The New Nation - Internet Edition

Skirmishes at Dinajpur border: BDR man, 2 villagers hurt in unprovoked BSF firing : Captured BSF personnel was handed over to India at flag meeting

BDR personnel on alert along India border near
Naogaon. Banglar Chokh

Dinajpur Correspondent

An extremely tense situation has been prevailing at Fulbari upazila in Dinajpur district following the border forces of Bangladesh and India exchanged several thousands of fires for about four hours yesterday on Ghasuria frontier, leaving one BDR jawan and two local villagers injured.

BDR commader Nayek Latu Mia and villagers Tofazzal Hossain and Nurul Haq of village Hashupara wounded by BSF bullets were undergoing treatment.

Local people fled homes amid a hail of gunfire, as the encounter between Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) troops and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) went on from 9:20am to 1:30pm. Five villages of the Fulbari upazila wore deserted looking following the exchange of fires. Panic gripped the entire frontier area at Ghasuria.

Witnesses said a patrol team of 15 Battalion of BDR at Fulbari was patrolling on the frontier yesterday morning. At that time, a patrol team of BSF arrived at the area on the opposite side.

As the patrol teams of both BDR and BSF assembled at the zero line of the frontier, BSF patrol team commander suddenly locked in an altercation with the BDR patrol team commander bringing charges of cutting barbed wire fence put by India. At one stage of the altercation at about 9:20am, a member of the BSF patrol team started firing without any provocation appearing from behind, leaving BDR patrol commander Nayek Latu Mia seriously injured. Instantly, the BSF troops opened fire on BDR patrol team and the BDR members gave replies to the fires taking position in their bunkers.

At one stage of firing, BSF sub-inspector Om Prokash intruded some 50 to 60 yards inside the Bangladesh territory being separated from his patrol team. Later, the local villagers caught SI Om Prokash. Villagers of Hashupara village held Om Prokash about 60 yards from the zero line of the border. He was immediately handed over to BDR.

In spite of the arrest of Om Prokash, the BSF troops continued their unprovoked firing on the BDR members.

BDR responded to the BSF fire. It couldn't be known if there was any casualty on the Indian side.

The four-hour-long firing salvo ended as BSF sector commander of Maldaha PS Tomar requested the Dinajpur sector commander of BDR Col Rezaul Kabir over phone for a flag meeting to settle the matter as well as stop firing and hoist the white flag.

BDR sector commander of Dinajpur Col Rezaul Kabir leading a six-member team attended the flag meeting at about 3:30 in the afternoon with BSF team headed by DIG of Maldaha Zone RPK Rawal at the no man's land adjacent to Hashupara. The meeting ended at about 4:45pm.

Later Col Reza told newsmen that BSF assured that they will not indulge in trespassing or unprovoked firing. Any dispute would be settled through flag meeting.

He said the gunfight started by BSF during an altercation of BDR patrol team over a wide hole in the Indian barbed wire fence for which they blamed Bangladeshi nationals.

At the request of BSF authorities, sub-inspector Om Prokash, detained for trespassing, was returned to BSF at the flag meeting as a gesture of goodwill, BDR commander said.

Row over 4 leaders' close-door meeting: AL for end of dialogue within March

Staff Reporter

Awami League Acting President Zillur Rahman, who was scheduled to contradict a point made by party Presidium member Amir Hossain Amu at a press conference after a meeting of the four Presidium members on Monday, eventually yesterday landed in the same conclusion that the political dialogue with the Government and political parties should be concluded within March.

Four influential Presidium members of the Awami League (AL) Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed and Suranjit Sengupta had a close-door meeting at the Eskaton residence of Amu on Monday.

Amu addressed a press conference at the same venue after the meeting, which triggered and sent a shivering pain down the spine of the party since all four of them were known as reformist.

Razzak, Tofail and Suranjit launched identical proposals for bringing about reforms in the party, politics, administration and the Constitution of the Republic separately last year, while Amir Hossain Amu, who openly backed them, was abroad for about one and half a year to help treat his ailing wife. Amu's wife died late last year.

The reform proposals announced by the three-AL Presidium members irked party Chief Sheikh Hasina as those challenged her authoritarian leadership, calling for democratisation of the party and free it from her family control.

Subsequently the rank and file got divided into two factions-pro-Hasina anti-reformist and reformist groups.

However, the arrest of Sheikh Hasina last year eventually reunited the AL leadership and its rank and file.

Zillur Rahman on Monday night told journalists that he addressed a press conference yesterday to clarify the party's position on the statement made by Amu, demanded of the Government to complete the dialogue within March.

Addressing a joint press conference at Zillur Rahman's Gulshan residence yesterday, the AL leaders requested the Government to conclude the dialogue process by next March otherwise, there is, no need of dialogue.

The party wanted the dialogue should be open for ensuring transparency.

Making the party's stand abundantly clear acting president Zillur Rahman told newsmen that they would not take part in the proposed dialogue with the government with pre-condition.

Responding to a query about close-door meeting of four reformist leaders of the party he said they are respectable and key-leaders of Awami League. There should be no misunderstanding about their meeting.

AL Presidium member Amir Hossain Amu, one of those in the close-door parley said it was not a formal meeting. Abdur Razzaq, another attendant at the meeting, said they are not interested in dialogue with the government with pre-condition.

Tofail Ahmed observed government should conclude the dialogue process within March. If it is not done, there is no need of dialogue, he said.

He said their stand would be communicated to the allies of 14-party combine within a few days.

The AL leaders were talking to newsmen while receiving donation for Sidr victims from different organisations.

Suranjit Sengupta, Begum Matia Chowdhury, Syed Ashraful Islam, Abdul Mannan, Aktaruzzaman, Sultan Mohammad Munsur, Adv Rahmat Ali, Prof Nazma Rahman, Col (Retd) Faruq Khan, Habibur Rahman Seraj, Maj Gen (Retd) Subid Ali Bhuiyan and Dr Dipu Moni were present on the occasion.

Medical Board meets: Immediate hospitalisation of Tarique advised

Staff Reporter

A medical board yesterday advised the jail authorities for immediate hospitalisation of detained BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman.

The five-member medical board headed by Prof Siraj Uddin Ahmed, Chairman of the Orthopedic department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) examined Tarique Rahman for three-hours at the hospital and advised to admit him at hospital, which is equipped with advanced orthopedic, cardio-vascular and neurological facilities.

"We have recommended for his hospitalisation immediately, as we found Tarique Rahman incapable of sitting on his bed alone.

He was lying and feeling pains," Prof Siraj Uddin Ahmed told journalists after checking the BNP leader.

Earlier, authorities of the Dhaka Central Jail brought him to the BSMMU Hospital from the prison for the medical checkup, following which he was taken back to jail again.

DIG (Prisons) Major Shamsul Haider Siddiqui told journalists after the checkup that they would hospitalise Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of detained former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, soon after getting the medical report.

He said they took Tarique Rahman to the BSMMU for medical checkup at about 11:00am as he was suffering from waist and neck pain. After the examination, he was sent back to the Central Jail at about 2:00pm, the DIG added.

Tarique Rahman was arrested by the Joint Forces on charge of corruption from their Cantonment residence on March 7, 2007.

Tarique Rahman recently complained to a Court that he was tortured while on police remand last month.

Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor of the BSMMU Prof Mohammad Tahir yesterday said the doctors concerned of his hospital were ordered to checkup all the VIP prisoners, who are undergoing treatment at the BSMMU hospital immediately as per request of the jail authorities.

"The jail authorities will be advised to take decision on each of the VIP prisoners on the basis of the medical report," he said, adding, "Some of the VIP prisoners were suffering from multiple diseases."

Case against Hasina based on single evidence: Payam No foreigner can meet any detainee in jail: IG (Prisons)

UNB, Dhaka

Prof Payam, appointed international counsel for Hasina by her family, yesterday observed there is a question in every one's mind as to how a reported event dated back eight years could be brought under Emergency Powers Rules.

He made some political comments at a press briefing yesterday. Knowledgeable quarters viewed it beyond his jurisdiction.

He found Azam J Chowdhury's case against Hasina based on a single piece of evidence of confessional statement made by detained Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim. "But everyone knows that Selim was tortured and intimidated to make the confession," he contended.

Prof Payam, who arrived here Monday to defend the Awami League president in a makeshift court, said Hasina should be given open and public hearing as she has not yet been convicted.

Prof Payam expressed his desire to meet detained Hasina, the Chief Adviser, other government officials and representatives of non-governmental human-right organisations.

Dhaka metropolitan sessions judge's court resumes (Wednesday) its stalled proceedings with the trial of detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a Tk 3-crore extortion case through deposition by the complainant, now that the roadblocks are removed.The sessions court, relocated to the highly secured parliament bhaban complex, is expected to resume its hearing at 9:30 am, as the Supreme Court has cleared the legal impediment to the trial proceedings.

Meanwhile, IG (Prisons) Brig Gen Zakir Hasan yesterday said there is no chance for Canadian attorney Prof Dr Payam Akhavan to meet his client as Bangladesh's Jail Code bars any foreigner from meeting any Bangladeshi detainee in jail.

IG (Prisons) Brig Gen Zakir Hasan made the remarks when he was asked whether the Canadian attorney would be allowed to meet detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now in makeshift jail on the parliament compound in connection with the extortion case.

Talking to UNB over cellphone, Brig Gen Zakir said a foreigner can only seek permission under the consular access to meet any foreign prisoner either under trial or convicted.

Prof Payam arrived here Monday to defend the Awami League president in the extortion case filed against her by a businessman.

Housing project for NRBs: Democratic govt more safe for investors: UK envoy

A deal was signed at a city hotel for 'Probashi
Palli', a housing project exclusively for non resident
Bangladeshis to be built at Tongi area. NN photo

Staff Reporter

British High Commissioner Anwar Chaudhury yesterday said the investment situation has improved in Bangladesh recently.

He said investment, including the direct foreign investment (FDI), scenario would improved further in this country after the installation of the elected Government.

"Investors, including the foreigners, prefer elected democratic Government, which could ensure stability and good return under an effective institutional arrangement," the British High Commissioner told journalists after a signing ceremony of Probashi Polli Housing Project between the Inspire Development Ltd and Non-resident Bangladesh (NRB) from UK and Italy at Hotel Sheraton in the capital.

"Democratic Government is more safe for the investors," he observed.

"Anticorruption measures taken by the Bangladesh Government has slowed foreign investment flow but it is temporary. It will rise gradually in the coming years," he hoped.

He also informed, telecommunication giant like the 'Vodaphone' is interested to invest in Bangladesh.

Earlier, addressing the signing ceremony, Anwar Chaudhury advised non resident Bangladeshis to crosscheck the authenticity of any new public sector project in Bangladesh from the authorities concerned before embarking on any investment.

"All investment should be cross checked from number of authentic authorities to avoid possible harassments and imitation," Anwar Chaudhury said.

He termed the housing project 'A dream come true" for the NBRs, who wish to keep in touch with their motherland.

Turning to complaints from many UK citizens about their investment in local projects, he urged investors not to trust everything. "Visit the project personally, check its authenticity from the land departments and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and go for the investment after confirmation," he suggested.

He also urged local project partners to be transparent in every stage of their transaction and to ensure delivery of exactly what they had promised.

"If you maintain your company reputation, it will earn reputation to your company as well as to your country. It will also encourage more investments in similar projects," the top British diplomat added.

Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury appreciated the initiative, taken under local and foreign partnerships.

He termed the project a chance for NBRs to invest for their next generation.

It is like making a western home in the eastern country, said the Foreign Adviser.

"Investment in this project will secure NBRs investment which will help generate national remittances in our economy as well," he said, ensuring all possible support to the initiative from his office.

Lt Col (retd) Mezbah Uddin, Executive Director of Inspire Development Ltd explained the project and expected to handover the allocated lands among clients within three years.

According to him, the Probashi Polli is the only existing housing project, which is exclusively meant for the NBRs.

Secretary of the Ministry of Land Mosley Uddin, Managing Director of Coast East -Uk Ltd Shahidul Ali, Chairman Purbachal Project Habibur Rahman, Chairman Six Season Technology Anwar Ali and Secretary General of FNB Dr Ibrahim also addressed the ceremony.

Sohul, Sakhawat say: Constitution not violated due to EC's inability to hold poll within 90 days

UNB, Dhaka

The Constitution has not been violated through not holding the general election within 90 days of the dissolution of parliament since there was precedence of a court order having stayed elections for 90 days, the Election Commission asserted.

Election Commissioners Sohul Hussain and Brig Gen (retd) Sakhawat Hussain came up with the observations Tuesday, two days after the High Court issued rule asking caretaker government authorities and the EC to explain why their action in not holding the election within the stipulated time should not be declared 'unlawful'.

The Election Commissioners said that, meanwhile, they are determined to hold upazila elections and finalise the draft reform proposals on electoral laws by March as per their election roadmap, no matter whether the stalled electoral dialogue with BNP takes place or not.

"The Constitution has not been violated… Even earlier the elections had been stayed for 90 days filing writ in the court… We'll hold the elections as per that court order," Sohul told reporters at Sakhawat' s office.

The last writ was filed on January 29, 2007, for not holding the elections within 90 days of the dissolution of parliament. The verdict, given on March 27, said the elections could be held only after preparing voter list, national or voter ID card in a new process, reforming the electoral laws and making the EC fully independent. The EC received the copy of the verdict in August 2007.

Asked if there was any fixed timeframe in the court order for holding the polls, Sohul replied in the negative.

He, who filed the current writ, is not updated on the earlier court verdict, Sakhawat said. The running writ argued that the reconstituted Election Commission had already flagrantly violated the Constitution through failing to hold the general election within 90 days from taking office.

"Why we'll be failed… The country's prevailing circumstances at that time will have to be considered… Based on which context the government has reconstituted the Election Commission will also have to be understood… It can't be said why the elections didn't take place within 90 days… The whole situation will have to be examined," Sohul said when asked if not holding the elections within 90 days could be construed as the EC's failure.

About the importance of holding dialogue with BNP, which is now pending due to a writ petition in the court, for finalizing the electoral laws, he said, "Dialogue is not necessary… We'll make the laws by March as per the election roadmap."

"It's depending on the court's decision whether we'll hold dialogue with BNP or not… We won't comment on it now," Sakhawat said when asked if the laws would be finalised without holding dialogue with the fractious immediate-past ruling party.

However, Sohul ruled out the speculation about holding dialogue with both the Saifur and Delwar-led factions of BNP, saying that they never said such thing.

About the government's decision to give the EC suoe moto powers to hold the upazila elections, Sohul said they are considering it as a responsibility rather than a power.

"We must hold the upazila elections," he said, while Sakhawat said that, if possible, national and upazila elections would be held on same day.

"It may take place before national elections, but there is less probability of holding after national elections," Sakhawat said, adding that holding elections of around 5,000 union parishads would not be possible by this time (within the timeframe of election roadmap).

But, he said, the elections of Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet City Corporations would be held, as also for 18 municipalities whose tenures have already expired.

City air turning toxic

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Toxic particles in the air of Dhaka city continue to exceed permissible limits despite steps of the government to reduce the rate of pollution.

Brick kilns, plastic factories and open air burning of plastic items at different parts and peripheries of Dhaka city, faulty vehicles, foundries and steamers at Sadarghat launch terminal and its adjacent areas and diesel-run vehicles which are plying in the city roads, contribute to the increase of toxicity in the air of the capital city, said an official of the Air Quality Management Project (AQMP) under the Department of Environment (DoE).

Faulty vehicles are the largest source of air pollution as only the diesel-run vehicles contribute about 60 per cent of such particles in the air. At least 70 per cent of the diesel-run vehicles, mainly buses and trucks, are emitting toxic particles in abundance, a survey of the Project revealed.

Dr Mohammad Nasiruddin, Project Director of AQMP, said, "Faulty and unfit vehicles that emit carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter) 10 and PM (Particulate Matter) 2.5 are the most lethal among the toxic particles available in the air of Dhaka city."

"The concentration of particles in the air is the highest at present in Dhaka city due to climatic condition. Air pollution mostly occurs from end of October to end of February. Especially, during December to January this situation exceeds the permissible limit. During the months, wind speed and velocity is reduced, for this reason, thermal pollution occurs and smog and fog appear," he said.

There are 4,000 brick kilns around the city, which use tyres, wood and low-quality coal, which contains more than 4 per cent sulphur, emitting toxic particles into the air. No initiative has been taken yet to measure quantity of toxic particles emitted from the brick kilns, he added.

Faulty vehicles are the prime source of air pollution as only the diesel-run vehicles contribute about 60 per cent of such particles in the air. At least 80 per cent of the diesel-run vehicles, mainly buses and trucks, are emitting toxic particles beyond the permissible limit, according to a survey by World Bank.

Dr Habibullah Talukder, Associate Professor of the National Cancer Institute, said that such particles affect the cardiac and respiratory systems, nose, throat and ear.

"Inhaling particulate matters even for a short time may cause negative effect on a healthy body and on them who are smokers or who have been suffering from other diseases," he said.

Inhaling these particles also reduce life expectancy and working capability. Among the particles - SPM 10 and PM 2.5 are the most dangerous as they hit blood directly and can cause cancer, he added.

Mainly children and aged people suffer from cough, asthma, bronchitis and other diseases for other particles in the air, said doctors.

Several governments took initiatives including enacting legislation to keep the air fresh in different time but all those initiatives had failed for different reasons.

As an example, the government initiated to set up five computerised 'Vehicle Inspection Centres' (VIC) to check faulty vehicles in 1996, but unfortunately the centres are yet to operate.

It has been alleged that a foreign consultant organisation and the construction company left the vehicle inspection centres without completing their activities.

The government again sought money from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the initial financiers, to repair the faulty equipment of the centres, said an official of the BRTA.

The government also ordered to increase height of the chimney of brick kilns to reduce the air pollution but failed to ensure burning of quality fuel in these kilns making the initiative ineffective, he added.

NBR directives clog new investment in plastic industry

Staff Reporter

New investments in plastic industries clogged as the sector was facing immense problems and loosing competitiveness, insiders said at a seminar in the city.

Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) organised the seminar titled 'Opportunities of investment in plastic industries in Bangladesh' with its president Jashim Uddin in the chair.

Recently the government has asked the importers of raw materials of plastic industry to strap the bags writing "imported under bond, not for sale" before delivery of those from the port.

Importers as well as plastic goods manufacturers said this new order is costing them extra sum making them vulnerable in front of their international competitors.

The Tk 10,000 crore industry nowadays lacks new investment moreover many plastic goods factories are closing down.

Industry leaders also said they have to give 25 per cent bank guarantee before opening a letter of credit which also became burden for the industry owners.

Presenting a keynote paper Executive Member of Board of Investment Abu Reza Khan said the government ha provided adequate facilities for investment in Bangladesh.

Industries Secretary Nurul Amin hailed the sector leaders for earning huge foreign currency. He said the industry is incurring 59 per cent growth, which is remarkable.

He informed the seminar that the government is considering an industrial park for plastic industries and the issue is now at the final stage.

BPGMEA vice president Shahedul Islam Helal urged the government to ensure exit plan for businessmen who want to change their business. Turning a business into a limited company and raising fund from stock market should be made easier, he demanded.

Former BNP MP Millat gets 8 yrs in Jail

Staff Reporter

An anti-graft Special Court yesterday sentenced former BNP lawmaker Rashiduzzaman Millat to eight years imprisonment on charges of accumulating wealth illegally and concealing information about it in asset statement.

Judge Mohammad Firoz Alam of the Special Judges' Court-1, set up on the premises of Parliament building complex, also fined him Tk 10 lakh in cash. He will have to serve another year in failure to pay the fine.

Earlier on November 28, Rashiduzzaman Millat, a former lawmaker from Jamalpur district, was sentenced to six years imprisonment on separate charges of tax evasion case, filed by the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

The Special Court yesterday also sentenced Millat's wife Sabera Suraiya and their son Sayeed Bin Jamal to three years each in jail for assisting him in amassing wealth illegally.

It fined the two Tk 1 lakh each. If they fail to pay the amount, they have to serve one more month in prison.

The jail terms to three accused, who are on the run, would become effective the day of their arrest or surrender to the Court of Law.

Deputy Director of the Anticorruption Commission (ACC) Mobara Khanom filed the case against the accused on June 3 last year.

According to the statement of the case, Millat concealed information of owning Tk 4.97 crore wealth through corruption.

He had also amassed asset worth Tk 5.16 crore beyond his known sources of income source, the case alleged.

ACC Assistant Director Mohammad Ibrahim, who investigated the case, pressed charges against the accused in the Court.

The Court indicted Millat on November 5 and deposition started on November 12.

A total of 46 witnesses testified on behalf of the state.

The ACC on February 18 (2007) made a list of some 50 politicians, businessmen and other Government officials as corruption suspects and asked them to submit accounts of their moveable and immovable assets by 72 hours. Rashiduzzaman Millat was one of them.

DU students decry quota system in BCS

Dahka University students under the banner of 'Amra
Muktijoddhar Sontan' (We are the children of freedom
fighters) organised a rally at the foot of Aparajeyo Bangla
yesterday demanding the trial of war criminals.
FocusBangla

DU Correspondent

The students of Dhaka University yesterday staged demonstration and formed a human chain on the campus demanding reduction of 'quota system' from Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS).

Several hundreds of students of the university, most of them BCS examinees, took part in the demonstration that started from Aparajeyo Bangla and marched on the campus.

The students demanded bringing down the quota from 55 to 20 so that more meritorious students can be recruited in the cadre job. The students of different universities and colleges will observe similar programmes across the country today deploring the quota system in the BCS examination, said agitating students.

They said the government has to evaluate the merit to get good output, otherwise the institution would not run well.

Sources said only 45 per cent students get the job on the basis of merit and other 55 per cent avail the quota system.

Earlier, the students formed a human chain in this connection under the Bottala on the Arts Building premises.

Besides, students under the banner of Chhatra Bandhu accorded reception to the released university teachers and students at the foot of the Aparajeyo Bangla.

Earlier, some students under the banner of 'Amra Muktijodhar Santan' held a rally on the campus demanding the trial of anti-liberation forces.