The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday called for making people more conscious about laws, rules and regulations, as these would make the establishment of rule of law easier.

The path for establishment of rule of law becomes easier if the citizens' consciousness about law, rules and regulations is enhanced, he observed while unveiling the cover of 'Bangladesh Code', a 38-volume compilation of existing laws in Bangladesh at a function in the city.

Emphasising the need for ensuring easy access to laws the Chief Adviser said the goal of ensuring good governance and fair play by upholding justice and human rights becomes difficult if the laws in vogue cannot be made available to the citizenry in printed form.

He said initiative should be taken to translate the laws drafted in Bengali into English and the English ones into Bengali for the interest of the users.

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed also called for taking initiatives of the ministries concerned to update those laws which have become irrelevant and inconsistent.

"With the passage of time, many of the laws prevailing in the country have become irrelevant and inconsistent. Updating these laws in order to make them time-befitting is also a demand of the time," he mentioned.

Presided over by Adviser for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Information Barrister Mainul Hosein, the function was also addressed by Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ms Barbara Richardson and Law Secretary Qazi Habibul Awal.

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed termed the publication of Bangladesh Code another important step of the government in its sincere endeavour to establish rule of law.

"The judges, lawyers and general citizens used to face various problems earlier on, as the prevailing laws were not easily available in the form of a code. They were often confused about the latest status of various laws," he remarked.

The Chief Adviser welcomed the initiative to publish these laws on the website and suggested keeping subject-based search engine to facilitate swift searches. Besides, he said, the initiative might also be taken to bring out the Bangladesh Code in CD and DVD format.

He reiterated that the present caretaker government has been working relentlessly to establish rule of law and said resulting in an epoch-making step like separation of judiciary from the executive branch could be taken recently.

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed expressed the hope that the judiciary would move forward for establishing justice everywhere in society, as they are now fully free from all sphere of influence following complete separation of judiciary.

"We shall expect the pace of justice to be swifter and the dispensation of justice to be visible and transparent. We shall expect that the judiciary would play a strong and courageous role to establish rule of law by freeing itself from corruption," he said.

He said the executive organs of the government including the ministry of law, justice and parliamentary affairs would remain fully prepared to extend all out cooperation in discharging their duties as per the Constitution.

Barrister Mainul Hosein said law is not a secret affair to remain confined to the judges and the lawyers. "Law governs people's life and it must be available in public domain," he said.

He said in a democracy the laws are for doing justice to the people and offering them the protection of law. So it is very important that those who want to know must have easy access to the up-to-date laws affecting their life and property, he said.

The Law Adviser said it has become most difficult to be sure about the latest changes made from time to time in various laws since the creation of Bangladesh. "As a result even the lawyers and the judges often felt unsure and unease about authenticity of changes in the laws," he said.

The Bangladesh Code is designed to meet that need. It seeks to present in handy volumes, the authentic version of all the laws available in Bangladesh. In all 956 laws have been updated and complied in 38 volumes, he said.

Stressing the need for having the correct knowledge of the law do justice rightly, the Law Adviser said, "Only when the law is certain and easily known to the people then it be rightly obeyed." The people must have a clear idea about the laws of the country to make them law-abiding citizens. They must also be aware of the oppressive laws that must not continue once the need is over, he said.

Terming the law as a living and expandable force he said it is through law that a country's international relationship in the fields of trade and commerce is determined. "So, a country's laws must also be readily available for other countries to know," he said.

He emphasised the need for having English version of laws those are drafted in Bengali, for the benefit of a closer relationship with the world that keeps on coming closer to Bangladesh.

The Law Adviser said the best way to keep the people happy and peace loving is to ensure justice and fair play through a well-organised justice system.

The modem day concept of law and legal system is not all about crime and punishment. We are trying to organise a just and happy society through the rule of law, he said.

He acknowledged the assistance of CIDA of Canada, DANIDA of Denmark and the World Bank in building the legal and judicial capacity in more than one way.

Barbara Richardson said the publication of Bangladesh Code would help people to be conscious about law of the land. She underlined the importance to transform the laws drafted in English into Bengali.

Qazi Habibul Awal said it is the legal responsibility of the state to make people aware of the laws of the country.

He said the ministry of law has taken the initiative for compilation of subordinate legislations and other related rules and regulations widely used in the legal profession.

DU Correspondent

A large number of students from both public and private universities thronged the last day of the Dhaka International Education Fair-2007 at the Basundhara Expo Centre for information about overseas study.

Regional offices of different overseas universities offered various courses in the fair to draw the attention of the students.

Sumaiya Islam, an official of IBM education service, regional office of Premier College of UK said they gave fifty per cent discount on tuition fees for the first year in the two fixed overseas colleges-Premier and Churchill Colleges.

The institution manages scholarship for the students on the basis of good result and give guidelines to the students about the bank solvency certificate that is the main hindrance to getting a visa, she added.

Univision, another consultant which gave spot admission in the fair stall enrolled 350 students to provide offer letters from Churchill College of UK.

Muktadir Mahmud of Univision told the New Nation that they had waived Tk 5,000 of the registration fee for the spot admission in the fair.

Sources said there are some consultants cheating the students in the name of spot admission, especially those who are not experienced in this field, they collect cash from the students without providing confirmation letters.

A total of 102 stalls of different universities from both home and abroad, education institutions and related service providers were set up in the fair.

The stalls mainly counselled on the visa processing for overseas study.

The organisers said almost 24,000 students visited the fair in the four days.

Your Exhibitions and Event Solutions (YEES), a private event management company, organised the fair from November 9.

Abir Sarker David, an organiser of the fair, said the fair was like a shopping mall where the students got all information together and there was no possibility of being cheated.

In reply to a question, he said they would not take the liability, if any student was deceived by any of the service providers.

Staff Reporter

After the arrest of ramp model Nikita, another model was arrested in the capital on charge of her involvement in Yaba trading.

Officials of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) on Sunday night raided into the residence of film actress Shanu and model girl Payel in the capital for their alleged involvement in contraband Yaba trading.

Following the raids, model girl Payel, along with three young women, including Jahanara Kabir Ruby and a young man were arrested.

Besides, 40 Yaba tablets and 12 ice pills were seized during the raids. However, film actress Shanu could not be arrested during the raid.

The DNC officials said arrested Payel is a Yaba agent. She is known as a model girl who acted for 'Standard' brand of lungi. Her sister-in-law Shanu is a film actress. Payel used to get supplies of Yaba from Ruby for selling them among the showbiz actors and actresses.

Payel was caught red-handed with Yaba from in front of Pacific Super Centre at Kakrail. At the same time,

Jahanara Kabir Ruby and Rashida Aktar were also caught by the DNC officials.

On the basis of the information provided by them, the DNC officials raided into an apartment (Flat No. 2-B) on the first floor of Hometech Mahbub Tower at 15-17 Shantinagar Bazar Road at night and arrested Masud Parvez and her sister Irene Rahman Poly with the ice-pills.

Later at night Shamsul Kabir, Inspector of Ramna Circle of the DNC, filed a case against the arrested persons with the Ramna Police Station.

They were placed under a three-day remand by a court yesterday morning for interrogation.

Earlier, the arrested Ruby told the DNC officials that she had been selling Yaba for the last one year. Two Yaba dealers of Eskaton and Siddeshwari brough her in this business.

Ruby said she used to sell 30-40 Yaba tablets on an average every day. She also disclosed the names of two dealers to the DNC officials.

Ruby also said she brought Rashida of Chouddagram, Comilla to the Yaba trading. Rashida used to sell Yaba on behalf of Ruby.

On the other hand, 'Standard' brand lungi's model girl Payel told the DNC officials that she joined the Yaba trading through Ruby. She had been doing the business over the last eight months.

Payel said she used to sell 20-25 Yaba tablets everyday. Her customers were many well-known faces of the showbiz and models. She said Ruby appointed her in Yaba business and she used to get Tk 800 everyday.

A DNC official said Payel is the sister-in-law of film actress Shanu. Khilgaon police arrested Shanu only two days ago. Payel and Shanu used to live in House No. 25, Road No. 4, Block-G, Banasree.

On the other hand, Masud Parvez and Poly arrested from Hometech Mahbub Centre at Shantinagar are brother and sister in relation. Both of them used to sell addiction drug Ice-pill. Introducing herself as a fashion designer, Poly used to sell Ice-pills. Under questioning, Masud told the DNC officials that he used to sell Ice-pill through his sister Poly. Through the earning from the business, they used to live in an apartment paying Tk 18,000 as house-rent per month.

Meanwhile, the DNC officials said they received many vital information from the arrested persons.

Staff Reporter

Two suspected drug traffickers along with huge quantity of drugs were arrested at Zia International Airport yesterday.

The arrested China-bound passengers are Ariful Islam Bhuiyan and Mahmud Ali, who were carrying five luggages stuffed with the drugs. Arif hailed from Habiganj while Mahmud from Narayanganj, airport officials said.

Both Arif and Mahmud entered ZIA through the Gate No. 18 at about 1:20pm. When they put their luggage on the scanning machine for check, it gave red signal, indicating that there was something illegal inside the luggage.

Witnessing their suspicious movement at that time the immigration and customs officers challenged the two and eventually nabbed them at the Gate No. 18 on the 2nd floor at the ZIA.

Later, searching their luggage, the customs officials found 16 packets weighing 24kg drugs.

"We've already sent a portion of the seized drugs to the laboratory of Narcotics Control Department for test," one customs official told The New Nation after the drug haul.

They are initially suspecting that the seized drug could be heroin as its colour and shade looks so. The arrested Arif and Mahmud were handed over to joint forces.

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission has withdrawn its representatives from the government taskforce entrusted with the task of bringing back siphoned off money as the ACC thinks there is no need to have its officials in it for the time being due to the nature of its works.

"Considering the nature of its works, the Commission thinks there is no need to be a member of the taskforce for the time being," ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal told the Commission's regular briefing.

Responding to a query, he said it is stated in sections of the law how much responsibility the Commission has in bringing back money from abroad. "The Commission is not the appropriate authority to bring money from abroad."

To a questioner who reminded that initially ACC showed interest in this regard, Hanif said still the Commission is not showing any disinterest.

On media reports that the Commission is reviving about 1,500 cases filed by the now-defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption, he said there are about 1,500 cases with the ACC, which were filed during 1999-2006 and considering the importance the Commission has selected more than 50 of them for reopening.

Those accused in the cases that have been selected for revival include officials of ACC and different professionals, he added. The director general said the Commission is going to file cases against Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's assignment officer Dr Firoj Mahmud Iqbal and their wives for concealing information, acquiring wealth beyond their known sources of income and abuse of power. The case against Minu and his wife Salma Rahman will be filed for concealing information about their assets worth over Tk 2 crore and acquiring illegal wealth worth over 3.5 crore.

The case against Firoj and his wife Imtiaj Begum will be filed for acquiring wealth worth about Tk 1.47 crore disproportionate to their known sources of income. He will also be accused of causing the government a loss of about Tk 35 lakh by using five vehicles through abusing his post and power.

Hanif said the Commission is also going to submit a charge-sheet against former Prime Minister Khaleda's political secretary Harris Chowdhury, former whip Ashraf Hossain, Orion Group chairman Obaidul Karim and two others in the case of bribing a car for wining the construction work of Jatrabari-Gulistan flyover.

Asked if Asraf Hossain's arrest would be inevitable following the submission of the charge sheet, he said it is a legal process and if there is a provision for arrest he will be arrested after submission of the charge sheet.

About media reports suggesting that cases would be filed within this week against two former PMs Khaleda and Hasina for corruption allegations regarding Niko, Hanif said, "Based on the information, I don't know when the Commission will file the cases. If the Commission was sure about it I would know."

He said it would not be right to speculate about the timing of filing of the cases. "They'll be filed in time. The Commission will take the time it needs."

About the progress of the GATCO case on which the investigation report has already been submitted, Hanif said it is still at the Commission's scrutiny stage.

He said the ACC today issued notice to former Prime Minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina's APS Alauddin Nasim directing him to submit his wealth statement.

UNB, Manikganj

The onus of bringing war criminals to justice lies with government and the next government is to try them if the incumbent one cannot, said Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda Monday.

On another major issue being taken with the EC at the ongoing dialogue with politicians on electoral reforms, he said there wouldn' t be any limits on educational qualifications of the candidates to contest elections in 2008. "But," the CEC categorically said, "the candidates will have to make public their eight kinds of information. This will make people aware about the candidates' qualifications."

About voter-listing problem with women, the CEC said the Election Commission has nothing to do if anyone doesn't want to take photograph, which is necessary to be enrolled in the voter list, since being voter is not mandatory in the country's Constitution. "There is nothing to do for the Election Commission… To be voter is not mandatory in our Constitution… But the national identity card is very much important," he said when pointed out that women at many places do not want to be photographed for religious inhibition. The Chief Election Commissioner made the important observations while addressing a view-exchange meeting held at Manikganj Govt. Debendra College auditorium.

He visited the activities of national identity (NID) card and voter registration in the district, part of the current countrywide exercise preparatory to next elections.

According to the EC's draft reform proposals on electoral reforms, the eight pieces of candidate information are like academic qualifications, criminal records, description of occupation, source of income, fulfillment of electoral promises if elected earlier, description of assets and liabilities, including family members. There were 18 percent fake voters on the voter list under which the elections were going to be held in 2007, CEC Huda disclosed, adding that honest and qualified persons could not be elected with such a voter list.

"There will be maximum one percent flaws on the voter list now in the making…We want to create such an atmosphere so that dishonest persons, black money holders and musclemen can't take part in elections," he said.

Asked about the expatriates' registration as voter, CEC Huda said the decision has not yet been taken. "The two other Election Commissioners are abroad now. The decision might be taken when they will come back. But the probability of casting vote in 2008 by the expatriates is thin."

The CEC directed the enumerators of voter list project that those who would attain the age of 18 on January 1, 2008 would also have to be included in the list now.

"As per the voter list ordinance 2007, one can be registered in the voter list at only one place and s/he will have to cast their vote only at that place," CEC Huda reminded.

Reaffirming their tough stance against vote fraud of the past times, he said it would ensured this time around that no "terrorists, goons or musclemen" could grab the polling-stations in the elections in 2008.

Staff Reporter

It's not possible to formulate an appropriate coal policy keeping Asia Energy in Bangladesh, said National Committee for Protection of Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports yesterday.

"While finalizing the national coal policy, we propose to impose a ban on export of coal taking the country's future requirements and energy security into consideration," said Engr Sheikh Muhammad Shahidullah and Anu Mahmud, convener and member-secretary respective of the National Committee in a joint statement yesterday.

They said that the soil condition of Bangladesh, underground water levels, underground coal deposits, rains and floods are not suitable to the open-pit mining in any way.

Population density in Bangladesh is much higher in any country of the world. Open-pit mining would lead to eviction of a large number of people from their homesteads and destruction of agricultural lands.

The National Committee leaders observed that Asia Energy had been trying to influence the media and policy makers through various ways

when the committee is working to create awareness among people and policymakers about the negative impacts of open-pit mining.

They alleged that Asia Energy has been spreading propaganda through appointing media consultant. Besides, Asia Energy has been publishing advertisements in different newspapers making utter lies and confusing information. This company is now drawing money from the London share market showing its coal reserve in Phulbari. Though we drew attention of the government to these illegal and forge acts of Asia Energy, the government is yet to take any action against the company.

"We think it will not be possible to formulate a coal policy when Asia Energy has been pursuing its illegal activities," they said. "So, it is imperative to oust Asia Energy from the country by suspending the Phulbari Coal Mine Project and realizing compensation from it before finalizing the proposed coal policy," they added.

Staff Reporter

BNP Acting Secretary General Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed yesterday said they would bring about reforms in the party after the withdrawal of restriction on political activities.

"Restoration of political activities and democratic atmosphere are needed for reforms in the party," he said, adding, "The process of refoms will be concluded in presence of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia."

Talking to journalists after a meeting with party Acting Chairman M Saifur Rahman, Hafiz said senior leaders of the party have started work to formulate a detail proposal on electoral reforms.

The proposal will be placed before the Election Commission (EC) on November 22, when the EC will sit for a dilagoue with the BNP. statement under the Section 164. Nikita, ramp model girl and friend of Hotel Purbani's managing director Joynal Abedin, told the RAB officials that she Hafiz said on Sunday they have formed a seven-member high-powered committee with former party Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan as its convenor to formulate the proposal on the electoral reforms.

Other members of the committee are BNP Standing Committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman and party Vice-Chairman Dr Osman Farruk, Advisory Council members Major Hafiz, Major General (retd) ZA Khan, Enam Ahmed Chowdhury and Mofazzal Karim.

Meanhwile, BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain and Acting Secretary General Major Hafiz have applied to Dhaka Central Jail authority seeking permission to meet imprisoned Begum Khaleda Zia separately.

Hafiz, in his application, said party Acting Chairman m Saifur Rahman, Standing Committee member Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and he himself would meet Begum Zia together.

Court Correspondent

Much-talked-about Yaaba queen Jannatul Ferdous Nikita, who was sent to jail by a court yesterday, held her elder sister responsible for her indisciplined and desperate lifestyle.

After a three-day remand was over, second Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sultan Mahmud ordered to sent Nikita to jail yesterday. Later, she was sent to Dhaka Central Jail.

Besides, Nikita's father Abdun Noor, mother Saleha Khatun and brother Mohammad Moinuddin were sent to jail by the court.

On the other hand, Nikita did not confess her involvement in Yaba business during the three-day interrogation under the RAB custody. RAB interrogators tried to influence Nikita to give confessional statement under Section 164 of CrPC. However, Nikita strongly declined to give confessional started her indisciplined lifestyle unconsciously.

"I'll start afresh my life if I get an opportunity again," a RAB official told The New Nation quoting Nikita as saying.

After the three-day remand, the RAB officials produced her before the court yesterday. An official of RAB-3 said Nikita would no more be taken to remand in the narcotics case filed with the Ramna Police Station on Friday last. She was constantly questioned under the RAB custody during the last three days. RAB officials questioned her adopting various techniques to know about her Yaba connection. But, Nikita did not utter anything else about her involvement in Yaba trading.

Nikita told the RAB officials that she was not at her residence at Karnaphuli Garden City at Kakrail for four to five days after the RAB carried out a raid. During the raid, RAB could not recover any Yaba tablets from her residence although Yaba tablets were seized from her residence when a raid was carried out after five to six days along with her into her residence.

"It was surprising…Perhaps, someone kept Yaba tablets at my house to prove my involvement in Yaba trading," she said.

During the questioning under interrogation, Nikita blamed her elder sister Rosy for her indsciplined lifestyle.

She told the interrogators that her elder sister brought her in Dhaka when she was a teenager. Later, her elder sister compelled her to get involve in various criminal acts. "My elder sister compelled to get wedlocked with an MP of Kushtia and realized financial benefits from him. At one stage, she became my opponent. When my relation with my previous husband broken up, I got involved in affairs with Joynal for happiness in life. But, many could not tolerate my happiness and became jealous about me," she said.

Staff Reporter

Seven hundred and sixty-two members of the law enforcing agencies were given severe punishment in 10 months from January 11 to October 31 this year for their involvement in serious offences, including crime and corruption.

In addition to that 8,715 police personnel were given light punishment, pushing the total number of policemen disciplined to nearly 10,000.

One hundred fifty-four of those given stern punishment lost their jobs. Of them 98 were dismissed from service, while 56 others forced into retirement. Nine police officers were made officers on special duty (OSD) and 64 suspended from service.

The Government took the punitive action as part of its drive to clean the force from crime and corruption.

A top official of the Chief Adviser's Office disclosed this on Sunday quoting a report of Home Ministry after the weekly meeting of Advisory Council. The report was submitted at the meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair at his office. The meeting was attended by most members of the Advisory Council and the Secretaries concerned.

The report said the actions were taken to maintain discipline at the optimum level in the police force, which has 1,27,842 members, including the personnel on deputation to the Rapid Action Battalion.

Briefing journalists, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim said the Government had also increased the privileges for the police personnel to ensure maximum discipline in the forces.

The police personnel are now provided with rations. The government is also considering proposals to introduce risk allowance and family pension for them.

He said the Government was examining a draft on modernising the old Police Act. The darft was prepared under a project supported by the United Nations Development Programme.

The Home Ministry report has also suggested formation and operation of specialised police units, including the highway police and the unit for internal supervision.

The country has a total of 592 police stations, 121 investigation centres and 348 police outposts to maintain law and order.

The Government has set up 11 model police stations in various districts with the support of the UN Development Programme. Service delivery centres were set up at 33 police stations to improve the quality of service.

Staff Reporter

Veteran language hero Abdul Matin urged the caretaker government to give permission for celebrating the 50 years of the historic Kagmari Conference.

He was speaking at a press conference organised by the National Committee for Celebration of 50 years of Kagmari Conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity yesterday.

Criticising the government decision for not allowing the holding of the three-day long conference, which was scheduled to be held from November 15 to November 17 at Santosh of Tangail, Abdul Matin, also the president of the celebration committee announced the new celebration schedule beginning from February 9 of the next year.

''Even if the government does not allow, we will hold the conference any way'' he vowed.

Earlier, the Committee applied to the Home Ministry for holding the three -day long programme at Santosh of Tangail.

But the Government did not allow because of the emergency rule in the country.

Presided over by Abdul Matin, Badruddin Omar, President, Jatiya Mukti Council, Eng Sheikh Shahidullah, Convener, National Committee for the Protection of Oil, Gas, Ports and Power, Syed Irfanul Bari, General Secretary, National Committee for celebration of 50 years of Kagmari Conference and Women Leader Hajera Sultana, among others, were present at the press conference.

Syed Irfanul Bari in his written speech said they will take various programmes including seminar, cultural events to observe the historic Kagmari Conference at Santosh of Tangail.

Staff Reporter

BNP chairperson's adviser Brig (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah and his three co-accused were sent to the Dhaka Central Jail after they were produced before the CMM court yesterday at the end of the three-day police remand in a case filed under the emergency rules.Magistrate Habibur Rahman Siddiqui of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court for Dhaka issued the order.

The court sent three other BNP men-Ali Arshad, Babul Ahmed and Mamun-to jail in line with an appeal of investigating officer Asaduzzaman, sub-inspector of Tejgaon Police Station.

Asaduzzaman told the court that the four should be kept behind bars for a further investigation of the case as all the people involved in the November 7 incident could not be identified.

The magistrate asked the jail authorities to provide Hannan Shah, former jute minister, with division.

Lawyers Sanaullah Mia and Masud Ahmed Talukder defended the BNP leader in court.

The same court remanded Hannan Shah on Nov 8 after he was arrested on charges of emergency rules violations. Hannan Shah was arrested at his DOHS home in Mohakhali on Nov 7.

The charges against the BNP leader stemmed from violence near former president Ziaur Rahman's grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

Tejgaon police filed the case against eight people, including Hannan Shah. They were arrested on November 8.