The New Nation - Internet Edition

14-party changes Rajshahi mayor nomination: Liton in, Badsha out

AHM Khairuzzaman Liton

Staff Reporter

In the wake of deep internal discords in the Awami League-led 14-party coalition over the nomination of mayoral candidate in Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) polls, Fazle Hossain Badsha yesterday withdrew from the race.

Now, AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, general secretary of Rajshahi City Awami League, is the 14-party nominated candidate.

Badsha, a politburo member of the Awami League ally Workers Party, quit the race on the last day of candidacy withdrawal. He got the 14-party approval although other partners of the coalition extended their support to Rajshahi City unit Awami League general secretary AHM Khairuzzaman Liton openly, creating a deep division among the partners in the coalition.

Though Badsha got the formal nomination from the AL-led 14-party coalition, Liton had been showing strong reluctance to withdraw his candidacy over the last several days. Both Badsha and Liton had been criticizing each other over the last couple of days. But, Badsha's position became weakened when all the local units of allies in the 14-party coalition, except Workers Party extended their support to Liton strengthening his position and boosting his morale for the mayoral candidate in the RCC elections.

Our Rajshahi Correspondent Shamsun Naher reports: The Rajshahi City Unit of 14-party combine leaders held a meeting to break the stalemate that arose from giving Badsha the mayoral ticket as Liton also wanted to run for the post. After the meeting, Badsha formally announced withdrawal of his candidacy at a press conference held at local Public Library Auditorium in the afternoon.

"Central leaders of the 14-party alliance nominated me as a mayoral candidate, but for the sake of greater unity among the pro-democratic and non-communal forces and to uphold the spirit of the War of Liberation, I withdraw my nomination as mayoral candidate," announced Badsha, who was looking very pale and upset.

He further said that central leaders of the 14-party alliance had nominated him as a mayoral candidate, but their decision could not be implemented in Rajshahi. "That is why I'm withdrawing my candidacy as RCC mayoral candidate," he said.

Badsha, however, declined to comment when he was asked whether he would contest in the next general elections.

When asked whether the withdrawal of his candidacy would intensify the rift among the allies of 14-party coalition, he said it was unlikely that such a situation would arise.

Even if any such situation occurs, the 14-party leaders will solve those problems centrally.

AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, who was waiting outside the conference room, said he was happy at the 'amicable settlement' of the matter. He also expressed the hope that all would work unitedly for him forgetting all the past differences and rivalries.

On the other hand, our Khulna Correspondent Nasima Muneer reports: Six candidates including a BNP leader are still in race for mayor after withdrawal of candidacy on the last day yesterday.

The Election Commission sources said five mayoral and 39 counselor candidates withdrew their candidacy yesterday. Five mayoral candidates who withdrew their nomination papers were Abdul Gaffar Biswas of Jatiya Party, Mallick Abid Hasan of Awami League, Amzad Khan Majlish of PDP, Sharif Shafiqul Hamid Chandan and Monirul Islam, an independent candidate.

Those who remain in the race for mayoral post are AL Khulna City president and former state minister Talukder Abdul Khaleque, BNP leader and acting mayor Moniruzzaman Moni, AL leader Adv Enayet Ali Shana, CPB leader Adv Firoze Ahmed, Muslim League leader Adv Moslem Uddin Ahmed, and independent candidate Sheikh Tayebur Rahman. Khulna City BNP leader and acting mayor Moniruzzaman Moni is determined to contest for the mayoral post although the BNP-led four-party alliance has boycotted the polls.

Our Barisal Correspondent reports: The Election Commission sources said nomination papers of three mayoral and twenty-two ward councilor candidates of Barisal City Corporation election were withdrawn.

Alamgir Hossain Khan Alo, district AL joint secretary and Mahmudul Huq Khan Mamun, city Jubo League joint convener, withdrew their nomination papers for mayor post in support of Advocate Shawkat Hossain Hiron, the 14-alliance nominated mayoral candidate.

Awlad Hossain Dilu, present ward commissioner and mayor in charge, also withdrew his nomination paper saying that he wanted to take farewell from the post of mayor (in charge) with honour and dignity. He said he was also not hopeful about free and fair election in the wake of certain pressures and boycott the polls by any major political group.

Manirul Islam, deputy election commissioner and returning officer of BCC election said that with this figures number of valid candidates of BCC election stand on 206 including 10 for Mayor post, 40 for ten served seats and 156 for 30 ward councilor seats.

Earlier total 245 candidates including 14 candidates for Mayor, 189 for 30 general ward councilors and 42 for reserved female seats had submitted nomination papers.

Now valid mayor candidates of BCC stands up to 10 including Advocate Principal Enayet Pir Khan, Nagorik Parishad president and Barisal Law College principal, Ebaidul Huq Chan, director FBCCI and president BCCI and former mayor candidate and former district BNP secretary, Ahsan Habib Kamal, former BNP leader, municipal chairman and BCC mayor in charge, Shawkat Hossain Hiron, city AL convener and 14 party alliance nominated candidate, Advocate Abul Kalam Azad, district CPB secretary, Sharfuddin Ahmed Santu, PDP leader , Advocate Kabiruddin Hannu, former JP leader and former ward commissioner , Advocate Jahirul Huq, Syed Abdullah Sahid, former joint district judge and Rafikul Islam Russel, businessmen.

Besides thirteen councilor candidates including Abbasuddin of ward no.1, Siddikur Rahman and Abul Hossain Biswas of ward no. 2, Md. Shamim of ward no.3, Habibur Rahman Tipu of ward no.6, Nazrul Islam and Maksudur Rahman of ward no.9, M A Zamal, Syed Khorshed Anwar and Mahmudul Karim Chowdhury of ward no. 10, Shahidul Islam of ward no.12, Siddikur Rahman and Md. Yunus of ward.15, Anwar Hossain of ward no. 17, Zakir Hossain and Sardar Enayet Hossain of ward no.23 and Md.

Zakir Hossain Mithu of ward no.24, Biddut Karmakar of ward no. 25 , Zahidur Rahman of ward no.30 and Rosina Akter of reserved seat no.3 have withdrawn their nomination papers.

Our Sylhet Correspondent reports:

14-party coalition has five candidates while four-party alliance has three candidates in the SCC mayoral race.

Even though 14-party formally endorsed detained SCC Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran, AL leaders Inamul Haque Chowdhury Bir Pratik and Babrul Hossain Babul are determined to contest the election. They said they would not withdraw their candidacy.

City AL Secretary Misbah Uddin Siraj and district AL Vice-president Abduj Jahir Chowdhury Sufian withdrew their candidacy yesterday.

Neither local BNP nor four-party coalition held any meeting so far about who would run for mayor from their camp.

Former district BNP president MA Haque, defeated by Kamran in the first SCC polls in 2003, and BNP leader AFM Kamal, running in this election under the banner of Sammilita Nagorik Committee, did not withdraw their candidacy.

City BNP General Secretary Nasim Hossain said he would withdrew his candidacy .

Hua Du leaves Dhaka tonight: Continued ADB support affirmed

Hua Du

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a discussion yesterday laid emphasis on broad based cooperation among the countries of SAARC for enhancing common economic growth and improving quality of people's life in the region.

They said that internal conflict and volatile political situation has been undermining the development progress of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Mutual respect and effective cooperation among SAARC countries could help alleviate poverty and enhance trade and commerce in the region, they said.

It is necessary to form ' South Asian Union' for strengthening trade and commerce, food security, climate change and effective implementation of South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), they added.

Their observation came at a meeting on " People's Expectation and South Asian Union" jointly organised by Media Foundation for Trade and Development (MFTD) and Equity and Justice Working Group (EJWG) at VIP lounge of the Jatiya Press Club.

Sadek Khan, columnist presided over and Farooq Ahmed of MFTD moderated the programme.

Mustafa Kamal Akanda, member of EJWG made welcome speech and Shamsuzzoha, member secretary of the organisation presented the keynote paper.

Hua Du, the outgoing Country Director of Asian Development Bank (ADB), Prof Maniruzzaman Mia, former Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University, Jaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha , QAMA Rahim, former Secretary General of SAARC, Dr Quazi Kholiquazzaman Ahmad, president of Bangladesh Economic Association, Abul hasan Chowdhury, former state minister for foreign affairs ,Waliur Rahman, Chairman of Bangladesh Heritage Foundation, former secretaries Sohel Ahmed and Siddiqur Rahman, Dr Ferdousi Begum and Shahidul Huq among others, took part in the discussion.

Hua Du said the SAARC countries have signed for setting up 'SAARC Food Bank' but still it remains in operational. She said that ADB would continue its support to SAARC in different areas.

On the issue of food security she said this year Bangladesh has achieved bumper food production due to subsidy of agriculture inputs by the government.

She hoped that the food price would be reduced gradually due to the surplus food production of this year.

"I believe Bangladesh will be able to stand up with its own strength and there are huge potentials for attaining self-sufficiency in food," she said.

She called upon the Government to take adaptation and mitigation plan along with indigenous technology to address natural calamities in the country.

She laid emphasis on infrastructure development of communication and cyclone warning centres.

Hua Du, who served six years as Country Director, is scheduled to leave the country today assured that the international lending agency would provide support to the government for implementation of social safety net programme.

Dr Quazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said about 30 per cent people of SAARC earn $ 1 per day only. He called upon countries of the region to work jointly for the uplift of the poor people.

Jaglul Ahmed Chowdhury laid emphasis on better connectivity and people to people contact among SAARC countries.

He said despite some constrains SAARC has moved forward. He hoped that one day there will be 'South Asian Parliament'.

'Advisers accountable for visiting accused’: Kader Siddiky, Hossain Zillur cross swords

Krishak-Sramik-Janata League President Abdul Kader
Siddiqui, Bir Uttam, and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur
Rahman addressing a joint press briefing after holding the
dialogue at the Chief Adviser's office on Sunday. Focus
Bangla

Staff Reporter

Bangabir Kader Siddiqi yesterday said the visit of four advisers to the residence of Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina after her temporary release and their subsequent meeting with her were wrong moves.

"It was wrong on the part of the Caretaker Government to allow advisers to hold a meeting at the residence of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina after her release on June 11," he said during the dialogue of his party, Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL), with the Caretaker Government at the Chief Adviser's Office.

Kader Siddiqui said visit by the government high-ups to the residence of an accused suspect was a mistake and had created confusions in the public minds.

"The advisers did not do the right thing by going to Sheikh Hasina's home after her release. The government will have to be accountable for the action," he cautioned. Adviser for Education and Commerce Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, however, told reporters that visiting the residence of Sheikh Hasina and holding meeting with her and the party was a part of the caretaker government's responsibility to bring about a political solution.

"We are very clear. We went there to accelerate the speed of the political discussion. We utilised the opportunity for beginning dialogue with the Awami League," he said while briefing reporters following the dialogue.

He said it was the government's responsibility to take effort to bring all at a place of political solution, which can advance the nation justly and properly and they were giving much attention to this responsibility.

"But someone might criticise or even doubt," he observed adding, "We will do whatever is needed for that. We are hopeful that all our activities will erase any doubts in future. All doubts will disappear in the course of time."

Speaking at the joint briefing, Kader Siddiqi, who led an 11-member delegation to the dialogue, however, welcomed the caretaker government's decision for temporary release of Sheikh Hasina for treatment abroad.

He said during the dialogue they have been ensured that the caretaker government would hold election in the third week of December as per its pledge and no member of the CG would take part in the next general election and the government would not compromise with any corrupt people.

Kader Siddiqui said they put forward a 28-point proposal to the government including trial of war criminals, imposing embargo on the politics of Jamaat-e-Islami, lifting the state of emergency and return of the armed forces to barracks as early as possible.

The proposals also included making parliament effective by giving due importance to Members of Parliament not dictatorship of Leader of the House, inviting more smaller political parties to the dialogue, taking steps to arrest price spiral of essentials and meeting electricity demand.

Asked whether the BNP imposed any condition to join the dialogue with the government, Hossain Zillur replied in the negative.

He said the government's invitation, interest and efforts to encourage BNP to join dialogue would continue.

The Adviser said the main target of the dialogue is to create consensus on some issues and areas of consensus are being cleared gradually.

He said the summary of proposals or demands of the political parties in the dialogue would be placed before the people at a certain stage.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and two advisers concerned were present at the 23rd dialogue.

KSJL general secretary Habibur Rahman, Nasrin Kader Siddiqi, Khaleda Habib, Kamaluddin Ahmed, Hamidul Huq, Iqbal Siddiqi, Farid Ahmed, Humayun Kabir and Abdullah, among others, were present at the dialogue and press briefing.

Road show returns to Dhaka

Artistes presenting a dance number after Esho
Bangladesh Gori-Road Show entered the city yesterday. Focus
Banglar

BSS, Dhaka

The road show under the slogan 'Esho Bangladesh Gori' returned to the capital on Sunday after marching through the country for one and a half months.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhaka Kamal Uddin Ahmed welcomed the caravan of the road show at Shanirakhra on the outskirts of the city. Government officials and distinguished persons were present.

The road show began with a view to creating awareness about checking corruption, building a terrorism-free country, changing food habit, enhancing food production, establishing honest and efficient leadership, expansion of information technology and above all building a prosperous Bangladesh.

The road show was inaugurated at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city on May 30 last.

It returned to Dhaka after marching the north and southwestern districts and Cox's Bazar.

The road show was staying Saturday in Noakhali where a day-long fair was organised at the local Zila School ground. The road show left Noakhali yesterday morning and reached Dhaka at 1 pm.

Anti-graft slogans have been voiced in all the districts from Panchagarh to Cox's Bazar because of this road show.

Awareness has been created among the students and the people of all strata against corruption and terrorism everywhere.

Cultivable land decreases by 0.31 pc in 2 decades

Staff Reporter

The average size of the cultivable land has decreased by 0.31 per cent during last two decades, a survey report says.

The BRAC conducted the survey between 1987 and 2008 through a sampling method at 64 unions across the country.

Executive Director of BRAC Dr Mahbub Hossain revealed the findings of the survey while presenting a keynote paper on "Two Decades of Change in Rural Economy: Trends in Landownership" at a seminar at BRAC Center auditorium. The BRAC Development Institute and the Research and Evaluation Division of BRAC jointly organised the seminar.

"The size of cropland has decreased over the last two decades; from an average farm holding size of 0.87 hectares in 1988 to 0.56 hectares in 2008. This pressure on land raises questions on the economic viability of farms though much of the decrease is accounted for by diversion of land to other productive uses-orchards, fishery and social forestry," Mahbub Hossain said in his survey report.

"Landownership in Bangladesh remains unequal with 3 per cent of rural households in 2008 owning no land, 26 per cent owning only homestead and 12 per cent owning less than 0.04 hectares. Taken together this group, referred to as the ultra-poor, constitutes 40 per cent of all rural households. In 1988, 34 per cent of rural households were ultra-poor, implying a marked increase in landlessness," according to the report.

"On the other hand about 6 per cent of households owned more than 2 hectares of land in 1988. This has decreased to 4 per cent in 2008. Besides, 40 per cent of households own only 8 per cent of total land, 4 per cent of the wealthiest households own 32 per cent of all land," the survey also said.

"Only 12 per cent of rural households rented out land in 1988. By 2004, the share had shot up to 29 per cent. But since then, over the last four years, market profitability has led more and more households to switch back to cultivating their own land," the report noted.

"Similarly, the share of owner-farms declined to about 26 per cent in 2004 from 37 per cent in 1988. Land owned by them also shrank from 68 per cent to 52 per cent. But within last few years, the share of this group went up to 29 per cent to common about 60 per cent of land," the report added.

"Non-farm households constituted 34 per cent of rural households in 1988 with 9 per cent of cultivable land, but by 2008, the share rose to about 44 per cent to command about 27 per cent of total land," the report said.

Sayed M Hashemi presided over the seminar while Prof Abdul Bayes of Jahangirnagar University addressed at the seminar.

Beware of miss call love

Mamunur Rashid

A victim of 'miss call love affair,' Mamun, who was kidnapped by his beloved Briste on July 3 from the Dakhhinkhan area, urged all young cell phone users not to fall in love with mobile phone 'miss callers' after his rescue by police yesterday.

Mamun Mia, 25, disclosed the story of his kidnapping for six days to reporters at a press briefing at the DMP media cell.

Mamun, a BA student of Govt Titumir College in the city, told the New Nation that he fell in love with a mobile phone miss caller, Bristi, one month ago. "On July 3 she invited me to participate in her friends marriage ceremony at Savar."

He recounted that he meet her at Joy Restaurant at Savar when she told him that the marriage ceremony would be held on the opposite side of Aricha.

He said, "I felt the thrill of romance and agreed to go with her, when we reached the boat on the River Padma, her accomplices pounced on me to tell me that I was a hostage."

He said his kidnappers, who identified themselves as extremists, demanded Tk 50,00,000 from him in return for his release.

The father of Mamun, Shalaudin Babul filled a kidnapping case with Dakhhinkhan Police Station.

The victim's father gave Briste and her accomplices Tk 7,00.000, but the kidnappers refused to release Mamun.

"My father then met Khalil member, one of the gang members, who demanded the rest of the amount on behalf of Briste, which prompted him to inform the police about the matter," Mamun said.

Babul however assured of giving the rest of the amount to the kidnappers.

Than Sub Inspector of Dakhhinkhan Police station Ataur Rahman identifying himself as the uncle of the victim went to Shuja Nagar in Pabna to meet the kidnappers to hand over the money.

During the meeting plainclothes policemen rescued Mamun and arrested four of the kidnappers, Khalil member, Babu Shorab and Zilan, from the spot.

The Deputy Commissioner of Uttara Zone, Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, told the New Nation that the godfather of the gang would soon be arrest.

350 upazila polls in Oct, rest after JS election

Staff Reporter

The Election Commission (EC) will hold election to 300 to 350 upazila parishads by October next and polls to the rest after the parliamentary election.

"We will announce the schedule for upazila polls by middle or end of the next month. So, elections to 300-350 upazilas will be held in the first half of October while the rest after the national elections," said Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain while talking to reporters at his office yesterday.

He said the schedule for general elections would be announced by the end of October or first week of November and the polls would be held in the third week of December in line with the roadmap.

The Election Commissioner said the Commission had already proclaimed the Upazila Parishad Ordinance, mentioning that the upazila election schedule would be announced 45 to 50 days ahead of the actual polls to give candidates ample time for campaigning.

Referring to the meeting of 3-member EC committee headed by Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed on Saturday, he said they apprised the Chief Adviser on the preparations for the local government and general elections.

"We told him when we will hold the elections and what the government will have to do," he added.

He said the government has been asked to remove immediately any official involved in election related activities if he does anything wrong or illegal.

The Election Commissioner reiterated his urge to political parties not to get involved in the process of elections to four city corporation and nine pourasabhas scheduled to be held on August 4. "No political party should get involved directly with in campaigning or use it as a party platform," he said.

He said electoral laws would be strictly enforced during the ensuing elections. "Candidates must abide by the election code of conduct. Otherwise, candidature will be cancelled and punitive action will be taken place against candidates concerned," he cautioned.

Shakhawat Hossain urged all to take lessons from the past and called upon voters to cast their votes judiciously.

He said the Commission would hold meetings with different ministries and divisions on July 17 regarding the law and order situation during the local government electrons.

HC declares ordinance amending Muslim Marriage Act illegal : Caretaker Govt can do only routine work

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court Sunday declared "illegal" an ordinance amending the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act 1974, with an edict that it's none of the caretaker regime's business.

The High Court in its judgment observed that the promulgation of such an ordinance does not come within the purview of the President during the interim period, as the interim regime "shall carry out only routine function".

Except in the case of necessity for the discharge of such function, the interim regime "shall not make any policy decision," the court said, referring to the Article 58D of the Constitution.

"Besides, the interim government shall give to the election commission all possible aid and assistance that may be required for only holding the general election fairly and impartially," the judgment noted.

A division bench comprising Justice ABM Khairul Haque and Justice M Abu Tariq delivered the judgment following a writ petition challenging the power of the President to promulgate such Ordinance during the interim period. The High Court also declared unlawful the circular to the deputy commissioners for functioning in compliance with the Ordinance.

The President and some executives of Bangladesh Muslim Marriage Registrars Samity filed the writ petition.

This court judgment revived the original Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act 1974.

In February, the President promulgated the Ordinance amending the Act that empowers the deputy commissioners to appoint and dismiss marriage registrar, popularly known as Quazi, and issue licence in this regard.

Prior to promulgation of the Ordinance, the government through its law ministry used to do the function in accordance with the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act 1974.

New election law has option for negative vote: One can vie for 3 JS seats

UNB, Dhaka

The Council of Advisers of the caretaker government Sunday approved in principle the Representation of People Order (RPO) Ordinance 2008 with a new option for casting negative vote if a voter does not like any candidate in an election.

Under the new electoral law, which came ahead of the crucial next national elections, if the negative votes are fifty percent or more of the total vote cast in the polling, fresh election would take place in the constituency. A candidate can contest maximum from three constituencies in the general election instead of the earlier ceiling of five parliamentary seats.

Maximum election expenditure has been fixed up to Tk 15 lakh for a candidate.

A meeting of the council of advisers with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair endorsed the Ordinance in principle, asking the Ministry concerned to place it "soon" after vetting for final approval.

Briefing newsmen about the outcome of the meeting, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim said, "The Ordinance, hopefully, would be gazette- notified by the end of this month."

Attack on FF: AL announces programme

Staff Reporter

The Awami League yesterday demanded exemplary punishment those who attacked a freedom fighter for raising voice against the war criminals of 1971 at a conference of Jatiya Muktijoddha Parishad on July 11.

The party will hold a meeting on July 15 at its central office on Bangabandhu Avenue protesting "attack on freedom fighters."

The AL will also go on a "hunger strike" on July 19 protesting the price hike of the essentials.

AL Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam announced the programmes after a presidium meeting held at the Gulshan residence of the party's acting president Zillur Rahman.

Criticising the alleged harassment of a freedom fighter at a recent Jama'at-e-Islami backed Jatiya Muktijoddha Parishad conference, he said: "Strong punitive measures must be taken against those who were involved in insulting a freedom fighter."

A group of Jamaat leaders assaulted a freedom fighter when he demanded punishment to the 1971 war criminals for rapes and killings while he was delivering speech.

Protesting the price-hike of fuel and other essentials, the AL would observe mass hunger strike across the country on July 19 from 10am to 5pm, he said.

The AL presidium members also reiterated the demand for sending party leader and former home minister Mohammad Nasim abroad for better treatment and warned the Government would be held responsible if anything happens to Nasim, Ashraful noted.

He urged the Government to ensure better treatment for other detained leaders, including AL presidium member Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Joint General Secretary Obaidul Kader, Chittagong mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, Sylhet mayor Badaruddin Ahmed Kamran and Awami Swechchhasevak League General Secretary Pankaj Devnath.

Khoka submits bail bond

Court Correspondent

Dhaka's Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka yesterday submitted his bail bond of Taka 20,000 to the court while Md Azizul Haque, Metropolitan Sessions Judge of Dhaka received the bail bond. Meanwhile, detained Juba Dal General Secretary Moazzem Hossain Alal was arrested again at the jail gate under Emergency Power Rules after he was released in another case. Alal was sent to jail.

As court fixed July 17, next date of the graft case, filed against Khoka, he will have to appear before the court on the day.

Moazzem Hossain Alal was newly arrested following a GD with Lalbagh Thana of Dhaka. On February 8, Alal was first arrested under Emergency Power Rules and he was sent to Rangpur jail.

Once High Court Division allowed him bail but he was arrested again from Rangpur jail gate. It was learned that Alal's mother heard the news and died of heart attack. While narrating these yesterday, Alal burst into tears.

Metropolitan Magistrate Faisal Atique bin Kadir ordered for his necessary treatment and division in the jail. However, he rejected the bail petition submitted on behalf of Juba Dal General Secretary Alal.

More than 900 Advocates including Advocates Khorshed Alam Mia, Faridul Islam, Yusuf Hossain and Joynal Abedin Mesbah appeared in the court on behalf of Alal.

Extortion case: Hasina exempted from appearance: Selim’s bail prayer rejected

BSS, Dhaka

The court on Sunday disposed of a petition granting exemption for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from her personal appearance during trial in an extortion case lodged by businessman Azam J Chowdhury.

The petition was submitted on June 2 by her counsels.

The court also rejected a prayer seeking bail for former Minister and Sheikh Hasina's cousin brother Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, a co-accused in the case, now detained in jail.

Judge M Ashraf Hossain set July 27 as the next date to testify the witnesses in the case.

Earlier, the trial was stayed while the witnesses were testifying as the High Court halted the proceedings till disposal of a writ petition filed by Sheikh Hasina.

The High Court ordered quashment of the case granting the prayer but the Appellate Division turned down the High Court verdict.

Later, in the light of Appellate Division's order, the metropolitan sessions judge on June 15 referred the case to the special court to restart the trial.

Azam J Chowdhury lodged the case on July 16 last year alleging that he had paid about Taka three crore to Sheikh Hasina through her cousin Sheikh Selim as they threatened to cancel the work order for construction of a power plant when Awami League was in power during 1996-2001.

On that day, Sheikh Hasina was arrested from her residence while Sheikh Selim, a minister in her cabinet, was taken to custody earlier.

In the chargesheet submitted by police, Sheikh Rehana, Hasina's younger sister, was also made an accused following a confessional statement of Sheikh Selim.

The case was later brought under the coverage of Emergency Power Rules (EPR).