The New Nation - Internet Edition

President seeks Japanese cooperation in technological dev in Bangladesh

UNB, Dhaka

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed on Thursday sought Japanese cooperation for technological development in Bangladesh.

Terming the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan as excellent, Prof Ahmed praised Tokyo's role in Bangladesh's infrastructure development as a single largest development partner.

The President made the remarks when visiting Vice Chancellor of Rikkoyo University of Japan Dr Kiyoshi Kasahara called on him at Bangabhaban.

Welcoming Dr Kasahara, Prof Ahmed thanked him for his keen interest in Bangladesh and its people.

The President also thanked the Japanese government for providing scholarship to Bangladeshi students.

Describing the Rikkoyo University as one of the oldest universities in Japan, Prof Ahmed said that the university could introduce education linkage programme with Bangladeshi universities, particularly, with Dhaka University, which would help expand people to people to contact between the two Asian countries.

Dr Kasahara praised Bangladeshi people and expressed hope that the country would be turned into a prosperous country very soon.

Bangladeshi Professor of Department of Social Design Studies of the Rikkoyo University Dr Nasir Uddin Jamadar was present.

Later, Prof Dr Toshio Koike, a Professor and an eminent metrological researcher of Tokyo University, called on the President in the afternoon.

During the meeting Dr Koike apprised the President of the World Climate Research Programme initiated by the Global Energy and water Cycle System of Systems (GEOSS), where he serves as the validation scientist for the advancement of Microwave Scanning Radiometer.

He also informed the President that Japan has very efficiently preserving data on metrological system which is used for climate research and water cycle system and archiving it very effective.

President Ahmed thanked Dr Koike for his initiative for the Asian water Cycle Initiative project under GEOSS Meghna River Basin, Bangladesh.

The President also urged the Dr Koike to help capacity building of Bangladesh Metrological Department especially in data archiving and providing training facilities for the concerned officials. It would develop Bangladesh's flood forecasting and water resource management, he added.

Defence Secretary Quamrul Hasan and Joint Secretary of Defence Ministry Brig Gen Shah Md Sultan Uddin Iqbal were present during the meeting.

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

12 ACC officials, employees sued on bribery

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed cases against 12 of its officials and employees on charges of bribery, extortion, misappropriation of money and breach of discipline.

The accused officials include one deputy director and two assistant directors, said ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal at the Commission's regular briefing yesterday.

First information reports (FIRs) and departmental cases have been filed against five ACC staffs, while only departmental cases have been filed against seven others.

FIRs and departmental cases have been filed against assistant director Nizam Uddin (for extortion), data entry operator Abdur Rahman (extortion and harassment), and constables Harun-ar-Rashid Bhuiyan, Abdul Motaleb Khandaker and Meer Reza Habibur Rahman (bribery).

The Commission has also decided to suspend these five officials.

Only departmental cases have been lodged against deputy director Kamrul Ahsan, assistant directors Saif Mahmud and Shamsul Alam, data entry operator M Habibullah, and constables Mizanur Rahman and Golam Rasul.

Earlier, it was made known that following internal inquiries the Commission had decided to take action against 28 officials and employees.

Three killed in Habiganj road accident

UNB, Habiganj

Three people were killed and three others injured in a road accident at Bangla Bazar in Nabiganj upazila yesterday.

Deceased were identified as Rantu Nath, 22, Shuvon Devnath, 34, and Mamun Mia, 30, who hailed from different places in Sylhet and Habiganj.

Police said the accident took place as a truck hit an auto rickshaw carrying several people from behind, leaving Shuvon and Mamun dead on the spot at about 2pm.

Four people injured in the incident were admitted to upazila health complex where Rantu died. Three other injured were shifted to Sylhet Osmani Medical College hospital as their health condition deteriorated.

Several employees of KBI Printing Press in Sylhet met the accident while going to Nabiganj by an auto rickshaw.

Anwar Zahid clinically dead

UNB, Dhaka

Veteran journalist Anwar Zahid is lying in critical condition in United Hospital in the city.

"He is clinically dead," attending physician said yesterday afternoon.

"He is on life support."

Suffering from acute kidney problems and other diseases Anwar Zahid was admitted to the United Hospital on Wednesday.

AL announces mourning day progamme

BSS, Dhaka

Awami League (AL) has chalked out a three- day programme to observe the martyrdom anniversary of the great architect of War of Liberation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and national mourning day on Aug 15.

As part of the programme, party central working committee members, former parliament members and leaders of different front organisations led by AL acting President Zillur Rahman will formally place wreaths at the mazar of Bangabandhu at Tungipara on August 14 and offer munajat there.

The leaders will also attend a discussion meeting organized by Tungipara upazila unit of the party the same day.

On Aug 15, the day's programmes will start with hoisting of the national and party flags at half-mast and black flags atop at all party offices at 6 a.m.

Wreaths will be placed at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Museum at Dhanmondi in the city at 8a.m.

The day's programme also include placing of wreaths at the graves of others, who were killed on the fateful night, at Banani Graveyard, and holding milad mahfil and offering special prayers at Banani Mosque at 8.30a.m.

Milad mahfil and special prayers will also be held at all mosques and other places of worship across the country at noon and feeding of the destitute in every ward of the city.

Mohila Awami League will hold milad mahfil after Asr prayer and distribute food.

Central and local leaders led by Presidium member Begum Motia Chowdhury will place wreaths at the mazar of Bangabandhu and offer munajat in Tungipara on August 15.

Meanwhile, Juba League Barisal district unit today observed a token mass hunger strike from 10 AM to 1 PM, demanding execution of the verdict of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman murder case.

219 Bangladeshi peacekeepers get UN medals

BSS, Dhaka

A total of 219 'Blue Helmets' from Bangladesh Air Force have been awarded the United Nations peacekeeping medals in DR Congo.

Force Commander of the United Nations Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) General Babacat Gaye decorated them with the UN medals at a function on July 30, said a UNIC press release here today.

The colourful ceremony was also attended by the Interim Commander of MONUC's Eastern Division, General Farukh Bashir, and the Director of MONUC's Regional Office in Ituri, Madam Olamide Adedej, and local Congolese authorities.

The Commander of the Bangladeshi Aviation Unit (BANAIR-5) based in Bunia, Group Captain Mohammad Harunur Rashid, thanked the MONUC Force Commander for the function. "We are very honoured by your visit, your presence here, especially to decorate the BANAIR-5 with United Nations medals," he said.

He also thanked the military and civilian guests from the United Nations as well as the Congolese authorities for their presence at the ceremony.

Rashid said that despite many challenges facing peacekeepers, which require enormous sacrifice, "these 'blue helmets' from Bangladesh have never hesitated to perform".

The Bangladesh Air Force has operated in Ituri since August 2003 and has two units: the Utility Aviation Unit and the Airfield Services Unit for the Bangladesh Air Force.

Although they joined the Mission to assist with military operations, the Bangladeshi peacekeepers also assist MONUC's Movement Control (MOVCON) section. The Bangladeshi Unit brings important support to MONUC's aviation service and its eight different sections: the control tower, flight tracking, Military MOVCON, the Emergency and Rescue Service, Aeronautical Meteorology Airport Security and Technical Airport Service.

General Gaye appreciated the professionalism and dedication of the Bangladesh Air Force which has rendered services in various UN peacekeeping missions since 1995.

He said MONUC's aviation units - from Bangladesh and other countries - have carried out 1,500 flight hours without any major accident. Besides, BANAIR-5 carried out the rapid repair of three seriously damaged helicopters.

General Gaye said all components of the Air Force of Bangladesh have worked very well in their respective fields. "It is their professional integrity, their dedication, their care and commitment for which they deserve the cheers and the recognition of MONUC and the Congolese authorities."

Both Group Captain Rashid and Force Commander Gaye paid tribute to Air Lieutenant AKM Nazmul Huda, who recently lost his life while in the service of peace.

Bangladesh is one of the largest contributors of uniformed personnel to the UN with 9,199 soldiers and police serving in 14 peacekeeping missions around the world.

933 killed in work-related incidents in 6 months

BSS, Dhaka

Some 933 workers were killed and 1,637 others injured in various work-related incidents across the country over the last six months.

Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Foundation (OSHE) revealed the statistics today after monitoring 16 newspapers from January 1 to June 30 this year.

Of the total, the highest number of causalties with 788 deaths took place in the garment sector, followed by transport sector with 566 deaths and the construction sector with 123 deaths, an OSHE press release said.

It also said that 166 workers were killed and 240 others injured in accidents like falling from height, electrocution, explosion and fire at their workplaces while 191 of them were killed and 1,016 injured in work-related violence.

Some 214 workers were killed and 199 others injured while they were traveling, the press release said adding, 310 transport workers were killed and 163 others injured in road accidents.

Besides, 72 workers were killed and 19 others injured in other incidents like by lightning and animal attacks in their workplaces.

According to the statistics, lack of proper implementation of law, hazardous and aged-old installations, ineffective machinery and inadequate safety tolls in workplaces are the key factors behind the occupational accidents.

CPB congress begins in city

BSS, Dhaka

A three-day congress of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) began in the city yesterday with a call to the left-leaning parties to launch a movement unitedly for establishing a healthy democratic trend, ending the 'politics of criminalisation' in the country.

The 9th Congress of the CPB was inaugurated at Gulistan Mahanagar Natyamancha by hoisting of the national and party flags and playing the National Anthem.

After the inauguration, the CBP leaders placed wreaths at the altar of the martyrs' memorial and mass songs were rendered from the dais as party fellows entered the hall room in queue.

At the beginning of the first session of the congress, condolence motions were adopted and one-minute silence was observed for those killed in democratic movements in the country.

CPB President Comrade Manzurul Ahsan presided over the first session, while congress preparatory committee Chairman Comrade Mahbub Alam delivered the address of welcome.

Conducted by Comrade Ruhin Hossain Prince, the function was addressed, among others, by CPB General Secretary Comrade Mujahidul Islam Selim, Communist Party of India representative Manzu Majumder, All India Forward Bloc National Secretary Comrade Barun Majumder, Indian Marxist Communist Party (CPIM) representative Comrade Shymal Chakraborty, Communist Party of Pakistan representative Syed Mazhar Haider, Communist Party of Nepal representative Suresh Karki, Communist Party of Sri Lanka representative Luxshman Di Silva, Communist Party of Vietnam representative Phan Xuan Son, North Korean Ambassador Mun Sang Mo, and Chinese Embassy official Zhang Zhizong.

Bangladesh Awami League Presidium Member Amir Hossain Amu, Samyabadi Dal leader Dilip Barua and leaders of left political parties attended the function.

Prof MM Akash read out Bangla translations of the addresses delivered by communist leaders from different countries.

Communist parties in Greece, Japan, Norway, Belarus, Cuba, Germany, Egypt, Chile, Argentina, Sweden and other countries have sent messages on the occasion of the 9th Congress of CPB.

The CPB congress will conclude on 9 August.