The New Nation - Internet Edition

Hasina’s trial stalled before takeoff: HC stays trial court's proceedings till disposal of rule

Staff Reporter

A High Court Division Bench of the Supreme Court yesterday stayed further proceedings of a Tk 3 crore extortion case against imprisoned former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the trial Court.

The High Court Division bench comprising Justice Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman and Justice Shahidul Islam passed an order upon a petition filed by Sheikh Hasina, halting the trial at the Sessions Judge's Court set up on the premises of Parliament building.

The HC also passed an order upgrading the cause list for early rule hearings.

The High Court order came within two hours after Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court adjourned the trial for three days yesterday morning following a time petition by the defence counsels.

Meanwhile, the Government side plans to move the Supreme Court to stay the operation of yesterday's High Court order.

"We will move the Supreme Court to secure order of stay against the High Court action after the holidays," Additional Attorney General Mansur Habib, who was among those stood in the Court for the Government, told journalists after the hearing.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court was scheduled to record deposition of complainant Azam J Chowdhury, Managing Director of the East Coast Pvt. Ltd, who lodged the case against Sheikh Hasina blaming her of forcing him to pay Tk 3 crore extortion money when she was in power as the Prime Minister.

Sheikh Hasina's younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, living in London, and cousin detained former Minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim are made accused in the case.

The defence lawyers sought time to the Court for consultation with their clients before the complainant makes his deposition. The Court resumed its session at 9:30am when Sheikh Hasina and her co-accused Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim were present on the dock.

They complained that they were not allowed to consult their clients despite having court orders. "Without consultations with the clients, how the defence could cross-examine the prosecution witnesses?" the counsel argued.

As the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) prosecutors conceded to the defence plea, the Court held back the commencement of trial for three days to January 21.

Standing in the dock, Hasina complained that the way the consultation is being allowed in jail in presence of intelligence agencies is "gross violation" of jail codes. "Even the agency people were seen taking notes of our consultations," she said, adding it was later detected that all consultations with her lawyers were leaked out.

Citing jail codes the former Prime Minister said the intelligence agencies may be present within the eye-view but not within earshot. "The atmosphere of consultation is not congenial rather coercive," she said.

Sheikh Hasina also pointed out that the jail authorities are not complying with the court orders on legal consultations with her. She said the process of meeting and consultation with her lawyers is very cumbersome.

The Court readily nodded to her argument and assured that it would be looked into.

"If you (defence lawyers) are refused, come up with fresh application, and I will further pass order," the Judge said.

Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions judge M Azizul Haque allowed five lawyers for each accused to consult Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Selim in jail on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

After the Judge adjourned his Court, Sheikh Hasina, who is the President of the Awami League (AL), directed the leaders and activists of her party to prepare for next general election for the restoration of democracy.

She passed on the directive through Acting AL President Zillur Rahman, who was present in the Courtroom as one of her lawyers.

Sheikh Hasina opined that there was no alternative to elections. Therefore, AL will have to take preparation for elections, she added.

The AL President warned, saying, "Dictators may usurp power if dillydallying tactics is resorted to in the name of election." She, however, did not explained.

Earlier on July 30 last year, the High Court, upon a writ petition of Sheikh Hasina, had issued a rule upon the government to explain why placing the extortion case under the Emergency Powers Rules should not be declared without 'lawful authority'. The High Court also stayed the trial proceedings.

However, the Supreme Court later overruled the HC orders following a government plea for clearing the roadblocks to proceeding with the trial. The SC had also asked the parties to get the rule heard expeditiously.

Moving the petition, Barrister Rafique-ul Huq, the chief counsel for Sheikh Hasina, yesterday submitted in the High Court that it was imperative to hear the pending rule most expeditiously since the trial court is continuing the proceedings under the impugned Emergency Power Rules (EPR). "Otherwise, my client will be severely prejudiced," he asserted.

Barrister Huq argued in the Court, "If the rule is not heard soon, then the trial will be concluded and the rule issued by this court will become inoperative."

He contended that the supremacy and hierarchy of the Supreme Court would be undermined if the trial Court continues with its proceedings, keeping the rule pending for disposal before the High Court.

Attorney General Fida M Kamal stood for the Government.

Meanwhile, British Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh Duncan Norman yesterday made a courtesy call with Acting AL President Zillur Rahman at his Gulshan residence.

During the hour-long meeting from 4.45pm, they discussed bilateral relations, electoral roadmap announced by the Election Commission, the country's prevailing situation and the issues of detained party chief Sheikh Hasina's release, sources close to the meeting said.

AL leaders Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed, Abul Mal Abdul Muhit and Sheikh Hasina' Personal Assistant Dr Hasan Mahmud were also present at the meeting.

DU teachers, students hoist black flag: All not well on campus

Dhaka University students brought out a silent
procession on the campus yesterday under the banner of
'Chhatra Bandhu' demanding unconditional release of the
detained teachers and students of the university. Banglar
Chokh

DU Correspondent

A group of Dhaka University teachers observed protest programme yesterday hoisting black flag atop the Arts Building yesterday.

The teachers especially belonging to the Blue Panel took the decision calling a requisition meeting on Tuesday where none including president and secretary of the DUTA belonging to the White panel were present.

No classes and examinations were held at the University as per the declaration of some students under the banner of 'Anti-repression students' and Chhatra Bandhu' which is continuing different programmes to press home their demand for release of the detained DU teachers and students. 'Anti-repression students' yesterday formed a human chain stretching from Aparajeyo Bangla to Curzon Hall reiterating their demands to free the detainees.

The teachers, however, pledged to continue black badges wearing programme till the release of their fellows and they will organise a three-hour token hunger strike on February 21 and a solidarity meetings of teachers, students and members of the families of the detainees will be held at the foot of Aparajeyo Bangla on February 23.

The aforesaid programmes were chalked out from a requisition meeting that was earlier termed as illegal by a press statement signed by Acting President Prof Tajmeri SA Islam and General Secretary Dr Mamun Ahmed of DUTA.

Besides, the teachers urged the university authorities to postpone admission tests of Kha and Gha unit, which were supposed to be held on February 1 and 8 until the deans of the faculties were not released.

Students said that the Government would not stop their agitation as they are ready to face any crucial moment in the greater interest of the nation. They said University authority was trying to weaken their protest programmes increasing the duration of 'Moharram holiday'.

'Chhatra Bandhu' took out a silent procession and held a rally at the Aparajeyo Bangla putting in cloth in face.

40 killed, 200 injured in road accidents: Reckless driving, overtaking, overloading blamed

Two buses were badly damaged due to head-on
collision at Rajendrapur, Keraniganj on Thursday.
FocusBangla

Staff Reporter

At least 40 people were killed and more than 200 others were injured in several tragic road accidents in five districts of the country yesterday.

Of them, 28 were killed and 60 injured in Keraniganj, five killed and 20 injured in Tangail district, three killed and 40 injured in Bogra district, three killed and 45 injured in Bagerhat district, and four killed and four others injured in Habiganj district.

Twenty-eight people were feared killed and 60 injured as a BRTC bus and another passenger bus collided in a disastrous road accident on the Dhaka-Mawa highway at Rajendrapur in Dakkhin Keraniganj yesterday morning.

Witnesses said the Dhaka-bound BRTC bus rammed into the Mawa-bound bus while overtaking an auto-rickshaw at about 10:40am, and the two buses then crashed into the ditches on two sides of the road.

"Both the vehicles were reduced to useless wrecks as their roofs were

blown away under the impact of the violent head-on collision," said witnesses of the tragic scene, where the air was thick with screams and groans of the survivors. The auto-rickshaw also skidded off the road into one ditch as the driver lost control trying to avert collision.

Workers from the brick kiln nearby soon came to the rescue of the passengers of the accident-ridden vehicles. On information, police also rushed in and started ferrying the passengers to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Mitford Hospital in the capital and local clinics amid a heartrending scene.

Dakkhin Keraniganj thana sergeant Arman said he sent 16 dead bodies to different hospitals from the spot.

Mitford Hospital sources said 20 injured were admitted to the hospital in "critical condition" where six succumbed to their injuries.

Five of them were identified as Jakir, 22, Tapash, 40, Sufia, 35, Mariam, 55, and Anis, 42.

A DMCH source confirmed death of three injured males out of eight admitted there.

Besides, 12 injured people were admitted to a local clinic in critical condition.

Our Tangail Correspondent reports: Five people were killed and 20 others injured in a tragic road accident at Beelsarinda, on the outskirts of the town, yesterday morning.

Police said a Dhaka-bound passenger bus from Sirajganj overturned on the road at about 11am killing five passengers on the spot and injuring 20 others.

Twelve of the injured were admitted to Tangail General Hospital in critical condition.

Of the deceased, one was identified as Abdus Sattar, 50, of Gohalia village in Sadar upazila of Sirajganj district while identity of another could not be ascertained immediately.

A case was filed.

Our Bogra Correspondent reports: Three people were killed and 40 others injured in two accidents on Bogra-Rangpur and Dhaka-Bogra highways in northwestern Bogra district yesterday.

Police said a Rangpur-bound truck from Bogra crashed into a Dhaka-bound passenger coach at Mokamtola crossing in Shibganj upazila on Bogra-Rangpur highway at about 2am leaving two people dead on the spot and 40 others injured.

One Of the deceased was identified as Zarina Begum, 50, wife of Fazlul Haq of Thakurgaon district. Identity of the other deceased could not be known immediately.

In another incident, Absar Ali, 45, of Gokul Uttarpara in Sadar upazila was run over and killed by a bus at Shajahanpur on Bogra-Dhaka highway.

Our Bagerhat Correspondent reports: Three people were killed and 45 injured when a bus plunged into a roadside ditch at Madrassahghat in Mollahat upazila on Khulna-Mawa highway in southern Bagerhat district yesterday afternoon.

Police said the Madaripur-bound bus from Khulna skidded off the highway into the ditch after both of its rear tyres deflated, killing two passengers--Swapna Khatun, 12, and Masud Rana, 32, instantly and injuring 46 others.

Another injured Aleya Begum, 55, died after admitting her to Mollarhat Health Complex.

Of the other injured, 40 were admitted to Mollarhat Health Complex, Gopalganj Sadar Hospital and Khukna Medical College Hospital.

Condition of 20 injured was said to be critical.

Our Habiganj Correspondent reports: Four people were killed and four others were injured in two road accidents on Dhaka-Sylhet highway in northeastern Habiganj district, some 130 km northeast of Dhaka.

Police said that a Sylhet-bound truck rammed into a Dhaka-bound microbus at about 08:30 a.m. local time killing its three passengers on the spot and injuring four others.

In another incident in the district, a 4-year-old boy was injured when a bus ran him over at about 11:15 a.m. local time.

Bangladesh has one of the highest fatality rates for road accidents, which kill more than 10,000 people every year.

The principal contributing factors for accidents are adverse roadside environment, overloading, overtaking, reckless driving, carelessness of road users and failure to obey mandatory traffic regulations, according to the government agencies.

Emergency to be lifted ahead of poll: Army Chief Gen Moeen rules out army takeover

Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed enrolled his name
in voter-list with photographs at Banani DOHS Community
Centre in the city yesterday. ISPR photo

Staff Reporter

Army Chief of Staff General Moeen U Ahmed yesterday asserted that the state of emergency would gradually be relaxed, saying it is quite obvious that emergency will not be in place ahead of election.

"It is the affair of the government to lift the state of emergency. Of course the government will relax it gradually," he told reporters at DOHS Community Centre where he wasregistered as voter. His wife Begum Nazneen Moeen also registered as voter, as a countrywide programme is underway for preparing a new voting roll ahead of next elections.

Asked about completion of the voters' list, General Moeen said the preparation of the list would complete by July, or, maybe, in August.

"I am sure it will complete."

After scrutiny, the voters' list will be finalised, said the army chief. The army is aiding the task of making photo voter list plus national identity card.

And after completion of the voters' list, the elections will be held as per announced roadmap of the election commission, General Moeen told the journalists, giving an outline of the transitional process.

"We want that election is held in accordance with the government and election commission's roadmap," he said, adding that it needs cooperation from all, including political parties, to hold the election.

On Wednesday, General Moeen U Ahmed said the army does not want to take over power and he also has no plan to be the country's president.

"No such situation has arisen in the country that warrants army takeover of power," Moeen said in an interview telecast on private satellite television Channel i on Wednesday night.

Channel i aired part of the interview for its talk show "Tritiyo Matra" in its prime time news bulletin. The full talk show will be aired at 7:50pm tomorrow (Saturday).

The army chief emphatically said he does not see any obstruction to holding the general election by December this year. He said the election even could be held before December if all work together.

On trial of the war criminals, Gen Moeen said they should be tried and it should have been done much earlier.

He observed that Bangladesh could proceed towards becoming a failed state if the state of emergency was not promulgated on January 11 last year.

On the situation before that, the army chief said, "I have never seen in my life even killing of an animal that way."

Asked if there is any possibility of army takeover of power, "I think no such situation has arisen in the country that warrants army takeover of power. Moreover, it is not correct to do it. In modern world, none will accept martial law."

Regarding the demand for the trial of war criminals, Moeen said, "We have to see why the trial could not take place in the last 36 years, why previous governments did not do it, why people did not speak on it, why the freedom fighters did not raise it."

In reply to a question, Gen Moeen said he has no plan to become the president or chief executive of the country.

"Since 1/11, you have seen all were thinking as if I were going to be the president, chief adviser or the chief executive. But nothing like that has happened as of now," the army chief said.

Asked how much respectful the government is towards rule of law since it has been said that whatever the verdict, the detained teachers and a student would be released, Moeen said the court will give judgment but the government has the right to pardon anyone or abide by the court verdict.

President Iajuddin Ahmed on January 11 declared state of emergency in the country to quell political violence between major political

parties over abortive parliamentary polls set for January 22 last year.

Then a caretaker government headed by former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed took the office on January 12 to stage a credible general election.

Fakhruddin Ahmed has reiterated elections will be held before the end of 2008.

Stock review DSE oil shares in the red

Staff Reporter

Disappointing trade of petroleum shares have plunged the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) to close in red despite significant increase in turnover and capitalization during last week ended yesterday.

All three indexes in the DSE closed with loss in this weekend but the weekly turnover increased by 2.4 crore (79 percent) in the week. On the other hand, weekly market capitalisation was also reported to have increased by 0.52 percent, added Tk 410.53 crore from the week opening figure.

Shares of the Jamuna Petroleum Limited alone contributed most vigorously to keep the DSE weekly index into negative zone. The script topped the weekly top 10 losers list. In the week, shareholders of this script have digested a loss of Tk 151 per share.

It was obvious and was obvious to face serious technical corrections, said an expert to The New Nation, while explaining the poor performances in oil shares last week.

Trading of Jamuna PET jumped up to higher prices from the very first trading, he added.

Jamuna Petroleum finally enjoyed some growth in the last trading day, added Tk 18 each share. The script closed at Tk 379 yesterday with 34.07 lacs trade volume. Besides, shares of other petroleum scripts also traded low during last week and witnessed moderate gain in the closing day.

The newcomer Meghna Petroleum added Tk 60 per share, closing at Tk 360 per share from the opening price Tk 300 per share.

Padma Oil, the older petroleum script in equity business also lost Tk 43.8 per share within last weeks trading. It closed weekly trading at Tk 1268.8 per share, which was Tk 1312.6 per share in the week before.

So far my market insight, the petroleum scripts have witnessed enough corrections during last week, said a market expert.

According to him, both the newcomer petroleum shares prices are now at steady level, which has less possibility to face any significant decline. But the shares have to be available in the market for trading, he said.

"My advice to the investors is moderate buying in Jamuna and Meghna shares, but in lower volume," he added.

He, however, urged both the new petroleum companies and their selling agents to release their shares into open market for frequent trading.

"Artificial share crises, as we have witnessed last week, eventually mark the script as risky. Doubtlessly it was an unwise strategy by the administration and should be avoided in coming weeks," he added.

Overcoming last week's disappointment, the petroleum shares are expected to enjoy a sparkling week," he further added.

However, the UCBL was the only blue-collared Banking script that traded into red last week. Each shares of the company lost Tk 221.5 with in the week at Tk 4390 per share closure.

At the trading weekend, the DSE General index lost 41.25 points, closing at 2951.91 points. The DSE 20 Index also lost 8.27 pints, while closing at 2428.40 points. The DSE All Share Index lost 32.51 points at 2490.23 closure points.

Within the last week, shares price of 132 companies advanced, 118 declined and 7 remained unchanged. Trading of remaining 27 other shares were resumed last week.

Home Ministry dismisses report on Tarique

Staff Reporter

The Home Ministry yesterday strongly protested a daily Dinkal report with photographs showing detained BNP Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman being tortured under police remand.

Dismissing the report at a press briefing, Home Secretary Mohammad Abdul Karim said, "The photographs published by the newspaper are not the photographs of Tarique Rahman."

He said the photographs were of one Ratan, a thief, who was detained at Sadar police station in Bogra district on January 25 last year.

"Those photographs were published earlier by The Daily Star on January 27 in 2007 and vernacular daily Dainik Amader Samoy on January 28 in 2007," he said, asserting that the Home Ministry, after investigation, took stern action against the police personnel, who were responsible for the incident.

He said the video clippings of those photographs were posted in some foreign Internet services, claiming those as testimony of physical and psychological torture on Tarique Rahman, while in custody.

Abdul Karim said Dainik Amader Samoy yesterday published a report titled as "Photographs of torture on Tarique Rahman versus Ratan of Bogra", while vernacular daily Dainik Bhorer Kagoj published another report titled "Mystery centring the said picture of repression on Tarique Rahman."

Both the newspapers yesterday published those photographs and proved that the Dainik Dinkal published a false report and it was based on fake picture, he said.

"A police officer was dismissed from the service, while two others were punished for the incident," the Home Secretary said, adding, "Besides, departmental proceeding is on progress against another police personal."

Terming the report and the photographs as baseless and imaginary, he said the publication of such baseless news has tarnished the image of the Government both at home and abroad, while it hurt the country's image across the globe.

Meanwhile, concerned quarters yesterday raised the question as to why the administration did not yet take any action against those responsible for tarnishing the image of the country and the Government at home and abroad.

CA uncovers book on liberation war published by Army

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed unwrapped a book titled 'Bangladesher Muktijuddho' published by the Bangladesh Army at his office here yesterday.

Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed presented seven volumes of book to the Chief Adviser on the occasion. Dr. Fakhruddin thanked the Bangladesh Army for publishing such a fundamental book on the war of liberation collecting facts from different parts of the country.

He said the future generation will be able to know in detail about the liberation war from this book and the researchers will also find necessary guidelines. The 4552-page book contains the history of 1234 battles and colour maps of 280 war spots of the great war of liberation of 1971.

Each of the volumes also contains date and events of the war, list of awarded and martyred freedom fighters and location of their graves.

Of seven volumes, the first volume contains the history of war of liberation of Chittagong area, the second volume of Comilla area, the third volume of Dhaka area, the fourth volume of Mymensingh area, the fifth volume of Rangpur area, the sixth volume of Bogra area and the seventh volume of Jessore area.

On behalf of Education Directorate, Army Head Quarters, Asia Publications published the book. The price of the book is Taka 4,575. It will be sold at 30 percent commission at the stall of Asia Publications in the Ekushey Book Fair.

Chief of General Staff of Bangladesh Army Maj Gen Sina Ibne Jamali, Adjutant General Maj. Gen. M Matiur Rahman, DG SSF Maj. Gen. Sheikh M Monirul Islam, Director of Military Education Department Brig Gen AKM Rezaul Karim and Military Secretary to the Chief Adviser Brig Gen Amin Tarique were present.

Secretary to the Chief Adviser's Office Kazi M Aminul Islam and Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim were present on the occasion.

Website on voter registration inaugurated

UNB, Dhaka

A website on voter registration was inaugurated at the Election Commission office on Thursday so people could check online their particulars as voters.

Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda inaugurated the website jointly set up by the army and the Election Commission under the ongoing task of voter listing across the country. The website address is www.voterlist.gov.bd.

After registration, the voters' names will be available on the website within 10/15 days and will remain there for 15 days. If the voters made any mistake in giving information during the registration, they could correct it through the website.

Security experts say: Technology-based madrasah edn must to combat militancy

Staff Reporter

Security experts yesterday suggested the government to introduce technology based modern vocational education system in country's Madrassa for effectively combating the militancy.

They opined that due to the lack of scientific knowledge, Madrassa students are often influenced to the fundamental militant ideals.

Referring to the growth of militancy in Bangladesh they said, students should be encouraged to fight militant ideals in various educational institutions ,through modernization ,intellectual practice, scientific education along with adequate religious knowledge.

They said this while speaking at a seminar on ' Militancy in Pakistan: Implications on South Asian Security' organised by International Studies Association of Bangladesh at RC Mujumder Hall of Dhaka University yesterday.

Presided over by former Ambassador Mohammad Jamir, Prof Dr Imtiaz Ahmed of the International Relations Department of the University presented the keynote paper.

In his keynote paper he said, we must evaluate the democracy to learn lessons from the militancy in Pakistan.

Admitting of existence of militancy in the country, Prof Imtiaz claimed, militants involve themselves in the militancy not because of poverty, but because of their blind faiths.

Prof Imtiaz, renowned security expert, placed some recommendations to tackle the militancy in the South Asian region . The recommendations include enhancement of vigilance by the states, civil society and community leaders and increasing investment in the education sector.

''If the militants can take the control over the nuclear devices in Pakistan, it would not bring only complexity in the South Asian regional security paradigm, but also will cause the unimaginable danger for the peace and development of the region,'' he observed.

Former Ambassador Mohammad Jamir said, militancy originates from our feeling of anger, deprivation and other discrimination prevailing in the society.

Are we going through militancy process, he questioned.

Terming the Pakistani militancy a 'new- breed of militancy' Jamir said, they are highly educated and using sophisticated weapons including laptops for carrying out their operations.

Prof Dalem Chandra Barman of the Peace and Conflicts Department , security expert Masud Mannan and Abdur Rahaman, among others, took part at the discussion.

RU students continue silent protest

RU correspondent

The students of Rajshahi University boycotted their classes on Thursday demanding unconditional release of detained 10 students and an employee accused of inciting 22 Aug. campus violence.

"The students against repression" organized signature campaign in which about 300 students of RU were signatories in front of Mass Communication and Journalism Deptt. from 8 am to 3pm. They also organised protest cartoon on the campus against RU authorities and the Govt. for not releasing ten students and an employee of RU.

"The students against authoritarianism" of Rajshahi University (RU) organized a Mass rally with popular songs at 12 pm with about 1000 students demanding unconditional release of 10 students and an employee of RU.

The rally paraded the whole campus with black flags. They boycotted classes from 11am to 2pm.

Meanwhile, the 4th class employees of the Rajshahi University(RU) gave memoranda to RU vice-chancellor demanding regularisation of their services.

They appeal to the VC for permanent service before 15 February.Otherwise they will launch tougher program like strike.

RU Vice-Chancellor Prof.M.Altaf Hossain said he will look into the matter.

RU authorities appointed 546 employees instead of 255 in the vacant posts in April,2004. But till now 186 of those employees are working at RU on the basis of no work no pay. They are demanding regularisation of their services.

No new list of corrupt suspects: Matin

UNB, Dhaka

Home Advisor Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin Thursday said the National Coordination Committee he heads wouldn't move into further action against the corruption suspects and not publish any new list of the corrupt now.

Because, he told reporters, the Anti-Corruption Commission is overloaded with investigations and trial against those included on the previous lists.

"The Anti-Corruption Commission will not move into further action against the corruption suspects, but it will consider the matters of serious crime," he said at his Home Ministry office after a meeting of the taskforce, which is engaged in countrywide operation herding up the suspects for serious crime and corruption.

The chief of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on Serious Crime and Corruption, now further armed with the policing powers, hoped that the NCC would finish all the cases that are now under trial during the tenure of the incumbent caretaker government.

He also requested the upcoming governments to carry on the crusade, waged in the interim period, against the vice of corruption.

"We are thinking about amending the existing laws so that the next governments can move against corruption," said the Advisor, indicating a new sociopolitical milieu being prepared so that the country doesn't have to revert to the pre-1/11 scenario.

Responding to a query about government move to free the detained teachers and students of Dhaka University, the Advisor for Home Affairs said the government needs some time for a better solution.

"We are thinking about a respectable solution for both the sidestGovernment and DU teachers and students."

The Advisor briefed the journalists about details of the cases under the National Coordination Committee. As per the NCC records, 19 persons were convicted under ACC move, 12 convicted under NBR and 14 under police proceedings.

Twenty-five investigated cases are now under trial at ACC initiative, 26 at NBR and 37 at police initiative. Some 68 investigations are in progress by ACC, 179 by NBR and 31 inquiries by ACC.