20 June, 2016

SECOND EDITION

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

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Ashar 6, 1423, Ramadan 14, 1437

Avijit attacker Sharif killed in ‘gunfight’ n Arifur Rahman Rabbi A top leader of banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team who took part in the fatal attack on secular writer Avijit Roy was killed in a “gunfight” with the Detective Branch of police in Khilgaon area of Dhaka yesterday.

Police introduced Shariful alias Shakib alias Sharif alias Saleh alias Arif alias Hadi 1 as a military and IT trainer of Ansarullah while announcing a Tk5 lakh bounty for information on his whereabouts on May 19.

Banned last year, Ansarullah is believed to be representing al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) in Bangladesh that has claimed 13 attacks since January 2013

in which 11 people – mostly secularist teachers, bloggers, publishers and LGBT rights activists – were killed and five wounded.

Police claimed that Sharif had participated in the killing operations of Niladri Chatterjee (Niloy Neel) and Shanto Mariam University student Riyadh Morshed Babu, and was directly involved in the attack on Avijit’s publisher Ahmed Rashid Tutul in which Tutul and two other secular writers were injured.

According to the law enforcers, Sharif also masterminded the attacks on Avijit’s publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan; secular activists Oyasiqur Rahman Babu and Nazimuddin Samad; and LGBT rights  PAGE 4 COLUMN 4

Police: Sharif knew everything n Arifur Rahman Rabbi The law enforcers now claim that a most wanted Ansarullah Bangla Team leader killed in a “gunfight” in Dhaka yesterday knew everything about the banned outfit’s operations. But it’s already too late.

A military and IT trainer, Shariful alias Shakib alias Sharif alias Saleh alias Arif alias Hadi 1 was an important member of the group’s opera-

tions wing which sets the targets and plans the attacks.

Police claimed that Sharif had direct or indirect involvement in all the attacks on secular bloggers, activists, publishers and LGBT rights activists, and was a prime accused in Mukto-Mona blog founder Avijit Roy murder case.

Ansarullah, representing regional extremist platform al-Qaeda in the Indian  PAGE 4 COLUMN 4

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SEHRI & IFTAR

Ramadan 14 15 16

June 20 21 22

Sehri – 3:39 3:40

Plight of the Rohingyas Iftar 6:52 6:52 6:52

Source: Islamic Foundation

The question on the minds of Rohingyas on World Refugee Day today is whether Aung San Suu Kyi will speak out about their plight.

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 58

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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

World Refugee Day #WithRefugees

Plight of the Rohingyas n Adil Sakhawat The question on the minds of the Rohingya on World Refugee Day today is whether Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, long silent, will speak out about their plight.

Even in April this year, Suu Kyi asked the new US ambassador to Myanmar, Scot Alan Marciel, to refrain from using the term 'Rohingya' and the envoy replied that the US, as a standard practice, uses the term that a people use to refer to themselves.

But the first time she would be willing to talk about the crisis of the Muslim minority group in the Rakhine state of Myanmar, was when US Secretary John Kerry visited the country for the first time after Suu Kyi's party National League for Democracy (NLD) assumed power.

The Dhaka Tribune obtained a recording of the joint press briefing held on May 22 where Suu Kyi raised the topic.

“What we want is to find a practical solution. We are not interested in rhetoric. We are not trying to out-talk anybody. We are not trying to say that any particular stand with regard to nomenclature is better than another. What we are saying is that there are more important things for us to cope with than just the issue of nomenclature,” she said.

She also explained why she does not prefer the term 'Rohingya', saying: “There are two terms which are emotive, and we have got to face them fairly and squarely. The Rakhine Buddhists object to the term Rohingya just as much as the Muslims object to the term Bengali, because these terms have all kinds of political and emotional implications which are unacceptable to the opposing parties.”

Suu Kyi asked for enough space

to sort out these problems in a peaceful and sensible way.

She said: “We are trying to find a solution to this problem, and while we are trying to find that solution, we would like our friends to be helpful in this regard. We would like them to understand that we are not trying to undermine any particular group, but are trying to

Suu Kyi stressed on working for establishing the Rohingya people’s identity, and said: “We are not in any way undermining people’s desire to establish their own identity.”

Following up on this, eight days after the press briefing the Myanmar government formed the Central Committee for the Implementation of Peace and Develop-

ities of the United Nations agencies and international NGOs. Six committee members have already visited the Rakhine state and talked to local residents including the Muslim and the Buddhist communities, a Rakhine community leader told the Dhaka Tribune.

They also visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in

Rohingya children play at the Leda Makeshift Camp in Hnila, Teknaf, oblivious to the harsh conditions of the camp, across the border from a homeland they cannot return to. The photo was taken in April this year PHOTOS: ADIL SAKHAWAT find some way forward that will be acceptable to both parties.”

Kerry in his address said the US was committed to working with the new government in order to promote development, respect for human rights and to ensure benefits for all those who live in the Rakhine state and across Myanmar.

ment in Rakhine, chaired by State Counsellor Suu Kyi. The committee comprises 20 cabinet ministers, according to an announcement from the President’s Office on May 31.

The committee's key task will be to resettle the internally displaced people, facilitate social development and coordination of the activ-

Myebon township and Sittwe in Rakhine.

The delegation included Rakhine's Chief Minister U Nyi Pu, Minister for the State Counsellor’s Office U Kyaw Tint Swe, deputy minister of border affairs, and minister of labour, immigration and population, and social welfare, re-

lief and resettlement.

Sources attending the meeting said the committee only affirmed the amount of funds to be given for the development of Rakhine state.

An official from the Information Department of Rakhine state told the Dhaka Tribune that the Myanmar government had planned a national verification process in accordance with the 1982 citizenship law.

The main reason for this is to verify the citizenship status of the Muslims who call themselves Rohingya, he said.

Abdullah (not his real name), a Rohingya and a former student of Sittwe University, told the Dhaka Tribune: “The controversial citizenship law did not include the Rohingya community in the 135 ethnic minority groups and denied our citizenship though we are here for generations. If the national verification process is done in line with that faulty law, then it will never bring peace and development here in Arakan [Rakhine state].”

He also said: “To ensure peace and development in the state, Suu Kyi and her government should first ensure our basic rights of movement, healthcare, citizenship and living outside the camps.”

Rohingya community leader U Kyaw Hla Aung, who was a political prisoner, said if the committee was really going to bring peace in Arakan (Rakhine state) then they should propose amendment of the citizenship law to the government.

Suu Kyi, during the May 22 meeting with Kerry, said her government would be working on a solution that would allow the Rohingya to live peacefully and securely outside the camps.

Asked about Suu Kyi's statement, Abdullah said: “Let us see and hope for the best from Suu Kyi, the Nobel Laureate.” l

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The DhakaTribune’s Adil Sakhawat gets the experts to weigh in on the Rohingya issue Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq

The United Nations remains very concerned with the situation in Rakhine State. We have repeatedly called on the leaders of Myanmar to avoid at all costs the polarisation between peoples and communities along ethnic or religious lines and to take strong action to stop hate speech, end incitement to violence and promote harmony between the communities.

The United Nations has, through various public and private channels, called on all leaders to act firmly and responsibly in order to maintain a calm and stable atmosphere in Rakhine State.

We have strongly urged the government of Myanmar to end its institutionalised discrimination against the Rohingya and other Muslim populations and ensure that their human rights are fully

respected and that the longerterm issues of citizenship, identity permits, work permits, and birth registration are adequately addressed.

We are appalled by the humanitarian conditions of the Rohingya and Kaman communities in the internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Rakhine, where some 130,000 still remain in dire need of continued humanitarian assistance. To help resolve the situation, the United Nations has been supporting bi-communal development projects and interfaith dialogue initiatives involving grassroots and civil society organisations as well as the government. We have been encouraging domestic and international partners to join our effort to help ensure stability, peace and development of all people in Rakhine State.

The UN is working together with the government and key stakeholders to promote peace, democratisation and inclusive development of Myanmar.” l

UNHCR External Relations Unit’s Farheen Khan What is the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' view of the Rohingya issue?

UNHCR has worked with Myanmar refugees in Bangladesh at the invitation of the Government of Bangladesh since 1993.

It operates in two refugee camps in Cox's Bazar to provide protection and assistance to some 33,000 refugees and advocates with the government for the protection of some 300,000 to 500,000 unregistered Myanmar nationals who live here but do not enjoy the same benefits as refugees.

sion of international protection to all Rohingya in Bangladesh as their flight to this country qualifies them as refugees.

Our first priority is to ensure international protection for all Rohingya on the territory of Bangladesh pending their acquiring durable solutions and to protect the fundamental principle of non-refoulement which means that those who have fled must not be pushed back to their place of origin.

What challenges does the UNHCR face in Bangladesh?

UNHCR's greatest challenge in Bangladesh are the constraints placed on the rights of registered refugees in the camps and the absence of any durable solution for them.

UNHCR continuously advocates for the improvement of the condition of refugees, both registered and unregistered and hopes the new National Strategy on Myanmar will improve their condition.

What types of aid does UNHCR provide to Rohingya refugees?

UNHCR only has access to registered Rohingya, who the Government recognises as refugees. Bangladesh does not recognise the remaining 300,000 - 500,000 Rohingya and currently term them undocumented Myanmar nationals.

Unregistered Rohingya received no recognition or status prior to 2014 and were mistakenly identified as illegal immigrants though their reason for flight was conflict and persecution.

What are your objectives regarding the Rohingya?

UNHCR advocates for the provi-

UNHCR says it hopes to integrate refugees into the national health system: Will that work here?

UNHCR's strategy for the future is for the refugees to enjoy a similar level of service as the local population. This is not approved and is under consideration by the relevant Bangladeshi ministries.

Despite humanitarian work being done, why do so many Rohingya complain about inadequate basic services including access to clean water?

There are restrictions placed by the government on the level of assistance that may be provided. Additionally, there are funding constraints that UNHCR faces. In 2016, UNHCR Bangladesh raised only 26% of its total financial needs.

What is the solution to the Rohingya crisis?

The problem requires a political solution. The international community, including the USA and the Dalai Lama have requested Myanmar to grant the Rohingya their rights, but this has been prevented by violent resistance by right-wing extremists.

The Rohingya must be returned their citizenship which was stripped in 1982. l

Legal experts: Genocide in Rakhine n Adil Sakhawat Under international law, a tribunal must make three findings to conclude that genocide is taking place: Those being attacked must be part of a distinct group, defined by nationality, race or religion; there must be widespread killing of that group; and those carrying out the violence intend to destroy the group.

In a 78-page legal analysis, a Yale Law School clinic considered three questions that define genocide according to the Genocide Convention, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 and entered into force in 1951, and declared genocide a crime under international law.

The findings of the legal analysis are laid out in “Is Genocide Occurring in Myanmar's Rakhine State?” published by the Yale Law School Allard K Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic on October 29 last year.

Do Rohingya constitute a protected group under the definition of genocide?

The report documented Myanmar’s former military junta-led

government's effort to root out Rakhine state's Rohingya Muslim minority group and called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to launch a commission of inquiry into genocide against the Rohingya people.

Do acts perpetrated against Rohingya fall into the categories enumerated in the Genocide Convention?

The report showed that Myanmar state security forces involvement in massacres of Rohingya satisfied the requirements for the act of killing members of a defined group.

Rohingya refugees, UN agencies, independent experts and human rights organisations, reported that the Myanmar Army, former border force NaSaKa and Myanmar Police Force were involved in the use of lethal violence against Rohingya in Rakhine State.

Witnesses reported state forces joining in local killings and massacres of Rohingya. This includes the shooting and killing of Rohingya instead of intervening to protect them.

The report found evidence that the Myanmar Army has tor-

tured Rohingya men and women. Rohingya experienced waves of large-scale violence in the late 1970s, the early 1990s, 2001 and 2012.

This has included acts of sexual assault and rape by NaSaKa, the Myanmar Army and Myanmar Police Force against Rohingya women.

Violence and arson in Rakhine State have destroyed Rohingya homes and entire neighbourhoods. Local Rakhine citizens perpetrated some of the destruction, but many Rohingya reported military personnel and police officers either watching or actively participating in setting Rohingya homes on fire or physically stopping Rohingya from extinguishing the fires.

Does the requisite “intent to destroy” Rohingya exist?

The report detailed evidence that officials in the Myanmar government, in league with Buddhist extremist groups, worked to terrorise and kill Rohingya with the intent to destroy the ethnic group “in whole or in part.”

The expulsion of Rohingya from their homes into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps or

out of the country and the subsequent denial of medical care, sanitation, food and paid labour opportunities constitute inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about Rohingyas’ destruction as a group.

“These actors have perpetrated violence against Rohingya, claiming thousands of lives,” the report said. “Hundreds more Rohingya have been the victims of torture, arbitrary detention, rape and other forms of serious physical and mental harm.”

Although the analysis does not support a definitive answer to the third question, the information the Lowenstein Clinic has considered, assuming it is credible and comprehensive and accurately reflects the situation of the Rohingya in Myanmar, provides a strong foundation from which to infer genocidal intent by security forces, government officials, local Rakhine and others.

The Yale Law School report was commissioned by Fortify Rights, a group that has spent the last three years documenting Myanmar’s treatment of the Rohingya.

It hired the Allard K. Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic at Yale Law School to examine

the treatment of the Rohingya situation under international law aimed at preventing genocide.

Fortify Rights Executive Director Matthew Smith said to Dhaka Tribune: “The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will soon issue a report focused in part on abuses against Rohingya.

“We are advocating for a UN-mandated international investigation into the entire human rights situation in Rakhine State.”

Spokesman for Human Rights High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, Rupert Colville, confirmed this to the Dhaka Tribune, saying: “The OHCHR has a major report coming out shortly on the situation of the Rohingya Muslim and other minorities in Myanmar.”

Sources said the report is expected to be launched today.

But Colville explained that “the decision to set up an international commission of inquiry is one that is made by the 47 states that make up the Human Rights Council.”

The Dhaka Tribune attempted several times to contact Zaw Htay, the Deputy Director General at Myanmar's Office of the President, but was not able to get his comments. l

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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

All launch passengers must buy tickets at Sadarghat n Shohel Mamun For the first time, all launch passengers would have to buy tickets at the Sadarghat terminal before they can embark the vessels and make their trip home during the Eid-ul-Fitr rush.

Until now, only cabin passengers had to buy tickets beforehand while most of the passengers who rode on the deck bought tickets after getting on the vessels, increasing the risk of overloading.

The selling of launch tickets would begin from the start of July, according to a decision made in a meeting presided by Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan at Dhaka’s BIWTA Bhaban yesterday.

“For the first time, we have launched a new system that will require passengers to buy tickets for riding any water vessel from Sadarghat.

The Sadarghat river port authority has already built some counters to sell tickets, which will be sold on a daily basis system,” the minister said.

“The new system will be able to count passengers on each launch,

helping prevent vessels from overloading passengers, especially during Eid season.

“Law enforcers will not allow any launches to carry additional passengers. Even the port authority will force launches to leave [the terminal] before overloading to avoid accidents,” Shajahan added.

The government has also decided to not allow goods-laden vessels and sand-laden bulkheads to operate on the waterways for three-day stretches before and after Eid. Monitoring teams will be formed by different government department officials to conduct drives against the charging of additional fares. The teams would also work to maintain discipline in the launch terminals.

Bus ticket sales begin today

Private highway bus service operators will start selling Eid tickets in advance from 6am today.

All preparations have been taken on this regard.

“We have already sent letters to private bus owners to start selling advance tickets for the Eid

schedule from June 20 until July 5,” said Kafil Uddin, secretary general of Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association, told the Dhaka Tribune last week.

“A monitoring team will work to prevent black marketing and stopping the hike of ticket prices,” he added.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday, Abdus Samad, general manager of a leading bus operator Hanif Enterprise, said: “Passengers are already contacting us for tickets, with most passengers asking for tickets of June 30 and July 4.”

Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of the country, is likely to be celebrated on July 6, subject to moon sighting.

But many government employees will try to leave Dhaka city on the night of June 30, taking the advantage of the long weekend that begins from July 1.

Although government offices will stay open on July 4, many are submitting leave applications for that date to stretch their Eid vacations which officially begins on July 5. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Police: Sharif knew everything Subcontinent (AQIS) in Bangladesh, has claimed 13 attacks since January 2013 in which 11 people have been killed and five wounded. The group has threatened more attacks on blasphemers in their struggle to establish Islamic rule in the country.

Meanwhile, Avijit’s father has expressed doubt whether the law enforcers would be able to solve the case since a key accused has been killed before the investigators could get information from him.

DB Joint commissioner Abdul Baten at a press conference yesterday said that the DMP on May 19 had announced Tk5 lakh bounty for fugitive Sharif. “He is the man killed in a gunfight with the police.

We found his direct involvement in some of the murders.”

Asked whether the death might hamper the probe, Baten said that the police had not killed him deliberately. It just happened. “We will be careful in the future.

“We earlier arrested some of his associates. They will give information on the case,” he added.

Avijit’s father Prof Ajoy Roy, a retired physics teacher of Dhaka University, alleged that the law enforcers had killed Sharif so that he could not expose the masterminds of the attacks.

“More information could be collected from the killer. But through the killing, the scope of getting

more information on the killings has been closed,” he said, adding that there are ghosts within the law enforcement agencies.

Mashrukur Rahman Khaled, deputy commissioner of the detective branch (south zone), told the Dhaka Tribune that they already arrested a number of leaders and activists of the outlawed extremist group, and hoped that the key persons would be arrested soon.

He said that after a plan was chalked, Sharif’s task was to rent a house in a different area, train the executioners and coordinating the attack being present on the spot.

Another trainer Salim alias Iqbal alias Mamun alias Hadi 2, who is yet to be arrested, used to collect information about the targets and choose the executioners.

Both Sharif and Salim had played vital role in motivating the attackers during the training period. They used to place arguments to justify the necessity of the murders, the deputy commissioner said.

He added that they were conducting drives to arrest the planners and financiers of the group.

Top spiritual leader of the banned outfit Jasim Uddin Rahmani, detained in several terrorism cases and sentenced in Ahmed Rajeeb Haider murder case, used to profess that those who demean Islam, Allah or the Prophet should be killed. l

Avijit attacker Sharif killed activists Xulhaz Mannan and Mahbub Tonoy.

Another most wanted Ansarullah killer having a Tk2 lakh bounty on him, Md Sumon Hossain Patwari alias Shihab alias Saiful alias Shakib, a key member of the military wing, was arrested on June 16 without any bloodshed. Police claim that Shihab also took part in the attack on Tutul at his Lalmatia office.

It is the sixth death of a suspected militant in “gunfight” with the police since June 7.

On Saturday, college student Ghulam Faizullah Fahim, the only member of outlawed group Hizb ut-Tahrir found involved in an armed attack, was killed in an alleged gunfight with the law enforcers in Madaripur on the first day of his 10-day remand.

“Sharif and two of his accomplices were passing through Meradia area on a motorcycle early Sunday. They opened fire at a team of DB police when the law enforcers challenged them,” Joint Commissioner Abdul Baten told reporters at a press briefing.

He sustained bullet injuries when the DB members retaliated, and was declared dead when taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 4am. His cohorts could not be arrested, Baten said.

The official claimed that Sha-

rif’s presence on the murder spot was confirmed from CCTV footage.

In response to a question, the officer said that they collected DNA samples of the deceased and would crosscheck it with the DNA profiles sent by the FBI forensic laboratory.

Former Buet teacher Avijit Roy, also founder of secular platform Mukto-Mona blog, was hacked to death by 4-5 assailants on a pavement at TSC intersection on February 26 last year.

His wife Rafida Ahmed Bonya was also injured in the attack.

The couple, both US citizens, came to the country on February 16 to attend the Amar Ekushey Book Fair when two of his new books were released. Soon after the murder, police arrested Hizb ut-Tahrir leader Shafiur Rahman Farabi for instigating his followers to attack on “blasphemer” Avijit whenever he visits Dhaka.

Several other alleged Ansarullah members were also questioned in the case.

The death of a prime suspect in Avijit murder case has frustrated justice seekers while many quarters have expressed doubts over the smooth investigation into the sensational case.

A mastermind of the attack, Redwanul Azad Rana, already fled the country, police said. l

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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

‘Jamaat lawyer paid for attack on Ripon’

‘Private investment a key challenge’

Jamil Khan, from n Mohammad Madaripur

n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

Police say the six-member sleeper cell of the militant outfit Hizb-ut Tahir took a contract of Tk3 lakh to kill the Madaripur college teacher.

“As per the deal half of the amount has already been given to the team by a Jamaat-e-Islami backed lawyer, who also played the role of the local planner,” a senior district police official said.

The information was extorted by interrogating Tahir member Ghulam Faizullah Fahim, who was caught immediately after the attack and killed in a so-called police gunfight on Saturday morning.

The official, who preferred to remain unnamed, said before Fahim’s death, police had gleaned enough information from him and had traced the lawyer, who went to Rajshahi soon after the incident.

The lawyer assigned a man to the Tahrir group to identify Madaripur Nazimuddin College teacher and priest Ripon Chakrabarti after a short meeting in Madaripur.

The officer said according to Fahim’s statement the cell reached Madaripur at 10:30am on the day of the attack after a meeting in front of Sarbic International Hotel, prayed at the Police Line Mosque.

Police are now analysing CCTV Footage in these areas.

Ziaul Morshed, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, said Fahim’s death would not be a problem in this investigation as he had already given a lot of information.

“In interrogation we also learned about 10 more targets in the Barisal Division,” he said. The second target was a Hindu lawyer in Barisal.”

According to sources, Fahim was die-hard militant. While he was taken to Detective Branch office of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on last Thursday to conduct a drive in Dhaka, his parents met with and requested to give information about the persons responsible.

Another Hindu teacher threatened

Meanwhile, Hiten Chandra Mondol, Principle of Madaripur Nazimuddin College, received a death threat over phone yesterday. He told the Dhaka Tribune that an anonymous caller identifying themselves as ‘Sorbohara Party’ claimed that they had carried out all these attacks and killings and he would have to pay a good ransom if he wanted to live. l

Leaders and activists of the 14-party alliance stand in human chain in front of Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka yesterday, taking part in the alliance’s nationwide human chain event against secret killing and militancy DHAKA TRIBUNE

EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS

Who is being protected? n Kamrul Hasan Security analysts and rights activities have voiced their caution about the alarming rate of “gunfight” deaths in Bangladesh, with a total six suspects being shot dead in extrajudicial killings over the last 11 days alone.

Such extrajudicial murders were hurting the investigation process as well as demoralising the public about their own safety, they warned.

Questions were also raised about why none of the suspects had any bullet-proof jacket or helmet on them when they were taken on the so-called police raids, while such safety measures were a common feature when the same suspects were produced before a court or the media.

Law enforcers, in all such killings, claim that they had opened fire in self defence.

But chairman of the National Human Right Commission (NHRC), Mizanur Rahman, said he had suspicions about why crucial sources were getting killed and who were being protected in the process.

“We want our suspicions to be false. But if it is found true, then the government and the state should find out who was behind the crimes for their own good,” he said.

Mizanur added that it should be also looked into whether any law enforcement members were involved in militancy themselves.

Ajoy Roy, father of slain blog-

TEMPERATURE FORECAST FOR TODAY

THUNDERSHOWER WITH RAIN MONDAY, JUNE 20

ger-writer Avijit Roy, said: “Many information could be extracted from the killers about the murder.

The scope has been stopped in a planned way with the so-called gunfight.”

Early yesterday, the prime suspect in Avijit’s murder, Sharif alias Hadi, was killed in an alleged gunfight with the Detective Branch of police in Dhaka’s Khilgaon.

Dhaka University Professor AK Fazlul Haque, whose son Faisal Arefin Dipan was also killed by militants, similarly expressed concerns that the killing of suspects was closing off any chance to glean new leads about the murder cases.

But during a press conference yesterday at the DMP media centre, DB Joint Commissioner Abdul Baten said the killings would not affect their investigation as they had already received several leads from the suspects before they were killed. The information would help catch other militants, he expressed his hopes.

When asked why there was not adequate security for the suspects during police raids, the DB chief said they have noted all advices and would be more careful from now on.

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‘Not acceptable in a democratic country’

NHRC chief Mizanur pointed out to the Dhaka Tribune that locals in Madaripur had risked their own lives to detain a suspect so that law enforcers could extract information from him and arrest other 27

Rajshahi

DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 6:48PM

killers; but the people would lose faith in investigation agencies when they see that the detainees were being killed even before the remand process was over.

Referring to the extrajudicial death of Golam Faizullah Fahim, the suspect who tried to kill a Madaripur Hindu college teacher, Mizanur asked why had there been no proper safety measures during the police raid and why was the suspect not kept at a safe distance.

He urged that an investigation be carried out into the whole incident.

On Saturday, Transparency International Bangladesh Chairperson Sultana Kamal said the absence of good governance has allowed the police to take law into their own hands.

Addressing a press conference in the capital, she said such activities cannot be acceptable in a democratic country. l

Revivalism of stagnant private investment is one of the major challenges for the proposed budget for the next fiscal year, economist and business people say.

They came up with the remarks at a post-budget discussion on Budget 2016-2017: Views of the Business Community jointly organised by Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and Policy Research Institute (PRI) in the capital yesterday.

“Investment is a very very hot issue for the proposed budget, but Bangladesh is not a such country that could attract investment like developed countries but we have investment within the country,”said State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan.

Mannan was addressing the discussion as the chief guest.

“There is challenges in poverty reduction but I think, the main challenges now is investment,” said Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Finance. He was present ad special guest.

Private investment has remained virtually stagnant at 22% of GDP, with foreign direct investment (FDI) accounting for less than 1% of GDP, both being well short of their Seventh Five Year Plan, said Mansur in the presentation on Budget FY17: Macroeconomic Setting, Lessons from FY16 Budget Execution, and Implementation Challenges.

“Budget should not have any surprise”, said Mansur demanding transparency in the budget system.

Information on the defense budget includes only in the aggregate and it is widely believed “Military budget is completely black box.” l

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Rangpur

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Khulna

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Barisal

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:12AM

35.7ºC Rajshahi

25.0ºC Rangamati

Source: Accuweather/UNB

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PRAYER TIMES

Sylhet

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Cox’s Bazar

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Fajr: 3:50am | Zohr: 1:15pm Asr: 5:15pm | Magrib: 7:01pm Esha: 8:45pm Source: Islamic Foundation

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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Local influential trying to grab clustered village n Nazmul Huda Nasim, Bogra Local influential people with the help of their musclemen are trying to grab land of clustered village which has been built to facilitate accommodation facilities of the people living in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna River basins of Bogra.

Local sources said members of 38 families in the clustered villages in Bogra’s Sariakandi upzila had been passing days with anxiety as a section of vested quarter eyed on 30 acres of land in the locality.

People of the habitat alleged that some musclemen recruited by some influential people had taken away crops on three bighas and three cattle from the land on Saturday afternoon.

Freedom fighter Rezaul Karim, a resident of the village, said they had submitted a written complaint to upzila nirbahi officer yesterday.

Local sources said a total of 40 families in the village which was built to rehabilitate erosion effected people.

Freedom fighter Rezaul Karim

said about 300 musclemen led

by Mannan, Jafar Ali and Alam Kha with local weapons entered

Earlier, local influential people evicted 38 families on May 16 the village and grabbed 30 acres of land.

Ambia, a resident of the village, said the musclemen also took away

her cattle.

Ziaul Haque, another resident, said: “The goons took away paddy from my field.”

Alam Kha said they were the owner of that 30 acres of land where a portion of clustered village was located, the land was not khas land (government land).

“It is our land and that’s why we grabbed the land. But we did not loot anything from there.” Mannan also echoed the same words.

Upzila Nirbahi Officer Moniruzzaman told the Dhaka Tribune that

he was aware of the matter.

“I will visit the village soon and take legal measures over the issue,” said the UNO. Oficer-in-Charge of Sariakandi police station Ohiduzzam told the Dhaka Tribune a case was still under at High Court over the land dispute.

Earlier, local influential people had evicted 38 families on May 16.

Later, the residents managed to come back to their residences through the interference of local administration. l

PABNA HINDU ASHRAM STAFF MURDER

One more suspect remanded

n Md Emroz Khandakar, Pabna A court yesterday placed one more suspect on 5-day remand in connection with the killing of Nitya Ranjan Pande at Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra Satsangha Ashram in Pabna Sadar upazila.

According to local sources, police arrested Harun Kha, son of Habibur Rahman from Kismut Potapur area in the morning.

Later, the law-enforcers produced him before the court led by Judge Najimuddoula prying for 10 days remand, said Munshi Abdus Kuddus, sub-inspector of Sadar police station and investigation officer of the murder case.

The court granted for five-day remand.

Nitya Ranjan Pande, 62, was hacked to death on June 10 by some miscreants in front of Pabna Medical College Hospital which is only 200 metres away from the monastery.

Nityanando had been working as an attendant for the past 40 years.

Later, 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 and Abul Hossain, an activist of Shibir, in connection with the murder. l

50 sued over attack on police n UNB, Chittagong A case was filed against 50 people, including some local Awami League leaders and activists, for attacking policemen during their drive to arrest an accused of a murder case in Sitakunda upazila.

Baroiardhala union AL general secretary Ismail Siraji was made prime accused in the case. l

Armed with sticks leaders and activist of the BCL Chittagong city unit taunt each other during a clash in Chittagong College yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Admission seekers suffer as BCL rivals clash Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong

Admission seekers of first year of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) suffered immensely as two groups of ruling party students’ wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) clashed on Chittagong Government College campus over establishing supremacy during yesterday’s intake test.

At least six Chhatra League activists were injured during the clash, campus sources said.

The sources said the clash had ensued among two factions of city unit Awami League one was led by

its city unit President Mohiuddin Chowdhury while another was loyal to Secretary AJM Nasir Uddin.

Witnesses said the clash had erupted when the followers of Chittagong City Corporation Mayor AJM Nasir entered into Chittagong College campus with a procession around 1pm.

The BCL men of Mohiuddin group, who took position on the campus, later chased the AJM Nasir’s men and drove them out of the campus hurling brick chips triggering the clash, they said.

The clash also spread to nearby Hazi Mohammed Mohsin College.

During the clash, panic gripped

admission seekers and their guardians. Later, guardians were also compelled to take shelter inside classrooms at Chittagong College, said college sources.

Apart from that, vehicular movement were suspended from Chawakbazar to Jamal Khan route for half an hour that led to a severe traffic congestion in the port city.

Being informed, police went to the spot after half an hour and dispersed the clashing groups charging batons on them.

Chawakbazar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Aziz Ahmed said police dispersed the clashing groups after clash

“The situation is under control now while additional police forces have been deployed on the college premises to avoid further clash”, the OC added.

Mir Ratul Hasan, a guardian, said: “We have got frightened seeing that clash of BCL men.”

He said he and his younger brother took cover inside the college building to evade causality.

Professor Jesmin Akter, principal of Chittagong College, said the admission procedure was completed congenially and no awkward situation occurred inside the campus following the clash. l

7

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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

TENGRATILA GAS FIELD LEAKAGE

Locals using leaked gas risking fatal accidents Shekhor Bhadro, n Himadri Sunamganj People who live in the surrounding villages of Tengratila gas field in Sunamganj are using leaked gas in household work which can lead to fatal explosions any moment.

Locals, however, said they were compelled to ignore the risks of fatal accident to save every day’s fuel cost.

During a visit to the area, this correspondent found that local people had set up bowls made of cement at the gas leaking points in several ponds.

Locals, however, said they were compelled to ignore the risks of fatal accident to save every day’s fuel cost Then, they collect the gas from the bowls through low quality plastic pipes, which are connected to their gas stoves in their residence, thought the low quality pipes and route through which they are connected to the stoves are very risky.

Gas has been emitting through water bodies, holes on the roads and other places of Tengratila, Azabpur and Girish Nagar villages since the six-acre gas field suffered blowouts on January 7 and on June 25 in 2005 while Canadian exploration company Niko was drilling a gas well there.

Shaheda Akter, a former union parishad member of a ward of Sur-

Plastic pipes over the tree branches and roof tops are carrying the leaked gas to the houses of people who live in the surrounding villages of Tengratila gas field, risking fatal accidents any moment DHAKA TRIBUNE ma union, said a huge amount of gas was leaking out here every day.

“So we use the leaked gas to save our houses from fire,” she added.

Piara Begum, a resident of Azabpur village, said the gas served

their everyday’s fuel demand.

Morzina, another resident of the locality, said they were suffering from inflammation in their bodies and different respiratory problems due to use of the leaked gas.

Doar Bazar Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Md Jamshed Ali said around 5% to 6% people of the area come to them with Asthma and pneumonia every month. But no survey has been done

to find out the reasons behind this.

The District Administrator Shekh Rafiqul Islam said the administration has been keeping strong vigilance so that people of Tengratila could not use leaked gas. l

Charge pressed against Bandarban blockade suspended n BCL leader Rony S Bashu Das, Bandarban

Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong Police yesterday pressed charge against Nurul Azim Rony, general secretary of Chittagong metropolitan unit’s Bangladesh Chhatra League, in an arms case filed with Hathazari police station on May 7.

AHM Moshiur Rahman, inspector of Chittagong court, said Sub-Inspector of Hathazari police station Delwar Hossain submitted the charge sheet before Senior Judicial Magistrate Sahidullah Kaisar in the afternoon.

The charge sheet was later sent to Chittagong District and Sessions Judge court for the next hearing.

Earlier, a bench of High Court comprising Justice Md Habibul Gani and Justice Md Akram Hos-

sain granted six months’ interim bail to Nurul Azim Rony on June 14.

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

The BCL leader was arrested in possession of a 9mm pistol, 15 rounds of bullet, Tk26,000 in cash and a rubber stamp from outside of a polling centre in Chittagong’s Hathazari upazila during the 4th phase of Union Parishad polls on May 7.

Later, a mobile court led by Judicial Magistrate Harunur Rashid sentenced him to two years imprisonment for breaching electoral code of conduct and an arms case was filed with Hathazari police station under arms act where Rony was shown arrested. l

Bandarban district unit of Awami League (AL) has called off the indefinite roads and waterways blockade in Ruma, Ruangchhari, Thanchi and Rangamati and Bandarban roads of Sadar upazila protesting the abduction of

Mongpu Marma, joint convener of Bandarban Sadar upazila AL. On assurance of giving full effort by the district administration to rescue Mongpu, the blockade has been suspended for two days, said the AL Vice-Chairman AKM Jahangir while talking to the Dhaka Tribune.

Miscreants kidnapped Mongpu

on June 13. The Awami League observed blockade in the district on Wednesday and Thursday condemning Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) for this incident.

Joint forces are conducting drives in different areas of the district to rescue Mongpu. l

Youth to die for killing schoolgirl Raihanul Islam Akand, n Md Gazipur

A Gazipur court yesterday sentenced death penalty to a university student for killing a schoolgirl one year back.

District and Sessions Judge AKM Anamul Haque also fined the convict – Bikram Chandra Sarkar, 25, son of Rampad Mony Das of Choto Kan-

chonpur area under Kaliakoir upazila – Tk10,000. Bikram is an MBA student at Mass University, Savar.

According to the prosecution, Bikram stabbed Kabita Rani, a class X student of Bijoy Sarani High School of Board Bazar area and daughter of Sagor Moni Das, to death in front of her school gate on October 13 last year as the girl refused his love proposal.

Teachers and classmates then

caught Bikram and handed him over to police.

Later, Kobita’s father filed a case against the killer with Kaliakoir police station on the same day.

Investigation officer of the case Atiqur Rahman Rasal submitted charge sheet against Bikram on December 28 last year. The court pronounced the verdict after cross checking 10 witnesses. l

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8 World

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Pakistan gate being built at Iran border With the row between Islamabad and Kabul over the construction of a gate at the Torkham border crossing still unresolved, Pakistani authorities on Friday started building a gate at the country’s border with Iran at Taftan to curb illegal trade. The construction of the gate will complete in two months at a cost of Rs15m.

-DAWN

INDIA

India sure of China’s support for nuclear group’s membership

India said Sunday that it was confident of winning China’s support for US-backed efforts for its membership in a group of 48 nations controlling access to sensitive nuclear technology. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters that China was not opposing India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, but that it has raised objections relating to criteria and processes.

-AP

CHINA

President Xi sees Serbia as milestone on new Silk Road

Serbia could play a significant role in Beijing’s ambitious plan for a new Silk Road to boost trade with Europe, Asia and Africa, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Sunday.

Xi said China was ready for more cooperation with Belgrade during a visit to Serbia that has seen his country strengthen its economic presence in the Balkans.

-REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

35 dead in Indonesian floods, landslides Flash floods and landslides in central Indonesia have killed at least 35 people and destroyed dozens of homes, an official said Sunday.

Dozens were also missing or injured following torrential rain and widespread flooding on the main island of Java, where thousands of homes have been swamped. -AFP

MIDDLE EAST

Russia, US agree to improve military coordination in Syria

Russia said on Sunday it had reached an agreement with the United States to improve coordination between their military operations in Syria, where they are backing opposing sides of a civil war and launching air strikes. Russia’s defence ministry said it was pushing Washington to help produce a shared map of the positions of fighting forces to avoid incidents.

-REUTERS

INSIGHT

What makes Boko Haram tick? n Tribune International Desk Boko Haram, a radical jihadi movement that seeks to destroy the secular Nigerian state and its market-based economy, is no closer to its stated goal of establishing God’s kingdom on earth, but it has hardly been eradicated from the country’s impoverished northeast. Though from 2011 to 2015, the militant group captured large swathes of territory, but the Nigerian security services have since dislodged it from almost all of that area, but the government still does not fully control the northeast, despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s December 2015 statement that the Nigerian security services had “technically” defeated Boko Haram.

Moreover, Boko Haram appears to be shifting from a preoccupation with the Nigerian state to wider regional ambitions, which may reflect growing ties to the self-proclaimed Islamic State’s redoubt in Libya.

Since 2009, Boko Haram has been responsible for at least twenty thousand deaths, far exceeding those attributed to the Islamic State.

In 2015, the think tank Institute for Economics and Peace designated it the world’s deadliest terrorist movement. What’s more, in its war against Boko Haram, the Nigerian security services have caused an additional eight thousand deaths.

The conflict has also internally displaced more than two million people, and several hundred thousand Nigerians have fled to neighboring countries as refugees. Little food has been planted or harvested in the war zone, and food prices in some areas have soared. Few of the internally displaced have been able to go home for good, contrary to frequent optimistic statements from officials. It is hard to see how Nigeria can meet the northeast’s humanitarian needs without assistance from its partners, especially the United Kingdom, the United States, and the United Nations.

What does Boko Haram want?

Even though years have passed since Boko Haram began its violent campaign, there is little consensus among policy makers and observers about whether it is a broadbased populist movement or a terrorist organization with links to the Middle East. Buhari, like his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, has argued that Boko Haram is a terrorist organization with links to the Islamic State, and similar in theology, goals, and tactics to al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Both administrations advocated the destruction

THE HUMAN COST OF THE INSURGENCY Boko Haram have killed more than 15,000 people since 2009 More than 2.5m people are displaced by Boko Haram across the four countries of the Lake Chad region

2,50,000 9m people have been affected by the violence displaced 173,000 Nigerians have fled to Chad, Cameroon and Niger persons

NIGER

Lake Chad Yobe

BENIN

SOUTH ASIA

NIGERIA

Borno

Maiduguri

ABUJA

CHAD Adamawa

Lagos

Gulf of Guinea

CAMEROON Areas affected State of emergency

Source: National Emergency Management Agency (Nema)

of Boko Haram through military force, though they claimed to be open to negotiations. A competing narrative, held by many analysts and journalists, sees Boko Haram as highly decentralised and diffuse in its structure and goals, with, at least up to now, a domestic focus.

This narrative sees Boko Haram as part of the broader Salafist revival underway across northern Nigeria.

True believers, profiteers, and others

An understanding of Boko Haram’s taxonomy might assist Nigeria’s partners develop an approach to Boko Haram that is more successful than the current emphasis on military methods. Three predominant tendencies fall under the Boko Haram umbrella-- jihadists, opportunists, and north-easterners forced by circumstance into the militant group’s orbit.

At the movement’s core are fanatical jihadis who followed Yusuf, and later, Shekau. These ideologues resemble Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and other Islamic State preachers in Syria and Iraq in their theology. However, unlike the Islamic State, Boko Haram has never articulated a concrete political programme. Indeed, before March 2015, when Boko Haram controlled extensive territory, it showed little interest in day-to-day governance beyond the use of sharia courts to root out secular influences.

A second group might be labeled ambitious pragmatists or opportunists. They too wish to destroy or capture Nigeria’s political economy, but rather than for ideological reasons, for their benefit or that of their patronage and clientage networks.

This group likely includes mercenaries Boko Haram pays to carry out missions, as well as those to whom the movement has lent money or supplied wives. (The former is a practice initiated by Yusuf, the latter a likely motivation for the widespread kidnapping of young women. Both can be justified in Salafist doctrine, but also serve to bind beneficiaries to the movement.)

Some opportunists likely use their affiliation with Boko Haram to gain leverage in disputes over land use or property. The opportunists likely include criminal networks involved in smuggling, bank robbery, and other illegal activities.

A third group appears to be those who have been forced by circumstances to join Boko Haram. They include north-eastern Nigerians who fear the security services or are made to buy protection from adherents of Boko Haram. Some have been pressured by the leadership of their patronage/clientage networks or their families. They also include those female suicide bombers succumbing to pressure or seeking revenge on the security service for having killed their family members.

Court orders Nigeria to pay $3.25m for extrajudicial killings

n Tribune International Desk A regional African court last week ordered Nigeria to pay $3.25m in compensation to families and victims for the extrajudicial killings of eight civilians and the wounding of 11 others shot by soldiers and secret service agents in the capital, Abuja.

The court of the Economic Community of West African States said there is no evidence to back the stance of the Nigerian army and Department of Security Services that troops fired in self-defence on an alleged group of Boko Haram extremists the night of September 20, 2013.

The three-judge panel led by Judge Friday Chijioke Nwoke found the Nigerian state liable for the “barbaric, illegal and unconstitutional” deaths and injuries. It ordered the government to pay $200,000 to the families of each man killed and $150,000 to each of those wounded. l

Outlook

Against a background of Boko Haram depredations, security-service abuses, the collapse of agriculture, and the drying up of legitimate trade, most economic activity in the north-east has ceased. The region is experiencing rapid food price increases and faces the prospect of famine. Local elites have been destroyed or discredited in many communities. Meeting the humanitarian and security challenges of the north-east exceeds the capacity of the Nigerian state and will require sustained food and medical assistance from its international partners, particularly the US and the UK, which have long had close ties with the Nigerian government.

At a deeper level, addressing the crisis of the northeast will likely require rebuilding northeastern society on a more solid basis than has existed in the post-colonial period. A start would be for Abuja to end the security services’ abuses and rein in corruption. Buhari has made more progress with the latter than the former. But beyond that, the Buhari administration has not given much thought to how to reconstruct northeastern Nigeria. National and international envisioning needs to begin now. l

This is an except of a Council on Foreign Relations article. The original article can be found at http://on.cfr. org/1T60tPx

9

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

ROAD TO 270 ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES

USA

Trump’s California problem n Tribune International Desk Bob Dole thought he could he could win California with a “fishhook” strategy. George W Bush came armed with $15m. John McCain was bullish, too. They all lost.

Donald Trump’s prediction that he can capture the biggest prize in the November presidential election, the state’s 55 electoral votes, rubs up against a dismal history for Republicans over a generation.

The names on the ballot have changed, but the outcome has been the same - double-digit wins for Democrats since 1992.

Here’s Trump’s challenge: unite Republicans while finding millions of new supporters in a state where Democrats hold every state-wide office and both chambers of the legislature. They also have a 3.1m edge in voters, a number equal to the population of Iowa.

In 1996, Dole was brimming with confidence about his chances against then-President Bill Clinton. Dole’s campaign aimed to drive up vote margins in Republican-friendly communities down the state’s interior spine, then up through coastal counties in the south, roughly in the shape of a fishhook. Money and staff poured

in. Dole’s running mate, Jack Kemp, had special credentials: He grew up in Los Angeles.

It wasn’t even close. Clinton ran up a 51%-to-38% win.

The home turf of Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, California was once Republican in presidential elections. But pronounced demographic shifts, particularly a boom in the Hispanic population, have transformed the state.

The number of Hispanics, blacks and Asian-Americans combined has outnumbered whites in California since 1998, and Latinos alone now outnumber the white population. Most of the new voters are Democrats or independents who tend to vote like them.

Trump is looking to expand his support at a time when he already faces challenges with Hispanics and women. That stems in part from his promise to build a wall along the border with Mexico and his verbal attacks on US District Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who is hearing a lawsuit against Trump University. Trump also has criticised New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, who heads the Republican Governors Association.

Part of Trump’s challenge is simple arithmetic.

In California’s June 7 primary, the billionaire businessman ran essentially unopposed, pulling in

Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump expressed irritation with his party and its original 2016 frontrunner while speaking in Las Vegas Saturday night. “It would be helpful if the Republicans could help us a little bit,” he said. Speaking of a rumored revolt against him in the ranks of GOP delegates, Trump insisted “Jeb is working on the movement, just so you understand”. -AP

Canada parliament adopts law on assisted death Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Las Vegas on Saturday REUTERS about 1.5m votes, or about 75% of the total. Ted Cruz and John Kasich were still on the ballot, though they earlier dropped out of the race.

Analysts predict 14m people are likely to vote in November.

To win, Trump would need a heroic turnout from the state’s 4.9m Republicans, while finding 2m or more swing voters to get near a majority. Indeed, some of those swing voters could be lurking in counties where Republican candidates have outperformed the party’s registration numbers.

But there are more than 8m Democrats, and the state’s 4.2m independents - about 1 in 4 voters - tilt Democratic.

Aside from her registration advantage, Clinton also has a formi-

n AFP, Sydney

Opposition Labor leader Bill Shorten holds a baby crocodile during a visit to the aboriginal community in Northern Territory as part of the election campaign REUTERS

While Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull came to power in September last year with high personal ratings after defeating his predecessor Tony Abbott in a Liberal coup, internal party divisions and poorly handled debates about reforms have dented support for the 61-year-old.

The decline in public support follows poor polling under Ab-

Trump: GOP isn’t helping, Jeb is fomenting revolt

THE AMERICAS

dable get-out-the-vote operation.

The campaign made 2m phone calls in the final days before the state primary. Trump has no comparable organisation. An energised Hispanic turnout is likely, favouring Clinton, who also carried the state in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary.

Republicans remain healthy in pockets of California, including parts of the vast farm belt and the so-called Inland Empire running east and north of Los Angeles. But party registration overall has withered to 27% of the state total, compared with 45% for Democrats.

Independents now outnumber Republicans in nearly two dozen of the state’s 53 congressional districts. l

Australia’s opposition vows fierce fight in polls Three years after being ousted from power following a tumultuous period of infighting in which two prime ministers were deposed, Australia’s opposition Labor said Sunday it was ready to return to Canberra ahead of national elections.

The July 2 poll is tipped to be a tight race, and could see the ruling Liberal-National coalition become the first government in more than eight decades to be turfed out of office after one term.

Such a result would see Labor leader Bill Shorten become Australia’s 5th prime minister in six years - a further illustration of the “revolving door” leadership that has marked the nation’s politics in recent times.

“Today my team and I offer ourselves as a new government dedicated to Australia’s oldest aspiration -- a fair go all round,” 49-year-old Shorten told 500 cheering supporters at his party’s official campaign launch in the Western Sydney suburb of Penrith.

“There is always someone willing to write Labor off -- and they are always wrong.”

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World

bott and opens the door for Labor and minor parties to win marginal seats across Australia, where voting is compulsory for adults.

Both the major parties are pledging to boost the economy, with subdued wages growth and high costs of living placing pressure on some communities as the nation shifts away from min-

ing-driven expansion.

Shorten on Sunday announced tax cuts for small businesses, while emphasising support for the party’s traditional policy areas of improving health and education.

He also sought to highlight his party’s support for same-sex marriage and action on climate change, as smaller parties on the left such as the Greens threaten to lure away Labor voters.

“Only Labor will lead an Australia with prosperity for everyone who works and prosperity that works for everyone,” the former union chief added in front of a red banner with the slogan “We’ll put people first”.

He stressed that Turnbull, a multi-millionaire former banker, would only be taking care of the big end of town.

Turnbull has campaigned on the Liberal Party’s long-time platform of sound economic management, announcing billions in tax cuts for individuals and businesses.

His party is set to officially launch its campaign next Sunday, also in Sydney which is home to numerous marginal seats. l

Canada’s parliament on Friday adopted a law allowing medically-assisted death for the terminally ill, brushing aside critics who wanted the legislation to cover people with degenerative diseases. After weeks of political wrangling, the upper Senate chamber voted in favor of a law which makes Canada one of the few nations where doctors can legally help sick people die.

-REUTERS

UK

Trump: Britain should leave EU Donald Trump told Britons on Sunday he supported Brexit, repeating just days before the vote on June 23 that he thinks the UK would be better off outside the EU. As the campaign to decide Britain’s EU membership restarted after a three-day hiatus following the killing of lawmaker Jo Cox, Trump said in a newspaper interview he was backing an out vote. -REUTERS

EUROPE

Brussels central station evacuated amid security fears Brussels central train station was evacuated for about an hour on Sunday because of a suspicious suitcase amid heightened security fears in the Belgian capital after a huge anti-terror operation led to 3 men being charged with terrorism offences.

The suitcase later turned out to be a false alarm but shows Belgium’s high state of alert as the Euro 2016 soccer tournament is under way in neighbouring France.

-REUTERS.

AFRICA

Algeria blocks Facebook, Twitter to stop exam cheats Algerian authorities have temporarily blocked access to Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites to try to stop cheats posting high school exam papers online, state media reported on Sunday. Tens of thousands of high school students were retaking part of their baccalaureate exams after details were shared over social media.

-REUTERS

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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

MEDIAWATCH

Where the British press stands on Brexit Three days to go before Britain votes on its membership in the European Union, there’s an almost daily avalanche of articles quoting politicians, foreign leaders, businesspeople, diplomats, retired generals, former spies, economists, actors, writers, academics, scientists, sports stars, religious figures and various other important types on whether Britain should vote to leave or remain.

Yet only a handful of newspapers have declared their own positions.

Newspaper endorsements may no longer carry the same weight they once did — it’s arguable whether they ever swayed many voters, even at the height of their powers — but that hasn’t stopped London’s media gazers, not to mention the newspapers’ own journalists, poring over recent editorials for signs of where they’ll come down in the days leading up to June 23.

Here’s a subjective rundown of where the papers stand, and where they might end up--

REMAIN

NEUTRAL

EXIT

BIGSTOCK

3 DAYS TO GO

The Sun

Its editorials are sharply, consistently critical of the EU (“in meltdown”) and the Remain campaign (“smug”).

The owner Rupert Murdoch has long been opposed to Britain’s EU membership, but that doesn’t mean the decision is predictable. Politics aside, there are business considerations. News Corp’s UK operations are already hurting from an advertising slowdown made worse by nervousness about the referendum; disruption for businesses could be much worse after a Brexit vote. Moreover, Murdoch’s other media companies, 21st Century Fox and Sky, have significant interests in Europe which could be damaged.

Daily Mail

If any of the leading newspapers makes a strong declaration for Brexit, it’ll be the Mail, Britain’s second biggest-selling paper (circulation 1.6m). Its Eurosceptic instincts are plain, both in its news pages and editorials. Day after day, it voices concerns about the costs of EU membership, the UK’s loss of sovereignty and laws being dictated by unaccountable foreigners. It blames the EU for unfettered migration that is causing “demographic upheaval,” routinely attacks the Remain camp for “wild scaremongering,” and bristles at any sign that foreign leaders such as Barack Obama, Angela Merkel or Christine Lagarde are telling British voters what to think.

Its sister paper, the Mail on Sunday, took the opposite stance, as it often does on every major issue.

Daily Telegraph

This has been the most puzzling one to follow. In some ways the Telegraph has had a strong referendum campaign: Boris Johnson, the Leave campaign’s figurehead, is one of the newspaper’s star columnists. The former mayor of London’s ruminations were always widely read and cited by rival media outlets, but are even more so now that his column is a platform for his case against the EU. Lynton Crosby, the Conservatives’ election guru, has also recently joined as a columnist and his analysis of the polls is a must-read in the Westminster village. Its biggest coup was landing Obama’s oped urging a Remain vote on the eve of his visit to London last month.

The Telegraph’s editorials, howev-

er, have baffled rivals, politicians and its own journalists. Traditionally the newspaper of the Tory heartland, almost 60% of its readers are in favor of leaving the EU, according to the pollsters YouGov. Yet the newspaper seems conflicted about which side to back. There’s a clear dissatisfaction with Brussels, but not a strong sense of any conviction that Britain would be better off on its own. The may remain neutral or half-hearted Remain.

The Times

While the Telegraph’s readership leans towards Out, 62% of Times readers want Britain to stay in the EU, according to YouGov. That’s to be expected for a paper that prides itself on being the paper of the po-

litical and financial elite.

It’s sister concern, The Sunday Times, has already published editorial supporting Leave campaign.

Daily Mirror

The left-wing tabloid may be torn between its affiliation to the Labour Party, which is campaigning for Britain to stay in the EU, and skepticism among some of its working-class readers who see Brussels as beholden to unaccountable elites. In recent editorials, it’s stressed the importance of voting rather than indicating an allegiance. Yet it’s clearly far less hostile to Brussels than its right-wing competitors.

The Guardian

The liberal broadsheet’s readers are

by far the most supportive of Britain’s membership in the EU — nine out of 10 want the UK to stay, according to the pollsters. Its editorials have been unambiguous: “The Guardian will make no apology, between now and June 23, for making the case for Britain in Europe as clearly, as honestly and as insistently as possible,” it said on May 9.

Daily Express

The tabloid owned by the billionaire Richard Desmond has championed Brexit regularly in its editorials. However, with circulation down to 415,000, a tenth of its peak last century, the Express’s influence these days is limited. l

Source: Politico.eu

Dhaka Tribune

11

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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

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12 Business

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

TOP STORIES Govt to give traders ECR, POS machines The government may distribute the Electronic Cash Register (ECR) and Point of Sales (POS) machines among traders to prevent evasion of value-added tax.

PAGE 13

Spain joins forces with Bollywood to boost tourism Spain is coaxing Indian moviemakers to use its colourful fiestas and historic monuments as settings for their films, in a move to grab a bigger share of India’s fast-growing overseas tourism market. PAGE 14

Capital market snapshot: Sunday DSE Broad Index

4,387.8

-0.2% ▼

Index

1,080.7

-0.0% ▼

30 Index

1,724.3

-0.3% ▼

Turnover in Mn Tk

3,214.6 -39.4% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

91.9

-3.4% ▼

All Share Index 13,512.4

-0.1% ▼

30 Index

12,438.1

-0.2% ▼

8,223.8

-0.1% ▼

CSE

Selected Index Turnover in Mn Tk Turnover in Mn Vol

209.1 -27.1% ▼ 7.3

1.9% ▲

Dialogue: Focus now should be on infrastructure investment n Tribune Business Desk job creation and infrastructure investment should be at the centre of spends for strengthening Bangladesh’s economic growth, said speakers at a dialogue yesterday.

Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) organised the “Budget Dialogue 2016” in Dhaka yesterday.

Among speakers, former DCCI Vice-President Khondaker Shahidul Islam expressed concern over present unemployment situation in Bangladesh.

He said: “Educated youth is left unemployed, which is alarming.”

Fazlul Azim, a former Member of the Parliament and first generation businessman in Bangladesh, said there is hardly any scope to create jobs.

“There should be a favourable environment for investment – both local and foreign. Infrastructure is also an important.”

Nurul Amin, a noted banker, said banking sector is not in good shape due to financial scandal, low profitability and weak investment activity in private sector.

“There is no alternative to boosting private investment. Political situation is stable, but uncertainty is still there.”

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, in his budget speech, also felt no hesitation in admitting the fact that private investment remained stagnant.

Muhith pointed out that during the last few years private investment has been hovering around 21%-22% of GDP whereas this rate should be escalated to 27% in the medium term to achieve the desired level of growth.

creation and utilisation of our demographic dividend.”

Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, former commerce minister, said sustainability of the country’s present economic growth is questionable “as the economic devel-

‘Main challenges are to accelerate growth and investment. And for this, the major obstacles are infrastructure, low interest rate and peaceful condition in the political arena’

BGMEA leader Faruque Hassan also spoke at the dialogue. He said the government proposed to achieve 7.2% GDP growth in next fiscal year.

“This is not possible without raising private investment. We can’t create employment for 2m people entering in the job market every year.”

He said: “Last year we created only 350,000 employments. Job creation can only happen in the private and agricultural sectors.”

Mainuddin Monem, a young entrepreneur, said decent and quality job is important for sustainable economic growth.

“Budget should focus on job

opment is happening ignoring democracy.”

Entrepreneurs find difficulties to make investment right now as was indicated in the recent increased capital outflow, he said.

“Public sector investment is increasing only because of cost-escalation of big projects, causing economic ransacking,” he said.

“But the private investment remains—the key for sustainable development of the economy— stagnant as the country has no rule of law, democracy, freedom of speech and human rights.”

Defending to Khosru’s remark, State Minister for Finance and Planning M A Mannan said, “The

country is now at a stage of developing infrastructure for facilitating private sector, which was ignored previously. Once, it is done; the private investment will be boosted.”

Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Finance and Former Food Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque said, “Main challenges are to accelerate growth and investment.

And for this, the major obstacles are infrastructure, low interest rate and peaceful condition in the political arena.”

“Investment must be increased for creating employment by removing infrastructure bottleneck.”

Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal gave a long list of the country’s development saying: “The country is now on a right track to become a rich country by 2041 as every economic indicators are positive.”

M Syeduzzaman, member of CPD Board of Trustee and former finance minister, moderated the event.

He said the amount of private investment must be increased for qualitative development of the economy.

Prof Mustafizur Rahman, CPD executive director, presented keynote paper. He laid emphasis on job-augmenting growth for sustainable economic development. l

World Bank lends $130m to develop economic zones n Tribune Business Desk

Bangladesh yesterday signed a $130m additional financing agreement with the World Bank to scale up support for the recently licensed and new economic zones.

The additional financing to the Private Sector Development Support Project (PSDSP) will help develop new economic zones through identifying, licensing, and negotiating Public-Private Partnership for economic zone development, a World Bank statement said.

The agreement was signed by Additional Secretary of Economic Relations Division (ERD) Kazi Shofiqul Azam and Acting World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh Rajashree Paralkar on behalf of their respective organisations at the ERD in the capital. In the last two years, PSDSP helped with the licensing of 16 economic zones and hi-tech parks, and with the assessment of 33 new sites for development as economic zones over the next several years.

The economic zones aim to attract foreign and domestic investment as well as to create more jobs in the manufacturing sector, according to a WB statement.

“Bangladesh needs to create more and better jobs in the manufacturing sector to accelerate growth and poverty reduction. The economic zones play a critical role in attracting private investment and creating jobs, as the benefits are many. For example, the new zones have reduced the time to register a business by 82 percent,’’ said Paralkar.

“The financing will directly contribute to the government’s vision of establishing 100 zones over the next 15 years and promoting socially and environmentally responsible industrial growth for Bangladesh.”

The financing will also help construct off-site infrastructure and works, such as land filling, construction of access roads, utilities networks, buildings and rail landings, and zone-specific infrastructures, such as perimeter walls, central effluent treatment plants, water treatment plants, and other facilities.

“Both the sixth and the seventh Five-Year Plans considered establishing new Economic Zones as a cornerstone to strengthen the manufacturing sector and promote efficient use of skilled labor, land, and other resources,” said Azam.

He said: “The new economic zones and high-tech parks will be important to achieve the government’s poverty alleviation goals.” l

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Govt to give traders ECR, POS machines n Syed Samiul Basher Anik The government may distribute Electronic Cash Register (ECR) and Point of Sales (POS) machines among traders to prevent evasion of value-added tax.

The traders, who are eligible to use such electronic machines, have to collect those machines mandatory from the government and use them at their selected stores, so no traders can evade the VAT or manipulate the transaction records, said officials.

The government is planning to introduce the system in the wake of rampant VAT evasion across the country.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) will file cases against those eligible traders who are not using these compulsory machines in their own stores, said officials.

While unveiling budget for the fiscal year 2016-17 on June 2, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said: “The government will collect the ECR and Point of Sales (POS) machines by itself and will deliver them to the companies.”

He also proposed the government to amend the existing rules and orders to make it mandatory for all the super resorts, hotels and companies to use the ECR and POS. In July 2009, NBR made it man-

datory for 11 types of business to install and use ECR and POS software to boost VAT collection.

The business entities include hotels, restaurants, sweetmeat shops, furniture outlets, beauty parlours, community centres, all shops located at the mega malls in the metropolis, departmental stores, general stores, big and medium-size wholesalers and retailers and jewellers.

The finance ministry’s fiscal coordination council also decided to bring all the shops of those cited categories under the system. The new VAT law, which will fully come into effect from July 2017, will make it compulsory to use ECR machines in shops and other businesses.

According to an NBR estimate, there are now 11,005 shops under the categories. Of them, a total of 8,559 were selected for ECR installation but so far only 2,970 machines were installed in the country.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque recently urged the government to provide Electronic Cash Register (ECR) machines for the traders, who are not able to pay the machine price instantly, through installments for the effective use of the mechanism across the country.

He also suggested the government to make it mandatory to use

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Business

ECR or POS for traders to help government earn higher amount of revenues.

The government in 2009 introduced the technology to thwart evasion of VAT collected from the consumers by the shopkeepers as the manual system of accounting used at the outlets leaves room for tax evasion.

It is, however, widely reported that a large number of businesses skip the machine installation but many of those, who have installed the machines, also do not use them in transactions blaming their machines as faulty.

Against such a backdrop, the revenue authorities is now working to connect its server system with the ECR machines to get real time record of the machines to get the actual amount of VAT collected by business entities from their customers.

According to the plan, NBR will install a chip in each ECR which will be directly connected with the IVAS server. Thus, the NBR officials will be able to cross check the transaction records any time.

By doing so, the revenue authority is expected to get the actual amount of VAT as no traders will be able to alter the records because of introducing the new system, said officials. l

Stocks fall further amid dull trading

n Tribune Business Desk Stocks plunged amid persistent volatility yesterday, extending losing streak that continued throughout the past week.

The benchmark index DSEX lost over 7 points or 0.2% to 4,387—its lowest since May 25.

The blue-chip comprising index DS30 remained almost unchanged at 1,080. The DSE Shariah Index DSES shed nearly 5 points to 1,724.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX closed at 8,223, dropping about 11 points.

Trading activities declined sharply as the DSE turnover was Tk321 crore—down about 40% over previous session. Absence of the bloc market activity also contributed to the decline of volume of trade.

Only bright spot in the falling market was the small cap stocks as they led the money flow with stronger price movement.

Construction material and financial stocks were under selling pressure while consumer stocks staged mixed performance.

All the major sectors including bank, cement, food and allied and telecommunications decreased while pharmaceuticals sector increased.

LankaBangla Securities said: “DSE stocks were directionless in early morning moving around the 4,400 level in benchmark index.” l

CORPORATE NEWS

BRAC Bank Limited has recently signed an agreement with fashion house Mayasir on providing the bank’s signature and platinum cardholders with 20% discount in all outlets of Mayasir during Ramadan, said a press release. The bank’s managing director, Selim RF Hussain and Maheen Khan, owner of Mayasir have signed the agreement

Standard Chartered Bank, Bangladesh has recently opened its 89th ATM at extended corporate office of PRAN-RFL Group in Pragati Sarani, Dhaka. The bank’s head of retail banking, Aditya Mandloi and Uzma Chowdhury, finance director of PRAN-RFL Group were present at the inauguration programme, said a press release

Marcel has recently opened an exclusive showroom named Linar Electronics at Kazipur in Sirajganj, said a press release. The company’s brand ambassador, film actor Amin Khan inaugurated the showroom

Mutual Trust Bank Ltd has recently signed an agreement with Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) on providing BTCL subscribers with the facility to pay telecom bills through all branches of the bank, said a press release.

The bank’s additional managing director, Md Hashem Chowdhury and Mohammed Kabir Hossain Bhuiyan, managing director of BTCL have signed the agreement

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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

France warns UK it will be inflexible over Brexit n AFP, Paris French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron said Saturday the EU should act quickly and firmly if Britain votes next week to leave the European Union.

Britain’s EU referendum will be held on Thursday, with an EU sum-

Spain joins forces with Bollywood to boost tourism

n AFP, Madrid

Spain is coaxing Indian moviemakers to use its colourful fiestas and historic monuments as settings for their films, in a move to grab a bigger share of India’s fast-growing overseas tourism market.

As part of its bid to lure visitors from the world’s second most populous country, Madrid will host next weekend the annual International Indian Film Academy awards, dubbed the “Bollywood Oscars”.

In global tourism, Spain ranks as the third most visited country, but it now wants to diversify its tourism base beyond the traditional northern European sunseekers that account for the bulk of its visitors.

Among the Bollywood stars who will attend the awards ceremony in Spain will be hunky Indian actor Hrithik Roshan, the green-eyed star of the 2011 coming-of-age movie “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara”, which was produced in close collaboration with the Spanish tourism promotion agency, Turespana.

The film about three friends on a pre-marriage road trip across Spain includes scenes at “La Tomatina” festival in the town of Bunol, where half-naked revellers hurl mushy tomatoes at each other, as well as at Pamplona’s San Fermin bull running festival.

With scenes also set in Barcelona, Seville and the beaches of the Costa Brava, the movie was the first major Indian production to shoot extensively in various locations in Spain.

It was also the highest grossing Bollywood film of 2011.

“There was an immediate impact in the number of people requesting entry visas to travel to Spain,” the director of the London office of Turespana, Enrique Ruiz de Lera, who led the agency’s talks with the producers of the movie, told AFP. The year after its release, 60,444 Indians visited Spain, nearly double the 2011 figure, according to the industry and tourism ministry. Last year 85,000 Indians visited Spain. l

mit set for a few days later on June 28 at which Macron said EU leaders should take a firm stand with regard to the UK. “You are in or out ... The European Council should give the British an ultimatum about their intentions, and France’s president will be very clear about that,” Macron

said in an interview with Le Monde published Saturday.

“We cannot, in the interests of the EU, leave any ambiguity to linger and to let too much time pass,” Macron said.

If Britain leaves the bloc, “the day after the exit, there will no longer be a financial passport for

British establishments,” he added.

Macron said in his view if the British want to maintain access to the European market, they should contribute to the EU budget, just like non-members Norway and Switzerland.

If London refuses, “then that would be a total exit,” said the

economy minister, a strong EU advocate.

Campaigning in Britain on the EU referendum was suspended Saturday for a third day following the killing of a pro-Europe lawmaker and amid calls for a less acrimonious political debate. l

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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Oman raises $2.5bn in bonds to meet deficit n AFP, Muscat

Oman has raised $2.5bn in a bond sale arranged by five international banks to help meet its budget deficit resulting from low oil prices, the

finance ministry said Saturday.

The ministry, quoted by the Oman News Agency, said the sultanate’s first international bond issue in two decades was oversubscribed by almost three times.

The Gulf state sold $1bn in bonds to mature in five years at an interest rate of 3.625% and a 10year issue worth $1.5bn at 4.75%, it said in a statement.

Oman is projecting a budget

deficit of $8.6 billion this year after posting a shortfall of $11.7bn in 2015.

The sultanate has adopted measures to cut spending and raise revenues that include reducing subsidies on fuel and electricity.

A non-OPEC producer, Oman is pumping around 1m barrels a day.

Oil-dependent Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, have been hit hard by a cash crunch due to a 60% drop in oil prices in the past two years. l

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Health

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Clinical governance and its importance Raqibul n Professor Mohammad Anwar

Clinical governance is composed of education and training, clinical audit, clinical effectiveness, risk management, research and development and openness.

Clinical governance is a systematic approach to maintaining and improving the quality of patient care within a health system and is essential to improving the standards of health care itself.

Clinical governance was first described in a UK government white paper as a new system to ensure that clinical standards are met and that processes are in place to ensure continuous improvement of medical practice.

It is a framework through which the UK national health service organisations are held accountable for, and continuously improve the quality of their services and safeguard the high standard of care by creating an environment in which clinical care will flourish.

Clinical governance is designed to ensure quality of patient care, and is the responsibility of doctors, nurses, health professionals, hospital authority and the government to make sure that high standards of clinical care are maintained throughout a health system and the quality of service is continuously improved.

Clinical governance is composed of education and training, clinical audit, clinical effectiveness, risk management, research and development and openness.

Education and training

In the modern health service, it is no longer acceptable for any clinician to abstain from continuing education after qualification. Too much of what is learnt during training becomes outdated too quickly, and continuous professional

development (CPD) for doctors is the responsibility of the authority that employ them and a professional duty of the doctors themselves.

Clinical audit

Clinical audit is the systematic critical analysis of the quality of health care, including procedures for diagnosis, treatment and care, use of resources, resulting outcomes and the quality of life for patients. It embraces the work of all health professionals.

Clinical audit is designed to improve patient care, enhance professionalism, efficient utilisation of resources and sense of accountability; eventually aiding professional development and management as a whole.

Clinical effectiveness

Clinical effectiveness is a measure of the extent to which a particular intervention works. The measure on its own is useful, but it is enhanced by considering whether the intervention is appropriate, and whether it represents value for money.

In the modern health service, clinical practice needs to be refined in the light of emerging evidence of effectiveness as well as consider aspects of efficiency and safety from the perspective of the individual patient and carer.

Clinical effectiveness has been promoted through the development of guidelines and protocols for particular diseases, and is based on evidence of effectiveness.

Risk management

There is inherent risk in providing health care to the patient, to the medical practitioner and to the

provider rganisation. Risks need to be minimised by quality assurance that has to be one of the essential components and the strongest pillar of health care. Plans for risk management must cover patient-specific risks and be well documented; they must also be accessible to those working with patients. Many patient risks can be reduced by adequately training physicians and staff, encouraging strong communication among staff-members, providing counseling services for those working with patients, and conducting competency assessments.

Risk in health care is something that would pose a potential threat or opportunity to the achievement of objectives within the context of health care organisations; strategic, program or operational.

Risks and issues should not be confused. Risks are situations that might happen and stop us from achieving objectives, or otherwise impact on the success of the organisation in contrast. Issues are things that have happened, were not planned and require management action.

Once identified, the risk

needs to be described clearly to ensure that there is a common understanding of the risk by the stakeholders. It will then go on the risk register to be assessed and scored, and an action plan will be instituted to eliminate, minimise, or maximise the risk.

Setting up of statutory regulations and compliance to such regulations will help to reduce risks and improve quality of patient care. In the UK health system, regulations such as the Data Protection Act, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Heath (COSHH) regulations, Medicines Control Agency approvals, Indemnity insurance and many other regulations are implemented and regularly reviewed to minimise risks. l Professor Raqibul Mohammad Anwar is a Colorectal Surgeon at Bart’s and The Royal London Hospital, Ambassador and Convener of Examinations, The Royal College of Surgeons of England, Colonel, UK Armed Forces (RAMC), and President and CEO of RAHETID (RA Hospital, Education and Training Institute Dhaka).

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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Savina Shah on the universal benefits of yoga it also silently yet actively works inside our beings.

It aids with better blood circulation, calming of the mind, enhances the focus and concentration span, which helps in achieving better results at work. And above all, it teaches us how to empower the mind.

Once the mind is in one’s control, stress and other irritants can be handled and defeated with ease.

Meditation trains the mind how to distinguish between “reaction” and “response.” Once we have that tool, then every challenge which life throws at us, it becomes easier to face and overcome.

loss but will give you a lot more than good skin and weight loss.

Yoga is not only about flexibility.

It addresses all of the fitness parameters; both the aerobic and

Come on guys, please get over the idea that yoga is only for women

n Riaz Fiem June 21 is international Yoga day.

Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice or discipline, which originated in India. Though many think of yoga only as a physical exercise where people twist, turn, stretch, and breathe in the most complex ways, these are actually only the most superficial aspects of this profound science of unfolding the infinite potentials of the human mind and soul. From my shallow knowledge I cannot do justice to the great ancient practice of Yoga. I went through various web pages and learnt the basics. However, the Web cannot always fulfill the desire of a true knowledge seeker; hence through one of my cousins I got to know Savina Shah. She is a yoga practitioner who holds various Yoga workshops and sessions.

After talking to her I was left astounded by how necessary yoga is in today’s hectic world in order to stay fit. Here’s what I learned

from Savina Shah herself, in a casual interview.

Who inspired you to specialise in yoga and meditation?

I grew up watching my maternal uncle (my mom’s older brother) do yoga and the whole process used to intrigue my 6 year old self.

I used to wonder how someone can bend, twist and turn in any direction he wants to. Watching him doing that for months, I started imitating him, with mixed results. Nonetheless, the seeds were sown, and I decided to make yoga my second nature. Since then dedication, determination took over and I disciplined myself enough to make yoga and meditation my lifestyle.

Why should people engage themselves in yoga and meditation?

From my personal experience, I can say that yoga and meditation not only help in shaping and toning the physical body, but

Many people exclusively relate yoga with women only, should there be any such discrimination?

Thank you for helping me draw that curve called “smile” on my face.Come on guys, please get over the idea that yoga is only for women. It is a MYTH. The founder of Yoga is Patanjali, who is known as the Father of Yoga, and furthermore, the founders of all the world-renowned schools of yoga are males. Above all, please know that the superheroes are only in the movies on the big screens. Both men and women are creations of the Almighty where the bodies of both the genders function in the same manner.

Both the genders share the same breathing and blood circulation pattern and system. So, yoga is equally important for both genders.

Can yoga help in losing body fat?

If so, how?

Yoga will not only give you weight

the anaerobic system. It in fact goes beyond the physical aspects of keeping us lean and fit. With the release of calm inducing chemicals in the brain one develops a better understanding of body, food and life-style. The responsible behaviour with the body invariably leads to a fitter and lighter body, which further leads to weight loss. However, I personally feel that life and fitness is much more than just weight loss, isn’t it?

How might people contact you if they want go get your services?

They can simply do that by e-mailing me at r.savina@gmail. com. l Reaz Fiem is a fitness enthusiast, who wishes to help people stay healthy

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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Ramadan Special

Ramadan: Your body is your subconscious mind n Shireen Pasha Body

On the path to gnosis you’ll meet people who will offer you a helping hand in making the next step, as well as those who will want you to fall off the path. Like any marketplace, forces already present want to prevent entry to newcomers, especially if they have set an agenda. The only way to continue on the path is to know yourself.

According to Dr Candace Pert, an internationally recognised neuroscientist and pharmacologist who published over 250 research articles and was a significant contributor to the emergence of Mind-Body Medicine as an area of legitimate scientific research in the 1980’s, your body is your subconscious mind.

“In particular, Candace formulated a theory of the emotions, mediated by receptor active peptides, such as the neuropeptides and immune system cytokines, as the agents that integrated communication between the brain and the body.

Candace thought emotions were stored in the body and that healthy communication via emotional expression was key to integrating the mind and the body. Wellness practices such as somatic, behavioural, and contemplative practices thereby had a physiological basis and could be used to promote or enhance health and recovery from illness by integrating the body’s native repair and regenerative systems, providing a biochemistry and modern interpretation for the wisdom of the body. Her ideas were taken forward by many

others and there continues to be great interest in research studies in complementary medicine. Her vision was for a new medicine in which such practices would make a significant contribution to health, combined with or without traditional allopathic practice.

Candace went where the scientific evidence took her.”

In simple words, What Dr Pert found was that our feelings, habitual reactions, beliefs are embedded in our bodies, across our central nervous system, connective tissue, and fascia.

“In recent years some of the world’s leading biochemists, physiologists, systems theorists and consciousness researchers have turned their attention to this mysterious substance known as fascia. Often the terms connective tissue or soft tissue are used interchangeably for fascia but this is somewhat misleading as they would imply a fibre- or muscletype material when actually,

fascia is primarily a fluid gel.

To understand fascia, we have to understand a fourth state of matter in between solid and liquid and also the behaviour of liquid crystals.”

Understanding all of this would take books. I will list them as Ramadan continues. You can also begin your own research.

Mind

Tell yourself before falling asleep - “I intend to become aware of the most painful experiences of my life and where they are lodged in my body.” You’ll be amazed at how your brain will work to gather this information for you while you rest.

When you come to this awareness, do cardio excercise, namaz, meditation with full awareness directed toward those areas. Use your atomic mind and breath to release the pain from your heart and your body (subconscious mind). When you do namaz, don’t force physical alignment

that is painful. Know where you are physically and respect that, which will then enable circulation to flow across your muscles and central nervous system. Choose to eat well, especially during this cleansing period. Ramadan is the perfect time. Cut down on sugar, mucus inducing foods. I would say 100% but if you have a sweet tooth like my husband then start with cutting down to 80%. Sugarhigh foods, which includes rice, create excess mucus in the body which strengthen those painful fascia, “knots’ or "gristle" in our connective tissue. Cut down on salt to at least 90%. There is already a natural presence of salt in the foods you eat. Some salts are better than others, for example the pink Himalayan salt which reduces acidity of the body but does not have iodine (good for opening the pineal gland). Salt increases the inflammation of the tissue by holding onto water in your cells so that your already

painful parts become even more painful, namaz and meditation become even more difficult and Allah becomes palpable only at an intellectual level. But we want Allah in mind, body and soul!

Soul

From where does the energy for will power enter our hearts? For me it is music and dance. Qawaali.

Allah-hu. Allah-hu. Allah-hu.

Daler Mehndi has two powerful pieces in particular: 1. Allah-hu; 2.

Bismillah. Where do you get your additional strength?l

Become aware of your fascia

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Feature

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

17 strange characters one meets at Taraweeh

He’s the little kid who makes his mark all the way in the front row, but the chairmen and elders keep pushing him back till he’s in the fourth

n Jawad Mahruj Khan Every Ramadan, whether it be due to strict parents or self willingness, a large portion of the teenage population prays Taraweeh. I am a teen who falls in the former category. This special prayer, held before Isha and after Maghrib, consists of twenty rakaats. If one can ensure he prays all throughout the month, he or she will have finished the Holy Quran. All seriousness aside, here are some of the types of people that I’ve noticed throughout the years.

The Footballers Skinny kids, always showing up to Taraweeh in an Arsenal or Barcelona T-shirt. Most of them don’t seem too happy to be there.

The 8ers They leave after eight rakaats. If you have an adult with you, these are the kids you really envy.

The smart 8ers Leave after eight rakaats, and go to eat ice cream. They come back for the last two so that nobody checks or notices.

The 10ers Leave after 10 rakaats because all the “8ers” have gone so no one cares.

The ghost Attends the very first Taraweeh, disappears till Eid salah 30 days later. Reminds me of someone.

Okay now that I think about it, it’s probably myself.

The OCD uncle Patrols the back row and sends all the youngsters in to the next row, but doesn’t go himself.

Ruku warrior Goes into ruku during third rakaat of Witr. Oh boy, this guy is so ridiculed when he sees everyone else standing.

Clown Laughs at the guys who went into ruku during Witr. They tend to stand back up after sejdah on the last rakaat (oh the irony).

Marriage seeker Will ask you after every Taraweeh if you’ve found him a wife yet.

“Im a young musalle with a large fortune. However I am single and I wish to be settled in a family and perform my duties as a Muslim.”

Don’t fall for that and give him the number of an unmarried woman.

Trust me when I say this, because you will regret it.

Belcher Burps and knocks out row after row, rakaat after rakaat. Nobody knows what he has for iftar.

Screamer The alif in his aameen is longer than the entire Taraweeh. This guy has a very loud voice too.

Reverser Begins praying Taraweeh in the front row and keeps going back after every round. They finish Taraweeh in the last row for a swift exit. Smart.

Campers On the first Taraweeh, they come at Asr to put their prayer mats on specific spots beneath the fans; nobody dares to move it. Thats their position now for the entire month.

Young talent He’s the little kid who makes his mark all the way in the front row, but the chairmen and elders keep pushing him back till he’s in the fourth. Probably the most enthusiastic person in the mosque.

What a shame.

Headbutters Right after sejdah, something is bound to happen. You know where I’m going with this...brother

behind you gets a little too close and headbutts you in the backside.

This is motivation to finish the rest of your prayers, of course.

Mid-rakaat nappers The ones who do an extra long sejda but you just know deep inside they’re having a quick 30 second nap.

Chiropractor Always straightening the rows.

Surprisingly, when you look back after completing prayers, they aren’t there anymore. l

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20 Editorial

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

TODAY

Remembering the 1971 refugees It is very right to celebrate Bangladesh’s remarkable development successes and progress over the years but we must never forget the pain and suffering that was invested into the foundation of this beautiful country PAGE 21

A closer look at the new budget We need a research cell within the NBR and a synergy between the NBR and the academia for deep dive analysis of the country’s public finance PAGE 22

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Islamic scholars standing up to terror is a bold step forward

Yes or no, minister?

Whatever happens, the lesson here from the referendum for the rest of the world is about the inclusive power of democracy 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.

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he publication of the fatwa against militancy on Saturday should be applauded by all and considered a true landmark declaration in the fight against militancy.

For the longest time, the Islamic clerical community in Bangladesh has faced criticism both inside and outside the country for its inaction against the rampant extremist activities that have harmed the country so badly in recent times.

Foreign media in particular is quick to catch on to murders and other terrorist activities, invoking fear in people’s minds and tarnishing Bangladesh’s image to the world community.

However, this breakthrough initiative deserves just as much attention, as 100,000 muftis, ulema, and uluma from all across the country make a pledge to fight violent extremism and to try to stop others from sympathising with radicalist agendas.

The fatwa is a document consisting of some 30 volumes, and, with the support of so many formidable Islamic scholars, it carries tremendous weight.

It is hoped that the world won’t ignore that the fatwa -- which includes the signatures of some 10,000 women scholars -- unequivocally condemns terrorism and militancy, declaring it forbidden in Islam.

Atrocities committed in the name of religion misrepresent Islam to the world, and create all kinds of confusion and paranoia. Muslims have been asking whether Islamic leaders will stand up together and forcefully condemn the senseless violence that has been tearing the country apart. This fatwa answers that question without ambiguity -- true Muslims do not condone militancy or terrorism in any form.

It is hoped that the world won’t ignore the fatwa, which unequivocally condemns terrorism and militancy, declaring it forbidden in Islam

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Remembering the 1971 refugees We must work together to show more kindness to the displaced

n Julian Francis

T

oday, June 20, is World Refugee Day and the UNHCR gives us the following information: • There are currently 59.5 million forcibly displaced people around the world, and of these, 20 million are refugees and 10 million are stateless • An average of 42,500 people a day flee their homes to find safer places either in their own country or beyond their country’s borders • More than 10 million Syrians are currently displaced -- about 45% of the population • The world’s largest refugee camp is in Dadaab, Kenya with more than 329,000 people • Of the 20 million refugees worldwide, 51% are under the age of 18. This is the highest number of child refugees since World War II The facts and figures above paint a very grim picture of the world today and remind me of the very painful birth of Bangladesh, details of which many around the world, and even in Bangladesh, have either forgotten or never learned.

In 1971, 10 million Bangladeshis fled to India as refugees and an estimated 20 million were internally displaced in Bangladesh -- about 40% of the population.

Some days we saw over 50,000 Bangladeshis a day cross the many border crossings to India. 20,000 or 30,000 a day was normal.

The largest refugee camp in 1971 was Salt Lake, Calcutta which had about 250,000 people. When I remember the work that OXFAM undertook in 1971, I remember the faces of the children suffering severe malnutrition the most.

In April 1971, I was in some muddy refugee camp, wondering how the OXFAM assistance could make them a bit more comfortable and how the children could get better food and have a chance to learn and play. It was a daunting task to say the least.

At the time -- the end of April 1971 -- the world had not understood the enormity of the refugee problem and even the head offices of the UN and international NGOs like OXFAM were finding it hard to accept the reports that were coming to their offices from Calcutta. In the field, we were witnessing death and disease on a scale that was unimaginable.

I still have nightmares about the deaths of children in the refugee camps in India. I still remember

Millions crossed the border during our Independence War to escape

BIGSTOCK

It is very right to celebrate Bangladesh’s remarkable development successes and progress over the years but we must never forget the pain and suffering that was invested into the foundation of this beautiful country

as though it was yesterday the wounds of men who had managed to arrive to safety after being attacked by machetes by the collaborators of the Pakistani authorities. Some of the wounds had become septic during their painful journeys.

Sometimes, in my nightmares, I see the body of a dead child lying in the rain, its arms and legs gnawed off by dogs, its eyes pecked out by crows. I will never forget the babies with their skin hanging loosely in folds from their tiny bones, lacking the strength even to lift their heads.

The children with legs and feet swollen with edema and malnutrition limp in the arms of their mothers. Babies going blind for a lack of vitamin, or covered

with sores that will not heal.

Seeing in the eyes of their parents the despair, wondering if they will ever have their children well again. Seeing the corpse of the child who died the night before.

It was only when cholera swept through the camps towards Calcutta that the conscience of the world was alerted, but even this killer came and went. It left behind what was there before, suffering and despair -- no homes, little or no food, insufficient medical supplies, and, worst of all, no hope.

It is very right to celebrate Bangladesh’s remarkable development successes and progress over the years, but we must never forget the pain and suffering that was

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21

Opinion

invested into the foundation of this beautiful country. I will never forget. My recurring nightmares will not allow me to do so.

Remembering the birth of Bangladesh should help us to redouble our efforts to see that the world shows more kindness to all the refugees being displaced and to see that the politicians work more seriously and concertedly to overcome all these problems which create the movement of people as refugees. l Julian Francis received the “Friends of Liberation War Honour” from the Government of Bangladesh in March, 2012. He has worked in many poverty alleviation projects in Bangladesh where he continues to live and work as an independent consultant.

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22

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Long Form

A closer look at the new budget How do VAT and customs duty fare in the new budget? This is the concluding part of a two-part long form

Moving forward, NBR earnings can be increased without the need for any kind of revolution

n Mamun Rashid

I

ncome from VAT has been identified as the highest source of revenue for the NBR. The revenue target for VAT in the proposed budget has been fixed at Tk72,764 crore, some 35% higher than the revised VAT target for Tk53,913cr in the outgoing fiscal.

It is unfortunate that the new VAT and SD Act 2012 could not be introduced. The business community reportedly could not be convinced with this.

The government should take immediate steps to remove the disconnects so that it can be implemented smoothly in coming year.

Though the new VAT and SD Act has not come to effect, the government has tried to increase the existing truncated VAT rate to around the standard rate of 15% and removed various exemption facilities which will affect the concerned business areas.

Due to widespread dispute on the high rate of 15%, the government could introduce a lesser rate of 5% or 10% considering the practical aspects of businesses.

Again, to remove the ambiguity of the exemption of “any supply or import of prescribed basic food items for human consumption” should be cleared and a detailed list should be published immediately.

A “package VAT” system for small traders has remained in the proposed budget but the rate of tax has been increased substantially. The tariff value to determine VAT on some products

BIGSTOCK

We don’t want to see fiscal measures being initiated haphazardly, mostly at the fag end and lacking proper ‘homework.’ We therefore need a research cell within NBR and a synergy between NBR and the academia for deep dive analysis of the country’s public finance has been increased.

A supplementary duty is usually imposed on products which are socially undesirable. Bearing that in mind, the government has increased supplementary duty of cigarettes containing tobacco, bidi with filter and without filter, jorda, gul, and cultural and entertainment events in collaboration with foreign artists unless the program is covered under a bilateral agreement.

The government has made certain provisions regarding indirect tax, which will definitely reduce the stress on tax-payers.

The mandatory requirement of obtaining prior approval of price from the VAT authority before sale of such goods has been withdrawn, though the price declaration still requires to be filed. VAT officials cannot arbitrarily disallow input tax credit without granting an opportunity for hearing out the VAT-registered dealers.

There will be no limit on discount rate and days, which used to be 15% and for a maximum of 30 days a year. Furthermore, the time limit for disposal of all disputes under ADR has also been reduced from 60 days to 50.

Manufacturers located within the jurisdiction of Dhaka South, Dhaka North, and Chittagong City

Corporation areas will be required to obtain VAT registration, irrespective of turnover limit, and liable to discharge VAT. Maintenance of electronic cash register (ECR) and Point of Sale (POS) is mandatory for businesses and trading houses located across the country.

The government has also introduced a very new concept of a centralised registration of business entities or its group entities under single ownership. However, detailed guidelines are expected to be issued to clear the ambiguity on the procedures.

Various services provided in a PPP project are exempt from payment of VAT to boost up the infrastructural and industrial development. However, the most counter-productive provision for tax-payers is that, to file an appeal against any dispute under VAT and Customs before the Commissioner (Appeal) and Appellate Tribunal, the pre-deposit amount has been increased from 10% to 50% of the disputed demand of tax or fine.

This will impact the cash flow of businesses as a larger cash outlay will be required to appeal.

Customs duty

The revised revenue collection estimate from customs duty during the ongoing fiscal is

Tk25,064cr, which has been increased to Tk30,075cr in the next fiscal with a 20% increase.

The government has introduced a new tier of 15% for intermediate raw material with existing duty structure of 1%, 5%, 10%, and 25%.

To boost the agriculture industry, manufacturers of agriculture machinery are granted an exemption from payment of customs duty in excess of 1% (effective customs duty) and full exemption on all other import duties such as regulatory duty, supplementary duty, and VAT on import of various equipment and spares used in the manufacture of such machineries.

Furthermore, customs duty on the import of rice, rapeseed, and soy cake has been increased to protect the interests of local farmers. Several concessions have been granted in import duties on equipment used in the manufacturing and services sector, namely fire-fighting, prefabricated buildings, construction, gas and electricity, IT, and chemicals.

Businessmen will find the proposal of the amendment of the “customs valuation rules” helpful to fix the minimum value of importable essentials and consumable and commercial goods based on which customs

duty would be ascertained.

The underlying tone of the fiscal measures in the proposed budget is that of increasing the earning base. However, we would have been much happier to see the administration finding out more “opportunity space” to impose taxes and innovative ways of tax collection.

The other aspect we liked most is the effort to make mainstream the shadow economy and reduce cash transactions in our society.

We don’t mind people not paying taxes for the time being, but if we can increase the number of TINs now, collections will follow.

Studies show that more than 12 million people in our country are able to pay taxes, whereas the present figure is not even one-tenth of that. A proposal for special cells within the NBR to address transfer mispricing, taxation of foreign nationals, and combating money-laundering should be made operational effectively.

We are also agreeable to the proposal that tax incidence should be kept at a minimum for people earning in the lower brackets.

At the same time, we don’t want to see fiscal measures being initiated haphazardly, mostly at the fag end and lacking proper “homework.” We therefore need a research cell within the NBR and a synergy between the NBR and the academia for a deep dive analysis of the country’s public finance.

The NBR and even non NBR-related earnings can easily be doubled, if not tripled, without asking for some sort of revolution. l Mamun Rashid is an economic analyst.

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23

Opinion

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Yes or no, minister?

The Brexit debate is an excellent example of a working democracy

n Towheed Feroze

B

ritain is poised to take a momentous decision -- stay in the EU or go out. In fact, if we look at history, the relationship between Britain and Europe had always been a strained one. Yes, there were vociferous Europhiles but Euro-skeptics had always made their voices heard.

The other day, while watching the 80s TV political drama Yes, Minister, it was evident that the mistrust of Europe stretches quite far back.

In the episode “Party Games,” actor Paul Eddington, playing the role of Jim Hacker, minister for administrative affairs (not the brightest of politicians) and guided by the shrewd civil servant Sir Humphrey (Nigel Hawthorne), suddenly finds himself in a situation where the path to him becoming PM is deliberately created in the event of a voluntary retirement of the standing premier.

But Hacker has to also show the public that, despite looking after abstruse administrative complexities, he is also a true Brit and, therefore, has a row with the Europeans over the sanctity of the British sausage.

The union wants a uniformed standard for all sausages while Hacker wants to save the British one, which, as the episode obliquely suggests, has less meat.

Anyway, the point here is clear, to come to the limelight as a person capable of becoming the PM, Hacker has to show his resolute stance to save what is termed quintessentially “British.”

So, he gets a rousing reaction when he denounces, what he calls, a bureaucratic Bonaparte in Brussels and champions the greatness of the Brit sausage, eventually riding the public support to Number 10 and the role of the PM. In the impassioned speech, he also underlines how small British businesses had to close down as a result of Britain entering the EU. All throughout the series, there are countless pejorative references to Britain’s often subdued role in the union and, once again, in Yes, Prime Minister, the wrangling is resuscitated over how the Euro tunnel trains should be operated and which should be the language of preference.

It seems that a large section of people had always wanted to remain separate.

The other day, someone was asking me to guess what the

When it comes to democracy, Bangladesh stands to learn a thing or two from Britain people might vote, “stay in” or “go out”? Well, for some reason, I feel the votes will be for the latter. Of course, I may be proved wrong, but from what the news channels show us, most people who are not within the power structure seem to favour moving out.

What repercussions will that have? Well, there have been a plethora of articles on how overall trade will be hit with grave consequences in a time of economic austerity. However, going out and being independent may inspire Britain to become a bit more adventurous.

With the people I have talked to, there seems to be an inherent desire to face a set of unknown challenges -- notice that glint of thrill emanating from the possibility of facing it all alone.

Whatever happens, the lesson here from the referendum for the rest of the world is about the inclusive power of democracy.

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

There seems to be an inherent desire to face a set of unknown challenges. Whatever happens, the lesson here from the referendum for the rest of the world is about the inclusive power of democracy

What we can learn is the process by which the people are given the right to express their opinion by which the government will inevitably act. We saw this in the issue of deciding whether Scotland wants to stay with Great Britain or not and in less than two years, we are seeing it for the European question.

In many other countries, including Bangladesh, this system of permitting the people to decide on pivotal matters needs to be replicated. Alas, I cannot remember any occasion when the

people were asked to decide on a contentious matter.

There was a huge political kerfuffle over the scrapping of the provision of the caretaker government, though the common people, the actual voters, had very little say in it. Maybe we could have been a better democracy had we asked the opinion of the masses before striking out this option.

Going back to the lessons from a TV drama that aired more than 30 years ago, it appears that much of the issues presented in the

series continue to have resonance in a completely different age.

Both the actors, Eddington and Hawthorne, are dead, yet the political wrangling involving the uneasy relation with the EU is very much the talking point now.

I have very little idea as to how either move will impact Bangladesh but, I must say, I do love this transparent approach of permitting the people to voice their wishes. l Towheed Feroze is a journalist currently working in the development sector.

DT

24 Sport

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Abahani in Fed Cup last four

TOP STORIES

n Tribune Report Portugal agonises after Ronaldo miss Real Madrid starlet Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty against Austria and became the target in his native Portugal as the country now fears a Euro 2016 failure. The superstar’s shot crashed against the post. PAGE 26

Hodgson mulls striker options England take on Slovakia in the key battle for first place in Group B with Roy Hodgson mulling over which of his strikers to deploy.

Vardy and Sturridge proved their form by coming off the bench to dig England out of trouble. PAGE 27

Messi equals Batigoal record Argentina and Chile advanced to the semi-finals of the Copa America with Chile beating Mexico 7-0 and Lionel Messi getting a goal in Argentina’s 4-1 win over Venezuela to equal his country’s all-time scoring record. PAGE 28

Hathurusingha retained till 2019 WC Bangladesh Cricket Board has extended national head coach Chandika Hathurusingha’s contract by three years.

Hathurisingha, whose current contract will end this month, will continue to guide the Tigers till the 2019 World Cup. PAGE 29

Brothers Union’s Haitian forward Augustin Walson (L) comes under pressure from the Abahani Limited defenders during their Federation Cup quarter-final at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Abahani’s batting up against Rupganj’s unity n Mazhar Uddin Legends of Rupganj have faced all the obstacles on their way to the top of the Dhaka Premier League while Abahani Limited have the name, luxury and power. The season’s most important battle between these two sides will take place at the BKSP-3 ground today.

Rupganj have 20 points from 14 games while Abahani are two points behind from 13 games as their incomplete match against Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club is under investigation by a four-member committee formed by the BCB. This extra game in hand is considered as Abahani’s advantage but Rupganj’s fate will be in their hands. Both sides however have been clinical in the Super League stage.

Abahani’s top three batsmen will give them most confidence with Liton Das’s return to form with the hundred against Mohammedan Sporting Club. Their middle-order has shown the abil-

ity to thrash any bowling attack with Shakib al Hasan, Dinesh Karthik and Mosaddek Hossain at the helm.

Their bowling department hasn’t had a great time in this league. They will also bank on Shakib but the likes of Taskin Ahmed and Saqlain Sajib have to be in their best form against a Rupganj batting line-up that has always been good at getting big scores.

TODAY’S MATCHES Abahani v Rupganj, Savar Mohammedan v Prime Bank, Mirpur Victoria v Doleshwar, Fatullah

SUPER LEAGUE Teams

M

W

L

Rupganj

14

9

3

1

1

20

Abahani

13

9

4

0

0

18

Victoria

14

8

5

1

0

17

Doleshwar 13

8

5

0

0

16

Prime Bank 14

7

7

0

0

14

MSC

7

7

0

0

14

14

T NR Pts

Rupganj have one of the more balanced sides in this year’s competition. Mohammad Mithun is their top run-scorer with 519 runs along with Asif Ahmed and Indian recruit Pawan Negi delivering when it requires.

Captain Mosharraf Hossain has bowled well while also adding the extra punch to their batting line-up. They would also hope to see Soumya Sarkar bat like he did against Abahani in their first phase game in Mirpur which was incidentally his best knock of the tournament thus far.

Left arm pacer Abu Haider Rony will take care of the fast bowling department as he has been doing with great effect picking 15 wickets while left arm spinners Taijul Islam, Mosharraf and Negi along with Asif can really tighten things up with the ball.

There would be hope for less controversy and more excitement in this game but given how the league has panned out, expect the unexpected in both sides of the rope. l

Abahani Limited progressed to the semifinals of the Federation Cup after staging a brilliant comeback to beat Brothers Union 2-1 in the third quarter-final at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

In-form Haitian forward Augustin Walson gave Brothers the lead in the opening half before substitute midfielder Jewel Rana and Nigerian striker Sunday Chizoba netted in the last half hour to ensure a place in the last four.

The Sky Blues, who also reached the final of the season opening Independence Cup in April this year, will now take on Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra in the second semi-final this Friday.

George Kottan’s charges began the game brightly, creating two chances within the quarter-hour mark following which the Gopibagh outfit showed dominance throughout the remainder of the opening half. And it was Walson who was at the hub of most of Brothers’ attacks.

The Sky Blues went close to scoring with just two minutes into the clock when Nabib Newaj Jibon’s header from a Lee Andrew Tuck free-

RESULT Abahani Jewel 69 Chizoba 81

2-1

Brothers Walson 36

kick was punched away to safety by Brothers goalkeeper Uttam Barua.

Tuck then squandered a glorious chance in the 15th minute when the English midfielder shot straight towards Uttam, despite being in a one-on-one situation. In the 24th minute, Walson collected a clearance from Abahani custodian Shahidul Alam Sohel but his shot was blocked by Waly Faisal. Walson tried his luck again on the rebound but this time, the shot went wide.

Walson created another great chance at the half hour mark when he provided a brilliant cross from the left flank into the centre of the six-yard box. Mannaf Rabby though was a bit late in meeting the cross.

Walson finally broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, exhibiting great skill to fire home a volley after Nigerian Nkwocha Kingsley chested down a Shofiqul Islam Shofi cross.

Abahani went all-out for the equaliser after resumption as Tuck threatened the opposition defence on quite a few occasions. But it was Jewel Rana who provided the Sky Blues the breakthrough in the 69th minute.

Sunday then scored a disputed yet deserved winner in the 81st minute.l

25

DT

Sport

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Hathurusingha retained till 2019 World Cup n Minhaz Uddin Khan Bangladesh Cricket Board has extended national head coach Chandika Hathurusingha’s contract by three years. Hathurisingha, whose current contract will end this month, will continue to guide the Tigers till the 2019 World Cup. The decision was approved in the BCB’s board meeting yesterday.

The same extension was made with the other national team staffs – assistant and spin bowling coach Ruwan Kalpage, fielding

coach Richard Halsall and fitness and conditioning coach Mario Villavarayan.

The board also officially named Hathurusingha as a part of the new two-layer national selection process. Hathurusingha will now be a part of the six-member selection committee which also has BCB’s cricket operations committee chairman Akram Khan and national team manager Khaled Mahmud.

The board also made a change in the three-member selection panel.

Former Bangladesh batsman and

junior level selector Sajjad Ahmed has been named in the national selection panel in place of former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar. Bashar will now select only the women’s cricket team. Meanwhile, former Bangladesh players Hannan Sarkar and Hasibul Hossain have also been made junior selectors.

The BCB president Nazmul Hasan, explaining the board’s unique selection process, said, “We have legalised the current process.

The cricket operations committee

A scene from yesterday’s board meeting of the Bangladesh Cricket Board in Mirpur

Shuvo returns home n Tribune Report

Victoria Sporting Club all-rounder Suhrawadi Shuvo yesterday returned home from hospital after being kept under observation for 24 hours.

According to his family, Shuvo is out of danger at the moment and the doctors instructed him to return home. However, the 27-year old will have to go through a checkup after seven days.

Shuvo was struck on the lower side of his neck off a Taskin Ahmed bouncer during the Dhaka Premier League’s Super League tie against Abahani Limited in Mirpur last Saturday.

He was immediately rushed to

the Apollo Hospital and according to the BCB’s chief physician Dr Debashish Chowdhury, there were no major damages seen on the MRI and CT scan report.

Shuvo was not wearing a helmet which complies with the recently improved safety standards and was batting on 21 in the 25th over when he was floored by the bouncer. Following the incident, the Abahani players rushed towards Shuvo. The cricketer underwent four instant tests, where he passed three of them.

Shuvo played 17 ODIs, picking up 14 wickets, and also played a Test match against the West Indies back in 2011. He was also the member of Bangladesh’s 2011 World Cup squad.l

BCB

chairman will call the meeting with the selectors, coach and manager.

The coach will give his strategic input, if he has any. The manager will give his and the captains’ input.”

The board also formed the bowling action review committee. Jalal Younus will head the committee alongside Dipu Roy Chowdhury, Omar Khaled Rumi and Golam Faruq Suru. The committee in the upcoming days will appoint technical personnel, when required.

Meanwhile, contrary to recent

reports, the board had no discussions regarding the two-tier Test system, stating that it will be premature. According to media reports, the BCB was likely to discuss the two-tier Test system, one of the latest likely developments in world cricket.

“I stopped the CEO (Nizamuddin Chowdhury) when he was giving a presentation on the two-tier system because the discussion itself is now at a pre-emptive stage.

It was only discussed at the CEC level in the ICC,” he said.l

n Minhaz Uddin Khan

the bottom of what happened in that game,” said BCB chief Nazmul following the board meeting yesterday.

The board also discussed the payment issue in the Dhaka league.

The defaulting clubs who haven’t paid the players according to the regulations have been given 72 hours. Within this time, the clubs have been ordered to complete 60 percent payment which was due to the players by the end of the league’s first phase.

“If they don’t pay within this time, the board will pay the amount from their coffers. In that case, the board will take stern action against the clubs,” said Nazmul.

The BCB boss also informed that the board will take severe legal action against the Bangladesh Premier League franchise Sylhet Superstars after their bank guarantee couldn’t be cashed.

“They owe us and the players around Tk three-four crore. We condemn this and will take legal measures,” said Nazmul.

Meanwhile, the BCB has decided to hold the fourth edition of the BPL Twenty20 from November 6.l

Committee formed for Abahani-Doleshwar game Bangladesh Cricket Board during a meeting yesterday formed a four-member committee to investigate the issues surrounding the Dhaka Premier League’s Super League tie between Abahani Limited and Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club. The high-voltage tie was stopped half-way as the umpires cited “illness” and were unable to officiate the match till the end.

The BCB’s disciplinary committee chairman Sheikh Sohel, technical committee member Athar Ali Khan, match referee Raqibul Hasan and umpires committee chairman Nazmul Karim have been named in the committee. According to the BCB president Nazmul Hasan, the committee will have to submit a report within 72 hours following interviews with the umpires, players and a few others related to the game. It is understood that the incomplete game between Abahani and Doleshwar is likely to take place this Friday.

“Such an incident should not have happened but we will get to

Two Indian nationals arrested for rape in Zimbabwe n AFP, Harare Two Indian nationals have been arrested in Harare after being accused of rape, but reports that they are members of the Indian cricket team are incorrect, officials in Zimbabwe confirmed yesterday.

An article in a Zimbabwean publication claimed that an Indian player involved in the ongoing cricket tour to Zimbabwe had been picked up by police following an allegation made by a Zimbabwean woman.

However security officials look-

ing after the team said none of the players had been involved, which was confirmed by a Zimbabwean police spokesperson and the Indian Foreign Office.

“None of the players were involved in the matter,” a security official assisting the Indian team told AFP. The misleading reports appear to have stemmed from the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s lack of familiarity with the Indian team.

One of the two men arrested was part of an Indian company that is contracted by Zimbabwe Cricket

to engage with sponsors during incoming tours, and was in the country for the current series.

The two men appeared in court on Friday and were held in custody over the weekend. They are expected to apply for bail in the High Court today.

A young and inexperienced Indian side whitewashed Zimbabwe 3-0 in a one-day series, but were shocked by two runs in the first Twenty20 international on Saturday.

The final two Twenty20 games of the tour will take place today and Wednesday.l

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26

Sport

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Wilmots delighted with Belgium win n AFP, Bordeaux

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo misses from the penalty spot against Austria during their Group F match at Parc des Princes, Paris on Saturday

REUTERS

Portugal agonises after Ronaldo’s penalty miss n AFP, Paris Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty and became the target in his native Portugal as the country now fears a Euro 2016 failure.

The superstar’s shot crashed against a post, holding the prolific scorer up in his bid to become the first player to score at four European Championship finals. A second group draw means Portugal could struggle to qualify for the last 16.

“Missed” headlined Portugal’s sports daily Record. “No one misses as much as we do,” said the rival A Bola. “Waste: Ronaldo can’t even

n AFP, Toulouse

V WALES

Stadium Municipal, Toulouse 8pm local time (1am BST) * Bangladesh standard time

HEAD-TO-HEAD RUSSIA

29 9 5 1 3 12 5

WALES Fifa ranking Matches Wins Losses Draws Goals scored Goals against

cause this wasn’t the way I wanted to break this record. The most beautiful way would have been …,” he added shaking his head.

“Obviously it wasn’t something we wanted,” he said of the result.

“We had a lot of chances and we did well, but we weren’t able to finish.

GROUP F Team

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

Hungary

2

1

1

0

2

4

Iceland

2

0

2

0

0

2

Portugal

2

0

2

0

0

2

Austria

2

0

1

1

-2

1

“I also missed some chances - a penalty and some other chances.

But that’s part of football. We need to continue to believe.”

The 0-0 draw at the Parc des Princes leaves Hungary as the surprise Group F leaders with a game to play. Austria must win their final match to avoid going home.

Portugal sought the reasons for their disappointing performances despite having such talented players. At the end of the match, Ronaldo made a fan who ran onto the pitch happy by allowing him to take a selfie before the man was bundled away by security guards.l

‘Wales ready to qualify for last 16’

GROUP B

RUSSIA

score a penalty,” was the headline in the popular Correio da Manha.

Ronaldo still set one new record, making his 128th appearance for Portugal on Saturday to overtake Luis Figo. But the Real Madrid superstar will have bitter memories of the night after missing the 79th-minute spot kick.

Austrian goalkeeper Robert Almer went the wrong way, but Ronaldo’s shot came off the post.

“Obviously it was a goal to be the most capped international player, and also to be the national team’s top scorer,” Ronaldo said.

“But obviously I’m a bit sad, be-

26 9 1 5 3 5 12

Gareth Bale said Wales’ Euro 2016 fate is in their own hands as they look to qualify for the last 16 in a potentially high-risk match against Russia in Toulouse.

Real Madrid forward Bale has been inspirational in Wales’ European Championship debut, hitting the net in a 2-1 win over Slovakia and again in the 2-1 defeat to England in Lens.

Wales lie second in Group B, one point behind leaders England but firmly in contention for a historic place in the last 16. A win in Toulouse, where security is set to be tight following shocking scenes of fan violence between England and Russia supporters in Marseille last week, would see Wales guarantee direct qualification - although even

defeat could see Wales go through as one of the four best third-placed group finishers.

Bale, who scored trademark free kicks against Slovakia and England to sit among the tournament’s top scorers after two games, admitted defeat to England through Daniel Sturridge’s injury-time goal was hard to digest. But the 26-year-old said Wales’ “close group” of players are in high spirits and ready to keep their dream alive.

“Obviously after the (England) game we were very disappointed, especially to lose in that manner,” Bale said Saturday.

“But we have to forget about it. It’s over. Our fate is in our own hands, and if you’d given us this at the start of the tournament we would have taken it.

“We’re so excited for our last

game. Everything’s to play for, the nation’s behind us, as normal, and we will be looking forward to it.

We’ll try to embrace the occasion and qualify.”

With only one point to their name, following Vasili Berezutski’s last-gasp equaliser against England, Leonid Slutsky’s embattled Russia would be forgiven for wishing their tournament was over following a crushing 2-1 defeat to Slovakia.

It has left them bottom of the table and needing to beat Wales to have any chance of adding some optimism to their campaign after what has been a controversial week for the team and its supporters.

Yet their campaign was compounded even before they kicked a ball in anger in Marseille, as Russian ultras attacked England fans in the port city hours before kick-off.l

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots was delighted with his side’s 3-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland at Euro 2016 on Saturday as they bounced back from their opening loss to Italy.

Widely criticised after losing 2-0 to the Italians in Lyon in their Group E opener, two goals by Romelu Lukaku and one from Axel Witsel saw Belgium hit back.

“It was a totally different context. Ireland adapted their way of playing to try to counter us, so we chose to keep the ball on the ground and develop a rhythm with lots of short passes,” Wilmots said.

“We managed to get in behind them and create spaces thanks to our technical players.”

Wilmots added: “I think the strategy was the good one but it was the players who did it and should be congratulated, but we have nothing yet, we have not qualified. We still have to play Sweden. It seemed at one point that we weren’t getting the breaks but the players kept going.”

Wilmots was hopeful the injury that forced midfielder Moussa Dembele to go off in the second half was not serious.

Belgium face Sweden in their last Group E game in Nice next Wednesday needing a point to qualify for the last 16 behind Italy. l

GROUP E Team

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

Italy

2

2

0

0

3

6

Belgium

2

1

0

1

1

3

Sweden

2

0

1

1

-1

1

Rep. Ireland2

0

1

1

-3

1

27

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Sport

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

QUICK BYTES McIlroy misses US Open cut A shocking back-nine implosion sent Rory McIlroy reeling out of the US Open on Saturday, the world number three missing the cut at a major for the first time since the 2013 British Open. The Northern Ireland star, who won the US Open in 2011, was charging early in the second round with four birdies in his first seven holes.

–AFP

Osasuna promoted to La Liga Pamplona club Osasuna will return to La Liga next season after two years in the second division after winning Saturday’s return leg playoff at Girona 1-0. A Kenan Kodro goal on 48 minutes ensured victory on the night following a 2-1 first-leg success at home. Osasuna join Alaves and Leganes in the top flight next season.

–AFP

Eranga banned for illegal action Hospitalised Sri Lanka paceman Shaminda Eranga has been banned from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect because of an illegal action, the International Cricket Council announced yesterday. The ICC’s statement came just hours after Eranga had been taken to a Dublin hospital to undergo tests on an elevated heartbeat after he fell ill during Sri Lanka’s 136-run win over Ireland in the second ODI at Malahide on Saturday.

–AFP

DAY’S WATCH CRICKET TEN 2

England’s players attend a training session at the Bourgogne stadium in Chantilly, near Paris yesterday

Hodgson mulls striker options n AFP, Saint-Étienne England take on Slovakia today in the key battle for first place in Group B at Euro 2016 with Roy Hodgson mulling over which of his strikers to deploy.

Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge proved their form by coming off the bench to dig England out of trouble in their 2-1 win over Wales in Lens. England manager Hodgson has an embarrassment of riches up front, but Harry Kane, who started in the 1-1 draw against Russia and win over Wales, has struggled to make an impact in France.

Vardy’s equaliser against Wales cancelled out Gareth Bale’s thunderbolt free-kick before Sturridge broke Welsh hearts with the late winner.

Leicester City’s Vardy says he would be content with another cameo off the bench in SaintEtienne having come on after the break against the Welsh.

“I’d more than happy with that.

We’ll have to wait till Monday what team the boss puts out and hopefully we can get the job done,” said Vardy.

“I think it is tough for him, but competition for places is good for the squad itself. And with the options we have got available, we can use different systems as well.”

Kane’s lack of form in France has been attributed to his efforts for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League title race. The Spurs man has played 5,092 minutes of football in the past year, compared with 3,707 for Vardy and 1,812 for Sturridge.

5:00PM 2nd T20I

FOOTBALL SONY SIX

Kane has scored two goals in his last seven for club and country, Sturridge has three in six and Vardy has four in five. But Vardy is backing his rival to prove his form on the Euro 2016 stage.

History favours the Three Lions who have won all of their three previous meetings, but Martin Skrtel’s Slovakia are eyeing an upset.

The Slovakia captain could well face his Liverpol team-mate Sturridge at Saint-Etienne’s Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

One man does not make a team, but Napoli attacking midfielder Marek Hamsik is the lynchpin in Slovakia’s attack. There is so much hype around Hamsik back home that Slovakian newspaper Novy Cas insists he is better than Portugal’s superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.l

n AFP, Malahide

1:00AM Euro Cup 2016 Slovakia v England

SONY ESPN 1:00AM Euro Cup 2016 Russia v Wales

BASKETBALL SONY SIX 6:00AM NBA season: Game 7 Cavaliers

GROUP B

V SLOVAKIA

ENGLAND

Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint Etienne, 8pm local time (1am BST) * Bangladesh standard time

HEAD-TO-HEAD SLOVAKIA

24 3 0 3 0 2 8

ENGLAND Fifa ranking Matches Wins Losses Draws Goals scored Goals against

11 3 3 0 0 8 2

Mathews tells Sri Lanka to up their game against England

India Tour of Zimbabwe

Golden State Warriors v Cleveland

AFP

Seekuge Prasanna of Sri Lanka hits a sixer off a delivery from Ireland’s Boyd Rankin during their second ODI CRICINFO

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said his side will have to be at their best to beat England in the five-match one-day international series which starts tomorrow.

Mathews was speaking after overseeing a 2-0 ODI series victory over Ireland in Malahide after the second match was won by an emphatic 136-run margin on Saturday.

Opening batsman Kusal Perera made a century to build the platform for his side’s huge total of 377 for 8.

“We still can improve a lot in all departments. It was a pretty convincing victory today, but we need to be at our best to beat England,” said Mathews.

2ND ODI SRI LANKA 377/8 (K Perera 135, Prasanna 95, Gunathilaka 63) beat IRELAND 241 (McBrine 79, Lakmal 4/38, Prasanna 2/32) by 136 runs Saturday’s win was set up by dynamic top-order batting, and Mathews said: “Perera and Danuska Gunathilaka had a brilliant opening partnership (147) and after that solid foundation it was a tactical decision to bring in the pinch-hitter and take the game forward.” Seekkugge Prasanna came in a three to pinch-hit in explosive style, bludgeoning nine sixes and five fours to leave his previous best ODI score of 42 far behind with 95 from just 46 balls.l

DT

28

Sport

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

TOP GOALSCORERS FOR ARGENTINA

54

goals GABRIEL BATISTUTA 1991–2002 78 matches

54 goals

LIONEL MESSI

2005–present 111 matches

35 goals

HERNÁN CRESPO 1995–2007 64 matches

34 goals

DIEGO MARADONA 1977–1994 91 matches

33

goals SERGIO AGÜERO 2006–present 76 matches

Argentina's Lionel Messi scores a goal past Venezuela defender Oswaldo Vizcarrondo during their Copa America quarter-final at Gillette Stadium on Saturday

Messi equals Batigoal record as Argentina, Chile advance n Reuters Argentina and Chile advanced to the semi-finals of the Copa America on Saturday with Chile beating Mexico 7-0 and Lionel Messi getting a goal in Argentina’s 4-1 win over Venezuela to equal his country’s all-time scoring record.

Messi scored in the 60th minute to take his career tally for Argentina to 54 goals, matching the record held by Gabriel Batistuta.

“I am happy to have equalled Batistuta’s record but my head is focused on lifting the Copa America,” said the five-time World Player

of the Year.

“We are doing things right, we are growing and we need to keep down that same road.”

Argentina will now face the United States in the first semi-final tomorrow in Houston.

Reigning champions Chile joined them in the last four after a 7-0 demolition of Mexico in Santa Clara.

Hoffenheim striker Eduardo Vargas scored four goals to help them set up a semi-final date with Colombia on Wednesday.

Messi won the Man-of-theMatch award in an action-packed

game against underdogs Venezuela in Foxborough.

Argentina got off to the perfect start after just seven minutes when Gonzalo Higuain dived to turn a delicate cross from Messi past goalkeeper Dani Hernandez.

The in-form Napoli striker doubled the lead 20 minutes later when he latched on to a slack back pass to round the goalkeeper and slot the ball into the empty net.

Salomon Rondon twice came close for Venezuela and his side should have pulled a goal back two minutes from half time after Sergio Romero brought down Josef Mar-

tinez in the box.

However, the Manchester United goalkeeper redeemed himself when he stood firm and Seijas’ carelessly dinked penalty sailed right into his arms.

Messi, who started for the first time in the tournament after three substitute appearances, put Argentina 3-0 ahead when he worked a lovely one-two with Nicolas Gaitan and then poked the ball under Hernandez with his left foot.

Chile were unstoppable in the other quarter-final in Santa Clara as they hammered a surprisingly fragile Mexico.

AP

Edson Puch got his first international goal after 15 minutes when he fired home after keeper Guillermo Ochoa could only parry a longrange shot.

Vargas got a second just before half time when he was first to pounce on a cross ball.l

RESULTS Mexico

0-7

Chile

Puch 16, 88, Sanchez 49 Vargas 44, 52, 57, 74

Argentina

4-1

Higuain 8, 28, Messi 60, Lamela 71

Venezuela Rondon 70

Federer beaten by teenager Zverev n Reuters

Alexander Zverev of Germany returns the ball to Roger Federer of Switzerland (unseen) during their ATP tour tennis match in Halle on Saturday AFP

Roger Federer’s bid to win a ninth Halle Open title was ended in the semi-final on Saturday by teenage German Alexander Zverev, who earned the biggest scalp of his fledgling career in beating the 17-time grand slam champion 7-6(4) 5-7 6-3.

Holder Federer, on the comeback trail after back problems, was looking to reach the final of his traditional pre-Wimbledon tune-up in Germany for an unprecedented 11th time, but found the big-serving 19-year-old home favourite too formidable.

The Swiss world number three

had not lost to a teenager for nearly 10 years since Andy Murray beat him in Cincinnati in 2006, which highlights Zverev’s considerable potential.

Yet the defeat means the 34-year-old Federer will be going into Wimbledon, seeking his eighth title, in the rare position of not having won a tournament this season.

“I feel pretty good. It’s unbelievable to get a win against Roger, especially on grass,” Zverev said.

He now has Halle’s second all-German final to look forward to yesterday against Florian Mayer, a surprise 6-3 6-4 winner over another young gun, Austrian third seed

Dominic Thiem.

“It’s nice with that kind of match going into Wimbledon and obviously into the final here as well,” said Zverev. “Don’t forget that that final is a very big match for me as well.”

World number 38 Zverev, who lost to Federer in their only previous meeting in May, dropped just four points on serve in the 39-minute opening set, blasting 14 winners as he took the tiebreak 7-4.

Federer earned a break of serve at 5-5 with a beautiful dropshot in the second set to restore parity but Zverev responded strongly to dethrone the reigning Halle champion.l

29

DT

Sport

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

ICC draws up proposals for major ODI revamp n Cricinfo The ICC is pushing for the creation of a new ODI league for the world’s top 13 countries to give 50-over cricket new context and relevance.

Plans are well-advanced to create a new league from 2019 for 13 nations - believed to be the ten Test teams, Afghanistan, Ireland and one other Associate, with Nepal advocated by some as a favoured option in a debate that still has some way to run.

The league will see all countries play each other over three years, with the top two nations playing a play-off series to determine the overall winner of the league.

It is hoped that the proposals will give ODI cricket a new context and sense of purpose, amid fears that the format fits awkwardly between Test and Twenty20 cricket, insufficiently loved either by traditionalists or newer fans.

Under the plans, each team would play a three-match series

either home or away against every other country, amounting to 36 ODIs each over a three-year basis. The fourth year of each cycle would be reserved for World Cup preparation.

It is envisaged that the ODI league would progress towards a play-off series, likely to be either three matches or five, to determine the overall winner, giving bilateral ODI cricket a global showpiece it has previously lacked.

The system, if adopted, would

also be used to determine automatic qualification, and seedings, for the World Cup. The side finishing bottom after three years would face relegation to the World Cricket League Championship, the second tier of one-day cricket, possibly after a play-off with the winners of the World Cricket League Championship.

As with the proposed reforms to Test cricket, the structure is intended as a minimum schedule for each country, and they would be free to

organise extra ODIs, which would not count towards the league.

The most obvious beneficiaries of the schedule would be Afghanistan and Ireland, who would have a guaranteed set of fixtures to develop their teams and have a more attractive set of matches to sell sponsors. While both have enjoyed an upturn in fixtures since their inclusion on the 12-team ODI rankings table, the proposed new ODI league would bolster this further.l

DT

Downtime

30

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Horrify (5) 4 Truth established (4) 7 Optical illusion (6) 8 Place of retreat (5) 10 Small valley (4) 11 Joint (5) 12 Groove (3) 14 Pretended (4) 17 Celtic tongue (4) 19 Choler (3) 20 Vital organ (5) 23 Cordial (4) 25 Musical drama (5) 26 Heckle (6) 27 Scoff (4) 28 Time in grammar (5)

DOWN 1 Stick (6) 2 So be it! (4) 3 Connection (4) 4 Loses colour (5) 5 Mature (3) 6 Wine stock (6) 9 Fermentation containers (4) 13 Bearlike (6) 15 Employ (4) 16 Threaten (6) 18 Tree (5) 21 Electrical unit (4) 22 Duelling sword (4) 24 Born (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 17 represents B so fill B every time the figure 17 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

31

DT

Showtime

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Bond girl enters Bollywood n Showtime Desk Caterina Murino is prepared for a Bollywood outing in a film starring Rajeev Khandelwal.

Ahead of her movie’s release, the Italian actor, over an email interview, said she is constantly curious about new experiences from around the world.

Back in 2006, she gained global fame as the “Bond girl” in Casino Royale. “No geographic barriers exist for me. When I became an actor, my dream was to discover new countries and cultures, and my career around the world is making this dream come true.

I’ve already worked in the US, Canada, Argentina, Europe and China. It was one of my dreams to work in a Bollywood movie too,” said Caterina, adding a smile. She wasn’t offered a “traditional” Bollywood script with songs and dance sequences either.

The actor feels that

though people are aware that “Bollywood is the largest cinema industry in the world,” it’s a pity that “we can’t see a lot of Bollywood movies in theatres globally.”

“I’d love to see Hindi films get the same distribution as American or French movies,” she said, adding that she remembers watching “the beautiful and amazing” Jodhaa Akbar (2008).

“Who didn’t fall in love with the hero (Hrithik Roshan)? I have also seen Devdas (2002), besides the heart-breaking Salaam Bombay! (1988),” says Caterina. “I’d love to do more Hindi films, learn Hindi, take Indian dance lessons, and shoot in your beautiful country (India),” she added.

Would she like to do a Hindi number? “Yes, but for that, I would prefer a woman to dance along with me, like in Devdas.

Aishwarya (Rai Bachchan) would be perfect for that,” she concluded. l

Monoshoroni to perform at Fête de la Musique 2016

n Showtime Desk On the occasion of Fête de la Musique 2016, which is globally known as World Music Day, Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) has organised musical shows at it’s La Galerie on June 21 and 22. Rock band Monoshoroni will perform on the second day followed by performances of bands comprised of young talented musicians. The day’s other attraction will be a Saxophone performance by Rahin Haider.

On the opening day, several solo and group songs presented in Bangla, English and French

language will be performed by the students and teachers of French language courses, cultural workshops (violin, guitar, piano) as well as invited musicians. The shows will be held from 1pm to 5pm on both days.

Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, is a music festival that began in France in 1982. The idea was conceived by French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang, in 1981.

Since then, June 21 has been celebrated every year in more than hundred countries in Europe and over the world as the World Music Day. The concept of “Fête

de la Musique” is an open air and non-stop musical performances, to help making all sorts of music accessible to the public.

It gives an opportunity to commune and share a special bond through music, and allows the expression of all styles of music in a cheerful atmosphere.

The musicians are asked to perform for free, and all the concerts are free for the public.

Furthermore, the Fête de la Musique is a way to encourage the major music institutions (orchestra, operas, choirs, etc) to perform outside their usual locations. l

Fahmida’s Eid release n Showtime Desk The trend of releasing new albums during Eid has declined in recent years. However, Fahmida Nabi wants to keep the tradition going.

Her new album shall be released soon amidst Eid festivities.

Her new solo album Shada Kalo will express her musical dimensions to the audience once more. Shaik Shaan is the music composer of the album, which has been produced by G-Series. l

WHAT TO WATCH

X-Men: First Class Star Movies 6:30pm In 1962, the United States government enlists the help of Mutants with superhuman abilities to stop a malicious dictator who is determined to start World War III. Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Laurence Belcher, Bill Milner

The Matrix HBO 9:30pm A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its

controllers.

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano Batman Returns WB 11:15pm When a corrupt businessman and the grotesque Penguin plot to take control of Gotham City, only Batman can stop them, while the Catwoman has her own agenda.

Cast: Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Michael Gough l

DT

32

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Back Page

‘Rampal a bad investment’ n Aminur Rahman Rasel The proposed coal-fired Rampal Power Plant in southwest Bangladesh would drive up electricity rates, cost far more than promoters say, and put investors at a myriad of risks, according to a report published on June 17 by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

The report, “Risky and Over-Subsidised: A Financial Analysis of the Rampal Power Plant,” by Jai Sharda, an IEEFA consultant, and Tim Buckley, IEEFA’s director of Energy Finance Studies, Australia, concludes that the project should be cancelled and that Bangladesh would do better to invest in solar energy.

“The plant is fraught with unacceptable risk, out of step with the times, and would set Bangladesh back,” Sharda and Buckley said in the report, which describes how Rampal’s finances are made up largely of public subsidies channelled through intermediaries supported by the Bangladeshi and Indian government.

“IEEFA suspects that the project is being promoted as a means to sell Indian coal to Bangladesh and as a way to skirt Indian policy against building a coal plant so near the Sundarbans, a protected forest and World Heritage Site.” l

Heavy vehicles are banned from using the 2km Moghbazar-Satrasta flyover in Dhaka due to some constructional glitches, yet buses and cargo trucks are often seen getting on the flyover. It is an everyday phenomenon, but the authorities concerned have yet to take any actions to stop it. The photo was taken in Satrasta, Tejgaon yesterday RAJIB DHAR

Govt ignores Rampal concerns n Aminur Rahman Rasel

A three-hour long meeting between environmentalists and academicians who advocate vehemently against the coal-based Rampal power plant near the Sundarbans and the government officials yesterday ended without any result.

The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources met with prominent environmentalists and academics at Bidyut Bhaban. State Minister Nasrul Hamid initiated the meeting.

Though they appreciated the government’s initiative for dialogue, environmentalists and academicians said the meeting ultimately would change neither their stance nor that of the government.

The government on the other hand said that it was considerate enough to take the suggestions of the protesters into consideration, but it remained firm about implementing the project.

In November 19 last year the ministry arranged a visit for some of these environmentalists and academics to the Rampal project site

in a bid to convince them about the plant’s environment friendliness.

That trip too, ended without any outcome for either side.

At the beginning of the meeting, UK Bhattacharya, Managing Director of Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL), gave a digital presentation on the power plant.

He said the coal-based 1,320 megawatt (MW) Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant would not cause any harm to the ecology of the Sundarbans and its surrounding areas.

Modern Ultra Super Thermal Technology would be used in the plant and no environmentally harmful substance would be discharged, he said. Moreover a 275feet long chimney would be used to emit smoke from plant. These measures would protect the Sundarbans, said the BIFPCL MD. He said no polluted or hot water would be discharged into the rivers.

Bhattacharya also said the plant was located at a safe distance from the Sundarbans: 69km from the area marked as UNESCO World Heritage site and 14km from the

forest’s outer boundary.

After his presentation, Engr Kallol Mustafa, a member of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Electricity and Port placed a detailed presentation opposing the presentation of BIFPCL MD. He said because of their serious environmental impact, no country in the world permits the setting up of large coal based power plants within 25km of forests, agricultural land and residential area.

While the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on Rampal claimed 14km was a safe distance for the plant, “the very company which will build this plant would not be able to do the same in its own country,” he said.

“The EIA guideline manual for coal-based thermal power plants prepared by the Indian environment and forest ministry clearly states that the locations of such plants cannot be within 25km of the outer periphery of any national forest.”

He asked that if India cannot implement the project within its own boundaries, why an Indian company would be allowed to do the

same thing in Bangladesh.

Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune after the event, UK Bhattacharya said that in Bangladesh, the regulation said that thermal plants cannot be within 10km of forests and they were following that rule.

“Why don’t they talk about changing the regulation instead of criticising the plant?” he said.

Dr Badrul Imam, Professor of Geology at Dhaka University, told the Dhaka Tribune that the three-hour meeting had failed to bear any fruit.

“The government couldn’t convince me about the harmful effects of the power plant implementation.”

He said that for coal-based power plant implementation, more advanced technologies like Ultra Super Critical Technology and Advanced Ultra Super Critical Technology were available.

“Then why did the government opt for Super Critical Technology?” he asked.

Asked about this, UK Bhattacharya said there was very little difference between the Super Critical and Ultra Super Critical technologies.

State minister for Power Nasrul Hamid ruled out any possibility of putting the project on hold for an interim period until the questions and issues are resolved.

The national committee’s Member Secretary Anu Muhammad strongly urged the government to cancel the Rampal power plant project to save the world’s largest mangrove forest from destruction.

Convener of the National Committee for protecting the Sundarbans Advocate Sultana Kamal ecoed with the demand at the meeting.

Mohammad Hossain, the director general of Power Cell, Engineer Md Shamsul Hasan Miah, Chairman of Power Development Board and Monowar Islam, secretary of the Power Division also spoke on the meeting.

Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL), a 50-50 joint venture between Bangladesh Power Development Board and India’s National Thermal Power Corporation, is building the 1,320MW coal-fired power plant near the Sunderbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest. l

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