The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sunken launch salvaged, death toll rises to 39: 20,000 cargo and passenger vessels lack basic safety needs

The sunken launch Saurav was salvaged from the river
Buriganga: Father takes up his two-year-old dead daughter on
his lap after identifying her among the dead in the row of
the launch capsize victims recovered yesterday. NN
photo

Staff Reporter

The death toll, with the recovery of six more bodies from the salvaged MV Shourav-1, rose to 39 yesterday when rescuers called off the operation leaving about 50 people still missing.

Of the total 39 bodies recovered nine are children and 18 women. Of the ill-fated passengers 33 could be identified and handed over to their relatives but most of the victim's relatives faced problems in carrying the dead due to lack of transportation.

Police yesterday noon handed over to Anjuman-e-Mofidul Islam six unidentified bodies including that of Aklima for burial.

MV Shourav-1, a Munshiganj-bound vessel carrying about 200 passengers more than double the capacity, capsized after a sand-laden cargo trawler rammed it from behind in the River Buriganga near Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge at Postagola in the city Thursday afternoon.

Six bodies of ill-fated passengers travelling in the lower deck of the launch at the time of the accident were found inside the hull of the wooden launch MV Shourav-1 after it was pulled out of 20 feet of water by salvage ship Rustam after more than seven hours of frantic efforts, police source said.

At end of the salvage operation at around 5:30am, one of the fire servicemen said that there were no more bodies on the riverbed.

Thousands of onlookers thronged the Keraniganj side of the riverbank throughout the night to see the tragedy play out in front of them.

Victim's relatives alleged that divers from the salvage ship Rustam during the late night retrieval operation instead of pulling out the bodies cut their bellies so that they do not surface.

However, the authorities denied the claim.

The inquiry committee, formed by the government to probe the launch accident, will record statements of concerned people at Sadarghat BIWTA Terminal at 11.00am on Sunday, said a member of Shipping Ministry.

All concerned, including the survivors, deceased's family members and witnesses have been requested to appear at the venue on time. The master, sareng, owner and workers of the launch MV Shourav-1 and the owner of sand-laden cargo MV Al-Amin have also been asked to be present at the BIWTA terminal.

Meanwhile, the five-member investigation committee headed by Joint Secretary of the Shipping Ministry Abdul Matin, visited the accident spot and Sadarghat Terminal yesterday and talked to the people concerned.

The committee would submit its report within seven days.

A knowledgeable source said, about 20,000 cargo and passenger vessels operating in the country's river routes lacked basic safety measures.

Gen Moeen holds talks with Buddhadev: Bilateral issues including rail link discussed

General Moeen U Ahmed

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Army Chief of Staff General Moeen U Ahmed met with West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya at the Writers Building in Kolkata yesterday exchanging views on bilateral interests.

General Moeen and Buddhadeb had nearly 45-minute meeting Friday afternoon, but neither of them talked to the press on outcome of the meeting.

Officials close to the meeting hinted that they exchanged views on bilateral matters including Dhaka-Kolkata passenger train service and border issues.

General Moeen was expected to visit Shanti Niketan before returning to Dhaka.

Earlier, in the day, General Moeen visited Gede railway station in West Bengal, opposite to Chuadanga's Darshana border, to see the preparation of Dhaka-Kolkata passenger train service and security matters.

Gen Moeen reached frontier Gede station at 10:25 am by an Indian helicopter. Bangladesh army's 66 Infantry Division GOC Maj Gen Fatmi Ahmed Rumi, BSF North Bengal IG SM Tewari and Krishna Nagar BSF DIG Sarandri were present.

London-bound BA flights: Air ticket for Hasina booked?

Sheikh Hasina

Staff Reporter

An air-ticket was reportedly booked with three alternative dates for the departure of detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by a London-bound British Airway's flight for treatment in the USA.

An Awami League (AL) oriented businessman of Munshiganj district booked the tickets for Sheikh Hasina, who is the President of the party, informed sources said without disclosing the identity of the person.

The possible dates for her departure as per the booking are-March 7, 12 and 22, the sources added.

The AL Chief, who is suffering from multiple ailments since the early second week of February and was examined on February 21 by a 10-member medical board at a city hospital, was advised to go to the USA for medical treatment for her ear complications.

Chiefs of the medical board Prof Syed Modasser Ali and Dr ATM Abdullah after examining Sheikh Hasina, who was taken back to the Special Prison after the check up, told journalists that he ear complication could not be cured any country other than the USA.Sheikh Hasina herself also repeatedly expressed her desire to go to the USA, where her son Sajib Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed Putul are living, for medical treatment.

Top leaders of her party learnt to have lobbied with the Government for sending her abroad.

When contacted, sources close to the policymakers of the Government could neither confirm nor reject the news that an air-ticket was booked for departure to London, where her younger sister is living along with children, on her way to the USA.

A senior official, however, dropped a broad hint about Sheikh Hasina's departure posing a counter question to this Correspondent saying, "Where is the problem for her treatment abroad."

Meanwhile, senior AL Presidium member Amir Hossain Amu yesterday demanded an immediate decision from the Caretaker Government to send both Sheikh Hasina and detained party General Secretary Abdul Jalil abroad for treatment.

Abdul Jalil, now under treatment at the LabAid hospital, is suffering from multiple health complications.

Amu said he was particularly worried about the reported deterioration of Jalil's condition.

"We demand both (Hasina and Jalil) be sent for overseas treatment," he told journalists at the party's headquarters after attending a namaz-e-janaza of former AL MP Advocate M Shamsul Haq.

Obama campaign faces anti-Muslim sentiment

Obama in Somali tribal garb

Reuters

The controversy caused by a photograph of Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama dressed in turban-topped African garb points to deeper anti-Muslim sentiment in U.S. society, some observers believe.

Ever since the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington Arabs generally and Muslims in particular have become the No. 1 villain in movies and television, according to Jack Shaheen, author of "Guilty - Hollywood's Verdict on Arabs After 9/11."

"There's no balance. It makes as much sense as projecting Asian or African-Americans as terrorists," he said.

One of the most disturbing trends, he said, is that what started in Hollywood movies spread to television, and has gone from Arabs to Muslims in general.

"It's the fact that he's black, let's be blunt about it," and that the Somali tribal garb in the picture taken when Obama was on a visit to Kenya, his father's homeland, reminds people of Muslim dress, Shaheen said.

The Obama campaign accused the campaign of rival Democrat Hillary Clinton of "the most shameful, offensive fear-mongering" when the photograph of the Illinois senator, turned up on a Web site this week.

The Clinton campaign denied releasing the photo.

Obama, a Christian, has fought a whispering campaign from fringe elements that say he is a Muslim. The Democratic front-runner's middle family name-Hussein-has been used by some to draw a link between him and late Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. "But it's interesting," Shaheen said, "no one has said so what? What if he were a Muslim?"

Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Chicago Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, said the photograph incident sent a poor message to any Muslim growing up in the United States with hopes of running for president.

"It goes against all that I advocate that the mere rumor of a person being a Muslim-let alone actually being one-could be a tool to destroy political aspirations," he said in a commentary in the Chicago Tribune.

"When it comes to Muslims, the divisive rhetoric coming out of this year's election ranges from the exclusionary to the just plain bigoted," he said, adding that neither Obama nor any other candidate had adequately addressed the anti-Muslim climate.

Rehab said the photograph of Obama will be discounted by a large chunk of the electorate. "What I'm seeing now is a sense of cynicism .. you've had seven years of this crap," he said.

"It is a sign of America's progress that Obama is not eliminated from the public's consideration because of his race," remarked Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page in a recent commentary in that newspaper.

"Yet he is vulnerable to other prejudices," he added, and impressions can tip the balance among those who are undecided.

Further attacks focusing on religion and identity seem likely as Obama becomes the favorite to win the Democratic nomination and compete in the November general election.

The Tennessee Republican Party this week put out a news release featuring the Obama photo, headlined "Anti-Semites for Obama" and referring to the Democrat as "Sen. Barack Hussein Obama."

Boi Mela ends

Book lovers crowded the Bangla Academy premises on
the concluding day of month-long Ekushey Boi Mela yesterday.
Banglar Chokh

Staff Reporter

The 'Amar Ekushey Boi Mela-2008' ended yesterday amid festive mood. The fair compound was overcrowded as the concluding day was a weekly holiday.

People waited in long queues to enter the Bangla Academy compound to say farewell to the month-long book fair. The long queues reached Shahbagh in one end and Curzon Hall on the other.

Cultural, Women and Children Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury addressed the concluding ceremony presided over by Bangla Academy President Harun-ur-Rashid at the Academy premises.

The Adviser said a cultural session only for women would be reserved in the next year's fair like the children session this year.

"Who says that Bangalis do not read books? Even under a dreadful situation of commodity prices, the sale of books this year crossed Tk 20 crore," she said.

People were at the same time enthusiastic and sad on the concluding day of the festive occasion. Hamid a teen-aged boy said the fair is a gathering of hearts of Bangalis and it is always sad on the last day of the fair.

Ishrat accompanied by her family members said, "It is nice to see a huge crowd gathering at the fair to purchase books, it shows that the Bangalis did not forget reading books even in this age of electronic media."

It seems the Bangalis are increasing their reading habit, as the number of books published this year are higher than the previous years. People also bought more books than the previous years.

Books of more than Tk 20 crore were sold in this year's fair while the amount was only about two crore, last year. A sum of 2,578 books was published this year, which in the last year were 1,929. Seventy-six new books were published on the final day of the fair.

Move to chastise cable operators gets poor response

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

The move to streamline the cable operators violating policies set by the government is being stalled by poor response from the subscribers, said authorities concerned.

However, an inadequate publicity campaign about the initiative is one of the main reasons behind the poor response, said a number of subscribers and operators.

In a bid to identify and take action against the cable operators who overcharge or cheat their subscribers, the Ministry of Information recently asked the subscribers to lodge formal complaints against the violators.

With the exception of handful of complaints, the viewers in general did not make the effort to lodge any complaint, said officials of the Controller of Licence Department, which is located at Bangladesh Television (BTV) Bhaban at Rampura in the city.

Another official requesting anonymity said, "Most of the people out there are not even aware that they can mail their complaints regarding this issue. The ones who know have no idea how to reach us."

The cable television industry grew immensely over the years, as have the irregularities and anomalies in the industry. Extensive campaigns are a must to reach the millions of viewers for making them aware of their rights as well as the violations that are being committed by the operators, he added.

Being disappointed at the poor response from the subscribers, an official said, "People in our country are too docile and tend to remain silent over most wrongdoings happening around them."

Making a phone call or writing a letter is more of a hassle to them than overpaying the operators month after month, he added.

Anwar Parvez, President of Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB), said, "There are 780 cable operators and 4,000 feeder operators across the country. More than 21 cable operators and their 350 outlets are providing services in Dhaka city alone."

"We have invested Tk 120 to Tk 130 million from 1992 to date. At present, there are 732 members in COAB. There are 2,00,000 customers for pay channels and more than 500,000 customers for free to air service. Our total turnover stood at Tk 500 to Tk 600 million in the last fiscal year," said COAB President.

The licensing department has so far taken action against a few cable operators relying solely on reports published in newspapers.

"Although we received some complaints from a few cable viewers over phone, we had to rely on newspaper reports to identify some of the cable operators who are allegedly defying government-set policies," he said.

Around 12 cable operators - mostly operating at East Rampura, Mirpur and Mohammadpur areas - have been asked to show cause for violation of the policies, according to sources at the department.

In response to the show cause notices, while most cable operators made apologies and gave assurance that they would be in full compliance with the government regulation by the next month, the rest denied the allegations.

"We sent our investigation teams to the locations from where we received the complaints. After enquiry, the teams took necessary action and served show cause notices to the operators," said Ahsan Habib, licence officer.

"We will continue to watch the activities of these operators along with a number of others and cancel their licences if the situation demands," he said.

The licensing department will soon start making a list of cable operators who are doing business without valid licences, said Habib.

Amid a public outcry over gross violations of government policies by cable operators, the Information Ministry earlier asked harassed viewers to call or mail their complaints, thoughts or suggestions to the department at BTV.

Obama has small lead in Texas, close in Ohio

Reuters

Barack Obama holds a slight lead on Hillary Clinton in Texas and has almost pulled even in Ohio before contests that could decide their Democratic presidential battle, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Houston Chronicle poll released on Friday.

The contests on Tuesday are crucial for Clinton, a New York senator and former first lady fighting to halt Obama's streak of 11 consecutive victories in their battle for the Democratic nomination for the November 4 presidential election.

Obama, an Illinois senator, has a 6-point edge on Clinton in Texas, 48 percent to 42 percent. He trails Clinton 44 percent to 42 percent in Ohio-well within the poll's margin of error of 3.8 percentage points.

In the Republican race, front-runner John McCain holds commanding leads over his last major rival, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. McCain, an Arizona senator, has built an unassailable advantage in delegates who will pick the nominee at the Republican Party convention in September.

The poll, conducted by Zogby International, found McCain with big double-digit margins over Huckabee in Texas and Ohio.

Among Democrats, Obama has a big edge with voters in both states who made their decision within the last month. Clinton led comfortably in both states among voters who decided more than a month ago.

Other opinion polls show tightening races in both states, where Clinton enjoyed big leads just a few weeks ago.

"All the momentum is clearly with Obama," pollster John Zogby said. "The clearest indicator is the line of demarcation between those who decided early and those who are deciding late. The question is whether she can stem the tide."

In Ohio, 9 percent of Democrats said they were still uncertain of their vote. In Texas, 7 percent of Democrats were not yet sure, leaving plenty of room for late swings.

Clinton's slight advantage in Ohio was built among some of her core constituencies, including women, older voters, Democrats, Catholics, union households and voters outside the state's three biggest cities.

Obama, who would be the first black U.S. president, leads in Ohio among independents, young voters, higher-income voters and blacks.

In Texas, the two are essentially tied among Democrats, while Clinton has big leads in the heavily Hispanic southern and western portions of the state.

Clinton, who would be the first woman president, has a double-digit advantage among Hispanics in Texas. They could account for one-third or more of the state's primary voters.

"The question in Texas is who turns out to vote, and how big is the Hispanic turnout," Zogby said.

Body formed to campaign for UN recognition for Bangla

Staff Reporter

Organisation for Recognition of Bangla as an Official Language of the UN, Bangladesh chapter was formed in the capital yesterday to create public awareness in favour of the movement.

In this connection a meeting was held at Gulshan presided over by former chief election commissioner Justice Mohammad Abdur Rouf.

A 31-member committee was formed with Justice Mohammad Abdur Rouf as President and Prof Omar Faruque its general secretary. Mostafa Kamal Majumder, editor of Daily New Nation was selected vice president of the committee. Justice Mohammad Abdur Rouf said a large number (over five per cent) of the total population of the world speaks in Bangla. So it is legitimate to demand the recognition of Bangla as an official language of the UN. He also said Bangla has a unique quality to absorb words from other languages. He called on the Bangladeshis living in America to form their own chapter of the organisation to make the movement tougher.

Prof Omar Faruque said it is a praiseworthy initiative and I am looking forward to be involved more intimately with such a movement. He thanked everyone who took the initial steps to form the organisation.

It may be mentioned that the organisation known, as ORBOLUN, is a UK based organisation that has taken the pioneering move to make Bangla one of the UN official languages.

The organisation was formed in a meeting held at Bangladesh centre in Birmingham in UK on July 8, 2006. In that meeting a five-member committee was formed with Tofazzal Hussain Chowdhury as its convener. Subsequently a full-fledged 21-member committee was formed with former ambassador Dr Tozammel Huq as President and Tofazzal Hussain Chowdhury its General Secretary.

Following this the leaders requested Prof Omar Faruque to open a branch of this organisation in Bangladesh to expedite the movement. In this context the Bangladesh chapter was formed.

1,658 dead, 800 missing in 8 launch accidents since 2002

Staff Reporter

At least 1,658 people died and over 800 remained missing in eight major vessel accidents in the country from May 3, 2002 to the recent capsize on the last Thursday (February 28).

On last Thursday's accident, rescuers recovered 39 bodies of drowned passengers, including 9 children and 18 women, and over 50 were missing after a motor-launch with about 200 passengers on board capsized in the Buriganga River on outskirt the capital after being hit by a sand carrying cargo vessel.

With more than 250 rivers in different areas, the country has a highest fatality rates for vessel accidents, which killed thousands of people since 1977 in hundreds of deadly accidents.

Abdus Shahid, a member of the Government's investigation committee, after visiting the spot and salvaging motor-launch-MV Shaurov-1, identified official negligence to implement the findings of previous major vessel accidents as the main reason for the repetition of deadly incidents.

"Number of major deadly accidents could have been reduced to minimal level had the authorities concerned taken corrective measures, including banning cruising of vessels with faulty design," he said.

Following are the major vessel accidents that ended with heavy human casualty in the country since 2002.

On May 3, 2002, about 400 passengers died or were missing when a ferry with about 500 passengers on board capsized in Meghna river, one of the country's three longest rivers.

On April 21, 2003, at least 81 passengers died and more than 200 were missing as a ferry with more than 300 passengers on board sank in Buriganga river.

On the same day, another ferry with about 100 passengers on board capsized after being hit by storm, leaving about 40 passengers drowned.

On July 8, 2003, about 800 passengers were feared drowned when an overloaded ferry with about 1000 passengers on board capsized in Meghna river.

On May 23, 2004, at least 61 passengers were killed and more than 100 missing when a ferry with 250 passengers on board sank after being hit by storm.

On Feb. 19, 2005, at least 154 passengers were killed when a ferry sank in Buriganga river after being hit by storm.

On May 15, 2005, at least 63 passengers were killed and more than 40 missing when a ferry capsized in a river in southwest of the country.

South Africa post 405 for no loss on day 1 in 2nd test

UNB, Chittagong

Two brilliant unbeaten tons by openers Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie enabled South Africa took total command over Bangladesh on the 1st day of the 2nd match of the two-test Warid Series at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium here on Friday.

The South African skipper opted to bat first after winning the crucial toss in the placid wicket and along with McKenzie contributed record 405 runs for no loss in the opening stand in 90 overs at stumps on the opening day.

Smith scored 223 runs off 254 balls with 32 fours and a six while McKenzie made 169 off 288 balls with 20 fours and three sixes, leaving the Bangladeshi bowlers in total despair.

Bangladeshi bowlers failed to make any breakthrough as the pacers and spinners alike toiled without success.

Earlier, in the 1st test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh conceded a five-wicket defeat against the Proteas to trail the two-test series 1-0 despite showing a glimmer of hope of causing a major upset.

KL allows transfer of Bangladeshi workers from one co to another

UNB, Dhaka

The Malaysian authorities agreed for the first time to allow the transfer of Bangladeshi workers from one company to another.

Bangladeshi and Malaysian officials informed Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury of this latest concession during his brief stopover at Kuala Lumpur on Thursday on way back home from Tokyo.

The officials told the Adviser that a Workers' Welfare Committee had been set up to assist the Bangladesh High Commission to tackle the workers problems.

Besides, a large hostel to accommodate 800-1,000 workers has been set up as a shelter for the distressed workers. A microbus is being procured for their transport. The Foreign Adviser was further informed that additional personnel are being hired to strengthen the Bangladesh Mission's hands. Discussions were also held about the possibility of 'outsourcing' some critical functions to enhance the Mission's effectiveness.

Iftekhar hoped that these measures would have positive impact in dealing with the problems and ensure welfare of the Bangladeshi workers. The welfare of Bangladeshi workers abroad must get top priority, he said.

The Malaysian officials told the Adviser that they would help in every possible way and control those Malaysian agents who are responsible for the plight of the Bangladeshi workers.

So far, 310,000 Bangladeshis have gone to Malaysia against the attestations given for 430,000.

Iftekhar said Bangladesh and Malaysia have decided to start formal Foreign Office Consultations within a month's time.

During his transit halt in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, the Foreign Advisdr had meetings with Secretary General of the Malaysian Foreign Ministry Tan Sri Rastam Mohammed Isa, Secretary General of the Malaysina Home Ministry Dato Raja Azhar bin Raja Abdul Manap and Under Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Dato Husin Zia Yaacob. Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia M Khairuzzaman was present.

The Adviser also met with newly formed Bangladesh Workers Welfare Association and discussed with them as to how to effectively address the problems being faced by the Bangladeshi workers.