The New Nation - Internet Edition

DU 1969th batch Alumni Association to hold condolence meeting in memory of Prof Asaduzzaman

UNB, Dhaka

The 1969th batch Alumni Association of Dhaka University will hold a condolence meeting on April 5, at 5pm at the DU Centre of Excellence (opposite to DU central field) in memory of departed former UGC chairman Professor Dr M Asaduzzaman. Professor Asaduzzaman, a very active member of 1969th batch Alumni Association, died of massive cardiac arrest at BIRDEM hospital Friday morning at the age of 60.

Members of the 69th batch Alumni and the well-wishers of Prof Asaduzzaman are requested to kindly attend the condolence programme.

Implementation of charters needed to combat human trafficking

UNB, Dhaka

Home Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin Sunday said it is necessary to implement all the charters including the SAARC charter relating to human trafficking to combat trafficking of women and children.

"Besides, the government, international organizations and other NGOs will have to come forward in preventing women and child trafficking. The government has to take realistic initiatives in this regard," he told a workshop.

Ministry of Home Affairs organized the workshop on 'Finalization of National Plan of Action (NPA) for combating trafficking in Women and Children at Jatiya Mahila Sangstha.

The Adviser said curbing human trafficking should not be enough but those who were the victims of trafficking need to be rehabilitated in society so none can neglect them.

He said the government set up a monitoring cell at the Home Ministry in 2004 where government organizations and NGOs are working jointly to stop the trafficking.

Mentioning various reasons behind human trafficking, Matin said poverty is one of the main reasons behind it. "If we really want to solve this problem, we must improve the economical condition of our country," he said.

He appreciated different aspects of the draft of National Plan of Action for combating trafficking in Women and Children in Bangladesh. Home secretary Abdul Karim said despite being an overpopulated country, the rate of human trafficking is much lower since 1996 compared to neighbouring countries like India, Pakistan and Nepal.

Govt to give food aid to fishermen

UNB, Pirojpur

The Government has taken up a project in cooperation with Saudi Government for providing food assistance to the unemployed fishermen abstained from catching hilsa fry 'Jhatka' following the government ban.

The Government imposes ban every year on netting 'Jhatka' for three months (from March to May) in 64 upazilas of 11 districts to boost hilsha production.

Relief and Rehabilitation Department sources said the rice would be distributed among 1,45,335 fishermen families during this period. Each family will get 10 kg rice per month.

The rice will be distributed in four upazilas of Chandpur district, seven upazilas each of Bhola, Patuakhali and Pirojpur, three upazilas of Laxmipur, 10 upazilas of Barisal, five upazilas each of Chittagong and Barguna, six upazilas each of Shariatpur and Munshiganj, four upazilas of Jhalakati.

The rice distribution has already been started among the fishermen, officials said.

Local fishermen said the allocation of 10kg rice for each family for a month is quite insufficient for their livelihood.

Workers' Party urges govt to take steps against food crisis

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Workers' Party leaders on Sunday urged the government to take extensive efforts, including launching of rationing system and mass-distribution of food, to save the life of crores of starving people.

"The emerging famine like situation during last three decades has created unprecedented disaster in the life of crores of people," Bangladesh Workers' Party general secretary Saiful Haque said at a press briefing here on Sunday morning.

Saiful Haque also urged the government to withdraw the state of emergency to ensure people's democratic right and free the captive politics in the country. "The government's proposed dialogue and declared roadmap to election can not gain public confidence," he said. Saiful suggested the government should hold a free, fair and neutral general election before the local government polls after completing the acceptable voter-list in the shortest possible time. "The ploy to hold the local government elections, including the upazila elections has to be stopped," he added.

He also said the food stock should be increased by collecting from local and international markets and the prices of essentials be kept under the buying capacity the common people stopping the import of the luxurious items. "The syndicate businessmen have to be arrested and brought under trial," he said.

Bangladesh Workers' Party president Khandaker Ali Abbas, politburo member Nasiruddin Ahmed Nashu, Abdus Salam, Shekander Hossain and Bahnishikha Jamali, among others, were present at the press conference.

Tanvirul Haq Probal next REHAB President

Staff Reporter

Nobodhara Panel sharply defeated Green panel, headed by former President Moazzem Hussain Khan in a competitive poll of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB). Holding 11 directors in his panel, Tanvirul Haq Probal is now the unofficially elected REHAB President.

Green Panel won 10-director post out of total 21 posts in the first ever ballot papered election for REHAB held on Saturday.

Out of total 354 REHAB members, 318 members have cast their votes on the day where total 50 candidates submitted their candidature.

As the elected directors are going to elect their President, Vice President and General Secretary for the next term on April 7, Tanvirul Haq is the most preferred person for this position in the winning Nobodhara panel.

Election result will be officially announced on April 01.

DSE opens office in Sylhet

Staff Reporter

Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Farukh Ahmed Siddiqui has officially inaugurated Sylhet office of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) yesterday.

The regional DSE office was opened to facilitate and encourage local investors to contribute in the growth process of national capital market, said the SCE Chairman while addressing the occasion as chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Farukh Ahmed Siddiqui congratulated local equity investors. According to him, establishing DSE office in Sylhet will help Sylhet based Non Resident Bangladeshi's (NBR's) to invest into the capital market.

"DSE office in their locality would help them understand the market tyrend better, which likely to help them to obtain profit from their investment," he added.

DSE President Abdullah Bukhari and Director of Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SCCI) MS Shakil Chaudhory were also present on the occasion.

Basic rights for Dalit people urged

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a reception yesterday called for ensuring fundamental rights to the Dalit population in the country.

Some 10 per cent Dalit population are living in the country at present. But they have no basic right for their survival, they said at the reception ceremony to freedom fighters of the Dalit community and seminar on 'Dalit Society, Dream of Liberation War: Bangladesh Perspective' was held at BIAM Conference Room yesterday organised by Research and Development Collective (RDC).

Speaking on the occasion Justice Golam Rabbani said, "People's government has not yet been established in the country as per the Articles 59, 60 of the Constitution. We have to establish the people's government for the sake of general people and also for the minority communities."

Mukta Dutta Tomar, Deputy High Commissioner of Indian High Commission, said, "Dalit class has been left out from mainstream society. We would have to integrate them into mainstream society. If the state can perform its duty properly, equal rights will be established in the society for the welfare of all communities," she addressed.

Ferdousi Priyobhashini, freedom fighter and sculptor, who chaired the function, demanded punishment for war criminals.

Speakers said a huge number of Dalits changed their religion from many years ago. But most of them could not come out from their community due to social pressure. They blamed the interference of higher class for this.

All religions are affected by fundamentalism, which is one of the main barriers for the development of the society. But in reality, Bangladesh is still facing communal problems. The two terms 'majority' and 'minority' are still widely using in Bangladesh at present, they said.

Mukul Ranjan Sikder, Convener of Bangladesh Horijon Rights Movement, presented keynote paper, while Mesbah Kamal, General Secretary of RDC, among others, spoke at the seminar.

Six Dalit freedom fighters were awarded in the reception. Of them, four freedom fighters Kalipada Mondal, Monimohan Biswas, Mahabir Robidas and Shambhupada Biswas were present, while Dulal Chandra Das and Md Abdul Khaleque were not present due to physical condition.

Cracks at City Centre DCC forms 5-member probe body

UNB, Dhaka

Dhaka City Corporation formed a 5-member investigating committee to probe the incident of developing cracks at the 37-storied City Centre at Motijheel, which has been put under a close watch of engineers.

"We've decided to form a 5-member probe committee and we've already sent letters to the department concerned in this connection. And we hope the committee will start their duties from today. morning," DCC mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka said at a press conference at the auditorium of Nagar Bhaban (DCC headquarters) on Sunday afternoon.

The mayor informed that the committee includes BUET professors Dr Sikander Ali and Dr Mohammad Joynul Abedin, one from Public Works Department, one from Army Engineering Corps and DCC engineer Abul Hasnat. Besides, two DCC engineers would observe condition of the building twice (morning and evening) a day till the probe report comes.

The city father said the committee, headed by Professor Dr Sikander Ali, was also asked to submit their report within the next 15 days. He said during the timeframe, all kinds of construction activities would halt but the banks and other authorities were instructed that they could continue their operations as there is no risk of life. "After getting their (probe committee's) report, we'll do everything needed," Sadek Hossain Khoka said.

About the process of tender, the mayor of Dhaka said the DCC did nothing wrong. Everything had to be done under due process. About corruption, he said the anti-corruption commission, police and other authorities concerned should scrutiny the whole project and must take legal actions if they found anyone guilty. DCC chief engineer Ashraful Islam said the cracks developed in three columns which are not part of the main structure, nor even part of design of the building. The workers made the columns temporarily so they can make new shed or decoration inside the building. "It's an ornamental work and building is not damaged by such ornamental works. So city commuters can be assured that there is nothing against life," the DCC chief engineer said.

Commerce Ministry invites opinions on draft Act

UNB, Dhaka

The Commerce Ministry of the Government is working towards enacting the Competition Act, 2008 to ensure fair competition in the market.

The draft Act in its prelude said the Act is being formulated to provide, keeping in view the economic development of the country, for the establishment of a Commission to prevent practices having adverse impact on competition, to control or eliminate restrictive agreements or arrangements among enterprises, or combinations or abuse of dominant positions of market power, which limit access to markets or otherwise unduly restrain competition and for matters connected therewith.

With this end, the Ministry has drafted the Competition Act, 2008 and hosted the draft at its web site www.mincom.gov.bd for comments and opinion from the stakeholders.

The Ministry invites comments and opinion from the concerned and interested persons or public by April 20.

The Commerce Ministry in a press release requested for opinions directly in writing, through mail hardcopy or email at export1@intechworld.net.

Seven get life term for killing housewife

Barisal Correspondent

A trial court in Barisal yesterday sentenced seven persons to life imprisonment on charge of killing a young housewife and injuring her husband.

The court also fined them Tk 50,000 each, in default, to spend three more years in jail.

The seven accused persons are Abdus Sattar Molla, Sheikh Dulal, Sheikh Nazrul Islam, Md. Kamal Howladar, Babul Howladar, Delwar Hossain Talukdar and Noni Gopal Samaddar.

Of the seven accused,Delwar Hossain and Nani Gopal were tried in absentia.

Md. Shahidullah, district and session judge of Barisal, announced the verdict after examining 14 witnesses and reviewing other evidences.

The prosecution in brief was that Tania, daughter of Sattar Molla of Chuaripara area under Banaripara upazila, fell in love with a youth Parvez Molla and got married.

But the marriage was not accepted by Tania's family.On the night of July 7, 2000, a group of people led by Sattar Molla, attacked the house of Saleh Ahmed, uncle of Parvez Molla.Julekha, daughter of Saleh Ahmed and Parvez Molla were severely injured in the attack.

Julekha and Parvez were admitted to Banaripara Upazila Health Complex.Later Julekha was shifted to Barisal SBMCH in critical condition. She died at the hospital on July 8, 2008. .

The father of Julekha filed a murder case against the accused with the Banaripara Police Station the same day.

Police sub-inspector Siddikur Rahman investigated the case and filed charge sheet against the seven accused on April 15, 2001 under sections 302(34) and 307 of penal code.

HC issues show cause notice to Barisal mayor

Barisal Correspondent

The High Court has issued notices to the mayor in charge of Barisal

City Corporation, chief administrative officer of BCC and the secretary of the local government ministry to attend the court personally for violating court order.

The show cause notice was passed by the High Cout Division comprising Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Farid Ahmed on March 25 which reached Barisal yesterday.

Earlier. 16 employees of BCC were dismissed from service. Shoran Hossain, an office assistant of water supply section of BCC, filed a writ petition with High Court Division of Supreme Court in 2004 challenging their dismissal.

The honorable court ordered BCC to pay all dues to the dismissed employees of DCC from November 6, 2001 to February 19, 2006.

But BCC authority failed to honor the court order and Sohrab Hossain lodged a defamation case for violating the court order.

US Ambassador to FAO meets Iftekhar discusses food cooperation

UNB, Dhaka

US is keen to enter into a long-term relationship with Bangladesh in the area of food production. Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez, US envoy to the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, said this when he met with Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at his office Sunday.

While speaking to the media afterwards, Ambassador Vasquez said that the relationship between USA and Bangladesh was a "strong relationship" which would be continued to be "built upon." He further stated that he was "deeply impressed" by what he saw in Bangladesh during his visit.

The Foreign Adviser said that Bangladesh and US would cooperate in the area of food production.

"The expected bumper boro harvest should allay any concerns with regard to food availability in this country," he added.

Myanmar Maritime delegation meet Iftekhar

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said cooperation between Bangladesh and Myanmar would bring benefits to both the countries.

"Bangladesh and Myanmar enjoy excellent bilateral cooperation and this will most certainly bring benefits to both friendly countries," he said when the visiting Myanmar Maritime Delimitation Negotiations delegation paid a courtesy call on him Sunday.

The 10-member team arrived here this afternoon to attend talks on the maritime delimitation, commencing here on Monday. The technical talks on maritime delimitation were resumed by Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury after over two decades when he visited Myanmar in April 2007.

Since then several rounds bilateral discussions on different issues have been held between Bangladesh to Myanmar.

In January this year, Additional Foreign Secretary MAK Mahmood led an official level team to Myanmar to raise the curtain on maritime boundary discussions.

Foreign Secretary M Touhid Hossain also held talks at his level in Yangon.

An 18-member Bangladesh team will be headed by additional Foreign Secretary MAK Mahmood.

The team is expected to leave here on Wednesday (April 2).

Logi-baitha murder case deferred to June 8

UNB, Dhaka

Dhaka CMM court set June 8 for submission of a supplementary report in the logi-baitha murder case against Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and 45 others as the police investigator failed to do it today.

Jamaat filed the case following the murder of its five activists at Purana Paltan during the AL led 14-party's logi-baitha agitation on October 28, 2006.

Police investigator had filed the report in December but soon sought time for submission of supplementary report.

Workers Party had filed a similar case against 10 persons including Jamaat chief Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami for murder of one of its activists on the same day. The accused secured stay of proceedings of the case from the High Court.