The New Nation - Internet Edition

Khaleda declines to apply for release: Govt asked to send Tarique, Koko abroad for treatment

Begum Khaleda Zia

Staff Reporter

Detained former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday declined to apply for her release, but would receive medical treatment at home saying that she won't sign any bond for her freedom.

"I cannot go abroad leaving people in distress. I will receive treatment in the country without any conditions attached," she told her lawyers in the special court where hearing on charge framing in the GATCO scam case was held.

Talking to her lawyers during an hour-long legal consultation in connection with the trial against her, she was quoted by Adv Masud Talukdar as saying, "I did not make any appeal or request and I wouldn't do so for my release for treatment."

Khaleda alleged that Tarique and Koko were in good health before their arrest but fell sick in custody for which she blamed the Government.

She demanded of the Government to send her two sons aboard for better medical treatment saying that the law should be the same for all.

Khaleda, her younger son Koko, and former ministers Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, M Shamsul Islam, MK Anwar and Motiur Rahman Nizami were produced before the Special Judge's Court-3 for charge framing proceedings.

Out of 24 accused in the GATCO case 16 were produced before the court yesterday.

Koko was taken to the court from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital by an ambulance. Koko appeared sitting in a wheelchair along with a standby oxygen cylinder and his physician. After a stay for a few minutes in the court, Koko was taken back to his hospital prison cell.

The arraignment hearing on the GATCO case was once again deferred to June 24 following Sunday's order of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court adjourned for one month the hearing of the Anti-Corruption Commission's application against a High Court order that granted bail to detained ex-PM Khaleda Zia and her son Arafat Rahman Koko in the GATCO case and stayed the case proceedings.

The special court of Judge Shahed Noor Uddin passed the order when the defence counsel pointed out the apex court order.

The court resumed at 10:52am after the principal accused, Khaleda Zia, and 16 others who are in custody were produced before the court.

Begum Zia talked to her former cabinet colleagues M Shamsul Islam, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Nizami in the dock. Mannan Bhuiyan however looked quiet and kept his head bowed down, court sources said.

On May 13, the ACC submitted charge sheet against ex-PM Khaleda Zia and 23 others. The case was filed with Tejgaon police station on September 2 last year.

According to the case, the accused in connivance with each other awarded GATCO, an inefficient company, the contract for container handling at depots in Dhaka and Chittagong causing a loss over Tk 14 crore to the state coffer.

The name of former shipping minister Akbar Hossain, one of the main accused, was dropped from the chargesheet after his death. Seven people accused in the case are still absconding.

The case was initially set for trial under metropolitan senior special judge Md Azizul Haque, but the case proceedings were later shifted to the special court on security grounds.

Investors protest abrupt fall in share prices

Small investors stage a demonstration in front of
Dhaka Stock Exchange as the price index of shares declined
yesterday. FocusBangla

Staff Reporter

Angry investors took to the streets twice yesterday in front of the Dhaka Stock Exchange between 10am and 12pm in the wake of falling prices of the shares.

However, the Dhaka stocks bounced back from losses same day with the prices of most issues going up on a buying spree after a previous-day fall.

The last two trading days witnessed corrective measures taken by Dhaka Stock Exchange to cool the overheated market. Investors sold off their holdings for fears of more interventions.

Market analysts cited the price corrections as an artificial move.

"Price corrections should come naturally, not artificially. The bourse authorities are not getting to the root of the problems. They are making interventions, which is not good at all for the market," Yaweer Sayeed, CEO of AIMS of Bangladesh, told newsmen.

Rumour was at the heart of the problem, according to him.

"Strong surveillance and enforcement should be focused on brokerage houses, not on companies whose prices are going up," said Sayeed.

The DGEN or general index witnessed a fall from the opening bell until the first two hours. Traders became angry seeing the downward trend and staged demonstration twice.

The country's prime bourse recovered from losses for the next hour before declining again until the midday sessions. The index however maintained an upward curve afterwards to end 20.53 points or 0.67 per cent on 3040.79.

The DSI or all share price index finished at 2579.61, rising 16.25 points or 0.63 per cent, while the DSE-20 blue chip index edged up 2.42 points or 0.09 per cent to 2537.60.

Turnover slipped to Tk 2.42 billion from Sunday's Tk 2.49 billion from 18,566, 872 shares changing hands.

Of the traded issues, 129 advanced, 87 declined and eleven remained unchanged.

AIMS 1st Mutual Fund topped the turnover board, closing 5.70 per cent higher at Tk 21.13.

Beximco Pharma followed it to end on Tk 96.90, up by 1.46 per cent. Square Pharmaceuticals lost 0.31 per cent to Tk 5190.

Lanka Bangla Finance gained 6.13 per cent to finish at Tk 178.20.

Profit-taking led Shahjalal Islami Bank to fall 1.08 per cent to Tk 363.75.

The other scripts on the turnover board-Grameen Mutual Fund One, S Alam Cold Rolled Steels, Union Capital, NCC Bank and Padma Oil-also gained.

Dialogue with govt: Local bodies polls ahead of national election demanded

Staff Reporter

Representatives of the City Corporations, Paurashavas (municipalities) and Union Parishads yesterday demanded of the Government to hold elections to the local government bodies before the parliamentary polls.

Demanding the holding of the elections to Zila and Upazila and pending city corporation, municipal and union parishad immediately, they urged the Government to ensure the stopping of interference of ministers, MPs and bureaucrats in running the local government affairs through enacting necessary laws.

The local government bodies (LGBs) would neither be strengthened and empowered nor free from politicisation and outside interference if the polls to these bodies were held after the general elections under any political government, they observed.

They said this, while taking part at the national dialogue with the Caretaker Government at the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) in the capital. Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed led the Government side, while over 300 representatives of city corporations, paurashavas and union councils from across the country took part in the talks.

It was the 12th day of the dialogue yesterday when of the over 300, 17 representatives of LGBs highlighted difference aspects of their demands and recommended ways to strengthen the local government bodies with people's participation.

Later at a joint press briefing, the leaders of local government bodies told journalists that they had made 12-point demand in the dialogue which included bringing balance of power between president and prime minister.

They demanded formation of a national government after the next general elections in the greater interest of the nation and decentralization of power.

The local government leaders emphasized strengthening local government bodies making them the focal point of administration for achieving overall development of the country.

They also stressed the need for holding a free, fair and credible general election free from the influence of black money, muscle and misuse of authority in which honest and capable persons can participate.

They lauded the Caretaker Government for its steps in formulating the Local Government Commission Ordinance-2008 for empowering the local government bodies and urged the government to form the Commission soon to this end.

Giving a salient feature of the dialogue, they told the briefing that they had given recommendations to the government to take legal measures, including reduction of the absent period for losing membership of an MP to 30 days from the existing 90 consecutive days, to make parliament more effective.

The leaders also urged the government to keep a legal provision for the direct meeting between the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition in every two months to discuss national issues for the greater interest of the nation.

Speaking at the briefing, Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said the local level leaders raised some important issues to strengthen and empower the local government bodies as well as decentralisation of power.

He said during the meeting the government reiterated its commitment to bring all stake holders to a meaningful election for creating a stable political atmosphere.

The Chief Adviser assured the local leaders that the government would make a clear cut demarcation between the commanding administrative functions of the MPs and the local elected representatives by enacting laws, if necessary, in a bid to bring qualitative changes to the administrative system, Dr Zillur said.

In this connection, he referred some steps taken by the government for strengthening the local government bodies and bringing qualitative changes in politics.

LGRD Adviser Mohammad Anwarul Iqbal and Communications Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader were present at the joint press briefing.

Secretary General of Bangladesh Municipal Association Shamim Al Razi, member of Bangladesh City Corporation Association Md Anwar Hossain, Bir Pratik, and Co-Chairman of Bangladesh Union Parishad Oikya Jote Md Abul Hossain Khan, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Ansar-patient clash leaves 40 hurt in BSMMU Woman raped on hospital roof

Staff Reporter

At least 40 people were injured in a clash between patients and Ansar at an outdoor ticket counter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) at Shahbag in the city yesterday.

Witnesses said the clash ensued at about 10:45am when an Ansar member tried to reorganise the queue of patients and attendants at the Paediatric Ward at Block-C of the hospital. One Jasim, who came with his wife and 5-month-old baby, protested Ansar Sultan's intervention and reportedly slapped him.

The witnesses said Sultan rushed to BSMMU Ansar camp and called in his colleagues.

About 150 members of the Ansar charged batons indiscriminately on the waiting patients and attendants. They also hit the people in the queue with the butt of their rifles and bamboo sticks injuring at least 35 people. The Ansar members also detained the Jasim couple at their camp.

Later, the BSMMU authorities rescued them.

The trouble continued for more than two hours when the people pelted brickbats at club swinging Ansar members leaving at least five Ansar members also injured.

The law enforcers rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

A 4-member team headed by Prof Kawsar was formed to inquire into the incident. The team will submit its report within three days.

In another incident police arrested Ansar member Manjurul Islam and liftman Mujibur Rahman for allegedly raping Afroza Banu, 31, Sunday night on the rooftop of Block-C of BSMMU.

Afroza, who came from Dhamrai, filed a rape case with Shahbag Police Station yesterday.

4-party observes release detenus day today

Staff Reporter

The BNP-led Four party alliance will observe Bandhi Mukti Dibosh today across the country demanding the release of all political prisoners including BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Jamaat Ameer Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami and Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko.

Leaders of the alliance partners yesterday called upon the activists of the alliance and respective partymen to make the programme a success.

As part of the programme, BNP and its allies would organise different programmes including discussion meetings.

To mark the day, a discussion meeting is scheduled to be held at Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium at 3:00pm today. Leaders of four-party alliance would address the meeting.

BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain yesterday called upon the partymen to make the four-party programme a success with a view to ensuring the release of political leaders including Begum Khaleda Zia.

Exchanging views with leaders of Comilla (North) Unit of BNP at his NAM Flat residence, he emphasised the need for strengthening the unity of the party to face all sort of conspiracies against nationalist the force.

Khondoker Delwar said despite the conspiracy the popularity of Begum Zia is increasing day by day.

Among others, BNP leaders Rizvi Ahmed, Mohiuddin Khan Mohon, Mortajul Karim Badru and Obaidul Haque Bhuiyan addressed the meeting.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed in a statement yesterday called upon the leaders and activists of four parties including the Jamaat to make today programme a success.

He said Begum Zia and Motiur Rahman Nizami have to be freed unconditionally to create a congenial atmosphere for the general elections.

BB move to free bank boards of convicts

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Bank has initiated a move to remove Dr HBM Iqbal from the post of chairman of the Premier Bank Ltd (PBL) confiscate his shares following his conviction by court and acquiring nearly 63 per cent shares of the bank violating banking rules.

Since 1/11 Dr Iqbal is absconding and recently the special tribunal court-1 has awarded 10 years of jail to the former member of parliament and 3 years for his daughter Nowrin Iqbal for earning wealth beyond legal source of income and concealing information. Informed sources said Dr Iqbal now residing in Dubai of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and giving directions to the PBL authority over telephone as chairman of the bank. Now only 8 sponsor directors, out of 13, remain present in the board meeting.

Recently Bangladesh Bank asked the PBL authority to send certified copy of verdict against Dr Iqbal for necessary steps to remove him from the post of chairman. According to the banking rules none can stay as chairman of any bank or financial institutions after being convicted by court.

Khondker Fazle Rashid, Managing Director of PBL, yesterday told The New Nation that the law adviser of the bank has applied to the special judge court-1 for the copy and will send accordingly upon receiving. "We already informed the Bangladesh Bank of the overall position," he said.

According to the section 14 (A) and 27 of banking company act of 1991 no individual, his family members or relatives jointly can be owner of more than 10 per cent share of any bank.

At present Dr Iqbal, his family members and relatives are now possessing 63 per cent of total bank shares. Of the shares, 9.6 per cent is on his family member's name and the rest is in his relatives including brother, nephew and in laws name.

A team of Bangladesh Bank last year carried out a thorough investigation in the head office, Banani, Gulshan and Dikhusha branches of PBL where they found that Dr Momtaz Begum, wife of Dr Iqbal, has transferred shares to his brother Sanwar Dito who is now possessing 2.60 per cent shares of the bank.

Similarly, Zamal Ahmed, son in law of Dr Iqbal, also transferred shares to one Alif Alam, a man learned to be in law of Dr Iqbal. They transferred the shares to bring down it below 10 per cent. Besides, many shares of Dr Iqbal and his family members transferred to the name of his relatives in the mean time. The investigation team found huge abnormalities in the transfer procedure, sources said.

Political dialogue: AL hands over team list to CA’s office

Staff Reporter

The Awami League yesterday sent the list of nine-member delegation to the Chief Adviser's Office to join the dialogue with the Caretaker Government.

Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan, Office Secretary of Awami League along with ABM Mozammel Hoq, Deputy Office Secretary handed the list to Kazi Md Aminul Islam, Secretary to the Chief Adviser's Office in the afternoon.

"We decided to join the dialogue to make it fruitful," Khan told reporters, coming out from the CA's office.

Asked about the date of the dialogue with Awami League Khan said, "The date and time will be fixed later."

The list of the delegates was prepared at the party's central working committee meeting on Saturday.

Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Matia Chowdhury, Ataur Rahman Khan Kaiser and Syed Ahsraful Islam will participate in the dialogue under the leadership of Awami League Acting President Zillur Rahman.

The Awami League was determined to boycott the government-sponsored dialogue, but the party changed its decision after the party chief Sheikh Hasina was released for treatment abroad.

Govt to hold dialogue with NRBs

Staff Reporter

The Government has decided to hold dialogue with the expatriate or non-resident Bangladeshis through video-conferencing with a view to utilise their expertise to solve the pressing national issues.

"To execute the cross-continent dialogue sessions with the non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs), the Government has already hired a firm experienced in video conferencing," Local Government Adviser Anwarul Iqbal told journalists at his office after a meeting with a visiting delegation of NRBs staying in the United Kingdom (UK) and Canada yesterday.

The NRB delegation, however, expressed their interest for a face-to-face talks rather than video conferencing, spokesperson of the team Mahbub Rahman said, adding a number of expatriate Bangladeshis want to take part in the coming elections.

In a related development, the Election Commission (EC) has again started the process of enlisting the NRBs in the voters' list following a meeting between the visiting expatriates' delegation.

At the primary stage, on a trial basis, the NRB enlisting work would begin in the UK, said Mahbub Rahman, who is a London-based local government authority public relations officer.

He said they would participate in direct dialogue if the Government invites them.

Adviser Anwarul Iqbal said the NRBs want to participate in dialogue with the Government for the better interest of the country.

He said the expatriate delegation had met with the Election Commission, the Army Chief and the Adviser for Overseas Employment and Expatriate welfare, to discuss getting Bangladeshis living overseas listed as voters.

The Adviser said the delegation had proposed holding local government elections before the national election. "They say in the countries where they live, local government is the main-stay of democracy," he added.

The expatriates also demanded continuation of the anticorruption drive launched by the present Caretaker Government, Anwarul Iqbal said.

Asked whether the expatriates want elections amid a state of emergency, the Adviser said, "We want a free and fair election by December. The Government will decide whether it will be amid the state of emergency."

Mahbub Rahman said the polls might not be peaceful if the state of emergency was totally lifted before the elections since the country was passing through a critical situation.

The expatriates delegation was led by UK-based businessman and local community leader Muhibur Rahman Muhib, includes Amin Ali, founder of The Red Fort Restaurant in London, founder of the British Bangladesh Curry Club Khaled Chowdhury and Chief Editor of the Canadian weekly 'Desh Bidesh' Nazrul Islam Mintu.

Maritime ports asked to hoist signal No. 3

BSS, Dhaka

The low over the north Bay and adjoining areas intensified into a well marked low over the north Bay and adjoining Bangladesh coast.

It is likely to intensify further. Under its influence squally weather is likely to continue over the north Bay and the maritime ports, said a Met Office press release.

Maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Mongla have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal No 3.

Deadline for posting suggestions ends: Budget unlikely to have big change

UNB, Dhaka

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam said the proposed budget for fiscal 2008-09 is unlikely to have big changes as the deadline for submitting post-budget suggestions expired yesterday.

"I don't think there will be any big fundamental changes in it (budget)," he told reporters at his ministry, replying to a question on possible changes in the budget.

The Adviser went through only the recommendations submitted directly to him by a few (5-6) organisations. He could not yet look at the recommendations posted through mails or websites.

The government had invited post-budget opinions or recommendations in writing directly or by post, and through web posting from home and abroad, assuring that the rational suggestions would be reflected in the budget to be made effective through an ordinance by this month.

The Finance Adviser said there are recommendations to increase the tax exemption ceiling for SMEs to an annual turnover of Tk 1 crore and raise the individual income tax exemption limit. There are also suggestions on raw sugar imports in addition to some sector-specific ones.

He said he would have been happy had he been able to raise the tax exemption ceiling for the SMEs.

"We'll consider all the suggestions, but we've a revenue target," he said, adding that the social safety net programmes and the subsidy would have to be continued too.

Encounter on city outskirt: 3 terrorists killed

Staff Reporter

Three alleged terrorists were killed in "crossfire" during an encounter between the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and a group of fleeing miscreants at Meradia in city's Khilgaon area yesterday.

The deceased were identified as Sohel alias Bhombal, 35, son of late Makbul of 49 East Goran, Baka Babul alias 'terrorist' Babu, 22, son of Mokhles of East Rampura, and Sukur Ali, 30, son of Siraj Ali of 131, South Goran.

Police said a patrol team of RAB-3 chased the three following their suspicious movements when they were passing Balurmath near Meradia bazar in a private car at about 1:45am.

Sensing danger, the terrorists fired several rounds of bullet at the elite force members forcing them to fire back, triggering a gun battle.

"At one stage, Sohel, Babu and Sukur were caught in the crossfire and died on the spot," said an account of the incident.

Later, a patrol team of Khilgaon police, led by SI Subad Chandra Sarkar, rushed to the spot and recovered the bullet-hit bodies of the three terrorists and sent those to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for autopsy. The law enforcers also recovered three firearms, 10 cocktails and a private car from the scene.

Hasina’s release under legal framework, says Dr Kamal

UNB, Dhaka

Gano Forum president Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday said temporary release of Sheikh Hasina for overseas treatment has taken place within the purview of a legal framework.

His statement came as a major shift from his previous stand that agents of corrupt politicians inside the caretaker government are designing such release.

The leading lawyer had made the statement after Sheikh Hasina was released from the makeshift jail for eight weeks till August 6.

Dr Kamal was speaking Monday at a news conference at the party headquarters at Arambagh in the city.

Upon queries on the release of Sheikh Hasina by reporters, Dr Kamal said: "Sheikh Hasina has been released following legal procedures."

He would not elaborate.

AS the reporters sought his reaction on the prospects that former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and her two sons could be freed anytime, Dr Kamal said: "Still the BNP did not apply (for their release). Then how is it possible?"

The Gano Forum chief said he hoped the caretaker administration would perform in a way so that it gets a respectable exit from power.

He said the people expect "one hundred per cent neutrality" from the caretaker government to do its duty in the run-up to the national polls, expected to be held by December.

"We hope the government will be able to have a respectable way out," he said.

On if his party would quit the Awami League-led 14-party alliance, as its leader Sheikh Hasina faces serious graft charges, Dr Kamal said:

"It is not that Gano Forum will quit the alliance. Our stand is positive."

He said a free and fair voting should be held to form an effective parliament.

He said the country needs a broader unity, as the process of having an effective parliament is the "biggest national challenge".

He called upon the people to work together to restore democracy.

Dialogue on prospects of Himalayan rivers: Integrated strategy urged to solve water problems

BSS, Dhaka

Adviser for Water Resources Dr. C. S. Karim yesterday called for adopting an integrated strategy to resolve the water problems in Bangladesh to achieve its millennium development goals.

"If snows in the Himalayas melt it would not only affect Bangladesh, but all the countries concerned will suffer heavily on socio- economic realities", the adviser said while addressing a two-day dialogue on 'Prospect of the Rivers of the Greater Himalayas- Bangladesh Perspective' at a local hotel as the chief guest.

The dialogue has been arranged jointly by the Water Resources Ministry and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with financial support from the World Bank, said a release of the water resources ministry.

The adviser said "Our economy is related closely to our rivers and culture". He said three major tansboundary rivers originated from the Himalaya have passed through Bangladesh to the Bay of Bengal.

"We have to suffer from natural calamities floods every rainy season and erosion, since we do not have control over these rivers", he told the dialogue while stressing on improved relations with

the neighbouring countries and developing common strategies to resolve these problems.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Raja Debashish Roy was the special guest at the function. The inaugural section, chaired by secretary of the water resources ministry Mohammad Ayub Mia, was also addressed by David RC Grey, senior adviser of the World Bank.

Among others, Prof. Dr. Sajjadur Rashid of Dhaka University and Mir Sajjad Hossain, member of the joint rivers commission, and Dr.Ainun Nishat, Bangladesh representative of the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN), presented papers on the occasion.

After the inaugural session group discussions were held. Representatives from government departments, universities, NGOs and the media took part in those.

The dialogue is continuation of a process that began last July in Dubai. Its next follow up meeting will be held in Singapore in July.

Dr Sajjadur Rashid in his paper dwelt at length on the Himalayan water ecosystem and the potentials for benefiting from the rivers by all the riparian countries through regional cooperation. Given the needed cooperation Bangladesh could improve its water management and strengthen flood preparedness and reduce losses.

Prof. Rashid explained the water storage and hydro-electric potentials up in Nepal and Bhutan and said that Bangladesh should take initiatives and share costs of construction of such projects in the two countries with a view to sharing their benefits. He said that India has already have agreements with the two countries in this regard.

Dr. Ainun Nishat discussed the water management challenges posed by climate change and dwelt on the needed adaptation strategies.