The New Nation - Internet Edition

FIR against Khaleda, others accepted

Court Correspondent

A court of Dhaka has accepted the First Information Report (FIR) of the graft case filed against 16 persons including former prime minister Khaleda Zia, former Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman, former LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and Amir of Jamaat Moulana Matiur Rahman Naizmee.

Golam Rabbani, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) of Dhaka fixed March 30 for submission of inquiny report, Shamsul Alam, Assistant Director of Anti-Corruption Commission, Tuesday filed the case with Shahbagh Thana of the city in connection with irrgularities Barapukuria coalmine.

Meanwhile, another former Prime Minister detained Sheikh Hasina was not produced before the court yesterday in the graft case filed for corruption about the purchase of eight Mig-29 fighter plane.

Another accused, businessman Nur Ali did not appear before the court and his lawyer prayed for time. Other five accused retired Air commodore Mirza Akhter Faruqe, retired Air Mashal Kamal Uddin Ahmed, retired Chief of Army Staff Mostafizur Rahman, Md. Hossain Sericbat and Syed Yusuf Hossain were present before the court.

Yesterday was fixed for pressing charge agianst the accused. However, as the accused prayed for time Golam Murtaja Majumder, Divisional Special Judge of Dhaka granted time and fixed March 13 for next hearing.

On December 11, 2001 former Anti-Corruption Bureau official Abdullah-Al-Zahid filed the case with Tejgaon Thana of the city. He had alleged, the accuseds in connivance with one another purchased the fighter planes at higher price causing loss of Taka 700 crore to the national exchequer.

Chief Adviser tells regional meet: Govt committed to secure rights of disabled

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed told a regional conference here Wednesday that, despite resource constraints, Bangladesh is firmly committed to addressing the diverse needs of disabled persons within and outside the country. He said it has become both a challenge and an obligation for all to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.

The head of caretaker government made the remarks inaugurating the 3rd General Assembly and Conference of Asia and Pacific Disability Forum (APDF) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre, jointly organized by the National Forum of Organizations Working with the Disabled (NFOWD) and APDF. It is estimated that approximately 600 million people live in today's world with disabilities-and two-thirds of the global population having disabilities live in the Asia-Pacific region, Dr Fakhruddin told the function.

Around 450 participants, 150 of them foreigners from 27 countries, are participating in the 3-day-long meet.

The theme of the conference is 'Disability and Development- Practical Strategies'.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for Social Welfare Ministry Brig Gen (retd) MA Malek, Secretary of Social Welfare Ministry MA Hye Howlader, director, Network Operation for the Human Development Network, World Bank, Nicholas J Krafft and chairperson of APDF Judy Wee also spoke in the inaugural session. NFOWD president Khandokar Zahirul Alam presided.

Senior-most disability rights activist and professional in Bangladesh and Director of Impact Foundation Bangladesh Mansur Ahmed Choudhuri presented the keynote paper at the function.

Persons with disabilities, local and foreign delegates, NGO leaders and distinguished personalities were present at the function. The Chief Adviser said the progress so far made has undoubtedly improved the situation of handicapped persons in Bangladesh, but there is still a large agendum that need to be addressed with priority.

Steps should be taken on an urgent basis, including revision of the Government Rules of Business, for catering the needs of disabled persons. Amendment to the Disability Welfare Act, in accordance with the provisions of UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, is also an imperative, he told the assembly. He urged the legal experts, policymakers, development practitioners and disability activists to initiate the process of consultation with stakeholders on those issues.

"The foremost challenge for all of us at the moment is strong social and political commitment on the subject backed by administrative and legislative measures," he observed.

He said elimination of discrimination against persons with disabilities in existing legislative and policy structures also need immediate attention. And there is also an urgent need for mainstreaming disability issues at all levels of development planning to provide equal and non-discriminatory opportunities to them. Dr Fakhruddin mentioned that government-NGO collaboration in catering the needs of disabled persons in Bangladesh has a proven track record and was recognized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific in 2001.

Disability issues have also been included in the National Poverty Reduction Strategy, he said.

Referring to government's various steps for the welfare and dignity of the disabled, he said the present government has signed and subsequently ratified the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities within a short period after assumption of office. He said Bangladesh was the first member-state of the OIC, second member-state of SAARC, third member-state of Commonwealth and eighth member-state of the United Nations to ratify this important UN instrument.

He further said that the government has appointed 46 focal points for dealing with the needs of disabled persons in various Ministries, divisions and agencies.

The agencies have been directed to prepare plans and programmes aimed at promoting services for people with disabilities for inclusion in the Annual Development Programme (ADP).

He said his caretaker government has approved the restructuring of national Foundation for Development of Disabled Persons as a quasi-government autonomous institution. And the institution has already started its operation with financial support from the government as well as the World Bank.

Bird flu update: Culling in Mymensingh, Ctg, Pabna continues

Staff Reporter

Another 69,862 fowls were culled and 2,35,408 eggs destroyed in the country's three districts due to infection of avian influenza virus.

Livestock Department's personnel yesterday slaughtered 58,130 chickens including 37,000 chicks and destroyed 2,26,813 eggs from one single poultry farm in Mymensingh.

Bird flu infection was detected at the farm on February 23, said the bird flu control room official.

In Chittagong, a team of livestock department culled 2,333 chickens, pigeons and ducks from a farm at Boalkhali upazila. The team also destroyed 140 eggs from neighbouring houses, he added.

Besides, in Pabna, 2,804 fowls and 8,455 eggs were destroyed from a farm in Atghoria upazila and 300 ducks, pigeons and other domestic fowls were culled from nearby houses yesterday.

Following the detection of bird flu in the farm, the livestock department sent out a team to cull the fowls in the farm.

Bird flu, which broke out in March last year, became devastating early this year forcing thousands of farms to close and tens of thousands of people jobless.

So far, 10,58,778 fowls have been culled and 14,56,551 eggs destroyed in 44 out of 64 districts of the country, according to the bird flu control room.

Mending cracks on Jamuna Bridge: Govt goes to int’l court against Hyundai

UNB, Dhaka

The government considers that design deficiency is responsible for the expanding cracks in the Jamuna Bridge and will go to international court against the construction-company Hyundai.

"If it'll be proved that design deficiency is responsible for expanding cracks of the Jamuna Bridge, so we must go to international court for realizing compensation to repair the bridge," Communications Adviser Major Gen (Retd) Ghulam Quader told a press briefing at his office at the Secretariat.

He said they were discussing legal measures with the law ministry for legal battle against the Korean construction firm, Hyundai. Quader said as the Hyundai is responsible for design and construction of the bridge so it is Hyundai's liability to repair the cracks of the bridge. The government is very much aware about the troubles of Jamuna bridge as it is not only the matter of Communications Ministry but country's national issue.

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority appointed consultant firm Angel Lazaro and Associate to examine the depth of the cracks and suggest measures for mending the bridge for preventing any further deterioration of the situation. The consultants will also supervise the repairing works of the bridge, which is so important as it links country's two parts separated by the mighty river Jamuna.

Khan M Ibrahim Hossain, executive director of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, informed that it would take nearly 18 months to complete the whole works, including finding reasons of expanding cracks and repairing works, and needs about Tk 100 crore.

"We know that it is a long time, but the works would be completed without troubling vehicle movement," he said.

The 4.8-km-long Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge was publicly opened in 1998, and though the bridge was built at a cost of Tk 4,000 crore with an expected service life of 100 years, in less than 10 years in service several cracks were detected across the bridge.

An inquiry committee formed by the Communications Ministry to examine the cracks submitted his report on December 27, 2006. The panel was headed by Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, Vice-chancellor of BRAC University.

In his report Chowdhury identified the design deficiency for the cracks of Jamuna Bridge. He also informed that the cracks were created during the construction of the bridge.

But a delegation of Hyundai visited the Jamuna Bridge on June 17, 2006 and informed that temperature differential is responsible for the bridge developing cracks.

Now the consultant firm Angel Lazaro and Associate will find out the cause of the cracks.

Communications secretary Dr Mahbubur Rahman and additional secretary ATK Ismail were also present at the briefing.

President, CA condole Bazlur Rahman’s death

UNB, Dhaka

President Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed expressed profound shock at the death of veteran journalist and Daily Sangbad editor Bazlur Rahman.

In a condolence message on Wednesday, President Dr Iajuddin Ahmed said the countrymen would remember Bazlur Rahman's significant role in journalism, social work and progressive political arenas with due respects. Mentioning his checkered career, the president said, "The country lost an experienced journalist in his death."

In a separate condolence message, the Chief Adviser said Bazlur Rahman was one of the pioneers in the field of journalism of the country.

"Not only the news media but also the whole nation suffered an irreparable loss at the death of Bazlur Rahman who believed in progressive and secular ideology," said Dr. Fakhruddin. They prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

16th biennial int’l zoological confce at RU

RU Correspondent

Zoological Society of Bangladesh and Zoology Deptt. of Rajshahi University jointly organised the three day long 16th biennial international zoological conference at Rajshahi University.

Former Secretary Kazi Azhar Ali inaugurated the conference yesterday at Kazi Nazrul Islam auditorium of the university. RU Vice-Chancellor Prof. M. Altaf Hossain was present at the conference as the special guest. The inaugural session was presided over by ZCB president Prof. M.A.Bashar.

A symposium titled "Natural Resources Conservation:

Zoological Perspective" was also held at the same venue. It was chaired by Prof. Dr. Shahadat Ali, Deptt. of Zoology, Dhaka University while Prof. M. Sohrab Ali presented the keynote paper. Prof. Badrul Amin Bhuiyan (Chittagong University), Prof. M. Abdul Mannan, Dr. Rezina Laz and Dr. Neamul Nasser (Dhaka University) took part in the discussion on the paper.

An open discussion chaired by Prof. Dr. Shahadat Ali was also held. About 400 zoologist including five foreign scientists attended the conference.

There was also a technical session chaired by Prof. Dr. Santi Gopal Pal of Kolkata University on Wednesday at the Zoology Deptt. Prof. Akterunnesa Chowdhury and Prof. Dr.Nazrul Islam from Dhaka University spoke at the session. The day's programme concluded with a cultural function in the evening.

Call to make local govt commission independent

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a press conference in the city said the proposed local government commission should be independent, permanent and a constitutional body.

They urged the government to plan a policy where there will be coordination between the government and the local government institutions.

They also urged the government to ensure human resource management of the local bodies, their development related policy planning and proper allocation of budget for functioning of the local government system.

They recommended that the commission not only to recommend the government but also take steps for the implementation of the related laws.

There should have coordination planning between the activities of the service facility providing units and the government, they added.

The press conference on 'Evolution of Proposed Local Government Commission Ordinance' jointly organised by 27 organisations led by Governance Coalition (GC) at Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday.

Prof Dr Salahuddin M Aminuzzaman, Professor of Public Administration Department of Dhaka University, read out a written statement, while Syed Nurul Alam of SAP Bangladesh, Mohsin Ali, Coordinator of GC, Mahbubur Rahman Tulu of Bangladesh Union Parishad Forum, among others, spoke at the conference.

Speakers said the proposed local government commission will be responsible to the Parliament for its activities and will present report to the Parliament end of year.

The Commission will function according to the local government related ordinances and could plan necessary steps for smooth functioning of the local bodies.

The Commission could play the role of a watchdog and a mediator to solve any conflict between rival groups of the local government.

BSRS launches Brokerage House in city

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Shilpa Rin Sangsta (BSRS) yesterday launched a "Brokerage House" for the convenience of opportunity for small and medium investors investing in the capital market of the country.

The inaugural function was presided over by FRM Hafiz ul Islam, Managing Director of BSRS. He said broker house has been established to involve people of all levels in investment process so that capital market of the country might run smoothly.

Faruk Ahmed Siddique, Chairman of Securities and Exchange Commission, said that more and more institutions involvement in investment could ensure the overall development of capital market.

He also said, many government organisations, especially telecommunication sector were getting involved in the capital market. It is positive aspect for the country's economic development.

Saleh Uddin Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of Dhaka Stock Exchange, said capital market is completely depends on individual investors in our country. So proper investment policy should be implemented to encourage them to invest more and more.

Praising the launching of brokerage house by BSRS he said this would contribute to the capital market development.

It should be mentioned that BSRS was the first organisation that got the licence to run brokerage business in the country.

EU to support Dhaka for export diversification

Staff Reporter

The European Union will support Bangladesh's initiatives aimed at promoting technology transfer to foster the diversification of the local economy in export-oriented sectors.

Ambassador Dr Stefan Frowein, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Dhaka, came up with the assurance while addressing a seminar yesterday.

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) organised the seminar at the wrap-up ceremony of the 'Export integration and entrepreneur development' at Hotel Sheraton in the city. FBCCI administrator Syed Manzur Elahi presided over the seminar.

Ambassador Dr Stefan Frowein said the EU wants to help Bangladesh in trade and investment related to EU legislation and support initiatives aimed at promoting technology transfer to foster the diversification of the local economy in export oriented sectors.

The EU, he added, also wants to provide support to initiatives aimed at promoting vocational training and entrepreneurship in the country to foster employment in export-oriented sectors.

Dr Frowein said the small projects facility, which funded the 'Export integration and entrepreneur development', has achieved enormous interests from eligible organisations, primarily NGO and trade related interest organisations.

Such significant interests have resulted in projects being implemented in as different areas as garments, horticulture, shrimp, pesticide management and capacity building of journalists writing about economic issues, he added.

"The 'Export integration and entrepreneur development programme' had the overall objective to help existing entrepreneurs diversify their products and export destinations, to encourage new exporting entrepreneurs as well as entrepreneurship in general," Ambassador Frowein said.

World Press Freedom Day on May 3

UNB, Dhaka

The Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) in association with UNESCO and United News of Bangadesh (UNB) will organize a special seminar on May 3 in Dhaka to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2008.

Following the successful first South Asian World Press Freedom Day event held in the Maldives last year, this year's event will focus on UNESCO's theme for the 2008 WPFD: "Access to information and the empowerment of people."

Stemming from the UNESCO General Conference (1991) that recognised that a free, pluralistic and independent press was an essential component of any democratic society, the General Assembly in 1993 declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day.

The Day serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom- a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered.

"It's a great honour for UNB to be a co-host of this important event in Dhaka. It's also a great honour for the country for being selected as the venue for such seminar on press freedom," said Enayetullah Khan, Editor-in-Chief of UNB.

Three more bodies recovered in city

Staff Reporter

Three bodies, including that of a minor girl, were recovered from different areas of the capital by police yesterday.

The victim, a minor girl, was identified as Priti Rani Sarker, while two other bodies recovered could not be identified. The bodies were recovered from areas under Pallabi, Badda, Motijheel and Sabujbagh police stations.

Priti Rani Sarker daughter of Pradip Chandra Sarker, a class-one student of Mirpur Senanibas Government Primary School, was found dead from inside a cowshed adjacent to her home at about 9:00am, said police.

Police suspect that the assailants following past enmity with the victim's family might have strangulated the minor schoolgirl.

Priti had been missing since Tuesday noon. "After frantic search, we found her body in the cowshed and informed police, but we don't have any clue as to who are involved in the murder," said a member of her family.

Body of another unidentified girl, aged about 20, was found left in a sand-field of Aftabnagar Project under Badda thana at about 10:00am. The young girl was wearing a black salwar and kamiz.

Police suspected she was also strangulated as a black mark was found in her neck.

Meanwhile, truncated body parts of an unknown young man were recovered from Sabujbagh and Motijheel areas in the city in the afternoon.

The upper part of the victim's body was dumped in a travelling bag on the third floor of an under-construction building at Kadamtoli under Sabujbagh Police Station at about 2:00pm, while Motijheel police recovered its lower part of his body from Indrapur rail-crossing half an hour later, said police.

The motives behind these heinous killings could not be ascertained immediately.

All the bodies were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Separate cases were filed with the police stations in this connection.

Zandal on fresh remand

Court correspondent

Banned Harkatul Zehad leader Mufti Hannan's assocate Mufti Moinuddin alias Abu Zandal was placed on a 7-day fresh remand in a double-murder case filed with Tejgaon Industrial Area Thana of the city. Earlier another 7-day remand of the accused in connection with the grenade attock of August 21, 2004 was completed.

On April 10 of last year one Sirajuddin Bhuiyan filed the murder case for killing his brother Ashraf uddin Bhuiyan and Amir Hossain Bhuiyan, Meanwhile, Investigation Officer (IO), DB's police Inspector Md Forman Ali has noted in his report that accused Zandal was involved in the murder.

US cautions Pakistan over Taleban

BBC News

The US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said that any new government in Pakistan should be wary of holding talks with pro-Taleban insurgents.

Gates told the BBC the previous administration's efforts to negotiate with the militants had not worked out.

Opposition parties are uniting to form Pakistan's next government after faring well in last week's polls. President Pervez Musharraf's allies fared poorly. Speaking in Delhi, Gates said the polls had been bad for Musharraf.

But Gates said the US hoped to continue working with the man he described as the elected president of Pakistan.

President Musharraf was re-elected to the presidency last year in a parliamentary vote boycotted by opposition parties as unconstitutional.

The former general has been a key US ally in the "war on terror" but his domestic popularity has plummeted amid accusations of incompetence and authoritarianism.

The army has been locked in a faltering campaign against Islamist pro-Taleban militants based along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, particularly in the Waziristan region.

Mr Gates said a new government would have to face the reality that al-Qaeda militants and insurgents were operating along the frontier.

"Even the Musharraf government tried talking and doing deals in Waziristan. That didn't work out very well," he said.

"Maybe this new government in Pakistan will have to go through the same experience itself."

Opposition leaders have hinted they are willing to talk to the insurgents, with a view to drawing them into the political process.