The New Nation - Internet Edition

Fierce clash at Feni over land acquisition: SP, ASP, 14 cops among 30 injured

Dildar Hossain Swapan from Feni

At least 30 people, including 16 police officers and constables, were injured in a police-villagers clash at Majlishpur near old Feni airport in Sadar upazila yesterday.

Sources said the clash occurred when the law enforcers went there to acquire land for the proposed Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and some villagers tried to stop the drive.

At about 4:00am police came to the village to arrest agitating villagers, who placed barricade to stop the land acquisition. Police filed three cases against a number of villagers in this connection.

On the other hand, police said some villagers attacked a police patrol when the team went there for performing their regular duty early in the morning.

When police re-enforcement arrived at the spot, the villagers attacked them, too, triggering a fierce clash. Police also opened fire to disperse the angry villagers.

As the situation went beyond control the police fired 147 rounds of gunshots, 37 rounds of rifle shots and lobbed over 20 tear gas shells injuring at least 14 people, four of them-- Jafar Ahmad, Zahadul Islam, Ilais and Russel--with bullet wounds. Many villagers took position on the rooftops and hurled brickbats at the police, sources said.

The area turned into a veritable battlefield in a short time, as hundreds of angry villagers were locked in a fierce clash with the law enforcers.

The protesters hurled brickbats at the police, who were trying to bring the situation under control. Many of the villagers were seen wielding sticks and other homemade weapons.

The Superintendent of Police (SP) Harun-ur-Rashid Hazari, ASP (Circle) Abdul Matin, SIs Abdul Gafur, Rashid Khan and Kabir Hossain and constables Nur Uddin, Linkon Chakam, Dijoton Barua, Sunil Kanti, Rasal, Karim, Suman, Sufian, Alamgir, Saiful and Kamal Uddin, were also among the injured in the clash.

The seven of the injured policemen were admitted to the Feni Sadar Hospital.

As RAB and BDR personnel arrived at the spot to take control of the situation, angry villagers damaged one of the vehicles belonging to the elite police force RAB.

The villagers alleged that at least 100 villagers, including women and children, were injured in the police action.

Later, the law enforcers brought the situation under control and arrested six people from the scene.

Hasina calls for JS elections first to restore democracy

Sheikh Hasina

UNB, Dhaka

Former prime minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina, now in Washington, called for realizing parliament election first to restore democracy in the country.

Addressing party workers in the US capital, marking the 59th founding anniversary of Awami League, she asked her party faithful to foil all conspiracies at any cost and ensure victory in the parliamentary polls.

Hasina reminded that Awami League was born for establishing democracy and the rights of the common people, according to a message received here yesterday.

In reply to a question from the workers, she said, "I've no reservation against any one. I want to work together with all to build the country so Bangladesh can be a middle-income developed country by 2020."

Recalling her return to Bangladesh from America last year, despite perceived prohibition from the emergency regime, Hasina said she took all risks and returned to the country for restoration of democracy.

About her interim release from prison for treatment abroad the Awami League chief said she was freed due to unity of the party in the face of all "conspiracies" and persistent demand by her followers at home and abroad.

Expressing her gratitude to party leaders and workers for her release, Hasina said Awami League repeatedly came under attack as it speaks for the people. "Awami League has proved how to face the challenges by maintaining unity in an adverse situation."

Hasina, who had run the country from 1996 to 2001, said people got rice at Tk 10 per kg and lived in happiness during her rule. "But, people had to face disastrous situation as the Awami League did not return to power. As a result, the country faced a setback in different fields."

The meeting was held at the residence of US Awami League president Prof Khalid Hasan. Hasina's son Sajiv Wajed Joy, US Awami League leaders Abdus Sobhan Golap, Keramat Ali, Chandan Dutta, Joseph Kennedy Gomez, Abdullah Liton, Haji Liton, Abdur Rahim Badsha and Haji Modasser Mia and leaders of the party's front organizations were among others present.

BRTA drive 107 cases filed, seven vehicles seized in city

BRTA conducted drives against vehicles in different
city areas yesterday for taking extra fare from passengers.
(Inset): A bus was damaged by passengers at Rampura area
over row of the extra fare. FocusBangla

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), in separate drives, filed 107 cases and seized seven vehicles from different areas in the city yesterday on charge of violation of the Motor Vehicle Act.

BRTA with the assistance of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) conducted the drives in Satrasta crossing, Manik Miah Avenue, Postagola and Jatrabari area, said a handout.

Local-body polls to be completed by Oct: Adviser

UNB, Dhaka

Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman yesterday said there should not be any doubt regarding parliamentary polls in December, as all local-body elections would be completed by October.

"Elections to city corporations, pourasavas and upazilas will be completed by October. So, there is nothing to be worried. We'll have enough time to arrange a free and fair national election slated for December," he said.

Dr Zillur was talking to journalists after a meeting with Communications Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader at Public Works Ministry at noon.

Following the arrangement of the local elections, he said, there have been two types of apprehension-whether the government will have enough time to complete the parliamentary polls as per the roadmap, and is the government conspiring to bring any particular quarter to power?

About the question of time for the national election, Dr Zillur said time would not be a problem for the government to hold the parliamentary polls within the roadmap.

Regarding the second apprehension, he said now it has become too difficult in Bangladesh to bluff people, as they are now very much aware about the state machinery and all the socioeconomic and political processes.

Asked whether the caretaker government has constitutional mandate to arrange local elections, Communications Adviser Ghulam Quader said all elections are being arranged as per the Election Commission's roadmap.

About their their meeting, the adviser said they discussed all the recent political issues, as the government wants to remove all the doubts and apprehensions prevailing among the political parties about the long-awaited national election.

Turkish businessmen keen to invest in Bangladesh

Staff Reporter

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has signed an agreement of mutual cooperation with Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey (TUSKON) for the promotion of trade and business between Bangladesh and Turkey.

FBCCI president Annisul Huq and TUSKON president Rizanur Meral on behalf of their respective Chamber signed the deal. Under the agreement both chambers will exchange trade missions, support or co-sponsor, trade and investment seminars and supply relevant market information.

The chambers will assist each other holding exhibition in the home market of the other and will cooperate exchanging trade and business enquiries and conducting research and training programmes for human resource development.

The deal was signed as the 28-member business delegation of FBCCI visited Turkey recently to attend the Turkey-Pacific Foreign Trade Summit and Buyer Mission programme.

TUSKON organised the summit in Istanbul from 16 to 21 June with a view to bringing together businessmen from Asia - Pacific countries. Some 465 businessmen from 20 countries of the Asia Pacific region discussed joint business projects at the summit.

During the visit the FBCCI President along with his team members called on President of Turkey Abdullah Gul. The FBCCI delegation also met the leaders of business community and dignitaries of Turkey. The Turkish businessmen expressed their interest to invest in Bangladesh and exporting Bangladeshi products. A Turkish delegation is expected to visit Bangladesh soon in this regard.

Terrorist killed in encounter with RAB

UNB, Dhaka

A terrorist was killed in a shootout between his accomplices and RAB at city's Jigatola area early yesterday.

The dead was identified as Shahiduzzaman Babu alias Bilai Babu, a cadre of Emon's killer group. Emon is the top terror of Jigatola, Dhamondi and Hazaribagh areas of the city, police said adding that Babu was wanted in a number of murder and other criminal cases.

Acting on secret information that a gang of terrorists were holding a clandestine meeting in a secret place near Jigatola post office a team of RAB-2 conducted a drive there at about 2am.

"When RAB members challenged some people there due to their suspicious movement they opened fire on them forcing the elite force to fire back. At one stage of the gun battle the terrorists fled the scene sensing danger", said a RAB official giving an account of the spot.

Later, RAB members and police searched the area and recovered the bullet-ridden body of Babu.

The law enforcers recovered one revolver, two rounds of bullet from the spot and five Yaba tablets, 10 small packets of heroin from the deceased's pocket.

Aug 21 grenade attack: Arrest warrant against 8 fugitive accused

Court Correspondent

The chargesheet (CS) of the case in connection with the grenade attack on Awami League meeting held on August 21,2004 was submitted to the court yesterday and while receiving the CS, Metropolitan Session Judge of Dhaka Md. Azizul Haque ordered to issue warrant of arrest against 8 fugitives and fixed July 27 as the next date of the case, when a report will be submitted about the compliance of the warrant order.

The fugitives are : Moulana Mohammad Tajuddin, Mohibul Mottaquin, Anisul Morsalin, Md. Khalil, Zahangir Alam, Iqbal, Abu Bakr alias Hafez and Selim Howladar Liton.

Of the 22 accused, other 14 have already been taken into custody.

Including Godge Mia other 4 accused have been discharged, as their addresses were not found correct.

The chargesheet was submitted under sections 3,4 and 6 of the Explosives Act.

The grenade attack was made on a meeting of Awami League held at Bangabandhu Avenue of Dhaka, presided over by the President of the Party Sheikh Hasina, causing the death of 19 persons on the spot including Women Awami League President Ivy Rahman. More than one hundred people were injured in the incident, while Awami League Chief herself also suffered injury which caused problem for her ear and eye.

Public Prosecutor Ehsanul Haque Samaji moved the case on behalf of the prosecution, while Investigation Officer (IO) of the case CID's ASP Fazlul Kabir also took part in the hearing.

Oil summit for supply boost

Agency, Jeddah

Leading oil exporters have acknowledged the need to boost supplies to curb soaring prices but stopped short of specific commitments on extra output.

Following their crisis summit in Saudi Arabia, officials noted price levels were "hostile" and more investment was needed to ensure "adequate" supplies.

Saudi Arabia blamed speculation, not lack of supply, for surging prices but said it was willing to raise output.

Earlier, Gordon Brown said more supply was needed to ease price "instability".

The US, UK and other major consumers of oil have urged producers to boost supply, blaming lack of capacity for the recent price surge.

In a statement issued at the end of the meeting in Jeddah, officials from Opec oil exporters and consumers said "an appropriate increase in investment" in production was needed to ensure that the markets were "well supplied in a timely and adequate manner".

The final communiqué made no reference to immediate action to cool prices, which have surged more than 40% this year alone.

But Saudi Arabia said it would be prepared to pump more oil "if demand for such quantities materializes and our customers tell us they are needed".

The world's largest oil producer has already announced plans to lift daily quotas to 9.7 million barrels by the end of July, an increase of about 500,000 barrels since May.

Saudi officials also indicated they could raise its oil "cushion" - the spare production capacity it maintains - above the current 12.5 million barrels per day planned for the end of 2009.

"We are very concerned for consumers in all countries," Saudi King Abdullah bin

Abdul-Aziz told the meeting in Jeddah, convened after prices rose 40% this year to close to $140.

"And we declare our readiness to meet any additional needs."

King Abdullah proposed that members of the Opec producers body could contribute $1bn to a fund to help poorer countries deal with spiralling energy costs.

The BBC's Paul Wood in Jeddah said the Saudi measures would be welcomed but that it would be naive to assume they would have an instant impact on prices.

The meeting, attended by energy ministers from more than 30 countries as well as senior executives from the world's largest oil companies, took place amid fears that recent record oil prices are helping tip the US and other major economies towards recession.

Addressing the meeting, UK PM Brown called for a "new deal" on global energy supplies to benefit both consumers and producers.

Better information was needed on the current state of global oil supplies and future demand, he said, while oil producers must diversify beyond oil by investing in other sources of energy, including renewable projects.

He also called for "enhanced co-operation" between governments to reduce the global economy's dependence on oil.

US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said rising demand, especially from countries like China and India, was growing faster than supply and that this was pushing prices up.

WB pledges $1.3b to fight disasters

Staff Reporter

The visiting World Bank Vice-President of South Asia region Praful C Patel yesterday pledged assistance to Bangladesh to combat climate change and natural disasters.

"The World Bank will give Bangladesh $1.3 billion in annual budgets for the next three fiscal years," he told the media after meeting with Finance and Planning Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam at his office. The decision of the international lending agency came in the wake of natural disasters that has caused climate change in Bangladesh, Praful added.

Replying to a query he said the high prices of fuel, fertiliser and foods in the international market has also affected Bangladesh.

He said that the climate change has caused natural disasters in the country, which remain a big challenge for Bangladesh.

Assistance of the World Bank would be continued to Bangladesh in combating the natural disasters that hamper the growth of the country, he mentioned.

The Finance Adviser said he had sought help from the World Bank's fund for combating climate change.

Oil price up despite Saudi pledge

BBC Online

Oil prices have risen after emergency talks among the world's top oil powers and leading consuming nations over the weekend ended with no real resolution.

US sweet, light crude for August delivery increased by $2.46 to $137.08 a barrel, while London Brent crude rose $1.03 to $135.89 a barrel.

The rises came despite Saudi Arabia's promise to increase daily output by an extra 200,000 barrels a day from July. Record oil prices have pushed up fuel prices, hitting living costs worldwide.

"The oil summit really has not done much to temper oil pricing," said Victor Shum, an energy analyst with Purvin & Gertz.

Fishermen, truck drivers and consumers across Europe and Asia have been protesting against the increase in petrol and diesel costs as oil prices have jumped by about 40% since the beginning of the year.

The oil price has risen more than five-fold since 2000.

This prompted Saudi Arabia, the world's top exporter, to hold a summit over the weekend to discuss the situation with top energy policy makers.

Before the meeting, Saudi Arabia had pledged to lift daily quotas to 9.7 million barrels by the end of July, an increase of about 500,000 barrels since May.

But without specific commitment from other members of the producers' cartel Opec to lift production following the meeting, the market considered that Saudi Arabia's move would not be enough to meet soaring demand, especially from fast-growing emerging economies such as China and India.

Prices were also kept high by news that Nigerian oil fields operated by Chevron and Royal Dutch Shell remained shut after they were attacked last week.

The attack on Shell's installation at Bonga, 120km (75 miles) out to sea, was the first time militants had struck at an offshore oil site, and the move cut a 10th of Nigerian oil production in one go.

Kamran, Badshah, Enayet Pir, 14-party mayoral candidates

Staff Reporter

The two major political parties-Awami League and BNP-may allow their local leaders' indirect participation in the local body elections in order to consolidate their respective organisational machineries, while maintaining non-participation stance at the central level owing to the pressure of their grassroots leaders, party insiders said this, while talking to The New Nation yesterday.

Local level leaders of all political parties, except Jamaat-e-Islami, are in election mood and many of influential Awami League (AL) and BNP leaders have started pre-election campaigns in the four city corporations and nine-pourashavas, where polls schedules have been announced with August 4 as the simultaneous polling date.

On the other many of the central leaders of the BNP and AL are in favour of participation for three reasons-1) a boycott will affect the local party machinery, triggering demobilisation and internal conflicts and 2) to have a first hand experience as to what would be the quality and nature of the next general election under the present Caretaker Government on the basis of first voters' list with photographs and voters' ID card and 3) a resistance to the local polls is almost impossible with organisational set up that has already been considerably weaken due to the anti-corruption campaign.

Meanwhile, Barisal Nagorik Committee, the AL-led 14-party alliance's citizens' body, yesterday formally announced Advocate Enayet Pir Khan as its mayoral candidate in the city corporation elections. Enayet Pir Khan had also contested the previous polls as the 14-party alliance candidate against BNP-led four-party alliance nominee and detained incumbent Mayor Mujibur Rahman Sarwar, who could not take part this year due to conviction in graft case.

"The formal announcement for the Barisal City Corporation polls should be treated as the Awami League stance," an influential AL Presidium member said, adding that the party's Central Working Committee (ALCWC) would take formal decision on local polls on Thursday (June 26).

He said Workers' Party central leader Fazle Hossain Badsha is going to be the 14-party alliance candidate, which he was during the last City Corporation polls, for Rajshahi City Mayor. "Incumbent Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran will be candidate for Sylhet city if there is no legal problem, while the Central Working Committee will finalise the nominee Khulna city."

When contacted,. Khulna city AL leader and former Minister Talukder Abdul Khalek said the local party is fully prepared to participate in the polls. "I will contest for Mayor and waiting for the party clearance. The party will be loser if boycotts the polls."

AL Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam made cautious remark as he was approached for a comment. "We don't want to go back to January 11 (2007) situation. We want a free, fair and credible elections," he said, advising to wait for the ALCWC meeting.

Local BNP leaders-Khulna City Committee General Secretary Nazrul Islam Manju, former General Secretary of Rajshahi district Qumarul Munir, General Secretary of Barisal district BNP Ebaidul Haq Chan and former president of Sylhet district unit MA Haque and present general secretary Nasim Hossain, who are vying for the mayoral candidature, yesterday told The New Nation that they have requested BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain revise his decision to boycott the local body polls.

Otherwise, the BNP will suffer a great loss and lost its command in Rajshahi, Barisal and Khulna, where party candidates-Mizanur Rahman Minu, Mujbur Rahman Sarwar and Shaikh Tayebur Rahman respectively were elected City Mayor during the previous polls. "None of this three incumbent Mayors will be able to contest this time since they were convicted in graft case. We should participate in the polls," Ebaidul Haq Chan opined.

Besides, BNP Chairperson's Adviser Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah is strongly advocating for joining the local body polls.

Sources close to BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain, who has already called for building resistance against the local body polls, is expected to discuss the issue with detained party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia today, when she is scheduled for a court appearance.

"The BNP Secretary General will finalise his decision as per Begum Zia's directive and observing the outcome of the ALCWC," he said.

CEC tells in Chittagong: MPs’ only job to make laws, not dev works: Heated debate between EC Sakhawat and Mahbubuddin Khokon

Chittagong Correspondent

Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday said MPs under political regimes were busy with development activities beyond their mandate---a practice that hinders strengthening of local government institutions.

"Lawmaking is the only job of parliament members," he said during a hearing on its re-demarcation plan for parliamentary seats at Chittagong Circuit House. "Such practices by the lawmakers have stalled local body elections."

He said the lawmakers are mandated to make laws in the parliament instead of being part of development activities.

"Local government representatives are solely responsible for doing development activities. And this is the reason the Election Commission wants to hold local body polls," he said.

The EC is conducting the hearing across the country as objections were piled up against its re-demarcation plan. Any citizen can object to the EC's plan and seek to include or exclude an area in a parliamentary seat. The EC will make a final decision after it completes the hearing.

The January 11 episode was to put a brake to the machination of those who tried to fish in troubled water unleashing a reign of terror, chaos and confrontation centering the general elections slated for January 22 last year, the CEC said.

He said the previous political governments that alternately ruled the country over past 15 years have failed to strengthen local government institutions despite an order from the country's highest court.

The EC yesterday heard the objections that involve eight parliamentary seats under Feni, Noakhali and Chittagong districts.

The CEC said the lawmakers used to stay away from the parliament sessions creating a quorum crisis, as they were "busy with distributing licences to the dealers of rice, pulse or drugs".

He was however optimistic for a change this time, as he called upon the people to choose "honest, sincere and qualified" candidates through the next elections, expected to be held by the third week of December.

Election Commissioners Sohul Hossain and M Sakhawat Hossain also attended the programme.

Talking to newsmen during the lunch break, EC Sohul Hossain said that mayoral and pourasva polls would not affect the general elections in any way.

"Holding parliamentary polls is the main objective of the EC, and nothing will be able to deviate the EC from its ultimate goal," he said.

Sohul Hossain said he thinks the local polls slated for August 4 would not hamper the national polls in any way.

He, however, said the EC would suspend local body elections if there was any sign that it may obstruct the national polls.

The CEC, however, declined to talk to the press.

There were heated debates between Barrister Mahbubuddin Khokon, one of the panel solicitors of detained former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain over the demarcation of constituencies.

At one stage, Brig Gen (Retd) Sakhawat Hossain advised Barrister Khokon to be specific and precise saying, "You're talking to the Election Commissioners, not the party workers."

EC Secretary Mohammad Humayun Kabir, among others, also joined the hearing.

Representatives from Feni-3, Noakhali-1,2, Chittagong-5,6,7, 12, and 13 constituencies joined the hearings held covering three sessions.

The EC pledged to review some of the objections regarding demarcation which have adequate grounds and justifications.