell, a Nato-based envoy of US Defence Secretary Ash Carter. “The Iranians are increasing their capabilities and we have to be ahead of that. The system is not aimed against Russia,” he told reporters, adding that the system will soon be handed over to Nato command.

The US will also start construction on a second site in Poland on Friday that is due to be ready in 2018, giving Nato a permanent,

Surface to air missile system BIGSTOCK round-the-clock shield in addition to radars and ships already in the Mediterranean.

Russia is incensed at such of show of force by its Cold War rival in formerly communist-ruled eastern Europe where it once held sway. Moscow says the USled alliance is trying to encircle it close to the strategically important Black Sea, home to a Russian naval fleet and where Nato is also considering increasing patrols.

The readying of the shield also comes as Nato prepares a new deterrent in Poland and the Baltics,

following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea. In response, Russia is reinforcing its western and southern flanks with three new divisions.

Despite US assurances, the Kremlin says the missile shield’s real aim is to neutralise Moscow’s nuclear arsenal long enough for the US to make a first strike on Russia in the event of war.

Turkey is already hosting a US radar and the Netherlands has equipped ships with radars. The US Navy has four ships in Spain as part of the defences, while all Nato nations are contributing funding.

US officials dismiss the Russian view as “strategic paranoia” and blame Moscow for breaking off talks with Nato in 2013 that were aimed at explaining how the shield would operate. Ballistic missiles, which differ from cruise missiles because they leave the earth’s atmosphere, can travel distances of up 3,000km.

Despite a historic deal between world powers and Tehran to limit Iran’s nuclear programme, the West believes Iran’s Revolutionary Guards continue to develop ballistic missile technology, carrying out two tests late last year. l

In the interview, Trump outlined a general election campaign that banks heavily on his personal appeal and trademark rallies while spurning the kind of sophisticated data operation that was a centerpiece of Barack Obama’s winning White House runs.

He also ruled out for the first time the option of taking public financing for his campaign, money that would have saved him the time-consuming task of raising vast sums but would have dramatically limited the amount he would have been able to raise.

The businessman said he’ll spend “limited” money on data operations to identify and track potential voters and to model various turnout scenarios that could give him the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency. He’s moving away from the model Obama used successfully in his 2008 and 2012 wins, and which Clinton is trying to replicate, including hiring many of the staff that worked for Obama.

Trump and his aides have been meeting with RNC officials this week to discuss the mechanics of his campaign. He is also planning a trip to Washington Thursday to meet with party leaders, including House Speaker Paul Ryan. l

NZ PM thrown out of parliament

n Tribune International Desk

In a bizarre incident, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has been John Key kicked out of the parliament by the Speaker on Wednesday, reports Stuff.co.nz.

Key was made to leave the debating chamber after he continued to talk over top of Speaker David Carter after he rose to his feet.

Key had been in heated debate with opposition politicians over his claim Greenpeace was listed in the Panama Papers data base, which the environmental group called “a sham reference”.

Key was answering a question from an opposition leader about why the premier wouldn’t apologise to Greenpeace for wrongly implicating them in the Panama Papers.

At one point Carter cut off Key’s microphone and rose to his feet and demanded order but Key continued to shout across the House at Shaw.

Carter said the same thing had happened yesterday and he had given Key a “fair warning” and he was to be treated “no differently to anyone else in this chamber”.

He then told the prime minister to leave. l

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THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

INSIDE

Mahrez voted Foxes player of the season Riyad Mahrez was voted Leicester City’s player of the season by the club’s supporters on Tuesday, while French midfielder N’Golo Kante was voted best player by his team mates. Mahrez racked up 17 league goals and 11 assists. PAGE 26

Ganguly questions Dhoni’s captaincy India batting great and former skipper Sourav Ganguly has called for Mahendra Singh Dhoni to be ditched as India’s limited overs captain unless selectors are convinced he can lead the team into the 2019 World Cup. PAGE 27

Hummels deal set to weaken Dortmund Bayern Munich’s dual signings of Sanches and Hummels on Tuesday managed to simultaneously strengthen their Champions League challenge while potentially weakening Dortmund for next season’s campaign. PAGE 28

Abahani Limited captain Tamim Iqbal (L) and Mohammedan Sporting Club skipper Mushfiqur Rahim put the finishing touch to their preparation yesterday on the eve of their high-voltage Dhaka Premier League encounter today MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

‘Dhaka derby still the best’

Abahani take on Mohammedan in Dhaka Premier League today tween the officials of the two clubs the centre of all the attraction and “And the supporters are also inn Mazhar Uddin that have gone down these days. there were a few brand names such terested to know who is going to The intense rivalry may have gone down to minimum over the years but still the season’s first battle between arch-rivals Abahani Limited and Mohammedan Sporting Club in the Dhaka Premier League will no doubt garner all the attention at Sher-e-Bangla National stadium in Mirpur today.

At least the players from both sides are excited, according to Abahani captain Tamim Iqbal.

“There is always a different feeling as a player when we face Mohammedan and [today] I think the players from Mohammedan will also feel the same way, that they are going to face Abahani,” said Tamim after the training session in Mirpur yesterday.

win whenever these two sides face each other. It’s a challenge and we will try to take this challenge positively and we have to play better cricket as a team. We have lost two and managed to win three in five games but we still believe that we are yet to give our best,” he added.

Mohammedan are at the top of the points table with eight points from five games, and a win today will strengthen their position at the summit. Abahani though are in a more desperate situation having won three of their five games and need a win to stay in the hunt for a Super League berth.

Till the mid 2000s, the contest between the two traditional giants on and off the field has been

as Akram Khan for Abahani and Mohammedan’s Minhajul Abedin Nannu who were always associated with the clubs. But that has changed significantly over the years.

“I think the draft system is one of the main reasons why the players were not able to choose their clubs. It’s obvious if play for a certain club for four-five years, I will certainly grow some extra feelings for the team. Both the sides have their own history and the players do keep that history in mind when we face each other,” he said.

The recent success of the Bangladesh team has diverted the fans’ focus more towards the international arena. There is also the intensity and competitiveness be-

Sussex confident of Mustafizur’s arrival Messi equals Koeman's mark Almost everything Lionel Messi does looks effortless but the Barcelona forward insists a lot of practice goes into trying to perfect the free-kicks. The 28-year-old Argentine has scored seven goals from direct free-kicks in this year’s La Liga. PAGE 29

n Minhaz Uddin Khan Sussex coach Mark Davis said he is “confident” that Bangladesh’s pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman will join his side this season, contrary to reports that the leftarm paceman might pull out.

In March this year, Mustafizur agreed to join Sussex, thus making himself available for the NatWest Twenty20 Blast and the Royal London One-Day Cup.

“We can’t confirm anything at the moment but I am confident he will be joining us. He is probably the best bowler in the world at the moment so we’re very excited about him coming and we should know for sure what’s going on in the next couple of weeks,” said Davis to a Sussex-based newspaper yesterday.

The statement from the Sussex coach came after Dhaka Tribune last week reported that there is

likely to be a delay in Mustafizur joining the county side.

It was learnt by Dhaka Tribune that the Bangladesh Cricket Board would consider his physical condition before letting him travel to England. His IPL franchise, the Sunrisers Hyderabad are likely to keep him busy till the end of May. The NatWest T20 Blast begins on May 20 while the Royal London One-Day Cup will run from June 6 to August 2. l

It was learned that both Shakib al Hasan of Abahani and Mustafizur Rahman of Mohammedan will miss the blockbuster clash due to their ongoing commitments in the Indian Premier League.

Meanwhile, when all eyes will be at the home of cricket in Mirpur, there will be two other interesting matches taking place elsewhere with Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club, who are jointly at the top of the points table, locking horns with fourth-placed Legends of Rupganj in Fatullah. And with three wins from five games, defending champion Prime Bank Cricket Club and Victoria Sporting Club will fight for some vital points at the BKSP 3 ground.l

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21 players report for nat'l training n Tribune Report

Bangladesh footballers jog on the opening day of the national training camp at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

The national team’s training camp ahead of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers play-offs began yesterday with the participation of 21 players.

The 21 players trained under the guidance of local coaches Saiful Bari Titu and Parvez Babu for around an hour and 15 minutes at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday afternoon.

The rest of the 34-member preliminary squad, primarily from Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Chittagong Abahani, did not join the camp due to their absence in the capital city and are likely to join training today.

Defensive midfielder and expatriate footballer Jamal Bhuiyan on the other hand is in Denmark and will report for training along with the remainder of the squad.

Meanwhile, team manager Satyajit Das Rupu confirmed that temporary Dutch head coach Lodewijk de Kruif will arrive in the capital this Sunday and take up the responsibility of the national side. l

Much-awaited hockey league begins today

Mahrez voted Foxes player of the season

n Tribune Report

n Reuters

The most prestigious tournament in the country’s hockey arena, Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League finally gets underway today at Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium.

The tournament is being held after a two-year hiatus and Club Cup champions Abahani Limited will open off proceedings against Bangladesh Railway. The last time the league took place was in January, 2014 but four clubs – Mohammed-

an Sporting Club, Wari Club, Bangladesh Sporting Club and Mariner Young’s Club – did not take part after they boycotted hockey activities under the then executive committee, led by Khaja Rahmatullah.

Even before the last edition, the top-flight was never held on a regular basis ever since its introduction in 1998. This year’s edition will only be the 11th in 18 years.

The Sky Blues and Usha Krira Chakra, runners up in the Club Cup, were joint champions two years ago but this time around they

are likely to face stiff challenges from Mohammedan and Mariner.

Abahani coach Mahbub Harun though on the eve of the tournament opener expressed confidence that his charges will be able to retain their title and said the foreign recruits are nearing full fitness.

“Every club contesting the league has a formidable squad. It is tough to say who will win or lose in a particular game. It will be a tough test but we are determined about retaining our title,” said the former national coach. l

Riyad Mahrez was voted Leicester City’s player of the season by the club’s supporters on Tuesday, while French midfielder N’Golo Kante was voted best player by his team mates.

Mahrez racked up 17 league goals and 11 assists to help the Foxes win their first-ever Premier League title.

He picked the 3-2 come-frombehind win over Aston Villa in September and February’s 3-1 away

victory over Manchester City as his favourite games of the season.

“It feels good,” the 25-year-old Algerian forward told the club’s website (www.lcfc.com).

“It’s good to be voted for from the fans. I’m very happy. We just know we’ve done something crazy - something unbelievable.”

“The stadium is very amazing,” he added. “The fans are close to us and I feel very good here to play. I just want to say thank you to all the fans - I hope they support us every year.” l

‘Disenchanted’ Manohar says conscience made him quit n AFP, New Delhi Shashank Manohar said his conscience forced him to resign as India’s cricket board chief after he walked away from the embattled organisation in a dispute over introducing wide-ranging reforms.

Manohar wrote to the powerful Indian board on Tuesday to announce his immediate resignation, a move expected to trigger his bid for re-election as chairman of the International Cricket Council.

Manohar, who had only been in the post since last October, had promised to clean up the Board of Control for Cricket in India, whose reputation has been tarnished by

several scandals involving the Indian Premier League.

In the wake of the IPL scandals involving corruption and fixing, the Supreme Court ordered a retired judge to draw up a report on the BCCI’s governance in a bid to avoid future conflicts of interest.

Justice Rajendra Mal Lodha’s report recommended the BCCI introduce age limits for its office-bearers and a ban on television adverts between overs during live broadcasts.

But Manohar said some of the reforms were not in the BCCI’s best interests and he felt he could no longer carry on in his role.

“My conscience no longer permits me to continue,” Manohar told

the Times of India in an interview published yesterday.

“I feel certain portions of the Lodha panel’s recommendations are not in the interests of the board.

There is very little I can do in the current scenario.

“I am not disenchanted with the BCCI but with the overall scenario,” he said.

Manohar had returned for a second stint as BCCI president in October, after the death of Jagmohan Dalmiya. Manohar had pledged to clean up the board after being unanimously elected as head of what is the most powerful body in world cricket.

The 58-year-old lawyer was

widely regarded as a safe pair of hands who could bring some much needed stability to the troubled board. After becoming president, Manohar swiftly moved to reverse some of the recent rule changes that had been designed to give greater power to India, England and Australia.

Although some yesterday accused Manohar of abandoning the BCCI, others welcomed the move and his expected stand for re-election as ICC head.

Under reforms that Manohar had himself supported, it will soon no longer be possible to be ICC chairman and head the national board of a member country. l

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QUICK BYTES MSC beat BKSP in Women’s Cricket League Inspired by Farzana Haque’s 103-ball 81, Mohammedan Sporting Club bagged a 35-run win over BKSP in the Dhaka Women’s Premier Cricket League yesterday. Batting first, Farzana and Lata Mondol (38), guided Mohammedan to 181/7 from their 40 overs. In reply, BKSP managed 146/5 in 40 overs with captain Farzana Akter top-scoring with 47.

–TRIBUNE REPORT

Fahad 29th in Asian Jr Chess Bangladesh’s youngest Fide Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman finished 29th in the Asian Junior (Under-20) Chess Tournament after he defeated Arjun Adappa of India in the ninth and final round in New Delhi yesterday. The 13-year old national sub-junior champion earned 4.5 points while Indian Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram emerged as the champion with seven points.

The other representative from Bangladesh, national junior champion Avik Sarkar ended at 41st position with four points. A total of 59 players from 10 Asian countries including three GMs and four International Masters participated in the tournament.

–TRIBUNE REPORT

Go or stay long-term, Dortmund tell City target Gundogan Borussia Dortmund have told injury-hit Manchester City target Ilkay Gundogan to either leave at the end of the season or sign a long-term contract extension.

After Bayern Munich announced on Tuesday they have signed Borussia’s captain Mats Hummels on a five-year deal, Dortmund are looking to keep hold of their other stars as they plan for next season when Borussia will be back in the Champions League.

–AFP

Ranieri, Aguero pick up monthly Premier League awards Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri has been named the Premier League manager of the month for April, while Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has won the award for the players. Ranieri guided his team to three victories and a draw during the month which helped the Foxes, who started as 5,000-1 outsiders to win the league, secure their first English league title in the club’s 132-year-old history.

–REUTERS

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball against Alexander Zverev of Germany during their Italy Open match in Rome, Italy. Federer won 6-3, 7-5

REUTERS

Ganguly questions Dhoni’s future as captain n AFP, New Delhi Batting great Sourav Ganguly has called for Mahendra Singh Dhoni to be ditched as India’s limited overs captain unless selectors are convinced he can lead the team into the 2019 World Cup. After India’s semi-final exit at the recent World Twenty20, Dhoni tried to brush off suggestions that he might struggle to make the next 50-over World Cup being held in England in July 2019 when he will turn 38.

But Ganguly, who was Dhoni’s predecessor as captain of both the Test and one-day side, cast doubt on whether the man known as "Captain Cool" had the staying power to remain at the helm for another four years.

“The selectors need to find an answer to whether they see Dhoni leading India in 2019. If the answer is no, then find a new captain,” Ganguly told on Tuesday.

“If the answer is yes, which I will find very, very surprising, Dhoni continues.”

Dhoni, a wicketkeeper-batsman, stepped down as India’s Test captain in December 2014 after leading his country to a record 27 victories and was succeed by Virat Kohli. However, he stayed on as ODI and T20 skipper, leading the team in last year’s World Cup as well as the recent World T20, which India hosted.

Although his acumen as a Test captain was often questioned, Dohni is seen as one of the greatest skippers in short-form cricket after leading India to victory in the in-

Clarke to star in Hong Kong T20 n AFP, Hong Kong

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke will headline Hong Kong’s Twenty20 Blitz this month as he pursues a comeback in cricket’s shortest form.

Clarke, one of the top batsmen of his generation, will star at the four-team tournament from May 28-29 in a rare appearance since his retirement last year.

“While I have never been to Hong Kong before, I have heard so much about what a great place it is for sport,” he said in a statement

from organisers yesterday.

“I can’t wait to meet my teammates and experience the city, while also hopefully contributing to the game of cricket in Hong Kong which I know has been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years.”

Injury-plagued Clarke, 35, retired last August after playing 115 Tests for Australia, 47 as captain, and 245 one-day internationals, but only 34 T20 internationals.

Clarke returned to action in a Sydney club game in February, and he has also held talks with the Sydney Sixers about playing in Austral-

ia’s T20 Big Bash League.

T20 cricket can be a big money-spinner for players, with Australian veteran Shane Watson netting a US$1.4 million contract at this year’s Indian Premier League auction. Organisers said they were delighted to welcome Clarke to the T20 Blitz, which follows Hong Kong’s appearance at this year’s World T20 tournament.

“To summarise Michael’s credentials is impossible, he is simply one of the best cricketers of this generation, if not ever,” said Hong Kong Cricket Association chief Tim Cutler. l

augural World T20 in 2007 and the 2011 ODI World Cup. Since the World T20, Dhoni has struggled in the ongoing Indian Premier League, with his Rising Pune Supergiants team languishing near the bottom of the table.

Ganguly, however, said he still merited a place in the team, and insisted that he had great respect for his successor’s achievements.

“There’s no disregard to him (Dhoni), he has been one of the greatest captains of the country,” said Ganguly. l

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LVG refuses to blame bus attack for setback n AFP, London Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal put on a brave face and refused to blame an attack on his team’s bus for the serious setback to his side’s Champions League hopes at West Ham United.

Tuesday’s gripping 3-2 loss, which was preceded by the United team bus being pelted with cans and bottles outside the east London ground, leaves Van Gaal’s men needing to beat Bournemouth in their final match on Sunday and hope Manchester City lose at Swansea City if they are to creep into the Premier League’s top four.

“No, it is still not gone,” Van Gaal said of a top-four finish following the final match of West Ham’s 112year tenure at the Boleyn Ground.

“In the last match of the season we can pass over Manchester City.

They can lose and we can win.

Then we are fourth. You can count, I think?”

Van Gaal said to blame the bus attack for the result would have been an “excuse”, but he conceded that it could have affected his younger players.

“I have a long experience in football and there are players who don’t have the experience,” said the 64-year-old Dutchman.

While United still have an FA Cup final date with Crystal Palace to come on May 21, missing out on a top-four place would represent a massive disappointment, but Van Gaal believed Swansea could give City a hard battle.

“I don’t think it is not likely. In this league it happens a lot and Swansea City has a very good run.

“It is a mental blow for the players, but against Bournemouth we have to give everything so that we don’t give Manchester City a free trip into the Champions League.”l

Winston Reid (L) scores the winning goal for West Ham against Manchester United during their Barclays Premier League match at Upton Park on Tuesday

REUTERS

Violence, drama as Utd’s top-4 hopes shredded n AFP, London

Manchester United endured a prematch bus attack and post-match demoralisation as their Champions League hopes were harpooned by a 3-2 defeat at West Ham United on Tuesday.

After United’s bus was pelted with missiles en route to the ground, they came from behind to lead 2-1 as Anthony Martial’s brace

RESULT West Ham

3-2

Sakho 10, Antonio 76, Reid 80

Man United Martial 51, 72

negated Diafra Sakho’s 10th-minute opener for West Ham. But Michail Antonio equalised before centre-back Winston Reid smuggled a header past visiting goalkeeper David de Gea in the 80th minute to bring the 2,398th and final game at West Ham’s Boleyn Ground home to a crashing crescendo.

The result left United in fifth place in the Premier League and means that they can only pip Manchester City to fourth place if they win at home to Bournemouth on Sunday and City lose at Swansea City.

That unlikely scenario confronts

the under-pressure Van Gaal with the unwanted consolation of a Europa League berth, although his side also face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic was left to celebrate a first league win over United in 15 attempts, which took West Ham back above Southampton and into a Europa League slot.

“We didn’t stop believing,” Bilic told Sky Sports before dashing off for an on-pitch ceremony involving several former club greats.

“We totally deserved it. It was a great night. It is history, not just a game. It is against them, fighting

for Europe, late-night game. All the boxes you need for a special type of game was tonight.”

But while the manner of victory was a fitting send-off for the 112-year-old ground, ahead of West Ham’s move to the Olympic Stadium, it was marred by pre-match scenes that saw the United bus struck with cans and bottles.

It resulted in a 45-minute delay to kick-off, and there were further scenes of disorder when De Gea had bottles thrown at him following Martial’s equaliser.

The Football Association subsequently announced an investigation.l

Hummels deal set to weaken rivals Dortmund n AFP, Berlin

Bayern Munich’s dual signings of Renato Sanches and Mats Hummels on Tuesday managed to simultaneously strengthen their Champions League challenge while potentially weakening Borussia Dortmund for next season’s Bundesliga campaign.

Eleven days before Bayern face Dortmund in the German Cup final in Berlin, the Bavarian giants announced they have signed Germany centre-back Hummels from the only club to challenge them domestically this season.

The 27-year-old is the third big-name Bayern have lured from Dortmund in three years after

Mario Goetze in 2013 and Robert Lewandowski in 2014.

Dortmund were already battling to keep defensive midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, linked to Manchester City, and Chelsea-target Henrikh Mkhitaryan, while striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is being courted by Europe’s top clubs.

Now they have lost their captain.

The Dortmund defence will cope without Hummels, but he is just one more name who has walked out in the direction of Munich. Less than 40 minutes after Bayern announced they had signed teenage talent Sanches from Benfica for 35 million, the Hummels deal was confirmed after weeks of speculation.

The double signings show Bay-

ern’s intent to win the Champions League for the sixth time.

The Bavarians are smarting from last week’s defeat to Atletico Madrid, their third straight exit to Spanish opposition at the semi-final stage in Europe.

Hummels hastily left the Dortmund training ground 20 minutes after his transfer was announced.

“After eight-and-a-half years here, it was not an easy decision to make,” he said in a statement on the club’s website. “I was always proud to wear the Borussia Dortmund shirt and be part of this exceptional team.

“Before I return to my hometown, we all have the big goal of bringing the German Cup trophy to

Dortmund."

Having grown up in Munich and come up through Bayern’s youth academy, Hummels is simply returning to the club he left Dortmund for, on loan, in 2008.

The 4.2m euros ($4.7m) Dortmund later paid for him in 2009 is dwarfed by the 38 million Bayern will reportedly pay to sign him back. It’s a similar fee to the 37 million Goetze cost three years ago before Lewandowski left on a free transfer. Hummels returns as a World Cup winner. He won the 2011 Bundesliga title, then the 2012 German league and cup double with Dortmund before losing 2-1 in the 2013 Champions League final - to Bayern.l

Mats Hummels gestures during a training session yesterday AFP

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Review urges compulsory helmets, substitutes after Hughes death n AFP, Sydney Helmets should be compulsory for batsmen and fielders near the wicket, and substitutes considered for concussed players, a landmark review into the death of Australia’s Phillip Hughes said yesterday.

Hughes, who played 26 Tests,

KEY FINDINGS The medical attention received by Hughes had no role in his death His helmet met standards at the time, but not even a helmet meeting newer safety standards would have saved him All first-class cricketers should be required to wear a helmet when facing fast or medium bowling Wicketkeepers should be required to wear a helmet and protective eyewear when standing up to the stumps Close fielders such as silly mid-on and silly mid-off should also be required to wear helmets

died from bleeding on the brain in November 2014 after being hit on the base of the skull by a rising ball while batting in a domestic match in Sydney.

His death - a freak accident stunned Australia and the world cricket community, sparking an outpouring of grief. Cricket Australia ordered the independent review, which said the medical treatment the 25-year-old received was appropriate and timely.

At the time, Hughes was wearing a helmet which was not compliant with the more recent, and stringent, British Standard, which extends the grille protecting the face further to the rear of the helmet. Barrister David Curtain, who conducted the review, said even if Hughes had been wearing the newer model, it would not have saved him. The 62-page report also found limited scientific evidence that current clip-on neck guards would prevent a similar tragedy, and needed further evaluation before being mandated. But, to minimise any similar incident, it rec-

Messi equals Koeman's free-kick mark at Barca n Reuters, Valencia Almost everything Lionel Messi does looks effortless but the Barcelona forward insists a lot of practice goes into trying to perfect the free-kicks which have contributed a sizeable chunk of his goals this season.

The 28-year-old Argentine has scored seven goals from direct free-kicks in this year’s La Liga, the latest in Sunday’s 5-0 triumph over Espanyol.

Messi now has 23 goals from free-kicks in his career at the club, equalling the previous record of former Barcelona star Ronald Koeman.

Messi had to wait until the 2008-09 campaign to take his first attempt from a direct freekick for Barca, where Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry and Xavi used to take set pieces.

Koeman’s free-kick gave Barcelona a win over Sampdoria for their first European title in 1992 but while the Dutchman focused on power, Messi is more about accuracy.

Messi has scored 37 goals in 43 games in all competitions this season for Barca.l

DAY’S WATCH CRICKET SONY SIX 8:30PM Indian Premier League 2016 Hyderabad v Delhi

TENNIS SONY ESPN 4:00PM ATP 1000 Masters Rome Open: Day 4

ommended all first-class cricketers in Australia wear helmets made to British safety standards while batting against medium or fast bowling, in nets and games.

Helmets should also be worn by wicketkeepers standing up to the stumps and fielders within seven metres of the batsman, apart from those in the slips, and protective headwear for umpires should also be considered. There must also be a defibrillator available at all first-class matches in case medical staff need to deal with trauma-related cardiac incidents or coronary conditions. Curtain added that concussion substitutes may be a good idea as they would encourage players who have been hit to leave the field, with Cricket Australia requesting that the ICC look at the issue at a meeting this month.

This could be the first step towards replacement players becoming part of the international game, allowing cricket to follow a similar approach to concussion rules implemented by rugby league and other contact sports. l

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Showtime

I would only blame myself if my listeners find my music unappealing: Rafa n Rayan Quddus On stage, he dons rebellious attire often inspired by Che Guevara.

But in person, he is like a free spirited hippie. Recently, he released the debut album of his new band AvoidRafa, titled Bhaar, for free. He also makes jingles for popular advertisements. Rafa is still relatively young and he likes to remain active, despite having a complicated health issues. There

Why did you name your band Avoid Rafa? Is there any pun to it?

To be honest, the name Rafa doesn’t have a ring to it. It sounds a lot better when there is something before or after it.

Somehow, the word “avoid” made sense, it’s a way of telling everyone to avoid Rafa the person, and listen to his music. I, Rafa, am not so important; it’s more about the ideas and music. So listen to the music and not Rafa.

more on the music. Technology has played a big role in changing the music industry as a whole.

The general audiences have a lower span of attention, because everything is at the tip of their fingers, so in the past the intros to songs were longer, and now it needs to go to the chorus a lot quicker, or else they won’t have listeners’ attention. Also, artists use more visuals now and I believe a music video can take a song, a long way. Personally, I am yet to emphasise on it but I try to give a lot of emphasis on the music for my fans - a balance of what they might like and what comes to my mind.

You are simultaneously an active member of several renowned bands, which is rare. Why and how do you do it?

As I have mentioned before, I love music. I never really thought or planned of playing with so many people. It just happened. I think my ability to play a wide array of instruments led me here. I am always doing something related to music. I have so many unreleased tracks and experiments; I even have an hour long track in English, which has a novel-like and a bookish storytelling approach.

are a lot of interesting traits in him as well, he can play the sitar on one hand and lead a heavy metal band with another. He is well-read and reserved yet prolific when it comes to music. He hosts is own radio show called Hotbox, on ABC 89.2 FM, 9-11pm, every Monday. This week, Showtime caught up with talented musician for an interview.

As an artist how do you approach your music? Does technology play an important role in your work?

I don’t have a specific routine for my creative outputs, it is spontaneous. I live and breathe music, 24/7. When I work on the music, I don’t think about the distribution, but when I am done with the songs, I have to become a businessman, even if I don’t think about it much. I concentrate

Chole and Brooklyn in love?

What is your ambition as a musician?

I am always experimenting and trying out fusions between different genres. Currently I am concentrating on rock music, but I might come out with new sort of sounds very soon. Since I am always working on it, it may well be possible. Of course, I tend to change my listeners through my work. I want them to listen to what I am doing, and I would only blame myself if my listeners find my music unappealing. l

n Showtime Desk Chloe Grace Moretz has cleared the air surrounding rumours of her and Brooklyn Beckham being a couple.

While making an appearance in Watch What Happens Live on Monday night, Moretz confirmed that she and the son of David Beckham and Victoria Beckham are indeed dating.

The 19-year-old actress revealed to host Andy Cohen, the reason behind her finally confirming her relationship with Brooklyn. “I think the more I don’t make it mysterious, the more people don’t care, so yes we’re in a relationship,” Chloe said.

Andy then asked her about the 17-year-old boy’s famous parents, whom she thought were very nice. “He has a great dad, and a great mother. They genuinely are very good parents and that’s what matters most, they made a pretty son,” Chloe added.

Brooklyn and Chloe have been sharing their photos on their respective social media accounts in these past two weeks. David Beckham’s son even called her his “bae” in his recent post on Instagram. They also posted an adorable photo of them inside a car, where Brooklyn was seen planting a kiss on his actress-girlfriend’s forehead. l

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THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

39th National Film Awards ceremony held Ferdous and Moushumi receive the auspicious award for the third time

n Showtime Desk Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the National Film Award 2014 yesterday at a gala event. Twenty-nine artistes

and film professionals have been selected for the awards in 28 different categories for outstanding contribution to the film industry.

Masud Pathik’s Nekabbarer Mahaproyan has been awarded as the best film while Meghmallar director Zahidur Rahman Anjan received the award for the best director.

Ferdous Ahmed won his third National Film Award for his role in Naim Imtiaz Niamul’s romantic drama, Ek Cup Cha, in the category for the best actor. Moushumi also clinched the prestigious award for the third time in her career for portraying a soft-hearted sister in Mostafa Kamal Raz’s Taarkata.

Alongside Moushumi, Bidya Sinha Mim has also won the best actress award for the first time for her role in Jonakir Alo. Veteran actor and cultural figure Syed Hasan Imam and actress Rani Sarkar received the lifetime achievement awards.

Hasanul Haque Inu, the Information Minister, presided over the ceremony which was held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on Wednesday evening. l

PHOTO: BSS

The full list of winners Best Film: Masud Pathik, Nekabborer Mohaproyan Best Director: Zahidur Rahman Anjan, Meghmallar Best Actor: Ferdous Ahmed, Ek Cup Cha Best Actress: Moushumi, Taarkata and Bidya Sinha Mim, Jonakir Alo Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Ejajul Islam, Taarkata Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Chitralekha Guho, Ekattorer Ma Jononi Best Actor in a Negative Role: Tariq Anam Khan, Desha: The Leader Best Actor in a Comedy Role:

Misha Sawdagor, Olpo Olpo Premer Golpo Best Child Artist: Abir Hossain Angkon, Baishamya Best Music Director: Dr Saim Rana, Nekabborer Mohaproyan Best Music Composer: Belal Khan, Nekabborer Mohaproyan Best Lyricist: Masud Pathik, Nekabborer Mohaproyan Best Male Playback Singer: Mahfuz Anam James, Desha: The Leader Best Female Playback Singer: Runa Laila, Priya Tumi Sukhi Hou and Momtaz Begum, Nekabborer Mohaproyan Best Story: Zahidur Rahman Anjan, Meghmallar Best Dialogue: Zahidur Rahman

Anjan, Meghmallar Best Cinematography: Saikat Nasir, Desha: The Leader Best Art Direction: Maruf Samurai, Taarkata Best Editing: Towhid Hossain Chowdhury, Desha: The Leader Best Photography: Mohammad Hossain Jemy, Baishamya Best Sound Recording: Ratan Paul, Meghmallar Best Costume Design: Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Jonakir Alo Best Make-up: Andur Rahman: Nekabborer Mohaproyan Lifetime Achievement Award: Syed Hasan Imam and Rani Sarker Best Child Actress: Marzan Hossain Jara, Meghmallar Best Documentary Film: Gariwala

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THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

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Boy killed just before his SSC result n Mohammad Jamil Khan Babul Shikdar Hridoy’s dream was to be one of the country’s top engineers, but luck was not on his side.

A student of Mirpur Adarsha High School with a score of GPA 5 in the Secondary School Certificate exams, the 17-year-old was killed a few hours before the results were published yesterday.

Instead of being able to celebrate his academic success, Babul’s body is now lying at the morgue of Dhaka Medical College.

Locals and witnesses said while playing a game of cricket with his friends on a vacant field in Mirpur 1 around 11am, a quarrel broke out over whether Babul was out. Instantly, a boy from the opposite team struck him with a cricket stump, leaving him badly wounded.

Babul was later taken to the Neuroscience Institute at Agargaon for treatment but doctors on duty declared him dead at 12:10pm.

Md Shahjahan, sub-inspector of Mirpur police station, told the Dhaka Tribune they recovered the body of Babul around 1:30pm and sent it to DMC morgue for an autopsy. Three friends of the victim were detained for questioning.

Babul was the eldest son of Mostofa Shikdar, an employee of

Babul Shikdar Hridoy Rabbani Car Service Centre. He told the Dhaka Tribune that Babul was a very good student. “He used to tell me he would go abroad after the SSC results to continue higher education and become a top engineer,” added Mostofa.

Distressed, Mostofa said even though Babul proved his brilliance through his results, all is in vain as he no longer exists.

Upon visiting Babul’s home in Borobagh, Mirpur, the Dhaka Tribune witnessed his family and neighbours in mourning.

Jahanara Begum, the mother, said she had called her son around 11:30am yesterday but his phone

Mother, left, and relatives of Babul Shikdar Hridoy break down hearing the news of his death yesterday was answered by another who informed Jahanara about Babul being taken to the hospital. By the time she reached the hospital, it was too late.

Babul’s younger brother Badal Shikdar, a student of class nine at Mirpur Bangla School and College,

told the Dhaka Tribune that his brother was a very gentle soul.

No case was filed as of 9pm yesterday.

A relative told the Dhaka Tribune that the family is uncertain over justice in the incident because the boy who had struck Babul is a

Bangladeshi dies in suspicious manner at Aussie refugee camp n Reuters, Sydney A young Bangladeshi refugee died of heart failure on Nauru yesterday, Australian officials said, the second death in as many weeks on the tiny South Pacific island where detainees have been hurting themselves in protests.

However, a refugee activist, who identified the Bangladeshi man as Rakib, 26, claimed that the latter’s illness had been caused by an intentional overdose.

“The man admitted himself to the Republic of Nauru Hospital on May 9, complaining of chest pains,” Australia’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection said in a statement.

“He was receiving treatment in hospital, but died early today after a series of cardiac arrests.”

Coalition, which is based in Australia.

But a department spokesman rejected the allegations.

Under Australia’s hard-line immigration policy, asylum seekers intercepted trying to reach the country by boat are sent to camps on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea or to Nauru The activist, Ian Rintoul, said refugees on the island had told him the man, to whom he referred by a single name, Rakib, had committed suicide by taking an overdose of pills.

“Rakib’s friends say his suicide was driven by the same desperation as others on Nauru,” said Rintoul, the coordinator of the Refugee Action

“There is currently no evidence to support these claims,” the spokesman said, adding that the department rejected outright any suggestion of a cover-up.

Under Australia’s hard-line immigration policy, asylum seekers intercepted trying to reach the country by boat are sent to camps on Manus Island in Papua New

Guinea or to Nauru.

The camps have drawn criticism from the UN and human rights agencies for their harsh conditions and reports of abuse there.

Two asylum seekers, a 23-yearold Iranian man and a 21-year-old Somali woman, have set fire to themselves in protest over their lengthy detention on Nauru. The man died and the woman is in a critical condition.

More than 100 refugees and asylum seekers at the centre have signed a petition to be allowed to buy boats to leave the country.

Papua New Guinea has said it plans to close the Manus Island detention centre after its Supreme Court ruled it unlawful. l

MEHEDI HASAN

nephew of Iqbal Hossain Titu, the local ward councillor.

Asked about prime suspects, OC Bhuyan Mahbub Hossain of Mirpur police station said a boy struck Babul in the head. “No matter who he is, we are trying to arrest him,” he added. l

BB, NY Fed, SWIFT hold meeting n Tribune Desk A meeting on May 10 between representatives of Bangladesh Bank, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and SWIFT to discuss the cyber-heist that lost Bangladesh $81m has resulted in a statement of concern from the participants.

It was the first time that the BB governor met face to face with top officials from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) and the New York Fed since the robbery took place on February 4.

Governor Fazle Kabir led the Bangladesh Bank side, while President William Dudley represented the New York Fed at the tripartite meeting in the Swiss city of Basel. A press note of Bangladesh Bank yesterday said the organisations agreed to cooperate to nab the thieves. l

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