Wednesday, January 25, 2017 by DhakaTribune

SECOND EDITION

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

Magh 12, 1423, Rabiul Saani 26, 1438

Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 268

www.dhakatribune.com

32 pages |

Price: Tk10

The Sundarbans shipping

conundrum › 2

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Bernicat goes live on Facebook today › 2

Gaddafi was behind coup attempts against Zia, Ershad › 4 Teenage violence: The kids are not alright › 5 US, China in tug of war over South China Sea › 9

Bangladeshi-American woman becomes face of anti-Trump protests › 3

UK government loses Brexit case. What’s next? › 8

Bird flu crisis averted › 32

News

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

The Sundarbans shipping conundrum

United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat is going live on Facebook today to mark the second anniversary of her arrival in Bangladesh. The Facebook Live event is scheduled to start at 3:30 pm. Bernicat will field questions from the public. The US embassy Facebook page has over four million fans. “One of my favorite things about being the Ambassador is the chance to speak with Bangladeshis from all walks

MAJOR ACCIDENTS IN AND AROUND THE SUNDARBANS

June 14, 1984 August 01, 1994

482

October 08, 1999 September 30, 2014 December 09 2014 October 27, 2015 January 13, 2017

Sundarbans’ rivers multiplied. The mangrove straddles the border of Bangladesh and India, with 60% lying in Bangladesh. “It is not just the coal laden ships. There will be others carrying machinery and fuel for the power plant,” he added. The Shela River shipwreck of 2014 which saw 350,000 litres of black furnace oil dumped into the waterway is still fresh in the public memory. A study by Khulna University professor Dr Abdullah Harun Chowdhury soon after that accident, carried out between December 11 and

December 25, 2014, in 15 locations of the 10,000 square kilometre UNESCO world heritage site, found low densities of phytoplankton - essential to marine life. The study found only 18 species of phytoplankton in the oil contaminated areas with a density of 24-67 units per litre compared to 47 species with 226 – 456 units per litre, clearly indicating the effects of oil contamination. Images of congealed furnace oil floating on the river and destroying animal and plant life are at the heart of protests to protect the area.

of life,” Ambassador Bernicat said. “I’m looking forward to chatting with our Facebook fans about how the US-Bangladesh partnership is growing every day.” Bernicat arrived in Bangladesh on January 25, 2015 and became the US Ambassador to Bangladesh on February 4, 2015. She served as the State Department’s director for the Bureau of South Asian Affairs from 2006 to 2008. She was previously US Ambassador to Senegal and GuineaBissau. l

350 2014-15

2013-14

2012-13

2016-17 (till January 20170

345 272 234 282

The shipping ministry concurs that increased ship traffic would be a problem. “Increased ship movement in the Sundarbans will disturb the environment,” it said in its opinion as far back as 2011. It said there could be more oil pollution due to seepage, leakage and pumping of bilge from ships. “Discharged oil may cover the breathing roots of the Sundori trees (the species after which the forest is named), endangering their growth and ultimately leading towards depletion of the forest.” Md Waliullah, harbour master commander of Mongla Port, has

2011-12

2010-11

100

2009-10

200

110 95 139 15 6

300

2008-09

Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain Asmaul Hoque Mamun/DT Infographic

400

2007-08

NUMBER OF MERCHANT SHIPS IN THE SUNDARBANS’ PASHUR RIVER CHANNEL

416

500

Bernicat goes live on Facebook today n Tribune Report

Dates

2006-07

Shipwrecks in the Sundarbans are increasing, as are the number of ships plying the rivers of the world’s largest mangrove forest. The increased traffic puts the delicate ecosystem at risk. Increasing marine vessel movement, mainly on the Pashur River channel of the Sundarbans, is set to increase even further when the coal -fired Rampal power plant goes into operation. The coal power plant’s environment impact assessment (EIA) report states that the plant will require 4.7 million tonnes of coal and limestone annually, which will be carried by at least 157 vessels with an average capacity of 30,000 tonnes. Port records show that the number of merchant ships calling on the port quadrupled from 110 in 2006-07 to 482 in 2015-16. Of the nine shipwrecks that the Mongla Port Authority recorded since 1984, four occurred in just the last three years. The most recent shipwreck occurred on January 13 this year, near Fairway Boa 10, located 12 nautical miles away from the Sundarban’s Hiron Point. This is the southern most point of the mangroves, and is home to Bengal Tigers, Irawaddy dolphins, primates, the Indian fishing cat, Indian otter and spotted deer besides other flora and fauna. The Rampal plant EIA anticipated that more vessels carrying coal would harm the world heritage site and suggested that the government review shipping impacts on a regular basis and work with related stakeholders to lessen adverse impacts on protected areas. Hydrologist Ainun Nishat, professor emeritus of BRAC University, said the risk to the forest and its biodiversity would multiply as the number of vessels plying the

Name of the sunken ships MV Chery Lazu MV Pavlina 1 Wreck (Unknown) Wreck (Unknown) MV Ocean Wave MV Noyon Shree 2 Southern Star 7 MV Ziaraj MV Aizgati

2015-16

Siddique and Hedait n Abu Hossain Molla

watched the growth of traffic first hand. “The number of ships playing the rivers has increased and so have the accidents,” he said. He said port authorities were trying to discourage vessels without fitness permits from plying river channels in the Sundarbans. The Forest Department red-flagged the issue almost six years ago. A letter written by then Chief Conservator of Forests Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmed in July 2011, says: “The proposed power plant might destroy the biodiversity including the Bengal Tiger population of the forest.” l

Did Trump bag al-Baghdadi on day one? n Tribune Desk Media sources yesterday reported that Islamic State group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had been “critically injured” in a bombing raid in al-Ba’aj, northern Iraq, the day after US President Trump took office. The reports have not been independently verified by mainstream news organisations or agencies. If true, Trump’s promise to “eradicate IS within 30 days” could be well on its way to crippling the

international terrorist group. In December 2016, the Pentagon said it believed the IS chief was alive despite repeated efforts by the US-led coalition to kill him. “We do think Baghdadi is still alive and is still leading ISIL [IS]. If we get the opportunity, we certainly would take advantage of any opportunity to deliver him the justice he deserves,” Pentagon spokesperson Peter Cook told CNN. The United States has a $25 million bounty on the IS leader’s head. l

News

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

Bangladeshi-American woman becomes face of anti-Trump protests n Tribune Report The image of a BangladeshiAmerican woman wearing a striking look of defiance and a hijab made from the Stars and Stripes has become the face of protests against US President Donald Trump. Thousands of protesters carried the image of Munira Ahmed, 32, in Saturday’s marches against Trump who stirred controversies with his anti-Muslim and anti-migrant rants in the campaign trail, reports the Guardian. “It’s about saying, ‘I am American just as you are,’” Munira told the Guardian. “I am American and I am Muslim, and I am very proud of both.” The image by Shepard Fairey was prominently featured in marches across major US cities on Saturday. It also featured in fullpage ads in several national newspapers, including the New York Times and the Washington Post, on Trump’s inauguration day. “It’s an honor because of what

PHOTO BY RIDWAN ADHAMI, ILLUSTRATION BY SHEPARD FAIREY

the picture represents,” Munira said. “It’s not anti-anything. It’s about inclusion.” The photo Fairey used for his portrait was taken a decade ago by New York-based photographer Ridwan Adhami, said Munira, a freelance travel photographer herself.

Fairey’s portrait and Ridwan’s photograph pose the same question: What does it mean to be Muslim and American when the US is engaged in conflicts in many Muslim countries? Ridwan told the Guardian that the intent was to make a strong statement. “So we made it down at

Ground Zero to heighten the sense of: ‘We’re here, we’re Muslim, we are New Yorkers and we belong here.’” Munira said the photo has had second and third lives. “It went viral before viral was really a thing when it was posted on Muslim blogs.” Munira grew up in Jamaica, Queens, close to where Trump was raised in the gated Jamaica Estates. Her parents settled in the neighborhood after leaving Bangladesh in the late 1970s. Munira was born there. Family members also settled in Michigan. “There’s so much that’s disappointing about so many people in agreement with the rhetoric that got this person, Donald Trump, elected,” she said. “It’s unfortunate that there are still people who feel America is about excluding people of different origin. That to me is not what the core values of America are about.” Ridwan said he posted Munira’s image every time the question of

Muslim patriotism resurfaced. Amplifier Foundation approached him late last year. Fairey’s work is part of a group project coordinated by the Amplifier Foundation under the title “We the People.” “The image of American flag hijab is very powerful,” Fairey said, “because it reminds people that freedom of religion is a founding principle of the United States and that there is a history of welcoming people to the United States who have faced religious persecution in their homelands.” Fairey is best known for his portrait of Barack Obama that came to symbolise the 44th president’s original message of hope. The idea of a ban on Muslims or a Muslim registry is absurd, she said. “What makes this country great is pluralism. Our diversity is the envy of the world.” “We’ve been through tough things before and the march on Saturday was testament to the fact that things are not as despondent as they may appear.” l

News

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

BANGLADESH IN CIA CREST RECORDS

USAID funds were diverted to pay razakars n Probir K Sarker A CIA declassified document released online last week suggests that the then East Pakistan authorities were diverting USAID contributions to pay the salaries of razakars who collaborated with the Pakistani Army to commit crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. The notorious razakar (“volunteer”) force was formed with the members of Jamaat-e-Islami, a religious party that opposed the birth of Bangladesh. They assisted the Pakistani occupation forces in finding and killing freedom fighters, Awami League supporters and Hindus. During operations, the razakars also carried off Bangali women to the army camps, and looted the houses and businesses before torching them. “A USAID officer reported overhearing a conversation between two East Pakistan officials, one of whom noted that public relief funds were being used to pay the salaries of the razakars – local individuals hired as police by the martial law administration,” according to a Central Intelligence Bulletin created on September 28, 1971. “There have been unsupported allegations earlier to this effect,” the top secret document reads. The public relief programmes were heavily subsidised by the US; for example, some $10 million has been supplied to a “test” relief programme “as part of the current overall relief programme of $136m for East Pakistan,” it adds. In the eyes of the average Bangali citizen, the bulletin states, the razakars and the Pakistani Army were the most unpopular elements in the East wing. According to Bangladesh war crimes trial documents, the first unit of the razakar force was formed by Jamaat leader AKM Yusuf in Khulna on May 5, 1971 with 96 members of Jamaat. He started gathering people for the force on April 18. The Pakistan government gave recognition to the force via a gazette notification on August 2 that year. Yusuf was also the regional chief of anti-liberation force Peace Committee. The Jamaat leader died midway through the war crimes case against him in February 2014. Apart from the razakar force,

Jamaat formed peace committees across the country with its own members and others from different Islamist parties, and created the notorious militia force al-Badr with the members of its student wing who carried out systematic abduction and murder of hundreds of intellectuals.

A USAID officer overheared a conversation between two East Pakistan officials, one of whom noted that relief funds were being used to pay the salaries of the razakars Most of the top Jamaat leaders have been convicted by special tribunals dealing with the 1971 war crimes, while five of them includ-

ing al-Badr kingpin Motiur Rahman Nizami were hanged at the end of legal procedures. On January 17, the CIA published around 930,000 declassified documents to the standalone CIA Records Search Tool (CREST) system online, around 2,000 of which are about Bangladesh and erstwhile East Pakistan. The documents on Bangladesh – 1,937 posted in December last year and 95 in January – include views of the CIA and the US Embassy, Dhaka about events related to politics, economy and Bangladesh ties with India and other countries. The database also includes 857 posts on erstwhile East Pakistan posted in December and 45 in January. Earlier, the records were only accessible in person at the National Archives Records Administration (NARA) in College Park, Maryland and through four computer terminals. The CIA has been releasing its historical declassified records to the CREST system since 1999. l

The war-time photo shows pro-Pakistanis, including razakar members, carry out a procession in Bangabandhu Avenue (earlier Jinnah Avenue) in Dhaka on November 29, 1971. The photo was taken by Aftab Ahmed PHOTO SOURCE: MUKTIJUDDHO E-ARCHIVE TRUST

Muammar Gaddafi

Lt Col (relieved) Syed Farooq Rahman

n Probir K Sarker

ter-coup” by Brig Khaled Mosharraf, then chief of the general staff. From Bangkok, Farooq and another Bangabandhu killer, Lt Col (relieved) Khandaker Abdur Rashid, flew to Libya and started business as Zia had not allowed them to return to Bangladesh. The duo was behind the formation of Freedom Party on November 7, 1987. Farooq, along with most of his family members, was finally arrested from his Old DOHS house in Dhaka on August 14, 1996, after the Awami League came to power for the first time since the assassination of Bangabandhu.

Gaddafi was behind coup attempts against Zia, Ershad Bangabandhu’s self-confessed killer Syed Farooq Rahman allegedly attempted to assassinate former military dictator HM Ershad in 1985 with the help of slain Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, according to recently-released CIA documents. Despite being in Libya, Lt Col (relieved) Farooq had also been involved in attempted coups in 1977 to overthrow military strongman Ziaur Rahman, the founder of BNP. “Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi [Gaddafi] reportedly ordered funds and arms to support a plan to shoot the Bangladesh president [Ershad] and other senior officials on June 6 [1985],” according to a CIA Terrorism Review dated June 3, 1985. “The principal perpetrator of the plot, Syed Farook [Farooq], has already confessed he had been involved in at least two previous coup attempts in 1975 and 1977.” The secret document also states that Farooq used to operate a training camp in Libya for dissidents. Farooq returned to Bangladesh in September 1984, and was arrested in June the following year – apparently a couple of days before the alleged operation – “for plotting to kill president Ershad.” He reportedly had received Libyan support in an earlier coup attempt, reads another review dated January 13, 1986. After learning about the plot, the Ershad government was faced with a dilemma about how to respond. “It [the Ershad government] is considering declaring several Libyan diplomats [in Dhaka] persona non grata, but fears that Bangladesh labourers in Libya will be expelled, thereby cutting off a significant source of income,” the 1985 review reads. Farooq went to Thailand on November 3, 1975 along with some other army officers – involved in the August 15, 1975 coup that killed Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman – following a “coun-

‘Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi [Gaddafi] reportedly ordered funds and arms to support a plan to shoot the Bangladesh president [Ershad] and other senior officials on June 6 [1985]’ An FIR was lodged in connection with the massacre and the Indemnity Act was scrapped by the government. The same year, Gaddafi sent a letter to then prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangabandhu’s daughter, requesting that she forgive Farooq and Rashid. Hasina disclosed the matter at a public function in Dhaka on August 28, 2011. The government executed Farooq and four other convicts at the Dhaka Central Jail on January 28, 2010 after his plea seeking presidential clemency had been rejected. Six other convicted killers including Rashid are still at large. Rashid is believed to be hiding in Pakistan. l

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

Yunus Centre’s rejoinder to PM

JUVENILE CRIME

The kids are not alright n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu Crimes committed by teenagers are on the rise, with over 500 cases filed against teenagers and children throughout different police stations of Dhaka in the past 15 months. Md Shahabuddin Miah, assistant public prosecutor of the Dhaka Juvenile Court, told the Dhaka Tribune: “The cases filed against teenage criminals are increasing alarmingly in recent times, as we are getting a huge inflow of criminal cases involving teenagers.” He added that it was cause for particular concern that the teenage criminals were not restricted to members of low-income families. “Not only the slum boys, but also children of rich families are involving themselves with serious crimes,” the

n Tribune Desk

otherwise. The involvement of teenagers in violent crimes came to the fore after two gang-related incidents where minors were killed by teenagers in Uttara and Tejgaon. 16-year-old Abdul Aziz was stabbed to death by three members of a rival teenage gang on January 18, in a dispute over a cricket match. Police arrested the perpetrators Saimun, Jewel and Monir from Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where they had gone for treatment of their own injuries sustained during the clash. Earlier, 14-year-old Adnan Kabir was killed in gang violence on January 6 in Uttara. Adnan was a member of the Nine Star gang, who were locked in a battle for supremacy over the area with the rival Disco Boys gang. l

ally blue-collar crimes such as mugging to fuel drug habits. Meanwhile, their families are largely unaware of their alternate lives. Blaming the apathy of parents for the rise in teen violence and crime, experts said youths were stepping into the darkside as they lack proper guidelines and receive little attention from their guardians. Dhaka University Criminology Department Chairman Dr Zia Rahman said: “Children will grow up properly, if they get proper guidelines from their parents since their childhood.” He added that children need counseling and support which should ideally come from their families. If parents are busy, it should be insured that they still receive this social support in childhood, whether from daycare centres or

state lawyer said, while quoting a case filed against a teenage criminal of Uttara who is a son of a retired judge. The Dhaka Juvenile Court received a total of 506 cases from the 49 police stations of the capital from October 2015 to December 2016, with eight more cases received in the last 20 days of this January, said court sources. As per data from the Juvenile court, 200 cases were sent to them in 2015, while it received 306 cases in 2016. After analyzing a number of case documents, it was found that teenagers from all backgrounds are now getting involved in serious crimes that included killing, stalking, raping and mugging. Even the children of well-off families were involving themselves in tradition-

Fakhrul: EC should be acceptable to everyone n Manik Miazee The new Election Commission must be free, fair and acceptable to all citizens of the country, said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday. Speaking at an event in memory of Arafat Rahman Koko at the party’s central office, Fakhrul also said the Awami League was trying to disrupt the president’s initiative to reconstitute the Election Commission. “They [the Awami League] always try to make the political situation unstable. The ruling party leaders are now making controversial statements about the president’s initiative about Election Commission reconstitution,” he added. The memorial was held on the occasion of Koko’s death anniversary yesterday at the party central office in Nayapaltan, Dhaka. Koko, younger son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and founder president Ziaur Rahman, died of a heart attack on January 24, 2015. “That is why our party chief proposed to President Abdul Hamid about forming an acceptable Election Commission by consulting all political parties. Based on her proposal, the president held dialogues with all the parties.”l

News

While the city authorities are busy evicting illegal shops from Dhaka’s footpaths and streets, they ignore the private cars taking up half of the space on public roads. This kind of illegal parking is also a major contributor to Dhaka’s abysmal traffic situation. The photo was taken recently at Dilkusha, Motijheel MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

The Yunus Centre in Dhaka has published a rejoinder to the comments allegedly made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina regarding her comments against Professor Muhammad Yunus regarding the Rampal coal plant at the World Economic Forum. The rejoinder was published in response to comments allegedly made by the Prime Minister on 21 January 2017 about the issue of Rampal Coal Plant being raised at the World Economic Forum, which was later published on several local newspapers and other media outlets. The rejoinder drew reference to the local media reports which stated that the PM had allegedly said that Professor Yunus and company are responsible for bringing the Rampal issue to World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos by spending money. It also stated that several paper reports published news saying the PM has alleged that questions raised by former US Vice President Al Gore during a panel on the environment were instigated by Professor Yunus in which she had participated. The Yunus Centre, through their rejoinder, has expressed their dismay to these alleged statements by the PM, particularly mention that making comments that implicates that someone of Mr Gore’s stature, a former Vice President of the United States, could be “bought” was very disappointing. The rejoinder also strongly protested the allegations against Professor Yunus that he paid money to WEF to make this a topic of discussion saying it is not only false, but also outrageous. The rejoinder states that such claims and allegations should be supported with concrete evidencem especially when it is made by someone like the Honorable PM against a “distinguished citizen of Bangladesh.” l

Writ petition against attorney general rejected n Ashif Islam Shaon A writ petition that challenged the legality of Mahbubey Alam’s continued tenure as Attorney General was summarily rejected by the High court yesterday. The High Court bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Abu Taher Md. Saifur Rahman passed the order as they said the writ was not maintainable. Mahbubey Alam has been attor-

TEMPERATURE FORECAST FOR TODAY

Dhaka

LIGHT TO MODERATE FOG WEATHER LIKELY WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25

Chittagong

Rajshahi

DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 5:40PM

According to article 64(1) of the Bangladesh constitution, the President shall appoint a person who is qualified to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court to be attorney general for Bangladesh. The petition argued that Supreme Court judges retire at the age of 67, and as such the attorney general cannot hold the post beyond that age. Mahbubey Alam turned 67 years of age on February 17, 2016.

ney general since 2009, when the Awami League government was sworn in. The writ petition, which was filed with an attached copy of a news report in November last year, argued that Mahbubey Alam’s holding of the post was unconstitutional as he had crossed the age of 67. A High Court bench felt embarrassed to hear the petition and it was later sent to another bench for hearing. 29

Rangpur

Khulna

Barisal 30

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 6:42AM

30.2ºC Cox’s Bazar

9.5ºC Srimangal

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES

The attorney general recently told reporters that according to article 64(4) of the constitution, the Attorney General shall hold office at the pleasure of the President and shall receive such remuneration as the President may determine. The writ petitioner Md. Enus Ali Akand stood for the petition while lawyer Probir Neogi represented Mahbubey Alam. Md. Enus Ali Akand has said that he will move to appeal the High Court’s decision. l Sylhet

Cox’s Bazar

Fajr: 6:05am | Zohr: 1:15pm Asr: 4:30pm | Magrib: 5:47pm Esha: 7:45pm Source: Islamic Foundation

News

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

Stone collectors bury workers’ death, defy prohibition on quarries Serajul Islam, n Mohammed Sylhet

Defying legal prohibition on hillock cutting, stone collectors have been digging quarries on hillocks in Companyganj upazila of Sylhet to collect stones, causing deaths to workers and destroying nature. At least 20 workers, including five workers in a quarry on Shah Arpin Tila (hillock) on Monday, lost their lives in landslides while digging quarries on the hillocks in recent years. Sometimes, family members and relatives took away the bodies without informing local authorities, said Shah Jamal Uddin, chairman of Pashchim Islampur union. Another source said stone collectors tried to bury the bodies without informing police or by ‘managing’ them. Locals said workers’ safety was not a concern there though so many workers had lost their lives at workplace. Even, no compensation was given to any injured worker or families of the deceased, added the local residents. Local journalist Abidur Rahman said the victims did not get any compensation in most of the cases. Sometimes, the identity of killed worker could not be found, he added. Dumping of bodies also happened there and compensation could not be demanded from the employers, said Abidur. Ruhul Amin, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Companyganj police station, admitted the fact

da Akter, Sylhet region coordinator of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela).

Two more bodies identified

Police have identified two more bodies--Abdul Kuddus and Khokon--of Netrakona’s Purbadhola, who died on Monday’s landslide in a quarry. Both of the bodies were taken to Purbadhola, said Shughyan Chakma, additional police super of Sylhet. The police came to know that another worker named Al Hadi had died in the landslide, but did not find his body and address, said Shughyan. Earlier, the police disclosed identity of two deceased workers. Two separate investigation committees formed by local administration and police department started working into the matter yesterday.

Drive against stone collectors

A group of workers are seen to work in a quarry in Companyganj upazila, Sylhet yesterday. Recently at least 20 workers lost their lives in landslides while digging quarries on the hillocks in the area DHAKA TRIBUNE of not informing them when any worker died at workplace. Police did not find any body or any person on the spot, where the workers died on Monday, said the OC. He suspected that owner of the quarry had removed the bodies before the police reached the spot. However, he refuted the allegation of ‘managing police.’

Stone collectors embarked on Shah Arpin Tila towards the end of 90s, when the hillock was a safe haven for birds and animals, said Dilwar Hossain, a local resident. Now, the hillock was almost extinct, added Dilwar. After Shah Arpin, now Motia Tila, adjacent to Shah Arpin, had become the new victim, he said. There was only two quarries

on the hillock in 2015, whereas, in 2016, the number increased by 100, added Dilwar. Moreover, shallow machines and ‘Boma Machine,’ which was locally known as machine monster, were used to extract stones. There was legal prohibition on hillock cutting in six upazilas, including Companyganj, of Sylhet since March 2012, said Shah Shahe-

A mobile court led by Abu Safayat Muhammad Shahedul Islam, additional district magistrate and head of the investigation team, conducted a drive against the illegal stone collectors on Shah Arpin Tila yesterday. A Boma Machine and 11 shallow machines were destroyed by the court. Masum Billah, executive magistrate and Companyganj upazila Nirbahi Officer, Ikramul Kabir, president of Sylhet Press Club, Bayes Alam, OC of Companyganj police station, Mahbub Ahmed, inspector of Directorate of Environment, and Shaheda were present during the drive. l

Freight strike lifted Family wants trace of n

Minor boy hacked MP LITON MURDER to death by uncle n Abdul Aziz, Cox’s Bazar A seven-year-old boy was hacked to death by his uncle in Darbeshkata area, Cox’s Bazar’s Chokoria yesterday afternoon. Deceased Rashidul Islam Babu, son of late Ejahar Ahmed, used to stay with his aunt. He was a student of class two at a local primary school. Officer-in-Charge of Chokoria police station Md Jahir Islam said Rashidul’s uncle Ridwanul Haque hacked him with sharp weapon around 11am. The boy was rushed to Chokoria Health Complex where he died while undergoing treatment. Ridwanul went on hiding after the incident. Police said the man has been suffering from brain tumour. l

accused Ratan n Tazul Islam Reza, Gaibandha Family members of Monirul Islam Ratan, who was arrested in connection with the murder of lawmaker of Gaibandha constituency 1 Monjurul Islam Liton, want trace of him. Family of Ratan told the Dhaka Tribune that 13 days had passed since Ratan, a resident of Protap village under Sadullahpur upzila, was arrested by people of law enforcement agencies for his alleged involvement in the murder of MP Liton, but he yet to be taken to police station or produced before a court. Firoja Begum, wife of Ratan, said: “Police arrested my husband from

neighbouring Osmanpur village in the early hours of January 12, but he has remained traceless since then. “We went to Sadullahpur and Pirganj police stations to know whereabouts of him. But they told us that they did not know nothing about his location.” If Ratan did anything wrong he should be punished according to the existing laws, she said. Officer-in-Charge of Sadullahpur police station Farhad Imrul Kayes told the Dhaka Tribune that they were trying to arrest Ratan over MP Liton killing case, but his family was claiming that he had remained missing over a few days. l

Asaduzzaman, Satkhira

The strike called by the Freight Transport Owners-Workers Union Council in protest against extortion, harassment and violence suffered by its members, was called off yesterday. Transport leaders lifted the strike following a meeting between Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and union leaders in the afternoon. Yesterday, over 500 trucks were stranded at Bhomra Land port as an indefinite freight transport strike was going on for consecutive two days in 21 districts in southwest region of the country, including Satkhira. Md Shawkat Ali, general secretary of Bhomra Land port Transport Owners’ Association, said

hundreds of trucks goods-carrying have remained stuck at Bhomra land port since Monday morning due to the strike. Mostafizur Rahman Nasim, general secretary of Bhomra land port’s Clearing and Forwarding (C & F) Agent Association, around 350-400 trucks carried goods to different parts of the country from Bhomra land port every day. Taking goods to different parts of the country has come to a stop due to the strike. Meanwhile, a good quantity of raw materials had remained stuck, he said. He then vowed they would continue their strike until their demands were met. Businessmen would have to count a huge loss if the problem was not addressed soon, he added. l

News

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

Tangail ‘Khan clan’ loses kingdom n Mohammed Afzal Hossain

Once the ‘‘Khan Clan’’ in Tangail, was the centre of district politics and power. During the ruling period, the members of ‘Khan Clan’ practised the supreme power of politics. But their regime had fallen and grabbed by their rivals. Local politicians and citizens claimed that the controversial ‘Khan Clan’ had lost their impact in Tangail politics. Once power house now is just a dead-elephant in district’s politics. Their names were erased from Tangail politics. Lawmaker of Tangail-3 constituency Amanur Rahman Khan Rana and his three brothers --Jahidur Rahman Khan Kakon, former president of Chambers and Commerce in Tangail; Shahidur Rahman Khan Mukti, former mayor of Tangail municipality and former general secretary of Tangail City Unit of AL; and Saniat Khan Bappa, former vice-president of central unit of BCL, were the policy makers of the district politics. But now they

are busy to save them from arrest. Among the brothers, MP Rana was in jail for his alleged connection with freedom fighter Farque murder where his three brothers are in run. Locals alleged that the uncontrolled greed and power practice by the family members of the ‘Khan Clan’, led them to ruin. On January 18, 2013, freedom fighter Faruk, also a district AL leader, was found dead. Later, a murder case was filed. MP Rana and his three younger brothers and 10 others were charge-sheeted over the murder. Apart from this, the lawmaker Rana was wanted in 46 cases filed with several police stations in the district where Mukti was wanted in 36 cases, Kakon and Bappa were wanted in several cases including Farque murder and a BCL leader attempted to murder. To avoid their arrest in these cases, the three brothers have remained absconding since August 2014. As all four brothers were ab-

sence in the field of politics, their rivals grabbed the power and later threw them out of politics. Ruling Awami League (AL) lawmaker Rana was elected first in 2009. After his victory ‘Khan Clan’ had come in lime light. His three brothers had grabbed almost everything in the district. They had taken control over all the cream posts of social, political and business organisations. Before the raise of MP Rana, Shahidur Rahman Khan Mukti was the mayor of Tangail municipality. When Rana became MP, he grabbed the posts of general secretary of Tangail City Unit of Awami League and Tangail District Labour Federation. Using these posts he engaged in mindless corruptions. After Farque’s murder, Mukti fled from the scenes. On November 20, 2016, he left his office of mayor on a 90-day leave. Though his leave period had already finished, he did not return to his work station. In the meantime, he lost his posts of general secretary in district unit of

Awami League and District Labour Federation. Before hiding, Kakon was the president of Chambers and Commerce in Tangail, president of Victoria Road Traders Society, general secretary of District Traders Alliance and secretary general of District Bus-Minibus Owners’ Society. After his hiding, local Awami League leaders had distributed his regimes among them. In his absence, local Awami League leader Abul Kashem was elected president of Chambers and Commerce in Tangail, Talebur Rahman was selected the acting president of Victoria Road Traders Society, Mohammad Ali Jinnah grabbed the post of general secretary of District Traders Alliance where Golam Kibria Boro Moni was selected as secretary general of District Bus-Minibus Owners’ Society. Bappa, the youngest brother of the ‘Khan Clan’ was the vice-president of Central Committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL)

before he went into hiding. On October 18, 2015, Tangail district unit committee of Awami League in a convention had taken a decision to ban Khan Brothers from Awami League and its wings. Later they send a letter to central committee of Awami League in this regard. Md Khorshed Alam Alias Khosru, treasurer of Tangail District Grill Makers Labour Society, said: “Shahidur Rahman Khan Mukti was the advisor of our organisation. He was not in present committee as he was on run.” Joyaherula Islam, general secretary of district unit of Awami League, said: “The Khan Brothers were the kingpin of Tangail politics. They had tried to spread their regime in every corner of the district. To do that they did everything even killed some people. Now Tangail is free from Khan brothers’ and their gangs.” He claimed: “Khan Brothers’ names were erased from district politics and social organisations.” l

Sylhet’s ‘proxy prisoner’ Bhutto, three others sued Serajul Islam, n Mohammed Sylhet Ripon Ahmed Bhutto, who is serving life imprisonment sentence on behalf of the convict, has been sued by Sylhet prison authorities for cheating. Three others have also been accused in the case. They are lawyer Shah Alam, apprentice lawyer and also convict Iqbal Hossain Bokul’s brother Shamim Ahmed and broker Liakat Hossain. They helped Bhutto take the convict’s place. Sylhet jail’s Senior Superintendent Sagir Mia filed the case with Kotwali police on Monday.

“I filed the case against the four men at the court’s order,” he said. Sylhet’s District and Sessions Judge Monir Ahmed Patwari ordered accusing the four men of cheating in a case on Sunday. Bokul, a Bangladeshi expatriate living in Saudi Arabia, was sentenced to life for the 2009 murder of one Ali Akbar Sumon. Bhutto, pretending to be Bokul allegedly for money, surrendered before the court on November 11, 2015 and was sent to jail. He has been in prison since. Senior Superintendent Sagir, replying to a query, said they would decide about releasing Bhutto according to the court’s directives. l

Students of Enayet Bazar Women’s College in Chittagong stage a demo demanding nationalisation of the college. The photo was taken from Chittagong Court premises yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Witnesses: Masud Rana shot Kunio Hoshi n Liakat Ali Badol, Rangpur

Rickshaw puller Mannaf, a witness in Japanese citizen Kunio Hoshi killing case, told a Rangpur court yesterday that Masud Rana, prime accused of the killing case, shot Hoshi to death. Recognising Masud Rana, Mannaf said this while giving his deposition before Special Judge Naresh Chandra Sarkar. Five members of the Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh – Masud

Rana, Eshak Ali, Shakhwat Hossain, Liton and Abu Sayeed – were brought to the court amid tight security in the morning. Malik Murad, a resident of Alutari village, first testified identifying Masud Rana, who was present on the dock. Masud himself shot Kunio to death, he said, adding that another person accompanied Masud then. Abdullah Al Mamun, owner of a tea stall, told the court that three people riding on a red motorcycle went to the crime scene and Masud

Rana shot Kunio. Apart from this, Ashraf Ali and Nurul Islam, resident of Alutari village, testified at the court and also recognised Masud Rana as shooter. Kunio Hoshi, 65, who ran a grass farm at Kaunia in Rangpur, was shot dead in broad daylight near his house in Kachu Alutari area on October 3, 2015. After the killing, police claimed that leaders and activists of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami were involved in the killing. Later, International terrorist

group Islamic State claimed responsibility for the murder. It also took credit for killing Italian citizen Cesare Tavella in Gulshan Diplomatic Zone on September 28, 2015. Police then arrested eight people, including local BNP leader Biplab and Hoshi’s business partner Hira, in connection with the killing. Biplab, Hira and the three Jubo Dal leaders were also remanded in the case. The investigation took a new turn after Masud Rana, 40, was arrested on December 9, 2015. He also made

a confessional statement before a Rangpur court saying that he himself shot Kunio, who was on a rickshaw. Later, police arrested Eshak Ali. He also gave confessional statement before a court. On July 2, police pressed the charges and prayed to court to drop the names of eight BNP men. On October 16, a court accepted charge sheet pressed against eight members of banned militant outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh in the killing case. l

8 World

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

SOUTH ASIA

Afghan VP’s bodyguards face arrest over abuse case Afghan authorities ordered the arrest of nine bodyguards of Vice President Rashid Dostum on Tuesday, over allegations of sexual violence and torture of a political rival in a case that has caused deep alarm. Dostum brought the ethnic Uzbek into the national unity government after the disputed 2014 election, despite longstanding accusations of human rights abuses. REUTERS

INDIA

Indian troops kill three militants in Kashmir Police and troops killed three militants in two separate gunbattles in Indian-administered Kashmir on Tuesday, one of them near the de facto border with Pakistan, officers said. Soldiers surrounded Hadoora, some 25km north of Srinagar, after a tip-off about suspected rebels inside a house in the village. AFP

CHINA

‘China must expand nuclear arsenal in response to Trump’ China must strengthen its nuclear arsenal to “force the US to respect it” in response to the stance of new US President Donald Trump, a leading newspaper said Tuesday. The comments in the Global Times, a popular paper known for its inflammatory rhetoric and hawkish views, came just days after President Xi Jinping called for the eventual global elimination of atomic weapons. AFP

Trump torpedoes Pacific trade pact, loosening Asia ties n AFP, Washington, DC President Donald Trump yanked the United States out of a major Pacific trade deal Monday, making good on an election campaign promise and delivering a hammer blow to Asian allies. Trump said he had “terminated” the Trans-Pacific Partnership – a trade deal binding the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Vietnam and seven other allies against growing Chinese economic clout. Together, TPP members represent 40% of the world economy. After signing an executive order, Trump said he would be “going back to those countries one-on-one” to find terms more favourable to the United States.

Does the Brexit stop?

Fighting for a key port city on Yemen’s Red Sea coast has left at least 40 rebel and pro-government fighters dead, military officials said Tuesday. Loyalist forces said Monday they had captured the port of Mokha, almost three weeks into an offensive to oust Shia Huthi insurgents and their allies from Yemen’s southwestern coast. AFP

$17,947.00

$1,550.54 $4,123.26

Exports (% of GDP)

Canada 35.85

Population, millions

18 United States 321.42

Japan 126.96

$193.60

$1,144.33

Vietnam 91.70

$292.74 Singapore 5.53

177

$15.49 76*

$296.22 *2014 data

$192.08

Brunei 0.42

$240.22 Malaysia 30.33

$1,339.54 20

gic counterweight to China. Trump’s Republican ally John McCain described the new president’s decision as a “serious mistake that will have lasting consequences for America’s economy

$173.75

Australia 29 23.78

Mexico 127.02 Peru 31.38

Chile 17.95

New Zealand 4.60

and our strategic position in the Asia-Pacific region.” It remains far from clear whether countries that have spent years negotiating the TPP would be willing to enter new talks.

UK government loses Brexit case. What’s next?

MIDDLE EAST

At least 40 dead in battle for Yemen por

GDP, billions

Trump signed two other executive orders Monday – freezing the hiring of federal workers and hitting foreign NGOs that help with abortion. The Republican leader is looking to shift attention firmly back onto his policy agenda after a first few days that put his incoming administration on the back foot. Since he was sworn in on Friday, Trump’s White House has been pilloried for lying to the public about inaugural crowds and over a campaign-style speech by the president before a memorial to fallen CIA officers. On Saturday, several million Americans poured onto the streets for women-led demonstrations against Trump, the scale of which were unseen in a generation, in a potent rebuke to the president. Trump has upbraided top aides over unfavourable media coverage on everything from crowd sizes to suggestions he has ruled out releasing his taxes. He is the first presidential candidate in recent memory not to do so. l

Q&A

Thousands of Cambodian villagers will be evacuated after two US tear gas barrel bombs from the Vietnam war era were found near a primary school, a demining team said Tuesday. The 200kg bombs are thought to have been dropped by US warplanes in February 1970 against communist forces on Cambodia’s southeastern border with Vietnam. AFP

Thousands of Cambodians to be evacuated after US bombs found

2015 World Bank data

‘Serious mistake’?

Britain’s government must get parliamentary approval before starting the process of leaving the EU, the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday, potentially delaying Prime Minister Theresa May’s plans to trigger exit negotiations by the end of March. The 8-3 ruling from the judges forces the government to put a bill before Parliament, giving pro-EU politicians a chance to soften the terms of Brexit - Britain’s exit from the EU. “Leave” campaigners had objected, saying Parliament shouldn’t have the power to overrule the electorate, which voted to leave the bloc in a June 23 referendum. Some questions and answers about the decision:

ASIA PACIFIC

12-nation free trade agreement

Source: USTR/WorldBank

According to a Peterson Institute analysis, the US stood to be the biggest beneficiary from TPP, with an annual increase in exports of $357bn. Barack Obama’s administration had also touted the deal as a strate-

Rocky start

THE TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP

The June 23 referendum vote that produced majority support for leaving the EU has changed minds in Parliament because members don’t want to be seen as thwarting the will of the people, making it very unlikely Parliament will stop Brexit in its tracks. The majority Conservative Party favours the move out of the EU, and Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has said the opposition party’s lawmakers will back the process, although some

have rejected his call to do so. Corbyn indicated that Labour would seek to amend the bill the government proposes, and the Scottish National Party said it would introduce around 50 amendments. There is scattered opposition, but Parliament is expected to endorse the government’s proposal. It isn’t clear, however, if the government will get approval as quickly as it wants. Extended debates, and amendments, could slow things down.

What happens next? The government will now seek a quick vote in Parliament authorizing the use of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which would start the two-year process of removing Britain from the 28-nation EU. Officials said legislation would be introduced “within days.” Ministers had already drafted several possible pieces of legislation in anticipation of losing the Supreme Court case, which upheld a lower court ruling. May has sought to reassure Parliament by stating that legislators will be given a chance to vote on Brexit at the end of the negotiation process when there is a proposed agreement with the EU. Vocal opponents of Brexit will certainly be given the time to make their

Painter Kaya Mar shows his latest painting of British PM Theresa May in front of the Supreme Court in London on January 24 AP case in Parliament, but it will be difficult to sway legislators who feel bound by the referendum results.

Was the ruling a loss for the govt? No. The government was able to convince the Supreme Court that the Scottish Parliament and the legislatures in Northern Ireland and Wales won’t be given a direct say in the process. Ministers had feared that giving the

Scottish Parliament or the Northern Ireland Assembly a direct role might have slowed the process considerably given political uncertainty in Northern Ireland and strong opposition to Brexit in Scotland. The decision allows May and her senior team to focus solely on the British Parliament. l

Source: AP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

United States, China in tug of war over South China Sea n AFP, Washington, DC The White House warned China it will defend US and international interests in the South China Sea and that trade must be a “two-way street.” Signalling Donald Trump’s tough stance against Beijing on Monday, spokesman Sean Spicer said “the US is going to make sure we protect our interests” in the South China Sea. “If those islands are, in fact, in international waters and not part of China proper, yeah, we’ll make sure we defend international interests from being taken over by one country.” China lays claim to a vast extent of the South China Sea within “nine dash line,” including waters claimed by several of its neighbours. Under president Barack Obama’s administration that preceded Trump’s, Washington insisted it was neutral on the legal question of sovereignty over the islets, reefs and shoals.

‘Not a two-way street’

Spicer said that Trump is aware that US firms need access to China’s large domestic market, but that he is not prepared to accept that current arrangements continue. “In many cases, it’s not a twoway street,” he argued. Spicer cited limits on the penetration of US financial and banking

BEIJING’S FORTIFIED CLAIMS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA CHINA

TAIWAN

Scarborough Shoal

Spratly islands Chinese sea claim

VIETNAM PHILIPPINES BRUNEI 200 km

MALAYSIA

No legal basis for China to claim “historic rights” to resources in SCS: UN-backed tribunal, July 2016

“Significant” weapons placed on artificial islands, according to satellite imagery published in December by AMTI* Occupied by China Other claims Malaysia Philippines Taiwan Vietnam

Fiery Cross Reef Runway, 4 completed multi-level structures for anti-aircraft guns, CIWS services in China, and noted the difficulties of US firms protecting their intellectual property rights. Trump “understands the market that China has and our desire to further penetrate that market,” Spicer argued. Trump advisers have mulled declaring China a “currency manipulator,” or levying tariffs on Chinese products in a bid offset in the import gap. Even before taking office, Trump infuriated Beijing accepting a congratulatory phone

Subi Reef Runway, 4 defense structures for anti-aircraft guns and close-in weapons sytems (CIWS), possible targeting radar tower

Gaven Reef HQ with 4 towers; anti-aircraft guns, CIWS

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Hughes Reef HQ with 4 towers; anti-aircraft guns, CIWS Mischief Reef Runway, 2 complete, 2 ongoing constructions of multi-level defense structures

Johnson Reef HQ with 2 towers, 1 separate tower complex; anti-aircraft guns, CIWS, targeting radar *Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative

Cuarteron Reef Anti-aircraft guns, probable CIWS, radar

call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

Chinese reaction

China warned Washington Tuesday that it would not back down over its claims in the disputed South China Sea, following vows by the Trump administration to defend US and international interests there. “China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters,”

foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing, adding that the country is “firm in safeguarding our rights and interests”. “The US is not a party to the South China Sea issue.” Hua said China “firmly upholds freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea in accordance with international law” and urged the US to “fully respect the efforts of regional countries to safeguard peace and stability”. l

Three-way bid to boost Syria truce after Astana talks n AFP, Astana, Kazakhstan Russia, Iran and Turkey on Tuesday agreed to shore up a shaky truce in war-torn Syria, but rebels and Damascus made no breakthrough towards a political settlement of the conflict after indirect talks. Moscow, Tehran and Ankara, the sponsors of the negotiations in the capital of Kazakhstan, announced they would “establish a trilateral mechanism to observe and ensure full compliance with the ceasefire” in place since late December. The three powers also backed the participation of the armed rebel groups at a new round of peace talks set to be hosted by the United Nations in Geneva next month. The two days of meetings in Astana – which have left the West sidelined – were mainly a Kremlin initiative and come as Russia has made itself the main powerbroker in Syria with its game changing military support for leader Bashar al-Assad. The meeting was expected to see the first face-to-face negotia-

Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov, centre, reads a final statement on Syria peace talks in Astana on January 24 AFP tions between the regime and the armed opposition since Syria’s conflict erupted in 2011, but the rebels backed out and mediators were forced to shuttle between the two sides. The latest diplomatic initiative to end the bloodshed in Syria that has cost 310,000 lives comes one month after regime forces, aided by Russia and Iran, dealt a crushing blow to the rebels by retaking full control of the country’s second

city Aleppo.

‘One goal’

Regime negotiator Bashar al-Jafaari said after the end of the talks that the meeting “succeeded in achieving the goal of consolidating the cessation of hostilities for a fixed period paving the way for dialogue between Syrians.” “Astana has only one goal: consolidating the regime of the cessation of hostilities,” he said.

World

There were, however, no concrete details given immediately on the three-way mechanism agreed by Russia, Iran and Turkey to strengthen the ceasefire and how it would resolve the thorniest hotspots. The rebels have called for a halt to regime attacks on Wadi Barada, an area 15km northwest of Damascus, but Jafaari insisted operations would continue there. There was profound rancour and mudslinging between the delegations from Damascus and the rebels. It also remained to be seen how the sides could patch up differences on the role of the talks’ three organisers, Russia, Turkey and Iran. A member of the rebel delegation told AFP on Monday that the group would agree to have Russia serve as a guarantor of the current ceasefire but not Iran, which controls troops on the ground fighting for Assad. The Syrian regime, meanwhile, said it would refuse to hold government-level talks with Turkey and sign any document bearing the signature of a Turkish official. l

USA

Obama sent $221m to Palestinians in last hours One of the Barack Obama administration’s final acts was to release $221m of funding to the Palestinian Authority. Republican members of Congress had tried to block the allocation after the group sought membership of international organisations. The funds are to be used for humanitarian aid in the West Bank and Gaza, and other projects around governance and political reform. INDEPENDENT

THE AMERICAS

‘Mexico is on new relationship with the US’ Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto said Monday that the country must redefine its relationship with the US against the new government of Donald Trump and warned that in that process it will defend the interests of Mexican immigrants And investments. The president said he will seek a dialogue without confrontation, but without submission, and in the case of a renegotiation of the Nafta. REUTERS

SNP threatens May with trench warfare over Brexit The Scottish National Party (SNP) reacted to the disappointment of part of the Supreme Court judgement by threatening Prime Minister Theresa May with Parliamentary trench warfare. Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP’s first minister, has already vowed that the Holyrood parliament will stage its own vote on Article 50, as it presses for Scotland to stay in the single market. INDEPENDENT

EUROPE

EU security chief issues wake-up call EU security commissioner Julian King says Europe faces a growing threat of cyber attacks from criminals and those plotting to destabilise the 28-nation bloc politically. In an interview, King urged the EU to shore up its defences in the face of a mounting danger. Experts in Europe have also warned of the risk of interference in upcoming French and German polls. AFP

AFRICA

Swaziland orders schools to teach only Christianity Swaziland’s schools opened for the new academic year on Tuesday under new government orders to teach only Christianity, a move criticised by opponents as fuelling intolerance of Muslims. Officials said that old text books were being replaced with new ones that mention only the Bible, and that schools were required to submit a list of qualified religious studies teachers ahead of the start of term. AFP

World

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

Banned from boats in Myanmar, Rohingya fish on rafts of junk n Tribune Desk Every day before sunrise, dozens of fishermen, shivering against the cold, shove out onto the Bay of Bengal on makeshift rafts made out of plastic jugs, bamboo and twine, just steps away from the sturdy and much safer wooden boats they had used for years. They were barred from using their boats three months ago by Myanmar authorities who say they’re trying to prevent insurgents from entering or leaving the country by sea. The ban is one small part of a sweeping and violent counter-in-

surgency campaign in Rakhine state, home to the long-persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority, where authorities have been accused of widespread abuses. Desperate to feed their families, Rohingya fishermen in the coastal villages that dot Rakhine’s Maungdaw district skirt the ban by setting out on dangerous, jerry-rigged rafts that use yellow cooking oil jugs to keep them afloat. The vessels are not technically boats, and therefore not technically illegal. As long as the villagers leave their big boats on the shore, the police allow them to bob along

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, right, and Kuwaiti First Deputy PM Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled al-Sabah attend a meeting at the Nato Istanbul Cooperation Initiative Regional Centre in Kuwait City on January 24 AFP

Nato seeks closer ties with Gulf n AFP, Kuwait City Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday called for boosting security cooperation with the Gulf states as the Western military alliance opened its first office in the region. “It will be a vital hub for cooperation between the alliance and our Gulf partners,” Stoltenberg said at the inauguration of the centre in Kuwait in the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Sabah. The centre is based on the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), which was launched by the Nato leaders in 2004 and aims to boost security links with the Middle East, in particular Gulf Arab states. Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates are members of ICI while the remaining two Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states – Saudi Arabia and Oman – plan to join. Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah said the region is facing

serious challenges that require cooperation with international organisations. “We face common security threats like terrorism, weapons proliferation, and cyber attacks. And we share the same aspirations for peace and for stability,” Stoltenberg said. “So it is essential that we work more closely together than ever before. We have now developed individual cooperation programmes with all our Gulf partners,” he said. Stoltenberg said that over the past year, Nato has trained hundreds of Iraqi officers in Jordan to better fight the Islamic State jihadist group. “We are now extending our training and capacity-building efforts into Iraq itself,” he said. Nato continues to fight terrorism in other ways, including with direct support to the anti-IS coalition, he said. The centre will strengthen the military-to-military cooperation and the fight against terrorism and extremism, Stoltenberg said. l

the choppy waves, for a price. As noon approached on a recent day, dozens of villagers paddled their plastic rafts back to shore, fresh fish in tow. As they unloaded the day’s catch, a policeman holding a sack approached and demanded some fish. Tha Pyay Taw was not directly affected by the violence, which occurred in villages a two- to threehour drive away. But “for reasons of regional security, the fishing boats were banned from going out on the sea,” said Hashim Ulah, the government-appointed village administrator in Maungdaw. l

In this January 16, 2017, photo, Rohingya fishermen pull their raft made of empty plastic containers along the coastline of the Bay of Bengal in Tha Pyay Taw village, Maungdaw, western Rakhine state, Myanmar AP

China to push Mandarin for minorities, protect dying tongues n Reuters, Beijing China will â&#x20AC;&#x153;unswervinglyâ&#x20AC;? stick to the promotion of Mandarin for ethnic minorities, the government said on Tuesday of a policy that has ignited sporadic protests, and will also step up protection for threatened tongues on the verge of extinction. Language politics have long been tricky in China, especially in restive minority areas like Tibet and Xinjiang where non-Chinese languages are widely spoken and have official support including being taught in school. The pushing of bilingual education in Tibetan regions has set off protests in recent years, though many parents also want their children to learn Mandarin to improve their job prospects. The government has pushed Mandarin for

decades to give a common means of communication in a country where thousands of Chinese dialects and many dozen non-Chinese languages like Tibetan and Uighur are spoken. In a lengthy policy document mapping out development goals for ethnic minority regions over the next five years, the central government said it would promote teaching in Mandarin. Focus must be put on areas with limited Chinese abilities, it added, without naming any locations. The government also pledged help for threatened tongues. The UN estimates more than 100 languages in China are at risk of dying out, including Manchu, mother tongue of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last emperor, as Mandarin takes over. l

World

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

12 Business

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

CAPITAL MARKET SNAPSHOT: TUESDAY 5,708.2 0.7% ▲ Index DSE Broad Index CSE All Share Index 17,707.3 0.8% ▲ 30 Index

1,301.8 15,291.3

0.3% 1.2%

▲ ▲

30 Index Selected Index

2,040.3 10,741.9

0.8% 0.9%

▲ ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk Turnover in Mn Tk

20,134.5 1,198.2

-7.7% -0.1%

▼ ▼

Mobile bank users now over 40m

Turnover in Mn Vol Turnover in Mn Vol

682.8 42.8

-2.9% -2.1%

▼ ▼

BTRC to take legal action if GP Daily average transaction increases to Tk773c in Dec, 2016 from Tk537cr a year ago fails to pay fine n Ishtiaq Husain n Tribune Business Desk Bangladesh Telecommunication The number of mobile banking accounts crossed 4m in December last year, thanks to the growing popularity of easy money access system. The total registered mobile banking accounts reached 41m at the end of December last year, with an increase of over 9.2m accounts from 31.8m in the December 2015. The number of mobile accounts increased by 6.6m during the year 2015 from 25.1m at the end of 2014, according to the Bangladesh Bank data. The daily average transaction value increased to Tk773 crore at the end of the last year from Tk537 crore in the same period in the previous year. Though the banking sector sees faster growth in number of mobile banking accounts last year, the number may fall in the coming years due to the central bank’s restriction on using mobile accounts imposed recently, Mobile Financial Service (MFS) providers apprehended. Bangladesh Bank recently slashed the mobile transaction limit and restricted using more than one mobile account. The central bank imposed the restriction to curb misuse of mobile financial services. MFS providers differ with the central bank over the recent measure, claiming that such restriction will not prevent the misuse, but will limit the access of the poor to the financial services. Kamal Quadir, CEO of the country’s leading MFS provider, bKash, explained that some dishonest agents are involved with money laundering and misuse of mobile money transaction, but the recent measures taken by the central bank did not address the main problem.

Total number of registered mobile bank accounts in Bangladesh reaches 41m at the end of December, 2016 The action goes against the innocent users, most of who are the poor. He said the restriction was imposed on account holders and their transaction limit, but if the misuse of mobile financial services is to prevent, transaction by agents requires to be limited. Currently, 710,000 mobile banking agents are working across the country as of December last year which was 561,189 in the same period in the previous year, according to the central bank data. He said mostly poor and marginal people are mobile account holders because they do not have access to banking services like the rich and middle-class people. The central bank restricted the poor people to have several mobile accounts while there is no restriction on having several bank accounts.

A complaint raised from different corners that money is being laundered through mobile banking. The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) recently claimed that mobile banking accounted for lower remittance inflow because the remittance is being sent through mobile banking due to its easy access. Despite raising such claim, Bangladesh Bank did not take any initiative to find out what is really happening under the umbrella of mobile banking. According to the new transaction ceiling set by the central bank on January 11, an individual can make cash-in at best Tk15,000 and cash-out Tk10,000 on daily basis. Earlier, a client could deposit and withdraw up to Tk25,000 on daily basis. The central bank set the monthly transaction limit to the highest of

RAJIB DHAR

Tk1 lakh for cash-in and Tk50,000 for cash-out. Earlier, the limit was Tk150,000 in both cases of cash-in and cash-out. Bangladesh Bank also restricted the number of mobile accounts. An individual can open one mobile account, using the National Identity Card. There is no scope to open more than one accoun,t using several mobile Sim cards. The users who have several mobile accounts will have to chose one for transaction while others will have to close. Banks have been asked to take necessary steps to close the accounts. BB also tightened its monitoring on mobile account users. A client who wants to cash-in or cash-out more than Tk5,000 will have to show the National Identity Card to the agent while the latter will register the NID number. l

Muhith: No change to 15% VAT rate n Asif Showkat Kallol Finance Minister AMA Muhith reiterated that he would not change the decision of 15% value-added tax despite the demand of businesses for 7% rate. “We know the businesses demand for 7% VAT rate, but there will be no change to 15 VAT rate. Hope the businesses will accept the rate,” he said while speaking to the media yesterday. He met with National Board of Revenue Chairman Nojibur Rah-

man. The 15% flat VAT rate will be effective from July 1 this year. “NBR is now holding talks with local business leaders to finalise the new VAT law and I will hold meeting with business leaders before it becomes effective in July,” finance minister said. While the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) said the budget deficit would reach Tk40,000 crore at the end of fiscal year, Muhith said the prediction is “absurd” and never saw in last eight years. ” l

Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has rejected the Grameenphone appeal and decided to take legal action against the operator if it fails to pay the fine imposed for rule violation. The regulatory body fined Tk30 crore to the country’s leading mobile operator on October last year for its involvement in providing internet service, violating telecommunications act 2001. Later, Grameenphone submitted a “Revision Appeal” to the commission to reconsider its fine. After the application, BTRC commission meeting recently rejected the Grameenphone (GP) appeal and sided with its previous decision. The commission also asked GP to pay all the amount in the next 10 days, or else it would go for legal action. Earlier, BTRC gave a notice to Go Broadband, a coordinated Wi-MAX service provider by Agni Systems Limited and ADN Telecom Limited in partnership with Grameenphone Ltd. According to the commission, the GP’s answer to the notice was not satisfactory and Grameenphone provided illegal transmission services. The regulatory body also asked the Go Broadband to submit its all business documents by April 13. The directive came in response to a complaint from Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) that the firm was doing business, violating Wi-MAX guidelines. BTRC’s Engineering and Operations Department issued the directive to the Go Broadband, asking for all agreement-signing papers and the number of branches the firm was providing its services. “Go Broadband has offered optical fibre connection, violating the Wi-MAX policy guidelines of the regulatory body,” according to the complaint lodged on Feb 29. ISPAB said such practices by a firm were resulting in “enormous losses” for other firms in the business and affecting fair environment of service providing.

GP Statement

Grameehphone’s Head of External Communications Sayed Talat Kamal said: “We have requested BTRC to revise its decision to fine Grameenphone. However, there is no official response to that request yet.” “A response from the regulator will help us to pursue next course of action in this connection.” l

Business

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

Power import from India likely to continue until July n Asif Showkat Kallol

The government is going to extend again the tenure of importing 250megawatt of electricity from India with slight cut of tariff rate. Power Division sources said the reduction of rate is estimated to save Tk12.87 crore during the next six months.

The Division’s proposal of extension will be placed before the cabinet committee on public purchase next week for its final approval, they said. According to the proposal, the total cost of purchase of the electricity will be Tk632.81 crore during next six months. The proposal siad the Power Divi-

DSE remains bullish as bank stocks surge n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) continued to be bullish with the help of bank sector as investors were pouring funds on the sector expecting better dividends.

shown by the banks are better, which was another reason for the upward trend, he said Islam. Investors should invest on the basis of the company’s fundamentals as well as the performance, he said.

As of yesterday, banking sector contributed 28% or Tk554.55 crore to the total daily turnover of over Tk2,013 The market analysts attributed the undervalue of banking sector shares for the recent upward rally in the market. They argued the bank share prices were undervalued than expected level, encouraging investors to buy them. As of yesterday, banking sector contributed 28% or Tk554.55 crore to the total daily turnover of over Tk2,013. Of which, Tk73.1 crore or 13.18% came from the Islami Bank. According to the DSE data, share prices of Islami Bank saw 60.61% rise to Tk46.90, the highest growth in last one month among the banks. The figure was Tk29.20 on December 26. Dutch Bangla Bank posted the lowest growth in prices with 8% rise to Tk119.50, which was Tk109.9 a month ago. Since December 26 last year, DSE added 715 points to end at 5,708 points yesterday. Meanwhile, DSEX, the key index, ended at 5,708 points gaining by 38 points. The daily turnover stood at Tk2,013 crore which was 7.7% lower than the previous session’s value of Tk2,180 crore. “It is usual that the prices of the bank share will go up as it was under-valued in last few years after the market debacle in 2011,” AB Mirza Azizul Islam, a former finance advisor to the caretaker government, told the Dhaka Tribune. The operational profits

About the Islami Bank, Mirza Aziz said there were confusions among the investors about the government’s move, but after some leadership changes in the bank, the confidence of investors was restored. An investor, requesting anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune that there was fears among investors about the future of Islami Bank but the change in top position helped to remove such feats. “There were rumors in the air that the government will take over ownership of the bank, which pushed the prices up,” he said. At the end of 2016, investors felt attracted to stocks with low paid-up capital and later they moved to medium and then the large-capped stocks, said DSE Brokers Association President Ahmed Rashid Lali. He said the duty to keep the market sustainable was important and the regulator should be very alert on compliance and the investors have now shows matured behavior. Saifur Rahman, executive director and spokesperson of the BSEC, said the regulator was “very alert about the compliance” to avert foul play in the market. “With the compliance officers, the regulator is making the stock exchanges and other stakeholders is aware,” he said. l

sion has also secured the electricity tariff cut to Tk6.14 per unit from the previously quoted Tk6.26 per unit. Meanwhile, the existing deal on electricity import through the Power Trading Corporation of India (PTC) would expire on January 31, 2017. Bangladesh presently imports 650MW electricity from the neigh-

bouring country under different mechanisms due to power shortage. Of the imported electricity, 250MW comes from Indian government-allocated quota at an average tariff rate of Tk2.78 per unit. Another 250MW power comes through PTC. Bangladesh imports 100MW of

electricity from Tripura at a tariff rate of Tk6.13 per unit. Another quantum of more or less 40MW come from open market at a rate of Tk4.46 per unit. Bangladesh had initiated import of more or less 250MW of electricity through PTC since July 2013 at a tariff rate of Tk6.30 per unit under a three-year deal. l

Business

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

Asian nations try to save TPP deal as US exits n Reuters Australia and New Zealand said yesterday they hope to salvage the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) by encouraging China and other Asian countries to join the trade pact after US President Donald Trump kept a promise to abandon the accord. The TPP, which the United States had signed but not ratified, was a pillar of former US President Barack Obama’s policy to pivot to Asia. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has touted it as an engine of economic reform, as well as a counter-weight to a rising China, which is not a TPP member. Fulfilling a campaign pledge, Trump signed an executive order in the Oval Office on Monday pulling the United States out of the 2015

US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump appears at a campaign roundtable event REUTERS TPP agreement and distancing the United States from its Asian allies. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he had held discussions with Abe, New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong overnight about the possibility of proceeding without the

United States. “Losing the United States from the TPP is a big loss, there is no question about that,” Turnbull told reporters in Canberra yesterday. “But we are not about to walk away ... certainly there is potential for China to join the TPP.” In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying did not say directly whether China would be interested in joining the TPP but that at a time of economic uncertainly the Asia-Pacific should make its own contributions to growth with openness. “We think that in the present situation, no matter what happens, all should keep going down the path of open, inclusive, continuous development, seeking cooperation and win-win,” Hua told a daily

news briefing. Obama had framed the TPP without China in an effort to write Asia’s trade rules before Beijing could, establishing US economic leadership in the region as part of his “pivot to Asia”. China has proposed a counter pact, the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP) and has championed the Southeast Asianbacked Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Hua said efforts on FTAAP should be stepped up, adding China hoped talks on RCEP could be concluded at an early date.

Meetings Planned

New Zealand’s English said the United States was ceding influence to China and the region’s focus could

switch to alternative trade deals. “We’ve got this RCEP agreement with Southeast Asia, which up until now has been on a bit of a slow burn, but we might find the political will for that to pick up if TPP isn’t going to proceed,” English said. Malaysia’s trade minister said negotiators from the remaining TPP countries would be in “constant communication” to decide the best way forward. “Notwithstanding the current position of the new US administration on (TPP), we will continue to engage with our American colleagues to strengthen our bilateral trade and economic relations, given the US’s importance as our third-largest trading partner and a major source of investment,” Mustapa Mohamed said in a statement. l

Experts: Trump trade moves chilling, could hurt US business n AFP, Washington President Donald Trump’s first moves on trade have cast a pall over US trade relations and could hurt US businesses, trade experts say. Trump has begun his term by pulling out of one major agreement, vowing to renegotiate or exit another, and threatening to impose border taxes on imports - a clear shift away from decades of policy putting the United States at the forefront of the global push for free trade. A strident critic of existing US free trade agreements throughout his campaign, Trump’s first order of business Monday was to sign an executive order officially withdrawing from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership. The move was the fulfillment of a campaign promise - one that was easy to do because the 2015 agreement had never been implemented, but which nonetheless sent a clear signal the United States is backing away from hardfought trade pacts. “It’s a sign of a brake on global integration,” said International Monetary Fund official Alejandro Werner, who heads the Western Hemisphere Department. Jake Colvin, vice president of the National Foreign Trade Council, a pro-trade business group, said US leadership on trade issues remains key. “It is critical that the United States not cede leadership on the global economy to coun-

tries like China,” he told AFP. “It’s important to have a muscular trade policy, but we need to make sure we’re playing offense as well as defense and continue to open up foreign markets for American business and workers.” He said the NFTC will engage with the new administration to point out the good things the TPP would have accomplished.

‘A disruptive guy’

The TPP withdrawal followed shortly on Trump’s threat in a meeting with corporate CEOs at the White House early Monday to impose “a substantial border tax” on products coming into the US market, to encourage firms to move manufacturing into the country. “Now, some people would say that’s not free trade, but we don’t have free trade now,” since countries like China and others make it “very, very hard” to sell US products there, he said. “In some cases it’s impossible.” “What we want is fair trade, fair trade. We’re going to treat countries fairly, but they have to treat us fairly.” But trade experts caution that such moves risk retaliation and in an extreme event a trade war. “This is going to be disruptive. It’s not a surprise. We elected a disruptive guy as president,” said Scott Miller, an international business expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. l

Business

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

A salesman shows gold bangles to a customer at a jewellery showroom during Dhanteras, a Hindu festival associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, in Kolkata, India REUTERS

Demonetisation drive to favour India’s big gold jewellery store chains n Reuters India’s drive to bring transparency to bullion trading, along with the rise of branded gold jewellery, could help major retailers raise their share of the world’s second-biggest gold market to 40% by 2020, the World Gold Council (WGC) said. Somasundaram PR, managing director of the WGC’s Indian operations, said yesterday Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s move to scrap 500 and 1,000 rupee banknotes - a ‘demonetisation’ crackdown on corruption and tax evasion - will boost larger jewellery retailers’ market share from 30% in 2015. “The issue the industry is facing today is lack of transparency,” said Somasundaram, speaking in an interview as the WGC published a report on the Indian gold trade. “This is addressed by demonetisation... Consumers will be forced to pay by cheque or digital payments for large transactions.” Known as ‘organised retailers’, firms like Titan Co Ltd, P C Jeweller Ltd and Gitanjali Gems Ltd have seen their share of a traditionally fragmented market rocket from just 5% in 2000 as young consumers switched to branded jewellery. Many of India’s 400,000 jewellers have traditionally sold gold in cash transactions, with small retailers often skipping written documentation in an attempt to avoid paying

taxes while people with wealth not recorded in accounting books preferred to buy without invoices or receipts. More than 70% of the country’s gold sales have been in cash up to now. Those transactions, along with a 10% import duty on gold imposed in recent years, have boosted smuggling, Somasundaram said. Prime Minister’s Modi’s drastic move - withdrawing bills equivalent to 86% of the value of cash in circulation - will help curb smuggling, the WGC said in its report. Smugglers offered a discount as high as $100 an ounce in 2016, disrupting the gold supply business. “The grey market will disappear due to cashless transactions,” Somasundaram said. “It will help both consumers and industry in long run.” In its report, the WGC noted that the government’s move to charge lower duty on imports of dore - a semi-pure alloy made by miners - than on refined bullion had boosted refining capacity in India to 1,450 tonnes per annum. However, much of that refining capacity remains unutilised due to limits on sourcing dore, the WGC said, pointing to the prospect of deals within the industry. “There could be a period of consolidation. Bigger refiners will strengthen themselves by acquiring smaller players,” Somasundaram said. l

CORPORATE NEWS

Managing director of EXIM Bank, Dr Mohammed Haider Ali Miah has recently been re-elected as president of Global Economist Forum-Bangladesh for the year 2017-18, said a press release

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Feature

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

Unity of the religions in light of humanism n Shankari Dutt

uman beings naturally possess veneration for the omnipotent creator. Those who believe in the world and the after-world, yearn for peace in both life and after-life. But it is critical to define how to attain peace. There are diversified paths to reach the goal. Avoiding confusion, humans have to follow particular path of life to attain peace. We have to choose one path. In the changing socio-psychological context, we can think of a united form of the diversified paths. It must be free of prejudices and simple indicators to be achieved towards the freedom of self. It is the path of unification that can get the brand of the genuine path for a human being. In course of the different eras, the prophets and the messengers came down to earth in order to promote peace among the human race. None of them declared themselves for a particular race or caste or sect of people. Each of them was for preaching humanism. There is no religion without humanism. It is us, the followers who make noise on less important rituals and cultural practices, that differentiate human beings into rival groups. In reality, our society has become terribly toxic due to differences, discriminations, disagreements among religions, cast, and creeds. In this context, the messenger of the Universal Religion, Sri Anandya Moharaja was born to preach the name of “Doyamoya” for the welfare of the whole human race. Sri Anandya Moharaja came of renowned

Bengali years. Anandya Swami Moharaja calls for unification of all people, the followers of the different religions and castes. He says, “The universe belongs to me, I belong to the universe.” Aiming at establishing loving harmony among the religion and castes, Sri Anandya Moharaja preached the holy name of “Doyamoya.” This name is the symbol of fulfilling the hope of self-freedom. Against the dark complexity of differences among races, religions, and castes, Sri Anandyasawmi Moharaja discovered a new path of ideal spiritual beauty and love. This path neglects discrimination, differences, envy and jealousy, and intolerance. The goal of this path is the strong human bond of love. However, we come across the easy interpretations of Anandyswamis’ doctrine through the songs of Maharse Monomohan Dutt. He was the most affectionate devotee of the messenger of the Universal Religion, Sri Anandya Moharaja. Monomohan lived in the Satmora village of Nabinagar upazila, under the Brahminbaria district. He was a notable scholar and acquired outstanding spiritual wisdom. He was free from pride, full of patience, and sensitive to his responsibility. He acquired deep self-wisdom. He explained Anandyaswami’s doctrine by saying that each and every religion contains the principle of equality. But there are differences in the way of their articulation. Thus, fundamentalism and communalism superseded the religious essence. Monomohan

PHOTO: COURTESY

It is a sin to differ from religion to religion, caste to caste. What do we want to gain by beating others?

Nandi family in the Kalikuccha village of Sorail upazila, under the Brahminbaria district in Bangladesh. But he did not want to belong to the hierarchic family caste. He acquired self-education to be a personality dreaming for a society free of discrimination. His scholarly talent made him an expert in several languages. He wrote his great philosophical book Prokrito Tatta – The Theory of Truth, between 1288-1289

clarified that Sri Ananadya wanted to remove such apparent discriminations for establishing universal brotherhood. Monomohan dedicated his whole life to reflect humanism in his work, practices, and ascetic austerities. He did not find basic differences among races, religions and castes. He was devoted to exploring his self-wisdom through his unique songs. The famous musician Alauddin

Khan’s elder brother, Fakir Aftab Uddin Khan set musical modes of these songs. Aftab Uddin became a dedicated disciple of Monomohan. People started criticising the incident of a Muslim being the follower of Monomohan, and thus a social crisis appeared. Monomohan then wrote a song: ‘O my heart, say If you are Hindu or Muslim. Allah or Hari – who is your God Who are you? Who is your creator? Say O Insan.’ Monomohan knew that it is difficult to characterise the inner feelings of human beings from the light of religious differences. Tolerance and unity is the most effective path of advancing towards peace. When all of the

religions emphasise on universal peace, let us give up quarrelling, and uphold the doctrine of the Universal Religion. Let us work together to eliminate discrimination, to forget envy and jealousy, and establish the truth of unity for the greater welfare of the whole human race. Moharaja Anandyaswami asked, “There is only one omnipotent, we all are his subjects, you must realise from the core of our heart, you the children of whom?” Thus Monomohan explains, we are the children of the creator. Our goal is to work for humanism. Religion is not our costume; it is our civil attitude and behaviour. Monomohan in his Moloya Sangeet, explained the

philosophy of humanism. By listening to these songs, we can soothe our hearts. We can understand how to win others’ hearts, to establish peace and love in this unique earth of the creator. Before looking down upon others, let us ask ourselves why we are becoming the cause of oppression of the weaker. It is a sin to differ from religion to religion, caste to caste. What do we want to gain by beating others? May everyone be in peace and love. l

The virtuous Shankari Dutt is the grand daughter-in-law of Monomohan. Translated by: Nurunnabi Shanto

Feature

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

Power politics All it takes is a few good habits to make a difference

n Tausif Sanzum It’s 6am and the alarm clock goes off. All you want from life at this moment is to go back to your precious sleep but an exam or office awaits. You drag yourself to the bathroom and pick up the brush and go into a trance with the tap on. Leaving the shower on throughout the long bathing process is another age old custom. Avoid this wastage, as according to a report published by WHO/ UNICEF, 15% of households in Bangladesh do not have any access to water.

Switch it off

Your friend is waiting for you downstairs and you rush out to go with him/her leaving your laptop on. By merely switching off electronic appliances such as computers, fans, televisions, when not in use, you can play an important role in conserving power.

Energy stars

While buying electronic appliances, look for the Energy Star Label. These days, fridges, microwaves etc, have an energy saving guide sticker on them. This gives a clear picture of how much

energy is being used. For example, a standard Whirlpool fridge will use approximately 498 units under conditions applied in a year which is a decent use of power. Do not buy appliances with less than a three-star rating.

AC bills

With summer approaching in all its glory, air conditioners serve as the only hope to survive the exhausting heat. However, air conditioners contribute to major electricity usage in the household. Try to avoid continuous usage for long hours – switch them off every hour and turn them on when the room gets hot again. Also, clean the air filters regularly as that saves 5% of the energy used. Doing these two things will also significantly reduce your electricity bill.

Reducing carbon emissions You can also reduce carbon emissions from vehicles by walking, cycling, using public transports or car pooling. This will also reduce a considerable amount of load from the roads. While purchasing a new car, give preference to a car that has good mileage and contribute to conserving CNG.

PHOTOS: BIGSTOCK

Conserving gas

A lot of households now have direct gas lines at a very reasonable fixed monthly fee. Unfortunately, either to save match sticks or due to the effort required to light the stove every time, many of us light the stove in the morning and leave it burning till night. This not only adds to a big amount of energy wastage but also contributes significantly in making your house warm, and adds to the woes during summer.

Natural light

A very easy and healthy way to save electricity is making use of natural sunlight. Just draw apart your curtains during day time. This will not only reduce power wastage due to use of electric bulb which uses around 12 units of power on monthly basis, but also

rejuvenates you with a touch of nature’s freshness.

Conserving light

Although you might feel that neon bulbs give your household a cosy look, it is the CFL bulbs which save electricity as they use up to 10% less power. Also, the number of electrical lighting points in every room can be reduced to one, which will help in this direction.

Conservation awareness games

Play energy conserving games with your kids. This will instil a positive behaviour in them from a very early age and come in handy in later stages. Also talk to your colleagues so that you all can contribute towards power conservation at yourworkplace too.

Additional tips

• Close utensil lids while cooking • Do not keep hot food in the fridge as they take more power to cool down • Cover liquid and food while keeping food in fridges as the liquid from them increase power usage during the defrost cycle • Contrary to belief, microwaves use less power than electric stoves or ovens • Use the correct amount of detergent while washing clothes as adding extra of it will only require more water to rinse them with • Paint your homes with lighter colour shades to reduce heat retention.l

Feature

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

Music piracy: Curse or a precursor? Piracy and its pros and cons

n Saqib Sarker

istening to pirated music is like bunking off school. Everyone is against it but chances are that most of us did it at one time or another. At this point it is abundantly clear that we are not going to do away with music piracy. There have been some speculations about YouTube acquiring all of the music industry and bringing down some corporate justice with astounding download speed. But until then, music piracy continues to be a reality. One of the biggest Bangladeshi bands, Miles, sold millions of records in the last 3 decades, as Hamin Ahmed said in an interview with Al Jazeera. “But we did not get even a small fraction of that money,” he said. In the 80s and 90s, piracy relied on making duplicate cassettes and CDs. But all of that changed with the advent of first, the Internet and then new Internet technologies. The most powerful of which is file sharing. File sharing works because of its simplicity and a genuine demand for contents. But it would be very inaccurate to assume that this is a problem only in Bangladesh. A search on any torrent search engine (torrent is a computer program that connects different users to share the contents in their computers) will reveal that any popular or unpopular music is shared by users from the four corners of the earth. There seems to exist a generally accepted notion that everyone buys their music in the developed countries and it is only us who are not “developed” enough to act as ethically. But it could not be further from the truth. You only need to look at the evidence. But there have been a lot of studies recently that tried to assess the real damages of music piracy, some yielding surprising conclusions. According to a study done by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre entitled ‘Digital Music Consumption on the Internet: Evidence from Clickstream Data’, piracy can actually provide a boost to music revenues online, irrespective of the genre, and that it should not be viewed as a pressing issue by the industry at all. The study took a sample of some 16,000 Europeans and had as its main objective to find

a link between music piracy and subsequent visits to legal digital music stores. But does that work in the Bangladeshi context? There is a lack of proper scientific surveys on this subject and we can only speculate at this point. But there are strong indications that a global model can work in our country. In fact in an increasingly interconnected world this is perhaps not only a solution but it is in all likelihood the ultimate destination we are inevitably heading toward. For example, just a few years ago Bangladeshi audiences did not have the means to buy music online for a multitude of reasons. This in effect deterred the music businesses from making materials available for online purchase. But all of that has changed. Particularly with the advent of mobile phone banking, increasing numbers of service providers and retailers are using online platform to sell their products.

Qinetic Music, for example, is very aggressively pushing for creating an online market. It has already acquired an impressive number of top selling artists under its label, including Miles, Kumar Bishwajit, Shironamhin, Black, Suvro Dev to mention but a few. For the first time in Bangladesh music fans can buy the full discography of Miles from sitting in the comfort of their homes. By allowing consumers to pay through their mobile phone accounts, they have opened themselves up to a potential market for millions of listeners. But worldwide music businesses are trying to come up with models that will work in an environment where the public is unwilling to pay for all the music they listen to. The emergence of Spotify testifies to this truth. Here people can browse and listen to music for free. However, the free service does not allow playing any song you like, it allows you to explore new music as chosen by

PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

But worldwide music businesses are trying to come up with models that will work in an environment where the public is unwilling to pay for all the music they listen to

Spotify. But the premium service provides more options and unrestricted access. Spotify says that “...by bringing listeners into our free, ad-supported tier, we migrate them away from piracy and less monetised platforms and allow them to generate far greater royalties than they were before.” Spotify claims that it has been able to drive its free users to spend more on music than they spent before (from less than $5 per month, the average spent by

download consumers in the US) to $9.99 per month for Spotify). In December 2014 Spotify had 60 million active users. The conventional response to piracy has always been an attempt to implement the intellectual property rights laws more forcefully. But we may have been looking for the wrong solution. It seems that finally the music business is shaping into something that everyone can happily live with.. l

Biz Info

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

| seminar |

HEQEP Seminar by IQAC, IUB

Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam speaks as the chief guest in a seminar titled “Accreditation and Quality Assurance: Prospects and Challenges” held on January 22 at IUB in Bashundhara, Dhaka PHOTO: COURTESY The Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) established under the Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project

(HEQEP) held a seminar titled “Accreditation and Quality Assurance: Prospects and Challenges” on January 22 at IUB campus in Bashundhara, Dhaka. Prominent academic

and celebrated writer Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam graced the event as chief guest, while Dr Gauranga Chandra Mohanta, project director of HEQEP was the special guest. Prof M Omar Rahman, vice

chancellor of IUB chaired the program. Prof Rahman said, “IUB has given utmost importance on quality higher education from the very beginning of its journey, that helped the university in going global. Following the process of accreditation, many things have been standardised so far – class contents are now available on the website prior to class so that the students can prepare themselves and get ready,” the vice chancellor elucidated. Thanking IUB for its activity, special guest of the program Mr Mohanta said, “Not only the faculty and students, but also the whole administration and authority will have to play roles to ensure quality higher education. As quality is an incessant issue, this is not the sole responsibility of the government, rather it is the responsibility of all concerned to ensure that. HEQEP is working with all relevant stakeholders to establish the system before the project expires in 2018,” he informed. Chief guest Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam emphasised

that, what the students will learn after a course and how it will benefit them were not taken care of earlier. But this has changed now. A course outline is now given beforehand with a view to quantifying the learning outcome after the course. He also stated that students’ thoughts about education were not addressed earlier. But nowadays, students’ evaluation is considered predominantly. “To keep up the pace with the modern world, it is time to change and upgrade ourselves towards ensuring quality higher education and enhance credibility and acceptance of our education worldwide,” the chief guest opined. The seminar was conducted by Dr Mahbub Alam, director of IQAC and dean, School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, IUB. Members of Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) and SelfAssessment Committees (SACs) were present in the seminar along with the deans, heads, senior faculty members and administrative officials of IUB. l

| ceremony |

| research |

James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University hosts 12th Graduation Ceremony

Archaeological excavation and research of Bhitargarh begins under the guidance of ULAB teachers and students

PHOTO: COURTESY

On the occasion of the successful completion of the 12th batch of Masters of Public Health (MPH) program, the James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University (JPGSPH) hosted the graduation ceremony yesterday at the Sasakawa Auditorium, icddr,b, Mohakhali. At the ceremony, students from the 12th batch of the MPH program presented their final projects. Students with outstanding performance received awards, including the Allan Rosenfield Award for Best Academic Performance, the Sir Fazle Hasan Abed Award for

Leadership, the WB Greenough III Award for Best Individual High Level Outline, the Richard Cash Award for best Summative Learning Project Group Poster, the Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain Teaching Excellence Award, and the Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain Teaching Fellow Award. The ceremony was attended by notable practitioners in the field of public health, including Professor Sabina Fazi Rashid (dean, JPGSPH), Professor Tahmeed Ahmed (senior director, Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, icddr,b and Professor,

JPGSPH) Professor John D Clemens (executive director, icddr,b) as special guest, chief guest Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb (vice chancellor, BRAC University), and Keynote Speaker Dr Richard Cash (director, Program on Ethical Issues in International Research, Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard University and Professor, JPGSPH). The event was chaired by Dr Ahmed Raza Mushtaque Chowdhury (vice-chairperson, BRAC and advisor, JPGSPH). Representatives from the 12th batch of MPH students also shared their experiences in undertaking a degree at JPGSPH. In his closing remarks, Dr Ahmed Raza Mushtaque Chowdhury said, “The changes and improvements that are happening in the field of health is because programs are being scaled up, which has led to the public health impact we have seen. Go back to your countries or stay in Bangladesh and make interventions available to more people by scaling up”.l

Affairs (MOCA) has also appreciated ULAB’s effort by providing a regular research grant for archaeological excavation and research in Bhitargarh Archaeological Site since 2013. This season’s PHOTO: COURTESY archaeological excavation and University of Liberal Arts research began on January 13 of Bangladesh (ULAB) has been this year, under the guidance of playing a major role in preserving ULAB Professor and Director of the country’s rich cultural Center for Archaeological Studies heritage by inaugurating ULAB(CAS) Dr Shahnaj Husne Jahan. funded regular and systematic The ULAB students who are archaeological exploration attending a specialised course and excavation at Bhitargarh “GED 324: Experiencing the Archaeological Site, the country’s Past” are also participating and largest fortified human settlement, receiving hands-on experience located in Panchagarh district on archaeological excavation since 2008 with the approval and research. The excavation of Department of Archaeology and research for this season will (DOA), Ministry of Cultural Affairs continue till April of this year. l (MOCA). Ministry of Cultural

20 Editorial

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

TODAY

Biman needs to be caged Biman has been a story of tragedy since its birth, and many came and went with pockets full of ill-gotten cash from the airline PAGE 21

When traffic drives you crazy This reminds me of how many friendships, relationships, and opportunities I lost because of traffic. It reminds me of the journey I took with my ailing uncle in an ambulance and his words: ‘Why is the ambulance stuck?’

NASHIRUL ISLAM

PAGE 23

To serve and protect The Women’s March put ‘America first’ The point here is not to diminish the value of the marchers’ message. But, rather, to recognise the power to mobilise that the marchers have demonstrated 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 and they are not the official view of Dhaka Tribune or its publisher.

ll democratic societies recognise the need for a legal mechanism that prevents law enforcement officials from abusing their power. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has recognised this need with the passage of an anti-torture law in 2013. The PM, on the occasion of Police Week, has said the police need to be more people-friendly, as well as be imbued with a democratic spirit. This means respecting civil liberties, and not abusing the power that comes with the police uniform. Removing the anti-torture law, we are afraid, runs counter to that spirit. Abolishing the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act 2013, as has been called for by an Additional Superintendent of Police, would be a step in entirely the wrong direction. Has the law succeeded in completely eradicating all acts of police excess since its inception in 2013? No. Has the existence of the law acted as a major deterrent for law enforcement personnel from abusing power with impunity? Indeed it has. We therefore cannot support the demand to scrap such a landmark piece of legislation. If there are legitimate grievances within the law enforcement community about this law, these should be addressed in a constructive manner with all stake-holders present at the table. The law, designed to protect people, is one that can be handled in a sensible manner -- but its repeal should be out of the question. It is no secret that in recent times, public confidence in the conduct of the police has been shaky at best. We trust that the prime minister will stick to her guns, and protect the rights of the Bangladeshi people and continue to put people’s rights first.

The concern that the law, designed to protect people, could be abused, is one that can be handled in a sensible manner -- but its repeal should be out of the question

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

Biman needs to be caged Biman is broken, and it needs a complete overhaul

Why would anyone fly Biman?

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Biman has been a story of tragedy since its birth, and many came and went with pockets full of ill-gotten cash from the airline

n Nadeem Qadir

he news that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had to opt for a foreign airline for her recent visit abroad is indeed sad. When she flies in our Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the flag carrier also carries regular passengers who get a chance to have a few words with the country’s premier. More importantly, it is a matter of pride to fly the country’s own airline during VVIP visits. Many regular Dhaka-LondonDhaka passengers are scared, and are opting for other airlines -- which means empty flights and loss of revenue. The recent incident with the fuel leak of the VVIP flight with Sheikh Hasina on-board was a miraculous escape from disaster. Such problems led to the deaths of many important personalities, including former UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold. After the incident, an investigation committee was formed, and a few are behind bars now, but that is not enough. Those

responsible for meddling with a flight of the premier should be given exemplary punishment, and the media should keep a close eye on this matter. This is a matter of great national interest, as it may have been an attempt to assassinate the premier, because her rivals are resentful of her success stories and their loss of fortune. Whether the trigger was pulled from London or Malaysia also needs to be probed with no stone left unturned. It is as if Biman is under nobody’s control, because 45 years have not allowed the organisation to flourish even with a foreigner as the CEO. Biman has been a story of tragedy since its birth, and many came and went with pockets full of ill-gotten cash from the airline. Not only in purchase of aircrafts, but also maintenance costs have seen big corrupt deals, and many were reported in the media. There were complaints that cabin crew were involved in “luggage business” plus gold smuggling. A few were arrested. In one instance, one cabin crew was quoted in the media that their

salary was very low compared to their colleagues in other airlines, and thus they needed to bring in goods to sell in Dhaka markets -which means Biman, at that point, was a poor employer. But after 45 years, an airline with such potential cannot die, rather it should have sprung its wings across the world. It needs to be caged and streamlined. Before I go on about what its process of redemption should be, let me give you another example of corruption. A Biman flight had a faulty door problem before it flew from Dhaka. But it was only announced after landing in London and for four to five days the passengers were kept in hotels at the state’s expense, while officials had a shopping spree in Oxford Street, according to one passenger on that flight. Many reputed airlines, including Lufthansa and Thai, had offered to take over Biman on a profit-sharing basis. We need to disinvest in Biman immediately by breaking the unions which take to the streets whenever such plans are undertaken. We must deal with a tough hand. All the Biman aircrafts must have the same colour also. If the country is moving towards middle-income status in 2021, why should Biman belong to least developed country stratus? Let Biman get a new leadership,

so that by 2021, we are halfway across the world, with a reputation, and across the world by 2041. l Nadeem Qadir is the Press Minister of the Bangladesh High Commission in London.

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

When traffic drives you crazy Is traffic causing mood disorders in people?

n Mushfique Wadud

ne of my friends has recently been diagnosed with a mood disorder. She was asked by her psychiatrist to prepare an activity log to determine what the triggers of her bad moods were. She was asked to email the activity log to the doctor so that he could have some idea of the triggers beforehand, and discuss them when they met. When she went to see the doctor after one week, the first thing he told her was: “Traffic jam is the most mentioned trigger in your activity log. You are a unique patient for me. I have never heard anything like that from any of my patients.” My friend told me that she starts any day in a good mood, but that disappears when she is stuck in traffic. “I feel like getting off my car and start walking. But that’s not possible,” she said. She said that in most cases, after being stuck in traffic, she misbehaves with her colleagues or family members or with shopkeepers. And when she does not have to endure traffic on the roads, her mood is completely fine. “After reaching office, I remain very calm throughout the day. Then, when I have to start for my house and get stuck in a jam, my mood deteriorates. It remains so till the next morning,” she said. She shared with me that she believes traffic jams are responsible for her recent breakup. “I love him. We understand each other, but our offices are on two sides of Dhaka. We always met after pushing through horrible traffic jam on the streets. “And because of the traffic, I used to be angry. I quarreled with him most the time. And sometimes we would cancel our dates while on our way,” she said. She said she believes if Dhaka’s traffic was good, she would not have had this break-up. When I was listening to her, I understood that I have the same type of mood disorder, and traffic jam is the trigger for me as well. Like my friend, I too become angry after experiencing traffic. This just reminds me of how many friendships, relationships, and opportunities I lost because of traffic. It reminds me of the journey I took with my ailing uncle in an ambulance and his words: “How far is the hospital? Why is the ambulance stuck?” This reminds me of my last

There’s no way out conversation with my former girlfriend: “You can’t adjust with me,” after I was late on the fifth consecutive day due to traffic jams. This reminds me of the interview I missed when I was badly in need of a job. It reminds me of a lot of things, and I conclude that Dhaka and its traffic took many things away from me. My friend told me that her psychiatrist asked her to avoid the triggers that are causing her mood disorder. “Traffic is the trigger for me. If I want to avoid this, I must leave this city. I have to migrate either outside Dhaka or to another country. But, I do not want to leave my family,” she said.

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

This reminds me of how many friendships, relationships, and opportunities I lost because of traffic. It reminds me of the journey I took with my ailing uncle in an ambulance and his words: ‘How far is the hospital? Why is the ambulance stuck?’

“What can I do now?” she asked me. As I heard the question, I understood that we cannot do anything, and we have no other option but to destroy our lives in this city. I understand why people suddenly get angry in Dhaka. I understand why there’s so

much indiscipline in Dhaka. I understand that many citydwellers have the same mood disorders resulting from traffic jams. And they will not get any relief from this anytime soon. l Mushfique Wadud is a journalist.

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

The Women’s March put ‘America first’ The power seen at the march should be mobilised for the betterment of mankind

But do the protesters care about other atrocities throughout the world?

The point here is not to diminish the value of the marchers’ message. But, rather, to recognise the power to mobilise that the marchers have demonstrated, and who have also proven that the entire world looks to America for leadership

REUTERS

n Mohammad N Miraly

he women’s march had something in common with the person it was protesting: It put “America first.” The march was a US civil rights campaign that mobilised the largest gathering in US history to

protest statements about women made by the newest US president. The fact that words spoken by a US president elicited enough outrage to mobilise a global protest shows that what happens in America is more important to Americans (and all of us) than any other issue anywhere in the world. One cannot help but contrast the high level of outrage incited by perceived changes to US domestic policy against the low level incited by actual atrocities that occur daily. Hillary Clinton once said: “Women’s rights are human rights, and human rights are women’s rights.” These words are memorable because they are true. By the same token, however, there were no marches to protest the infanticide of baby girls in China, or brutal gang rape in Congo, or unequal education in Afghanistan. These global human rights violations did not mobilise American women. What mobilised women in the US was a perceived change to American way of life, through the perceived change in domestic policy hinted at by the rhetoric of a US president. And all of us all over the world, who mobilised to protest one man’s Twitter feed, but did not mobilise to condemn female genital mutilation in Mali, or the sex trafficking of girls in Guatemala, chose to put “America first.” The point here is not to diminish the value of the marchers’ message. But, rather, to recognise the power to mobilise that the marchers have demonstrated, and who have also proven that the entire world looks to America for leadership. This is a power buttressed by the ideals of human rights, and it is a power that should be mobilised for the betterment of all humankind. We must look beyond our borders, for it is nobler to support humanity everywhere than to protest a rhetoric at home. l Mohammad N Miraly is a Canadian scholar and art collector. He holds a PhD in Religion, Ethics, and Public Policy from McGill University and his research focuses on the interactions between religious ethics and liberal values in contemporary culture. He is the author of Faith and World: Contemporary Ismaili Social and Political Thought. His website is at www.drmiraly.com.

24 Sport

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

TOP STORIES

It’s not all doom and gloom, says Hathurusingha n Tribune Report

New Zealand want run-out review New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson has called for a review of run-out rules following the bizarre dismissal of Neil Wagner in the second and final Test against Bangladesh. PAGE 25

Fedex rolls into allSwiss semi-final Roger Federer beat giant-killer Mischa Zverev to become the Australian Open’s oldest men’s semi-finalist in nearly 40 years yesterday, as fellow veteran Venus Williams also rolled back the years. PAGE 26

Bangladesh have faced the other side of the coin after a successful run at home in the last two years or so, especially in the limited-over formats. Despite showing a lot of promise, the Tigers went on to lose all the eight matches in their tour of New Zealand. It was assumed to be a tough challenge for the Bangladesh cricketers playing their first series away from home after a few years, and it proved to be so. In spite of creating several window of opportunities, the Tigers were unable to utilise them. However, according to Tigers head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, apart from the negative run of results, there are still quite a few positives to take out from the tour, which will in turn help the side in future. The 48-year old praised the newcomers in the form of Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Mehedi Hasan Miraz, who both showed promise in their first tour with Bangladesh. Paceman Kamrul especially, exhibited glimpses of his ability and utilised the conditions to great effect. The recently concluded tour has been a ground-breaking one for Bangladesh in that five players made their international debut across the three formats while seven embarked on their first tour

away from home. "I am happy with their performance, it is not all doom and gloom. There are a lot of positives to build on. You can't just discard some of them or go overboard for what happened. This experience will help Bangladesh cricket and these players to do much better in future. The likes of Rabbi and

Hathurusingha praised the newcomers in the form of Kamrul Islam and Mehedi Hasan, who both showed promise in their first tour with Bangladesh Miraz changed their demeanour on the field from the England series to this tour. I can see them learning quickly," Hathurusingha told the media yesterday. The former Sri Lankan cricketer said Bangladesh still need to improve and keep their intensity high over the course of five days of a Test match. In the opening Test in Wellington, Bangladesh were bowled out for 160 after taking a 56-run

lead in the first innings while in the second and final five-dayer in Christchurch, the Tigers suffered a similar fate in the second innings and eventually lost the game with a day to spare. "It is disappointing the way they approached not just Christchurch but also in Wellington. We are still not mentally strong enough or maybe it is a physical thing, which I don't know yet, to play five days of high-intensity cricket. Not to take away New Zealand playing their best cricket in the last innings in Christchurch but it is not an excuse. We were beaten by a good team at home," said Hathurusingha. Hathurusingha however, praised the improvement in mentality among the cricketers. He cited stand-in captain Tamim Iqbal as an example. Tamim deputised for the injured Mushfiqur Rahim and took over the responsibility on behalf of the team for their disappointing performance in Christchurch. "All you can ask for is someone taking responsibility. It is a start. You can't ask more than that from players. Second thing is to do something about it. For me the starting point is accepting responsibility. As you all know, it is the first away tour after a long time. We are learning from this and we have to quickly rectify the areas we need to address. It is the way forward,” he added. l

De Villiers back as South Africa captain AB de Villiers will captain South Africa in a five-match one-day international series against Sri Lanka, starting in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. De Villiers has recovered from an elbow injury. PAGE 27

Liverpool seek Cup home comfort Liverpool’s formidable home record was meant to provide the platform for a tilt at three trophies this season - but Saturday’s surprise 3-2 Premier League defeat by Swansea spoiled that idea. PAGE 28

Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha speaks to the media in New Zealand recently

COURTESY

Shakib leads Bangladesh's Test batting ranking n Tribune Report

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan reached his career-best Test batting ranking, rising to 22nd spot. With 443 rating points, he has also touched his best rating as an all-rounder, following the conclusion of the second and final Test between Bangladesh and host New Zealand. The Kiwis won the game by nine wickets on Monday in Christchurch to complete a 2-0 series sweep. Other Bangladesh cricketers to gain in the rankings include all-rounder Mahmudullah and paceman Kamrul Islam Rabbi. Mahmudullah moved four slots to reach 50th position in the batting ranking while Kamrul rose 14 slots to reach 85th. Shakib has moved up one position to 22nd with knocks of 59 and eight in the Christchurch Test, which came on the back of his 217 in the Wellington Test. This is the highest individual score ever by a Bangladesh batsman in the longer version. The left-handed all-rounder has also jumped one place to 14th in the MRF Tyres ICC player ranking for Test bowlers. Shakib has spent 767 days as the world’s top ranked all-rounder between December 2011 and December 2015, and his combined effort, that included four wickets in Christchurch, has seen him reach a career-high rating of 443 points to maintain fourth position. On the other hand, New Zealand’s Tom Latham also attained his career-best placing in the ranking for Test batsmen. New Zealand opening batsman Latham played two fine innings of 68 and 41 not out in Christchurch, which gained him five spots and took him to 26th rank. Henry Nicholls, meanwhile, scored 98 in the first innings of the Christchurch Test and his effort lifted him 16 slots to a career-best 60th position in his 11th Test match. In the Test team ranking, New Zealand have gained two points with the 2-0 series sweep and now find themselves with 98 points. The tally has overtaken Pakistan, who are now sixth with 97 points. India lead the table with 120 points. l

Sport

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

BCB chief slams seniors for batting failures Hints appointment of Jonty Rhodes as fielding consultant n Tribune Report BCB president Nazmul Hasan has slammed the senior batsmen of the Bangladesh cricket team for failing badly in their recently concluded tour of New Zealand. The BCB boss in a press conference held at his corporate office yesterday questioned the senior batsmen’s mentality, intent and focus and blamed complacency for Bangladesh’s series defeats in the ODIS, T20Is and Tests. The Tigers' sloppy fielding and

dropped catches were also below-par right throughout the tour and in order to make things better, the BCB is hoping to sign South Africa legend Jonty Rhodes as the fielding consultant. There have been occasions when a Bangladesh batsman stood up with individual heroics, such as Shakib al Hasan's 217 runs in the first innings of the first Test in Wellington. But Nazmul expressed fury over the individual achievements as according to him, they rarely help the

team's cause. “It was beyond imagination that Bangladesh would score big, like they did in the first innings of the first Test (595/8 declared). But it is hard to accept any reason for getting all out cheaply in the next innings. I am talking of the senior batsmen here, not the juniors,” said Nazmul yesterday. “We were in a winning situation in two off the three ODIs also in the T20Is but we failed and batting failure was the chief reason,” he added.

Nazmul said gone are the days when one batsman could get out saying he was trying to play his natural game. The BCB chief is of the opinion that such mentality is not acceptable in Tests and that the game demands one to play according to the situation. Bangladesh’s highest point in the series was Shakib’s 217 but Nazmul would have been happier if he had contributed throughout the series, rather than scoring in just one game. “It (Shakib’s heroics) did not

come when the team needed it. We could have won ODIs and T20Is if he had scored even 30 or 40 runs,” said Nazmul. Given Bangladesh’s tight schedule ahead and injury being a concern at this point, the BCB has decided to rope in former Proteas cricketer Rhodes. “We have almost taken the decision. We need to work on fielding and fitness because of the heavy schedule we have. We are contacting good quality trainers and physios,” Nazmul informed. l

ULAB Fair Play Cup Cricket T20 2017 Host off to a winning start round performance. n Tribune Report Earlier, former

Bangladesh U-16 women’s football team captain Srimoti Krishna Rani Sarkar (L) and Sanjida Akter (C) pose for photographs yesterday at the BFF House in Motijheel ahead of their departure to Japan for a preparation camp MD MANIK

New Zealand want run-out review n AFP, Christchurch

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has called for a review of run-out rules following the bizarre dismissal of Neil Wagner in the second Test against Bangladesh. Wagner grounded his bat before the ball hit the wickets but was given out because he had no part of his body nor bat on the ground

when the bails came off. In the fraction of a second it took for the bails to be dislodged he was mid-stride with both feet in the air and had lifted the bat off the ground. "It seems a little bit unfair," Hesson said, although the decision did not impact on the outcome of the game as the Kiwis went on to win by nine wickets. The New Zealand argument was

New Zealand’s Neil Wagner is run out by Bangladesh’s Nurul Hasan

COURTESY

that if the bat touching the ground behind the line completes a single if the batsmen turn for another run, then it should also complete the single if it is the end of the scoring movement. "When your bat bounces over the line, once you've made your ground, that's not really what the run-out's all about," Hesson said. "I personally think it (the rule) needs a bit of tinkering." The second Test win in Christchurch completed a tour sweep of Bangladesh with New Zealand claiming both Tests as well as the three ODIs and three T20Is. Hesson said the 8-0 triumph had given his bowlers in particular confidence going into next week's one-day series Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series against Australia. Dismissing Bangladesh for 173 in their second innings "was probably our best performance with the ball in 12 months," he said. l

University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh made a winning start in the 10th ULAB Fair Play Cup Cricket T20 Tournament at the ULAB ground in Mohammadpur yesterday. ULAB defeated beat BRAC University by 91 runs in the tournament opener. Batting first, ULAB, riding on captain Hasanuzzaman’s 29-ball 59 and Anjum Ahmed’s unbeaten 40-ball 59 posted 206 runs on the board for the loss of three wickets. In reply, BRAC University scored only 115 runs before being all out in 19.5 overs. Nafees made 39 runs from 42 balls while Anjum bagged four wickets for ULAB to claim the man of the match award for his all-

Bangladesh cricket captain Khaled Mashud inaugurated the tournament as the chief guest. Professor Imran Rahman, vice chancellor, ULAB, gave the opening speech while professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, vice chancellor of BRAC University, also spoke during the opening ceremony. Juditha Ohlmacher, member, board of trustees, ULAB, Milan Kumar Bhattacharjee, treasurer, and professor Akhter Ahmed, registrar, ULAB, were also present during ceremony. University of Asia Pacific will face North South University at 9:30am today at the same venue while Eastern University will face Southeast University at 1:30pm. l

Former Bangladesh cricket captain Khaled Mashud speaks during the opening ceremony of the 2017 ULAB Fair Play Cup Cricket T20 in the capital’s Mohammadpur yesterday COURTESY

Sport

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

Ecclestone out, Carey in n AFP, Los Angeles

Bernie Ecclestone's long reign as Formula One's ringmaster came to an end Monday as Liberty Media completed its multi-billion-dollar takeover of motorsport's most prestigious brand. Colorado-based Liberty confirmed in a statement that American Chase Carey had been appointed chairman and chief executive

of F1, with Ecclestone moving into an advisory role as "chairman emeritus". Ecclestone, 86, had already signalled the end of his near 40-year reign as head of Formula One in comments to German magazine Auto Motor und Sport earlier Monday. "I was dismissed [Monday]," Ecclestone told the magazine. "I no longer run the company. My position has been taken by Chase Carey," he said. l

Switzerland’s Roger Federer hits a shot during his men’s singles quarter-final match against Germany’s Mischa Zverev in the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday REUTERS

Fedex rolls into all-Swiss semi n AFP, Melbourne Roger Federer beat giant-killer Mischa Zverev to become the Australian Open's oldest men's semi-finalist in nearly 40 years yesterday, as fellow veteran Venus Williams also rolled back the years. The stylish Swiss made light of the challenge posed by German serve-volleyer Zverev, who stunned top seed Andy Murray in the fourth round, to reach a record-extending 41st Grand Slam semi-final. Federer won 6-1, 7-5, 6-2 in just 92 minutes to set up a last-four clash with his compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka, who won a bad-tempered quarter-final with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-3. The 35-year-old Federer becomes the tournament's oldest semi-finalist since Arthur Ashe in 1978, and the oldest at any Grand Slam since Jimmy Connors reached the 1991 US Open last four aged 39. The draw has opened up invitingly for Federer, a four-time winner in Melbourne, and 2014 champion Wawrinka, as well as fellow thirty-something Rafael Nadal after the exits of Murray and title-holder Novak Djokovic. Earlier Wawrinka and France's Tsonga, who have been at odds in the past, argued heatedly at the first-set changeover before

the Swiss charged into his third Melbourne semi-final. In the women's draw, Williams' age-defying campaign reached new heights as she beat Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to become the oldest female Grand Slam semi-finalist in 23 years. Williams, 36, won 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) to reach the last four without dropping a set and move towards a possible ninth Grand Slam final against her sister Serena, 16 years after their first. Next up for Williams is her hard-hitting, aggressive fellow American Coco Vandeweghe, who stunned French Open champion Garbine Muguruza to reach her first Grand Slam semi-final. The tall, powerful Vandeweghe smashed 31 winners past the Spaniard and raced through the second set in just 28 minutes to complete a lopsided 6-4, 6-0 upset win. Muguruza admitted she had been taken by surprise by Vandeweghe, despite her earlier wins over defending champion Angelique Kerber and Eugenie Bouchard. "I was surprised. I think she played unbelievable. Three times we played in the past, she didn't show this level," Muguruza said. "She played very good. Her serve, her shots were there. She barely missed." l

DAY’S WATCH CRICKET STAR SPORTS 2 2:38PM KFC T20 Big Bash League 2016-17 Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers

TEN 1 HD 10:00PM Sri Lanka Tour Of South Africa 2016/17 3rd T20I

FOOTBALL NEO PRIME

1:30AM (Thursday) Coppa Italia TIM Cup 2017 QFs Juventus v AC Milan

TEN 1 HD 1:30AM (Thursday) EFL Cup 2016-17 SF, 2nd Leg Liverpool v Southampton

TENNIS SONY SIX 6:00AM (Thursday) Australian Open 2017 Day 11, Women’s SFs

Sport

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

De Villiers back as captain

Mason making 'excellent progress' – club

n AFP, Johannesburg

AB de Villiers will captain South Africa in a five-match one-day international series against Sri Lanka, starting in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. Batting star De Villiers, who has recovered from an elbow injury which prevented him from playing for six months, regains the captaincy after Faf du Plessis led South Africa to a 5-0 clean sweep in a one-day series against Australia last October. Du Plessis has subsequently been named South Africa’s longterm Test captain. De Villiers will make his international comeback in the third and final T20I against Sri Lanka in Cape Town today before resuming his ODI career. Also back in the one-day squad after a long injury lay-off is

n AFP, London

all-rounder Chris Morris. Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi is the only newcomer to ODIs after taking six wickets in the first two T20Is. Fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel were not considered because of injury. Squad: AB de Villiers (C),

Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (WK), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada and Tabraiz Shamsi. l

Hull City midfielder Ryan Mason is making "excellent progress" after fracturing his skull but will remain under close observation in hospital, the Premier League club said yesterday. The 25-year-old suffered serious injury when he accidentally clashed heads with Chelsea's Gary Cahill in the 14th minute of the 2-0 loss at the Premier League leaders on Sunday. Mason was rushed to the nearby St Mary's Hospital in west London and underwent surgery. "The club can confirm that Ryan Mason continues to make excellent

progress after sustaining a skull fracture in Sunday's game against Chelsea," said a Hull statement. "He will continue to be closely monitored by staff at St Mary's Hospital over the next few days, whilst also remaining in contact with our medical team to assess his progress." Hull said they would only release more information when there are changes to Mason's condition, adding: "We also ask that people respect Ryan and his family's privacy whilst he remains in hospital." Hull announced Monday that Mason was conscious and able to speak following a visit by captain Michael Dawson and club officials. l

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Sport

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

Real wait on Ronaldo for Cup comeback n AFP, Madrid

Liverpool’s Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino kicks a ball during training yesterday

COURTESY

Liverpool seek League Cup home comfort in Saints semi-final n AFP, Liverpool

Liverpool’s formidable home record was meant to provide the platform for a tilt at three trophies this season - but Saturday’s surprise 3-2 Premier League defeat by Swansea spoiled that idea. If Jurgen Klopp’s team are to overcome Southampton at Anfield in the second leg of a League Cup semi-final today and reach Wembley, their defending will have to improve significantly. The shock of suffering their first defeat at Anfield in almost 12 months is still being felt by the club’s supporters, with a run of just

two points won from the last nine available damaging Liverpool's chances of landing a first English league title since 1990. But for the next few days the Merseysiders' focus will be on cup football. The visit of Premier League rivals Southampton - who lead 1-0 from the first leg courtesy of Nathan Redmond's brilliant goal will be followed by a home match against second-tier side Wolves in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday. Klopp expects success in both ties; he also expects much better defending from a team who have

conceded six goals in their last three league matches. "We are not happy about the last results," said the Liverpool manager. "They are obviously not good enough. "But I understand football in a different way. The final mistake in a game, sometimes it’s the goalkeeper, sometimes it’s the defender, sometimes it’s somebody else, but most of the time, there are seven or eight players involved," the German boss added. "That’s the defending I’m talking about. Everybody’s responsible for everything. We really have to do better."

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane hopes Cristiano Ronaldo will shrug off a foot problem in time to lead the European champions' bid to overcome a Copa del Rey deficit at Celta Vigo yesterday. Zidane's squad, down 2-1 from the quarter-final first leg at home, has been hit by a series of injuries with Marcelo and Luka Modric joining Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Dani Carvajal and Pepe on the sidelines after limping off in Saturday's 2-1 win over Malaga. Ronaldo also suffered a blow to his right foot at the weekend, but Zidane expects the World Player of the Year to feature as Real aim to keep their quest for a first ever treble on course in Galicia. "It is something that has bothered him until now, but he is fine. It is just a knock," said Zidane yesterday. "He will be with us [today]." After a glorious 2016 for club and country, Ronaldo has endured a frustrating start to the new year. The Portuguese has scored just once from open play and was even jeered by sections of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd on Saturday. "We all want the same thing, which is to do our best to win things," added Zidane. "Whistles have always been heard in this stadium and others, and that isn't going to change. The only thing I will say is that we need the fans on our side." Zidane admitted his annoyance at the crowd's reaction and the number of injuries that have blighted Madrid throughout the season, despite tasting defeat for the first time in the campaign just nine days ago at Sevilla. However, the Frenchman challenged the less heralded members of the Madrid squad to take their

chance to shine at Celta Vigo. "It does annoy me that some players are out, but we can't do anything about it," he said. "Throughout the season players will get injured and now we have to continue with those that are ready. "It is a difficult, but great game to play. Now and again we also like to come from behind in these types of games." In contrast to Madrid's ailing squad, Celta should be well rested to spring another surprise after coach Eduardo Berizzo made eight changes from the side that won at the Bernabeu last week for Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad. "The game [today] has a real importance," said Berizzo. "It is a game of life or death and to prepare for that game it is necessary to hand a rest to those that have accumulated many matches." The other three quarter-final ties to be completed this week look far more predictable. Barcelona ended a 10-year wait for a victory away at Sociedad thanks to Neymar's penalty last week to carry a 1-0 lead into their second leg at the Camp Nou tomorrow. The Catalans have also been afflicted by injury with Sergio Busquets set to miss the next few weeks due to ankle ligament damage. Andres Iniesta and Rafinha are also doubtful, but Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are expected to start again up front after all three scored in Sunday's 4-0 rout at Eibar. Sociedad may also have their La Liga visit to the Bernabeu on Sunday in mind as they chase Champions League football. Atletico Madrid have the healthiest lead of all as they carry a 3-0 advantage into their second leg at Eibar today. l

Hot shot Warner happy to rest for tough India test n AFP, Sydney Australia's player of the year David Warner has welcomed a rest before touring India next month saying it's tough preparing for sub-continental conditions. Warner, who won back-to-back Allan Border medals on Monday night, has been excused from the three one-day games in New Zealand starting next week after a hectic southern summer. "We're running ragged in the outfield...we're giving everything we can, and I've run as hard as I can for every ball," said the 30-year-old. "So that does take its toll," the opening batsman added.

Warner said he would fly out on February 5, "So I've got a bit of time at home which is great". "I'm grateful that you know Cricket Australia allowing me to get over some little niggles and having a little bit of rest at home to get me ready for India and there's no excuses there." Australia has won Test and oneday series against Pakistan after losses to South Africa and a tough tour of Sri Lanka and Warner admitted to feeling the strain. "I felt probably the first two especially one-dayers this series with Pakistan, I've felt quite, not lazy, but my feet weren't moving," he said. l

Members of the International Tennis Hall of Fame attend an induction ceremony for former tennis players Andy Roddick of the USA, Belgium’s Kim Clijsters and the Netherlands’ Monique Kalkman-van den Bosch REUTERS

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Chopped cabbage dressing (4) 4 Storms (5) 8 Evil intent (6) 9 Goading device (4) 11 Aquatic furred mammal (5) 12 High mountains (4) 14 Drink (3) 15 Insect (6) 19 Preferable (6) 21 Donkey (3) 22 Shopping complex (4) 24 Quotes (5) 27 Excuse (4) 29 Meal course (6) 30 Shabby (5) 31 Slender support (4)

DOWN 1 Distress call (3) 2 Talisman (6) 3 Twist out of shape (4) 4 Brazilian seaport (abb) (3) 5 Thespian (5) 6 Obtain (3) 7 Small branches (6) 10 Wan (4) 13 Observe (3) 14 Counting frame (6) 16 Limb (3) 17 Billfold (6) 18 Island (4) 20 Tendency (5) 23 Copies (4) 25 Golf mound (3) 26 Pig's enclosure (3) 28 Goal (3)

Downtime

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 14 represents B so fill B every time the figure 14 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. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

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

Showtime

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

Oscars: La La Land gets 14 nominations tying all-time record

WHAT TO WATCH

Farhadi, director Tanna, Australia, Bentley Dean, Martin Butler, directors Toni Erdmann, Germany, Maren Ade, director Best Actor Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridg Ryan Gosling, La La Land Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic Denzel Washington, Fences Best Original Score Micachu, Jackie Justin Hurwitz, La La Land Dustin O’Halloran, Hauschka, Lion Nicholas Britell, Moonlight Thomas Newman, Passengers

n Showtime Desk The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominations for the 89th Academy Awards yesterday. La La Land, a musical tribute to Los Angeles, picked up 14 nods to tie the record set by Titanic and All About Eve. It was nominated for best picture and best director for 32-year old Damien Chazelle, as well as the two leads, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone for personal awards. Ryan Gosling, Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic) and Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge) join Casey Affleck, who plays a handyman in Manchester by the Sea, and Denzel Washington, the lead in Fences, were nominated for the Best Actor Award. La La Land wasn’t the only record-breaker. Meryl Streep earned her 20th Oscar nomination, the most ever for a performer. Streep was recognised for her work as a tone-deaf opera singer in Florence Foster Jenkins. She will face off against Isabelle Huppert as a rape victim in Elle, Natalie Portman as a resilient first lady in Jackie, Ruth Negga as a civil rights warrior in Loving, and Emma Stone. Apparently, the Academy has been influenced by protests over the lack of diversity of its nominees. After two straight years of snubbing performers of colour, this year’s nominees were notably more reflective of a multi-cultural America. Seven out of the 20 performance nominations went

to actors of colour, and a number of best picture and documentary contenders, such as Hidden Figures, Fences, The 13th, and OJ: Made in America chronicled with the issue of racial inequality. The 2017 Academy Awards will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and will be broadcast on February 26. Here is the list of nominations in major categories: Best Picture Arrival Fences Hacksaw Ridge Hell or High Water Hidden Figures La La Land Lion Manchester By the Sea Moonlight Best Cinematography Bradford Young, Arrival Linus Sandgren , La La Land

Grieg Fraser, Lion James Laxton, Moonlight Rodrigo Prieto, Silence Best Supporting- Actor Mahershala Ali, Moonlight Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water Lucas Hedges, Manchester by the Sea Dev Patel, Lion Michael Shannon, Nocturnal Animals Best Documentary Feature Fire at Sea I Am Not Your Negro Life, Animated OJ: Made in America The 13th Best Foreign Language Film Land of Mine, Denmark, Martin Zandvliet, director A Man Called Ove, Sweden, Hannes Holm, director The Salesman, Iran, Asghar

Best Original Screenplay Hell or High Water (Taylor Sheridan) La La Land (Damien Chazelle) The Lobster (Yorgos Lanthimos, Efthymis Filippou) Manchester by the Sea (Kenneth Lonergan) 20th Century Women (Mike Mills) Best Animated Feature Kubo and the Two Strings (Focus Features) Moana (Disney) My Life As a Zucchini (GKIDS) The Red Turtle (Sony Classics) Zootopia (Disney) Best Supporting- Actress Viola Davis, Fences Naomie Harris, Moonlight Nicole Kidman, Lion Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea Best Film Editing Joe Walker, Arrival John Gilbert, Hacksaw Ridge Jake Roberts, Hell or High Water Tom Cross, La La Land Joi McMillon, Nat Sanders, Moonlight Best Actress Isabelle Huppert, Elle Ruth Negga, Loving Emma Stone, La La Land Natalie Portman, Jackie Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins Best Director Denis Villeneuve, Arrival Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge Damien Chazelle, La La Land Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea Barry Jenkins, Moonlight l

The A-Team Star Movies 9:30pm A group of Iraq War veterans looks to clear their name with the US military, who suspect the four men of committing a crime for which they were framed. Cast: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Sharlto Copley Daddy’s Home HBO 9:30pm Brad Whitaker is a radio host trying to get his stepchildren to love him and call him Dad. But his plans turn upside down when their biological father, Dusty Mayron, returns. Cast: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini Sherlock Holmes WB 7:18pm Detective Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England. Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Rachel McAdams Race to Witch Mountain Zee Studio 11:05pm

A Las Vegas cabbie enlists the help of a UFO expert to protect two siblings with paranormal powers from the clutches of an organisation that wants to use the kids for their nefarious plans. Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, AnnaSophia Robb Big Hero 6 Movies Now 9:30pm The special bond that develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax, and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes. Cast: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung l

Showtime

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

Karan Johar’s book sparks controversy n Showtime Desk Noted Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar’s autobiography has sparked a debate about being gay in India where homosexuality is considered a crime, according to a law that dates back to the British colonial times.

celebrity to support gay rights. “Everybody knows what my sexual orientation is. I don’t need to scream it out. If I need to spell it out, I won’t only because I live in a country where I could possibly be jailed for saying this. Which is why, I, Karan Johar will not say the three words that possibly

PHOTO: INDIGLAMOUR

Johar’s book, which was launched at a function in Mumbai last week by none other than Shah Rukh Khan, is currently among the best-sellers on Amazon India as it has sparked debate over why he does not use his status as a

everybody knows about me,” Johar says in the book. He also describes about the criticism that he had to face throughout his entire life. In response to the criticism, Karan writes, “The reason I don’t say it

out aloud is simply that I don’t want to be dealing with the FIRs [police complaints]. I’m very sorry. I have a job, I have a commitment to my company, to my people who work for me; there are over a hundred people that I’m answerable to.” “I’m not going to sit in the courts because of ridiculous, completely bigoted individuals who have no education, no intelligence, who go into some kind of rapture for publicity,” he added. According to the country’s Section 377 law, introduced in 1862, homosexuality is defined as “against the order of nature” and can attract a maximum sentence of life in prison. India’s gay rights crusaders have long been fighting a battle against Section 377, and in what appeared to be a breakthrough in 2009, the Delhi High Court decriminalised consensual homosexual intercourse. But in 2013 the verdict was reversed by the Supreme Court, which said that it was for India’s parliament to decide how to amend the law. But in 2015, India’s lower

Anne Hathaway up for Nasty Women

PHOTO: GQINDIA

house of parliament voted against the introduction of a bill to decriminalise homosexuality, proposed by a member of parliament. Johar’s book also details his

lonely childhood. He talks about growing up with weight issues in a plush neighbourhood in Mumbai among children of the film industry since his father was a producer. l

Bobita to raise awareness for children's rights

n Showtime Desk A remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrel, a 1988 American comedy starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, is in the making and is titled Nasty Women. As it happens, Anne Hathaway is in talks to join Rebel Wilson for the lead roles in the remake. Just like the classic from the 80’s, they will play a pair of scam artists, one high class and the other, a low level one, as they try to rip off a vulnerable love interest - this time a naive tech tycoon. It would be a return to the lighter fare that made Hathaway’s name, most notably her role as the aspiring journalist Andrea Sachs in The Devil Wears Prada. Rebel Wilson has also decided to produce the project alongside Roger Birnbaum, under his Pin High Production banner. Anne Hathaway also has her own link to Nasty Women, too, as the script for the remake has been written by Jac Schaeffer, the same person who penned The Shower, a sci-fi comedy that she was aligned to produce and star back in 2015. Hathaway, whose recent films include The Intern with Robert De Niro and Alice Through the Looking Glass, is already involved with another gender-swapping project: the new Ocean’s Eleven female spinoff Ocean’s Eight, which is currently in production. l

n Showtime Desk

PHOTO: HARPERS BAZAAR

A veteran actress of the Bangladesh film industry, Bobita has been absent from the big screen for some time now. She is spending time with her family. She is also involved with an organisation which advocates for children's rights. She is now a representative and an ambassador of DCI, an organisation working to establish children's rights. To raise

awareness for this issue, she will be joining a concert on February 3, 2017 at KIB (Bangladesh Krishibid Institute). Legendary singer Sabina Yasmin and Syed Abdul Hadi will also perform along with other bands at the event. The concert is being organised by DCI and IPDC Finance limited, Mominul Islam, chief executive officer of IPDC confirmed. l

Back Page

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

ASIAN NATIONS TRY TO SAVE TPP DEAL AS US EXITS PAGE 14

POWER POLITICS

PAGE 17

IT’S NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM, SAYS HATHURUSINGHA PAGE 24

Bird flu crisis averted n Nure Alam Durjoy An outbreak of highly contagious bird flu virus was identified and dealt with by the Livestock Research Institute last week. The H5N1 virus was discovered at a farm in Dhamrai, near Dhaka, following the deaths of 732 chickens on January 15. SS Agro Complex at Burokoi at Kulla in Dhamrai was also infected with the virus where 2,268 out of 3000 chickens were reportedly slaughtered. No human infection was reported in the outbreak, though. The outbreak was reported by the livestock authority and the birds were culled the same day,

according to a report of the World Organization for Animal Health, which claimed there was strict surveillance and monitoring of the infected farms. Livestock Research Institute Director Dr HBM Golam Mahmud told Dhaka Tribune: “There is nothing to be worried about as the crisis has been averted.” Veterinary doctors have dismissed the claim of another outbreak reported by international media after lab results for a farm in Rajshahi came out. “The flu has also been detected in some parts of India, reported NDTV,” Dr Golam Mahmud said. In 2007, a severe bird flu outbreak in Bangladesh left more than

a million birds dead. The last outbreak was on February 4, last year. To date, a large number of human infections with the H5N1 virus have been linked to the slaughter

The number of people infected with avian influenza is relatively small and subsequent handling of affected birds before cooking at home. These practices represent the highest risk of human infection and are the most important to avoid.

WHAT IS BIRD FLU? Avian influenza was first recorded in Italy in 1878. In 1955, it was discovered that the virus causing the plague was an influenza virus. Of the three types of influenza virus types-A, B, and C, all influenza viruses affecting domestic animals like horses, pigs, poultry, etc. Type A, is also the most common virus type causing serious epidemics in humans.

How is H5N1 avian influenza in humans treated? In most cases, avian influenza in humans develops into a serious disease that should be treated promptly in the hospital Source: WHO

MAJOR OUTBREAKS Location USA USA Australia Mexico Pakistan Guangdong and Hong Kong New South Wales Italy Italy Chile Netherlands Canada

Jahan Chaity and n Afrose SM Najmus Sakib

breeder Kazi Farms said it too has already taken all precautions to avert any further losses as it had incurred in 2012 due to a massive bird flu outbreak. “We maintain specific safety guidelines in our production. All our farms follow a hygiene code and special dress code, especially for the visitors,” Kazi Farms Assistant General Manager Mustofa Kamal said. The employees and visitors are not allowed to carry their belongings inside the farms over safety concerns, he said, continuing: “We collect blood samples every two months to ensure no chicken has infection.” The farm authorities regularly check the growth, weight, mortality rate and productivity of the birds, which helps ensure infection-free production, he added.

Processed-food giants ready for bird flu

Transcom Foods Limited

H5N1 infection in humans can cause severe disease and has a high mortality rate. If the H5N1 virus were to change and become easily transmissible from person to person while retaining its capacity to cause severe disease, the consequences for public health could be very serious.

Years 1924-1925 1983-84 1985 1994-95 1994-95,2004 1996-2007 1997 1997 1999-2000 2002 2003 2004

Since then, bird flu outbreaks have been reported in 15 countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East where millions of birds have died or been culled. Despite the number of people infected with the virus being relatively small compared to any other seasonal human flu, the percentage of people who die from HPAI H5N1 is very high approximately 60%. Although all human outbreaks and deaths due to bird flu have resulted mainly from direct contact with infected birds, public health officials are concerned that HPAI H5N1 could mutate into a form that can spread from human to human.l

After the report of 732 chickens dying from the highly contagious H5N1 bird flu virus at a poultry farm in Dhaka on January 15 was published, the Dhaka Tribune talked to three processed-chicken food and ready-to-cook chicken product companies.

H5N1 is a type of influenza virus that causes a highly infectious, severe respiratory disease in birds called avian influenza (or "bird flu"). Human cases of H5N1 avian influenza occur occasionally, but it is difficult to transmit the infection from person to person. When people do become infected, the mortality rate is about 60%.

Is it safe to eat chicken, poultry products and other wild game birds? Yes, it is safe to eat properly prepared and cooked poultry and game birds. The virus is sensitive to heat.

Avian influenza outbreaks, popularly known as “bird flu,” have been occurring sporadically worldwide and have been very disruptive to poultry industry, causing millions of chickens, geese and turkeys to be destroyed to prevent spread of the disease, says World Health Organisation. Bangladesh’s poultry industry contributes 2.4% to the national GDP, with annual growth at about 15%. Investment in this industry is Tk30,000cr with around six million people employed in the sector. Starting in 1997, when a highly pathogenic avian influenza HPAI H5N1 was discovered in humans in Hong Kong, bird flu received unprecedented publicity.

Strain Fowl Plague H5N2 H7N7 H5N2 H7N3 H5N1 H7N4 H5N2 H7N1 H7N3 H7N7 H7N3

Losses unknown 17 million 238,518 unknown 8.72 million 220 million 161,261 6,965 13 million 617,800 + 30 million 16 million

Asmaul Hoque Mamun/DT Infographic

Transcom Foods Limited (TFL), the local franchisee of KFC and Pizza Hut, said it has already taken all pre-cautionary measures to ensure bird flu-free chickens to consumers. “We have an international guideline by Yum! Restaurants International, whose subsidiaries are KFC and Pizza Hut. As per the guideline, we follow all those instructions to ensure healthy chicken,” Krishna Pada Pal, assistant quality assurance of TFL, said. According to him, the TFL assesses the mortality rate of chickens at farms to confirm if there is any existence of bird flu. The company also conducts ‘post-mortem’ tests to detect the risk of infection, the TFC official said, adding that they place supplied chickens under what they call veterinary tests to confirm quality production.

Kazi Farms The

country’s

biggest

poultry

CP Bangladesh Co. Ltd

Meanwhile, CP Bangladesh Co. Ltd, which is a leading seller of chicken-based foods, called an emergency meeting after the news of bird flu outbreak surfaced, said a high official of the company anonymously. Echoing the previous duo, he said the company always maintains all necessary safety measures in ensuring purity of product, confirming health safety of consumers. “Our employees are trained on how to keep the products safe at our outlets”, he added. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207. Phone: 9132093-94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com