The New Nation - Internet Edition

Launch capsizes in Ghorautra River of Kishoreganj: 44 drown, 100 missing

Launch mishap site at Nikli: Rescue operation is
being conducted by the local people to recover the dead
bodies. A widow is wailing after losing her kin.
FocusBangla

Alam Sarwar Titu from Kishoreganj

Death toll from Monday's launch capsize in Ghorautra River at Nikli upazila of Kishoreganj district rose to 44 with the recovery of 40 more bodies yesterday.

The bodies, including 21 men, 11 women and eight children, were recovered by the divers of Fire Service.

More than 100 passengers of the launch, MV Chandpur, are still missing.

Under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Kishoreganj district Sultan Ahmed, Commander of Joint Forces Lt Colonel Ashiquzzaman and Police Super of Kishoreganj district Mizanur Rahman, the local administration, fire service and BIWTA divers and local volunteers carried out rescue operation throughout the day yesterday.

Later in the afternoon they succeeded to retrive the launch from 70 feet deep of the river and bring it back to the river bank.

During the rescue operation, a heart-rending scene occurred on the bank of Ghorautra River. Relatives of drowned and missing passengers burst into tears witnessing the row of dead bodies on the river bank. They were found wailing throughout the day calling the names of their near and dear ones who drowned in the river. Zakir Hossain, community organiser of NGO Popy, who survived the launch capsize, told journalists that MV Chandpur motor-launch, with more than 150 passengers and goods on board, left Kuliarchar for Mitamoin Bazar through the Ghorautra River on Sunday afternoon. But, the launch was caught in a violent storm when it reached the extremely inaccessible Ghoradigha Haor. At that time, all the doors and windows of the motor launch were shut down by the launch workers and employees. As a result, most of the passengers got trapped inside the launch when it capsized in the depth of the river. Some 50/60 passengers succeeded to reach the riverbank swimming across the river.

Mushfiqur Rahman, an eyewitness of the incident of village Tenguria under Nikli upazila, said he was just standing on the bank of the river when the storm turned the motor launch turtle in the middle of the river. "Suddenly the launch started to capsize in the river," he said.

After the incident, he and some other local people rescued some passengers with the help of countrymade boats. They also recovered four bodies.

Local administration said the two-storeyed MV Chandpur, which was going to Mithamoin from Kuliarchar with some 150 passengers and huge quantity of goods, including cloths on board capsized in the Ghorautra River, a tributary of the River Meghna, sometime between 4:00-4:30pm after it was caught in a strong storm in the middle of the river. The launch being turned by the strong wind of the storm went down to some 70 feet deep into the river.

The government formed a one-member inquiry committee headed by Abdul Hye, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping to investigate the causes of the accident. The committee has been asked to submit the report within three days.

The passengers who survived the accident alleged that the launch was carrying excessive passengers beyond its carrying capacity.

A rescue team from the BIWTA Office in Narayanganj reached the spot along with a rescue ship and started the rescue operation.

The bodies of passengers were identified as Bajitpur's Shahana, 13, Apurba, 1, Ajit Debnath, 32, Quamrul, 30, Jikra Aktar, 13, Sanchita Rani Das, 30, Taheruddin, 55, Siddique Mia, 45, son of Manzur Ali, Noorjahan, 50, wife of Abdus Sattar of Mithamoin, Jubed Ali, son of Noab Ali of Narsingdi, Golap Mia, son of Abed Ali of Bhairab, Helal, 26, son of Yunus Mia of Mithamoin, Yasin, son of Helal, Jubeda Khatun, wife of Yunus Mia of Mithamoin, Raju Begum, 45, wife of Abu Bakar Siddique of Kuliarchar, Rita Aktar, 7, daughter of Belal Mia of Nikli, Sufia Khatun, 40, wife of Abdul Wadud of Mithamoin, Fatema, 22, wife of Shahed Ali of Bajitpur, Abdus Sattar, 50, son of Abdul Jabbar of Mithamoin, Parul, 30, wife of Shahabuddin of Mithamoin, Ratan Shaha, 45, son of Debendra Nath Saha of Bajitpur, Mohon Saha, 26, son of Tapan Saha of Bajitpur, Dulu Mia, 35, son of Kala Gazi of Bhairab, Rosy Aktar, 26, wife of Razzaq Mia of Fenchuganj, Sylhet, Shahed Mia, 35, son of Rajab Ali of Bhairab, Shanta, 1, son of Shahabuddin of Fatulla, Narayanganj, Taheruddin, 35, son of Jamiruddin of Bajitpur, Sanchita Das, 30, wife of Rajendra Das of Bajitpur, Rupali Das, 14, daughter of Narendra Das of Bajitpur, Nirmal Chandra Das, son of Amrita Lal Das of Bajitpur, Ganendra Chandra Saha, 51, son of Hemendra Chandra Saha of Bajitpur, Mizna Aktar, 52 of Bajitpur, Bibash Das, 30, Sabita, 55 and Akash Chandra Das, 3.

Commentary: Personal convenience prevailed over a law involving state security

Amendment of a 32-year-old law by the Council of Advisers on Sunday to facilitate the marriage of Bangladesh's permanent representative to the United Nations with a foreigner came as a surprise to many. The Public Servants (marriage with foreign nationals) Ordinance, 1976 whose amendment has been approved prohibited such marriage by foreign servicemen and required other government servants to procure the President's permission for marrying foreigners.

The Council of Advisers acted on a proposal initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Bangladesh's permanent representative to UN Ismat Jahan expressed her desire through the ministry to marry a Dutch national now staying in New York. As per the amendment approved by the Council of Advisers, Foreign Service officials will now be able to marry foreigners with permission from the President.

The restrictions against marrying foreigners by government servants, imposed by the 32-year-old law, was aimed at guarding state secrets which might leak out in case of such marriage. The said amendment as made by the Council of Advisers has relaxed restrictions even in respect of Foreign Service officials.

Just because it is easy for the Council of Advisers to amend laws that does not mean they are to take undue advantage of it. But we are not sure if the Advisers are fully aware of it. The Caretaker government is unrepresentative emergency government for dealing with the huge national crisis.

The law they have amended has to do with the considerations of state security. But it is clear that convenience of a single person reigned supreme. Surely Ms Ismat Jahan cannot be considered so indispensable that a law involving state security has to be changed. Many will question her sense of responsibility as a highly placed diplomat. For her love she could have resigned the post.

Nobody would speak against a person's choice to have a foreign husband. But while holding a state position one cannot ignore the prior state considerations.

Move for formal dialogue: Invitation sent to 6 small parties

Shahidul Islam

The Chief Adviser's Office yesterday sent letters of invitation to six smaller political parties seeking names of their respective delegations to the formal dialogue with the Government.

Unlike the pre-dialogue sittings that began with a major political party-Awami League-the formal dialogue scheduled to begin from May 22 as per Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed's Monday's announcement, is likely to kick off with smaller political parties.

The letters of invitation were sent to the Workers Party (WP), CPB, JSD (Inu), Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB), Shamyobadi Dal and Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL), Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Monayem told The New Nation yesterday evening. More invitations to be dispatched today.

Senior officials of the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) delivered the identical letters of invitation in person in the evening to WP General Secretary Bimal Biswas, CPB General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim, JSD (Inu) General Secretary Syed Zafar Sajjad, BDB Secretary General Maj (retd) Abdul Mannan, Shamybadi Dal General Secretary Dilip Barua and KSJL Acting General Secretary Habibur Rahman Khoka.

When contacted sources close to these political leaders said they have received the invitation letters yesterday evening.

Sources close to the CAO and the political leaders said each of the political party was requested to send names of five to seven leaders, who would take part in the talks with the Government as members of the party delegation.

There is no specific date for the dialogue in the letters that was sent to General Secretaries and Secretaries General of the individual political parties.

The dates of the dialogue with specific political parties will be finalised on the basis of discussion between the Government Advisers and party leaders.

"The letters of the invitation also sought suggestions from the political leaders on the modalities of the dialogue, posing a question as to whether they would sit in a group along with like minded political parties or prefer to sit across the table separately as individual political party," one of those General Secretary, who received the invitation told this Correspondent on condition of anonymity.

When contacted, WP General Secretary Bimal Biswas and CPB General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim yesterday night said they would finalise the issue at the meeting of their respective party leadership soon and reply accordingly.

Sounding positive about joining the formal dialogue, both the WP and CPB leaders separately said they would also held bilateral discussion with pro-liberation, democratic and secular political parties with a view to arrive at a consensus on specific issues before the talks with the Government.

Policymakers of the Caretaker Government, who took part in the pre-dialogue sessions, are of the opinion that it would be easier to arrive at consensus on pressing national issues, leading to the formulation of the National Charter if the formal dialogue begins with smaller political parties since those had no pre-condition like release of any political leaders.

Two major political parties of the country-the BNP and the Awami League (AL) pressing for their demands that their respective party chiefs-the two detained former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina-be set free and allowed to join the dialogue with the Government.

Meanwhile, the AL Central Working Committee (ALCWC) yesterday at a meeting reviewing the Chief Adviser's address to the nation, said the dialogue would not be successful unless the AL President Sheikh Hasina was set free before the talks.

Similar view was also expressed by the BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain that the dialogue without the presence of its Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia would not be fruitful since it is she who represents the people and the party.

When asked, Communications Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader and Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman yesterday said the absence of the issue of the release of Begum Zia and Sheikh Hasina in the Chief Adviser's speech would not hamper the holding of the formal dialogue.

Expressing the hope that the ensuing formal dialogue between the Government and the political parties would be a success, Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, who maintains contacts with political leaders, said, "We are advancing step by step towards holding the dialogue."

Asked if the dialogue would be possible in the backdrop of the political parties expressing their dissatisfaction over the Chief Adviser's speech delivered on Monday, he said, "Different people or groups are likely to pass different comments on the speech."

"But we are moving forward gradually, as and when required, as people in general and the political parties have shown eagerness to interact with us through the process. The Government is also marching forward while fulfilling people's aspirations and we hope we will be successful," he said, adding both the politicians and the Government were able to understand each other's position during the 22-day long pre-dialogue sessions.

"There is no reason for the talks to fail," Dr Hossain Zillur said, "And we are in constant contact with each other."

Political parties unlock offices across country

BNP and Awami League offices at Mymensingh reopened
yesterday after the lifting of countrywide ban on indoor
politics. Banglar Chokh

UNB, Dhaka

Political parties unlocked their offices across the country Tuesday to do politics indoors after a 14-month pause, as the caretaker government bent the emergency rules to allow them to take election preparation.

Reports reaching UNB newsroom said leaders and workers of different political parties resumed their activities with much enthusiasm following the lifting of the ban on indoor politics.

Indoor politics was revived from yesterday under nine conditions set by government, following the chief adviser's address to the nation on Monday night.

In his speech Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed announced the holding of the stalled general election in the third week of December and end to restrictions on indoor politics countrywide from yesterday. He also set May 22 for the start of formal political dialogue to prepare modalities of the transition.

Indoor politics was allowed even after the declaration of the state of emergency on January 11, 2007, but the government on March 8 imposed a total ban on politics, be it indoor or outdoor, across the country.

Later on October 9, the tough-going interim regime relaxed the restrictions in the capital ahead of talks between the Election Commission and political parties.

UNB district correspondents reported from across the country, including Chittagong, Rajshai, Khulna, Barisal, Sylhet and Jessore, that major political parties, including Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party and Jamaat, opened their long-locked offices and held political discussions.

Since morning, the political workers have been seen busy cleaning and decorating their deserted offices that have gathered dust over the 14 months since the 1/11 changeover amid a grave political crisis over the issues of the election, which was set for January 22 and later cancelled.

"The cheerful workers of the parties started thronging respective political offices since 10am and exchanged greetings with one another, some of them seen hugging their leaders and comrades out of emotion," the reports said, giving a spot account of the political resurrection.

Marking the restoration, most of the parties held separate milad-mahfil in their offices across the country and offered prayers for the betterment of their party and the country.

Workers of AL and BNP-the two former ruling parties-offered doa for release of their respective top leaders, Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, who have ruled the country since the restoration of democracy through the 1990 people-power movement until the last changeover after which they were arrested, along with many bigwigs.

The enthusiastic political activists openly discussed many political issues and exchanged views on how to gear up their activities in the prevailing situation.

Release of AL president Sheikh Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was on top of the agenda of the talks.

In Chittagong, leaders and workers of Awami League, BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and other political parties thronged their respective party offices and resumed political activities after the long gap.

Supporters of two feuding factions of city BNP exchanged hot words over unlocking its locked party office in the afternoon. The situation came under control with the intervention of senior leaders.

Meanwhile, former president of Chittagong city AL MA Mannan and his supporters first set foot in the AL office in the morning. They arranged a milad-mahfil at the office in the afternoon.

Niko graft case: Khaleda, co-accused to be produced in court May 20

UNB, Dhaka

The trial court yesterday fixed May 20 for producing detained former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and other co-accused before it in the Niko graft case, as they were not brought in yesterday.

Five others who are already in jail are former Law Minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed and former State Minister for energy AKM Mosharraf Hossain, controversial businessman Giasuddin Al Mamoon, former acting energy secretary Shahidul Islam and ex-President of Dhaka Club Selim Bhuiyan.

Meanwhile, two other accused persons surrendered before the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court today. The two-former general manager and former additional secretary of Bapex Meer Moynul Haque and its former secretary Shafiur Rahman-were sent to jail. The court also directed the authority concerned to publish advertisement in newspapers asking the remaining fugitives to appear before the court on May 20, when hearing is set to commence.

Poll schedule in time: EC

UNB, Dhaka

The Election Commission will announce the specific date of election in proper time following the Chief Adviser' s address to the nation setting a tentative timing for the long-deferred polls.

"The way the election schedule has to be announced, before two to two and a half months, you'll see then," Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda told reporters Tuesday as asked about the specific date of election.

The CEC was speaking to the journalists as they sought his reaction following the CA's address to the nation given Monday, where he said the national elections would be held in the third week of December. CEC Huda declined to comment when pointed out that there was no specific mention of the prevailing state of emergency over the country.

About holding the polls in December, he said all things are quite alright regarding the matter.

"We didn't say about any specific date of the third week (of December. We'll see, when the time will come to tell about the specific date," the CEC said when asked if the election would be held in the third week of December at all since Eid, Hajj and year-final examinations in educational institutions would take place at that time.

About the writ petition in the High Court against the EC's move on delimitating the electoral constituencies, CEC Huda said there would be legal battle over it and the EC would answer to the HC rule. "We're standing on solid ground. There is nothing to worry," he said.

Blasts rock Jaipur: 60 killed

BBC Online

At least six people have been killed and many more wounded after a series of bomb blasts tore through the city of Jaipur in western India, police say.

The bombs went off near historic monuments in the crowded old city at one of the busiest times of the day.

The head of state police said it was a terrorist attack. Reports suggest the death toll could rise much higher. Jaipur, in Rajasthan, is a popular tourist destination about 260km (160 miles) from the Indian capital, Delhi.

No group has admitted planting bombs in Jaipur, and it is not yet clear what a motive for attacking the city might be.

There have been sporadic bomb attacks around India in recent years. The police have had little success in bringing prosecutions.

At least five blasts were heard in Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan state, early on Tuesday evening, each a few minutes apart. The series of explosions started at around 1915 local time. Reports say bombs were placed in cars or shops.

The blasts were in the crowded areas of the old city including several markets.

One happened close to Jaipur's most famous landmark, the historic Hawa Mahal, or palace of winds.

Jaipur is an extremely popular stop on India's primary tourist circuit known as "The Golden Triangle", which takes in the Taj Mahal and the historic sites of Rajasthan.

On Tuesdays many devotees flock to a popular shrine in Jaipur's old city.

UN, UK hail CA's statement on election as positive

UNB, Dhaka

The United Nations and the United Kingdom welcomed the Chief Advisor's address to the nation confirming that the general election would be held in the third week of December this year.

UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Ms Renata Lok Dessallien and outgoing British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury welcomed the Chief Advisor's statement while they were inaugurating the voter-registration electronic billboard at Shahbagh road crossing on Tuesday afternoon.

"People can feel confident after the Chief Advisor's address to the nation when he confirmed that the elections will be held before the end of 2008," Renata said.

She felt proud that 80 percent of voters have already been registered and hoped that the registration would complete by the deadline set in the electoral roadmap.

The UN executive praised the installation of the electronic billboard that will screen the progress of voter registration across the country and other information related to the much-orchestrated national elections, going to be held after disruption amid a political crisis in January 2007.

British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury said the United Kingdom welcomed the Chief Advisor's statement as positive as it shows the intent and sincerity of the government to hold the polls in December. "You have now the election date, you also have progress towards the lifting of the emergency and the ban on indoor politics across the country," he said.

Choudhury said, "We're very much hopeful that everybody will take part in making the national project a success." Success will depend on everybody. It is not just one stakeholder that can deliver this. "We think lot of positive things in the Chief Advisor's speech and we hope things can move even further towards the milestone that everybody has so long been waiting for."

The British envoy also praised the voter-registration electronic billboard as fantastic achievement, first ever in Bangladesh, saying that the world will see "what you can achieve". He said UNDP, UK, EC and other donors funded the voter-registration programme and the electronic billboard.

The Light Animated Display of the Billboard was made by Rainbow Vision Ltd.

Secretary to the Election Commission Humayun Kabir and Director of the Voters Registration Project Shahdat Hossain Chowdhury were present on the occasion.

Govt plans ban on waste cotton export

Staff Reporter

The Government is contemplating imposing ban on export of Waste Cotton/ Comber Noil, which is causing loss of US$ 0.72 in each kilogram and draining huge foreign currency, sources said.

The Ministry of Commerce will sit with the concern stakeholders soon to take a decision on it as the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) is pressing the Government for the last couple of months to impose the ban.

Informed sources said Comber Noil/Waste Cotton is being used as a raw material of denim fabrics and home textile products. The country meets the demand of the Waste Cotton through import as local millers fails to do so. Import of each kilogram of virgin cotton costs US$1.76 while the waste cotton is being exported at US$ 0.94 per kg.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), export of waste cotton is increasing in volume each year. Waste cotton worth US$0.77 million had been exported in fiscal year 2002-03, while it reached US$ 7.42 million in 2006-07.

EPB said at present the shortage of waste cotton in the country is nearly 75 per cent. If the export of the waste cotton continues at the same volume, it will create shortage of yarn creating obstacle in production and export of denim fabrics and home textile, the EPB opined in a letter to the Commerce Ministry.

Sources said the Commerce Ministry officials have recommended the higher authority to discourage export of waste cotton for the sake of home textile and denim export.

Meanwhile, during the July-January period of the current fiscal year the country has exported home textile worth US$ 176.20 million against last year's US$151.59 million. The export target of home textile in the current fiscal year is US$ 310 million.

SCBA divided over court boycott decision

UNB, Dhaka

A group of dissident lawyers of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) protested its unanimous resolution on boycott of the Appellate Division on Thursday as a mark of disapproval against the apex court's recent rulings in the unassailable Emergency Power Rules (EPR) cases.

A presidential candidate for the recent SCBA election, Khondker Mahbub Hossain, termed the SCBA programme politically motivated and against public interest while addressing a press conference Tuesday in the Bar-annex hallroom.

"Such court-boycott activity will tarnish the image of the judiciary," he said, adding that the SCBA stand is an attempt to destroy the independence of the judiciary.

The dissidents appeared two days after the SCBA resolution was passed, demonstrating divisions in the bar over the issue.

An emergency general meeting of the SCBA on Sunday unanimously decided to boycott the court of the Appellate Division on May 15 for two hours, beginning at 9 am, in a silent protest against its recent rulings that they think resulted in 'degradation of dignity of the highest judiciary and the rule of law'.

The recent rulings by the apex court stripped the High Court of jurisdiction to grant bail to any convicted appellant tried under the EPR.

It also struck down a High Court ruling empowering itself with jurisdiction to dispose of bail petitions in criminal cases being tried under the EPR.

And it finally ruled that any case of an offence committed before the promulgation of the state of emergency can be tried under the EPR, clearing the way for case proceedings against high-profile corruption suspects like politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen booked under the ongoing purge in the interim period.

When asked whether their stand against the SCBA decision was the exercise of taking any favour from the interim government, Khondker Mahbub, flanked by ABM Nurul Islam and Abdul Mannan, replied in the negative. "No, no," they shouted and left the place by closing abruptly the press conference.

Meanwhile, SCBA president Barrister Shafique Ahmed, sharply reacting to the remarks by its dissident members, termed the allegations totally false and baseless. He said they are being set to create confusion among the lawyers. "A vested powerful quarter has planted them with an ill motive in a bid to fulfil their agenda," he observed.

"If we find any member by his activity infringe the SCBA constitution, disciplinary action will be taken," the Bar leader warned.

Govt to import one lakh tons of wheat from Canada, Australia

Shamim Jahangir

The government is likely to import 100,000 tonnes of Soft Red Winter (SRW) type of wheat from Canada and Australia with an additional cost of Tk 25 crore in spite of bumper production of wheat in the country.

According to sources the Government will import one-lakh tonnes of wheat at a cost of Tk 330 crore while the local market price of the same amount of wheat is at Tk 305 crore now.

The local market price of wheat is between Tk 30.15 to 30.55 per Kg while the Government will import it at Tk 31.50 per kilogram from Canada and Australia.

The Agrocorp International Private Limited, a Singapore based foodgrain export company, will supply the wheat through its Bangladeshi agent Smile Food Products Limited, a reliable sources said.

Of the total wheat, the exporter will supply 70,000 tonnes through Chittagong port and the rest through Mongla port, sources added.

The Food Ministry has prepared a proposal to import one-lakh tonnes of wheat and it would be placed at a meeting of the advisory committee on purchase on May 15 for approval, a high official of the Food Ministry told the New Nation on condition of anonymity.

Earlier, due to bureaucratic red tapism, the Government has decided not to procure wheat from local farmers despite bumper production, sources said.

The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) had fixed a target of producing 8 lakh metric tonnes of wheat from 3,74,000 hectares of land in the current fiscal, Dr Shahidul Islam said adding, "we expect to get 9.55 lakh metric tonnes of wheat this year."

He added that while the DAE target of production of wheat was 2.10 metric tonnes per hectare, the farmers produced 2.58 metric tones.

"There are around 1.25 lakh tonnes of wheat in government's stock," sources in the Food Ministry added.

"If the Government procures one lakh tonnes of wheat from the local market, the total cost would be less than Tk 25 crore from international market," he further said adding "In that case, the farmers could get fair price for their crops."