The New Nation - Internet Edition

AL bags city mayoral posts: Zillur terms poll results people’s victory: It’s a rehearsal for JS election thru’ covert understanding, alleges BNP

From left: Newly elected Mayors of Khulna Talukder
Abdul Khalek, Rajshahi Khairuzzaman Liton, Barisal Shawkat
Hossain Hiron and Sylhet Badruddin Ahmed Kamran

Staff Reporter

The Election Commission yesterday unofficially declared results of four city corporations and pourasava elections held Monday where candidates backed by the Awami League won marginally.

The Awami League backed candidates swept all four-city corporations and eight of the nine municipalities that went to the polls.

The EC declared AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Badar Uddin Kamran, Talukder Abdul Khaleq and M Showkat Hossain as the mayor-elect for Rajshahi, Sylhet, Khulna and Barisal respectively announcing the detail results of four city corporations and pourasava elections.

In Rajshahi AHM Khairuzzaman Liton bagged 98,360 votes, while his nearest rival Mohammad Mosaddek Hossain got 74,550 votes.

Thirteen other mayor candidates got votes as follows: Akhteruzzaman Bablu 883, Nasir Ahmed Bidyut 1,008, M Farman Ali 351, M Abul Kalam Azad Babu 376, M Abdul Khaleq 299, M Abdul Matin Khan 1,161, M Enamul Haque 841, M Nurul Huda 1,789, M Maidul haque Dulu 5,404, Raihanur Rahman 1,457, Ruhul Quddus Tunu 404, M Rezaunnabi Dudu 12,721 and M Siddiqur Rahman 9,406.

A total of 2,09,010 voters (81.83 per cent) out of 2,58,759 have cast their votes in the poll while 2,221 votes were cancelled.

In Sylhet, Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran was unofficially declared mayor of the city, who secured 1,15,436 votes. His closest rival AFM Kamal got 32,097 votes. Mayor candidates Abdul Haque alias M A Haque received 23,487 votes, Rabiul Hossain Babul received 3,692 votes and Abdul Mukit Khan got 2,077 votes.

The total votes received by ten other mayor candidates are: Abdus Samad Nazrul 947, Alhaj M Sirajul Islam 2,565, M Kutub Uddin Ahmed 207, Dr Kazi Kamal Ahmed 730, Bashir Ahmed 396, M Zunu Mia 2,369, Salah Uddin Rimon 470, Syed Ali Afsar 848, Syed Muhibur Rahman 944 and Syed Habibur Rahman Hiron 354.

A total of 186,619 electorates (75 per cent) out of 256,480 voters exercised their franchise in the election while 5,743 votes were cancelled for variety of reasons.

In Khulna, the EC unofficially declared Talukder Abdul Khaleque as mayor of the city, who bagged 157,812 votes against nearest rival M Moniuzzaman's 113,976 votes.

Four other mayor candidates-M Firoz Ahmed received 14,223 votes, S S Moslem Uddin Ahmed 1,027, M Enayet Ali 3,077 and Sheikh Tayebur Rahman 589.

Out of total 399,398 votes, 310,742 (77.80 per cent) was cast in the city while 2,038 votes were cancelled for wrong exercise.

In Barisal, Showkat Hossain Hiron marginally won the mayor post bagging 46,796 votes while his nearest rival Sardar Sarfuddin Ahmed received 46,208 votes.

Sharfuddin Ahmed Shantu, also a PDP leader, has rejected the unofficial results, while a local BNP leader has also cast doubts on the validity of the results.

Hiron (46,796 votes) beat Shantu (46,208 votes) by a slim margin of 588 votes, according to unofficial results released early Tuesday.

Ahsan Habib Kamal got 26,416 votes and Ebayedul Haq Chan bagged 19,626 votes. Abul Kalam Azad received 885 votes, Advocate Kabir Uddin got 672 votes and Advocate Zahurul Haque received 148 votes. Enayet Peer Khan received 2,114 votes; M Rafiqul Islam Rasel got 281 votes while Syed Abdullah Sahid got 807 votes.

Out of total 179,293 votes, 143,953 votes (81.02 per cent) were cast while the EC cancelled 3,113 votes.

According to the unofficial result of pourasava elections, Golam Kibria received 3,692 votes against his nearest rival Chand Mahmud 3,409 votes in Phulbaria pourasava election. In Sreepur Anisur Rahman declared elected with 17,805 votes against nearest candidate Nurul Islam 7,670 votes. In Chuadanga Reazul Islam Joarder received 25,592 votes against Khandker Abdul Jabber's 18,495 votes. Nayek Shafiul Alam Shafi in Sitakundu received 12,171 votes against Abul Kalam Azad's 4,213 votes. In Golapganj Zakaria Ahmed Pablu received 5,421 votes against Sirajul Jabbar Chowdhury's 3,475 votes. In Shariatpur Abdur Rab Munshi received 10,436 votes against Sardar AKM Nasiruddin's 8,288 votes. Jahangir Alam of Dhupchachiya received 4,955 votes against nearest rival Nurul Haq Talukdar's 1,427 votes. In Manikganj Ramzan Ali was declared elected with 12,008 votes against Nasiruddin Ahmed's 8,947 votes. And in Naohata Abdul Gafur Sarker was elected with 16,536 votes against nearest rival Mokbul Hossain who received 8,683 votes.

Meanwhile, BNP secretary general Delwar Hossain has decried Monday's city corporation and pourasava elections saying it was a rehearsal for the parliamentary polls through a covert understanding under the emergency.

Addressing the party workers at Institute of Engineers he said the people could well understand the design of the government to hold a managed parliamentary election under the cover of emergency.

BNP workers assembled at the Institute as part of countrywide programme to press home the demand of release of chairperson Khaleda Zia, withdrawal of cases against her, treatment abroad of ailing Tarique Rahman now undergoing trial in corruption cases, withdrawal of emergency and early election to parliament.

On the other hand, Awami League president and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now in USA for treatment, has felicitated the newly elected city and poura mayors and councilors.

In a congratulatory message sent over telephone to her press secretary Abul Kalam Azad here Tuesday morning, she thanked the voters and the concerned officials of the city and pourashava elections held on Monday.

The Awami League chief also congratulated leaders, workers and supporters of her party and other parties for achieving the victory in the polls.

Mentioning their hard work and cooperation behind the victory in the city and poura elections, she said such hard work would help re-establish democracy and rule of law in the country and inspire the nation for building a 'Sonarbangla' as dreamt by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Hasina demanded immediate release of all detained leaders and workers of Awami League and other front organizations, including newly elected Sylhet city mayor Badar Uddin Kamran, showing respect to the people's mandate.

Referring to untoward incidents at a number of places, including Barisal, she urged the Election Commission (EC) and all concerned to be more cautious during the upcoming polls.

The former Prime Minister said huge public interest in casting votes under the state of emergency has proved that people want a democratic government through free, fair, transparent and acceptable elections.

She also urged the present government and all concerned, including the election commission, to be more careful so that the people's constitutional rights were not harmed in any way.

The people expect the government and the election commission to be more sincere and dedicated in establishing their constitutional rights, Hasina said.

Dateline Barisal: Midnight suspense

Our Correspondent

In an intense drama in the Barisal mayoral election and amid allegations and counter allegations of poll engineering by the rival candidates, Awami Lague backed 14-party alliance candidate Advocate Shawkat Hossain Hiron was unofficially declared elected mayor of Barisal City Corporation late Tuesday night.

Hiron came out victorious defeating his nearest rival Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) supported candidate Sardar Sarfuddin Santu by a thin margin of 588 votes.

Hiron bagged 46,796 votes while Santu polled 46,208 votes.

Contrary to the expectation of the overwhelming majority of nearly two lakh voters of Barisal City Corporation, Santu emerged in the mayoral race as a formidable candidate and main challenger to Hiron all of a sudden because of what is alleged strong backing of an invisible powerful lobby. Voters by and large were looking forward for a straight fight between Hiron and Ahsan Habib Kamal, who was earlier expelled from BNP. But Santu of PDP, which was floated during the state of emergency, became a strong contender for the coveted mayoral post only on the day of polls on Monday with the blessing from an invisible Quarter, locals said.

The party which was born under the state of emergency can boast of its candidate having failed in the Barisal mayoral polls with an narrow margin of 500 votes.

The PDP candidate nearly came close to toppling the giant 14-party candidate by the neck. It could have been the biggest surprise in the annals of the election history had he been given his way.

Some voters including mayoral candidate Hiron alleged that ballot counting was tempered at some centres only to declare Santu victor. Hiron at the initial stage of vote counting accused the administration of resorting to election engineering.” I am going to lodge complaint with the divisional election office against the conspiracy to defeat me’, Hiron said.

The close race between Hiron and Santu filled the air of Barisal city with high tension and all sorts of rumours and speculations. The supporters of the two candidates were found locked in charges and counter charges. Hiron and Santu themselves exchanged hot words at the height of their anger. The law enforcing agencies had to intervene to bring the situation under control.

At one stage rumour gained currency that the results of a centre under ward number 15 were missing mysteriously. Another rumour was afloat that recounting of ballots of a centre was done without the presence of agents of the candidates.

At one stage both Hiron and Santu alleged vote rigging at a number of centres.

When the total results of the polls were announced at 4.45 am declaring Hiron winner, Santu rejected the result outright and left the election commission office after recording verbal objection and stating that he would lodge protest formally.

Hiron accepted the results and withdrew his earlier allegation of vote rigging.

Hiron left the election office at the head of a victory procession at 5:40 am yesterday.

The unofficial results of the Barisal City Corpoation were announced by returning officer Manirul Islam on Tuesday afternoon.

Polling took place at 91 centres. Of the total 1,79,293 votes, 1,43,953 were cast representing 80 per cent turn-out of the voters.

Eight candidates were in the race for the prestigious mayor post.

Of them, Ahsan Habib Kamal polled 26,416 votes, Ebaidul Huq Chan 19,626, AK Azad- 885, Syed Sahidul 807, Kabiruddin Hannu 672, Rafiqul Islam Russel 281 and Advovate Jahirul Huq 148.

Peaceful municipal polls, a great leap forward to democracy

Peaceful elections held in four city corporations and nine municipalities on Monday under the present state of emergency, with candidates belonging to the Bangladesh Awami League sweeping those, has been termed by Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda as the test case from which the election commission can learn to hold the national elections.

Voting was peaceful and the atmosphere cordial in all the 13 cities and towns. Only in Barisal the defeated candidate Sharfuddin Santu of PDP has complained of result manipulation, a tone sounded by the winner Shawkat Hossain Hiron earlier when he was trailing behind at one stage of vote counting.

In Bogra, out of the nine municipalities, Jahangir Alam, a candidate known for his affiliation with the BNP was elected chairman. The posts of chairmen in eight other municipalities went to AL candidates.

The Awami League and its allies in the 14-party Alliance officially took part in the election while the BNP and its 4-party Alliance boycotted the same. AL chief Sheikh Hasina has termed the results victory of the people who, she observed, voted in recognition of AL's services rendered during its 5-year rule from 1996 to 2001.

Khondker Delwar Hossain, secretary general of the BNP, on the other hand, has questioned the credibility of the election which he has termed a blueprint. BNP did neither take part in it nor did nominate any candidate, he said.

The election, originally designed by the election commission to be held on a non-party basis, finally was contested on party lines following a verdict coming from the High Court.

An important highlight of the election was the win by AL candidate Badruddin Ahmed Kamran of Sylhet from jail who has been indicted in corruption cases, on which he was chargesheeted several days before the polling, with a huge margin of more than 80,000 votes.

Local bodies elections generate a lot of enthusiasm and Monday's elections were no exception. People turned up in large numbers and, according to initial assessments, 80 percent voters cast their votes.

There was no doubt, some confusion over the national identity cards and the serial number of voters. A large number of voters did not know that the ID cards were not meant for use for identification for voting. An election commissioner claimed that they made elaborate publicity on this. The confusion was due to the media, he claimed. It, however, appeared that not even the presiding officers and polling officers were aware of the fact that the national ID cards were of no use, and that the photo voter lists carried different serial numbers for voters.

After the elections there was no victory procession anywhere as the Emergency Power Rules do not provide for such group activity. Doubts had earlier been expressed by local and foreign observers as to whether there could be successful elections under restrictions imposed through Emergency Power Rules.

Without delving into any controversy it can be said without any doubt that there is only one way out of the present state of emergency, and that is election at all levels. The emergency has come due to lack of foresight and mismanagement by politicians. They should take the responsibility of steering the nation clear of the present situation through the democratic path - elections.

Cyber Crime on rise: Financial institutions at risk

Mamunur Rashid

Information Technology (IT) experts said each and every computer in the world is at the risk of being attacked by viruses, which is nothing but small programs written or used by the Cyber criminals and threatens the entire IT world.

Tanvir Ahmed Gaus, the Project Manager of US based Bangladesh IT Company the Jaxara IT Ltd, told the New Nation that 'Cyber Crime' is a name that turned into a "Big Deal" in many western countries in recent years. Cyber crime not only means credit card fraud, but also includes child pornography, mobile phone theft, network intrusion, spamming and all kinds of abuse of Internet.

Credit card fraud, hacking, child pornography are the most popular Cyber crimes, which has become a headache to the world community. Bangladesh is also in a vulnerable position and some of the crimes are gradually being introduced in our community. People have started abusing Internet, specially the young and teenagers are getting initiation into cyber crime slowly. A number of community website have been introduced, which the young girls and boys are using to exchange phone numbers, posting hidden videos or even pictures with nudity etc.

Apart from that Bangladesh's financial institutions are at risk from hackers. In the country financial institutions have introduced various online features like online banking, stock exchange transactions but are not able to provide the highest security. Source said the cyber criminal networks through Internet have attacked our country's technology infrastructure. Recently, hackers interrupted the DSE transaction, which cost the small entrepreneurs dearly.

It was a chance to get a glimpse at what the future holds for Internet security. The cell phones may contain information essential to solving a crime in the country.

To many young people, it may be at a stage of experimenting with the cyber space but the danger will be then when this small interest on hacking will become an organised crime.

Though the cyber crime hasn't become a headache for Bangladesh yet, but we should start preparing from now to prevent this. Be sure-it is coming; and coming with a great pace in the very near future.

"Most of the western countries and communities have cells to investigate and prevent cyber crimes for that cyber laws are being introduced," Gaus said.

Police sources said recently Dhaka Metropolitan Police formed a cyber crime unit to detect cyber criminals and to arrest them. However, this unit was not strong enough to protect society from the threat of cyber criminals.

Police source added that not a single case has been filled in this connection officially but unofficially many cyber crime cases have been lodged countrywide.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner of Detective Branch (DB) Md Masudur Rahman told the New Nation that the cyber crime unit was assisting law enforcement agencies in processing computer evidence that may hold rich clues to crimes.

"This work requires specialised investigators to uncover the information. The technology changes quickly and police staff have to be skilled continuously to be effective. Police here needed to build up relationships with the various law enforcement agencies overseas to stop the cyber crime," he added.

To prevent the cyber crime globally, representatives from over 68 government and corporate organisations like Sun Microsystems Inc, Dell Computers Inc and the US Department of Defence Cyber Crimes Unit came and showcased what they had to offer each other in the convention. The Cyber Panel was one of many sessions, but it covered a broad range of topics aimed at informing the civilian sector which way to prevent threats of the cyber crime.

Tagore’s death anniversary today

Staff Reporter

Today is Shraban 22 of the Bengali month, the 67th death anniversary of the Nobel Laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore. He died on this day in 1941.

Rabindranath Tagore has a great contribution in the arena of Bengali literature. He is the greatest poet of the Bengal. His wonderful creations not only confined to poetry, he virtually left no field of literature untraced in his lifetime and every field of literature in Bengali was illuminated by his touch whether it is song, story, novel, drama, travel or essays. His influence is such that neither his contemporaries nor the following generation could come out of his style and influence completely.

He is the only Nobel Laureate in Literature in Bengali - also only in the Sub-Continent. He won the Nobel Prize in 1913 for his great composition 'Geetanjali.' After so many years Bengali language could not produce any giant except Kazi Nazrul Islam, our poet of revolution.

Like previous years, the day will be observed elsewhere in the globe especially in Bangladesh and the West Bengal, India in befitting manner. Many cultural organisations organise various programmes to mark the 67th death anniversary of Tagore.

In Bangladesh, the day will be observed with pride, due respect and to pay homage to him. Television channels will air various special programs including musical soiree, dance, recitation and discussions today.

BTV, Bangladesh Betar, ATN Bangla, Channel i, Ekushey Television, NTV, RTV, Banglavision and Channel 1 will air various special daylong programmes to mark the day.

Besides, newspapers and magazines will publish articles and reviews and different cultural and social organisations will exhibit their performances.

Rabindranath Tagore is not only a poet of the West Bengal - he is equally honoured and equally respected in Bangladesh.

Nobody can confine a language with borders. So Rabindranath will be read and respected wherever there is Bengali spoken people are staying. Many of his literature were written in Bangladesh territory in Shilaidaha and Sajadpur. Most important, one of his songs 'Amar Sonar Bangla, Ami Tomai Bhalobashi……' is the national anthem of Bangladesh.

Rabindranath Tagore became a part of the culture and part of the identity of Bangladesh where religion didn't cause any hindrance in this assimilation.

Kazi Aref murder case: HC okays death sentence against nine convicts

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court yesterday okayed the death sentences against nine out of ten condemned convicts while exonerated all 13 lifers in the decade-old Kazi Aref murder case.

A Division Bench comprising Justice AKM Fazlur Rahman and ATM Fazle Kabir delivered the judgment in resolving the death reference along with jail appeal cases.

An armed gang killed Kazi Aref Ahmed, president of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) and freedom fighter, along with his four local party colleagues while he was speaking out against political violence at a rally at Kalidaspur village in Daulatpur of Kushtia on February 16, 1999.

On August 30, 2004, Kushtia additional district and sessions judge M Fazlur Rahman sentenced 10 underground operatives to death and another 13 to life imprisonment, convicting them of murdering five JSD leaders, including Kazi Aref.

The four others gunned down with Aref are Kushtia district JSD president Lokman Hossain and General Secretary Yakub Ali and party leaders Israil Hossain and Shamser Mondol.

The convicts were in the outlawed Gono Bahini, believed to be an aberrant offshoot of JSD, and blamed for the shooting to death of scores of people over the years in Kushtia and neighbouring areas.

The belt is known as a hub for communist outlaws, many of whom have lately been slain in 'crossfire' in reported encounters with law-enforcing agencies.

Those nine other condemned prisoners sans Shair Uddin, who was acquitted, who are to walk to the gallows are Ilias Hossain alias Elach, Baker, Mannan Mollah, Anwar, Jhantu, Jahan, Jalal, Safayat Hossain and Rawshan Ali.

The 13 acquitted people are Laltu, Rofat, Asgar Joardar, Faraj, Tashir, Garesh Sardar, Majid, Mohit, Nazrul, Lablu, Oliar Rahman, Akubbar and Tikka.

Advocate Binoy Kumar Bose appeared for the state while Advocate Mansurul Huq Chowdhury and Zaman Akhter Bulbul for the defence.

People warned against supporting unworthy candidates in future polls

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Advisers praised the success yesterday of the first round of local elections, but warned voters against supporting unworthy candidates in future polls.

Local government adviser Anwarul Iqbal and communications adviser Ghulam Quader said Monday's polls proved that holding fair elections was very much possible.

Calling the local government polls 'a test case', both advisers said the government would now deliberate on and decide how far the state of emergency might be lifted during the forthcoming Jatiya Sangsad elections.

Leaving the local government ministry, Iqbal told reporters: "The successful staging of the polls has also been a huge success for the government."

"The Election Commission will have identified the problems associated with holding elections using voter lists with photos and address those problems to do better in the forthcoming national polls," he said.

"The elections have been well held despite our journey under the emergency. The polls have been conducted in a free, fair and disciplined environment," the former police chief said.

Asked if the government's image has taken a dent since some of the polls winners also happen to be graft suspects, he replied: "We only hope the candidates in future will be more aware, transparent and accountable."

Quader, the communication adviser, told reporters at the ministry: "You and I everyone has seen that Monday's elections have been successfully."

"On the wins of those accused of graft, I'll say that it's the responsibility of the voters, after all-to elect or not to elect-of rejecting or supporting a black money holder or a rogue."

"The government cannot have any say there," Quader said.

"The government's goals will not be possible to achieve unless the people vow to change their mindset and the nation's fate."

"Social movements will have to be waged first to effect change in the people's attitudes and behaviour. This election has initiated the process," said Quader.

"The government aims to hold really free and fair election, which it is gradually learning to be able to in the near future."

"The Election Commission will learn the lessons so that it may overcome any wrong steps taken of late," the adviser said.-

Moeen apprises President of Army role in preparation of holding polls

UNB, Dhaka

Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed called on President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban on Tuesday.

During the meeting, General Moeen apprised the President of different training and ongoing development programmes of Bangladesh Army.

The Chief of Army Staff also informed the President about the role played by the Army in preparation of holding election with photographs and national identity card and its latest progress.

President Iajuddin gave a patient hearing to the Army Chief and expressed his satisfaction over the Army's activities in different fields.

Secretary of the President's Office Md Sirajul Islam, Military Secretary to the President Major General Mohammad Ruhul Amin and President's Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader were present.

OMS of rice from Aug 20

BSS, Dhaka

Open market sale (OMS) of rice begins on August 20 to mitigate the sufferings of low-income people and keep the price of rice at a tolerable level in Ramzan.

Finance and Planning Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam told journalists after a meeting of the Food planning and Storage committee at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

Food Adviser AMM Shawkat Ali presided over the meeting joined by LGRD Adviser Mohammad Anwarul Iqbal.

The Finance Adviser said the OMS activities would continue for two months from the city corporation area to the upazila level. The price of per kg rice has been fixed at Taka 28.

Under the programme, he said, a total of 2,19,566 tonnes of rice will be sold through dealers and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR). Of which, 10,000 tonnes will be sold through BDR.

On a question, Mirza Azizul said dealers would buy rice from warehouse for Taka 26.50 per kg and sell at Taka 28. Besides, a huge amount of money will be given as subsidy in this sector, he said.

Cabinet Secretary Ali Imam Majumdar, Planning Secretary Jafar Ahmad Chowdhury, Finance Secretary Dr Mohammad Tareq, NBR Chairman Abdul Mazid, Food Secretary Mollah Wahiduzzaman and Agriculture Secretary M Abdul Aziz.

Johnson hands back relay gold medal

AFP, Beijing

Athletics legend Michael Johnson has handed back the 4x400 metres relay gold medal he won in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president Thomas Bach confirmed here on Tuesday.

The 200 and 400 metres world record holder had already said he would hand it back after team member Antonio Pettigrew admitted earlier this year to being doped at the time. Johnson's action came just three days after the team were officially stripped of the title by the IOC.

"Johnson wrote to us to say he considered the medal was not won honestly and he was returning it," said Bach, himself an Olympic gold medallist, in fencing, back in 1976.

As in the case of disgraced former US track queen Marion Jones, who was stripped of her five Sydney medals last December, the relay medal has not been redistributed.

Of the four members of the relay team that evening only Johnson has never tested positive - as well as Pettigrew, the Harrison twins Alvin and Calvin, were suspended for doping but after 2000.

The two other members of the squad, Angelo Taylor - the Sydney 400m hurdles champion who is competing in that event in Beijing - and Jerome Young, subsequently banned for drugs offences, will also forfeit their relay medals.

Nigeria filled second place in the final while Jamaica were third and The Bahamas fourth.

Row over BCL leader’s release: DU VC confined for 5 hrs

Angry BCL activists vandalised the Dhaka University
Vice-Chancellor's office and set up a fire in protest
against the re-arrest of BCL General Secretary Mahfuzul
Haider Chowdhury Roton soon after his release from
Mymensingh Central Jail yesterday. Bangla

DU Correspondent

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), student wing of Awami League, confined Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor for five hours and damaged Registrar Building demanding release of its general secretary Mahfuzul Haider Chowdhury Roton.

BCL called a student strike at the university today to realise its demand.

Getting the information that Roton was arrested from jail gate of Mymensingh Central Jail at 2:00 PM after his release for the second time, BCL leaders and activists staged demonstration on the university campus at 4:00 PM yesterday.

Later, they went to the VC office and damaged it locking the collapsible gates of the office. The activists of the organisation broke window-panes, flower tubs of Registrar building and set fire to the chairs of the guards.

They also set fire to effigies of President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed and Army Chief Gen Moeen U Ahmed in front of the building.

Even they vandalised two vehicles of the university and one of the outsiders.

BCL activists chanted different slogans against VC while BCL Central President Mahmud Hasan Ripon along with other teachers was negotiating with VC Prof SMA Faiz at his office.

After five hours negotiations, they lifted the siege when VC assured the BCL leaders that he would meet Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman at to discuss the matter.

BCL general secretary was arrested on January 16, 2006 after present government took over power on charge of breaking emergency rules.

First he got bail in February but police arrested him from jail gate without any specific allegation, BCL alleged.

Hasina’s parole extended one more month

UNB, Dhaka

The government extended ex-premier Sheikh Hasina' s parole by a month to facilitate her treatment in the United States for a longer time.

Prompt came the decision through a Home Ministry notification in the evening as Sheikh Hasina's husband, Dr Wajed Miah, petitioned Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed earlier in the day yesterday for extending the parole of his wife.

The Awami League president's parole period was due to expire today. She was granted the interim release from prison for eight weeks on June 11 for treatment of her ears and eyes.

The extended parole will be effective from August 7 "as per conditions of previous notification (June 11) and it will end on September 6," said the latest notification.