14 June, 2016

SECOND EDITION

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

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Jyoishtha 31, 1423, Ramadan 8, 1437

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 52

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

Police were aware of JMB activities in the north n Mohammad Jamil Khan Despite having knowledge about a growing militant presence in 16 districts of northwestern Bangladesh, law enforcers are failing to prevent attacks that are taking place at regular intervals.

In some cases, the police even knew beforehand that a militant attack was imminent in the district; but failed to stop it from happening or to apprehend the attackers and the masterminds.

The JMB connection to the country’s north came to the fore this April when a bomb blast at a militant den in Bogra’s Sherpur killed two persons including a top JMB military wing commander named Fardeen.

While investigating the case, detectives and Bogra police found that banned militant outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh was operating in 16 northern districts.

A senior official of the Detective Branch told the Dhaka Tribune that the JMB had around 100-150 trained madrasa students working for them in the region.

Seeking anonymity, the DB official added these militants were working in small groups of four or

8 KILLED BY MILITANTS IN NORTHERN BANGLADESH Freedom fighter Hossain Ali, who had converted to Christianity, hacked to death in Kurigram

Hindu businessman Tarun Datta killed in Gobindaganj, Gaibandha

Jogeshwar Roy, priest of Sonto Gaurio Temple, slaughtered in Panchagarh

The JMB has around 100-150 trained madrasa students working for them in the region, with a highly educated 16-member cell supervising them all

Anando Gopal Ganguly, a priest of Noldanga temple in Jhenaidah hacked and his throat slit near Mohishadanga Beel

Body of Mohammad Shahidullah, an Islamic scholar, found in a mango grove in Rajshahi

Professor Rezaul Karim Siddique of Rajshahi University hacked to death in Shalbagan area, Rajshahi

Sunil Gomez, a Christian grocer, hacked to death at Banpara Christian Palli, Baraigram upazila, Natore

five and were being organised and supervised by a highly educated 16-member JMB cell.

Interrogation of several militant suspects has revealed that a lot of these militants were previously activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir, the detective claimed.

On the other hand, police’s counter-terrorism and transnational crime unit chief, Monirul Islam said they have traced JMB sleeper cells whose objective was to carry out so called jihadi activities in northern districts.

Nityanando Pandey, a staff member of Thakur Anukulchandra Satsan g Ashram, hacked to death in Hemayetpur, Pabna

“We are trying to identify the members of these sleeper cells and their hideout,” said Monirul, a leading investigator in militant issues of Bangladesh.

Bogra police superintendent, Md Asaduzzaman, admitted JMB’s presence in the north, but said they had beefed up security in the district following the April 3 bomb blast that killed Fardeen and one more.

Recurrence of militant attacks did not mean that there was a lack of security measures in the northern districts, said Alamgir Kabir,  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

UN concerned about recent killings in Bangladesh n Tribune Desk The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the increased number of brutal murders in Bangladesh.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein made the concern while addressing on Global human rights update by the High Commissioner at the 32nd regular session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva yesterday.

“I am very concerned about the dramatically increased number of brutal murders in Bangladesh that target freethinkers, liberals, religious minorities and LGBT activists,” said Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein.

He also called for the investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators of the crimes.

“I note recent reports of police arrests, and I urge that investigating and prosecuting the perpetrators of these vicious crimes be made a priority, with full respect for human rights.”

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also urged all government officials and political and religious leaders to unequivocally condemn these attacks on freedom, and to do more to protect affected groups. l

Indian supplier for Rampal plant to get tax exemption n Aminur Rahman Rasel Indian company Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) which acts as the contractor for the under construction 1,320 MW coal based power plant in Rampal is going to get tax exemption for bringing machinery and equipment for the plant.

The decision of giving the con-

tractor this favour of tax exemption at source was taken during a meeting at the Ministry of Finance on Sunday. Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith presided over the meeting.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is going to provide its approval in favour of BHEL and the owner of the plant Bangladesh-In-

dia friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL) very soon, sources present at the meeting said.

Previously, BIFPCL was exempted from paying VAT for 10 years as it was implementing a project listed under the fast tract project of the government. Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and the Indian National Thermal Pow-

er Company Limited (NTPC) have equal ownership of the BIFPCL. BIFPCL selected BHEL as the contractor of the plant in March.

Indian Exim bank has provided its primary consent to give loan for the project.

Senior officials from the Finance Division and NBR said that BIFPCL was earlier given a favour of

Coral bleaching threatens Great Barrier Reef

Handball goal knocks Brazil out of Copa

Mobile-based agro advice helping farmers

VAT exemption. Now if a contractor of this company gets another tax exemption on machinery and equipment then other companies implementing large projects in Bangladesh would also want the same from the NBR. “The government will loose a huge amount of tax money because  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

INSIDE

Villagers suffer due to Atrai bridge collapse

The Dinajpur-Parbotipur Road remained closed for vehicle after a bailey bridge collapsed over the Atrai River in the district on Sunday night.  PAGE 6

Mass coral bleaching has destroyed at least 35% of the northern and central Great Barrier Reef, Australian scientists have said.  PAGE 9

The Copa America Centenario erupted into controversy on Sunday after a refereeing blunder sent Brazil out of the tournament.  PAGE 24

Grameenphone’s mAgri hotline, that provides expert advice on livestock and agriculture, has helped thousands of farmers so far.  PAGE 32

SEHRI & IFTAR

Ramadan 08 09 10

June 14 15 16

Sehri – 3:39 3:39

Iftar 6:50 6:51 6:51

Source: Islamic Foundation

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Hizb ut-Tahrir coming out of woodwork again Jamil Khan and n Mohammad Arifur Rahman Rabbi

As the police force continues its week-long sweep to detain militants, members of Hizb utTahrir are trying to come out from hiding and reorganise their banned outfit again.

As part of their efforts to regroup, Hizb ut-Tahrir is circulating leaflets urging the people to rise against the “tyrannical rule of Sheikh Hasina.”

One such leaflet was dropped in the Dhaka Tribune’s mailbox on Sunday.

In the leaflet, the militant outfit

major activity was monitored on September 4, 2015, when around 10,000 of its supporters joined in on an online video conference.

Although officials from different intelligence agencies monitored the online meet-up, surprisingly not a single militant was traced.

Asked about the outfit’s recent activities, Anowar Latif Khan, additional director general (ADG) of Rapid Action Battalion, told the Dhaka Tribune that Hizb utTahrir did not have any activities out in the open, but were trying to organise secretly.

Replying to a query about the

Hizb ut-Tahrir’s last major activity was monitored on September 4, 2015, when around 10,000 of its supporters joined in on an online video conference called on people to protest the government’s oppression on June 17. However, it did not mention any specific plans of demonstration, only providing its contact information at the bottom of the leaflet.

The Dhaka Tribune has learnt that similar leaflets were also being distributed in Rajshahi.

Intelligence sources told the Dhaka Tribune that the militant outfit – which has been quiet for some time – was trying to boost its activities again in the wake of a series of militant attacks across the country.

Police’s counter-terrorism chief, Monirul Islam, said domestic militants were being inspired by recent growth of militancy in countries like Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.

However, the head of the Counter-terrorism and Transnational Crimes unit said militant activities in Bangladesh were isolated events, adding that Bangladesh did not have the environment that would allow extremists to claim a permanent base here.

Asked to comment on Hizb ut-Tahrir, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said there was no difference between different militant groups of Bangladesh. All supporters of Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh, Hizb ut-Tahrir and Jamaat-Shibir belonged to the same platform, he said.

According to intelligence officials, Hizb ut-Tahrir’s last

circulating leaflets, the RAB ADG said the outfit was taking advantage of law enforcers’ limitations and carrying out such activities by flying under the radar.

Asked about any possibilities of sabotage, Anowar said there was nothing to fear as RAB remains alert to prevent any attack.

Since Hizb ut-Tahrir was banned in Bangladesh in October 2009, law enforcers have been able to arrest around 600 of its members and leaders. Some of the detainees include university students and teachers.

But many of these suspects secured bail and went into hiding again; these are the same militants who are now trying to regroup, according to intelligence officials.

Court sources said getting a bail was comparatively easier for Hizb ut-Tahrir militants as most of them were arrested by the police while distributing leaflets or marching in a procession, and did not have any incriminating evidence such as weapons or explosives in their possession that linked them to terrorist activities.

However, Additional Inspector General of Police Mokhlesur Rahman denied allegations that suspects out on bail were active again.

Saying all militant issues were being taken care of, he pointed out that a special drive was under way to combat militancy.

According to the Police HQ, only three Hizb ut-Tahrir leaders have been arrested so far during the ongoing drive. l

A police official frisks a pedestrian in Manik Mia Avenue area, Dhaka yesterday as part of the nationwide crackdown against militants and criminals SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Production halt at 20 pharmas to stay n Ashif Islam Shaon The High Court yesterday upheld an order to ban 20 pharmaceutical companies from producing drugs.

Chamber Judge Justice Mirza Hossain Haider passed no order on a petition filed by two companies seeking a stay on the order.

The judge forwarded the matter

to the regular bench of Appellate Division for a hearing on June 15.

On June 7, the High court asked authorities to halt production at 20 pharmaceutical companies accused of manufacturing substandard medicine, within seven days.

It also directed the government to stop 14 other companies from producing antibiotics.

The High Court decision came in response to a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.

The petitioner stated that a committee of medicine experts had advised a parliamentary watchdog in January to cancel the licenses of the 20 companies, but no step were taken following the recommendation. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Police were aware of JMB activities in the north superintendent of police in Pabna, where a Hindu monastery staff was killed in the latest militant attack.

According to Alamgir, adequate security initiatives were already in place.

A senior official at the Police Headquarters in Dhaka told the Dhaka Tribune that instructions have been given to increase security in the districts where attacks were taking place. Intelligence efforts and surveillance have also been increased, he added.

On this regard, Rajshahi Range police’s Deputy Inspector General M Khurshid Hossain said they were taking special steps to ensure the safety of the people living in the region.

The Dhaka Tribune asked Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal whether he considered the police’s inability in preventing militant attacks a failure; but he did not give any direct answer to the question.

Instead, he said the recent target killings were part of conspiracy by domestic and international groups

to create a false situation for government and foil the war crimes trial.

The ongoing special police drive would produce results soon, he added.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque asked for the public’s help in resisting these militants, saying the police alone cannot meet the challenge.

Addressing a programme in Chittagong yesterday, he however claimed that the number of militants in Bangladesh was very low. l

Indian supplier for Rampal plant of that,” an NBR official said.

A senior Power Division official however, said that if tax was imposed on bringing machinery and equipment for the power plant, it would put an impact on the electricity production cost.

“BIFPCL will later realise that money. So imposing tax on machinery and equipment now will be like taking money from one pocket of the government and putting it in the other pocket,” said the official.

In March this year, BIFPCL and BHEL applied for tax exemption on machinery and equipment for the Tk14,999 crore project.

Later, Power Division, Minister of Finance and NBR were given let-

ters to grant their application of tax exemption. NBR rejected their application.

NBR said, as per the Income Tax Act 1984, NBR had already exempted VAT for the next 10 years of commercial operation of the BIFPCL’s plant. Aside from that the company had been exempted from some other taxes too under the consideration that it was a private electricity producer.

After NBR declined to exempt taxes for BHEL, Power Division sent a letter to NBR in March 30, again asking NBR to take the tax exemption issue into consideration. Later the three parties sat in several meetings.

Under the circumstances, Nasrul

Hamid, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources brought this issue to the attention of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s office. As per the direction of the prime minister, the meeting in Finance Ministry took place on Sunday.

Meanwhile, a senior official of BIFPCL said that the issue of tax exemption is in the Engineering, Procurement and Constructing (EPC) contract.

BPDB and NTPC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2010 for the construction of the Rampal power plant. The projected cost of the coal based super critical power plant is Tk14,999 crore. l

SP WIFE MURDER

Suspects being questioned Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong

Police have started interrogating the two suspects who were put on seven-day remand in connection with the gruesome murder of Mahmuda Khanam Mitu, wife of celebrated Superintendent of Police Babul Akter.

“Police started questioning the suspects – Abu Nosor Gunnu and Shah Zaman Robin – today [yesterday] to glean more information from them regarding the murder,” said Additional Commissioner Debdas Bhattacharia of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP).

Gunnu and Robin were both placed on remand for seven days by a Chittagong court on Sunday when the case investigation officer petitioned for 10 days of remand.

Gunnu, a former Shibir activist and caretaker of a shrine in Chittagong’s Hathazari upazila, was arrested by police in Hathazari three days after Mitu was killed, while Robin was arrested in the city’s Shital Jharna area five days after the murder.

Police claimed Robin was one of the three killers seen in CCTV footages collected from the area where Mitu was killed.

Sources said police have been scrutinising footages collected from CCTVs near the murder scene as well as other parts of the city to verify if Robin was the same person as as seen in the footages during the murder.

“Police are also working to

find out the motive behind the killing and the mastermind behind it,” said a police official, seeking anonymity.

However, there has been no significant progress in the investigation; police are still not sure whether it was a militant attack or not, the police official said.

Driver of black microbus freed

Police have released Jane Alam, driver of the black microbus seen following the killers’ motorcycle in CCTV footages, from their custody after questioning him regarding the murder.

Seeking anonymity, a top CMP official told the Dhaka Tribune that the microbus driver was let go, with the black microbus, as police could not find any link between the driver and the murder.

Police did not get any important information from Jane Alam even though he said he had witnessed the murder, the police official added.

Earlier, CMP Commissioner Md Iqbal Bahar on Saturday told journalists that the microbus usually went to the GEC Intersection area – where the murder took place – to pick up officials of Abul Khair Group of Companies every day and was waiting for the officials there on the day of the murder for the same reason.

Mitu, 32, was stabbed and shot to death by three unidentified miscreants in Chittagong’s GEC Intersection area early Sunday morning. l

Rizvi: 2,000 BNP men held Al-Masum n Mohammad Molla The BNP yesterday claimed that over 2,000 of their leaders and activists have been arrested during the nation-wide drive against militancy.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary general of BNP, said: “the government has started the wholesale arrest to conceal their failures and misdeeds.

“They are yet to identify any militants. Instead they are arresting the common people during Ramadan,” he said at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters.

The BNP leader also alleged that this drive is not addressing the real issues but subject-

ing people to repression by throwing them in jail.

“The ongoing drive is actually not to stop the frequent murders but to repress the democracy loving opposition leaders and activists,” he said.

Rizvi claimed that more than seven thousand people were arrested during the drive but the government is yet to identify the real militants.

“Police headquarters have said only 85 suspected militants were arrested. If that is the case then why have they arrested thousands of people?”Rizvi asked.

The BNP leader alleged that the government does not adhere to the rule of law which is they have arrested thousands of people without a warrant. l

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Chhatra League leader Rony gets bail n Ashif Islam Shaon The Chhatra League Chittagong City unit leader who was held with firearms near a polling centre and was awarded prison term by a mobile court has secured bail from High Court.

The High Court bench of Justice Md Habibul Gani and Justice Md Akram

Hossain yesterday granted General Secretary of Chittagong City BCL Nurul Azim Rony six months’ interim bail.

The court also issued a rule asking why the BCL leader should not be granted a permanent bail in the arms case.

On May 7, Rony was held with a loaded pistol and ballot papers dur-

ing a raid led by a judicial magistrate outside a polling centre in Hathazari upazila during union parishad voting.

Cases were filed against him for trying to influence voters and possession of the firearm and ammunition. The mobile court awarded him a two-year prison term for breaching of electoral code and sent him to jail. l

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Slum kids see no future without birth registration n Mohammad Jamil Khan

Thirteen-year-old Shabnam had big dreams for herself when she started going to school; she dreamt of studying hard, getting a job and finding a way out of the slum she and her family live in at Pallabi in Dhaka.

Now her dreams seem out of reach. Barred from school for not paying three months’ fees, she has been sitting home for two months.

“The school is not allowing her to attend classes since we have not been able to pay Tk900,” Shabnam’s mother Baby Begum said.

Her father Md Mokarram works at a small RMG business, making Tk3,000. Shabnam is his third child.

Asked why she had not enrolled Shabnam to a government school, the dejected mother said: “Because

they ask for Tk300-400 for birth registration. We’d have to go without food for two days to pay that.”

It was strange to hear that birth registration requires a payment, since the government issued an order last year telling authorities to register the births of slum and street children free of charge.

But a number of families besides Shabnam’s at New Kurmitola slum in Pallabi complained about the authorities charging money for the registration. The visit was organised by bssinfotainment, funded by World Vision and AusAID. This correspondent met another 13-year-old named Md Mamun, who goes to a private school during the day and works at a small RMG factory at night.

“I work to pay my school fees

and to collect the money for birth registration,” he said.

According to the local ward commissioner’s office, at least 10,000 families live in New Kurmitola slum, of whom nearly 1,000 are under 18.

It is not just education that is getting hampered because of this problem. Meherunnesa, another resident of the slum, said her daughter Sabiha’s marriage almost broke off two months ago because she did not have a birth registration number.

“The groom’s family left the ceremony when the kazi told us that the marriage cannot be registered without the bride and groom’s birth registration numbers. Later, with the help of some NGO workers in our locality, my daughter got her birth registered on an urgent basis

UNHCR organises refugee awareness lecture at ULAB

n Tribune Desk The United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, organised a lecture for students of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) yesterday with an aim to create awareness about the situation of refugees around the world, and to explain who they are and why they need protection.

The lecture took place at the ULAB auditorium and

was supported by ULAB Co-curricular Office.

The world we live in has more people forcibly displaced by conflict than at any time since the Second World War – there are 60 million displaced persons, of which 20 million are refugees.

These unprecedented numbers have pushed UNHCR and partners to their limits, and sadly the crisis continues to intensify. But with more and more people forced to flee, people’s anxiety has increased – often resulting in intolerance and misinformation about who refugees are.

“When Bangladesh fought its 1971 Liberation War, there were many friendly countries where the people marched for us, they campaigned for our independence, and our

refugees received protection in other countries. As young people now, you also have a responsibility to inform yourselves about what is happening in the world today and not just stay within your narrow interests,” said ULAB Vice-chancellor Professor Imran Rahman in his closing speech.

“To begin with, we can each sign the UNHCR petition to show our support for the world’s refugees.”

Farheen Khan, external relations of UNHCR, gave her presentation in which she mentioned how UNHCR operates in Bangladesh and described the refugee situation in different countries.

UNHCR is conducting refugee awareness lectures in a number of universities in Dhaka and can also support individuals to make donations to UNHCR refugee operations globally. l

for Tk300 at the city corporation,” she told the Dhaka Tribune.

Suriya Zannat, child protection officer at World Vision, a charity organisation for children, said a number of children in the slum are dropping out of school because they cannot get birth registration number that the government schools ask for, and they cannot afford going to private schools.

“We contacted local city corporation officials about this but did not get any response,” she said.

Sazzad Hossain, Ward 2 councillor in Mirpur, said: “There are no pending applications on my desk as I complete all formalities as soon as possible when residents of my area send in their applications.”

When the Dhaka Tribune contacted Md Nayeb Ali, zonal exec-

utive officer at Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) for Mirpur and Pallabi, he said birth registration was not his responsibility.

The Dhaka Tribune then contacted Dr Mahmuda Ali, the health officer at the Urban Primary Health Care Services Delivery Project of the DNCC. She admitted that there are indeed some problems regarding birth registration of street and slum children in her area.

“I recently joined my station here at Zone 2. There has been some complaints regarding the free birth registration, but I am working to sort them out. I have asked all the applicants to submit their documents for the registration. I will personally make sure that the registrations are done properly,” she said. l

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Parasitic twin boys to undergo operation n Kamrul Hasan

As if the already dilapidated roads were not enough, the rainwater that flooded Dhaka’s Malibagh area two days ago has yet to subside, making daily commute for Malibagh residents even more difficult. The photo was taken yesterday SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Doctors at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital’s Pediatric Surgery department yesterday said they were planning to take a parasitic twin boy under the knife next week in order to facilitate the process of enabling him to lead a normal life.

The baby, Mohammad Ali, was born on March 7 in Bagerhat’s Zatrapur village. He was shifted to the hospital on March 10.

Doctors said parasitic twins are usually the result of a delay in the separation of embryos during conception. The boy has all limbs but his umbilicus is immature, and the inner liver and esophagus are covered with a screen, a problem

known as exomphalos. His heart and head are said to be missing but he has two legs, kidneys, a bladder and a penis.

Surgeons said they were planning a surgery to remove the legs and other parts of the boy’s parasitic twin as soon as possible, provided that his condition is stable enough. They are confident that the boy will go on to lead a healthy life after the operation.

Ali’s mother Hiramoni said she took her son to the 250-bed Hospital in Khulna a day after he was born, but doctors there denied to admit him. She then brought him to Dhaka and admitted him to a private clinic.

On March 10, the boy was taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital. l

DNCC official threatens to shut down Meena Bazar n Abu Hayat Mahmud A zonal official of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) yesterday threatened to shut down all the outlets of Bangladesh’s oldest super shop Meena Bazar following an anti-adulteration drive.

During the drive the official fined the Meena Bazar outlet near Mohammadpur Town Hall Market Tk1 lakh for using a box from a cigarette company to display cigarettes.

This correspondent was present at the shop during the drive and witnessed the entire proceedings.

A few other reporters from different newspapers and TV stations were also present.

DNCC Zone 5 Executive Officer and Executive Magistrate SM Ajior Rahman entered the shop with a large number of policemen around 1pm.

The team promptly went to the shop’s store room and opened the refrigerators. Magistrate Ajior then

a tobacco company can be kept in any shop. You have displayed cigarette packets in a box provided by British American Tobacco, which is a violation of the anti-tobacco act,” the magistrate said and fined the store Tk1 lakh for a cigarette display box.

The box did not bear any brand logo or label from any cigarette company.

Replying to a journalist’s query about the proper procedure to sell tobacco, Ajior Rahman said: “According to the act, nobody will carry out advertisement and display of tobacco. We will carry out drives all over Dhaka next to stop open sale of cigarettes.”

Replying to another query about the proper temperature for refrigerating meat, another DNCC official said minus 4 degrees Celsius was the appropriate temperature.

“But they [Meena Bazar] have been keeping meat at 1.3 degrees which is not optimum for keeping meat well,” the official said.

announced that the freezing system was not appropriate and hygienic.

“You have been fined earlier for storing meat in wrong temperatures, but you are continuing to do that. So you should be fined Tk50,000. If you do this again all of your shops will be shut down,” the magistrate told the outlet manager.

Manager Abusaleh Musa Khan defended, saying meat was being kept in different refrigerators for various purposes and some would be used for different food products.

But the magistrate insisted that the meat was meant for selling to customers and fined the shop anyway.

“Hurry up! Hurry up! Give Tk1.5 lakh quickly,” Ajior told the manager.

“And you will not call anyone.

If you try phone anybody for lobbying, we will examine all the products and fine you more,” he warned.

“No equipment with a label of

Meena Bazar later issued a statement, saying the super shop does not place any cigarette advertisements at its outlets.

“The cigarette display guideline and standard is set by Bangladesh government and that is maintained and shared with us by British American Tobacco Bangladesh,” the statement, signed by CEO Shaheen Khan, said.

“Based on the given guideline we display the products at our store. We are not displaying any advert in our store, rather we are selling cigarettes from our shelf which is legally approved,” it said.

On the frozen meat, the statement said that for perishable goods the outlets had frozen storage in the back and frozen displays in the front.

“When we receive any perishable item we directly display that in chilled counter and the rest is kept in the back store in frozen condition, maintaining the same standard.

“We do it not to store our food for a long period, rather to maintain the same standard till the day’s end because we cannot display the whole day’s consumption at once,” it said.

Magistrate Ajior told reporters that the drive had been carried out under the directives of DNCC Mayor Annisul Huq to ensure hygienic food for citizens.

Earlier, the mobile team evicted some makeshift shops outside the Mohammadpur Town Hall Market but did not appear to be checking any shop for food quality.

It fined a restaurant Tk20,000 for putting a makeshift Iftar shop outside.

Saiful Islam, a local resident who witnessed the drive, said the city corporation officials were evicting makeshift shops but did not examine any goods in the market.

“I think they should be more concerned about adulteration during Ramadan,” he said. l

Cases against Mahfuz Anam stayed n Tribune Desk

The High Court yesterday stayed the proceedings of 10 defamation and sedition cases filed against The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam for three months.

The High Court bench of Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice AKM Shahidul Huq yesterday came up with the order ater a

petition was filed by the Editor.

With this order, all 82 cases against Mahfuz Anam have been stayed.

On April 11, the High Court stayed the proceedings of 72 other cases filed on the same charges.

The High Court yesterday, extended the previous stay order on the 72 cases by six months.

It also issued a rule upon the government asking to explain why the

TEMPERATURE FORECAST FOR TODAY

THUNDERSHOWER WITH RAIN TUESDAY, JUNE 14

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filing and continuation of the cases should not be declared illegal.

A total of 83 lawsuits were filed in 56 districts against the Editor by the Awami League leaders.

Anam said on a talk show that the biggest mistake in his journalistic career was running the corruption reports during the past caretaker government without independently verifying the information. l 28

Rajshahi 40

DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 6:47PM

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Rangpur

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Khulna

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Barisal

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:11AM

32.4ºC Rajshahi

22.0ºC Tangail

Source: Accuweather/UNB

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Sylhet

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Cox’s Bazar

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Fajr: 3:49am | Zohr: 1:15pm Asr: 5:15pm | Magrib: 7:00pm Esha: 8:45pm Source: Islamic Foundation

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TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

Moulvibazar hospital crippled with problems n Saiful Islam, Moulvibazar The 250-bed hospital of Moulvibazar has all the potential to be a topnotch lifesaving facility for hundreds of thousands of people in the nearby areas. But a shortage of manpower and poor management is crippling the hospital’s ability to serve those in need.

Even though there are 56 authorised posts for doctors, only 36 physicians are currently working there. The same is true for nurses: only 52 nurses are currently working against a total 86 available posts.

The absence of trained manpower means many of the hospital’s equipments and critical medical facilities like the coronary care unit and neonatal intensive care unit remain unused.

Although it has only been a few years since the hospital opened its doors, the building itself is also experiencing different problems.

There are water leaks in the operation theatre, while a little rain-

fall results in water trickling all the way down to the first floor. Patients also complaint that the wash rooms are always flooded with water.

For patients with difficulty in moving, there is not enough wheelchairs or trolleys; neither is there any wheelchair ramp for emergencies in the entire four-storied building.

There is also discontent among the staff, as cleaners of the hospital have reportedly not received any salaries for the past nine months.

Despite all these shortcomings, the 250-bed hospital is providing healthcare to around 700 people who come to the outdoor facility every day on an average.

Several patients who were waiting on queue at the outdoor services told the Dhaka Tribune that they had to buy only a Tk5 ticket to see doctors at the hospital. Seeing the same doctors at their private chambers would have cost them Tk500, they said.

A patient who was suffering from abdominal pain said he had

to pay only Tk200 for an ultrasonogram at the hospital, while the same test would cost Tk800 elsewhere.

Another kidney patient told the Dhaka Tribune that he earlier had to regularly travel to Sylhet for dialysis; but since the dialysis department opened at the 250-bed hospital, it has saved him a lot of money and time.

Several other patients praised the hospital’s diagnostic facilities, saying that machines and the technicians were skilled in carrying out all medical tests.

The hospital, however, fails to live up to its true potential. There are plenty of equipments available, but no one skilled enough to use them.

The coronary care unit of the hospital is ready for use, but has not been operational yet. The same is true for a 15-bed neonatal intensive care unit.

There is no scope for an endoscopy, while the digital x-ray machine has been out of order for

a long time. One of the two ambulances of the hospital also remains broken down, allowing an outside syndicate to pressure patients into using private ambulance services.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, the hospital’s supervisor Dr Akbar Hossain Chowdhury said the Public Works Department has been repeatedly notified about the problems, but to no avail.

To start the neonatal unit, at least 15 trained doctors and nurses are needed, while the coronary unit would also require recruiting new skilled medical practitioners.

Saying efforts were on to pay the outstanding salaries for the cleaners, he added that doctors were following a roster now to ensure round-the-clock care.

Dr Akbar also claimed that the Moulvibazar hospital was being overlooked by the authorities; as an example, he pointed out that a 250-bed hospital in neighbouring Sunamganj had 200 posts for nurses, while the Moulvibazar hospital only had 86. l

CHRISTIAN GROCER KILLING

Another accused placed on remand n M Kamal Mridha, Natore

A Natore court yesterday placed another accused of Christian shopkeeper Sunil Gomez killing on a three-day remand.

Natore Senior Judicial Magistrate Shamsul Al Amin passed the order in the afternoon following a petition filed by Investigation Officer of the case Abdul Hai. The investigation filed the petition on Sunday seeking five-day remand. Then the court fixed yesterday for remand hearing.

Family members of Sunil said he had dispute with Moni over water supply and brother of her also threatened him with dire consequence during an altercation.

Sunil, 60, was hacked to death at his shop in Bonparha on June 5. International terrorist group Islamic State has reportedly claimed the killing. l

A bailey bridge over the Atrai River in Dinajpur Sadar remains closed for motor vehicles after it collapsed on Sunday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Villagers suffer due to Atrai River bridge collapse Sarker Sunny, n Bipul Dinajpur

The Dinajpur-Parbotipur Road remained closed for vehicle after a bailey bridge collapsed over the Atrai River in the district on Sunday night.

Witnesses said the bridge over the river in Sadar upazila collapsed around 9pm causing long tailback on

both sides.

A bicycle rider fell in the river during the incident while he was crossing the bridge. Later, he was rescued and admitted to Dinajur Medical College and Hospital.

Travelers alleged that they got locked in long tailback after the bridge collapsed.

Locals said they had in-

formed the incident to concern authorities but they had not taken steps to repair the bridge yet.

They also alleged the plying of vehicles across the bridge disrupted sometimes as its condition venerable.

Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Suruj Mian said he had sent men to repair the bridge. l

7

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News

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

NITYANANDO MURDER

Ashram residents remain in panic n Md Emroz Khandakar, Pabna People who live in Sri Sri Thakur Anukulchandra Satsang Ashram locally known as Hemayetpur Dham are passing days in anxiety as police yet to find any clue behind the killing of Nityanando Pandey.

Nityanando Pandey, 62, was hacked to death by some miscreants in front of Pabna Medical College Hospital which is only 200 metres away from the monastery on Friday morning. Nityanando had been working as an attendant for the past 40 years.

Police said the killers swooped on him when he was on his daily morning walk in the area, leaving him dead on the spot.

Adhir Kumar Roy, an attendant

in the monastery, said they might face the same consequence like Nityanando.

“Since the killing of him, we have been passing days in grave anxiety as any of us can be victim of militant attack.” He also said many residents of the ashram had stopped going to morning walk fearing attack.

Noni Gopal Debnath, another resident of the Ashram, said Nityanando was a liberal person, but the miscreants had killed him.

“Then what will happen to the people who are obeying religion?” he asked.

He also said the government should tackle the militancy strictly to stop such practice.

Another attendant of the Ashram who preferred to be unnamed

said: “Now I feel insecure when I go outside of monastery.”

Meanwhile, members of civil society also expressed concern saying that if the law enforcement agencies would not crack down militancy, people of the country would have to pay a lot in future.

Former vice-principal of Panba Adward College Md Shahnewaz Salam said the government should wipe out militancy from the country as soon as possible.

Different socio-cultural organisations have been observing different types of programmes protesting the killing.

Superintendent of Police, Pabna Alamgir Kabir told the Dhaka Tribune that they had thwarted several attempts of militants earlier.

He said police arrested two men of Islami Chhatra Shibir for his suspected involvement in the killing on Saturday night.

Acting on tip-off, a team of police arrested Ariful Islam, 23, secretary of Literature and Cultural Affairs of district unit Islami Chhatra Shibir and son of Abdus Sattar of Charghoshpur village, from Bajitpur village around 10pm, said Munshi Abu Kuddus, inspector of Sadar police station. Another arrestee is Abul Hossain, an activist of Shibir.

He also assured the Dhaka Tribune that the mystery behind the killing of Nityanando would be solved soon.

The SP also claimed that they had earlier arrested six members of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen of

Bangladesh in connection with the attempt to kill a priest.

Some miscreants attempted to kill Luk Sarker, 52, a priest at a local baptist church by slitting his throat on October 6, 2015.

He had to remain under treatment at Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex for several days.

Soon after the killing of Nityanando, the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the murder.

Several hours after the killing, SITE ran a report citing the militant group-run Amaq News Agency that said the “IS fighters in Bangladesh” had killed the Hindu monastery staff.

It is the 22nd attack claimed by the international terrorist group in Bangladesh since September last year that killed 20 people. l

Bangladeshi abducted from Bandarban border n S Bashu Das, Bandarban

Separatists in Myanmar abducted a Bangladeshi national from Naikkangchhari area in Bandarban on Sunday afternoon.

Naikkangchhari BGB official Lt Col Azim said Ula Mang Marma was kidnapped at gunpoint from Dochhari border area.

Mang, a lumberjack by profession who hails from the district’s Hedman Para, went to the border area a few days ago to collect logs.

Officer-in-Charge of Naikkangchhari police station Abul Khayer said Mang’s family lodged a complaint over the incident.

Mang’s abduction caused panic among local woodcutters and they were said to be maintaining caution while moving near the border areas.

Three cattle traders were kidnapped by miscreants on April 15.

Later, they were found dead in Deem Hill area of Thanchi upazila On April 18. l

Garbing a portion of Airport road, hundreds of covered vans are parked in Laldiachar area under Laldighi police station in the port city much to create traffic congestion there. The photo was taken yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

‘Narayanganj killing was pre-planned’ n Tanveer Hossain, Narayanganj

Two personnel of the Rapid Action Battalion yesterday said the seven murder in Narayganj was preplanned and the victims were abducted one after another for murder.

Deputy captain of RAB 11 Major Arif Hossain and camp commander MA Rana led the killing mission.

Polash Goldar and Jahangir Hossain, members of RAB, said this

while giving depositions before a court yesterday.

Narayanganj District and Sessions’ Judge Syed Enayetur Rahman recorded the depositions in presence of 23 accused of the sensational killing case. After the hearing, the court fixed June 20 for the next hearing, said Wazed Ali Khokon, public prosecutor.

Polash Goldar said: “I was in a patrol team led by Salam Sikdar,

DAD of RAB 11, on April 27, 2014.

We were searching vehicles setting a checkpost infront of Khan Saheb Osman Ali Cricket Stadium. In the afternoon, a white-coloured and black-coloured cars came there. As soon as the two vehicles reached, a silver-coloured micro-bus also came there. Then, Major Rana and two others passengers from black-coloured car were picked up on the microbus. The micro-

bus then started heading towards Signboard area. Later, we came to know through media that the two persons who were picked up on the bus were among the Narayanganj seven-murder victim.”

RAB Corporal Jahangir Hossain said: “In the early hours of 28 April assistant sub-inspector of Adamji police station requested me to send two vehicles at Shitalakya ghat.”

On April 27, 2014, Narayanganj

panel mayor Nazrul Islam, his three associates and driver, and Narayanganj District Judge’s Court senior lawyer Chandan Kumar Sarker and his driver were abducted from Fatullah area in Narayanganj city.

Their bodies were later recovered from Shitalakhya River.

The two murder cases were filed

by Nazrul’s wife Selina Islam Beauty and Chandan’s son-in-law Bijoy Kumar Pal. l

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TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

SOUTH ASIA

Pakistan, Afghan soldiers clash at Khyber Pass border Pakistani and Afghan soldiers clashed overnight at the main border crossing at the end of the Khyber Pass with at least one killed and several wounded, further straining relations between the militancy-plagued neighbours.

Both countries blamed each other for starting the fighting, which broke out on Sunday and continued into the night.

-REUTERS

INDIA

Modi kicks off BJP’s Uttar Pradesh campaign India Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hit out at the ruling Samajwadi Party accusing it of practising casteism, communalism, nepotism and hooliganism. Addressing a public meeting after the two-day National Executive session of the BJP, he also made a veiled attack on the Congress referring to corruption in purchase of helicopter, aircraft, guns and cooking gas subsidy.

-HT

CHINA

China condemns protection of corrupt officials The top anti-graft body in China, which is pushing for the extradition of corruption suspects who have fled abroad, condemned some people who protect corrupt officials in the name of human rights, but did not name the targets of its ire. China has sought increased international cooperation in its Fox Hunt campaign to track down officials and business executives suspected of corruption who have fled overseas.

-REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

Filipino nationalists harassed by Chinese during flag stunt

Chinese coast guard vessels prevented a Philippine nationalist group from planting a Filipino flag on a rocky South China Sea outcrop, the group said on Monday, the latest territorial standoff between the two countries. The incident between the coast guard and the Freedom It’s Ours group took place at the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Sunday. -AFP

MIDDLE EAST

Saudi prince to meet Obama, Ban during US visit Saudi Arabia’s powerful deputy crown prince flew to the US on Monday for meetings with US President Barack Obama and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The visit of Mohammed bin Salman comes amid a diplomatic row with the UN and policy differences with the US over the war in Syria and relations with Iran.

-REUTERS

Mass shootings in the United States

Binghamton

Shootings since 1991 that have killed more than 10 people Number of victims

13

April 3, 2009

Newtown

FLORIDA SHOOTER OMAR MATEEN

(Sandy Hook school) December 14, 2012

26

Aurora

July 20, 2012

12 killed

Washington DC

September 16, 2013

Littleton

(Columbine) April 20, 1999

12

12

Blacksburg

San Bernadino

December 2, 2015

14

Fort Hood

Kinston*

13

11

Killeen

Atlanta

Nov. 5, 2009

* Shootings took place in Kinston, then neighbouring towns of Samson and Geneva

Oct. 16, 1991

22

March 10, 2009

American of Afghan origin

(Virginia Tech University) April 16, 2007

Studies law at Indian River University

32

2013-2014 Questioned several times by FBI over possible links to a US suicide bomber and extremist views.

Never prosecuted.

Orlando June 12, 2016

July 29, 1999

12

29 years old.

Born in New York, 1986

At least 50 killed

2009-2011 1st marriage. Wife accuses him of violence.

Becomes guard at secure facility for juvenile delinquents.

Was able to buy firearms legally.

ANALYSIS

Trump, Clinton contrast in Orlando response n Tribune International Desk For Donald Trump, the mass shooting in Florida was a moment to redouble his call for tougher action against terrorism and to take credit for “being right” about the threat. For Hillary Clinton, it was a time to choose words carefully and reiterate her call for keeping “weapons of war” off America’s streets.

The responses of Trump and Clinton to the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history were a study in contrasts for the two presumptive presidential nominees — one of whom will soon be leading a country fearful of terrorism, gun violence and the often merciless intersection of the two.

The motive behind Sunday’s early morning rampage at a gay nightclub in Orlando was unknown when Trump and Clinton began weighing in — although a law enforcement source later said the gunman, identified by authorities as Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old American citizen, made a 911 call from the nightclub professing allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State.

As information began trickling out, Trump took to Twitter to say he was “praying” for the victims and their families. “When will we get tough, smart & vigilant?” he wrote.

Within a few hours, the presumptive Republican nominee was back on social media saying that he’d appreciated “the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism.” After President Barack Obama

Initial response from the presumptive nominees of both US major political parties on Twitter after the news of Orlando shooting broke did not use that same phrase to describe Mateen in his remarks from the White House, Trump released a statement saying the president “should step down” — a provocative response that far exceeds the typical Republican criticism of Obama’s approach to extremism.

On Monday, Trump asserted there are thousands of people living in the United States “sick with hate” and capable of carrying out the same sort of massacre. “We can’t let people in. ... We have to be very,

very strong,” he told Fox News.

Clinton, in a phone interview Monday, told NBC “Today” that she has a plan to defend the nation from “lone wolf” attacks. But “I’m not going to demonise and demagogue” like Trump because “it’s plain dangerous.”

For Trump’s detractors, his comments can appear jarring and crass.

But he’s also tapped into a deep frustration among some voters who believe Obama has been handcuffed in his response to terror threats because

he’s worried about offending Muslims in the US and around the world.

Clinton, who is more schooled in the political customs of responding to tragedies from her years as a senator and secretary of state, was careful in her initial comments. The presumptive Democratic nominee also made her first remarks on Twitter early Sunday, writing: “As we wait for more information, my thoughts are with those affected by this horrific act.”

Like Obama, Clinton prefers to avoid early missteps even if that leaves her looking overly cautious.

On Sunday, she waited for the president to declare the shooting an “act of terror” before doing the same.

Clinton didn’t avoid the prospect of a link to international terrorism in her statement, though she was vague in her language. She has made stricter gun control legislation a centrepiece of her presidential campaign and was more direct in raising the shooting as an example of the nation’s failure to keep guns “out of the hands of terrorists or other violent criminals.”

Whether the tragedy in Orlando ultimately sways the trajectory of the general election campaign is unknown. Other unforeseen events will likely also shape the race over the next five months, as the 2008 economic collapse did in the closing weeks of that year’s presidential campaign.

But as voters begin seriously weighing Clinton and Trump as their next commander in chief, Sunday’s shooting left little doubt that the choice between the two candidates is stark. l

9

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

UK’s Labour seeks backing for ‘In’ camp 9 DAYS TO GO

n Reuters, London The campaign to keep Britain in the European Union sought on Monday to win over undecided Labour voters who could swing the result of a referendum in 10 days, as the pound fell to an eightweek low on fears the chances of Brexit had increased.

Concern over the prospect of Britain voting to leave the bloc on June 23 rattled global markets on Monday, sending Asian and European shares sharply lower, and betting odds showed the likelihood of an “In” vote had fallen.

With opinion polls still close, the “In” campaign focused on the opposition Labour Party on Monday. Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron was not holding any high profile events.

Labour supporters are seen as key to securing an In vote, as Conservative voters are deeply divided on the EU. Former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown, credited with

making a decisive last-minute intervention in a Scottish independence referendum two years ago, will launch what the In campaign described as a “Labour fightback”.

After a late surge of separatist support, the 2014 referendum saw Scots vote 55% to 45% to maintain their 308-year-old union with England.

The anti-EU UK Independence Party has made inroads in Labour’s traditional northern English stronghold.

While the party officially backs In, its leader Jeremy Corbyn has had to deny criticism he is not doing enough to campaign for that outcome. Labour have argued the media coverage has been too dominated by the battle within Cameron’s Conservatives over Europe.

Volatility

Most opinion polls show Britons are still evenly divided over which way to vote, but an ORB poll published late on Friday which put the “Leave” camp 10-point ahead of “Remain” has spooked markets.

The European view of Brexit

“If the UK were to leave the European Union, this would be a ____ thing for the Union”* Bad thing 100

*Question put to 10,491 people across 10 EU countries (April 4 - May 12, 2016)

89% 80

70

60 40

32

Good thing 20 0

16

8%

Overall Netherlands Hungary Poland France Germany Spain Greece Italy Sweden Source: Pew Research Centre

ting, the likelihood of an In vote fell to 64% on Monday, down around 14- percentage points from last week, according to odds supplied by Betfair.

The pound fell to an eight-week low while the cost of hedging against big swings in its exchange rate against the euro over the coming month jumped to a record high. l

The world economy is looking shaky and concerns that a vote for Brexit could tip Europe back into recession have lurked in the background for weeks.

Those concerns came to the fore on Monday, however, as European shares fell 1.5% and Asian stock markets logged their biggest falls in four months.

Based on how people are bet-

Mass coral bleaching cast shadow over future of Great Barrier Reef Australia pledges A$1bn to help ailing World Heritage Site

n Reuters, Sydney Mass coral bleaching has destroyed at least 35% of the northern and central Great Barrier Reef, Australian scientists said recently, a major blow to the World Heritage Site that attracts about A$5bn ($3.59bn) in tourism each year.

Australian scientists said the coral mortality figure will likely rise as some of the remaining 65% of coral in the northern and central reefs fails to recover from bleaching.

The report casts a shadow over the long-term prospects of the Great Barrier Reef against a backdrop of climate change and scientists said Unesco may reconsider its decision not to put the World Heritage Site on its endangered list.

Meanwhile on Monday, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, facing a tight re-election battle, pledged a A$1bn ($738m) fund for the ailing natural wonder.

Turnbull, on the campaign trail for the July 2 election in tropical northern Queensland state, the usual jumping-off point for tourists going to the reef, said he would instruct Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) to redirect A$1bn of its A$10bn-fund.

The money would go to a loans scheme aimed at reducing the agricul-

The 2015 file photo shows an area of the Great Barrier Reef called the Coral Gardens located at Lady Elliot Island located north-east from the town of Bundaberg in Queensland REUTERS tural and waste water run-off that is diminishing the reef’s ability to withstand rising sea temperatures.

Unesco’s World Heritage Committee last May stopped short of placing the Great Barrier Reef on an “in danger” list, but the ruling raised concern about its future.

Australian scientists said in March that just 7% of the Great Barrier Reef had avoided any damage as a result of

bleaching, and they held grave fears particularly for coral on the northern reef.

After further aerial surveys and dives to access the damage across 84 reefs in the region, Australian scientists said the impact of the bleaching is more severe than expected.

“This year is the third time in 18 years that the Great Barrier Reef has experienced mass bleaching due to global warming, and the current event

DT

World

is much more extreme than we’ve measured before,” said Hughes.

The findings would have been worse had Cyclone Winston, which hit the reef in January, not bought cooler conditions across the central and southern reefs, the scientists said.

Bleaching occurs when the water is too warm, forcing coral to expel living algae and causing it to calcify and turn white. Mildly bleached coral can recover if the temperature drops, otherwise it may die.

Although the impact has been exacerbated by one of the strongest El Nino weather systems in nearly 20 years, which raised sea temperatures in the western Pacific, scientists believe climate change is the underlying cause.

The bleaching survey findings come just days after Australia’s Department of Environment confirmed it omitted its contribution to a UN report examining the impact of climate change on world heritage sites over concerns it could create “confusion” and have a negative impact on tourism.

Australia is one of the largest carbon emitters per capita because of its reliance on coal-fired power plants for electricity. Climate scientists argue that increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth, creating global warming. l

USA

US plans billions in Afghan funding until 2020 The United States is asking its allies helping with security in Afghanistan to maintain funding for Afghan forces at a cost of nearly $5bn a year until at least 2020.

The plan extends the international financial commitment for the foreseeable future at a time when Western leaders have been hoping to reduce Afghanistan’s reliance on foreign military aid.

-REUTERS

THE AMERICAS

Canada probes reports of hostage killed in Philippines The Canadian government said Monday it was investigating reports that one of its nationals kidnapped by Islamic militants in the southern Philippines nearly nine months ago had been killed.

“The Government of Canada is aware of reports that a Canadian citizen has been executed,” the Canadian foreign affairs ministry said in a statement.

-AFP

UK

Brexit campaigners seize on Orlando massacre A group campaigning for Britain to leave the EU briefly posted a tweet on Monday warning that EU membership could lead to an Orlando-style atrocity, prompting outrage from Remain supporters. The tweet on the @LeaveEUOfficial account said: “The free movement of Kalashnikovs in Europe helps terrorists.

Vote for greater security on June 23.

Vote Leave”. The tweet was taken down around an hour later.

-AFP

EUROPE

Over 2,500 migrants rescued off Italy over weekend More than 2,500 migrants seeking to reach Europe were rescued off the coast of Sicily over the weekend in 20 separate operations. Authorities said 1,348 migrants were picked up Saturday and 1,230 on Sunday. So far this year more than 48,000 people have been brought to the Italian coast after being pulled from boats trying to cross from Libya, according to the UN refugee agency.

-AFP

AFRICA

12 freed Gaddhafi-era officials murdered in Libya Gunmen have killed 12 Libyans after their release from jail for taking part in acts of repression during the 2011 revolt against Moammer Gaddhafi, officials said on Sunday. A Tripoli court ordered the conditional release of the former regime officials on Thursday, and on Friday their bullet-riddled bodies were found in the capital, the prosecution said on its Facebook page.

-AFP

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10

World

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

INSIGHT

Nervous Baltic region on war footing as Nato tries to deter Russia n Reuters, Lithuania Leaders in the Baltic countries and Poland fear the force Nato plans to deploy on their territory is too small and symbolic to deter an attack by Russia, whose 2014 annexation of Crimea is fresh in the memories of the former Soviet-bloc states.

They will this week press other ministers of the western military alliance to help them build an air defence system against Russian aircraft and missiles. But that would be a highly sensitive step, likely to be condemned by Moscow as yet more evidence of a Nato strategy threatening its borders.

Asked about the likelihood of Russian aggression in the Baltics, Lithuania’s Defence Minister Juozas Olekas said: “We cannot exclude it ... They might exercise on the borders and then switch to invasion in hours.”

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia see themselves on the front line in any potential conflict with Moscow and say they are putting their armies on a war footing, meaning they can be mobilised almost immediately.

Nato defence ministers are set to agree this week on a new multinational force of 4,000 troops for the Baltics and Poland.

The US, Germany and Britain are set to lead battalions of about 1,000 troops each. Canada may lead a fourth.

While the Baltic nations welcome the deployments, they say the build-up must go further pointing to Russia’s efforts to develop an “anti-access” capability in the Kaliningrad exclave bordering Lithuania and Poland, using missiles and submarines to stop Nato moving reinforcements into the Baltics.

The Baltics want Nato fighters to protect their skies and are seeking medium-range missile interceptors from Norway’s Kongsberg Gruppen and US defence contractor Raytheon.

“We need to stop possible air aggression,” said Olekas. “We are discussing creating a regional medium-range air defence system together with the Latvians, the Estonians and the Poles.”

Olekas expects to raise the matter with Nato colleagues at the ministers’ meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday in Brussels.

Credibility

The head of the Estonian defence force Lt Gen Riho Terras said: “The first and foremost is the defence of our airspace. Air defence is the challenge that needs to solved together with the Nato alliance.”

NATO MISSILE SHIELD To interceptor

control in the US 1 Hostile ballistic missile launched 2 Early-warning radars and defence satellites detect Communications and track missile threat as satellite soon as it is launched. Data is sent to the US. 3 High resolution X-band/ground-based radar tracks missile and decoys GERMANY 4 One or more interceptors Central are launched from ground command in sites Ramstein 5 Kill vehicle isolates warhead from decoys or debris

Kill vehicle

6

Surveillance satellites with infrared technology

2 5 4

3

POLAND

X-band/ground -based radar

4

2 1

ROMANIA

6 Kill vehicle locks on to warhead and seeks out to destroy it

SPAIN

TURKEY

Four ballistic missile defence-capable ships

Early warning radar

Sources: Missile Defense Agency, FAS, US Senate

RUSSIA MISSILE SYSTEM Russia is being forced to look for ways to neutralise threats to its national security due to deployment of the Nato anti-missile shield in Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin said after the alliance launched a missile defence site in Romania.

ISKANDER-M MISSILE SYSTEM Estonia Latvia Lithuania Redzikovo, Poland The US plans to deploy land-and sea-based Standard Missile-3 interceptors

Germany

500km

Belarus Poland 200km

Czech Republic

“We are not talking about defence of Lithuania, we are talking about the credibility of the whole alliance,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius.

But such calls would require stretched Nato governments to beef up the so-called air policing mission that regularly intercepts Russian jets flying over international

Switch to ‘classic warfare’

Estimated 2 Iskander 9M723K1 launch crew missiles per launcher three persons Warhead 480kg Missiles are usually Range equipped with 280-500km conventional warheads but Launch can also carry mass tactical nuclear 3.8ton warheads

Nato member states

Norway Sweden

Launch vehicle

500km Max range for Iskander missiles from Kaliningrad

waters close to the Baltic states.

The Baltic nations rely on their Nato allies’ quick reaction aircraft to patrol their skies, with no mandate to confront hostile aircraft in a conflict.

Four British Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets and four Portuguese F-16 fighter jets are currently carrying out the air policing mis-

Designed using reduced radar visibility (stealth) technology

nius last week. He echoed Baltic concerns about the strength of Nato’s deterrence.

“It is a transition,” Hodges said.

“I hope that includes serious war fighting capabilities. Just putting garrisons of troops sitting in the countries ... will not deter.”

Russia insists it poses no threat to the former Soviet states. Top Nato officials say talk of an impending attack is misleading, a view shared by Paris and Berlin.

Russia has held unannounced exercises on the borders of the Baltics, including one in 2014 which mustered 100,000 troops, according to Danish Colonel Jakob Sogard Larsen, who heads the new Nato command outpost in Lithuania.

“You see it differently when you live here,” Larsen said.

“We need to learn to fight total war again,” he said, in a sign of the return of a Cold War-style mood.

Lithuanian officials accuse Russia of trying to buy off Lithuanian soldiers and business people to become spies for the Kremlin, intimidating diplomats and spreading disinformation on the Internet and television.

Prosecutors are preparing to file criminal charges against someone they say is a high-ranking Russian intelligence officer arrested last year trying to recruit informants.

Russia denies any such activities.

REUTERS

sion. Officials say a lot more would be needed for air defence.

And southern Nato nations, focused on uncontrolled migrant flows and the failing states on Europe’s borders, may also be unwilling to grant more resources to the eastern flank.

Ben Hodges, the commander of the US army in Europe, visited Vil-

The Nato battalions are part of a deterrent to be approved by leaders at a summit in Warsaw in July.

That will involve forces on rotation, warehoused equipment and a “spearhead” force backed by Nato’s 40,000-strong rapid reaction force.

Once the decision is made, Germany could deploy to Lithuania before September. Britain is expected to deploy to Estonia, the US to Latvia and Canada possibly to Poland.

German and Danish soldiers fanned out across swamps and woodland in Lithuania this week in war games to learn the unfamiliar Baltic terrain and test their ability to move equipment and personnel quickly to a possible front.

Their tanks and armoured vehicles were recently brought back from Afghanistan, desert-yellow camouflage painted over with the green-and-black colours of Baltic woodlands.

“We are changing our focus from counter-insurgency tactics back to classic warfare,” said German Lt Col Marc-Ulrich Cropp from his camouflaged command tent at a Lithuanian military base. “Everyone has to be prepared.” l

Poll: Spain’s ruling party voters ready to sacrifice PM to secure government n Reuters, Madrid A majority of voters of Spain’s ruling conservative People’s Party (PP) would consent to its leader and acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy stepping aside if this allowed the party to stay in government, a poll showed on Sunday.

Rajoy, blamed for harsh austerity measures implemented in recent years that crippled the economy as well as political corruption cases at the PP during his leadership, is seen as Mariano Rajoy REUTERS the main obstacle for other parties to back a PP government.

Spain returns to the ballot box on June 26 after an inconclusive December election stripped Rajoy’s centre-right party of its absolute majority. Opinions polls show the vote could produce another political stalemate, forcing PP to strike a ‘grand coalition’ deal with the Socialists and newcomer liberal party Ciudadanos to remain in power.

According to the Metroscopia poll in the daily newspaper El Pais, which questioned 1,200 people on June 7 and June 8, the vote still remains too fragmented for any clear government majority.

Among those polled, 57% of PP voters said they would accept Rajoy resigning his position if this meant securing a PP government, while 74% of overall voters thought Rajoy should go if this would pave the way for a new government.

An official survey released on Thursday showed voters are still not inclined to revert to the two-party system that dominated Spanish politics for the past 40 years. They seem likely to spread their votes among four main parties and four smaller ones.

While the PP would win the most votes, according to two separate polls published in El Pais and La Vanguardia on Sunday, it remains without a large enough presence in the lower house to take a second term alone.

The party led by Rajoy would win 29.8% of the vote, or between 119-122 seats in parliament, the GAD3 poll in La Vanguardia showed, far short of the 176 seats needed to win back its previous absolute majority.

Even if the PP were to rely on backing by natural allies, market-friendly Ciudadanos (Citizens), a resulting coalition would still fall short, holding just up to 163 seats, the survey showed.

Meanwhile, support for a joint left-wing group formed by Podemos (We can) and Izquierda Unidos (IU or United Left) would stay ahead of the Socialists, with the poll in La Vanguardia giving the group 85-87 seats in Parliament over the Socialists’ 80-82.

The GAD3 poll questioned 1,016 people between June 6-9.

The Socialists again took a hit in both surveys, similar to two separate polls published last week, losing support from the December ballot to left-wing newcomers.

The Metroscopia poll in El Pais showed the Socialists winning 20.8% of the vote, behind the Unidos Podemos coalition with 25.4%, and the PP with 28.9%.

If a ruling majority cannot be formed after the June vote, Spaniards could potentially be forced to return to the ballot box for the third time in a year.

While the political impasse has had little effect on the country’s economic recovery following years of prolonged recession, the Bank of Spain has warned stalled economic policy decisions could hit output if the situation continued. l

57% of People’s Party voters said they would accept PM Rajoy resigning his position if this meant securing a PP government

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TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

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12 Business

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

TOP STORIES ADP implementation lowest in 6 years The government expenditure on improving the living condition of people slipped to six years’ low in the first eleven months of current fiscal year despite new strategy taken by the government for bringing dynamism in ADP implementation.

PAGE 13

Call for policy on chemicals use in industries Experts and stakeholders laid emphasis on introducing a policy to control the use of chemicals in Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector and keep the environment safe.

PAGE 14

Capital market snapshot: Monday DSE Broad Index

4,405.4

-0.1% ▼

Index

1,085.2

0.2% ▲

30 Index

1,736.5

-0.1% ▼

Turnover in Mn Tk

3,637.9

9.6% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

87.5

8.5% ▼

All Share Index 13,550.5

-0.2% ▼

30 Index

12,503.0

-0.5% ▲

CSE

Selected Index

8,246.9

-0.2% ▼

Turnover in Mn Tk

221.9

-0.0% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

6.5

2.9% ▼

NBR revenue collection rises 16% in first 10 months of this fiscal year n Syed Samiul Basher Anik The revenue collection by the National Board of Revenue grew 15.72% in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year from the same period a year earlier.

NBR mobilised Tk1,19,338 crore during the July-April period of the FY2015-16 against its downsized revenue target of Tk1,50,000 crore, according to NBR official data.

The collection is around 80% of the revised target of the fiscal year.

The government in April reduced NBR’s revenue collection target by 15% from the original target of Tk1,76,370 crore due to slow growth of collection and poor results of different economic indicators.

The overall growth in the first

Fiscal Year 2015-16 2014-15 2013-14

Revenue collected

Tk1,19,338.24cr Tk1,04,769.22cr Tk90,793.18 cr

Growth Rate 15.72% 15.32% 9.16% Source: NBR

10 months was 15.72%. During the period, customs duty rose 18.16%, value added tax 12.25% and direct tax that includes income tax and travel tax 17.64%.

From July to April, the customs duty wing collected Tk36,080 crore, VAT wing Tk44,626 crore and income tax plus travel tax collected Tk38,632 crore.

The revenue authorities now have to collect Tk30,661.76 crore by this month to meet the revised revenue target.

NBR officials are optimistic to achieve the remaining amount

as the export and import in recent months are showing positive trend.

“Revenue collection gains momentum in the final two to three months of every financial year as implementation of the government’s Annual Development Plan dramatically rises. So, the NBR is expected to collect the remaining amount successfully,” said a senior NBR official.

The revenue authorities have intensified efforts to realise due from different state-owned enterprises and to settle cases through Alternative Dispute Resolution.

As part of the efforts, NBR will increase surveillance on taxpayers and bring effectiveness to the Large Taxpayers’ Unit (LTU) to reach the target, the official said.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith

earlier expressed his dissatisfaction about the NBR’s performance during the outgoing fiscal year 2015-16.

“I think this year’s performance (of NBR) is unfortunate. Performance should have been much better from this institution. It can go much further up to the level,” Muhith told his post-budget press conference.

In the proposed budget, he expected that the NBR will collect Tk1,60,000 crore revenue exceeding its target through demonstration of great efforts.

NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman echoed finance minister hoping the NBR will be able to achieve its target and will witness surplus by collecting Tk160,000 crore against the revised target of Tk150,000 crore. l

Mobile number portability auction likely in Sept n Ishtiaq Husain Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is likely to hold the much-awaited auction for mobile number portability (MNP) in September.

BTRC Chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood is scheduled to announce a tentative auction date today at a press conference to be held at its office in the city.

As all the necessary approvals

from authorities concerned have already been taken for the MNP, BTRC boss will formally disclose the MNP auction roadmap at the press conference.

Last month, the Prime Minister’s Office had given approval to the mobile number portability (MNP) service that allows subscribers to switch between operators without changing their phone number.

After getting approval from

PMO, the regulatory body has begun all the necessary steps in this regard, said the official.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) would call the international tender to appoint a third party MNP operator to provide the service.

Once the MNP is introduced, customers can switch to one mobile phone operator to another operator keeping their number

unchanged within the country’s territory and they can again avail the facility after 40 days with a subscription fee of Taka 30.

After the bidding process, licence will be given to an independent company for 15 years to run the MNP system. The annual licence renewal fee will be Tk20 lakh while the company will have to share 5.5% revenue with the BTRC.  PAGE 15 COLUMN 1

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Business

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

ADP implementation lowest in 6 years n Tribune Business Desk

ADP IMPLEMENTATION (July-May) in % of revised ADP

The government expenditure on improving the living condition of people slipped to six years’ low in the first eleven months of current fiscal year despite new strategy taken by the government for bringing dynamism in ADP implementation.

From July through May in FY2015-16, only 62% of allocation for the revised Annual Development Programme (RADP) was used, according to the data of Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED). The figure is the lowest since FY2010-2011 when it was 67%.

Some Tk93,895 crore has been set aside for RADP in the budget for FY16. Of the amount, Tk58,076 crore was spent in the first 11 months in the current fiscal.

The government will have to spend the remaining 38% of the

80 70 60

Source: IMED

67

70 67

66 67

FY-11

FY-12

FY-14

50

62

40 30 20 10 0

FY-13

total RADP outlays in one month to implement its ongoing 1,550 development projects, said government officials.

FY-15

FY-16

According to the IMED data, the government agencies spent 67% of its RADP in the same period (JulMay) in previous fiscal year.

While releasing ADP data, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal admitted the fact that the institutional capacity of the ministries and project executing agencies are weak resulting in poor execution rate of the development budget.

“We have been working to improve the institutional capacity of the government agencies,” said the minister, adding that the government can spend around 90% of total RADP at the end of this fiscal year.

According to the IMED data, the ADP implementation rate in July-May period was the highest in FY2012 with 70% project execution which performance later down to 67% in FY2013 and 66% in the subsequent FY2014.

The IMED report showed that the government’s autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies performed better in spending from their own funds for the project exe-

cution. They had spent 95% of their funds in July-May period.

The government spent Tk17,73,400 crore or 61% out of Tk29,160 crore allocations from the external resources while Tk37,583 crore or 62% out of total Tk61,840 crore allocations from the internal resources.

Among the largest development fund holding ministries and divisions, the health and welfare ministry, bridge division, water resources ministry and housing and public works ministry and education ministry performed worst as they spent 41%, 46%, 51%, 59% and 60% respectively of their allocations.

On the other hand, Road Transport and Highways Division, Local Government Division, Railway Ministry, Primary and Mass Communication Ministry, and Power Division performed well. l

National Export Trophy for FY’12, ‘13 to be awarded in July n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi The government is set to award National Export Trophy to 52 and 61 enterprises for the fiscal year 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the country’s export earning.

Selecting the names of companies, the government has already published a gazette notification on

June 9, 2016.

According to the Commerce Ministry the trophies would be given by the end of July this year.

“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to hand over the trophies and certificates to award the winners in the last week of July, Senior Commerce Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon told the Dhaka Tribune.

Zaber and Zubair Fabrics Limited won the gold trophy for the second consecutive year as the best export earner in FY’12 and FY’13.

Of the trophies, gold medals would be given to 24 enterprises, silver to 18 and bronze to 9 for FY’11 an FY’12, and only one gold trophy to the highest export earner. The trophies would be given under 24 categories.

On the other hand, a total of 26

enterprises will be awarded gold medals, 19 enterprises silver and 15 enterprises bronze for FY’12 and FY’13, and another gold trophy to the highest export earner. The trophies would be given under 26 categories.

The sectors that came under the trophy are ready-made garments (RMG), knitwear, all kinds of threads, textile fabrics, home and specialised textiles, terry towel, frozen food, ac-

cessories and packaging, raw jute, jute products, leather, leather products, footwear, agro products, agro processing products, flower-foliage, handmade industrial products, melamine and plastic products, ceramic products, light engineering products, electric and electronics products, different industrial products, medicines, chemical products, computer software and others. l

Stocks continue Bangladesh inflation eases to 5.45% in May to end flat n Tribune Business Desk TREND OF INFLATION (POINT TO POINT) Tribune Business Desk 6.6 6.4 6.2 6.0 5.8 5.8 5.6 Source: BBS

5.4 5.0

ar y -15 Ma rch -15 Ap ril15 Ma y-1 5 Jun e-1 5 Jul y-1 5 Au gu s Sep t-15 tem be r-1 5 Oc tob er15 No vem be r-1 5 De cem be r-1 Jan 5 ua ry16 Feb rua ry16 Ma rch -16 Ap ril16 Ma y-1 6

ry-

15

4.8

Feb ru

Inflation in Bangladesh fell for the second month in a row to May as both food and non-food prices turned cheaper, according to the official data released yesterday.

Month to month inflation fell 1.44 percentage points to 5.45% in May from 5.61% in April, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) data shows.

This is well below the central bank’s forecast of 6.07% and the government target of 6.2% for the current fiscal year to be ended this month.

The May reading is the lowest since mid-2012 and the inflation rate also saw its fastest fall in recent years, official figures have shown.

During the period, food inflation moved down to 3.81% from 3.84% and non-food inflation declined to 7.92% from 8.34%.

“Good domestic food production and lower global oil prices have pushed the inflation down,” said Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal while releasing the Consumer Price Index, the main

ua

Stocks continued to close flat amid volatile trade yesterday as late profit booking sell-off cut early gains.

The market was in the positive territory till final session within a limited range.

However, risk-averse investors preferred to book quick profit at the end of the day.

The benchmark index of Dhaka Stock Exchange DSEX fell almost 4 points to 4,405.

The blue-chip comprising index DS30 rose over 1 point to 1,085. The DSE Shariah Index DSES suffered fractional loss of 0.8 points to 1,736.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX closed at 8,246, dropping 16 points.

Trading activities improved but still remained poor as the DSE turnover stood at Tk363 crore, up almost 10% over the previous session.

Lanka Bangla Securities said: “Stocks fluctuated over the course of the trading session as risk aversion intensified on DSE.” l

Jan

n

gauge of inflation (CPI) at the NEC conference room.

Stable exchange rate of local currency against greenback also helped ease inflation further, he said.

The minister, however, hoped that inflation in coming month might slightly increase due to up-

coming Eid spending.

“But inflation will never will go up over 6%,” he said.

The BBS data showed that in rural areas, the food inflation decreased to 3.08% in May, down from 3.11% in the previous month, while the non-food inflation slipped to 7.32% in May against

7.8% in April.

In urban areas, the food inflation was also down to 5.5% in May from 5.51% in April. The non-food inflation saw a fall of 8.76%, which was 9.11% during the period.

The national wage index rate witnessed a growth of 6.07% in April from 6.13% in March. l

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Call for policy on chemicals use in industries n Tribune Business Desk Experts and stakeholders laid emphasis on introducing a policy to control the use of chemicals in Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector and keep the environment safe.

They were addressing a seminar on “Restriction and Controlled Use of Hazardous and Toxic Substances for Industries in Bangladesh,” organised by the Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD), a platform for public-private dialogue, at its office in Dhaka yesterday.

Different stakeholders both from public and private sectors attended the function aimed at creating awareness about safer alternatives of hazardous chemicals in industries.

The concerns come as the toxic substances, used particularly in textile, footwear and leather industries, are taking toll on the environment and public health.

Presenting the keynote paper, BUILD Research Associate Md Nuruzzaman said 9+2 chemical group includes 166+ substances that are affecting the global environment and ecosystem through

non-soluble micro-pollutant abstracts.

These hazardous substances, he said, are used in Bangladesh’s textile and leather factories randomly and the non-soluble discharge of these substances is causing some chronic diseases.

“But the chemicals are banned or restricted in the European Union and North America since 1970s. Some other countries are about to take measures to ban or limit the use of these hazardous substances,” said Nuruzzaman.

BUILD Chief Executive Officer Ferdaus Ara Begum offered a set of proposals including increasing import duties on some hazardous chemicals as they have environment-friendly alternatives.

She stressed specification of some HS codes as some hazardous chemicals are now imported under a single HS code.

The BUILD CEO suggested giving proper training to customs officials and setting up chemical labs in ports to test hazardous chemicals that can have negative effects on the environment.

Assistant Inspector at the

Department of Explosives, Monira Yesmin asked for necessary rules in regard to the use of toxic and corrosive chemicals, which can be eventually included in import policy.

Addressing the seminar, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry Secretary General AHM Rezaul Kabir said the findings related to harmful effects of chemicals are only the tip of the iceberg as the “real problem is much bigger.”

“Of the substances found in food, heavy metals like chromium, arsenic and lead can cause cancer and other chronic diseases,” he said. “To help the nation, we should enforce related laws and the government should immediately form the Certificate Authority to restrict and control these human killing substances.”

Joint Industries Secretary Yasmin Sultana said the government is “very proactive” to help the private sector regarding environmental concerns and work hand in hand with them.

Stakeholders from leading trade bodies, and chemical and environment specialists, among others, also spoke. l

Brexit sends global stocks spinning n Reuters, London Fears Britain is on the verge of voting to leave the European Union next week spread through global financial markets yesterday, sending Asian and European shares sharply lower and the pound to an eight-week low.

With the world economy looking shaky, and surpris-

ingly weak jobs figures last month suggesting even the United States is not ready for higher interest rates, concerns over the economic fallout of a Brexit have lurked in the background for weeks.

They were at the heart on Monday of the biggest falls for Asian stock markets in four months, and a 1% drop in European share prices, af-

ter a new poll late on Friday gave the “Leave” camp a 10 point lead.

Money markets have now abandoned expectations, high just weeks ago, that the US Federal Reserve could raise official borrowing costs on Wednesday. Instead, the worry is that it could use language that quells expectations of a move this year at all. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Mobile number portability auction Any registered Bangladeshi company can participate in the bidding, but no mobile operators are eligible for the bidding.

Seventy two countries including the neighboring India and Pakistan have already adopted the popular system for their customers, while Singapore is the pioneer in the field.

On assuming the charge of the telecommunication sector as the state minister earlier last year, Tarana Hal-

im promised to introduce the MNP by March 2016 so the mobile phone users could choose networks of their choices retaining the same number. But, time consumption of finance ministry to approve the guidelines has rendered the little delay.

Any Bangladeshi or expatriate Bangladeshi owned company registered in the country will be eligible to bid in the auction but, foreign companies having partnership with Bangladeshi ones could

also take part in the auction.

The foreign companies, however, can hold as high as 51 per cent share, and the company must invest in foreign currency and they would get no chance to mobilize fund from Bangladeshi market.

The guideline said owner or director, partner, investor and shareholder of any mobile phone operator registered in Bangladesh will be ineligible to take part in the tender. l

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Pound at two-month low on British EU exit fears n AFP, Tokyo

The pound dropped to a twomonth low and the yen rallied yesterday as jittery investors shifted into safer assets on worries about Britain's possible exit from the European Union.

The flight to lower-yielding in-

vestments came as Asian stock markets plunged, with dealers awaiting meetings this week of the US and Japanese central banks.

Few expect any move on interest rates from the Federal Reserve, but observers are divided over the chances that the Bank of Japan will announce more stimulus after its

CORPORATE NEWS

LankaBangla Finance Ltd has recently signed an agreement with Electra International on providing its cardholders with EMI facilities while purchasing at all outlets of Electra International, said a press release. Md Minhaz Uddin, SAVP of LankaBangla and Mahmudun Nabi Chowdhury, general manager of Electra International have signed the agreement

Social Islami Bank Limited has recently organised a discussion programme on importance of Mudaraba savings and role of cash Waqf in Islamic banking, said a press release. The bank’s chairperson, Major Dr Md Rezaul Haque (retired) was present at the programme as chief guest

Standard Bank Limited has recently signed an agreement with Computer Services Ltd for setting up a data centre and a disaster recovery centre, said a press release. The bank’s managing director, Md Nazmus Salehin and Momluk Sabir Ahmed, managing director of Computer Services Ltd have signed the agreement

Board directors of Prime Bank Limited have recently elected Mafiz Ahmed Bhuiyan as chairperson of the bank’s executive committee, effective from June 1st 2016, said a press release.

Bhuiyan is a sponsor director of the bank

policy meeting ends Thursday.

With next week's referendum on whether Britain should stay in the EU on a knife-edge, analysts said traders were rushing to safe-haven investments.

"There are genuine Brexit risks as the price action in the yen suggests," said Vishnu Varathan, an

economist at Mizuho Bank.

"It looks quite clearly, there's been some safe-haven trade that's filtering through."

A series of opinion polls have suggested Britain could vote to leave the EU, which many fear will lead to a fresh wave of turmoil across global markets.

"Most market participants think that the UK will probably remain, but we're seeing some poll results that show those who’ll vote to leave outnumber the 'Remain' camp, and this is making investors uncertain," Yoshinori Ogawa, a markets strategist at Okasan Securities, told Bloomberg News. l

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Gaming

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

The curse of the videogame film

You’d be shocked to read the list of movies based on videogames that were complete failures

n Mahmood Hossain In the history of film, there has been one genre that has been plagued since its initial introduction to the world. The videogame genre, for some strange reason, has not been able to successful do well on the big screen. Before we take a look at the lost list of box office bombs, let’s break a few things down. The recent release of Warcraft hasn’t been getting hot reviews. In fact, the movie so far has a rating of 27% on Rotten Tomatoes. That, of course, comes from the legitimate range of critics. The audience, on the other hand, has received it quite well, mostly because they are huge fans of the game.

While there is still hope in the near future with movies based on video games, Warcraft, unfortunately, is not the movie to springboard the genre into a successful level (pun not intended). As gamers, the majority

of us still have higher hopes for the upcoming Assassin’s Creed adaptation for the big screen in December of this year. Starring Michael Fassbender, the fans of both videogames and films are desperately eager for this film

to actually do well at the box office. What we’ve seen so far are somewhat promising, but we won’t know for sure how well it will do until its release.

To get a better grasp of the history, we have to start a couple

of decades with stink-fest known as Super Mario Bros back in the summer of 1993. Anyone will admit, with not a second thought, how horrible this movie was. The track record of international released films based on a videogame is abysmal. The lowest rating on Rotten Tomatoes is a, we kid you not, 1% for the 2005 release of Alone in the Dark.

The second worst is by Mortal Kombat: Annihilation with a 3% rating, which was released back in 1997. The sequel was absolutely horrendous. As strange as it may sound, the majority of us still believe its predecessor Mortal Kombat remains the best videogame movie of all time.

There are three more films with a rating of 4%, so you can imagine how pathetic this genre really is in Hollywood. And even though the ratings got higher down the line, like Lara Croft: Tom Raider (2001), starring every guy’s fantasy Angelina Jolie, was the first film to hit it big with a box office total of $247,703,340. Unfortunately, the sequel wasn’t able to do the same. But the highest grossing videogame film comes out of Disney. Go figure. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time ended with the total of $336,365,676. This was six years ago, and let’s not forget the controversy of “white-casting” the role of the main character.

Controversy galore.

Naturally, you left to wonder which film has the highest rating.

Funny enough, it was this year’s release of The Angry Birds Movie, which currently has a rating of 42%. Even though Warcraft isn’t as highly rated, it’s racked up the same amount as the former, taking in around $287.6 million. In any case, we hope things really do turn around for this genre. Here’s hoping to see Assassin’s Creed break the curse of the videogame movie. l

Here’s the entire international released list of videogame movies that were complete flops: • Super Mario Bros (1993) • Double Dragon (1994) • Street Fighter (1994) • Mortal Kombat (1995) • Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997) • Wing Commander (1999) • Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) • Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001) • Resident Evil (2002) • Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Crade of Life (2003) • House of the Dead (2003) • Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) • Alone in the Dark (2005) • Doom (2005) • BloodRanye (2006) • Silent Hill (2006) • DOA: Dead or Alive (2006) • Postal (2007) • Resident Evil: Extinction (2007) • Hitman (2007) • In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (2008) • Far Cry (2008) • Max Payne (2008) • Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009) • Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) • Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010) • Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) • Silent Hill: Revelation (2012) • Need of Speed (2014) • Hitman: Agent 47 (2015) • Ratchet and Clank (2016) • The Angry Birds Movie (2016) • Warcraft (2016) • Apart from Assassin’s Creed, the next films on the list are yet to be released, pending a release date: • Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2017) • Uncharted (2017 • Sonic the Hedgehog (2018)

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Tech

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

A new era in smartphone photography Huawei P9 making sense with Leica camera

*The P9 is priced at Tk47,990

n Features Desk With the emergence of digital camera technology and highend smartphones, photography has become a part and parcel of modern lifestyle. Be it for passion or to share with friends and family, people photograph each and every precious moment of their daily lives.

When it comes to camera choice, there’s no shortage of technologies on the market. But there is an old

saying that the best camera you have is the one you have on you.

That’s why smartphone cameras are now becoming more efficient every day with the incorporation of new technologies.

Chinese technology giant Huawei’s latest flagship device P9 is a major leap in the future of smartphone photography.

Together with iconic camera manufacturer Leica Camera AG, Huawei have set a new landmark in the world of photography

incorporating Leica’s precision and craft in photography with its topnotch smartphone technology.

The Huawei P9 is a piece of art that traces back to over 100 years when Leica emerged in the world of photography to change it forever. With the launch of the P9, users now will be able to carry a Leica in their pocket without spending a hefty amount of money. Apart from the cutting-edge technology and eye catching style, Huawei P9 has a

ground-breaking dual-lens camera capable of capturing more light and offering better clarity, in a true Leica style.

As the number of smartphone photographers is increasing in Bangladesh with many more youths combining photography with lifestyle, the P9 will bring a revolution in the country. Not just power, the P9 is equally stylish.

Before hitting the stores, each device went through a meticulous manufacturing and polishing

process with a never-seen-before craftsmanship.

Professional photographers have now the option to tweak camera settings, as the P9 offers full manual control over ISO adjustment, exposure compensation, shutter speed, metering mode, autofocus mode and white balance. Plus, there are options to take photos in RAW format which will give its users an edge over other smartphones. Moreover, Leica’s manual blackening of lens edges will ensure that photos taken with the P9 will not catch unwanted flair. The interface is simple and there are direct camera control so that photographers can focus on the image rather than browsing a plethora of camera settings.

Each photo taken with the P9 has accurate contrast and saturation, and when it comes to monochrome, the separate sensor produces superior result compared to a colour image into converted to black and white. Also, there are additional modes for more creative users. The Aperture mode lets users take photos with different depths of field, and lets them change the aperture all the way from f/0.95 to f/16.

If we put aside the technical discussion, Huawei and Leica have done an incredible job of combining art and technology in a 5.2 inch android device that is the P9. l

Hands on with new P9 We take a look at if the new team-up with Leica helps or hurts Huawei’s new smartphone

n Mahmood Hossain The new Huawei P9 is a nice little throw back in the design department. With the nostalgic take on the early days of Leica cameras. You have your obvious spec upgrades but nowadays, it’s all about what one phone might have over the

other. What advantages can one smartphone have over the other?

What does this lack or why does that have too much of something?

Huawei thought it to be smart to have a dual lens Leica camera on the back of their smartphone.

This clearly has to be the biggest highlight for the P9.

Design It should be said, this could be an acquired taste for those who put design first above all. There’s this slight homage to the elegance of the 80s at the top and bottom at the front of the phone.

Throw yourself back a couple of decades, imagine playing with

this device in your new Mercedes-Benz 450SL. In other words, it may not capture your attention right away.

Let’s be honest, it’s not the sexiest Android smartphone. Although, the design is quite appropriate, given who they have teamed up with.

The P9 is the same size as its predecessor the P8. Its sharp and balanced 5.-inch display, makes the phone very comfortable to hold. The 1920x1080 display is brilliantly crisp, especially at its brightest settings. Even with carrying a pixel density of 423ppi, there wouldn’t be a single complaint for your viewing pleasure. It’s slim, light, the size is standard and there’s no radical

design change to make you reluctant to take it out of your pocket.

The same can be said for its elegant user interface, icon, themes and all.

Performance Powered by Android 6.0 Marshmallow, it houses an octacore Kirin 955 processor, 3GB of RAM and an eye-pleasing Emotion UI custom interface. These specs only complement the dual lens, 12-megapixel rear cameras.

We don’t need to tell you that it cranks out some impressive photos, especially those in black and white. The front 8-megapixel does a decent job as well. Is it the best camera on an Android phone?

Of course not, however, this is a

step in the right direction.

Apart from its impressive image taking quality, the phone itself is an absolute joy to use.

The navigation is very smooth; you can feel its power running from one app to the other. Games load quickly, streaming movies or videos is sexy smooth and photo editing in Snapspeed makes things even easier. With a 3,000mAh battery, you’ll have no trouble using this phone throughout the day. But keep one thing in mind, using the camera or playing games often will actually take its toll. Use this phone wisely. l

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Biz Info

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

| community service |

| meals |

DBH Employees volunteers building homes

Tawa’s Ramadan Platter

Employees of Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation Ltd (DBH) took part in the volunteers-sponsorship home renovation activities under the CSR program of the company conducted by Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh (HFHB) under which total 5 low cost homes were renovated at Kaligonj, Gazipur on Saturday, June 4, 2016.

Employees of Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation Ltd (DBH) took part in the volunteerssponsorship home building activities launched by Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh (HFHB). Five destitute families of the village Bangla Hawla at Kaligonj, Gazipur district started

renovating their homes on Saturday, June 4, 2016 where the families were selected by a local community based organisation named “Bangla Hawla Ashar Alo Bohumukhi Somobai Somittee Ltd”, under the CSR program of DBH. A team of twenty employees

of DBH headed by Jashim Uddin, company secretary went to Kaligonj, Gazipur to join the day long home building activities of HFHB. They assisted in the physical construction of the house together with experienced masons and workers. By taking part in this CSR activity, the DBH team helped out destitute families by providing them a permanent shelter.

DBH employees attended a similar program in 2015 arranged

by Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh (HFHB) to provide affordable permanent housing for low income families at Dhamrai.

DBH is the first financial institution to support building of low cost houses for low income families since 2009.

DBH managing director and CEO Q M Shariful Ala said, “As part of our CSR programs, DBH will continue to extend its support for building low cost housing for the destitute families. This sort of program will not only help in building low cost reliable housing solutions in the country, but also inspire others to stand by the low income families of the country”, he said. l

| award |

This Ramadan, Tawa is observing the holy month with two delicious Iftar platters. Platter A consists of traditional Iftar items such as Eggplant Fritters (Beguni), Onion Lentil Fritters (Piaju), Beef Samosa, Chicken Shaslik, Egg Chop, Dates, Malta, Jalebi, Haleem and other specialties before making room for their signature ambrosial Hyderabadi Chicken Biriyani. One of the best aspects of this Biriyani is that they give a hearty portion of chicken

| packages |

Iftar at Bukhara

George’s Cafe earns Certificate of Excellence

George’s Café announced that it has received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence. Now in its sixth year, the achievement celebrates hospitality businesses that have earned great traveller reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year. Certificate of Excellence recipients include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a quality customer

experience.

“We have received this award three years in a row now which is a great achievement for us. We feel it’s recognition for the hard work we put in into making our food and service better each day. I would also like to thank all our customers and well-wishers as they are equally a part of this award,” said Zeeshan Khurshed Mazumder, vice chairman, George’s Café.

“With the Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor honours hospitality businesses that have consistently received strong praise and ratings

from travellers,” said Heather Leisman, vice president of Industry Marketing, TripAdvisor.

“This recognition helps travellers identify and book properties that regularly deliver great service.

TripAdvisor is proud to play this integral role in helping travellers feel more confident in their booking decisions.”

The Certificate of Excellence accounts for the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travellers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months. l

and the aromatic rice which is all deliciousness and generosity – enough to satisfy a devouring appetite. The platter is served with a chilled and refreshing Rose Milk Shake, all priced at only Tk480 (all Inclusive). The pool of flavors and aroma makes this Platter a delightful Iftar meal. Visit Tawa: The Kabab Place at House: 02, Road: 08, Block: D, Banani, Dhaka or call their hotline at 01630547000. l

Bukhara is a classic Indian restaurant located at the heart of Kamal Ataturk Avenue, and it is home to one of the most authentic Indian tastes, as well as a comprehensive Thai menu.

This Ramadan, Bukhara offers a corporate iftar pack for rojdars on the go. The pack, which contains a sampler from the choicest items from their menu, is priced at 599/++ BDT. Those looking for a dine-in Bukhara experience can do so for 699/++ BDT iftar, and and iftar+ dinner at 1199/++ BDT. l

19

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

The two-wheel scrambler A dual-headlight mean scooter from ZNEN has us raiding the piggybank

n ASM Foysal Two wheelers are the preferred mode of transport all over the world; their ease of access on the streets as well as on the pavements means you get to your destination in the desired time. We don’t venture into the two-wheeled world of travel very often here at AC, but this is worth a mention.

ZNEN, a premium Chinese brand specialising on the design and manufacture of two wheelers are back and they are filling the streets with their new 2015 model RX150 scooters. They might be through with the design, manufacturing and shipping part but now It’s time to put the ZNEN RX150 under the microscope.

Design The most obvious thing pointedly staring back when you look at the bike are its headlights. ZNEN has opted for dual headlights cramped salaciously side by side.

This bold design change gives the scooter a kind of googly eyed effect – whether you like it or not is left to your discretion. The dual tone body colour makes it all the more interesting, the one we tested had the powder blue intermingled with black which made the scooter look very funk and aggressive at the same time.

The RX150 looks nothing like anything ZNEN have worked on before, completely revamped and differing significantly from any of its siblings, it features the fuel tank cap on a slant right in the

seat. While this gives it a fresh new look, it might make for some uncomfortable riding.

Performance and Handling Contradicting the name itself, the RX150 features a 125CC, fourstroke single cylinder engine, churning out over 16BHP, quite significant for a scooter. The power peaks at 8500RPM, however, the highest torque has been measured to be 11.8Nm at 5500RPM. With the substantial power output pushing the scooter to a top speed of 110 Km/h, fuel efficiency is quite diminutive. ZNEN claims a yield of 45Km per litre but in practice the mileage on the 110Kg scooter will be significantly lower. However, there is more to the RX150 than it meets the eye; the transmission box on the RX150 is automatic.

Yes, you heard right! It has an automatic transmission, which means you won’t be mauled by the constant gear changes in heavy traffic.

Technology The RX150 comes with Capacitor Discharge Ignition technology meaning the days of turning the key in the ignition and holding it on are now over. The scooter can be stated off electrically or with a pump action kick if you are feeling old school. Sprouting front and rear disk brakes and heavy duty dual suspension at the rear, the RX150 handles the city’s ditches and pot holes quite well. The 120/70 tires on the front and the 130/70 at the rear, both 12 inch in

diameter, makes the scooter quite stable and enjoyable to ride on.

The RX150 is something out of the ordinary, directed at a large consumer group. The youth can enjoy the funky colour and the thrill of the high power while the seasoned consumers will find peace in the simplicity and practicality of the scooter. The

styling of the RX150 is definitely unique; the protruding dual head lamps might put off some people but it’s classic style definitely adds flavour. ZNEN made no compromise on the performance of the vehicle and it is an excellent means of travel, ideal for day to day commute. l

DT

Auto Connect

Price: Tk 1.35 Lakhs Available at: Znen Motors 250 Tejkunipara, Bijoy Sharoni Circle Tejgaon, Dhaka-1215 Phone: 9126671,9126672

DT

20 Editorial

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

TODAY

The enemy of the day As the sound of the phones of those who died fill the air, their families desperate to find out if they’re alive, the world deems it such that you belong to a group who is the enemy of the day.

And it’s difficult to convince someone otherwise when their minds are already made up PAGE 21

Libraries for the future Digital libraries for rural people can create a knowledge management solution at the village level PAGE 22 BIGSTOCK

World must stand united against terror

Will Kalpana ever come back?

Kalpana’s case is not unique. The Jumma people of the CHT face a number of challenges in obtaining justice PAGE 23

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.

S

unday’s nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida -- the deadliest attack on American soil since the September 11 attacks nearly 15 years ago -- was an attack on us all.

Yet again, we are reminded that we are living in an age of terror. Bangladesh has recently seen an onslaught of murders and attacks committed in the name of religion. The recent murders of academics, writers, bloggers, and magazine editors have threatened the very fabric of life and liberty in the country.

Now, a devastating attack on United States soil reminds us that terror knows no borders, and the fight against terror is global. The real enemy is not a particular region or nation, but an ideology of extremism and hate -- the Orlando shooter was American-born.

While details of the shooter’s ties are still vague, he did make a phone call shortly before the attack to declare his allegiance to IS. Subsequently, IS sympathisers have taken to the internet to praise the attack in pro-IS forums.

We must all ask hard questions about why these attacks have been taking place and how we can stop them. Terrorism is a hidden and insidious threat, and this threat has become the new normal.

Let us stand behind the victims of the horrific bloodbath in Orlando if we value the future of the world. We cannot afford to be ruled by fear and hatred.

Stand behind the victims of the horrific bloodbath in Orlando. We cannot afford to be ruled by fear and hatred

DT

21

Opinion

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

The enemy of the day The 21st century Muslim is collateral damage in a war fought with bullets and words

Whatever the results of the investigation are, the image of Muslims will take a hit from this attack

n SN Rasul

W

hen AmericanAfghanistani Omar Mir Seddique Mateen saw two men kiss in the American city of Miami, he was outraged.

Previously, he had been married to an Uzbekistani woman, but the marriage fell apart a few months in when he started to abuse her. She claims he may have been bipolar.

His friends and family (including his ex-wife) say he wasn’t particularly religious, that it was unlikely that his religion had anything to do with it.

These words, bearing these facts, will fall on deaf ears.

In the social networking sphere, Donald Trump has already started to make the rounds. “What has happened in Orlando is just the beginning. Our leader is weak and ineffective. I called it and asked for the ban. Must be tough.”

This attack might as well have sealed Trump’s rise to the top of the so-called greatest country in the world.

Yes, these are the things that matter. That you were right, that

you asked for a ban on a people whose diversity ranges from the likes of you to the likes of me.

This is the primary endgame in the American presidential run: That you called it. Remember, I told you so? Hah, now 50 (mostly gay, one presumes) people are dead.

For the primary candidate of a party that was vehemently against the legalisation of gay marriage, this is rich.

Who can blame Trump and his increasing number of followers, though? I can barely write the word “gay” without looking over my shoulder, asking my editor for approval, making sure I’m not offending any religious (or nonreligious) sentiments, and that I’m not condoning homosexuality in anyway.

Terrorism brings out the worst in the best of us.

Perhaps they do the same.

Foreign ideologies in your native land are scary business.

They bring the element of risk. Sure, objectively, one could perhaps conclude that Trump has intelligent, objective, rational supporters.

REUTERS

a store and buy an assault rifle and a pistol sans a proper background check or waiting period (like other mentally unstable non-Muslims).

But one won’t. You, 21st century Muslim and unofficial spokesman for your people, are merely unlucky.

You are the collateral damage of a war being fought with bullets and words. The bullets kill your fellow human beings. The words turn you into animals to be caged and slaughtered.

There’s little you can do, there’s little room for escape. How do you sell a more “peaceful” ideology to an individual with the wrong currency? Can you save him from a country under a dictator? Can you give food and shelter to his family? Can you save his brothers and sisters, daughters and sons, mother and father, from the destruction that you yourself have created and you yourself continue to exacerbate?

Can you give him lasting peace and happiness? Can you give him the approval of God, the Creator of the universe? Can you give him heaven?

Can you get a certain individual, from Fort Pierce, Florida, to look at two gay men kissing and not feel utter disgust and repulsion?

And, even if you could, how many of these men and women

As the sound of the phones of those who died fill the air, their families desperate to find out if they’re alive, the world deems it such that you belong to a group who is the enemy of the day. And it’s difficult to convince someone otherwise when their minds are already made up

They think to themselves: Of course, not all Muslims are terrible people with intentions of burning our country and everything we believe in, down to the ground.

What are you talking about, I have Muslims friends. I’m perfectly fine with them.

But to paraphrase Trump, until we find what the hell is going on, until we figure out a foolproof solution to this problem, why not just (temporarily, no doubt) put up a wall to ensure our safety?

Why be sorry, when you can be safe within the confines of a more accepting country, a more accepting ideology?

I’m sorry, dear Muslim. It seems that you were born in the wrong religion in the wrong time. Sure,

one could look elsewhere to place the blame.

Maybe in the words of Omar Mateen’s ex-wife, who believed he was mentally unstable (much like so many other non-Muslims).

Or in the words of his parents, who said he really wasn’t that religious, that his religion probably had nothing to do with it (like so many other non-Muslims).

Or in the incompetence of the FBI who had investigated him beforehand and deemed him to not be a threat (like other nonMuslims).

In the American gun laws, which make it so easy for any Tom, Dick, Harry, Abdul, or Kuddus with mental disorders and a history of federal investigation to walk into

would you convert, how many of these deluded-yet-disillusioned individuals could you cater to before your mouth and wallet ran dry?

I know, dear Muslim, that it’s difficult to speak for 1.6 billion people. But that’s what you’re going to have to do.

As the sound of the phones of those who died fill the air, their families desperate to find out if they’re alive, the world deems it such that you belong to a group who is the enemy of the day.

And it’s difficult to convince someone otherwise when their minds are already made up. l SN Rasul is a Sub-Editor at the Dhaka Tribune. Follow him @snrasul.

22

DT

Opinion

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

Libraries for the future Everything is going digital. Why should libraries fall behind?

Effendi, Usharani n Cecep Boruah, and Prodip Kumer

J

Aich

ahangir is a local entrepreneur who established an Agriculture Information Centre in the Kaliganj village of Naogaon, so that local farmers can get all kinds of information related to farming, education, health, and other necessary issues related to their daily lives.

Now, the farmers produce more crops as a result of access to the library and being able to gather knowledge regarding agriculture whenever they need.

The small library has inspired local farmers to use and exchange information to improve their livelihoods.

Libraries of the 21st century can help fight poverty and narrow the wealth gap that exists. Libraries are taking a central role in ensuring utilisation of information for the poor to improve their livelihoods.

Information is considered to be an important component for economic and social development.

Bangladesh has had libraries since the beginning of 19th century.

In order to provide information quickly, libraries are playing an important role in the different areas of Bangladesh.

Information society has passed through four different transformation stages, with the most crucial stage being at the end of the 20th century.

This stage has made a neverending revolution, particularly with the introduction of information and communication technologies.

If we look back, it is convenient to view the history of library automation in four distinct phases: The first during 1880, the second during 1954-70, the third during 1970-90, and the current phase starting from 1990.

A digital library is a set of electronic resources and combined capabilities for searching, creating, and retrieving information.

In this sense, there are extensions of information storage and retrieval systems that do one’s part in storing and retrieving digital data like text, images, sounds, dynamic images, etc existing in distributed networks.

Bangladesh has great potential to develop its rural people with the development of libraries.

We now have a population of 162 million, where 58.8% of the population is under the age of 25

Digitalising information can go a long way towards alleviating poverty and 32.8% is under 10. Some 80% of the population live in rural areas, where access to information is very low.

The concept of libraries and information centres is somewhat difficult to understand for the people of rural areas.

Many of them confuse libraries for commercial bookstores. Among rural people, the most common way of transferring information is by word of mouth.

There is an urgent need for greater access to reliable information and good support for all rural people.

Health, family planning, sanitation, housing, and income support need to be improved.

Political and social awareness and participation in educational and cultural activities should increase.

Digital libraries for rural people can create a knowledge management solution at the village level.

This can be used to create, share, and disseminate information that is relevant and high in demand, as an end-to-end knowledge management solution.

According to the national book centre of Bangladesh, the country has 4,000 libraries in rural areas.

But the number is insufficient considering the fact that there are 70,000 villages.

At present, rural and urban

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Digital libraries for rural people can create a knowledge management solution at the village level. This can be used to create, share, and disseminate information that is relevant and high in demand, as an endto-end knowledge management solution

areas have 68 government-run public libraries. 1,000 nongovernment public libraries, which are in need of development, around 250 in urban areas and 750 in rural areas.

Librarians may add some more services to empower the general rural dwellers and especially the rural women.

Seminars, workshops and discussion programs need to be organised, engaging rural people to increase their knowledge capacity.

Sessions can be arranged by libraries, where men and women listen to magazine and newspaper readings.

Adult education can be arranged to improve their sociocultural outlooks, and audiovisual services can be arranged where rural people would have the opportunity to listen to educational cassettes translated to their local languages.

If libraries are to be effective, they need to be funded. But many libraries in our country are underfunded.

If we take a look at the developed countries, they give much importance on their libraries.

It is difficult to use new information technologies and communication systems if local infrastructures are not up to par, the telephone system is interrupted by unreliable power supplies, etc.

Moreover, equipment, maintenance costs, access to materials (e-books, disks, papers, ribbons, etc.), and financial backup to ensure smooth operation of the library are also big challenges in the rural areas.

Human resource development is a serious issue, with the inadequacy of staff, both in quantity and quality, as well as inappropriate use of resources.

Digital libraries can meet the needs of users through several services of complex collections and structuring of technologies in managing data and descriptions of data.

It is not involved with only computer and information sciences, but also humanities and other fields of knowledge.

Digitalisation is a long-term process. Socio-political stability is required for the success of digitalisation programs.

To reach the destination, all parties, including library authorities, library educators, political parties, and end users must realise its importance and work together with proper care. l Cecep Effendi is the Director General of Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), Usharani Boruah is Librarian at CIRDAP. Prodip Kumer Aich is Library Assistant at CIRDAP.

DT

23

Opinion

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

Will Kalpana ever come back?

It has been 20 years, but we have not forgotten her

We want justice for all those who have been abducted

n John Tripura

I

was listening to a song written about Kalpana Chakma called “O Kalpana jadi ai na hudu galay” (O Kalpana where are you? Come back soon).

But I wonder: Will she ever come back? If so, when?

I have never known Kalpana Chakma myself, and I don’t know much about her -- yet I can’t help but think about her. It’s been 20 years since her abduction.

Kalpana Chakma -- a fearless indigenous activist, who held the position of organising secretary of the Hill Women’s Federation, was abducted along with two of her brothers on June 1996 by Army forces 20 years ago, when she was only 23 years old.

They were blindfolded and their hands were tied. Despite being shot at, her brothers managed to escape. She was held at gunpoint by a military officer and two members of the Village Defense Party, and driven away.

Even after 20 years, we have to carry out demonstrations for her

justice. Why? As far as I know, till now, 35 investigation officers have looked into the case, but still there is no substantive solution to the issue.

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three captors by name and made sure that all possible information they could give was passed on to the police. This information, however, was ignored. Rumours

the systematic oppression of the Bangladesh government towards the indigenous Jumma people in the CHT. Members of the Hill Women’s

Kalpana’s case is not unique. The Jumma people of the CHT face a number of challenges in obtaining justice

There have been many news reports in the last 20 years about Kalpana Chakma’s abduction, but there is still a lack of authentic and reliable results.

The day after Kalpana was taken, her brothers went to the army camp to search for her, but they were forced to leave, and, later, her family was pressured by the military to leave the village.

A protest, held two weeks after her abduction, demanding her release, saw agitators shot at.

Her brother Kalindi Kumar Chakma was able to identify their

floated stating that Kalpana was sighted in Tripura.

What was her fault that the military personnel felt the need to make her go away? Kalpana Chakma wanted to live with honour and dignity as a member of the Jumma people.

There are many -- from both indigenous and Bengali communities -- who keep her memory alive, through their protests, demonstrations, writing, and exhibitions at the national and international level, and through their own work against

Federation, along with Kalpana’s brother, have yet to relent in their quest for the truth.

They have campaigned ever since, and, with the help of the courts and public support from around the world, they are still fighting for Kalpana’s justice.

The disappearance of Kalpana Chakma exemplifies how far we have yet to go before we can truly call ourselves as a democratic nation.

And so, the best laid plans of those who silenced her on June 12, 1996 really have come to nothing.

Hers is the legacy of a 23-yearold whose courage to challenge the Bangladeshi military was no less than the courage of those who fought for the Bengali language in 1952, those who fought for independence in 1971, and those who have battled to reclaim democracy in Bangladesh over and over again.

But Kalpana’s case is not unique. The Jumma people of the CHT face a number of challenges in obtaining justice. Like Sabita Chakma, Tuma Ching Marma was raped and murdered, but no proper justice has prevailed, and also many other indigenous women in different parts of the country have faced the same problems.

No, we have not forgotten her.

She was an indigenous Jumma activist and a women’s rights activist.

She was someone’s daughter and sister. Her name was Kalpana Chakma. l John Tripura is an indigenous peoples’ human rights defender.

DT

24 Sport

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

TOP STORIES

CCDM passes pillow to BCB Tamim sorry for outburst in Abahani-Doleshwar game officiate,” he added. on by keeping this game aside unn Mazhar Uddin On Sunday, the uncalled for til the date is finalised.

Quaresma revival gives new optimism The resurgence of mercurial forward Ricardo Quaresma has raisedPortugal’s hopes for Euro 2016 even though it is still far from certain whether he will start against Iceland in group F opening match today. PAGE 26

The Cricket Commitee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) postponed the Dhaka Premier League’s Super League match between Abahani Limited and Prime Doleshwar after play didn’t take place yesterday, which was the reserve day.

The drama went to the next level after match referee Montu Dutta in his report asked the CCDM to decide on the fate of the match. CCDM on Monday referred the issue to the BCB. Dhaka Tribune Sport learned that this match will be played again from the start.

Amin Khan, CCDM’s Dhaka Premier League coordinator, said that the rest of the league will go

“In his report, the match referee [Montu Dutta] wrote that the umpires [Gazi Sohel and Tanvir Ahmed] are sick and not in a position to run the game. He doubted whether they could officiate even on the reserve day. So he wrote to us that the match cannot take place,” he said.

“We have informed all the clubs that the league will continue as it is, with this match being postponed. We have referred this game to the board, who will now take the decision. They will also decide on the umpires. We informed them that the two teams were ready to play, but the match couldn’t be held due to the umpires’ refusal to

incident sparked when Sohel did not raise his finger to a stumping appeal made by Abahani spinner Saqlain Sajib against Doleshwar’s Raqibul Hasan in the 16th over.

Consequently, the Abahani fielders, including captain Tamim Iqbal, reacted furiously towards the umpires before the Sky Blues supporters too joined in the act.

Tamim however was apologetic of his outburst, but he said that he never expected the umpires to walk out.

“It was very crucial if the decision went in favor of my team as they (Doleshwar) would have been three wickets down. I queried to the umpire regarding the decision.

I should have been more polite to the umpire. Every point in the Super League stage means a lot and being a captain I can query the umpire,” Tamim told Dhaka Tribune.

“But one thing is sure, I should have behaved better. It was just an emotional outburst which we all go through in tight games. But at the same time I never thought the umpires would walk away and refuse to continue the game. I have been playing international cricket for over ten years now and people follow me. I feel sorry whatever happened that day,” he added.

Doleshwar were batting on 59/2, chasing 192, when the umpires brought a premature end to the game after consulting with Montu. l

Austria look to lay down marker Austria have an early chance to underline their credentials when they begin their Euro 2016 Group F campaign against old rivals Hungary today. The game in Bordeaux will be the 138th meeting of the two nations. PAGE 27

TODAY’S MATCHES MEXICO V VENEZUELA

6:00AM at Texas

URUGUAY V JAMAICA

8:00AM at Levi’s Stadium

GROUP B

4-0

Ecuador

Haiti

E Valencia 11, Ayovi 20 Noboa 57, A Valencia 78

0-1

Helmot hopes to enrich pipeline

Brazil Team

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Simon Helmot, the Head Coach of the BCB High Performance (HP) programme, said his ambition will be to develop young and experienced players so that there is more depth and a greater talent pool for the national side. PAGE 28

1 Peru

3

2

1

0

2

7

2 Ecuador 3

1

2

0

6

5

Raul Ruidiaz of Peru (2L) scores in the second half during their 2016 Copa America Centenario Group B match against Brazil at Gillette Stadium on Sunday AFP

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal took three for 25 as India cruised to an eight wicket victory over Zimbabwe on Monday to clinch the three-match OneDay International series. India restricted Zimbabwe to 126 all out at the Harare Sports Club. PAGE 29

GD Pts

3 Brazil

3

1

1

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4 Haiti

3

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Handball goal knocks Brazil out of Copa n AFP, Foxborough

Chahal puts Zim into spin, India claim series

Peru Ruidiaz 75

The Copa America Centenario erupted into controversy on Sunday after a refereeing blunder sent Brazil crashing to a 1-0 defeat against Peru -- and out of the tournament.

The defeat left Brazil struggling to digest their worst performance in the Copa America since 1987, the last occasion the five-time world champions failed to make it past the group stage.

Brazil, needing only a draw to qualify for the quarter-finals as winners of Group B, looked to be on course for a place in the last

eight with 15 minutes to go against Peru.

But a rare foray into Brazilian territory from Peru ended with Raul Ruidiaz bundling in Andy Polo’s cross from the byline, appearing to use his arm to score.

Ruidiaz wheeled away to celebrate and Uruguayan referee Andres Cunha signalled for the goal.

Brazil’s players protested furiously, swarming around Cunha in a bid to persuade the official to reverse his decision.

The protests appeared to have swayed Cunha, who looked to be frantically checking with the fourth official via his headpiece

to determine whether the goal should stand.

Yet after a chaotic delay of around four minutes -- with players from both sides surrounding the referee -- Cunha ruled the goal should stand.

Multiple replays from different angles, however, showed that Ruidiaz had used his arm to knock the ball into the net past Brazil keeper Alisson.

Brazil pressed forward in the final closing minutes in an attempt to find an equaliser that would take them through but it was to no avail.

Elias squandered a golden

chance from close range in injury time and Brazil’s fate was sealed.

Peru will now play Colombia in the quarter-finals after finishing top of Group B. Brazil coach Dunga lambasted the decision to allow Peru’s goal.

“I am sure the Brazilian fans saw the game and saw how Brazil was eliminated,” Brazil coach Dunga said.

“There is no way to anticipate imponderables. The team was not eliminated by anything to do with football,” he added, criticizing the lengthy deliberations between the match officials which held up the game. l

25

DT

Sport

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

Football fans jailed in France over unrest n AFP, Marseille England supporters were jailed Monday over the Marseille fan battles before the England-Russia Euro 2016 match as a top British police officer accused Russian hooligans of staging an “orchestrated” campaign of violence.

A French prosecutor said 150 “extremely well-prepared” Russians evaded arrest in the mass brawls on Saturday, the worst violence at a major international football tournament since the 1998 World Cup. The head of Britain’s policing for the championships, Assistant Chief Constable Mark Roberts, said troublemakers “targeted England fans in an orchestrated way”.

A Northern Ireland fan meanwhile became the first fatality at Euro 2016 after plunging over a restaurant balcony to his death. Witnesses said he had been drinking.

Two British men and a French man were jailed for their part in running battles between English and Russian fans in Marseille’s Vieux Port district on Saturday.

Ian Hepworth, a 41-year-old psychiatric nurse, was sentenced to three months in prison. Alexander Booth, a 20-year-old chef, was jailed for two months.

A Frenchman, 29-year-old David Palmeri, was jailed for 12 months with another 12 months suspended for punching and hitting three people and stealing an England shirt.

Another four Britons, an Austrian and two more Frenchmen were also to be tried on Monday.

An English man in his fifties who was apparently beaten on the head with an iron bar in the violence remains in a critical condition.

The attackers have not been identified, but Marseille’s prosecutor Brice Robin said 150 “extremely welltrained” Russian troublemakers had taken part in the Marseille unrest. l

Spain's Gerard Pique scores the only goal during their match against Czech Republic at Stadium de Toulouse, France yesterday

REUTERS

Pique header beats resolute Czechs n AFP, Toulouse Barcelona defender Gerard Pique headed a late winner as defending champions Spain overcame a resolute and determined Czech Republic 1-0 in their Group D opener in Toulouse on Monday.

Spain’s build-up to the tournament was rocked last week when reports claimed goalkeeper De Gea had been involved in a sex scandal.

But coach Vicente del Bosque showed his faith in the Manchester United shot-stopper by handing him the gloves ahead of legendary Iker Casillas.

Czech coach Pavel Vrba had suggested his men could produce a trick or two to counter the “ge-

nius” of Del Bosque’s side, who are desperate to make amends for their first-round exit, as defending champions, at the 2014 World Cup.

RESULT Spain

1-0

Czech Republic

Pique 87

But after a nervous opening period on a rain-soaked pitch, Vrba’s men had Arsenal ‘keeper Petr Cech to thank for saving them during a Spanish masterclass.

Spain were frustrated throughout by the Czechs’ stubborn defensive game, which finally fell apart when Pique got his head to Iniesta’s cross towards the back post where he beat Cech in the 87th minute.

It took Spain until the 16th minute to fashion their first real chance, right-back Juanfran sending David Silva through on the right flank for the Manchester City man to fire in a perfect delivery for Morata.Cech, however, was well positioned to block the Juventus striker’s first-timer from close range.

The Czechs were defending with plenty of heart and only a desperate sliding tackle from centre-back Tomas Sivok stopped Juanfran’s short delivery reaching Morata as the Spaniards edged closer.

When Iniesta picked up a mishit clearance just outside the area to set up Morata, the Juventus striker feinted before flashing a low drive wide of Cech’s far post on the

half hour.

And after Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz came on to replace the misfiring Morata, De Gea had Cesc Fabregas to thank when he produced a spectacular overhead kick to keep Theodor Gebre Selassi’s header out following a corner.

Fabregas was replaced by Thiago Alcantara soon after, and Spain’s pressure intensified.

Minutes later Silva was the welcome recipient as Spain zipped the ball around the area but the Ciy forward sent his left-foot effort wide of the target. Spain finally made the breakthrough three minutes from the end, but at the death they had De Gea to thank for keeping out a dangerous shot by Vladimir Darida. l

Sweden fightback holds Ireland n AFP, Paris

Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic (R) in action with Republic of Ireland's Ciaran Clark during their Euro 2016 group E match at Stade de France yesterday REUTERS

Wes Hoolahan’s brilliant finish was not enough to give the Republic of Ireland a winning start to Euro 2016 as Ciaran Clark’s own goal ensured a 1-1 draw with Sweden on Monday.

Hoolahan met Seamus Coleman’s flighted ball with a controlled first-time strike three minutes into the second half at the Stade de France to give Ireland a lead they fully deserved.

However, having been kept quiet for long spells by the Irish defence, Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic created the equaliser in the 71st minute when his cutback was turned into his own net by As-

ton Villa defender Clark.

It is a result that keeps both sides in the running in Group E, but the Irish will be especially frustrated at leaving with only a point.

RESULT Ireland Hoolahan 48

1-1

Sweden Ciaran Clark og.

Coach Erik Hamren was forced into a defensive reshuffle as substitute Erik Johansson came on in central defence.

That defence was finally breached three minutes into the second period. Coleman did superbly on the right and lifted the ball towards the far post where

Hoolahan, all alone, smashed home a delightful first-time shot beyond Isaksson.

Ibrahimovic finally came to life on the hour, firing just wide with his back to goal following a Olsson centre. He had a new partner in attack by that point, with Guidetti having replaced Marcus Berg in a switch which proved pivotal as Sweden dug out the equaliser. Guidetti’s flick released Ibrahimovic, and his ball from the left was headed past Randolph by the unfortunate Clark.

Ibrahimovic then came within a whisker of converting a low driven cross by Olsson, but a point was the very least Ireland deserved as the match ended all square. l

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TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

Schweini is back

5 THINGS WE LEARNED Germany should have scored more

n AFP, Lille

Controlling possession does not always mean victory is guaranteed, nor does it mean that it is warranted – but it does hint at a technical superiority, and that shone through in large parts of the match as Germany knocked the ball about with confidence and purpose, often exhibiting admirable patience when they were stifled by some staunch defending from their opponents.

Bastian Schweinsteiger had time for three touches of the ball and scored with one as world champions Germany started their European Championship campaign with a 2-0 win over Ukraine.

The 31-year-old Manchester United midfielder came on in the 90th minute and quickly put away a perfect pass from Mesut Ozil for the deciding goal.

Ukraine dangerous on the counter attack For much of the match, it was clear that if Ukraine were going to rattle the back of the net, it was going to come about as a result of a punchy, well-executed counter attack.

It has been stated by many a football analyst and figure in recent times that teams who counter could enjoy immense success in France this summer, and Ukraine certainly did their best to prove that theory right.

Germany

Khedira and Kroos key players If it hadn’t already been clear before kick-off that Toni Kroos would be a key player for the Germans, there was no escaping the fact a few minutes into the match.

Dictating possession, the Real Madrid man was full of confidence in the way he sprayed the ball about the park, and his near lazer vision was in perfect working order throughout.

Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger scores a goal during their Euro 2016 group C match against Ukraine at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille on Sunday AFP

Ukraine

With fan violence again tainting the tournament, Germany’s win followed 1-0 victories for Poland over Northern Ireland and Croatia over Turkey.

Schweinsteiger is coming back from a three month knee ligament layoff and the the joy of his first international goal in five years apparently took a toll.

“I ran so hard in the celebrations that I’m a bit out of breath still.

“It was amazing for that to happen, it’s the kind of thing you can only wish for, but the most important thing is the team wins,” he said

Quaresma revival gives Portugal new optimism n Reuters The resurgence of mercurial forward Ricardo Quaresma has raisedPortugal’s hopes for Euro 2016 even though it is still far from certain whether he will start against Iceland on Tuesday.

Quaresma was given a rare start in the final warm-up match against Estonia on Wednesday and responded with a virtuoso performance, even overshadowing Cris-

tiano Ronaldo, asPortugal hit seven goals without reply.

There was a “trivela”, a “rabona” and a stunning dinked goal and his exuberance rubbed off on his team mates as Portugal played with a verve that was missing from their qualifying campaign when they ground out seven successive wins by single-goal margins. Coach Fernando Santos must now decide whether he wants to throw the always unpredictable Quaresma into the Euro

2016 fray, which would almost certainly be at the expense of former Manchester United forward Nani.

An attack featuring Quaresma and Ronaldo would make Portugal one of the most entertaining teams in the tournament but Santos, the wily former Greece coach, was making no promises even after the win over Estonia.

“It’s not a case of Quaresma plus 10, it’s Quaresma and another 22.

There are 23 players in the squad

and all have equal chances of playing but it’s an excellent headache to have,” he said.

Nani, who in complete contrast to Quaresma often suffers from a lack of self-confidence, remained unruffled as his place came under threat. “I’ve never had a guaranteed place,” he said. “I’m always prepared to fight for my place.

“It’s not a good sign when you don’t have to fight for your place.

Our aim is to win the title.” l

GROUP F

V

Ukraine could be dark horses Aside from their ability to spring counter-attacks, it was clear from their performance against Germany that they have plenty of other strengths which could make them serious contenders to make a surprise deep surge in the competition.

They are very comfortable at delivering set-pieces. Whether it was from corners or direct free kicks, the Yellow-Blues always looked like they would cause problems for Manuel Neuer and company at the back. Konoplyanka provided some great service into the box from any corners they won and, alongside Yarmolenko, was their danger man.

2-0

Mustafi 19, Schweinsteiger 90+2

Die Mannschaft vulnerable at the back Loew’s charges are unlikely to exit the tournament for want of better passing and creativity, but. along with some wayward shooting, their shaky defending could come back to haunt them against a superior attack.

As pointed out, Ukraine are strongest when they’re catapulting out after halting an opponent’s attack, but they didn’t only cause problems for Loew’s troops with that approach, and they were sometimes handed chances on a plate by some Nationalelf slip-ups at the back. In fact, it’s arguable that bar Boateng, their defence was suspect whenever they were tested.

RESULT

of his quickfire goal in the Group C match.

Defender Shkodran Mustafi headed the opener in the first half but goalkeeper Manuel Neus had to make several key saves and Jerome Boateng made a spectacular goalline clearance to block a sure equaliser.

Germany coach Joachim Loew hailed Boateng, who was the target of right-wing German politician Alexander Gauland this month.

Gauland said Germans would not want Boateng as their neighbour and that the national team was no longer “German in the classical sense.”

“It is good to have Jerome Boateng as your neighbour in the defence,” countered Loew.

“He sees dangerous situations, he reacted and very clearly the ball was not behind the line.”

The evening was only blemished by fighting between German and Ukraine supporters in Lille before the game. German police said they arrested 21 known hooligans who tried to get across the border. Another 50 leading suspects took part in the skirmishes which followed the major battles between Russia and England fans in Marseille. l

PORTUGAL

ICELAND

Stade Geoffroy-Guichard 8pm Local Time (1am BST) *Bangladesh Standard Time

HEAD-TO-HEAD PORTUGAL

ICELAND

8

FIFA Ranking

34

2

Matches Played

2 0

2

Wins

0

Losses

2

0

Draws

0

8

Goals scored

4

4

Goals against

8

Portugal's forward Nani (2L) controls the ball during a footvolley match with teammates prior to a training session at Portugal's base camp in Marcoussis on Sunday AFP

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TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

Austria look to lay down marker against old foe Hungary

QUICK BYTES Vettel tells Hamilton how he saved seagulls

n AFP, Bordeaux

Sebastian Vettel has prompted worldwide glee after telling Lewis Hamilton how he avoided two seagulls sitting on the track during the Canadian Grand Prix. The four-time champion German, driving a bright red Ferrari, said it was “the worst moment of my race” after invading the victorious Englishman’s live post-race television interview with Sky Sports late Sunday.

AFP

Roma’s Pjanic undergoes medical at Juventus Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic is undergoing a medical at Juventus with a view to completing a move to the Italian champions, the Turin-based club announced on Monday morning. The Bosnia international is under contract with Roma until June 2018 but has a clause in his contract which allows him to leave Roma this summer provided a fee of 38 million euros is paid for his release.

REUTERS

Gunmen kill two at Mexico baseball game Two people were killed and at least six others seriously wounded in Mexico when armed men opened fire on players and spectators at an amateur baseball game, authorities said. The attorney general’s office in the state of Puebla said the attack occurred Sunday in the town of Acatzingo, 170 kilometers (105 miles) from Mexico City.

AFP

Former Liverpool defender Riise retires

Hungary head coach Bernd Storck attends training at Tourrettes stadium REUTERS

Seen by many as dangerous dark horses at Euro 2016, Austria have an early chance to underline their credentials when they begin their Group F campaign against old rivals Hungary on Tuesday.

The game in Bordeaux will be the 138th meeting of the two nations, but their first encounter in a decade and their first competitively in more than 30 years.

Their only previous clash at a major tournament came in the quarter-finals of the 1934 World Cup in Italy, when Austria won 2-1, and Marcel Koller’s men are the favourites to come out on top again this time.

Propelled by star man David Alaba, Austria were superb in qualifying and the Bayern Munich fullback, who is deployed in midfield by his country, will be the man to watch out for against Hungary.

“He plays an important role in

Rain frustrates England and Sri Lanka n Reuters The third and final test between England and Sri Lanka ended in a draw after persistent rain allowed only 12.2 overs of play on the last day at Lord’s on Monday.

Sri Lanka, chasing 362 for victory, went from 32 for no wicket to 78 for one between the showers but neither side had any chance of forcing victory and England won the series 2-0.

England fast bowler James Anderson trapped Kaushal Silva lbw for 16 with an excellent inswinging delivery to claim the only wicket.

Dimuth Karunaratne finished unbeaten on 37 with Kusal Mendis on 17. Mendis hit the last ball of the match

by Joe Root for six before the rain returned. l

England's Jonny Bairstow (L) and Alastair Cook pose with the trophy after the presentation of England v Sri Lanka Third Test at Lords yesterday

Former Liverpool and Norway left back John Arne Riise has decided to call time on his career, the player confirmed in a blog post on his official website on Monday. The 35-year-old Riise spent seven years at Liverpool, making more than 250 appearances and winning the Champions League, the FA Cup and the League Cup during his spell on Merseyside.

REUTERS

REUTERS

DAY’S WATCH FOOTBALL SONY ESPN Copa America Centenario 8:30AM

10:00PM Austria v Hungary 1:00AM Portugal v Iceland

Uruguay v Jamaica

CRICKET

6:00AM (Wedenesday)

STAR SPORTS 1

Chile v Panama

7:00PM

Euro Cup 2016

Royal Londan One Day Cup

Gloucestershire v Hampshire

HOCKEY STAR SPORTS 2 Men’s Champions Trophy 1:00AM Great Britain v Germany

midfield, particularly because he brings a lot of experience to the table. We hope he continues to perform as well for the national team this summer as he has in qualification and throughout the season as a whole,” teammate Marko Arnautovic, of Stoke City, told UEFA.com.

Meanwhile, Hungary, who beat Norway in a play-off to reach a major tournament for the first time since the 1986 World Cup, have no such star presence and are expected to struggle in a group also containing Portugal and Iceland.

The game will nevertheless be a special occasion for goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, famous for always wearing tracksuit trousers on the pitch and set to become the oldest ever player at a European Championship if he starts at the ripe old age of 40.

“I’ve always told him that age isn’t important for me,” Hungary’s German coach Bernd Storck said of Kiraly. l

GROUP F

V AUSTRIA

HUNGARY

Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux 5pm Local Time (10pm BST) *Bangladesh Standard Time

HEAD-TO-HEAD BELGIUM

ITALY

AUSTRIA

HUNGARY

10 137 40 66 31 256 301

FIFA Ranking

20

Matches Played

137

Wins

66

Losses

40

Draws

31

Goals scored

301

Goals against

256

DT

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Sport

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

Super-sub Robin sinks Chittagong Abahani n Shishir Hoque

Muktijoddha’s Mufta Lawal (25) celebrates with goal-scorer Mohammad Robin after their 1-0 win over Chittagong Abahani in their Federation Cup match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Abahani crush Bima in Hockey n Tribune Report

Abahani Limited moved to the top of the Green Delta Premier Division Hockey League after they thrashed Sadharan Bima 8-2 at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium yesterday. Abahani now have 26 points from ten matches, one point more than overnight leader Usha Krira Chakra who has one match in hand.

Pakistan forward Shafqat Rasool netted four goals for the Sky Blues reigning champions while Maksud Alam Habul scored twice and Shakeel Abbasi added one. Md Irfan scored the other from penalty corner.

Farhan Ali and Faisal Hossain scored one apiece for Bima.

Meanwhile in the day’s other match, Ajax Sporting played out a dramatic 5-5 draw with Azad Sporting at the same venue. Porimol Mardi scored a hattrick for Azad.

Debasis Kumar added other two for Azad while Rahat Sarower scored three goals for Ajax with Abdur Rahman and Imtiaz Ahmed adding one apiece. l

Independence Cup champions Chittagong Abahani are on the verge of getting knocked out of the Federation Cup group stages after their 1-0 loss against Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra in their last Group B match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

The all-Reds swept into the quarterfinals after playing only one game.

Having been built as one of the strongest squads this season, Chittagong Abahani drew with Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra in their first match in the three-team group which is the toughest among four.

They concluded their group round with only one point from the two matches.

They now have to wait for the result of the last group B match between Sheikh Russel and Muktijoddha on Wednesday. If Sheikh Russel earned at least a point, then they will go through and Chittagong Abahani will be eliminated.

Muktijoddha head coach Abdul Kayum Sentu proved to be a shrewd tactician as he made a confident substitution in the 81st minute when the game was still goalless. He brought in forward

Mohammad Robin in place of rightback Pintu Kumar Das. Robin made an immediate impact on the pitch by netting the all-important goal a minute later when he beat the keeper with a placing shot from the left side of the box.

RESULTS

Ctg Abahani

0-1

Muktijoddha SKC Robin 82

Brothers

1-0

Uttar Baridhara

Kingsley 30

Chittagong Abahani had their chance to equalise the margin in the injury time but Moroccan midfielder Tarik El Janaby missed a penalty shooting wide after Simon Ezeodika fouled Preux inside the box.

The first-half was a barren affair with both the teams lacking the finishing touch. Chittagong Abahani lacked the bite of their Haitian forward Leonel Preux who was rested and Muktijoddha relied on their Nigerian forward Ahmed Kolo Musa who was closely watched by the Abahani defenders.

In the 11th minute it was Kolo Musa who came close to a strike when his header on a cross of his compatriot Simon Ezeodka was punched for a corner by Abahani

goalie Ashraful Islam Rana.

Muktijoddha custodian Mamun Khan made a brilliant save in the 58th minute to deny a lovely effort of youngster Rubel Mia who was earlier set up by Mamunul Islam with a decent through ball.

Kolo Musa almost scored the opener in the 75th minute when he dribbled past a defender inside the box and took a shot at the far post but Reza cleared it for a corner.

Some minutes later, the fate of the match was sealed by Robin.

Meanwhile in the day’s other match, Brothers Union confirmed their berth in the quarterfinals beating Uttar Baridhara Club 1-0 at the same venue.

Nkwocha Kingsley put Brothers ahead at the half-hour mark from a penalty after Baridhara keeper Razib brought the Nigerian striker down inside the penalty area.

Meanwhile in the day’s other match, Brothers Union confirmed their berth in the quarterfinals beating Uttar Baridhara Club 1-0 at the same venue.

Nkwocha Kingsley put Brothers ahead at the half-hour mark from a penalty after Baridhara keeper Razib brought the Nigerian striker down inside the penalty area. l

Helmot hopes to enrich pipeline n Minhaz Uddin Khan Simon Helmot, the Head Coach of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) High Performance (HP) programme, said his ambition will be to develop young and experienced players so that there is more depth and a greater talent pool for the national side. The former Australia A coach joined the BCB on Friday and will operate the programme from July to September.

“We are about developing Bangladesh cricket so we can be a force in all formats,” Helmot said at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday. “There are many competitions coming up like the Champions Trophy. In a few years time there is the World Cup and there are lots of series to be played.

“But if we can develop the youth and even some of the experienced players so that we have better depth and a greater talent pool to pick in the national side, then we are going to be in a good place for not only now but for years to come and that is what excites me about being involve in this job.”

The past HP programmes ran by BCB had produced assets to Bang-

ladesh cricket like Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. Helmot, who coached Shakib in the Melbourne Renegades and pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman in Sunrisers Hyderabad in the recently concluded IPL, the chief ambition will be to produce players to meet the national team demand and not think of producing a player similar to the current leading cricketers.

“I am hoping we can give players a whole lot of skill sets and experiences so that when they go out

to play in the international level, they are ready. And this is what the HP program should do. Make sure there is development, give players ownership and responsibility and discipline. Their age doesn’t matter; people’s gifts and their ability can rise at different times.

“So I do not know who the next players are coming up. I have experienced two Bangladeshi players at my time – Shakib in Melbourne Renegades and Mustafiz in IPL. Both of them are of different age.

Simon Helmot, the Head Coach of the Bangladesh Cricket Board High Performance programme, enjoys a Dhaka Premier League match at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

I am looking forward to work with all the group when the selectors and I sit to decided the players who will be fortunate to be part of the HP program,” said Helmot.

Meanwhile BCB game development manager Nazmul Abedin Fahim informed that to make a difference between the current HP and previous ones, efforts will be made to accomplish things which had failed in the past. The list includes appointing a coach from aboard alongside the locals and also sending the HP squad to a foreign tour to test them in away conditions.

“We couldn’t do few phases the last time, which included touring abroad and also could not get experts from abroad. But we will for sure make these things happen this time. In case of selection we will follow a different method as advised by the selectors,” he said.

“The objective of the program will be different as we will concentrate on the need of the national team. Effort will be made to cut down the difference between skill of a national team player and that of an intermediate.

The ambition will be to produce at least two to three cricketers for the national pipeline,” said Fahim. l

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India batsman Karun Nair plays a shot during their second cricket ODI match against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club yesterday AFP

Chahal puts Zim into spin, India claim series SCORECARD ZIMBABWE Masakadza c Bumrah b Sran Chibhabha lbw b Kulkarni Moor lbw b Sran Sibanda c Jadhav b Chahal Sikandar Raza c Jadhav b Chahal Chigumbura lbw b Chahal Mutumbami c Dhoni b Bumrah Cremer not out Chatara b Kulkarni Muzarabani lbw b Patel Williams absent hurt Extras (4lb, 5w, 1nb)

R B 9 17 21 26 1 9 53 69 16 41 0 1 2 14 7 15 2 6 5 10

Total (all out, 34.3 overs)

126

10

Fall of wickets 1-19, 2-21, 3-39, 4-106, 5-106, 6-107, 7-112, 8-115, 9-126 Bowling Sran 6-1-17-2, Kulkarni 9-1-31-2, Bumrah 6-0-27-1, Patel 7.3-0-22-1, Chahal 6-2-25-3 INDIA Rahul b Chibhabha Nair lbw b Raza Rayudu not out Pandey not out Extras (1lb, 9w, 2nb)

R B 33 50 39 68 41 44 4 1 12

Total (2 wkts, 26.5 overs)

129

Fall of wicket 1-58, 2-125 Bowling Chatara 8-1-40-0, Muzarabani 3-1-13-0, Chibhabha 9-1-31-1, Cremer 3-0-17-0, Chigumbura 2-0-20-0, Sikandar Raza 1.5-0-7-1 Result: India won by 8 wickets.

India leads the 3-match series 2-0

n Reuters Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal took three for 25 as India cruised to an eight wicket victory over Zimbabwe on Monday to clinch the three-match One-Day International series.

India claimed victory in the series opener on Saturday by nine wickets and in this second fixture restricted Zimbabwe to 126 all out after sending their hosts in to bat at the Harare Sports Club.

The tourists reached their modest victory target for the loss of openers Lokesh Rahul (33) and Karun Nair (39) as the latter put on 67 for the second wicket with Ambati Rayudu (41 not out).

India had 23.1 overs remaining in what was a one-sided contest between their inexperienced selection and a reeling Zimbabwe side whose coach Dav Whatmore was sacked on the eve of the series. Only Vusi Sibanda (53) offered any sort of resistance in the Zimbabwe batting innings. l

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TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Strange (3) 3 Wise counsellor (6) 8 Summit (4) 9 Female sheep (3) 10 Not complicated (6) 11 Footwear (6) 14 Water pitchers (5) 17 Ignominy (5) 20 Food cupboard (6) 24 Seemingly mocked by fate (6) 26 Pro (3) 27 Incline (4) 28 Locked after (6) 29 Japanese currency unit (3)

DOWN 1 Burden (4) 2 Daybreak (4) 3 Table-shaped hill (4) 4 Banishment (5) 5 Wigwam (5) 6 Night bird (3) 7 Staggers (5) 12 Tree (3) 13 Obscure (3) 15 Armed conflict (3) 16 Cereal (3) 17 Bird (5) 18 Fruit of the oak (5) 19 Select group (5) 21 Sour (4) 22 Obligation (4) 23 Soft sheepskin leather (4) 25 Fish eggs (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 2 represents H so fill H every time the figure 2 appears.

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

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

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

A B C DE FG H I J K L MN O P Q RST UVWXYZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

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

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

‘If the script demands it, then an actor must do it’

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WHAT TO WATCH

Deepika on Ranveer’s kissing spree with co-star Vaani

n Showtime desk B-town is abuzz with rumours of Bollywood hunk appearing completely nude in one of the scenes in Befikre, which is reportedly the most erotic film to be released under the banner of Yash Raj Films till date. The film is speculated to include some very explicit love-making scenes which are to be shot realistically but aesthetically. The scenes are said to

be inspired from the Franco-Italian erotic drama, Last Tango in Paris.

Ranveer and Vaani reportedly have 23 lip-locks in the film which is to be released this December.

Deepika Padukone, Ranveer’s alleged girlfriend apparently has no issues with the actor locking lips in films. “If the script demands it, then an actor must do it. I don’t have any problem because even I have done kissing scenes in my earlier films,” sources quoted Deepika.

The actress put the smooch on her former boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor as well as her rumoured current beau, Ranveer in movies.

The first two posters of Befikre presented Ranveer and Vaani passionately kissing each other.

However, when asked to comment on the posters of the film, Deepika said that she had not seen them yet. l

Kareena lauds Udta Punjab n Showtime Desk “Films like Udta Punjab are crucial for the betterment of society,” says Bollywood beauty Kareena Kapoor, who plays the role of a doctor in the film who talks about the dangers of drug abuse.

Directed by Abhishek Dubey, Udta Panjab is currently fighting a battle against the Indian censor board, which has raised several objections over the use of various words and language in the film.

It has ordered to chop off 89% of the film and the word “Punjab” from the title.

The

producer of the film took to the court to appeal against the decision. The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict today, however, in the hearing, the judges expressed discontent over the idea of altering the film.

Recently, Kareena expressed that she feels that stars like herself should work in such films in order to raise awareness.

She said: “I feel that if we do not do such films, people will never get to know about the dangers of drugs.”

“I have worked in many pivotal roles in many films in the past.

But I chose this special role because the film portrays an important message which needs to be disseminated across the society.”

Regarding the controversy surrounding the film, she said: “I have complete faith on the film and the director.

The film will surely succeed. Many popular stars have acted in the film who have strong fanbase.”

The film is scheduled to be released on June 17. l Source: Indian Express

Rush Hour 3 HBO 3:45pm After an attempted assassination on Ambassador Han, Lee and Carter head to Paris to protect a French woman with knowledge of the Triads’ secret leaders.

Cast: Chris Tucker, Jackie Chan, Max von Sydow, Hiroyuki Sanada, Yvan Attal

Imran: To me, Bappa is like a legend

n Showtime desk Two singers from two different generations, Bappa Mazumder and Imran are coming together for the first time with a brand new music album, Adhek Tumi, to be released during the Eid festivities.

The album contains six songs, three from each singer, and has been produced by popular music company CMV. Nazir Mahmud and Shuman Kallayan arranged the music of the album, and lyrics were written by Shomeshwar Ali and Sharif Birjan.

Singer Imran is very excited about the upcoming release of the collaboration with Bappa Mazumder. He says, “Bappa-da is one of the finest musicians I have worked with. To me he is like a legend. I am hopeful about this album. It was also interesting to

only be singers after a long time, since the rest of the album was arranged and produced by other talented artists.”

The album will be released both digitally and also in CDs.l

The Expendables 2 Z Studio 9:30pm Mr. Church reunites the Expendables for what should be an easy paycheck, but when one of their men is murdered on the job, their quest for revenge puts them deep in enemy territory and up against an unexpected threat.

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris

Iron Man 2 Star Movies 9:30pm With the world now aware of his identity as Iron Man, Tony Stark must contend with both his declining health and a vengeful mad man with ties to his father’s legacy.

Cast: Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters Movies Now 7:20pm In order to restore their dying safe haven, the son of Poseidon and his friends embark on a quest to the Sea of Monsters to find the mythical Golden Fleece while trying to stop an ancient evil from rising.

Cast: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Douglas Smith, Leven Rambin, Jake Abel, Stanley Tucci

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TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

REVENUE COLLECTION

BY NBR RISES 16% PAGE 12

TAMIM SORRY FOR OUTBURST PAGE 24

IMRAN: TO ME, BAPPA IS LIKE A LEGEND PAGE 31

Mobile-based agro advisory service makes farmers’ life easy n Abu Bakar Siddique Amela Begum in Rangpur believes she could have saved her goat if she knew the right steps to be taken when cattle and poultry catch high fever. That was eight months ago.

Since then, she has learned how to treat domestic animals when they fall sick.

“Eight months ago, I did not know how to treat my goat for fever but now I do,” said Amela, who owes her knowledge to a new mobile phone-based service.

Grameenphone’s mAgri Initiatives launched a hotline in December last year to provide expert advice on livestock and agriculture, and this service has not benefitted Amela only. Other inhabitants of Godai village in Rangpur’s Kaunia upazila have also been benefitted in one way or other from this service.

Fifty-year-old Abu Hanif, a farmer of the village, was completely at a loss when his crops came under sudden attack of pests.

“All I did was call the hotline 27676, and they gave me expert suggestions,” he said.

Hanif was able to save almost his entire harvest of green chilli by acting according to the advice he received. He hailed the initiative of Grameenphone and lamented that the Department of Agricultur-

Amela Begum, a farmer in Rangpur, and another woman look at Amela’s mobile phone on which she receives expert advice on agriculture as part of mAgri Initiatives, a cell phone-based service run by Grameenphone and Oxfam ABU BAKAR SIDDIQUE al Extension seldom provides such instant services that come in handy at the time of need.

This new service has the potential to reach a wide range of people within a short period, in light of the fact that mobile phone penetration rate in the country is high.

“Now sitting at home, I get solid and effective advice on my mobile

phone,” Hanif said, explaining the convenience.

Hanif was not only able to save his crops but made hefty profits that he could not make before. He invested around Tk46,000 and sold his chillies for about Tk96,000.

But at times, the hotline is disrupted by technical glitches, causing farmers who depend on the

service to suffer.

Hanif said he had not been able to talk to experts in the last one month and a half. “The call keeps getting disconnected after a few seconds.”

Primarily, a subscriber can register his Grameenphone number for Tk5 per week for the service. During this period, two voice messages

on the subscriber’s topic of choice are sent to his number every day while consultation services come at an additional Tk3 per minute.

Shefali Rani of the village said Tk5 per week was too much for her.

“Tk2 would have been better.”

But few of the subscribers know that a subscription comes with 20 minutes of free consultation, with the option of suspending and resuming the service at their will.

Tapas Ranjan Chakraborty, Oxfam Bangladesh’s ICT and development coordinator, said: “We have been trying to provide this service with an aim to create easy access to information for farmers.”

“The initiative is jointly run by Grameenphone and Oxfam, alongside a host of other organisations.

Hopefully, farmers will become aware of the service across the country and it will gain popularity gradually.”

Tanvir Ahmed, Grameenphone’s communication officer, said technical glitches were being worked upon. “Those will be fixed over time, and we will also solve other problems as they arise in the future.”

The service provides information and advice on 22 subjects, including crops, livestock and fisheries through voice and text messages. It currently has a bank of 144 voice messages and 305 text messages. l

Over 3,000 detained on day 3

BCL man’s militancy link

n Arifur Rahman Rabbi

n Sultan Mamood, Narail

Police have arrested a total of 3,245 people across the country on the third day of anti-militant raids, and said 34 of the arrestees are suspected of having militant links.

The arrests were made between Sunday and yesterday morning, police headquarters Public Relations Officer AKM Kamrul Ahsan told the Dhaka Tribune.

Since the beginning of crackdowns on Friday, police have arrested a total of 5,287 people but said only 85 of the arrestees are suspected militants.

According to a press statement issued by the police headquarters yesterday, 3,211 among the 3,245

arrested on the third day are wanted in various cases. Of the 3,211, 2,578 face warrants, 160 are accused in narcotics cases, 19 in firearms cases and 454 in other cases.

Of the 34 suspected militants, 25 are members of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh, three of Hizb ut-Tahrir, three of Ansar al-Islam, and three of Allar Dal. Meanwhile, police arrested 285 people, including 29 Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir members, in Chittagong metropolitan area and 14 upazilas of the district yesterday. None of the arrestees, however, is a suspected militant.

Besides, between Sunday morning and yesterday morning, 18 people were arrested in Narail, 26 in

Meherpur, 36 in Munshiganj, five Jaamat members in Moulvibazar, 53 in Bagerhat, 32 in Barguna, 100 in Bogra, 31 in Chapainawabganj, 66 in Dinajpur, 33 in Gaibandha, 34 in Jamalpur, 92 in Jessore, 33 in Jhenaidah, 35 in Kushtia, 71 in Pabna, 52 in Satkhira and 44 in Sylhet.

Law enforcers launched a routine operation to arrest criminals, and arms and drug dealers on June 7. A separate crackdown on militants began on June 10.

But the raids have drawn criticism as many of the arrestees were found to have no case against them while some were charged after arrest.

It was alleged that police had arrested innocent people to collect money from them ahead of Eid. l

Detectives have arrested a local leader of Bangladesh Chhatra League in Narail Sadar upazila for suspected links with militants.

The arrestee, Al Mamun Gazi, 28, is the president of Chhatra League Narail Sadar unit, sources said.

Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, Narail Sadar police station OC Subhash Biswas said police arrested him from Lashkarpur village in Narail Sadar on Sunday evening based on information they received regarding his connection with militant groups.

“He has been arrested for similar allegations before and was in jail for a long time,” the OC added.

Requesting to remain anonymous, several residents of Lashkarpur told the Dhaka Tribune that Mamun is an active member of banned militant outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

He was involved in the countrywide bomb attacks carried out by the JMB activists in 2005, and was arrested for that reason. Later after he was released, he joined Chhatra League to save himself from the law enforcers and eventually became the student party’s president in Narail Sadar.

The Dhaka Tribune contacted Chhatra League Narail district unit President Mahmud Toofan, who said he was not aware of Mamun’s militant background. l

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