The New Nation - Internet Edition

RU closed sine die: 60 injured in violent clashes between students, outsiders

Rajshahi University students vacating dormitories
after closure of the university sine die following violent
clashes over night between students and businessmen. RCC
Mayor-elect Khairuzzaman Liton addressing a meeting
organised by the business community

RU Correspondent

The Rajshahi University (RU) has been closed sine die from Wednesday morning and the authorities vacated all 16 residential halls by noon following overnight violence in and around the campus that left 60 persons injured.

The injured includes students, teachers, journalists and policemen.

Some of the injured were identified as RU student Adviser Faridul Islam Pintu, proctor Enamul Haque, assistant proctor Abdul Haque, Prothom-Alo photo journalist Azahar Uddin, student Sagor, Alif, Sayed, Jashim, Sajjadur, Monwar, Protoy Kumar , Aminul Islam, Sabuj, Liton, Raju, Bapon, Abul Kalam, Rashed, Badal, Hemel, Shahadat, Emdad, Motiur and Alam, police Nayak Sohrab Hossain and constable Monirul Islam.

An emergency syndicate meeting announced the decision after a brief sitting in the morning.

In an office order, RU authority said all classes and examinations will be suspended for an indefinite period to ward off further trouble.

The order also asked students to vacate halls by noon on Wednesday. However, the offices would remain open, said the order.

The clash ensued at around 8:30pm when a group of students attacked a ticket counter of 'Hanif Enterprise ' of Rajshahi-Dhaka bus service over cheating a fellow student.

They also torched three shops including the 'Hanif Enterprise"' counter at Binodhpur Bazar and five others around the troubled spot.

The angry businessmen of the locality retaliated by attacking the student dormitory Shah Mukdum Hall, damaging furniture and computers of the students and setting some of their rooms on fire.

The unruly businessmen with the help of outsiders also attacked two provosts' flats at Sher-e-Bangla Hall and Shah Mukdum Hall and damaged furniture and window panes.

Some agitated traders also assaulted the RU proctor Enamul Haque when he came to the spot to assess the situation, according to students.

The chase and counter-chase between the rampaging students and businessmen continued till midnight Tuesday night. Sticks and brickbats were freely used during the clashes,eye witnesses said.

Later riot police and RAB came to the spot, baton-charged the feuding students and traders and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse them.

Around 2:00 am, hundreds of agitated students gathered in front of the residence of the RU Vice-Chancellor and staged sit-in demonstration demanding punishment of the businessmen who assaulted students and damaged halls.

In the midst of yelling of the students, RU VC Prof Keramat left his residence by the backdoor, sources said.

The demonstrating students left the compound of the VC only when student adviser Faridul Islam Pintu and Proctor Enamul Haque assured them of action against the responsible persons.

Vehicular movement on the Dhaka-Rajshahi Highway remained suspended till 1:00 am as the students put up barricade on it.

The local administration deployed 10 platoons of police, BDR and RAB at different points of the university to facilitate safe departure of the students from the campus.

The RU syndicate formed a seven-member probe committee headed by Prof Dr Delwar Hossain of the Applied Physics Department to probe the incident.

The other members of the committee are : Prof Entajul Haque, syndicate member Siddik Hossain, Social Science Faculty Dean Prof Sadekul Islam, former RU proctor Prof Shamsul Alam Sarker, Prof Abdul Latif and secretary Shahabuddin Sarker.

RU syndicate asked the probe committee to submit its report as soon as possible.

Rajshahi Mayor-elect AHM Khairuzzman Liton on Wednesday visited Binodpur area .

Rafiqul Islam Khan, Officer-in-Charge of Motihar Police Station, told the reporters that police did not arrest any one in this connection.

Earlier narrating the causes of the trouble, campus sources said supervisor of of Hanif Paribahan took Tk 300 from Humayun, a 2nd-semester student of Management Department of the university, as ticket fare for his travel to Gazipur on Tuesday afternoon assuring him a seat. The supervisor didn't give him any ticket.

But he was not provided a seat in the started of the journey.

The supervisor assured him of a seat at Natore. Later, the supervisor allegedly forced Humayun to get down from the bus, without returning him the money, after a quarrel with him over the matter.

Humayun went back to the campus instead of Gazipur, where his brother-in-law was reported sick.

As he narrated the episode of his humiliation, students got angry and hundreds of them rushed out and put barricades on the Dhaka-Rajshahi Highway at Binodpur Bazar Tuesday evening.

Fourth anniversary of Aug 21 carnage today

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL) has chalked out day long programme to observe today the fourth anniversary of the August 21, 2004 grenade attack on its rally at the Bangabandhu Avenue.

The attack killed 24 people including its women's affairs secretary Ivy Rahman, and paralysed more than 200 critically.

AL president and Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and other central leaders survived the attack miraculously.

AL leaders and workers will place wreaths at a makeshift memorial plaque at the site of the bloodshed in the morning and hold obituary references.

The programmes also include offering of fateha at the grave of Ivy Rahman at the Banani graveyard and a milad in the evening at the residence of her husband and acting AL president Zillur Rahman.

The leaders have also arranged a discussion meeting as a pert of day long programme.

Talking to the New Nation AL presidium member Begum Matia Chowdhury said "We will invite all of the partners of 14 party alliance to join us in observing the sad of occasion."

The leaders and activists of Awami League (AL) maimed in August 21 grenade attack on the AL rally in 2004 in the capital are living hand to mouth, as financial support from the party has been stopped since the caretaker Government assumed power.

The policymakers of the party provided about Tk 2.5 lakh per month to at least 50 victims of the August 21 grenade attack from the party's assistance fund and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust fund.

But currently these trust funds have also been frozen.

The victims, mostly women, have been passing an agonising life with most of them having several hundred splinters embedded in their bodies and they will have to be under treatment for the rest of their life.

The victims said they used to get help from Hasina regularly but that too has stopped since the arrest of the party chief.

A central leader said, " We were giving over Tk two lakh to at least 35 maimed victims every month. But after the arrest of Sheikh Hasina, we are facing difficulties to provide money to them."

"Even if the accounts were not frozen, we could not have operated those after the detention of the leaders, as it requires the approval of the party president and general secretary and the central working committees' members," said a central leader.

The trust fund used to help at least 20 maimed victims, giving them Tk 2,000 each per month. But they returned empty handed from the trust office at Road-32 of Dhanmondi for the last several days. Many of them broke down in tears, said a trust official.

Talking to the New Nation AL presidium member Tofail Ahmed said, "The party could not provide financial support to the victims, since the party chief was behind bars for a long time. We will try to reactivate the fund after Sheikh Hasina's return home."

AL central organising secretary Aktaruzzaman said, " After 1/11 most of the accounts of the party were frozen. As a result we are facing difficulties in assisting the victims."

The victims who used to get financial assistance from the trust and the assistance funds includes Lutfunnesa Sonali, Nasima Ferdous, Rasheda Begum, Sajedul Alam Sabuj, Nusrat Jahan Rozi, Maksuda Azad, Nihar Ranjan Kar, Morjina Khatun, Rasheda Akhtar Ruma, Advocate Umme Razia Kajol, Bashir, Apurba Chandra Das and Mahbub.

DU students observe Aug 20 anniversary of oppression

Dhaka University students stage demonstration
wearing black-mask on the campus yesterday marking the 1st
anniversary of oppression on students and teachers by a
section of law-enforcing agency. FocusBangla

DU Correspondent

Student organisations of different political parties held various programmes on the Dhaka University campus in protest against oppression on students on this day last year over a trifling matter between students and a section of law enforcers at the University gymnasium playground. Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and left leaning organisations observed the day peacefully.

JCD brought out a silent procession on the campus demanding withdrawal of cases filed against the students of the university in connection with the incident.

They also demanded release of Begum Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman and to send him abroad for treatment.

JCD president Azizul Bari Helal, organising secretary Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Jewel, international affairs secretary Bazlul Chowdhury Abed, DU Unit president Hasan Mamun and general secretary Saiful Islam Firoz, among others, participated in the programme.

BCL led by its president Mahmud Hasan Ripon and general secretary Mahfuzul Haider Chowdhury Roton also held silent procession and formed a human chain on the campus in protest against student harassment on August 20 last year while Bangladesh Chhatra Union also held similar protest programmes to mark the day.

Ohuruogu wins women’s 400m gold

Reuters, Beijing

Christine Ohuruogu surged to the Olympic women's 400 metres title on Tuesday to provide Britain with their first athletics gold medal after she almost missed the Games because of a doping ban.

The 24-year-old, who won an appeal allowing her to compete in Beijing after she was suspended for missing three out-of-competition drug tests, powered home over the last 50 metres to cross the line in 49.62 seconds.

"It's not luck, I worked damn hard for this," Ohuruogu, who won the world title in Japan last year less than a month after returning from a 12-month ban, told reporters. "I might not always get the best start,

I might not always be the fastest person, but I just say now if you are going to beat me you are going to have to fight very hard."

American Sanya Richards looked to have the race won after setting off at a cracking pace and leading into the straight when she felt a sudden problem with her hamstring and had to settle for bronze in 49.93.

"I was definitely in control of the race. When I got to the 320 mark, my right hamstring grabbed on me and I just couldn't move it any more," Richards said.

"My legs just got really heavy. I knew that gold was mine, I felt I was going to run it in 48 seconds, I was in a good position."

Shericka Williams flashed past the fading Richards to snatch the silver medal in 49.69 and continue Jamaica's excellent performances on the track.

"We came here with a bang to tear up the track and we are really going for it," Williams said.

"After what happened to Asafa (Powell) I thought, damn, we have to motivate ourselves and do it for him."

Ohuruogu was banned by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for one year in 2006 under their strict three strikes policy.

She completed her ban in 2007 but was in danger of missing Beijing after the British Olympic Association banned her for life from competing at the Games.

LODGED APPEAL

However, she lodged an appeal against the BOA's ruling, which she won, clearing her to compete.

"I am just so proud of myself. I know I can perform well when I need to," she said.

"The final is about who has the biggest will to get to the line. That's life, you have to learn to ride the ups as well as the downs."

Richards was left cursing her luck after she went into the race as favourite hoping to land her first major international title.

The 23-year-old American won relay gold at the last Olympics and silver in the 400 at the 2005 world championships before she was struck down by Behcets syndrome, a rare disease that drained her energy and left her unable to speak after her mouth filled with ulcers.

"I worked so hard in vain. I feel so betrayed by my body," Richards said.

OMS rice to help reduce market price, say traders

Low-income people buying rice from a fair price shop
in the city on the opening day of OSM on Wednesday. Banglar
Chokh

Staff Reporter

The selling of rice under Open Market Sale (OMS) began in the capital and other areas of the country yesterday.

People of limited income group were seen gathering before the OMS shops and trucks to buy rice at Tk 28 per kg at different locations in the capital.

We are happy of the government decision for reintroducing of the OMS of rice before the start of the holy month of Ramzan, they said.

They further said they used to buy rice at Tk 33 to Tk 34 per kg after the closure of OMS programme. "I had to spend a big chunk of my income for the purchase of rice. Now I will be able to save some money," said Abdus Sattrar, a rickshaw puller at Fakirapool Bazar.

The OMS of rice could help stabilise the markets price within the next couple of weeks, said wholesalers at Moulvi Bazar in the city yesterday.

They said the fall in the price of rice in the international market along with good harvest of Aush paddy in the northern districts and sale of rice under OMS across the country would make rice markets stable in the coming months.

They said the rice mills owners in the northern districts have been maintaining smooth supply of rice to the wholesale markets that will help push down its price.

In recent days the rice prices in the wholesale markets have decreased by Tk 2 to Tk 3 per kg, but the retail markets are yet to witness that price fall.

Timely supply of required quality seeds, fertilizer and other agriculture inputs to the farmers resulted in good production of Aush paddy in the northern districts of the country and it would definitely help reduction of rice price, said an high official of Department of Agriculture Extension.

Hasina, 5 others indicted in MiG graft case

BSS, Dhaka

The trial Court on Wednesday indicted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and five others in the MiG purchase graft case rejecting the prayers seeking relief of the charges brought against them.

Judge Golam Mortuza Majumder set September 3 as the next date for recording the deposition of the witnesses.

The court dropped the name of former army chief General (retd) Mustafizur Rahman of the charge as he died recently.

The others, who were indicted in the case, are former air chief Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Jamaluddin, former defence secretary Syed Yousuf Hussain, former joint secretary

the Ministry of Defence Mohammad Hossain Serniabat, Air Commodore (retd) Mirza Akhter Maruf and Managing Director of UNIC Group Noor Ali. The then bureau of anti-corruption (BAC) lodged the case on December 12, 2001, accusing Sheikh Hasina and four others of misusing public money amounting to about Taka 700 crore by purchasing the MiG fighter jets from Russia when Awami League was in power.

The chargesheet of the case was submitted on January 29, 2003, dropping two of the accused and including four new persons in the case. All the accused obtained bail from the trial court.

Those accused in the FIR and dropped from the chargesheet were former joint secretary of the Ministry of Defence Brig Gen (retd) Iftekharul Bashar and former deputy secretary of the ministry Hasan Mahmud Delwar.

The accused, including Sheikh Hasina, filed separate petitions with the High Court at different times seeking quashment of the charges against them.

But, the High Court after hearing rejected the petitions on September 6 last year by discharging the rule issued earlier.

Later, the accused filed appeal petitions before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, but they were rejected after hearing.

Release of Khaleda: BNP submits memoranda to govt today

Staff Reporter

BNP-led four-party alliance would submit memoranda to the Chief Adviser of the caretaker government from different parts of the country today to press home its demands including immediate release of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and medical treatment of her son Tarique Rahman abroad.

Top leaders of the alliance would gather at the grave of the late President Ziaur Rahman in the morning and then submit a memorandum to the Chief Adviser at 10:00am.

Moreover, district and divisional level leaders of the alliance would also submit

memoranda to the Chief Adviser through the local administrations.

Among the demands of the 4-party alliance are the trial of the corruption cases under the normal law instead of the emergency rule, to lift the state of the emergency, to hold a free and fair parliament election first, to restore November 7 as the National Revolution and Solidarity Day and to declare May 30 as the national mourning day commemorating the death anniversary of President Ziaur Rahman.

Besides, the alliance would also form human chains on August 27 across the country on the same demands.

The four-party alliance announced the programmes after its meeting on 14 August at Khandker Delwar's NAM-flat.

Reshuffle in police admin under way: Transfer orders of 10 SPs, 58 OCs finalised

Staff Reporter

A major reshuffle in police administration is going to take place in a day or two. Transfer orders of 10 police supers and 58 inspectors have already been finalized. The step to transfer the police officials have been taken in the context of coming upazila and parliamentary elections.

Besides, some other police officials may be transferred on the basis of specific allegations against them.

It is learnt that the police headquarters have already finalized all the transferred related papers, including transfer orders.

On the other hand, tension grips the entire police administration over the issue of wholesale transfer of police officials. Many have become anxious to know whether their names have been included in the transfer list.

A senior police official told The New Nation yesterday that all the formalities of transfer had been completed. However, it would not be a 'wholesale transfer in any way.' Only those who were transferred before 1/11, would now be sent to new places with new charge. But those who received postings after 1/11, will continue to remain at their present working places, because these postings were free from political interferences. So there is no necessity of wholesale transfer.

The official said a list of police officials, who are going to be transferred, has already been finalised. They include 10 police supers, and eight of them are now working as SP at the district level, while the rest two are working at the metropolitan level. Besides, a list of 58 officers-in charge (OCs) working at different parts of the country has also been finalized.

Apart from these police officials, a few more officials are likely to be transferred on the basis of specific allegations found against them.

Sources at the police headquarters said the political governments in the past used to give postings to the 'police officials allegiance to them' with important positions so that they could work for their parties of choice during the elections. There are allegations that the four-party alliance government also tried to implement the same formula. This led to bring major changes in the police administration after the caretaker government came to power. The post 1/11 caretaker government took initiatives to reshuffle the police administration. At that time, major reshuffle took place in the police administration-right from in the post of Inspector General of Police to the post of OC.

The police headquarters sources said the decision to reshuffle in the police administration has been taken ahead of coming upazila and parliamentary elections, so that no police officials can work in favour of any candidate of their choice.

Govt to release Khaleda to make polls meaningful: Adviser

Staff Reporter

The government wants to release former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, even though she refused to apply for her freedom, to make the ensuing general elections meaningful one.

Adviser for Commerce and Education Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman made this comment yesterday while talking to reporters following a meeting with US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty at the Ministry of Education.

"We want a free and fair election, and a qualitative change. That's why the issue of her (Khaleda) release is important," he said.

Replying to a question, the Adviser said granting permanent bail to Khaleda Zia or releasing her on parole would not be a problem.

He said the government had cleared its position on this when another prime minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina was released.

Asked whether the government decision to arrest Begum Khaleda Zia was a mistake, Hossain Zillur Rahman said, history is a continuous process.

"The decision to arrest her was taken due to the necessity of the time. There's nothing to be mistaken about it. We have looked into whether we are going forward properly " he observed.

About the political dialogue, the Adviser said the first phase of dialogue with political parties is yet to complete.

"We are yet to receive reply to our first invitation sent to BNP for dialogue.

The dialogue process with the BNP can be complete soon after receiving the response," he said.

Zillur Rahman said preparation is being progressed to hold dialogue with workers. Dialogue will also be held with women and youth representatives and media people.

He said regional dialogues have been planned in Barisal and in Mymensingh but the dates are yet to be finalised.

He confirmed receipt of an Awami League letter seeking date for a second round of dialogue and said they would discuss the matter first and decision would be taken later.

Meanwhile, Adviser for Communications Maj Gen (Retd) Ghulam Quader yesterday told reporters that they are not in control of things when it comes to releasing Khaleda Zia.

"Both the political party and the government are working on this. It is difficult to give you a date," he said.

Replying to a question the adviser said it is easier for the government to free anyone on parole.

"Bail depends on the court and the government has no control on the courts," he added.

Plans afoot to develop Cox’s Bazar, Sundarbans

Staff Reporter

The Government has taken initiative to develop Cox's Bazar into a tourism spot to promote the sector in the country, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) Chairman Shafique Alam Mehdi yesterday said.

"We have the consent of architects, environmentalists, tourists and civil society as to how to promote Cox's Bazar as a world class tourism centre," Shafique Alam said while addressing a press conference in connection with the official campaign to ensure the longest sandy beach of Cox's Bazar and the largest mangrove forest Sundarbans as the world No 1 natural seven wonder survey.

He said that the tourists have shown interest to visit Cox's Bazar, which has increased gradually following the ongoing campaign of New7Wonder Internet survey.

The government has also taken initiative to improve infrastructure and special security measures for the tourists at Cox's Bazar, he informed.

"The government has prepared a tourism policy to promote the tourism sector," Alam said adding, "If the policy can be constituted, the investors will be encouraged to invest in the sector." We have tried to encourage the students, teachers, businessmen and government and non-government officials to vote for the Cox's Bazar and the Sundarbans, he said.

He called upon all the people to vote for Cox's Bazar and the Sundarbans to secure the first position on Internet survey of New7Wonder.

BPC Commercial Director Riti Ibrahim, BPC Finance and Administrative Director Arun Kanti Aich, BPC Planning Director Fasir Ahmed and Director General Shahjahan Ali Mollah were present in the press conference.

Cabinet okays consumer rights law

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

The interim cabinet yesterday approved the Consumer Rights Protection Ordinance 2008, which prescribes 3 years' imprisonment and a fine to businessmen proved guilty of cheating consumers, a government spokesman said.

The CA's press secretary Syed Fahim Munaim told reporters, after the cabinet meeting at the Chief Adviser's Office, that charging more than the recommended retail price would be considered as a punishable act.

False advertising and cheating with weights of goods will be punishable under the new law, Munaim said.

According to the new ordinance, a 21-member National Consumer Rights Protection Council will be formed, headed by the commerce minister.

The commerce secretary, director general of the National Security Intelligence, director general of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution, joint secretaries of the agriculture ministry industries ministry, home ministry, and law ministry, president of the Consumer Association of Bangladesh, representatives from civil society and the chairman of the National Women Agency would be among the members.

A National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate will implement the law, the director general of which will be member secretary of the council.

Every district will have a 10-member committee under the council to monitor consumer rights. Upazilas and unions will have similar committees.

Any consumer may file a case with the directorate, to be tried by a first class magistrate.

Anyone found violating the new law will face three years in prison, in addition to a Tk 2 lakh in fine.

The cabinet approved the new ordinance in principle on Nov 11 last year.

The process of formulating a law to protect consumer rights began in 1994.

Several committees were formed during past governments to draft the law, though none was approved at cabinet level.

Fahim Munaim said the interim cabinet on Wednesday also approved the Administration Tribunal (amendment) Ordinance 2008, which extends the time for appeal against a verdict in the tribunal to four months from three months.

The council of advisers also approved a proposed Memorandum of Understanding for manpower export to Libya. Bangladesh and Libya will sign an agreement during the visit of the Libyan manpower minister, who is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Sept 4.

Rice-laden ship sinks in Bay: Engr missing

Chittagong Correspondent

A Sri Lankan bulk vessel laden with 9.6 thousand metric tons of rice went down in the bay after colliding an oil tanker head-on yesterday afternoon.

Sources at the radio control of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) admitted the incident and said that three rescue boats brought 16 crew and officers of the sunken vessel back to shore safely while Chief Engineer of the vessel had been missing till the time of dispatching this report.

Informed sources said that the collision took place between rice-laden MV Badulu Valley and MT Hun Geu near the outer anchorage at about 1:20 p.m. The rice-laden vessel was been moving to the jetty while the tanker on the anchor.

Captain of the sunken vessel aired SOS (save our soul). Responding to the call three rescue-vessels of the CPA Dishari-2, Dishari-8 and Kandari-10 rushed there and rescued 16 of the crew and officers.

The sunken vessel sailed from Kakinada port in Orrisya, India on August 17 and supposed to take berth at Chittagong port yesterday.

Though the oil tanker suffered physical damage following the collision, it fortunately did not catch fire as it's hatch had been empty.

Anwar alleges Govt interference in deans’ polls

DU Correspondent

Prof Anwar Hossain, who was defeated in the Deans election of Dhaka University from Biology Faculty, claimed the government has interfered in the elections of the country including city corporation elections.

Addressing a press conference at DUTA Club, Prof Anwar urged the government to hand over power to the elected representatives by holding acceptable election after withdrawing state of emergency.

He pointed out that the present BNP-Jamaat dominated administration of the university had recruited a large number of teachers who determined the defeat of the Blue panel teachers backed by the Awami League and Left leaning organisations in the deans election. When asked about the victory of Prof Harun-or-Rashid from the Blue panel in the Social Science Faculty with huge margin and if he had entente with BNP-Jamaat teachers and the Government agencies, Prof Anwar said, " Please ask the question to Prof Harun."

He urged the teachers not to participate in next Senate and Syndicate elections as the scenario, what he said, will repeat in those elections. Prof Hossain Mansur, another defeated candidate of Earth and Environment Faculty, and Assistant Prof Sheikh Hafizur Rahman Karzon accompanied Prof Anwar Hossain in the press conference.