The New Nation - Internet Edition

Emergency set to be relaxed from today: Campaigning ahead of local poll allowed

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

The government has finalised its 'amendment' of emergency Power Rules to allow Campaigning ahead of the local elections, an Adviser said yesterday.

The Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman told reporters: "Campaigning will be allowed in the applicable local poll areas from the day of announcement of the schedule to the day of voting."

"The government has finalised the amendment of the emergency powers rules allowing rallies, meetings and other campaigning ahead of the local government polls," he said, after a dialogue session with Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish at the Chief Adviser's Office:

The adviser declined to reply, however, when asked when the state of emergency would be wholly lifted.

He said the government was still acting to send former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and her sons abroad for better medical treatment.

"The government is closely examining the legal procedures and treatment arrangements to send them abroad," said Hossain Zillur.

Speaking of the dialogue process, he said: "In the 15 dialogue sessions that have taken place so far, we have seen that the political parties are agreed on one issue - a consensus for the nation's sake."

"Four areas have been identified for consensus through dialogue, including an improvement of political culture. Most have also asked to eliminate violence. Many people are concerned about the post-election stability. Many parties proposed strengthening grassroots and local government institutions."

"They have also talked about a balance between the implementation of constitutional and institutional powers," said the adviser.

"Apart from these, there are some sensitive issues over which there is some disagreement. All parties must nevertheless proceed with the responsibility of reaching a consensus on these matters also," he said.

The chief adviser will join a regional dialogue session on June 28 in Chittagong, Zillur said. "Regional dialogues will also be held in Khulna and Sylhet. And we have plans to hold dialogues in Rajshahi and Rangpur too."

The adviser said the government dialogue with Awami League might be held by June 30. "The schedule will be fixed in a few days," he said.

On the demand of some political parties to hold elections in October instead of December, he said: "This is the responsibility of the Election Commission. The election cannot be held without finalising the voter lists across the country."

On participation of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in the dialogue, Zillur said: "The parties have already been invited. We are continuing our efforts to bring them to the dialogue. We hope to get lists of their delegates soon."

Secretary general of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish, Maolana Yusuf Ashraf said his party had placed a 21-point charter of demands to the government in their dialogue session.

The demands include lifting the state of emergency, holding elections in October instead of December and halting the redrawing of electoral constituencies. "The Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha will fall between Dec 7 and Dec 10 this year. Many people will be outside the country that time. They may not be able to reach home in time for the third week of December. So we have asked for elections to be held in October," he said.

4-party to resist local polls ahead of nat'l election

BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain
addressing a 4-party discussion at the Institute of
Engineers in the city on Thursday. Banglar Chokh

Staff Reporter

Leaders of the BNP-led four-party alliance yesterday urged the Election Commission not to announce the election schedules for the local government bodies, which is expected to come today, ahead of the national election.

Addressing a rally at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the city, they demanded the parliamentary election by October 30 before local government elections and lifting of the state of emergency. The rally, organised by the four-party alliance to mark the Demand Day, was held with BNP Secretary General Delwar Hossain in the chair.

The four-party leaders demanded the release of the detained political leaders, including BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, Jamaat Ameer Mualana Motiur Rahman Nizami. They denounced the EC's move to announce the schedules for the local government polls.

The leaders warned the Election Commission (EC) saying that the nation would label all people in the EC as conspirators, if the EC announced the election schedules of the local government bodies.

BNP Joint Secretaries General Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman, BNP leader Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqui, Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mujahid, Joint Secretary General Abdul Kader Molla, City Amir Rafiqul Islam Khan, Secretary General of Islami Okkya Jote Moulana Abdul Latif Nezami, Secretary General of Khelafat Majlish Ahmad Abdul Kader, Chairman of Bangladesh Jatiya Party (Naziur) Barrister Andalib Rahman, Secretary General Shamim Al Mamun, among others, addressed the rally, while BNP leader Rizvi Ahmed conducted it.

BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain said the nation would never forgive those, who hatch conspiracy to hold local government election before the parliamentary election.

Pointing at Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda, Khondoker Delwar said: "I am saying you won't announce the schedules tomorrow (Friday) for polls in the city corporations. If you do it the nation will label you all as conspirators."

"We demand that there will be no local government elections before the national polls. If it happens and a chaotic situation arises for that this government and its backers will have to bear the responsibility," he said.

"If you deviate from holding the national elections first you would see how the people react to your move," he said.

He repeated the demand for lifting of the state of emergency by June 30 to pave ways for holding the long-pending national elections by October 30.

He said there would be no election keeping BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Jamaat chief Matiur Rahman Nizami, Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko behind bars. "Such an election would not be successful as the people would not favour that," he added.

He demanded the government to send Tarique and Koko abroad for medical treatment in line with the recommendations of the medical board.

Taking the report of the Transparency International, Bangladesh on corruption scenario under the regime of the present caretaker government, Khondoker Delwar said that this government should go as it has failed to curb corruption.

Pointing at the caretaker government he said, "You had come to power with a promise to curb corruption but now it's proved that you have failed to keep your words. That's why you should go."

"Stop all ill-designed game plans and blaming the politicians for all misdeeds," he said.

Khondoker Delwar said his party is not afraid of trial but that must follow regular laws of the land.

He also said the alliance would observe a "Protest Day" on June 30 across the country to demand curbs on the soaring prices of daily commodities.

Jamaat's Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid echoed the statements by the BNP Secretary General.

"The four-party alliance would resist any move of holding local government polls before the national polls," he said.

He accused the Election Commission of taking up a plan for "selecting people" in the name of election.

"It is also trying to break up the BNP and the four-party coalition," he said.

UK minister for relaxation of emergency rules before polls

Shahid malik

Staff Reporter

United Kingdom's Development Minister Shahid Malik MP yesterday advocated for relaxation of emergency rules before election retreating from his country's earlier stand of lifting the state of emergency for creating a congenial atmosphere for the participants in the polls.

The British Minister had hectic meetings with government, political and army figures, civil society members and met the media prior to wrapping up his 2-day visit to Bangladesh.

He called upon all to engage constructively in democratic processes in order to achieve a smooth transition to an elected government in Bangladesh by the end of current year.

Reflecting on discussions about the country's electoral roadmap, the UK Minister said, "cementing lasting democracy is the ultimate goal. To achieve that goal means a spirit of inclusiveness, positivity and consensus from all sides, I'm talking about a genuine commitment to uphold and participate in the democratic processes that will bring a transition to an elected government."

"Election in 2008 is a must. Consistently we, like many others, have encouraged creation of a level electoral playing field with a fair referee. It is then up to the teams to play their part," Shahid Malik said.

Replying to a question he said, "emergency in any country any time is far from ideal. It is not an ideal situation if you want to have credible electoral process. It is common sense that you need to relax some of the emergencies to allow political parties to engage in electioneering for credible and meaningful election."

He said the Chief Adviser, the Army Chief and other Advisers he met felt that the emergency needs to be relaxed.

He said that confrontational politics that existed in 2006 cannot be the future of Bangladesh and "not the current situation where there is no elected government."

The future of Bangladesh beyond 2009 is the democratically elected government that will be accountable to the people, he noted.

Asked if the elections would be credible to the international community without participation of the two big parties, Malik said all different political parties and stakeholders have responsibilities in holding a credible election as people of this country deserve democratic government to serve their purpose.

He hoped that the current political dialogue between the government and the political parties would help move things forward saying, "Staying away is not the solution, it is engagement to solve the problems. Engagement is better than isolation."

The British Minister profusely praised Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed for helping develop a voter list with photos. "More than 80 million people will be on the list, which a few countries can achieve, in such a short period of time," according to him.

The United Kingdom wants to see 'gold-standard' election where there will be no question of legitimacy of voter list, he said, adding there is a lot of work to be done. "It is not the UK to do, ultimately it is politicians and stakeholders who want democracy and see future of Bangladesh should play positive role."

The Minister also took forward a wide-ranging development agenda and highlighted the breadth of the UK's engagement with Bangladesh. "We are proud of the partnership we have with Bangladesh," he said.

"Our contribution here will rise to US$ 300 million a year by 2010. As long as there is poverty in Bangladesh the UK will remain committed to working with the Bangladeshi people to improve the quality of life," he said

Following the launching of the US$60 million UK-funded Manusher Jonno Foundation Rights and Governance Challenge Fund, Shahid Malik said, "Bangladesh cannot achieve prosperity without also addressing the individuals - reaching and giving a voice to some two million of the most marginalized groups."

Malik also underlined the UK's commitment to tackling climate change in Bangladesh. "Bangladesh will among the countries most affected by the impacts of climate change, but it need not be a 'victim'. Resilience and the ability to adapt are proud qualities of the Bangladeshi people. The UK is committed to funding and expanding adaptation activities in Bangladesh, just as its is committed to supporting Bangladesh's international leadership September will show that Bangladesh has a vital part to play in bringing the world together for a far-reaching agreement on cutting emissions," he added.

Acting British High Commissioner Duncan Norman and DFID country representative were present at the press briefing.

OMS resumes in Sept after procurement drive ends

Staff Reporter

The government will start Open Market Sales (OMS) of rice at subsidised prices again in September after procurement from the domestic market, end.

"We will go back to OMS, if necessary, on completion of the procurement of rice," Finance and Planning Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam told newsmen yesterday. Asked about stopping of OMS, he said it's not practical to have procurement and OMS at the same time as the procurement price is higher than the OMS price.

"Procurement and open-market sales cannot go simultaneously," he said after a meeting with six Asian Development Bank officials at the planning ministry.

Aziz said the government buys rice at Tk 28 a kg from farmers and sells at Tk 25 on the open market. The Government may have to pay higher prices if the two continue together; the Adviser said explaining suspension of the OMS.

He said OMS was meant for low-income people to buy daily essentials at lower prices.

On price rise of rice, pulse, potato and some other essential commodities after the budget announcement, the Adviser denied any link between the announcement of the budget and soaring prices.

"There is nothing in the budget that may trigger a price hike. I don't see any reason for it," Aziz said.

He said, "The commerce ministry may explain if the prices of commodities have really increased."

On if inflation will go further up, the Adviser said inflation turned out to be a "worrying issue" for all countries.

"Inflations in India and Bangladesh are almost the same. The inflation rate is 20 per cent in Sri Lanka and 23 per cent in Vietnam," the Adviser said.

Mirza Aziz reiterated that inflation on a point-to-point basis exceeded double digit in Bangladesh but came down to 7.66 per cent in April. "The projected 9 per cent inflation is also a matter of concern for Bangladesh."

City, pourashava poll schedules today: Major parties demand JS elections first

Staff Reporter

Amid strong opposition from major political parties not to hold the local government elections before the parliamentary polls, the Election Commission (EC) is going to announce the schedules for four city corporations and nine pourashavas this afternoon.

The local body elections would be held in then cities and pourasabhas on the basis of new photo voter list which has already been completed there.

The reconstituted EC for the first time will announce the schedules of any elections amid a state of emergency continuing in the country to see the impact of the newly made electoral rules on ground.

Sources said the election schedules would be announced at 5 PM today.

The city corporations where polls will be held are: Rajshahi, Barisal, Sylhet and Khulna while the nine Pourasavas are: Dupchachia in Bogra, Naohata in Rajshahi, Sreepur in Gazipur, Fulbaria in Mymensingh, golapganj in Sylhet, Sitakunda in Chittagong, and Chuadanga, Manikganj and Shariatpur district headquarters.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda and Election Commissioners-M Sohul Hussain and Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain-will be present at the groundbreaking ceremony.

The caretaker Government has already decided to relax the relevant rules of the Emergency Powers Rules (EPR) for the election areas immediately after announcement of the election schedule to facilitate the election campaigning.

According to sources, the announcement of schedule for holding Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) election might be delayed by several months since the voter list of the city has not yet been completed.

The schedule for DCC election is expected to be announced by August or September next.

Hasina seeks more exemption from court appearance

Staff Reporter

Defence lawyers yesterday filed a petition in a Court seeking exemption from personal appearance for recently released former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during hearings in an extortion case that was filed by businessman Azam J Chowdhury.

Her counsel, Advocate Sahara Khatun moved the prayer to Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court. Accepting the petition, Judge Md Ashraf Hossain fixed July 2 to give his decision on the matter. Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Awami League (AL), is now staying in the US for medical treatment.

In a related development, another Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court yesterday deferred the charge hearing in the MiG-29 scam case against Sheikh Hasina to June 26.

Dhaka Divisional Special Judge Golam Mortuza Majumder, presiding over a Special Judge's Court on the premises of the high-security Parliament building complex, postponed the day's hearing upon a plea by the defence lawyers.

Lawyers for Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Sheikh Hasina's cousin and co-accused in Azam J Chowdhury's extortion case, also sought for exempting him from personal appearance in the Court.

The Judge Md Ashraf Hossain said he would give his decision after examining the documents of the High Court in this case.

The High Court on February 6 cancelled the extortion case, filed by businessman Azam J Chowdhury, declaring illegal the inclusion of the case under emergency powers rules (EPR).

The Supreme Court has overruled the High Court order cancelling the case and the trial Court to proceed with the hearing.

The case statement alleged that the accused extorted about Tk 3 crore from the plaintiff in exchange, while awarding work order in a power plant project during Sheikh Hasina's term as the Prime Minister.

The AL chief was arrested from her Dhanmondi Sudha Sadan residence on July 16, and detained at a special prison-bungalow as she was shown arrested in the case, which was included under EPR the same day.

Sheikh Hasina has already been exempted from personal appearances in four separate graft cases against her, as she seeks medical treatment overseas.

The Government on June 11 issued a temporary release order for the AL President allowing her to go abroad. She went to the US the next day.

Judge Golam Mortuza Majumder of the Special Judge's Court deferred the charge hearing of Mig-29 scam case till June 26, when defence counsels told the Court that they could not participate in the hearing without senior lawyer Barrister Shafique Ahmed, who was busy in the High Court yesterday.

On June 11, Syed Rezaur Rahman, lawyer for the accused former Army Chief Gen Mustafizur Rahman, pleaded the Court to exempt his client from personal appearance in hearings.

Advocate Sahara Khatun was present in the Court Thursday on behalf of Sheikh Hasina, who is overseas at present seeking medical treatment.

Six other accused in the case, including Gen Mustafiz, were produced in Court.

The now-defunct Bureau of Anticorruption filed the graft case, involving the controversial purchase of eight MiG-29 warplanes, with Tejgaon police on Dec 11, 2001 during the tenure of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia as the Prime Minister.

Seven people, including Sheikh Hasina, were accused in the case. It was alleged that during Sheikh Hasina's tenure as Prime Minister, the state incurred huge losses to the tune of Tk 700 crore because of the Mig-29 purchase deal.

Sheikh Hasina and other accused were charged on Jan 29, 2003, but the Court proceedings remained halted for years as an appeal was pending with the High Court.

Other accused in the case are former Air Force Chief Jamaluddin Ahmed, former Defence Secretary Syed Yusuf Hossain, former Joint Secretary (Defence) Mohammad Hossain Sherniabat, retired Air Commodore Mirza Akhtar Maruf and Unique Group proprietor businessman Noor Ali.

Bribery case: Hearing deferred as prosecution fails to produce Tarique

UNB, Dhaka

The arraignment hearing in the Tk 21-crore bribery case against Tarique Rahman, detained ex-PM Khaleda Zia's elder son, former state minister Lutfozzaman Babar and six others was Thursday once again deferred to take place on June 25.

As the prosecution failed to produce the principal accused, Tarique Rahman, who is suffering from multiple health complications, before the special court trying the case, Judge Shahed Noor Uddin passed the deferment order.

The prosecution, however, brought detained co-accused Lutfozzaman Babar, the former state minister for home affairs, and Abu Sufiyan in the court.

As the court resumed at 10:52am, Barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah, the counsel for Tarique, quoting a medical report, prayed for adjournment as his client was "unfit to move from the prison cell".

After hearing the petition, the court fixed June 25 as the next date for charge hearing.

Other accused in the case are Bashundhara Group chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan alias Shah Alam, his two sons-Shafiat Sobhan Sanvir and Sadaat Sobhan-Abu Sufian, director of East West Property Development Pvt. Ltd., a sister concern of Bashundhara, and Tarique's private secretary Mia Nur Uddin Apu.

On October 10 last year, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case against six persons, except Tarique and Saleemul. In an investigation, later, the investigation officer found their involvement.

The prosecution story says that, after investigation, it was found that Tarique had taken Tk 1 crore out of a Tk 21- crore bribe.

In the case, the complainant accused them of taking and giving the bribe to save the Bashundhara Group chairman's son Sanvir from the charge of murdering Humayun Kabir Sabbir, a director of Bashundhara Group, on July 5, 2006.

Outlawed commander killed in encounter with RAB

BSS, Jhenidah

A commander of the outlawed Purbobanglar Communist Party (ML) Janajuddha faction was killed in an encounter between the extremists and RAB and police here in the early hours of Thursday.

Police sources said the dead was identified as Zahidul Islam, 29, of Alampur village under Jhenidah Sadar upazila.

The gunfight took place as the Janajuddha cadres opened fire on a joint squad of RAB and police, which cordoned off the local school ground where the extremists were holding a meeting following the death of their party chief Abdur Rashid alias Tapan Malitha.

At one stage of the fighting Zahidul received bullets and died on the spot. The RAB members recovered one pipe gun, four rounds of rifle bullet and two gun bullets from the spot. Islam, son of Anwar Hossain of Alampur Village, was an accused in seven cases, including a murder charge, pending with Jhenidah thana of the district.

A case was recorded yesterday with Jhenidah thana in this connection.

Burglars take away Tk 21 lakh from Mamun's office

Staff Reporter

Burglars took away Tk 20.64 lakh breaking the steel almirah, cabinets and iron safes from inside the office-room of jailed businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun at Silver Tower at Gulshan in the city yesterday.

Gulshan police said the burglars entered the offices of Silver Line Associates and Sundarban Travels housed at the second floor of Silver Tower owned by Mamun, a close aide of detained BNP senior secretary general Tarique Rahman, sometime between Wednesday afternoon and yesterday morning. They took away Tk 20,64,447 breaking the steel almirahs, cabinets and iron safes inside the office rooms.

Later, Khondaker Mohiuddin, an official of Silver Line Associates, filed a case (No. 54) with the Gulshan Police Station accusing ten persons including cleaner Asif, electrician Sagar, liftman Zahir and security guard Firoze.

However, none was arrested in connection with the incident till filing this report last night.

Govt -AL dialogue July 3

Staff Reporter

The Awami League will join the Government-sponsored political dialogue on July 3 keeping the issue of holding Parliamentary Election by December on top of the agenda.

Awami League Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday disclosed this after a presidium meeting at the Gulshan residence of Awami League Acting President Zillur Rahman.

He informed the reporters that Kazi Md Aminul Islam, secretary to the Chief Adviser's Office, confirmed the schedule over telephone to the party.

The dialogue will begin at 11.00am on that day, Ashraful noted.

Ashraful said, "The Awami League will hold bilateral talks with its allies including the Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu), Gano Azadi League, Ganotantrik Party, Communist Kendra and Samyabadi Dal before joining the dialogue."

"We will fix a common set of proposal to submit to the Government on the dialogue", he added.

Replying to a question Ashraful dismissed the possibility of holding meeting with the 'Gono Forum' because of some ideological difference.

"We demand national election first and a complete lifting of emergency rule before the polls", Ashraful reiterated the party's demand.

Replying to a query wheatear the Awami League would take part in the local polls before the national polls, Ashraful said " We will take decision through working committees meeting after the declaration of schedule of local government."

About the preparation for the forthcoming election Ashraful said, " We have enough skilled, efficient and qualified candidates for each constituency of the parliamentary.

Presidium members Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta and Matia Chowdhury were present at the meeting.

Advisers question TIB graft report: ACC supports findings

Staff Reporter

Several advisers of the caretaker government yesterday rejected outright the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report on corruption released on Wednesday.

They also questioned the method of survey carried out by TIB in preparing its report.

However, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) agreed with the findings of the TIB report admitting that widespread corruption in various service sectors of the country is going on.

Finance Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday told reporters that the intensity of corruption in Bangladesh, mainly at top levels, has reduced to some extent.

'Corruption is taking place at which level and which scale of the government is important," he said.

"It doesn't seem to me that the Advisers of the caretaker government are involved in corruption or one can bring allegations against them," he said.

He said significant achievements have taken place following the ongoing anti-corruption drive was launched by the present caretaker government.

The Finance Adviser, however, admitted corruption at the lower level of the government due to social and economic reasons.

Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said he wanted that TIB would prepare its report objectively based on facts and figures so that they could take steps against the corrupt government officials and employees accordingly.

'If such reports are objective and based on facts and figures we can comment on it and take necessary steps. Otherwise, it is difficult to take any action against anyone," he said.

LGRD and Cooperatives Adviser Anwarul Iqbal said his ministry would give a formal reaction to the report after receiving it from the TIB. "We have requested the TIB to send the report and after receiving the report we will give a formal reaction to it."

On the other hand, the Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday said it was not surprised at all by the TIB report suggesting rise in corruption, especially petty graft, as the report reflected the scenario from mid-2006 to mid-2007, when the current purge had not got off.

"The Commission is not surprised by the TIB report as the duration reflected in the report was from mid-2006 to mid-2007," ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal, also the ACC spokesperson, told reporters at the Commission's regular briefing in response to the report published Wednesday.

Responding to a volley of questions, he, however, did not disagree with the findings by the TIB about rising corruption in some sectors.

About increase in petty corruption, Hanif said, "The Commission is not saying that petty corruption did not increase."

The director general said the Commission--which has chased many top ruling politicians of the past into prison under the anti-corruption drive in the interim period--would work taking into consideration the practical recommendations made in the TIB report.

He said that in the next report corruption scenario after mid-2007 would be reflected and then, possibly, it would be clearer which way the situation would actually turn.

Hanif said the Commission does not believe at all that in an imaginative way like 'Aladin's Wonder Lamp' state of corruption would be changed overnight.

Whatever the result of evaluation of the state of corruption, he said, the anti-graft body's efforts would continue to eradicate corruption, or bring corruption to a tolerable level.

Asked how along it would take, he said no one would be able to give any timeline in this regard.

He said the ACC would try to make things better by working to the best of its ability after detecting the sectors where rampant corruption takes place.

The ACC spokesperson reminded that it would not be possible for the Commission alone to combat corruption rather concerted effort is required to achieve the end.

Responding to remark made by TIB chairman Prof Muzaffar Ahmed that ACC works with the past, he said it is the comment of the TIB chairman and the Commission works in its own way.

About media reports that final report of the Barapukuria graft case against detained former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and 15 others would be given letting the accused off the hook, Hanif said no such thing was even discussed in the Commission meeting.

"Final report may be given in future," he said, adding that no such decision has yet been made.

The reconstituted anti-graft watchdog led by former army chief Lt Gen (Retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury assumed office at the end of February last year.