The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sr Faculty of a US college of criminal justice meet President

UNB, Dhaka

Mabel M Gomes, a senior faculty of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, called on President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban today (Wednesday) when matters of criminal justice came up for discussion.

Welcoming M Gomes, the President thanked her for visiting Bangladesh. During the meeting, Gomes informed the President that she was interested to establish collaboration between Bangladesh and John Jay College in the fields of Forensic Science Lab, Criminal Justice, Police Training, Counter- terrorism Training, Advanced degrees in International Policing and various other educational programmes related to Criminal Justice and Public Administration. The US academic apprised the President that she has met officials concerned during her visit.

The President appreciated her interest in making collaboration with Bangladesh in the fields of Criminal Justice and other educational programmes.

Hasina's PA Babul re-arrested

Staff Reporter

Imprisoned Awami League President Shiekh Hasina's personal assistant Mahmud Hassan Babul was re-arrested yesterday, immediately after his release on bail from Dhaka Central Jail.

Babul was detained in a case under the Emergency Power Rules (EPRs) and was released on bail. He was re-arrested at the jail gate at 12:30pm, witnesses said.

When asked, a police official at Lalbagh thana said Babul was arrested again under the EPRs and sent to jail following a Court order.

Babul's lawyer Advocate SM Rezaul Karim said this was the third time Babul was arrested under the EPRs.

Earlier, on Jan 16, the High Court had granted bail of Babul for three months in a case and issued a suo moto rule on the Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka, DMP Commissioner and Officer-in-Charge of Lalbagh police station, asking them to explain as to why Babul should not be cleared of the case.

On February 22 last year, law-enforcers arrested Babul under the EPRs and he secured bail from the High Court on December 12.

He was released from the jail on December 20 and re-arrested a few minutes later.

Wrong treatment blamed for deaths in a city hospital

Staff Reporter

A number of relatives of victims, who suffered or died due to dereliction of duties or wrong treatment of the doctors at a private cardiac centre in the city, are likely to sue the management of the clinic.

Disclosing this at a joint press conference in the city yesterday they demanded investigation into the deaths of their kith and kin.

They also demanded exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the crime.

They claimed that the hospital, Lab Aid Cardiac Hospital, is running their business in the name of giving treatment to the patients at reasonable cost.

They also claimed that physicians of the hospital are ignoring serious patients in critical condition.

This was claimed at the National Press Club by some relatives of victims, whose either parents or children died in questionable circumstances in the hospital.

Tanvir Imam, Mushfique Ahmed, Enayet Hossain Dulal, Iqbal Hossain, Tawfique Mahmud, Shafiqul Islam and Dr Mehnaz Ahmed, on behalf of the victims of the deceased patients, spoke at the briefing.

The speakers said, "We do not want our dead father, mother or child back. But we want the hospital to deliver services with professionalism and not to fleece the patients in the name of giving modern treatment facilities."

They urged the government to look into the matter and take steps in this regard.

They also questioned if Lab Aid Cardiac Hospital regularly pays income tax properly to the government.

Ex-MP, Nurul Huq passes away

UNB, Noakhali

Former MP and freedom fighter Nurul Huq Mia died of old age ailments at his Choumuhoni residence here Wednesday morning. He was 94.

Noakhali district Awami League President and founder president of Sramik League, Huq left behind his wife, three sons, five daughters, a host of relatives, well-wishers and admirers to mourn his death.

Nurul Huq was laid to rest near Choumuhoni Poura Complex with state honour.

He was a close associate of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Huq had actively taken part in 1952 Language Movement and 1969 mass upsurge.

Awami League acting president Zillur Rahman and acting general secretary Sayed Ashraful Islam condoled the death of Nurul Huq.

In a condolence message, they prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the members of the bereaved family.

In a similar message, politician ASM Abdur Rab also expressed his deep sock at the death of noted politician.

Pak Navy Chief calls on President

BSS, Dhaka

Visiting Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral M Afzal Tahir on Wednesday called on President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban here.

During the call on, the President thanked the government of Pakistan for providing quick assistance to the Sidr victims of Bangladesh.

Dr Iajuddin expressed satisfaction at the current good ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan and hoped that the bilateral cooperation in different sectors including navy would be strengthened further in the days to come.

The President observed that frequent exchange of visit by the senior officials of both the countries and expansion of training would help strengthening further the existing bond of friendship.

Prof Iajuddin wished the success of the visit of the Pakistan Naval Chief and hoped that he had fruitful discussion with his counterparts.

Admiral Afzal expressed his satisfaction over the existing relation between the naval forces of the two countries. He apprised the President of different activities of Pakistan Navy.

The Pakistan Navy Chief also appreciated the role of present government in rehabilitating the cyclone-affected people.

Pakistan High Commi-ssioner to Bangladesh Alamgir Babar was present.

Military Secretary to the President Major General Mohd Aminul Karim, Secretary Md Sirajul Islam and Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader were also present.

NDC delegation visits Ministry of Defence

BSS, Dhaka

A National Defence College (NDC) delegation led by NDC Commandant Lt. General Abu Tayed Muhammad Zahirul Alam visited Ministry of Defence on Wednesday as a part of training curriculum.

An ISPR press release said Defence Secretary Kamrul Hasan welcomed the delegation. There was a slide presentation on organogram, role and function and ongoing projects of the ministry by Deputy Secretary Ms. Tahmina Begum. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session.

Among others, Joint Secretary (W & D) of Ministry of Defence Brigadier General Shah Md Sultan Uddin Iqbal, Bir Protik, and other senior officials were present.

OIC Asst Secy Gen meets Lt Gen Masud Uddin

BSS, Dhaka

Visiting OIC Assistant Secretary General Atta Manane Bakhit paid a courtesy call on Principal Staff Officer of Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury at AFD on Wednesday.

An ISPR press release said the OIC Assistant Secretary General spent some time with General Masud and exchanged greetings. They also focussed on relations between OIC and Bangladesh.

Quader asks RAJUK to deliver quick services

BSS, Dhaka

Housing and Works, and Communications Adviser Maj Gen (Retd) Golam Quader on Wednesday said the RAJUK (capital development authorities) will have to deliver services to the people as per the citizens' charter.

He said RAJUK is pledge-bound to deliver its services within the stipulated timeframe for handing over plots/flats, mutation, and withdrawal of deposited money, he said.

The adviser was speaking at a meeting to review activities of RAJUK held in the city, said a press release.

He said the government wants to ensure that all would discharge their duties in the shortest possible time with discipline.

RAJUK Chairman AKM Harun said proper monitoring has been ensured to resist irregularities in approval of plans for buildings.

Housing and Public Works Secretary ASM Rashidul Hai and other senior officials were present at the meeting, said the press release. After the meeting, the adviser visited the RAJUK office.

More donations to CA's relief fund

BSS, Dhaka

More individuals and organizations on Wednesday donated Taka 89,000 to the Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund to help the cyclone affected people.

According to an official handout, the donors were some residents of Bajitpur upazila of Kishoreganj district- Taka 50,000, Janakalyan Samity of ward-41 of West Agargaon, Dhaka- Taka 10,000, East Coast English School of UAE- Taka 22,850 and Mithamon Upazila Kalyan Samity of Kishoreganj-Taka 6,300.

AFD distribute testimonials among 21 members of BLOA and FVOA

BSS, Dhaka

The Armed Forces Division (AFD) on Wednesday distributed testimonials among the members of the Bangladesh Launch Owners Association (BLOA) and Freezer Van Owners Association (FVOA) for carrying the relief materials including sacrificial meats by their vessels and freezer vans to the Sidr- hit people in the southwestern coastlines of the country.

Director of the AFD Brigadier General Kazi Abidus Samad, on behalf of the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the AFD Lt Gen Masud Uddin Chowdhury, handed over the certificates to 21 members of the BLOA at the AFD of Army Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment here.

The AFD also handed over a cheque for Taka 50,000 to the family of deceased driver Md Tajul Islam of Minhar Sea Food Limited, who met with the tragic end of his life in a freezer van accident while carrying the sacrificial meet on December 22 last. Monowara, widow of Tajul Islam received the cheque.

The owners of the BLWA included Shahidul Islam of MV Parabat, Saidur Rahman Rintu of MV Sundarban, Alhaj Golam Moula of MV Surovi, Major (Retd) Khairul Bashar of FVOA, Abdul Jalil Mollah, Kazi Navil Ahmed and Khan Habibur Rahman.

Brigadier General Kazi Abidus Samad recalled the contribution of BLOA and FVOA which jointly under the supervision of the AFD had transported nearly 1000 tonnes of emergency relief goods free of cost for the cyclone survivors in the southwestern coastlines of the country. This succor had largely helped the cyclone survivors in reducing their sufferings, he said.

Kazi Abidus Samad said, the owners of the Bangladesh freezer vans had set a shinning example of how to provide humanitarian services to the people in response to any kind of natural disaster by carrying the sacrificial meats free of cost to Sidr- hit people.

Brigadier General Samad said, members of the BLOA and FVOA informed that they had reached all the relief materials and succor by their vessels and freezer vans immediately after receiving those from various organizations and individuals to the Sidr-hit districts.

He said, soon after the cyclone, members of the Armed Forces in cooperation with the food and disaster management ministry had extended all out support utilising own resources.

"With the transpiration support of the members of BLOA and FVOA, it had helped minimize our chopper transportation cost as per trip helicopter cost requires about Taka 1.50 lakh," Brigadier General Samad pointed out.

Members of the BLOA and FVOA said, " We are ready to offer such kind of help in cooperation with the AFD if any disaster take place in the country in the future".

They also urged the government to take steps for improving the navigability of the southwestern coastlines so that the vessels can move smoothly.

One killed in N'ganj wall collapse

BSS, Narayanganj

A day labourer was killed on the spot and three others were injured when a dilapidated wall of Munshikhola Cement Iron Rods and Sands Trading Centre under Fatullah police station here collapsed on them yesterday morning.

Police and hospital sources said the dead was identified as Habib Molla, 45, son of late Qader Molla of village Dakkhin Takta Balia under Amtali upazila of Barguna district.

The injured are Jahangir Alam, 30, and the names of the rest two could not be known. The injured were taken to Khanpur Modern Hospital in the town and given first aid.

The incident occurred when a group of 10 to 12 labourers was working to dismantle a six-foot high wall of the business firm on the bank of the river Buriganga. The wall all on a sudden collapsed on the workers at 10 am.

Habib Mollah sustained fatal injury on the head and died on the spot while three others received injuries on the hands and legs.

Being informed, fire service personnel from Narayanganj rushed to the spot and rescued the body from under the rubbles at 11 AM. The police sent the body to hospital for autopsy.

Teletalk to release 1.8 m new SIMs

BSS, Dhaka

Teletalk Mobile Phone company plans to release an additional 1.8 million SIMs (Subscriber's Individual Module) in the market next year side by side with installing 600 BTS (base transceiver station) to expand its network throughout the country.

"Implementation of this plan will start next year," said Acting Managing Director of Teletalk M Aminul Hassan while talking to BSS here yesterday. Teletalk is contemplating introduction of new packages after market analysis, he added.

According to Hassan, the number of Teletalk subscribers rose to 1.2 million and the volume of revenue earning reached Taka 4 million per day on an average following changes in the management over the last one year.

He said a modern 'soft switch' was installed in Dhaka and a 'media gateway' in each of the divisional cities of Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna during the last 11 months to raise standard of services.

Besides, he added, Teletalk has introduced roaming service in 184 countries in collaboration with 285 foreign mobile companies side by side with mobile SMS service and news updates.

Hassan also said that Teletalk had played a big role in reducing the call rates by the private mobile phone companies operating in Bangladesh. "The plan to raise the number of Teletalk subscribers is also underway," he said.

FBCCI calls for competitive policy for growth of local industries

BSS, Dhaka

FBCCI administrator Syed Manzur Elahi yesterday said that the country requires a pragmatic competition policy to support the growth of domestic industries and keep the market consumer-friendly.

Formulation of a competition policy and the laws, being not an easy task, would require proper understanding of the core issues, enough thinking and enough home work, he said speaking at a seminar at the FBCCI conference hall.

Bangladesh, he said, could develop some of its manufacturing taking advantage of the WTO rules exempting the LDCs, for a certain period, from compliance of existing competition requirements in some of the areas.

The country needs to think what it would do and how it will promote such industries after 2013 or 2016, when the exemption period would end.

For achieving higher growth, he said, there was no alternative to developing domestic manufacturing.

The industry leaders, he said, should thoroughly familiarise themselves with the competition policy and the WTO rules, which would govern their activities in near future.

"It is time we must start creating awareness about it," he said.

Dr Taufiq Ali, former Bangladesh Permanent Representative to UN at Geneva, in his keynote paper spoke on competition policies adopted by developed and the developing countries to suit free trade under WTO multilateralism.

Fazlur Rahman, Director General, WTO Cell in the Commerce Ministry in his expert paper highlighted the Bangladesh perspective, what it should mean, elements covered by it and how to move about it.

Representatives of various chamber bodies and trade associations exchanged views on different issues.