The New Nation - Internet Edition

Enlist participation of all in dialogue: WP: Balance of power main agenda: Bikalpa Dhara

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed holding the
dialogue with the Workers Party leaders at his office on
Thursday. PID photo

Staff Reporter

The much-talked about national dialogue with the Government and political parties kicked off yesterday, with Workers Party asking the administration to take immediate step to ensure the participation of all parties, including detained Awami League President Sheikh Hasina in the formal talks, while the Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) demanded for setting up a Constitution Commission to update the Constitution shortening the tenure of the government to four years, create a balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister as well as ensuring representation of the civil society and minority community in Parliament.

The Workers Party (WP), which was the first political party to join the dialogue in the morning, also demanded immediate total withdrawal of the state of emergency, holding Parliamentary election before all other polls and release of Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil, while the BDB asked the Government to build a minimum 30 lakh tones of food reserve and sufficient fuel stock to ensure food and fuel security.

The BDB also suggested the Government to hold a referendum to validate the tenure of the present Caretaker Government and increasing the number of reserve women seats in Parliament, enhancing the volume subsidy for the farmers and income of the people, particularly the salary of the fixed income groups. However, the BDB would say anything about the two detained Prime Ministers and state of emergency but insisted on holding the elections as per the roadmap.

The WP opposed the official moves for mapping out a National Charter through the dialogue, the banning of hartal and blockade as political weapon, demanded immediate withdrawal of restriction on trade union activities, setting up of special tribunal to try war criminals and suspension of the delimitation process of parliamentary constituencies by the Election Commission and implementation of women's development policy.

The Government side cleared, during the dialogue sessions, its stand about the proposed National Charter, saying that it is not the matter of preparing any constitutional structure nor any kind of political legal document rather a process of building political consensus among the political parties where the government's role will be as facilitator.

Two equal seven-member delegations of the WP led by its President Rashed Khan Menon and BDB led by its Chief former President Prof Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury took part in the dialogue separately with a six-member Government delegation led by Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed at his office at 10:00am and 4:00pm respectively.

After the separate two hours-long meetings between the Government and the WP and the BDB, WP President Rashed Khan Menon, BDB Secretary General Maj (retd) MA Mannan and Education and Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman on their respective disclose the contents and outcomes of their discussion to journalists through two separate joint press briefings at the Chief Advisers office (CAO) at noon and in the evening.

LGRD Adviser M Anwarul Iqbal, Communications Adviser Maj Gen (Rtd) Ghulam Kader and Law Adviser AF HassanAriff were in the Government team, and WP General Secretary Bimal Biswas, its leaders Haider Akbar Khan Rono, Fazle Hossain Badsha, Anisur Rahman Mallick, Hazera Sultana and Quamrul Ahsan and BDB Presidium member Mahi B Chowdhury.

The WP and the BDB placed two separate packages of charter of demands to the Government during the dialogue on the first day, yesterday. Both the parties had over two hours parleys with the Caretaker Government.

Briefing journalists, WP President Rashed Khan Menon said the government assured them that it would take all required steps to ensure the participation of all political parties in the dialogue.

"We have also demanded withdrawal of ban on trade union and direct and indirect control and interference on all kinds of professions, including media," he said.

Menon however, said that the government explained that it is not the matter of preparing any constitutional structure nor any kind of legal document, rather it is a process of building political consensus among the political parties where the government would play its role as facilitator.

The WP also took a stand against any move of the caretaker government to bring any change in the system of government and devolution of power among the highest constitutional posts without parliament, he said.

The WPB chief said his party recommended formation of a tribunal for the trial of war criminals, participation of representatives from different professionals and indigenous community in the formal dialogue to ensure their participation in mainstream politics.

Asking the Government to hold a national referendum, the BDB said, "If the government in office gets less than 50 percent vote in the referendum, it will have to hand over power to a caretaker government."

The BDB said in its dialogue with the caretaker government aimed at working out modalities of transition into democratic dispensation through election.

The party of former President Professor AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, who had to make an unceremonious exit from the presidency, also proposed balancing power between the President and the Prime Minister on the basis of consensus among the political parties.

After the dialogue from 4pm to 6pm, speaking first at a joint press briefing in the press-briefing room ofthe CA's office, BDB secretary general Maj (retd) Abdul Mannan said they also demanded ensuring the holding of the next general election in a peaceful and

secure environment so that the parties can campaign peacefully as well voters feel secure in casting their vote.

For peaceful and secure election it needs flawless voter list, he added.

They also sought guarantee so that no planned vote rigging takes place once again, which happened in the past. They also demanded that no 'robbery' in announcement of election results take place.

Adviser for Commerce and Education Hossain Zillur Rahman, one of the advisers attended the meeting, said open discussion was held on all issues and the WPB leaders focused their statements clearly.

He termed the dialogue very important in national life and hoped that there a successful outcome would come from it.

On the national charter, Zillur said the government has cleared that the proposed national charter is basically political consensus, no political legal document, where government can only play the facilitator.

"The government does not want to prepare a legal document for the political parties rather it means building a consensus and understanding among them over various issues," he said.

About the local-government elections, the Adviser said the government would not take such any effort that creates barrier to hold the general election in accordance with the roadmap.

The Adviser said though holding a free and fair election is the prime target of the government, it also want to ensure a qualitative change in politics of the country.

Regarding review of the Constitution, he said whether it could be reviewed or what could be other options for it were discussed openly.

Prof Taher murder case verdict: RU teacher among 4 to die

Rajshahi University teacher Mohiuddin Ahmed, three
others Salam, Nazmul and Jahangir being taken to jail from
the court after they were awarded death sentence in the Dr
Taher murder case on Thursday. Banglar Chokh

Rajshahi Correspondent

The speedy trial tribunal yesterday sentenced four persons including Dr. Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin, a teacher of the Rajshahi University, to death on charge of murdering Prof. Sheikh Taher Ahmed, a teacher of the same university.

The three other persons condemned to death are, Jahangir, caretaker of the quarter of Prof.Taher, Salam, Jahangir's brother and relative Nazmul.

All the four convicted persons were in the dock when judge ATM Mezbah Doula pronounced the judgement in a crowded courtroom.

The tribunal delivered the judgement after hearing deposition of 49 witnesses.

The judge acquitted Mahbubul Alam Salehi,former president of the RU unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir and Azimuddin Munshi, father of convicted Jahangir of murder charges.

According to prosecution, Prof. Sheikh Taher Ahmed (59), a senior professor of Geology and Mining Department of the university, was kidnapped and killed on February 1, 2006,the day he returned to Rajshahi from Dhaka. His body was dumped into a septic tank behind his RU campus residence. Later the police recovered the body on February 3.

Taher's son filed a murder case with the police on February 3. On March 19,2007, the police submitted charge sheet accusing six persons including Dr.Mohiuddin and Salehi.

Salehi surrendered to the court in April, 2007. Later Prof. Mohiuddin and Salehi were freed on bail from the High Court.

The prosecution said dr. Mohiuddin orchestrated the murder plot in apprehension of damage to his career by Prof. Taher who detected 'plagiarism' and ' piracy' in 10 out of total 11 research papers submitted by him with his promotion petition.

" Mohiuddin then hired Salehi for murdering Taher promising him (Salehi) good results in Masters, Mphil and PhD and also appointment as teacher of the university", according to charge.

Condemned Mohiuddin is a bother-in- law of former Post and Telecommunication Minister Barrister Aminul Haque who is now absconding.

Additional police forces were deployed around the court since morning yesterday as a precautionary measure.

After the judgement, Jammat-Shibir activists led by Rjashahi city Jamaat President Atsaur Rahman brought a silent procession at the court premises.. They were found very jubilant and joyous.

Salehi was showing victory mark raising his hands.

Prof.Mohiuddin, however, looked pale and gloomy from the beginning and he broke down in tears after the judgement.

Ctg rail station torched over death of a student

Chittagong University students went on a rampage
following the death of a fellow student in a train accident
near Sholoshahar railway station in the city yesterday Focus
Bangla

Chittagong Correspondent

Outburst of collective anger over accidental death of a student of Chittagong University led to torching and total destruction of Sholoshahar railway station here on Thursday morning.

Mahmudul Hasan Mamun (26), a third year student of Accounting and Information Systems, allegedly went under the wheels of the shuttle train and was killed instantly following an unsuccessful bid to land on the roof top of the moving train from the station's overpass.

The frenzied students did not only torch the station's railway traffic control, record rooms and ticketing booth but also prevented firefighters to get into the blazing station and save the valuables there. Two coaches of the university shuttle train were also set on fire during the melee that lasted more than six hours commencing at 10:00 in the morning.

Dozens of shops and commercial establishments in and around the railway station and running vehicles also went under vandalism and looting by the angry students and opportunist elements.

Several people including three news man came under physical assault and stripping in public during the chase and counter chase took place between the security people and the troublemakers.

Vehicular traffic via Muradpur - Sholoshahar was suspended until 4:00 p.m. from 10:00 a.m. as police blocked the road and diverted traffic to alternative routes. It puts entire city into total traffic gridlock for hours together.

Railway officials though claimed major damage at the station, could not specify the extent of the damage before detail investigation on the incident. No official statement from the railway was also issued.

Military squad rushed to the trouble spot but refrained from going on action while the elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the police intervened into the incident and defused the frenzy by bringing the demonstrators to negotiation table.

Armed police and detectives have been deployed in the area to tackle possible recurrence of the trouble.

The incident erupted at about 9:45 in the morning when Mamun fell on the railroad through the narrow passage in between two railway coaches and sliced into pieces.

Eye-accounts said that he had been trying to land on the rooftop of the shuttle train from the overpass of Sholoshahar railway station at that time.

"We didn't hear anything other than a loud scream since he slipped down into the passage between two railway coaches," Faruq Reza, who saw the accident from close range, told reporters.

The train was stopped after dragging Mamun's body for not less than 30 meters from the station platform.

As soon as the news of the heart-breaking accident came at the notice of the on board students, a section of the victim's classmates and friends rushed to the sliced body and started wailing while the others went on rampage.

The frenzied students first attacked the station's traffic control room and put the log-keepers room and ticketing booth on fire. The on duty railway men and the loco-master fled the scene sensing fury of hundreds of students.

Some of the crazy students backed by vested elements at this stage came out of the station and prevented the firefighters and the press photographers from entering the station area.

Armed by lethal weapons and batons the troublemakers manhandled three press photographers on charge of clicking shots of vandalism and arson. Looting of cell-phones, wallet and personal valuables also took place unabated at that time.

At a stage of the violence, the attackers damaged several running vehicles, and the wayside offices of different commercial firms. They also attempted to move to Chittagong Shopping Complex. None could enter the complex as the shutters of the market were immediately pulled down.

The sliced body had been on the railroad under no care until 2:00 p.m. Though Proctor of the university Dr. Jashimuddin tried to take the body away for autopsy, some of the students claiming them the workers of the Awami League backed Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) stopped him from doing this.

Later, Vice-Chancellor of the university Professor M Badiul Alam accompanied by a number of syndicate members and senior teachers came at the spot under special security escort.

They seat together with the representatives of the demonstrators - Badrul Alam Bidyut -in presence of victim's family members and Chief Operation Officer of the RAB-7 Shamsuddin.

A seven-point charter of demands has been placed before the university authority. A compensation package of Taka three million, immediate resigning of the VC and proctor, frequency of train's shuttling between campus and the city and arrest and trial of the culprits were among the demands.

The VC pledged to give compensation worth Taka 300 thousand to the victim's family apart from improving the shuttle service in the soonest possible time.

Panchalaish police recorded a rioting case in connection with the incident. None was, however, taken into custody till the time of dispatching this report.

4-party meets: Release of Khaleda, Nizami demanded

BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain
presiding over the 4-party meeting at his NAM flat residence
at Manik Mia Avenue in the city on Thursday. Focus
Bangla

Staff Reporter

Leaders of Four-Party Alliance, in its first meeting after the 1/11 changeover, yesterday placed 14-point demands including the release of the detained BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Jamaat Ameer Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami.

The meeting was held at the NAM Flat residence of BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city.

Demanding the release of two top leaders of the alliance before conclusion of the dialogue, the Four-party leaders said the dialogue would not be meaningful without their participation.

The Government will be held responsible if the dialogue is failed, they warned.

The four-party, however, is yet to decide whether they would take part in the ongoing dialogue between the Government and political parties.

The leaders agreed in principle to launch movement to press home demand for the release of their two leaders but many of them preferred to take more time.

During the hour-long meeting, after about one and half years, the leaders discussed and reviewed the latest political situation in the country.

Khondoker Delwar Hossain, who presided over the meeting, told reporters that they discussed the position of four-party alliance and its future plan of action.

Asked whether the alliance would take part in the dialogue, he said, "We said our party chairperson should be released to make the dialogue meaningful.

"We will take decision in this regard, after holding discussion with alliance partners," he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed said, "We will determine our next course of action later."

He said Jamaat was willing to hold meeting of the alliance but it was not possible due to the situation.

The other demands of the alliance include release of M Shamsul Islam, MK Anwar and Motiur Rahman Nizami and others from GATCO case, holding general election before any election, cancelling delimitation of constituencies carried out by the Election Commission, withdrawal of state of emergency, introducing rationing system to face near famine situation, ensuring agricultural imputes to control the price hike, creating job opportunity by commissioning closed mills and factories.

The meeting was also attended, among others, by BNP standing committee member Dr RA Gani, Abdul Kader Mollah, Abdul Latif Nezami, Mufti Wakkas, Barrister Andalib Rahman Partha, Shamim Al Mamun, Maulana Ishaq and Ahmed Abdul Quader.

DG Health reports: Child infected with bird flu

Staff Reporter

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) yesterday said that a child was infected with H5N1, a deadly strain of the bird flu virus, in January but recovered after 14 days of treatment.

The DGHS and the ICDDR, B have confirmed that the child is doing well.

The child was not named in the statement and was diagnosed with having the deadly virus by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

An advisory committee on avian influenza discussed overall management of bird flu.

Experts at the meeting said the situation was "fully under control".

"There is nothing to panic," the statement said.

Meanwhile, in the recent days the Government culled hundreds of thousands of birds after the detection of avian influenza last year.

Power plant scam involving Hasina: PW cross-examined

UNB, Dhaka

The criminal offence actually began when the Power Development Board invited the international tender to set up three barge-mounted power plants in the private sector, a prosecution witnesses to the barge-mounted power plant graft case told a trial court here yesterday.

Prosecution witnesses (No. 1) MM Sabbir Hosaain, who is also an ACC official and complainant of the case, said the criminal offence began on October 24, 1996, when the PDB floated the international tender (Request for proposal).

Sabbir said this during cross-examination by the defence counsel for principal accused detained ex-premier Sheikh Hasina at the court of Judge M Feroz Alam.

The hearing remained inconclusive as the formal trial of the case began on Wednesday. It will resume on May 25.

On October 14, 1996, the Hasina-government approved the private sector power-generation policy to meet the growing demand for electricity in the country.

During the cross-examination, Sabbir admitted that no one did submit any allegation before he started inquiry into the case.

He said, "It's not true that the first information report (FIR) had been prepared in a planned way well before he got sanction for inquiry into the case."

Sabbir said when he started the inquiry into the matter after getting sanction by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the commission had no chairman sans two commissioners.

Asked whether he started inquiry into the case at the behest of a clique from an upper quarter outside the Anti-Corruption Commission, Sabbir said, "It's not a fact."

He further said, "It's not a fact that I was goaded to start inquiry into the matter, file the case and take steps to punish former PM Hasina in exchange of reward."

He admitted that during the inquiry he did not serve any written notice to Sheikh Hasina asking for her opinion about the allegation of graft brought against her.

The complainant denied admitting the FIR as a delayed FIR. He, however, said he did not mention anything in the FIR about the inordinate delay for a decade-old alleged offence. He filed the FIR with the police station on September 2, 2007.

Advocate Syed Rezaur Rahman cross-examined ACC deputy director Sabbir who was absorbed in the newly reconstituted ACC from the now-defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption.

The special court set up at the high-security parliament complex resumed today at 10:10 am after detained Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and co-accused ex-Energy and Power secretary Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury were produced in the court.

Aga Khan keen to buy Rupali Bank: Adviser

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Ismaili Muslims leader Prince Karim Aga Khan has shown interest to buy state-owned Rupali Bank, finance adviser AB Mirza Azizul Islam said yesterday.

"The Aga Khan wants to invest in the banking sector and was particularly interested in buying Rupali Bank," Mirza Aziz told bdnews24.com by phone. The adviser said the Aga Khan had expressed his interest in a Tuesday meeting with him.

"We talked about the economic situation and investment atmosphere in Bangladesh. I briefed him on the current state of Rupali Bank when he showed interest to buy it."

On the process of selling Rupali Bank, the adviser said:

"Fresh bids will be invited. The Privatization Commission will take necessary steps."

A final decision will be taken on the matter in talks with the top brass of the government, the adviser said.

The Aga Khan arrived in Bangladesh Monday on a four-day state visit, meant to mark the golden jubilee of his takeover as head of the Ismaili Muslims.

He is the chairman of Aga Khan Development Network. The company took up a $40 crore project for Afghanistan.

The government decided in principle to turn Rupali Bank into a public limited company after a plan to sell it to Saudi Prince Bandar Bin Mohammad Bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud fell apart.

Since the government decided to privatise the bank in 2003, opening new branches, loan disbursement and recruitment have remained off.

The government in March scrapped the deal with the Saudi prince on the Rupali Bank as he had dithered over the takeover process for one and half years.

The Privatization Commission at that time blamed the Saudi Prince for breaching a primary agreement by not signing the sales and purchase agreement.

ACC approves chargesheet against Jalil

Staff Reporter

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to submit charge sheet against 15 people including, Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil for amassing illegal wealth, hiding information about it and illegal money transaction. Jalil is now under treatment in Singapore. He was freed on parole.

ACC Director General (Admin) Col Hanif Iqbal told the Commission's regular briefing yesterday that the anti-graft watchdog has approved the submission of the charge sheet.

Jalil will be charge-sheeted for acquiring wealth worth Tk 35.08 lakh beyond his known source of income and concealing information about assets worth Tk 36.04 lakh.

The AL leader will also be charged with illegal money transfer and hiding information about money amounting to Tk 5 crore.

The charge sheet in the case was filed with Ramna Police Station on December 18, 2007.

The Commission has also approved the submission of charge sheets in the cases against former BNP MP Major (retd) Manjur Quader and 11 others, AL religious affairs secretary Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, typist and personal officer of Land Ministry Kutubuddin Ahmed and former RHD administrative officer and CBA leader Abul Kalam Shamsuddin, Hanif added.

HC surprised as CA declared poll timing: EC censured for not holding election within 90-day timeframe

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court yesterday opined that the Election Commission violated the constitution by not holding the general election within 90 days of dissolution of parliament, opening a new front in the ongoing legal battles over the stalled polls.

Disposing of a writ petition, a division bench comprising Justices Mohammad Abdur Rashid and M Ashfaqul Islam viewed that since the 90-day timeframe is mandatory to hold the election, the Election Commission has no discretion to extend the specified time.In its comprehensive observations on the politico-electoral scenario the court said, "The responsibility of the EC is to hold election so that the caretaker government can hand over power to the new Prime Minister."

The provisions of the constitution relating to holding election are mandatory unless there are other provisions in the law. "No such provision is there," the court noted.

It also said the provisions related to election are self-executory-there is no need for any other law in this regard.

The court noted with surprise that the Chief Adviser, not the EC, declared a tentative election schedule and left it to the EC to declare the exact date. "We could not find in the constitution which empowers the Chief Adviser to make such a statement," it said.

"It is seen that the EC itself is not independent," the court noted.

"Therefore, there is an apparent need to separate the EC secretariat from the office of the Chief Adviser."

About its rule issued earlier asking the EC to explain why its inability to hold general election within 90 days of the dissolution of parliament should not be declared "unlawful", the court did not say anything about it. The court, however, said the next parliament would look into the matter.

About the rigidity of the provisions of holding election within 90 days, the court affirmed that it should be seen rigidly and "thus the constitution has been violated".

Citing article 7 of the constitution of the republic, the court said the supremacy of the constitution is the will of the people. The responsibility of the EC was to hold the election so that the elected representatives could run the country.

In its views the court stated that the responsibility of the caretaker government was to assist the EC in this regard, "but, nothing has been done".

The constitution-framers stipulated the timeframe by exercising their wisdom, the court observed, adding that the provisions of the constitution were not followed and therefore they (EC) "violated the constitution".

"The development of democracy and establishment of the rule of law are being halted due to repeated violation of constitution," the court observed.

As such, the court said if the election takes place by December this year, it could be considered reasonable.

However, the HC judges noted the EC by swearing on affidavit had stated that due to preparation for voter's registration with ID cards and availability of transparent ballot boxes, it would be December before the holding of election.

The court had no choice but to accept the statement by the EC.

The court said, "It can't be conceived that the EC would not hold the election and thereby an unelected caretaker government continue to run the country."

On January 27, the High Court, following a writ petition by Barrister Masood R Sobhan, issued a twin-rule upon the EC to explain why its inability to hold general election within 90 days of the dissolution of parliament should not be declared "unlawful".

It had also asked the EC to show cause as to why it should not be directed to hold the stalled general election within a "reasonable period" of time henceforth.

Loan writing off case: Ershad acquitted from charge

Court Correspondent

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad and 5 others were yesterday acqitted in a graft case filed in connection with write off of interest on loan of Shilpa Bank Limited.

Other acquitted accuseds are: former Chairman of Shilpa Bank A K M Mosharraf Hossain, Managing Director of Three Star Poultry Farm Zahangir Kabir, his wife Nurunnahar Shelly, Director of the poultry farm Borhanuddin and Feroz Kabir.

Golam Mortuza Mozumder, Divisional Special Judge of Dhaka pronounced the verdict in his crowded court room. Nurunnahar and her husband were fugitives during the trial.

The accused allegedly managed write off of interest amounting to Taka 22 lakh on a loan sanctioned by Shilpa Bank Limited.

Deputy Inspector of the former Bureau of Anti-Corruption Golam Mortuza filed the case on April 24, 1991 and submitted the charge sheet against the accused on November 6 1991. Of the 12 winesstes the deposition of 8 were recorded during the trial.

Brief prosecution story says, on September 4, 1979 Zahangir Kabir, MD of the Poultry Farm, received a loan of Taka 20 lakh 39,327 from Shilpa Bank and in 1988 the loan stood at 54,86,801 with interest Wife of the MD Nurunnahar Shelley applied to then President Ershad for write off of the loan and interest. As recommended by him the chairman Shilpa Bank at that time wrote of Taka 35 lakh. In his order he mentioned, the President himself proposed the write off of the loan.

The Judge has observed, in the 144th meeting of the Board of the Bank such write off was granted in 42 cases but case was filed only against M/s Three Star Poultry Farm.

Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Golam Md Nurul Islam conducted the case on behalf of the prosecution while Advocate Shaikh Sirajul Islam moved the case on behalf of HM Ershad.

Former US envoy Patricia Butenis in the capital

Patricia Butenis

UNB, Dhaka

Former US Ambassador to Bangladesh Patricia Butenis arrived here on Thursday on a private visit, an official of the American Center said.

"She is on a private visit," the official said, without elaborating. Ambassador Patricia, now posted as Deputy Chief of Mission in Baghdad, came on a similar private visit to Dhaka in March this year.