The New Nation - Internet Edition

Joint Forces’ cleansing drive continues: 2,000 held so far

Law-enforcing personnel arrested 15 people yesterday
from Barisal town in what they termed drive to prevent
spiraling crime. Banglar Chokh

Mamunur Rashid

The Joint forces nabbed at least 2,000 people, including local political leaders, in their hunt for terrorists across the country for the second day till yesterday.

The arrests came hot on the heels of the threat of boycott of talks with the Caretaker Government on elections in December by Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Police officials confirmed the arrests, but denied they were political and did not say how many people were being held.The BNP and the Awami League said at least 250 of their members have been arrested since Friday.

Presidium member of Awami League Amir Hossain Amu said the arrests were "politically motivated."

"The Government has targeted our activists and district leaders throughout the country. They want to harass us to create an atmosphere of fear and panic," said BNP spokesman Rizvi Ahmed.

Both the parties say they will take part in talks to restore democracy only if their leaders were released.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police and intelligence agencies also arrested 369 people in the city in an anticrime crackdown.

Khan Sayeed Hassan, Commissioner of Barisal Metropolitan Police, said that four teams have been assigned in the city for round the clock operation to arrest criminals irrespective of their political affiliations or socio-economic influence.

BMP sources said it plans to arrest most of the 1,100 criminals wanted in different cases under Barisal Kotwali model police station.

In Rajshahi, eight suspected persons, including Chhatra League central vice-president Ahsanul Haque and Puthia thana Jubo League sports secretary Amirul Islam, were arrested by Joint Forces during the overnight drive.

The Joint Forces have arrested the Pattan Union Parishad chairman, a UP member and a passport office agent in Brahmanbaria Saturday night.

Sadar police chief Kamaluddin said the arrested had been sued under Emergency Power Rules.

In Chandpur the Joint Forces detained eight people on various charges, including land grabbing, extortion and carjacking.

At least 22 people, including two Jubo Dal leaders were arrested by Joint Forces on Saturday said, Magura Sadar police chief Sagir Hossain.

In Jhalakati, as part of the countrywide crackdown on suspects Joint Forces arrested four persons, including a UP chairman, in the district town Saturday night.

Sources said the Joint Forces raided the house of Keora Union Parishad chairman and local Awami League leader Moin Talukdar and arrested him at midnight.

They also raided the houses of JCD leaders Polash and Moshiur and BCL leader Peu and arrested them.

The arrested persons were handed over to Kotwali police station.

In Jhenidah, RAB members seized 7 bombs and a loaded pipe gun from a banana plantation in remote village of Shailkupa upazila, about 30km from the district town.

Police said RAB on secret information raided Hakimpur village in the afternoon and found the bombs and pipe gun hidden under the earth in the afternoon. None was arrested.

In Faridpur, 15 suspects, including leaders of various political parties and terrorists, were arrested during the overnight raids.

The arrested include district AL treasurer and Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee district president Mahbubur Rahman and his brother and Jubo League leader Liton Khan and two sons of labour leader Ismail Hossain Lavlu -- Sazzad Polin and Haider Lelin.

At least 30 suspected persons were arrested from nine upazilas of Bagerhat district since Saturday midnight. "Most of them are wanted in various cases," said Police Super AKM Shahidur Rahman.

In Comilla, Police recovered a rocket launcher, one gun and seven rounds of bullet from a house at Ghoshai Puskurani village in Sadar South Upazila early Sunday. Police said acting on secret information, they recovered the arms and ammunition from the rooftop of the house of Mostafa Member in abandoned condition at 3:30am.

In Narayanganj Bangladesh Hosiery Association president Badiuzzaman Bodu is among 34 persons arrested from different parts of the district early yesterday as nighttime clampdown on suspects in different districts continued.

Joint Force sources said they arrested Bodu and Monir Khan, uncle of "top-terror" Zakir Khan, from the association's community centre in

Salimullah Road in the town at 2:00am under the Special Powers Act.

The association was declaring its election results when the Joint Forces raided the center and made the arrests.

Badiuzzaman was arrested on charge of extortion and establishing supremacy over the area, while Monir Khan for assisting fugitive Zakir Khan. Of them, Badiuzzaman was sent to jail.

In Kishoreganj, some 59 persons, including two 'listed top terrors', were arrested by the Joint Forces from various places in the district during massive drives on Saturday night.

Joint forces also raided houses of a number of district leaders of Awami League and BNP and other listed terrorists on the night.

Sources said 'top terror' Abu Bakar, 33, accused in nine cases, was arrested from Kotiadi while Arafat alias Baro Miah, 25, from Bhairab

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, law enforcers arrested 548 in 24 hours.

The statement said: "Attacks on law-enforcement agencies, seizure of firearms from police personnel, violence in the garment industry, killings and extremist and other criminal activities spread in the country."

"Police launched a countrywide special drive on May 28 with directions to arrest criminals, seize illegal firearms in an effort to improve law and order and defuse panic among people," the statement added.

Nation pays homage to Manik Mia

A milad mahfil was held at the Ittefaq Bhaban
yesterday on the occasion of the 39th death anniversary of
Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia, the founder of The Daily Ittefaq
and doyen of the fearless journalism. Barrister Mainul
Hosein, former adviser of the car

Staff Reporter

Glowing tributes were paid to doyen of journalism Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia, the founder-editor of the Daily Ittefaq and a pioneer in this field, on the occasion of his 39th death anniversary yesterday.

The valiant fighter for democracy and human rights breathed his last on this day in 1969 at the age of 58 only.

Different socio-cultural organisations chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the death anniversary. The programmes included placing of wreaths, offering of fateha, holding of Qurankhawni, milad mahfil and discussions on the eventful life and work of the late legendary journalist.

Leaders and workers of different organizations including Manik Mia Parishad and Mehendiganj Awami Forum and people from all walks of life visited the mazar of Manik Mia at Azimpur in the city to pay homage by placing wreaths and offering fateha there.

Qurankhawni, milad mafil and munajat were arranged at the mazar premises. Munajat was also held on the rooftop of Ittefaq Bhaban at Ramkrishna Mission road. The participants prayed for the salvation of the departed soul.

Speakers at a commemoration meeting recollected the life-long contributions of the noted journalist for establishing democracy as well as independent Bangladesh. They called him a fearless and uncompromising journalist.

The Manik Mia Parishad and Mehendiganj Awami Parishad jointly organised the programme at Bangladesh Shishu Kalyan Parishad auditorium in the city. Mizanur Rahman Arzu, president of Mehendiganj Awami Forum presided over the discussion.

Awami League presidium member Abdur Razzak attended the discussion at the chief guest. Former president of Dhaka University Teachers Association Prof AASM Arefin Siddique, president of Biswa Bangali Sanmilon poet Muhammad Abdul Khaleque, president of National Front Comrade Nurul Huq Mehedi, general secretary of NAP (Bhashani) Abdul Matin Master, chief editor of Weekly Ajker Surjodoy Khondker Mozammel Huq and president of Muktijoddha Palli Society AH Alamgir attended the discussion as special guests.

Abdur Razzak said Manik Mia played a significant role in inspiring the people to join the struggle for freedom under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

He recalled that Manik Mia was an outspoken person. Therefore, he resigned from government job and took up journalism as a profession.

Prof AASM Arefin Siddique said Manik Mia took journalism to the masses and made himself the architect of journalism.

He said that though his writings were razor-sharp yet his works never encouraged violence. "Musafir" like him is the crying need of the hour, he said.

Manik Mia, who was popularly known for his powerful political column under the pen name 'Musafir' in the Daily Ittefaq, dedicated his entire life to the cause of emancipation of the people in the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and establishing sustainable democracy.

Journalist, editor, columnist and pioneer of democratic politics, Manik Mia was a close companion of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy. He always used his mighty pen as a weapon of struggle being inspired by patriotism, love for humanity and social responsibility.

Manik Mia never compromised with his mighty pen to write against military rule, autocracy and violation of fundamental rights. In spite of repression, torture and harassment, he never compromised on principle or surrendered to any evil force.

Chief Justice Ruhul Amin takes oath

President Iajuddin Ahmed administering oath to the
newly appointed Chief Justice M.M. Ruhul Amin at Bangabhaban
yesterday. Photo : PID

UNB, Dhaka

Newly appointed Chief Justice MM Ruhul Amin took oath at Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban on Sunday.

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed administered the oath at about 10:30am. Cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumder conducted the ceremony.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, Speaker Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar and outgoing Chief Justice Md Ruhul Amin were present.

Advisers, special assistants to the Chief Adviser, Chief Election Commissioner, Judges of the Supreme Court, Chiefs of three services, Attorney General, concerned secretaries, Vice-chancellors of different universities, former Chief Justices, editors, eminent lawyers, journalists and senior military and civil officials were also present at the ceremony.

Justice MM Ruhul Amin, a judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, has been appointed Chief Justice, superseding his senior M Fazlul Karim.

Earlier, President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed appointed Justice MM Ruhul Amin, a judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court as Chief Justice on May 25.

3 Ctg garment units laid off: Army called out as violence spreads

Troops patrolling industrial area at Kalurghat to
quell the garment workers who were on strike demanding pay
rise (left). Fire was set to roadblock by agitating workers.
FocusBangla

Chittagong Correspondent

In less than a month, violence sparked once again at the apparel factories of the Azim Group yesterday spoiling the production and vandalizing factory assets, offices and the running vehicles here at Kalurghat industrial estate.

The violence reportedly flared over the workers demands for basic wage hike and enhanced fringe benefits. It was reportedly the second phase of the demands that came up recently.

Violence of similar pattern and intensity broke out among the workers of three factories - Orchid Sweater Limited, Savar Sweater Limited and Global Knitwear Limited - of the same group on May 6 this year.

Army called in to tackle the frenzied workers mostly engaged in damaging running vehicles and the wayside establishments.

Police picked up at least 10 demonstrators - Mohammad Shamim, Faruq Osman, Nurunnabi, Mohammad Saiful, Mohammad Belal Hosain, Mohammad Nurul Alam, Suman Sen, Jainal Abedin, Mahfuzur Rahman and Abddus Sukkur -from the spot.

Cops and eye-accounts said that several hundred workers of Orchid Sweater, Global Knitwear and Savar Sweater, came down on the street demanding wage hike and enhanced fringe benefits at about 9:30 a.m. They blocked roads at different points and started vandalizing vehicles on the street.

Though the cops rushed to the spot but failed to quel the angry workers from vandalism. The cops also came under strong chase by the demonstrators. At this stage cops went on action by lobbing teargas cannisters and resorting to massive baton charge leaving several people wounded.

The police and the district administration sought military help sensing possibility of spreading the violence at other parts of the city. Two heavily armed military contingents later dispersed the demonstrators at about 11:00 a.m. They also patrolled the troubled area twice to confirm the tranquility.

In the mean time, Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in a news release issued in the evening said that the management of the apparel factories had to lay off the troubled units under the provisions of the section 13 of Bangladesh Labor Act-2006.

The BGMEA expressed concern over the back-to-back outbreak of labor unrest at the apparel factories and called it a part of well-designed conspiracy against the growth of the industry here.

Leaders of the apex body called upon the government to protect the industry by providing adequate security and required support to foil the conspiracy of the vested quarters.

Khaleda demands polls in Oct: Call to lift emergency, unify nationalist forces: Exclusive talks with Delwar

Begum Khaleda Zia

UNB, Dhaka

Detained immediate-past premier and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia had one-to-one parley with her secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain in the courtroom on Sunday when she gave him directives for dealing with the prevailing situation in the interim period.

The exclusive talk lasted 20 minutes. Earlier, the court granted Khaleda's lawyers 40 minutes for legal consultation after she appeared in the special court, for the first time since her arrest, to stand trial in a graft case. Khandaker Delwar went to the court as one of her lawyers.

"I'd long discussion with her but I don't want to disclose what guidelines she gave me. You will know the guidelines gradually through our party's next programs," Delwar said at a discussion marking President Zia's death anniversary at the Engineers Institution.

However, he said the BNP chairperson gave a call for uniting all nationalist forces irrespective of party affiliation. Begum Zia felt the necessity of unity to face the prevailing "disastrous socioeconomic condition".

Delwar said Begum Zia called for the unity to implement any program and launch movement to save the situation the country is in.

Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia Sunday demanded general election in October and lifting of the state of emergency within the current month to create congenial atmosphere for the polls.

In her first appearance in a special court after nine months of her arrest in connection with the Niko scam case, she called for holding credible elections wherein all parties and political leaders could participate.

Begum Zia called as mala fide the intention of holding any local bodies' election before the parliamentary polls.

"Give up the plus minus accounting. Think over how to hold free and fair elections," she said, adding "it's not 1/11, rather 11/1 to split up political parties."

Khaleda said: "The situation in the country is very bad. People are starving, committing suicide. Students keeping aside their studies are standing in queue to get rice. People are scrambling for water, gas and electricity. But the government has no attention towards all these."

Khaleda, who ruled the country twice as the Prime Minister since 1991, alleged that the caretaker government in its 16 months' rule has pushed back the country by 30 years.

In her hard-hitting 18-minute speech, the BNP chairperson said the country cannot be run by 'dalal, falal' (sycophants). "The government is trying to cling to power backed by different forces."

She said: "This government ruins Bangladesh under a conspiracy, making the country dysfunctional. And for this, the government will have to stand in the dock and give answer to the people."

Khaleda said trade and business have slowed down, while the country is losing labour markets abroad. Instead of resolving the problems, the government has cracked down on political leaders and workers.

She called for unity among all political parties including BNP to save the people from the helpless situation.

Begum Zia, arrested on September 3 last year in connection with GATCO graft case, termed the cases filed against her as false, baseless, concocted and malicious to destroy the nationalist forces.

"Not only against me, cases were filed against my family members for harassment… we didn't commit any wrong, but we are being implicated on corruption charges," she said.

She mentioned that she had waged movement for nine years for restoring democracy in the country.

On anti-corruption drive, Begum Zia said it is aimed at arresting key leaders of political parties, but "those who actually committed corruption are sitting on the lap of the government… we've been put in the dock for our good deeds."

Demanding an 'open trial' in the case instead of what she called 'camera trial', she alleged that the trial process is not being conducted under the laws of the land. "My lawyers are not allowed to meet me for consultations. I seek justice from the court," Khaleda said.

Referring to the separation of the judiciary from the executive, the former Prime Minister told the court that her government had introduced the separation of the judiciary bill in parliament.

She, however, said that although it is being stated that the judiciary has become independent, but the "judges are functioning on dictations… where is the independence of the judiciary?"

Khaleda claimed that the judiciary enjoyed more independence during her rule. She urged the court to give judgment in the case independently.

Khaleda, wearing a white chiffon saree and black sunglasses, looked confident as she entered the courtroom at about 11:15 am. She waved hands to lawyers and journalists with her usual smile.

Judge Khandaker Kamal Uzzaman set June 8 for charge hearing in the case as defence lawyers prayed for time on the plea that they could not yet browse the FIR and charge sheet in the case.

On a prayer, the court allowed the defence lawyers 40 minutes instead of one hour for legal consultations with Begum Zia.

Five lawyers-Khandaker Delwar Hossain, Abdur Rezzaque Khan, Sanaullah Mia, Khorshed Alam and Masud Talukdar-went to another room for the consultations with Khaleda Zia.

Earlier, Khaleda Zia, ex-Law Minister Barrister Maudud Ahmed, ex-State Minister for Energy AKM Mosharraf Hossain, former acting Energy Secretary Shahidul Islam, One Group's managing director Gias Uddin Al Mamun, International Travel Corporation chairman Selim Bhuiyan, former secretary of BAPEX Shafiur Rahman, and ex-director of BAPEX Mainul Huq were brought to the high security special court in the parliament complex amid tight security.

Hasina appears before court in Niko case: Spl court order on bail prayer June 5

Sheikh Hasina

Staff Reporter

Two detained former Prime Ministers-Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina-were produced before two Special Judge's Courts at the same building yesterday on separate charges of corruption that caused Tk 27,407.50 crore loss to the state, while awarding gas contract to a Canadian firm-the Niko Resources Ltd-during their rule.

Begum Zia, who is the Chairperson of BNP, was produced before the Special Judge's Court-9 of judge Khandaker Kamal Uzzaman and Sheikh Hasina, who is the President of Awami League AL), in the Special Judge's Court-2 of judge Amar Kumar Roy.

Both the Courts, trying high-profile graft cases, are set up on the premises of Parliament Building Complex on security ground. It was the first Court appearance for Begum Zia and also the two former Prime Ministers on the same day.

But Begum Zia and Sheikh Hasina, however, could not meet each other since they were taken to separate Courts of law. A massive security arrangement was taken in and around Parliament Complex to avert untoward incident during the charge hearing against the two top political leaders of the country yesterday.

Meanwhile, a High Court Division Bench comprising Justices Mohammad Abdur Rashid and M Ashfaqul Islam yesterday declared valid prosecution

of Sheikh Hasina in the Barge-mounted power-plant scam case. The High Court Bench, in its verdict ruled that the section related to the timeframe of the case proceedings is "directory, not mandatory", as consequence after the expiry of the timeframe is not stated specifically in the law.

According to the statement of the Niko scam cases, Begum Zia along with her co-accused were charged with incurring Tk 13,777 loss to the nation and Sheikh Hasina and her accomplices Tk 13,630.50 crore since they had allegedly awarded contracts to Niko by illegally declaring virgin gas fields dry during their rule.

According to the charges, those gas fields had over 2.50 billion cubic feet proven gas reserve.

Her detained co-accused former Law Minister Barrister Maudud Ahmed, ex-State Minister for Energy AKM Mosharraf Hossain, former acting Energy Secretary Shahidul Islam, One Group's managing director Gias Uddin Al Mamun, International Travel Corporation Chairman Selim Bhuiyan, former Secretary of BAPEX Shafiur Rahman, and ex-Director of BAPEX Mainul Huq were brought to the Special court complex amid tight security.

Begum Zia, arrested on September 3 last year in connection with GATCO graft case, termed the cases filed against her as false, baseless, concocted and malicious to destroy the nationalist forces.

Judge Khandaker Kamal Uzzaman set June 8 for charge hearing in the case, as the defence lawyers prayed for time on the plea that they could not yet gone through the case documents.

On a prayer, the court allowed the defence lawyers 40 minutes instead of one hour for legal consultations with Begum Zia.

Five lawyers-Khandaker Delwar Hossain, Abdur Rezzaque Khan, Sanaullah Mia, Khorshed Alam and Masud Talukdar-stood for Begum Zia, while Advocate Anisul Huq for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Begum Zia's lawyers had a 40-minutes meeting with her at a different room, as per permission of the Court.

On the other hand, the Special Judges Court of Amar Kumar Roy after fixed June 5 for order on bail prayer filed by Sheikh Hasina in connection with the Niko scam case.

After extensive legal arguments submitted by both the defence and the prosecution lawyers, fixed the date before hearing on charge framing in the case.

As the court resumed at 10:00am after detained Sheikh Hasina, Prof Rafiqul Islam, former state minister for energy and power, and its ex-secretary Dr Tawfique-e-Elahi Chowdhury were produced before the court amid tight security.

The prosecution lawyers vehemently opposed the AL Chief's bail prayer moved by a team of defence counsels led by Barrister Sahfique Ahmed.

The prosecution side argued that since the state of emergency is in place, there is no scope for entertaining the bail petition as section 19ga of the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) revokes the right to seek bail by an accused facing graft charges under 5(2) of the Anti-Corruption (Prevention) Act 1947.

Earlier, on application, the Court allowed the defence counsels to meet Sheikh Hasina at the sub-jail for legal consultation and to examine the seized material records in connection with the case.

Advocate Syed Rezaur Rahman, Sahara Khatun, Abdul Mannan Khan and Quamrul Islam appeared for Sheikh Hasina, while Chief Special Public Prosecutor Sharfuddin Khan Mukul and Syed Shameem Ahsan Habib stood for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

On December 9 last year, the ACC filed the case with Tejgaon Police Station against Hasina and others, accusing them of collaborating with one another and awarding gas-extraction contract at Chhatak, Kamta and Feni gas fields to the Canadian company, Niko Resources, by cheating to gain personal financial benefit.

The other charge-sheeted accused, now on the run, are former principal secretary to Prime Minister Dr SA Samad, former energy secretary M Akmal Hossain, former Petrobangla chairman Mosharraf Hossain and Vice-President (South Asia) of Niko Resources Bangladesh Ltd Kashem Sharif, former secretary of External Resources Division Dr AKM Moshiur Rahman and former director of Petrobangla (mines and mineral and operation) Sayed Anwarul Haque.

Call to re-fix import duty on sugar

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Sugar Dealer Businessmen Association yesterday demanded re-fixation of import duty on sugar, re-fixation of sugar price and stoppage of import of substandard Indian sugar to protect the local mills.

Addressing a press conference yesterday at Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium,

the leaders of the association said local mills would gradually face ruination if the duty on import of sugar was not increased and import of poisonous Indian sugar was not stopped.

Association President Mustafizur Rahman Babul and General Secretary Dewan Zinnah said a vested quarter is importing sugar through under invoice using land ports and thus depriving the government of huge revenue.

They expressed their alarm over the import of Indian sugar, which is harmful to public health. The Indian sugar has glutted the local markets, they added.

They urged the government to re-fix import duty on raw sugar at Tk 12,000 per ton from Tk 4,000 and for white sugar at Tk 15,000 from Tk 5,000.

Call to adopt interim PRSP in absence of political Govt

UNB, Dhaka

A consultation on finalising the second PRSP Sunday recommended adopting an interim PRSP due to the absence of a political government in the country.

"Let the next political government adopt the full-fledged PRSP as the general election is due in next six months," eminent economist Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud told the consultation.

He put forward the suggestion amid questions raised by the civil society members, who took part in the consultation, on the legitimacy of the present government for having a policy paper like Poverty Reduction Strategy.

General Economic Division of the Planning Commission organised the two-day consultation, beginning Sunday, on the first draft of the second PRSP for a period of FY09-11 at the NEC conference room.

The 3-year first PRSP expires this month, without going through any monitoring and evaluation on its implementation.

Prof Mahmud, also the chairman of the Independent Monitoring Committee on PRSP, said they could not evaluate the implementation of the first PRSP due to non-availability of the committee members, including Prof Muhammed Yunus.

Chairing the consultation Sunday, he wondered whether a government like this could adopt a policy like PRSP. "Even if it is adopted, how the policy will be endorsed in absence of a parliament," he said.

A senior official, however, told UNB that the document after finalisation through consultation would be submitted to the Council of Advisers for its endorsement. Prior to this, the Planning Commission would hold another consultation on the draft document with the development partners, he said.

Despite having some shortcomings, Prof Mahmud appreciated the hastily prepared draft document and suggested going for the interim PRSP.

Civil society members, including Prof M Nurul Islam of BUET and Dr Jafarullah Chowdhury of Gonosasthya Kendro, identified few issues that remain to be addressed in the draft document and urged addressing them for proper implementation.

They pointed out lack of a clear strategy to ensure neutral distribution of resources down to the poverty pockets, clear action priority and a clear strategy to strengthen local government institutions through cutting authority of the central government.

Prof Mahmud also pointed out that the draft document for the first time estimated an indicative cost for achieving goals and targets set out in second PRSP.

He, however, stressed the need for examining to what extent the indicative cost is consistent with the budget projections for the next three fiscal years.

The document estimated Tk 2500.90 billion to meet the total need for resources to undertake different reforms and achieve the goals and targets recommended in 18 thematic areas of PRSP during FY09-11.

In estimating the resource requirement, a micro/macro approach was taken. At the macro level, expenditure projection from the medium term budgetary framework was taken into consideration.

At the micro level, the cost of implementing the activities to achieve the desired goals and targets in each thematic area was taken into consideration.

These costs were indicative and identified in consultation with the relevant stakeholders in the relevant ministries. For some sectors, unit cost approach was taken, and in others, project approach was taken.

Drive not against politicians : Home Ministry

UNB, Dhaka

The government yesterday denied that the special drive launched on June 28 across the country was aimed at political parties or harassing the politicians.

Home Ministry press release said the drive was aimed to check the rising trend of terrorist attack on police and snatching away arms, unrest in garments sector, secret killing, mugging and terrorist activities.

Clarifying the situation in view of media report it said 548 people were arrested across the country in 24 hours since the drive was launched on May 28.

The drive was launched against illegal arms holders, terrorists, muggers, secret killers, trouble mongers in garment sector which have been increasing to the worries of the people.

It said the Army personnel assisted the drive and the arrest was made on the basis of specific charges and suspecting involvement in terrorist activities.

The Home Ministry categorically refuted the allegation that the special drive has any political motive or to harass the politicians. The special drive was launched to ensure people's safety and security.

NBR move to attract investment in SME sector

Talha Bin Habib

Exemption of VAT and extended tax holiday are to be offered to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME's) sector from the FY- 2008-09.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has taken initiatives to encourage entrepreneurs to invest more in the SME sector. NBR has sent proposal to this effect to the concerned ministry for approval.

NBR sources said SME entrepreneurs would be encouraged to investment more, if they were given wider tax holiday and VAT exemption from the inception of their investment in the SME sector.

Small entrepreneurs would be encouraged to pay VAT, if the proposed investment ceiling by the NBR for the SME sector was materialised.

As per the existing rules SME entrepreneurs enjoy VAT exemption of upto Tk 20 lakh for annual turnover and Tk 7 lakh as the value of plant machinery.

The NBR proposed to increase VAT exemption ceiling from Tk 7 lakh to Tk 15 lakh for plant machinery investment in the small and medium industries and Tk 24 lakh from Tk 20 lakh as annual turnover from the next budget with a view to attract more investment in the SME sector.

Exemption of VAT would also be given upto Tk 15 crore for purchasing machinery for small and medium industries.

According to the Industrial Policy 2005 Light Engineering, Electronic and Electrical Goods, Agro-processing, Plastic and Leather Goods, among others, were given priority as SMEs.

Tariff margin of raw materials used for SME in the country would also be reduced from the next budget.

The SME Foundation is demanding doubling the amount of allocation from the next fiscal. The rate of allocation is Tk 100 crore.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistic, SME's provide about 44 per cent employment of the country. It contributes Tk 14,940 crore to the GDP and 11 per cent of export income also came from this sector during the last fiscal 2006-07.

AL condemns arrest of political leaders

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Awami League (AL) condemned the government for launching a crackdown on the political leaders throughout the country.

Zillur Rahman, Acting President of Awami League, said on Saturday night that the caretaker government was arresting Awami League leaders to foil the party's 6-point movement which, among others, seeks the release of party chief Sheikh Hasina.

Terming the drive " revengeful', he said it reflected the intolerance and autocratic attitude of the government. Such action will only escalate the political crisis in the country, he noted.

Syed Ashraful Islam, Acting General Secretary of Awami League, said, the government

was harassing the leaders and activists of Awami League and its front organisations in a planned way after filing 'false' cases against them. "The political leaders have been detained unjustly," he maintained.

He expressed the apprehension that restoration of democracy would be uncertain if the government continued arresting political leaders and activists.

Awami League Presidium Member Tofail Ahmed Said the decision of his party not to join the dialogue without Sheikh Hasina and wage a tough movement for her release has scared the government. The government was trying to thwart our movement by arresting party leaders and activists, he added.

He further said that the government has lost its credibility and it is trying to make the situation volatile.