The New Nation - Internet Edition

Mannan Bhuiyan, Shamsul surrender, sent to jail: Nizami, Anwar denied bail in High Court

Former BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan
and former minister M Shamsul Islam, were sent to jail after
surrendering to court yesterday while former minister MK
Anwar and Jamaat Ameer Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami went to
High Court and filed petit

Staff Reporter

A special Dhaka court sent former secretary general of BNP, cabinet minister and reformist leader Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and another former minister M Shamsul Islam to jail yesterday after their surrender in the GATCO scam case.

The Dhaka Metropolitan senior special judge Md Azizul Hoque passed the twin orders sending the BNP leaders to prison, within half an hour of each other.

The court asked the prison authorities to provide them with division status as per the jail code and proper medical care, in the afternoon amid suspense for the last few days over the fate of the bigwigs in the country's political arena.

Early in the day, the High Court rejected a bail petition of Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former minister Motiur Rahman Nizami in the same case.

Former minister MK Anwar withdrew his bail petition filed with the HC.

Shamsul Islam followed suit, after he failed to move the High Court for hearing his bail prayer, as the case has been placed under the unassailable Emergency Power Rules that deny bail. He was sent to jail at 4:40pm.

The court of judge Md Azizul Hoque last Thursday issued arrest warrants against 12 'absconding' accused people. Former ministers M Saifur Rahman, Mannan Bhuiyan, Nizami, Shamsul Islam, MK Anwar and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury were among them.

Saifur Rahman is now in Singapore and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in the US, both have been described as fugitives in the case.

Joint forces arrested Khaleda and her son Arafat Rahman Koko with ties to the case on September 3 last year, in the same case amid a crackdown on former ruling politicians in the interim period.

Nizami filed a appeal with the Appellate Division challenging the HC verdict that turned down his bail petition. The apex court would hear his petition on May 20.

A pale-looking Bhuiyan arrived in the trial court at 3:20pm on a black pajero car Dhaka Metro 11-7227. He was wearing a white Pajama and Panjabi. He was accompanied by leaders of Jubo Dal Ali Akhter, Monir, Alam and Moinul. He carried three bags containing prayer mat, rosary and day to day necessities for himself.

Law enforcers ensured foolproof security within the court area at that time.

No senior lawyer loyal to the BNP was present in court to defend Bhuiyan.

Advocate Golam Mostafa Khan, backed by lawyers Iqbal Hossain and Gazi Mokhlesur Rahman, filed his surrender petition.

Advocate Mostafa told the court that the plaintiff did not bring any allegation against Bhuiyan but the investigation officer put his name on the chargesheet, being "influenced by higher authorities".

Bhuiyan has been suffering from heart disease, the lawyer claimed.

Some lawyers loyal to the Delwar-led faction of the BNP and BNP workers loyal to Bhuiyan scuffled on the court premises after the lawyers branded Bhuiyan an "agent."

Police used batons to disperse the troublemakers.

After nearly 30-minute stay in the court, he was sent to Dhaka Central Jail.

Shamsul Islam arrived in court at 4:20pm, shortly after Bhuiyan had been sent to jail.

During a brief hearing, the court advised the petitioners, who surrendered before it seeking bail, to surrender to the appropriate

court and pray for bail over there.

Barrister Rafique-ul Huq stood for the former Information Minister, Shamsul Islam, and former Agriculture Minister MK Anwar.

Talking to reporters, Barrister Rafique said, "I don't think that the Government has the courage to arrest them."

About 100 lawyers including Advocate Lutfe Alam, Sanaullah Mia, Masud Ahmed Talukder and Khorshed Alam were with him.

Shamsul Islam's lawyers appealed to the court seeking an order to provide the former minister with division in jail.

The lawyers said they went to the High Court to seek bail but their appeal was rejected.

They told the court that two different figures of lost money had been mentioned in the case and in the chargesheet.

"Besides, GATCO was still working in the country and the Government lauded its work," one of the lawyers said.

Earlier in the week, a two-member HC bench of justices Md Mozammel Hossain and Syed AB Mahmudul Haque had initially said it could not accept bail petitions submitted by Anwar and Shamsul Islam.

Following a recent Supreme Court ruling that even the higher courts cannot consider granting bail in EPR cases, such bail petitions cannot be accepted for hearing, the HC bench said Thursday.

Before leaving his Gulshan House at 2:45pm for surrendering to the court, Bhuiyan in his signed statement urged the BNP leaders and workers to unite under the leadership of their detained chairperson Khaleda Zia, who had sacked him as party secretary general a day before her arrest, as he took the reformist line following the January 11, 2007 changeover that kicked off a political rectification move.

The party-reform proposals mooted by Bhuiyan dethroned Khaleda as BNP chairperson, as a 'minus-two' political catchphrase was up in the air after the present Caretaker Government took over with military backing in the wake of a serious political crisis over the issues of election.

BNP fell apart following the expulsion on the question of the party reform as Begum Zia appointed former Chief Whip Khandaker Delwar Hossain as new Secretary General and the reformists formed a faction.

In a change of heart of late, Bhuiyan yesterday recognized Begum Zia as "Deshnetri" in his statement and said there is no alternative but to unite the nationalist forces under her leadership.

Bhuiyan, who looked composed, hoped BNP should be able to overcome any crisis if the party remains united. He hoped Begum Zia and other party leaders would be free soon.

The ACC filed the case on September 2 with Tejgaon Police Station alleging that GATCO's contract to run the container depot at Chittagong Port was illegal.

The case was brought under the emergency powers rules on September 17.

The case record shows that a tender was floated on March 1, 2003 to appoint a contractor for the container depots at Chittagong Port and Kamalapur Railway station.

The accused awarded the contract to GATCO although the company failed to live up to all the conditions.

It is also alleged that the government incurred more than Tk 1,000 crore in losses because of the GATCO deal.

Barge-mounted power plant scam: Hasina, 7 others indicted

Sheikh Hasina

Staff Reporter

A Special Judge's Court in the capital yesterday framed charge indicting detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and seven others in Tk 3 crore Barge-mounted Power Plant scam case.

Judge M Firoj Alam of the Special Judge's Court-1, trying high profile corruption cases on the premises of Parliament Building complex amid tight security, passed the order and fixed May 21 for the beginning of the trial with recording deposition of prosecution witnesses (PWs).

Before passing the order the judge rejected the defence's plea for acquitting Sheikh Hasina from the charge of taking Tk 3 crore bribe in awarding floating barge-mounted power plants to the private companies.

Her co-accused are-former Energy Secretary Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, former Power Development Board (PDB) Chairman Noor Uddin Mahmud Kamal, Managing Director of Summit Industries and Mercantile Corporation Private Ltd Aziz Khan, its Director Farid Khan, United Group's Chairman Hasan Mahmud Raja and its Director Abul Kalam Azad and Curator of Bangabandhu Memorial Trust Siddiqur Rahman.

Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Awami League (AL), pleaded innocence, while appearing on the dock and confidently said she would be proved not guilty in the case if the Court was allowed deliver judgment independently.

Terming the Barge-mounted Power Plant graft case 'a false, fabricated and politically motivated move' she expressed doubts about getting fair justice

in reply to the Court, which after framing charges, asked her whether she was guilty or not.

The former Prime Minister, who gave an hour-long speech in the Court, also listed pro-people development programmes taken and implemented by her Government, her chief counsel Barrister Shafique Ahmed told journalists after the hearing.

Her detained co-accused, Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, also pleaded innocence when the Court asked his views about the charge. He termed the case a "litany of willful and malicious concoctions-a new episode in the Hirok Rajar Deshe."

Sheikh Hasina was charged under section 161 of Bangladesh Penal Code (BPC), section 5(2) of the Anti-Corruption (Prevention) Act 1947 and some sections of the Emergency Power Rules (EPR). The other co-accused in the case were charged under sections 161 and 165ka of BPC and section 5(2) of the Anti-Corruption (Prevention) Act 1947.

Section 161 of BPC provides jail term of maximum three years and fine or both, while section 5(2) of the Anti-Corruption (Prevention) Act 1947 provides imprisonment for seven years, said ACC Chief Special Public Prosecutor in the case Sharfuddin Khan Mukul.

He said the prosecution would be able to complete the trial within two months, 30 days ahead of the time limit as per the EPR. "It is a fit case for gratification and there is enough evidence to prove the scam," he said.

To prove the case, the prosecution may not need to examine all the 54 PWs, he asserted.

On September 2 last year, ACC Deputy Director Sabbir Hasan filed the case with Tejgaon police station. He accused Hasina and six others of using their influence through collusion in helping a foreign company and its local partners win a deal for setting up three 100-MW barge-mounted power plants at Haripur, Khulna and Shikalbaha sites,

depriving the lowest bidder.

Morshed Alam, Deputy Director of the ACC, who was the Investigation Officer (IO) of the case submitted the charge sheet of the case on January 10 this year, incorporating the name of Siddiqur Rahman, Curator of Bangabandhu Memorial Trust.

Of them, the detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi appeared on the dock, while the remaining seven accused remained absconding.

The Court sat at 9:55am after Sheikh Hasina was produced on the dock amid tight security.

Before the Court resumed, the newly elected leaders of the Dhaka District Bar Association, led by its President Khandaker Abdul Mannan, met Sheikh Hasina in the courtroom.

Congratulating the new bar leadership, she urged them to launch movement for the restoration of democracy, saying that there is no alternative to it.

Recalling the role of the lawyers in the past for establishing democracy and the rule of law, Sheikh Hasina said the lawyers should have continue to play their due role in this regard.

Barrister Shafique Ahmed and Advocates Towfiq Newaz, Yusuf Hossain Humayun, Syed Rezaur Rahman, Sahara Khatun, Abdul Mannan Khan, Quamrul Islam and Barrister Fazle Noor Tapas were, among others, appeared in the Court for Sheikh Hasina, while Advocate Kazi Sajwar Hossain stood for Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi

Detained former prime minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina declared in court Sunday that framing charges against her in

The Court fixed May 21 for witness depositions to commence in the case.

If found guilty, Sheikh Hasina may have to serve a minimum 2 to maximum sentence of 12 years.

"Even if Sheikh Hasina appealed to the higher Court after being punished in the case, she could be able to contest any elections, as per section 11 (5) of the emergency power rules" Advocate Sharfuddin Khan Mukul observed.

Dismissing his observation, Chief Defence Counsel Barrister Shafique Ahmed said the prosecution would not be able to prove the charges, as there are self-contradictions in their evidences. "And as a result, Sheikh Hasina will be proved innocent and set free," he observed.

Political stability must for economic progress: Hua Du: Economy grows 6 pc this fiscal, recovers from shocks

Hua Du

Staff Reporter

Political stability, smooth transition of power to elected government are prerequisites for the development and economic progress of Bangladesh, said Hua Du, Country Director of Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Bangladesh needs to develop its human resources and catch up with huge foreign investment for infrastructure development, which would help reduce poverty and increase growth.

"We are looking forward to a peaceful transfer of power to the elected people's representatives in the upcoming elections which would bring benefit to the country's economy," she said to the media while releasing 'Quarterly Economic Update, Bangladesh' at ADB office in the city.

Replying to a query the outgoing ADB country Director said investment in power sector as well as infrastructure and communication development remained a big challenge despite increase in exports and inflow of remittances to help the country's economy on its growth trend path.

She said taking quick decision is also important for the Government to ease the electricity, gas and other infrastructure constrains so that production activities in different sectors can go unhindered.

She said ensuring good governance, efficiency and transparency in private and public sectors could also help in facing those challenges.

On the issue of GDP Hua Du said GDP is expected to grow by 6 per cent in FY 2008 because of bumper production of Boro even after flood and cyclone.

She said political uncertainty, weak infrastructure, vulnerability to natural disasters and volatility in oil and food grain prices are downside risks in the near and medium term prospects of GDP.

On the issue of inflation she said the rate of inflation reached 10 per cent in March of the current year, which was 7.2 per cent in June of the last year.

She said higher international food and non-food commodity prices, shortfall in domestic food grains production, distribution and retail management chain and monetary accommodation of previous years and panic buying made inflation higher.

Regarding food price inflation she said though the prices of food are declining but still it remain high. She said food subsidy to the poor and social safety net for them needs to be strengthened.

She said revenue performance improved after several years of poor performance. Revenue collection by National Board of Revenue rose by 23.1 per cent in July- March FY- 2008. The fiscal deficit in FY- 2008 is likely to increase to 4.8 per cent of GDP compared with 3.2 per cent in the preceding year.

The economic update mentioned rapid structural change and dramatic economic growth in telecommunications sector and high prices of construction materials affecting the implementation of Annual Development Programme (ADP) and exchange rate remained stable.

Late night raid: Nizami arrested: Anwar not found

Staff Reporter

The police arrested Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami in the GATCO graft case in a late night raid on his residence yesterday.

BNP leader M K Anwar escaped arrest and police returned after raiding his Elephant Road residence.

A huge contingent of police, led by deputy police commissioner for Ramna zone Atiqul Islam, surrounded the house of Motiur Rahman Nizami at Moghbazar in the city at around 10pm Sunday night to arrest him.

Another contingent of police led by AC Hamida Parveen raided on MK Anwar's house.

Both Nizami and Anwar were ministers in the immediate past 4-party alliance government.

Motiur Rahman Nizami was taken to Ramna Thana, sources in the police said.

A huge number of Jamaat workers gathered near the residence of their leader Maulana Nizami at the time of arrest.

Earlier, the Chamber Court referred the ad-interim anticipatory bail petition of Jamaat Ameer Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami for hearing tomorrow (Tuesday) in the full bench of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

Chamber Court Justice MA Matin referred the matter for hearing as the counsel of Jamaat leader moved to his court seeking stay on operation of the HC order since a High Court division bench rejected the anticipatory bail petition of Maulana Nizami.

Prince Aga Khan arrives today

Prince Karim Aga Khan

UNB, Dhaka

Prince Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, arrives here today (Monday) on a four-day state visit to Bangladesh.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed will receive him at Zia International airport.

His visit marks the golden jubilee of his Imamat. Prince Aga Khan became the Imam on July 11, 1957 at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan.

According to official itinerary Prince Aga Khan will call on President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and hold meetings with several Advisers.

He will visit National mausoleum at Savar and attend a state banquet at Hotel Sonargaon tomorrow. He will host diplomatic reception and Imamat banquet at the same venue on May 20.

Prince Aga Khan will lay the foundation of the Aga Khan Academy at Basundhara on May 20 and a permanent Jamat Khana of the community on May 21.

The Aga Khan Academy will be built on 21 acres of land at a cost of around US$ 50 million to teach brilliant students from the primary to the secondary level and impart training to teachers. An official of the Aga Khan Foundation said some 750 to 1200 Bangladeshi students will be admitted to the Academy on the basis of merit. The medium of teaching will be both Bangla and English. Prince Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims and a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter.

As part of the commemoration of Prince Aga Khan's Golden Jubilee which began on 11th July 2007, he has been paying official visits to some 35 countries, using these occasions to recognise the friendship and longstanding support of leaders of state, government and other partners in the work of the Ismaili Imamat, and to set the direction for the future, including the launching and laying of foundations for major initiatives and programmes Like his grandfather Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan before him, the Aga Khan has been concerned about the well-being of all Muslims, particularly in the face of the challenges of rapid historical changes.

Today, the Ismailis live in some 25 countries, mainly in West and Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as in North America and Western Europe.

Over the four decades since the present Aga Khan became Imam, there have been major political and economic changes in most of these areas.

The Aga Khan has emphasised the view of Islam as a thinking, spiritual faith: one that teaches compassion and tolerance and that upholds the dignity of man, Allah's noblest creation.

JU students on rampage: VC’s house attacked, Proctor resigns

JU Correspondent

Several hundred students of the Jahangirnagar University held demonstration on the campus and attacked the residences of the Vice-Chancellor and the Proctor on Saturday night in protest against the arrest of three students of the university by the Rapid Action Battalion.

The rampaging students also brought out several processions throughout the day on Sunday, put up barricade on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway for seven hours and set fire to several buses.

Some of angry students claimed that RAB arrested three students of the university on false allegation and filed a case against six students of the university with the Ashulia Police station.

The agitating students also kept JU VC Professor Dr M Muniruzzaman and other officials confined in the university administrative building till 7.00 pm.

University sources said identified terrorist Tia Babu of Rangamati village adjacent to Jahangirnagar University and his accomplices were walking on the JU central play-ground in a suspicious mood.

They also teased a female student at that time. Zakir and Munayem, 33th batch students of Statistics Department, wanted to know the identity of them.An altercation erupted between the students and the terrorists. At one stage they left the place and again came back to the spot with RAB members. The RAB members then arrested Zakir, Munayem and James from the campus.

As the news spread to the campus, the angry students from various dormitories went to the Dhaka Aricha Highway near the Dairy Gate at around 9 pm and put up barricade for about 7 hours and set fire to two buses and one truck at that time.

At around 2.30 am two hundred police and army personnel were deployed when the students came back to the campus and vandalized the residences of JU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr M Muniruzzaman and proctor Sayed Kamrul Ahsan.

The JU VC held a meeting with proctorial bodies but they could not reach any decision in this regard.

In the mean time, the JU proctor Prof Sayed Kamrul Ahasan resigned from his post as the students were arrested without the permission of the university authorities.

A case was filed with the Ashulia Thana against six students of the University on charge of snatching a motor-bike and TK five thousand.

When contacted, ASP Motiur Rahman said that the students were handed over by the RAB members and we have sent them to the court as per the rule and "we know nothing more than this."

The JU VC Professor Dr M Muniruzzaman said they were trying to contact the officials of RAB and the University lawyer. He hoped that the students would be released as early as possible.

Bhuiyan urges all to unite under Khaleda Zia

Staff Reporter

Former BNP secretary general and reformist leader Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday urged the party leaders and activists to get united under the leadership of their detained chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, leaving all differences aside.

Mannan Bhuiyan, who was sacked as party secretary general a day before the arrest of Begum Zia on September 2 since he took the reformist line following the 1/11 changeover made the call in a written statement before leaving his Gulshan residence at about 2:45pm for surrendering to the court.

The BNP leader also called on the party and its supporters to work together in an effort to establish democracy.

Recognising Begum Zia as 'Deshnetri' he said there is no alternative but to unite the nationalist forces under her leadership.

He hoped that BNP should be able to overcome any crisis if the party remains united and Begum Zia and other party leaders would be free soon.

Earlier, Mannan Bhuiyan in an exclusive interview with a news agency said no more division; rather the party is in the process of unity and it will happen soon.

"The split in the party will take people, the country's freedom and sovereignty toward uncertainty and create unrest," he said.

The BNP leader said unity in the party is a must and it is only a matter of time.

"I have faith in the leaders and activists of the party that they will bring an end to all kinds of misunderstandings. We are united under the leadership of Khaleda Zia and will remain so. The unity process is nearing its final stage," he said.

He referred that he joined the party, inspired by the principles of the party founder, Ziaur Rahman. After his death, Khaleda Zia has made the BNP the most popular party through her efficient leadership.

"I had served as secretary general for 11 years under her leadership. I have been working jointly with leaders and activists of the party. I did not work for personal gains. I am not thinking about myself. I want unity in the BNP, as the party is the symbol of national unity and power," he said.

Replying to a question, he said the BNP has overcome many such ordeals before.

"The people are already aware of the role of BNP in the movements against dictatorship and towards the establishing of democracy. Khaleda Zia led all those movements," he observed.

AL’s no to dialogue without Hasina’s release

Staff reporter

The Awami league will not sit in dialogue with the Chief Adviser without party Chief Sheikh Hasina, said the party leaders at a discussion meeting at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in the city marking Sheikh Hasina's homecoming day yesterday.

They said, they would take decision about joining the government-sponsored dialogue after discussing it with party chief Sheikh Hasina after her release from Jail.

The central leaders asked the field level leaders and activists to take the oath to join street agitation that would be launched anytime for releasing her.

Several hundred leaders and activists of different wings of Awami league joined the meeting to express solidarity with their party central leaders to go for tougher movement to make Sheikh Hasina Free.

The party will go on mass hunger strike programme throughout the country on May 20.

Zillur Rahman, Acting President of Awami League sent a written statement, as he was absent in the meeting because of his illness.

In the statement he said, the upcoming dialogue would not be fruitful without Sheikh Hasina. Release of her is the one and only way to resolve the prevailing crisis of the country.

He also asked the party activists to be united to go for a tougher movement.

Presidium member Amir Hossain Amu said AL would decide about their joining the dialogue after implementation of its six-point demand.

"Sheikh Hasina's unconditional release is our prime demand and after freeing her, we will take the decision." He added.

Presidium member Tofail Ahmed observed that without Hasina's presence, dialogue and election would be meaningless and warned that any move for holding election without Hasina would be resisted.

Presidium member Suranjit Sengupta criticized the Chief Advisor for his remarks about a national charter and said it would not be possible under Bangladesh Constitution. "Talking about national charter sidetracking the Constitution is violation of the Constitution," he said.

Abdur Razzak, Presidium Member of Awami League said, the fundamentalists group created anarchy in the excuse of religion. But no case was filed in this connection. This proved that the Government is patronising the ill-motivated group.

Matia Chowdhury, Presidium Member of Awami League, said the caretaker government has failed to rule the country successfully, as the crises of food, electricity, and gas are intensifying day by day.

The Government has also failed to ensure the security of national assets, as the artefacts were stolen from the airport. But no accused has yet been punished till now, She added.

Syed Ashraful Islam, Acting General Secretary of Awami League alleged that the Government never provided proper treatment for Sheikh Hasina. She got admitted to the Square Hospital several times but did not receive proper treatment. It is the violation of human rights.

He said the party would take a historical decision from its extended meeting to be held on May 26.

Party leaders Mukul Bose, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Abdul Mannan, Abdur Rahman, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Yafes Osman, MA Aziz and Advocate Qumrul Islam also spoke while Syed Sajeda Chowdhury, presidium member of Awami League presided over the meeting in.

Drug resistant TB patients on rise

The number of diarrhoeal patients is increasing at
ICDDR'B hospital in the city due to hot spell and crisis of
pure drinking water. This photograph was taken on Sunday.
FocusBangla

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

The number of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis patients is increasing day-by-day in the country.

More than 200 people were diagnosed with Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB), the extreme stage of the disease, at the Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (IDCH) at Mohakhali in the capital in the last couple of months.

They were diagnosed with MDR-TB since end of last year after the installation of National Tuberculosis Referral Laboratory at the Institute.

The laboratory was established with the technical assistance from the University of Antwerp in Belgium in June last year.

Eighty-eight patients with MDR-TB were detected in 2006 under the Government's National Tuberculosis Control Programme by getting the samples tested in Belgium.

Asif Mujtaba Iqbal, Associate Professor of the IDCH, said, "TB is slowly developing bacterial infection caused by 'mycobacterium bacilli.' TB commonly affects the lungs but can also affect any part of the body. It could spread through cough, sneeze or breath of infected persons. 'People can be infected with the disease through prolonged contact," said Asif Iqbal.

The number of MDR cases would be much higher and it was increasing gradually despite the Government's 92 per cent success in TB treatment and the 72 per cent detection rate in 2007, said the National Consultant of the TB Control Management of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

After the detection, MDR-TB patients would be given treatment under Directly Observed Treatment Short Course Plus programme. MDR happens when a TB patient does not complete the six-month DOTS treatment, said a health expert.

Dr Iqbal Kabir of the WHO said, "Tuberculosis is an illness that usually affects the respiratory system. It is spread by coughing and sneezing."

"TB patients were 60 times more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS than others," he said, adding that the campaign was badly needed to make the people aware of the deadly disease.

"TB is curable and its treatment is free. The disease is not transmitted through things used by the patients," said Dr Iqbal.

A recent report of the WHO said the Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, known as MDR-TB, had reached its highest level worldwide. A total of 45 countries had recorded cases of the most extensively drug-resistant form of the disease.

Quick diagnosis and proper treatment were best ways to stop the drug-resistant forms from developing, said medical experts.

AL invited to dialogue without any date

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League today received invitation latter from the Chief Advisor's office asking for sending in five to seven names of party representatives within seven days for participating in the national political dialogue.

But the invitation letters makes no mention of specific date and place for the talks, party sources said.

The Chief Advisor of the caretaker government in his address to the nation has announced that the dialogue with the political parties for framing modalities of transition from the interim period will start on May 22, and the venue is the CA's office.

Acting AL general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam received the invitation at about 11am at his NAM flat.

Earlier, the party decided that they would sit in the dialogue with the government along with party chief Sheikh

Hasina, now in jail, but it didn't make it clear whether it will join in the dialogue if she is not released.

"Awami League working committee, the policymaking body of the party, would take decision in this regard," one source informed.

10 fake students identified at DU: 4 officials face action

DU Correspondent

The fact finding committee of Dhaka University, formed to identify fake admissions at the university, identified 10 more fake students and held four officials responsible for providing false admission.

Headed by Pro VC Prof AFM Yusuf Haider the committee preliminarily identified four officials of the Registrar Building involved in giving fake admission in exchange of hefty amount of money.

The four officials are Kazi Zahirul Islam, Aminul Islam and Shahidullah of Accounts Section of the Registrar's Office, and Anwarullah staff of the Management Department of the university. Among the 10 fake admissions, the fact-finding committee identified two in the Geography Department, three in International Relation, three in Public Administration, one each in Economics Department and the Institute of Education and Research.

Earlier, the admission of 216 students of different departments of the university was cancelled, as their entry into the departments was found illegal.

Prof Haider said the Syndicate would take the final decision on the fate of the accused officials and the students at its next meeting scheduled for May 26. He added that they would recommend the Syndicate to take punitive measures against the culprits, so that no officials of the university could dare do such unlawful activities in future.

Sources said the committee was able to identify the gang on the basis of an allegation made by a student, whose admission was earlier cancelled for submitting false certificate.