The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Council of Advisers of the caretaker government Sunday gave its final approval to the Mobile Court Ordinance 2007 empowering government officials or executive magistrates to deal with some criminal cases.

Allocation of the limited judicial jurisdiction to the admin officials is aimed at "maintaining law and order by preventing crimes effectively and more efficiently", according to statement on objective of the new legal measure. A meeting of the council of advisers chaired by Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed gave the final approval to The Mobile Court Ordinance vesting limited authority in government officials or executive magistrates of awarding punishment in some crimes on the basis of instant spot evidence through conducting mobile court.

The New Ordinance will be effective from November 1, 2007, the day when the landmark event of separation of the judiciary from the executive control takes place. The Ordinance was approved in principle in the council's meeting on Saturday.

Under the new ordinance no punishment could be given, except for fine. But there is a condition that "if fines can not be realized voluntarily, then imprisonment for not more than three months without rigor can awarded to the accused". The district magistrates and executive magistrates would get police and law-enforcing help if they need in discharging their duties.

An executive magistrate has the power of search and seizure as well as destroying hazardous perishable items.

The accused can file appeal to the sessions Judge.

Members of the Council of Advisers attended themeeting at the CA's office. Cabinet Secretary, CA's press Secretary and other Secretaries concerned were also present.

Staff Reporter

Members of the families of martyred intellectuals, political leaders and freedom fighters demanded trial of the war criminals and for that they recommended the Government to constitute a special tribunal.

Shamoli Nasrin Chowdhury, wife of martyred intellectual Dr Alim Chowdhury said on December 14 in 1971, three members of Al-Badr came to her house and took her husband with them and killed him.

She mainly blamed Jamaat-e-Isalami for committing war crimes saying Jamaat leaders organised Razakar, Al-Badar and Al-Shams and committed war crimes. She demanded trial of them.

It may be mentioned that on 14 December 1971 about 5000 intellectuals of the country were killed by the Pakistani Army with the help of the local collaborators seeing the inevitable defeat of them in the war.

In 1972, cases were filed against the razakars for committing the notorious killing of the intellectuals by the members of martyred families and they were punished too but they were freed on December 30, when the Collaborators Act was cancelled.

Eminent journalist and freedom fighter Shahriar Kabir said war criminals could be identified by the issues of the Jamaat's mouthpiece the Daily Sangram of 1971. In 72 about 62 cases were filed against the war criminals. War criminals could be identified, he said, by going through the papers of these cases.

Kabir urged the government to constitute special tribunal for the trial and punishment of the war criminals.

Meanwhile, Communist Party of Bangladesh and its student wing Bangladesh Chhatra Union also demanded trial of the war criminals by constituting a special tribunal.

In a statement CPB president Manjurul Ahsan Khan and General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim said the statement of Mujahid was a conspiracy to make the country achieved by 30-lakh martyrs' blood into a communal 'New Pakistan'.

They demanded ban on Jamaat's right to politics in the country for their involvement in war crimes.

Staff Reporter

The Awami League will take part in the next general elections with party president Sheikh Hasina, as its leader.

Disclosing this yesterday, party Acting President Zillur Rahman said, "We will participate in the general elections under party chief Sheikh

Hasina after freeing her from jail."

He said this while talking to journalists at his Gulshan residence in the city.

Zillur termed the cases against Sheikh Hasina as "false and fabricated" and demanded withdrawal of those cases and her release immediately.

It may be mentioned here that the eventualities of the Awami League-led grand alliance poll boycott stalled the January 22 general elections and pushed the country to present crisis.

The boycott was followed by unprecedented political confrontations between the supporters of BNP-led four-party alliance and Awami League (AL)-led grand alliance in the capital and elsewhere in the country.

As many as 55 political activists were killed and hundreds of others injured throughout the country as confrontations between the rival political camps engulfed the whole nation.

Justifying the January 22 polls boycott, Zillur yesterday said, "The BNP-Jamaat alliance government had appointed President Dr Iajuddin Ahmed as Chief Adviser of the caretaker government under a blueprint to rig elections, which was opposed by the people."

Staff Reporter

The Awami League and its allies and Jamaat-e-Islami yesterday blamed each others for the October 28 (2006) carnage that killed as many as 12 political activists and injured about 2000 others, as supporters of the BNP-led four-party alliance and AL-led grand alliance locked in fierce street battles across the country.

It was the last day of the BNP-led alliances' five years tenure.

At least three persons-two belonging to the Jamaat and one to the Workers Party-were killed and hundreds others injured at Purana Paltan in the capital, the main battlefield on the day.

Supporters of rival political camps were seen dancing on the bodies of political rivals killed by both the sides at Purana Paltan of Dhaka on the day in broad daylight that triggered global protests and tarnished the country's image abroad.

Jamaat-e-Islami and Workers Party lodged two separate murder cases on the following day accusing top leaders of either sides for the killings.

AL President Sheikh Hasina, General Secretary Abdul Jalil, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon and JSD President Hasanul Haq Inu were named as accused in the Jamaat's case while Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami and Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid were named as accused in the Workers Party's case.

All of them, are now on bail, except Sheikh Hasina and Abdul Jalil who are in prison but in connection with different cases.

The political confrontations ensued when the BNP-led alliance and the AL-led alliance resorted to street violence in order to establish political supremacy in the country.

Recalling the incidents of October 28 of last year, Awami League Acting President Zillur Rahman squarely blamed the Jamaat-e-Islami for the inhuman incident.

He demanded of the Caretaker Government to take action against Jamaat-Shibir and their patrons responsible for the incident.

While talking to journalists, the AL leader said AL led 14-party alliance had organised a road blockade on that day marking the end of the misrule of the BNP-led 4-party alliance.

He claimed that Jamaat-Shibir had launched virulent attacks on the activists of 14-party alliance and rained bullets on the demonstrators killing a cadre of the Workers Party at Paltan.

Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon also blamed Jamaat-e-Islami for the October 28 carnage and demanded the Government to punish the perpetrators of the crime.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami blamed the AL-led alliance for the October 28 killing and urged the Cartaker Government to punish the killers.

Talking to journalists at his party office, he said leaders of the AL could not shirk their responsibility of the October 28 murder since it was organised on broad daylight.

BSS, Dhaka

A five-member delegation of the Spanish government called on Law and Information Adviser Barrister Mainul Hosein at his Secretariat office here yesterday.

Director General for International Relation and Foreigners, Interior Ministry of Spain Arturo Abello led the team, said an official handout.

During the meeting, they discussed matters relating to mutual interests of two countries.

The Adviser assured the delegation of discussing the issues raised at the meeting with the concerned authority.

Members of the team informed the Adviser that the Spanish government is planning to open its embassy in Dhaka.

The delegation informed the adviser that about 200 Bangladeshis were languishing in jail in Spain and the matter would be discussed at a meeting with the Home Ministry for finding the ways to release the imprisoned Bangladeshis.

Other members of the delegation were Honorary Consul of Spain to Bangladesh Dr Mohammed Jalal Uddin, Spanish Charge d'Affaires to India Gonzalo Artiz, Interior Ministry members Alena Garzon and Joiqin Tamara.

UNB, Dhaka

Spain will soon open an embassy in Dhaka to promote economic and business relations with Bangladesh.

Queen Sophia of Spain said this while UNB Chief Editor Enayetullah Khan met her in a courtesy call on the sidelines of the World Congress of News Agencies (WCNA) in Estepona, Spain, last week.

Queen Sophia indicated that she herself might come to Bangladesh to attend the inauguration of the Spanish embassy. Spain is one of the EU countries, which is yet to open an embassy in Dhaka.

Enayetullah Khan represented Bangladesh at the Global Congress of News Agencies held in Spain on October 24-27.

The moot, inaugurated by King Juan Carlos of Spain, was attended by heads of news agencies and top media personalities from across the world.

BSS, Chittagong

The Chittagong Port has experienced a considerable improvement including productivity, efficiency and checking corruption after implementation of massive reforms by Army-led joint forces with cooperation of all stakeholders during the last nine months.

Commodore Muhammad Farooq, Chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) stated this at a press briefing yesterday and expressed his firm commitment to keep up the progress and current trend of productivity through bringing drastic changes in old-age and obsolete systems in port operations and regulations.

The chairman at his first press briefing after joining the office to narrate the overall performance of the port in last nine months also expressed his optimism that the port could be elevated into an international standard one in all aspects by next four years if present trend is continued and development projects for capacity building either on implementation stage and awaiting for approval are implemented properly.

"The pace in broader spectrum of operations ushered in the port during the last nine months following series of reforms can be considered as milestone success, particularly in the areas of service standard, efficiency and discipline in the history of the Chittagong Port" the CPA chairman observed.

He said constant vigilance against any sorts of corruption and irregularities, transparent administrative steps for restoring discipline and involvement of private sector in a bigger way at different tiers of port operation have not only escalated the service standard but also helped increase the net income of the port to a significant amount during the period.

According to statistics, the amount of revenue surplus is Taka 368.30 crore in last nine months of current year (Total revenue earning: Tk.682.46 crore) while the revenue surplus was Taka 331.23 crore in the corresponding period of the last year (Total revenue earning: Tk. 608.52 lakh).

The CPA has earned Taka 833.50 crore against the expenditure of Taka 421.65 crore in the fiscal 2006-2007 with a revenue surplus of Taka 411.65 crore while it fetched Taka 741.13 crore against the expenditure of Taka 376.11 crore in the financial year 2005-2006 with a total revenue surplus of Taka 365.2 crore showing a Taka 46 crore more profit during the period of last fiscal.

The target of revenue earning of CPA in the first three months of the current fiscal (July- September-07) has exceeded while the operating expenditures were declined to a great extent during the period.

The CPA has earned Taka 218.34 crore against the targeted Taka 198.81 crore while spending was limited to Taka 114.21 crore against the estimated budget of Taka 130.62 crore.

Staff Reporter

Adviser for Science, Information and Communication Technology Tapan Chowdhury said the utilisation of the country's coal resources for power generation will reduce the dependency on gas for electricity generation.

He expressed satisfaction for taking initiative for the application of nuclear technology for coal resource development.

He said this as chief guest at the inaugural session of five-day long International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA)/ RCA regional training course on 'In-Situ Analysis of Coal Quality' at auditorium of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Centre (BAEC) in the city yesterday.

The Adviser hoped that the lectures of the IAEA experts, exchange of ideas among the participants will contribute towards the development of coal and mineral resources of the region through peaceful use of nuclear technology.

SM Wahid-uz-Zaman, Secretary for Ministry of Science, Information and Communication Technology, said the training course will expand the domain of nuclear technology in various fields including coal and mineral resources development.

Dr Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan, Chairman of BAEC, said for the development of the country's importance should be given to all sectors such as oil, gas, coal and also nuclear minerals to meet the country's energy needs.

Dr Jacek Charbucinski, IAEA expert, Dr Farid Uddin Ahmed, Member of Physical Sciences of BAEC, Dr Eunuse Akon, Course Director and Dr Feroza Akhter, International Affairs Division of BAEC, spoke at the inaugural ceremony.

A total of 21 eminent scientists from Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam are participating in the training course. Two IAEA experts from Australia and France will be delivering lectures on various aspects of coal quality assessment.

Staff Reporter

About 146 children were murdered during January to September of this year. There were also 153 unnatural deaths, 557 mental abuses, 60 rapes and 53 kidnapping incidents, according to media reports.

Based on this information Ichchey Media Group launched a documentary film "Niroboter Mukti-2" at LGED Bhaban yesterday. A view exchange meeting was also held on 'Violence against Children: Our Responsibility' in this connection.

Dr Selim Al Din, Professor of Drama and Dramatics of Jahangirnagar University, ABM Abdus Sattar, Joint Secretary of Labour and Employment Affairs, Salma Ali of BNWLA, Obaidur Rahman of Save the Children, among others, were present at the meeting, which was moderated by Mozammel Hossain, Deputy-Editor of the Daily Samokal.

Dr Selim said children would be safe and secure if the family and the society were built upon rationality, ethics and intellect.

"Children should study to enlighten themselves and work constructively at the same time parents must act responsibly," he added.

Salma Ali said there should be a specific law to protect children against violence. She emphasised on the implementation of law at the grassroots level and involvement of family, community and police for their protection.

Abdus Sattar said this situation could be changed by improving socio-economic condition of all.

UNB, Dhaka

LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal Sunday said an experts committee was asked to finalize a draft SAARC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matter to help member states deal effectively with criminal activities.

The Adviser, who led the Bangladesh delegation to the just concluded SAARC Home Ministers meeting in New Delhi, told a press conference that the experts committee would finalize the draft in Colombo in next April.

The Home Ministers conference discussed various issues including drugs and human trafficking and reviewed progresses made by the SAARC Drug Offence Monitoring and the SAARC Terrorist Offence Monitoring desks.

The conference agreed to take decision about the formation of a SAARCPOL after further scrutiny. Nepal made the proposal for SAARCPOL at the 1st SAARC Home Ministers conference held in Dhaka last year. The next meeting of the SAARC Home Ministers Conference will be held in Pakistan in 2008.

The conference decided to hold the conference of SAARC police chiefs twice a year.

The 2nd SAARC Home Ministers conference in New Delhi began on Oct 23 and concluded on Oct 26. The Home Ministers conference was preceded by meetings of the SAARC Home Secretaries and SAARC police chiefs.

UNB, Dhaka

British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury Sunday said Bangladesh's political transformation has to be underpinned by business and investment for its prosperity. "We foreign friends are ready to invest as we see the country's potentialities since prosperity is the best guarantee to democracy and stability," he told the monthly luncheon meeting of FICCI at Hotel Westin in the capital.

Anwar Chowdhuury said foreign investment in Bangladesh now came to a standstill situation as the "pent-up decisions continue to mount." He added: "Investors are now unclear about the future, they lose patience and go elsewhere or stay adding up costs which will eventually have to be recovered."

Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) president Masih Ul Karim gave the address of welcome and vice- president Rudolf P Klink offered vote of thanks.

The British High Commissioner stressed the need for a clear strategy and action required for increasing business confidence in the country and welcomed the establishment of the Better Business Forum.

"This is the time to put things right for the caretaker government which is trusted to find the best match for national and investment interests," he said, emphasising on prompt decisions on some key issues to facilitate FDI.

The envoy sought critical action in the energy sector and said foreign investors hail the coal policy, but need quick decisions in this regard. He added that gas exploration is a must and too much talk in this regard took place in the past, but it was not explored. "Foreign investors will not wait for years, if the Bangladesh government delays further in taking decision on some of the key issues including foreign investment in energy and gas," he said. Anwar Chowdhury said the ongoing crisis in power and energy would see further worsening situation if the government fails to take prompt decision on the proposed investment offers.

He, however, praised steps taken by the government to improve governance. "The action is still slow, so a decisive strategy is urgently needed to boost the confidence of businesses and accelerate the pace of the economic development as well."

He said a bad image has affected the readymade garments (RMG) industry though it is the top earning source of Bangladesh's foreign exchange.

Non-compliance of some vital issues including the salary of workers and non-competence of some of the human resources in the RMG sector were responsible for the bad image, the High Commissioner said. "Good exercise of professionalism is badly needed to survive the tough competition in the present world market."

About poor performance by civil servants, he said they should be directed and rewarded properly so that they could play an enabling role in the economy.

The British High Commissioner said UK is the largest donor of Bangladesh with US$ 4 billion investment and more $ 2 billion investment proposals are in the pipeline.

FICCI hailed the ongoing anti-corruption drive terming it a bold step towards confidence building as well as image building of Bangladesh in the outside world.

FICCI president Karim said that since corruption is the biggest impediment to investment, the ongoing war against the vice will be conducive to the economy.

"However, in the short run, the economy has slowed down and we urge to create an environment to build confidence of the business circle and improve economic activities of the country soonest." He urged the government to take speedy decision, continue policies, ensure level playing field, and improve power, gas and water supply and better infrastructure.

Staff Reporter

Danish shipping company Maersk will build an inland container depot outside the Chittagong port to ease congestion at the country's main port, officials said yesterday. Maersk Bangladesh Ltd, a subsidiary of the Danish shipping giant, will construct the 25-acre container depot at a cost of US$20 million next year, company deputy general manager Nurul Alam said.

"We will build the inland container depot outside Chittagong port. It has become critically important to build the ICD to avoid congestion at Chittagong port," he said. At present the country has another container depot in Kamalapur in the capital Dhaka.

Maersk is the leading shipping operator in Bangladesh, handling around 30 per cent of the country's US$29 billion annual foreign trade. Chittagong port is the country's main economic lifeline, accounting for 90 per cent of foreign trade. The port, however, suffers from serious congestion, with the number of containers it handles doubling in the last five years. Maersk is one of the leading ocean carriers, which provides door-to-door transportation service.

With more than 500 container vessels, 1,900,000 containers and own terminals, trucks and trains Maersk ensures reliable worldwide coverage. It is operating in more than 125 countries around the world.

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a roundtable demanded trial of the persons involved in October 28 killing. At least seven people were killed last year on this day of handing over power to the caretaker government by BNP-Jamaat government.

The roundtable on 'October 28 Tragedy: Education in Politics of Bangladesh and Remedies' was organised by Chirantan Bangladesh central committee at the National Press Club.

Speakers said the misdeed that was committed on October 28 was an act against humanity.

Gias Kamal Chowdhury, Editor of the Daily Khabarpatra presided over the meeting, which was attended by Amanullah Kabir, editor of the Daily Naya Diganta, former secretary Shah Abdul Hannan, Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun, and Jagpa President Shafiul Alam Pradhan, among others.

Some of the speakers opposed the present nationwide call for the trial of war criminals, one of them said the demand for the trial would drag the country to a civil war.