The New Nation - Internet Edition

Judiciary's image must be upheld : Outgoing CJ

Outgoing Chief Justice Md Ruhul Amin unveiling the
cover of the 'Annual Report on the Judicary' as the chief
guest at a function at Hotel Sonargaon in the city on
Saturday. Law Adviser AF Hasan Ariff and ADB Country
Director Hua Du were present as speci

UNB, Dhaka

Outgoing Chief Justice M Ruhul Amin yesterday called upon all quarters to uphold the image of the judiciary as it is the last resort to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people.

"In the interest of the nation, the image of the judiciary must be kept high at any cost," Justice Amin whose tenure as Chief Justice ended yesterday said while launching the Supreme Court annual report on the judiciary, 2007 at Hotel Sonargaon.

Referring to a book authored by an Indian noted jurist VG Ramachandran, Justice Amin said, "A nation may afford to lose its confidence in its King or even in its Parliament, but it would be suicidal if it loses its confidence in the judiciary."

He said that during his judicial career over 16 years he made his all out efforts in protecting the dignity and image of the judiciary.

About the implementation of the separation of the judiciary from the executive fetters, Justice Amin said, "it has been possible because of the sincerity of the interim government."

Law Adviser AF Hassan Ariff and ADB country director Hua Du also spoke on the occasion.

The Law Advisor said the nation is now passing through a critical juncture of the nation. The independence of the judiciary is vitally important for a self-respected nation. He said the judiciary has been separated from the executive control for establishing the rule of law.

Among others, former Chief Justices ATM Afzal, Latifur Rahman and KM Hasan were present.

Call to declare Wari-Bateshwar as 'protected area’

Wari-Bateshwar

Staff Reporter

Eminent educationist Dr Zillur Rahman Siddiqui urged the Government to declare Wari-Bateshwar a 'Protected Area.'

Discovery of artefacts from this area has created a huge interest among the people and the Government should give priority to the Wari-Bateshwar," he said.

He was addressing as chief guest at the concluding ceremony of the eighth phase of excavation at Wari-Bateshwar, a 2,500 years old civilisation, at Belabo upazila in Narsingdi on Friday.

Trustee of Oitijja Anneshwan and Chairman of Daffodil Group Md Sabur Khan chaired the function.

Exhibition of the newly discovered archaeological relics from Wari-Bateshwar, photography exhibition and baul songs were an added attraction of the ceremony.

Dr Zillur Rahman said, "Many antiques found at Wari-Bateshwar were not from Bangladesh. Those were brought from abroad. This proved that Wari-Bateshwar was once an important commercial centre of international repute, he noted.

AKM Zakaria, archaeologist and former secretary, said this area was known to him from 1939. During that time he heard that many valuable stones including pearls were found there, which were not available in other areas.

Nasiruddin, a high official of Prime Bank, said they feel proud to become a part of the excavation works at Wari-Bateshwar. "We will continue our cooperation in future," he assured.

Dr Sufi Mostafizur Rahman, Professor of Jahangirnagar University and Team Leader of the excavation team, believes that Wari-Bateshwar is a rich, well planned and ancient emporium (a commercial city). Ptolemy Greek geographer, astronomer and mathematician, in his book 'Geographia' referred to Wari-Bateshwar as 'Sounagora'. The artefacts found at Wari-Bateshwar bear similarity with those found in the other emporia sites.

Wari-Bateshwar is the site of an ancient fort city dating back to 450 BC. This 2500-year old site is a significant archaeological discovery. It challenges the earlier notions about the existence of early urban civilisation in Bangladesh.

The site is about 75km from Dhaka situated near the Wari and Bateshwar villages in the Belabo Upazila of Narsingdi District. A local schoolteacher, Hanif Pathan, discovered it in the early 1930s. However, formal excavation started only recently in 2000. The current scientific study is being carried out by a team from the Archaeology Department of Jahangirnagar University led by Professor Sufi Mostafizur Rahman.

According to researchers, the discovery of Rouletted Ware, Knobbed Ware, stone beads, sandwiched glass beads, gold-foil glass beads, Indo-Pacific monochrome glass beads and importantly its geographical location indicates to Southeast Asiatic and Roman contacts.

Excavation also unearthed the presence of pit dwelling. The discovery of a pit dwelling is the first of its kind in Bangladesh. People used to live in these small ditches. The pit dwelling is a Copper Age or Chalcolithic artefact. Similar pit-dwellings have been found in India and Pakistan, which are believed to be 4000 years old. The unearthing of a 180-meter long, six-meter wide and 21-35cm thick road with a by-lane points to very early urbanisation in this area. Before the discovery of this, the widely held view was that urbanisation occurred later than what Wari-Bateshwar ruins indicate.

Move to curb illegal immigration: Malaysia to introduce new visa rules for Bangladeshis, Indians

Staff Reporter

Malaysia is going to introduce new visa rules for Indian and Bangladeshi tourists in an effort to curb illegal immigration.

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar has been quoted in Malaysia's New Straits Times as saying that visitors from the two nations will have to hold a return ticket, and obtain a two-week visa before entry.

The new regulations replace visas-on-arrival scheme scrapped in April.

Local media reports have said most overstayers are Indians who remain in Malaysia to work in restaurants and on plantations.

Immigration officials claim the visa on arrival facility, introduced in 2006 to boost tourist arrivals, has led to many Indians and Bangladeshis overstaying to find work in plantations and restaurants.

Malaysia is home to around 3 million foreign workers, 1 million of whom are working illegally.

Meanwhile, Malaysia has decided to restrict sales of petrol and diesel to foreign motorists to prevent abuse of fuel subsidies.

No breakthrough in BNP merger move

Rafiqul Islam Azad

Leaders of pro-reformist faction of the BNP are still pursuing to return to the mainstream of the party but yet to get any nod from pro-Khaleda faction leader Khandoker Delwar Hossain who remains stick on his earlier position not to welcome them.

As part of the move, acting secretary general of the faction Maj (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed yesterday sought cooperation from the members of the party standing committee to help reunify the party.

He alleged that the reunification of the party could not be possible by May 30 due to non-cooperation of what he said the other faction of the party.

After hectic meetings among the leaders of both the factions early this month there was a move to reunify the party through a formal announcement by May 30, the martyrdom day of party's founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, but it could not be held due to unwillingness of Secretary General of pro-Khaleda faction of the party Khandoker Delwar Hossain.

Khandoker Delwar does not pay heed to accommodate the reformist leaders and activists with the mainstream from the very beginning of the reunification move taken by outspoken BNP leader Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah.

Secretary General of the pro-Khaleda faction of BNP earlier said that the reformists' leaders could return to the mainstream of the party confessing their mistakes.

He also ruled out any possibility of giving a formal declaration in this regard, which created impediment to the reunifying process.

Changing his previous stance, Khondoker Delwar yesterday pointing his finger to the reformist leaders, called upon party leaders and activists to strengthen the party removing disturbing elements, if there are inside the party.

On the other hand, Maj Hafiz said he still wants reunifying of the party saying that there is no alternative to the unity in the party.

Addressing a meeting to mark the 27th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, he cautioned that the party would have to face severe consequence in the ensuing elections if there is no unity in the party.

He held Khandoker Delwar Hossain responsible for not unification of the party saying that leaders and activists of the party are waiting for the unity.

The BNP leader regretted that they were waiting to get a call from other faction of the party to go to the mazar of Ziaur Rahman but in vain.

He argued that they proposed for taking reform in the party to bring discipline and practicing more democracy in the party and eliminate the politics of flattering.

The BNP faces split following the arrest of party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia last year as some pro-reformist leaders announced a new group led by former finance minister M Saifur Rahman.

But the reformist group became frustrated after the statement of Saifur Rahman that he is no longer chairman of the BNP; rather Begum Zia is the chairperson of the party.

Meanwhile, Khondoker Delwar addressing a discussion meeting to mark the martyrdom day of Ziaur Rahman, called upon the government to hold election immediately giving equal opportunity to two detained former premiers-Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina and all parties.

About dialogue and election, he said BNP too wants the ongoing dialogue and election to be successful, but only after release of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina.

He also called upon the partymen to strengthen the party by being with the true leaders who would not deviate from principles.

Workshop on climate begins today at JU

JU Correspondent

A two-day national workshop on "Climate Change: Adaptation and Mitigation Initiatives" begins today at Jahangirnagar University Central Auditorium. Bangladesh National Geographical Association (BNGA) and Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK) jointly organised the workshop with a view to creating awareness among the people. Former Chief Adviser of the Caretaker Government Justice Habibur Rahman is expected to inaugurate the seminar at 10:00am today.

There would be six different sessions on different issues. People of different NGOs and grassroots level and ecological areas are expected to participate in the workshop, which concludes on Monday.

Father of Ziad files murder case against 6 DU students

Staff Reporter

The father of slain Ehtesham-Al-Ziad, alleged a group of terrorists lynched his son in a planned way. He filed a murder case against seven Chhatra Dal activists and 30 other students of Dhaka University.

Mosarraf Hossain filed the murder case with Shahabag Police Station against Himal, Rassel, Masum, Sajjad, Rana, Sajadul, leaders of the student front of the BNP, and Hall security guard Kamrul and unnamed 30 other students of the university in this connection.

Mosarraf said Ziad went missing from his Purana Paltan residence Thursday night.

A group of students of SM Hall beat up Ehtesham-Al-Ziad, a second-year MBBS student of Dhanmondi branch of Bangladesh Medical College (BMC), on the Hall premises Friday morning accusing him of stealing a mobile phone.

On information, Shahbagh police rescued Ziad from the Hall compound in a critical condition and admitted him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Later, he was shifted to Bangladesh Medical College where he succumbed to his injuries at around 5:00pm.

Hasina, Khaleda issue under govt's consideration, says Hossain Zillur

UNB, Dhaka

Education Advisor Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman yesterday said issues raised by political parties, including the matters of detained ex-Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, are now under full consideration of the government amid many initiatives.

"Many initiatives and efforts are on. These issues are being considered with importance," he told reporters after attending the launching ceremony of 'Halkhata', an annual publication of a government project on quality education.

In his changed stance, Dr Zillur, on behalf of the Advisors, urged the major political parties to join the ongoing dialogue. He said since all are looking for a solution of the problems, the initiatives would end up with success.

The Advisor, who acts as government spokesman in the ongoing dialogue with political parties on the modalities of transition from the interim period, said discussions with main political parties that represent vast majority people of the country are important to reach consensus on national issues.

He forewarned that time is running out and for that all will have to make the best use of the time to work out a solution.

"We are trying to reach consensus at national level and participation of major political parties in dialogue is very important," the Advisor said.

On Thursday, Dr Zillur told reporters that it should not be taken into account who joins the dialogue or who does not. He also blurted out that concept of major players is dangerous for democracy.

His remarks triggered sharp reaction among major political parties, including Awami League and BNP.

Correcting his position the Advisor said his expression or body language perhaps could not reflect what he actually meant to say while replying to questions from journalists.

Arsenic problem in Bangladesh acute due to upstream dam

Staff Reporter

International expert on Arsenic, Water and Environment Meer Husain said the Arsenic problem in Bangladesh has become acute due to man-made dams in the Trans-border Rivers like the Farakka and Tista Barrages that impede the natural river flow.

Husain, who is also a Geologist in a US college, said the natural river flows have to be resumed by removing the river-dams to solve the arsenic problem, he said.

He stressed on the coordination with India to solve the problem.

Meer Husain was addressing a seminar styled "World's largest Man-Made Arsenic Disaster in Bangladesh and Sustainable Solution to the Problem" organised by the Geology Department of Dhaka University (DU) at its auditorium.

DU Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr AFM Yusuf Haider also addressed the seminar, which was presided over by Chairman of the Department Prof Dr Kamrul Hasan.

The Pro-VC urged the scientists to work more for a sustainable solution of arsenic problem, as the problem has become alarming in Bangladesh.

He said Bangladesh is a disaster-hit country. Natural disasters and man-made disasters hit the country frequently. Arsenic is one of the man-made disasters, he added.

He further said most of the country's crops and industrial production depend on the underground water, but approximately 10 million tube-wells are affected by arsenic across the country.

He also said more than 30 million people of the country are drinking the arsenic contaminated water.

He urged the scientists to conduct researches to develop the solution of arsenic problem with a view to save the people from the curse of arsenic.

Climate change poses new challenge to humanity: Dhaka proposes 5-pt strategy to combat it

UNB, Singapore

As climate change posed a new challenge to humanity, Dhaka proposed a five-point strategy to address looming security concerns from such non-traditional factors in the Asia-Pacific region.

"Non-traditional security concerns such as those incurred by poverty, disease, climate change and food scarcity are often overlooked and need to be stressed more," Foreign Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said while proposing the strategy at a meet here yesterday.

The two-day conference on security and environment is being attended by Foreign and Defense Ministers of the region as well as of the UK and the USA.

The Foreign Adviser elaborated on the five imperatives: a balanced approach to climate-change debate emphasizing both mitigation and adaptation aspects; 'depoliticizing' the climate-change discussions and rewarding those who pollute less or not at all; the setting up of a 'technology transfer board' in any Post-Kyoto Agreement to facilitate eco-friendly policies by least developed countries; strong leadership by the UN, including the creation of the post of High Representative for Climate Change; and the establishment of an International Food Fund with 'special drawing rights' for poor countries.

He attended a luncheon given in honour of the participating Ministers by Singaporean Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean Saturday.

Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury visited the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs Friday and called on Foreign Minister George Yeo.

He also made a formal call on Singapore Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean. He is scheduled to meet British Defense Minister Des Browne and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollogama on Sunday.