The New Nation - Internet Edition

2 killed in Ctg container depot mishap

Chittagong Correspondent

Two watchmen of a container depot were killed when a speeding trailer crushed them under its wheels near the toll plaza of Chittagong Port container terminal yesterday morning.

Police sources said the container-laden trailer knocked the watchmen down while coming out of the container terminal of Ishaq Brothers' Limited at about 10:45 a.m.

Dead watchmen were identified as Ahmed Shafi (45) and M Ismail (36). They died on the spot. Locals caught the trailer but its driver managed to flee away.

Police recovered the bodies and took those to Chittagong Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Jubo League leader killed in Ctg

Chittagong Correspondent

Armed assailants stabbed a Juba League leader to death at Madanhat in Sitakund slightly after zero hours yesterday.

Police identified the victim as Ridwan Ahmed (36), Sonaichhari union Secretary of the Jubo League, youth wing of Awami League.

Police said that a group of assailants attacked Redwan near Madanhat Bazaar while he was getting back to home from a village function at about 12:35 a.m.

The attackers stabbed him indiscriminately and disappeared from the scene leaving him critically wounded.

Locals hearing his groaning rescued him in a critical condition and attempted to rush to a hospital. He succumbed to his injuries on way to a local clinic.

A case has been recorded with Sitakund police in connection with the murder. None was arrested so far.

CAFAXPO-08 begins in Ctg Feb 14

Chittagong Correspondent

The 6th Chittagong Apparel Fabric & Accessories Exposition (CAFAXPO) will begin here in the port city on February 14.

The three-day exposition will take place at the auditorium of the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Chittagong. Dozens of firms and manufacturers of apparel accessories, relevant service providers and financial institutions will join the fair.

Advisor to the caretaker government on education and commerce Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman is expected to inaugurate the exposition while advisor on local government and rural development and labor and employment Anwarul Iqbal to join the concluding session as the chief guest.

The theme of this year's exposition is "Gateway to Prosperity". Detailed programs have been taken up for marking the exposition. The programs include seminar on "Strategies to enhance competitiveness-Bangladesh RMG in the global market" and fashion show.

The organizers believed that the exposition would not only create new markets from local apparel products but also help local entrepreneurs to procure modern machines and devices for qualitative improvement of their products.

Addressing a news conference on the occasion of the exposition First Vice President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) MA Salam said that this year's exposition would open new horizon for the local exporters.

Tk 401.88 crore SME loans disbursed in July-Dec period

Staff Reporter

The Karmasangsthan Bank has distributed Tk 401.88 crore as small and Medium Enterprises (SME) loans during the fist half of current fiscal year.

During the July-December period of 2007-08 FY, the bank has issued loans among 110614 borrowers to develop SME sector, said Chairman of Karmasangsthan Bank Muhammad Sirajul Islam.

"The bank has distributed loans among the SME owners to establish and develop poultry, fisheries, dairy, small trading, nursery and agro-based projects. By this, we have created employment for approximately 3.98 lakh person," he said.

He was addressing the Branch Managers Conference-2008 in the city yesterday, which was chaired by the Managing Director (Additional Charge) Muhammad Shajahan Mia.

According to him, the Karmasangsthan Bank has disbursed Tk 42.42 crore and recovered Tk 38.59 crore through its 102 branches across the country during the period.

He asked all participating branch managers to maintain their maximum effectiveness and appreciate innovativeness in the SME sector.

The meeting reviewed the activities of the bank during the period and adopted action strategy for coming half of current fiscal year.

Youths urged to fight against corruption

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury on Sunday urged the country's youth society to lead the battle against corruption.

"Bangladesh is now being neglected across the world due to its pervasive corruption. It should be stopped, prevented and everyone has to fight against it. Particularly the youth will have to take command of the crusade against corruption to salvage the country," the ACC chairman said.

He was addressing the concluding session of the 2-day annual conference of Youth Engagement and Support (YES) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center organised by Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB).

The ACC chief said corruption ruins good governance in a country and without good governance no nation can move ahead. "Our pledge should be not to indulge in corruption, and vehemently fight it," Hasan Mashhud, who is leading the anti corruption campaign of the interim government, said.

He suggested the youth community to become vocal against corruption and to put pressure by raising their voice against those who are involved in corruption.

Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury said the youth have traditionally played a very positive role in all national movements during the country's crucial period of history like in 1952 and 1971.

He informed that the Commission would justify its activities after completing a survey by an impartial organisation after the month of June.

A total of 1300 youths of YES participated at the conference. Among others, noted writer of the country Dr Mohammad Zafar Iqbal, former adviser of the caretaker government and TIB trustee Advocate Sultana Kamal and TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman addressed the conference.

Two burned to death in Shariatpur, Comilla

UNB, Dhaka

Two people were burned to death and two others injured in Shariatpur and Comilla districts in separate fire incidents early Sunday.

In Shariatpur, a fire broke out in a grocery shop at Kanarbazar in sadar uapzila at about 5am, burning down the valuables and killing shopkeeper Billal Mollah, 32, who was asleep in the shop. Two other shopkeepers sustained burn injuries while they were trying to rescue Billal from the burning shop.

The reason behind the fire could not be known immediately. In Comilla, a youth was burnt alive as a fire broke out in his house in Subhopur area of the town early Sunday.

Police said the fire broke out at 2:00am in the tin-shed house of Anwar Hossain, 18, son of Ibrahim Miah of Shyempur village of Langolcoat upazila, killing Anwar on the spot.

US Pacific Commander arrives on two-day visit

UNB, Dhaka

US Pacific Marine Commander Lt General John F Goodman arrived in Bangladesh on Sunday on a two-day visit. As part of his tour programme, he paid courtesy call on Army Chief General Moyeen U Ahmed, Navy Chief Vice-Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam and Air Chief Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman at their respective offices. He exchanged greetings with the chiefs of the three services and discussed "professional matters", an ISPR release said. Besides, General Goodman met with Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen Masud Uddin Chowdhury and Principal of Armed Forces Medical College Maj Gen Mohammad Masud at their respective offices.

US Charge de Affaires Geeta Pasi was present during the meeting between the Army Chief and the visiting Pacific Marine Commander of America.

IOM will assist Bangladesh on migration issues

UNB, Dhaka

International Organization for Migration (IOM), an international body based in Geneva, will assist Bangladesh on migration issues.

Regional Representative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Rabab Fatima said this when she paid a call on the Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at the Foreign Ministry On Sunday.

They discussed a possible action plan to explore the possibilities of diversifying export of Bangladeshi labour to different destinations, including Eastern Europe.

"Last year we were able to send over 650,000 workers abroad, which is an all-time record, and earned nearly US 7 billion remittances, which is also a record. We have now decided to upgrade skills, and look for newer markets such as in Eastern Europe. We have already sent some to Romania recently, as the media has noted", Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury said to the press afterwards.

Dhaka UK ties form a Global Partnership

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury Sunday said the relationship between Bangladesh and the UK constitute a "partnership for which both sides are proud."

He made the remark while commenting on the outcome of the visit by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband to Bangladesh. The Foreign Adviser said: "Recently, we have had two Cabinet-level visits from the UK-from Development Cooperation Minister Douglas Alexander and Foreign Minister David Miliband, one following the other. I had held meetings with both in Kampala and invited them to come."

He added: "I had also traveled to London and met with Mr. Miliband's predecessor, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett. Meantime, we have hosted many British Members of Parliament including Parliamentary Secretaries. These interactions have cemented this partnership." "In addition," Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury said, "we've a very large diaspora residing in the UK. They comprise both British-Bangladeshis and NRBs. They constitute a significant economic and emotional bridge between Bangladesh and Britain and both countries are proud of those linkages."

There are many other elements that connect "our two countries and societies," he said. "These involve common values, the English language and shared ideals that lead us to take similar positions on the international stage on such issues as Climate Change, development, and global peace and security."

The Foreign Adviser stated that several joint activities to bring these relationships into a framework of partnership are being planned.

This is not confined to governments only, he underscored, but involves the two peoples as well, he added, "and spreads across past, present and future."

Death threat to Abul Barakat condemned

Staff Reporter

Secular Bangladesh and Trial of War Criminals of 1971 yesterday in a joint statement protested the recent death threats on Dr Abul Barakat, Professor of Department of Economics of Dhaka University, and demanded punishment of the culprits.

Prof Kabir Chowdhury, President of the advisory council of the Forum, Prof Muntasir Mamun, acting President of the Forum and Kazi Mukul, General Secretary, in a joint statement said Dr Barakat has been working against militancy for many years. He is a secular person and always raised his voice against the bigots. But the threat, which was sent by unidentified person under the banner of 'Sachetan Samaj,' they said adding, "They are so strong that during the state of emergency how could they dare to give death threat to a university teacher. For this reason, we always demand the trial of war criminals. Because they are the base of militancy in the country.

Meanwhile, Chhatra Union yesterday in other press release also demanded punishment of the person behind the death threat to Dr Abul Barakat.