The New Nation - Internet Edition

Great show on Earth comes to an end

A scene of the closing ceremony of Beijing Olympic
Games in the Bird's Nest on Sunday. AP photo

Xinhua, Beijing

Drums thundered. Fireworks exploded. Hands held. Arms extendedt As the Olympic flame went out at the Bird's Nest, Beijing turned the closing ceremony into a jolly farewell party.

The closing extravaganza opened at 8:00 p.m. with more than 90,000 audience packing the stadium counting down from the number of "29", indicating the 29th Olympic Games.

Fireworks burst on top of the Bird's Nest as the countdown ended, forming a great circle in the sky, leaving the audience in raptures.

From "heavenly drums", silver bell danced to men flying in the air on wires. The host combined folk dances with modern techniques, staging an ebullient show of Chinese pride and imagination.

Amid thundering music and roaring cheers, hundreds of athletes from 204 countries and regions walked into the stadium en masse. They mingled in the center of the stadium, laughing, shouting, jumping, huggingtturning the evening gathering into a fun party.

China's basketball superstar Yao Ming, easily recognizable in the crowd, was busy shaking hands, taking photos and receiving hugs from other athletes.

A touching moment came when 12 representatives of volunteers, led by 12 children, walked to the center of the stadium and were presented flowers by the new IOC members of the Athletes' Commission.

"I've never expected this. I am glad that our efforts are appreciated," said Peking University student Tan Yini with a big smile on face, while watching the ceremony from the press tribune.

"I enjoyed so much helping journalists and watching them work over the past days. I feel sad that this is all over and I probably will never see them again," said Tan, a volunteer from the press operations at the Bird's Nest.

During the Games, about 100,000 Olympic volunteers were working day and night, helping athletes, officials, reporters, spectators and tourists in Beijing and the six co-host cities.

Jacques Rogge, the IOC president, paid "particular homage to the thousands of volunteers for their remarkable dedication, patience and endless smiles" in his message to the closing ceremony. "You made the Games," said Rogge.

After the Olympic flag was lowered and handed over to London, the 2008 Olympic host staged a short ceremony to showcase the British enthusiasm. British famed footballer David Beckham stirred up the audience as he showed up and kicked off a football to mark the start of London's Olympic journey.

At 21:25, the Olympic flame slowly went out and a huge "memory tower" elevated at the center of the field with nearly 400 performances simulating the flame on it. The audience, waving luminous props in the hands, swung rhythmically and formed a sky with glittering stars.

Spanish tenor Placido Domingo and Chinese singer Song Zuying brought the audience into ecstasy with their emotional performance of the Flame of Love.

The evening pageant ended in a dancing party as audience and athletes swung to the chorus of a group of Chinese singers, chanting "come, come, please stay.. Tonight, guests from afar, please stayt"

As an old Chinese saying says, all good things must come to an end. To many who have come to Beijing with scrutinizing eyes, the Beijing Games ended well.

"There were very few problems in the Beijing Games. Transportation, organizing, logistics, volunteer servicest All better than the games I've been to," Al Pryzbylkowski, a staff with the U.S. magazine Newsweek, said at the closing ceremony.

"Every Games has its flavor. China is certainly impressive in its own way," said the 12-time Olympic participant.

Govt reforms run at snail’s pace: RRC itself now ailing

Pulack Ghatack

The snail's pace of the Caretaker Government's reform programmes in the administrative and business arena seems unlikely to remove the decade-old backlogs as the Government's tenure is likely to end by December.

The Government, in a landmark decision to remove bureaucratic, legal and procedural complexities, formed a high profile Regulatory Reform Commission (RRC) headed by former Adviser Dr Akbar Ali Khan.

The Government also formed a Better Business Forum (BBF) headed by Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed to identify barriers to business and reform the administration by removing all the obstacles.

The RRC is mandated to review all government rules and regulations, and identify those that needs to be annulled, modified, or left unchanged, and make suitable recommendations to the government to infuse dynamism into governance, administration and the economy.

The RRC with its secretariat at the Board of Investment (BoI) initially worked relentlessly and made as many as 31 recommendations for immediate implementation.

Regarding all RRC recommendations, the Chief Adviser's Office has already referred them to the line ministries with a strict direction to implement those, sources concerned said.

But, red-tapism, bureaucratic tangles and some pending cases in the High Court are hindering the progress in the reforms, apart from a few. Some ministries are also allegedly not cooperating with the RRC.

The RRC has selected 202 laws and regulations for review and amendment, and drafted their synopsis. For this purpose, the RRC sent notifications to 47 ministries or departments back in November 2007.

However, only nine ministries or departments have responded to RRC's request for assistance and cooperation, an official with the RRC secretariat said.

Ailing Commission Chairman Akbar Ali Khan went on sick leave in May. The activities of the RRC and implementation of its suggestions at the ministry level could not progress much since then.

Critical voice of the noted personality also put moral pressure on the Government. However, Dr Akbar Ali, who is now back home from his overseas treatment, is unlikely to join work any time soon. "The doctors have prescribed him complete rest to regain health," said a voice responding to a phone call from the New Nation last night.

However, the one-year term of the Commission will expire on October 31 and now the Government is mulling to extend its life at least for another year, highly placed sources in Government said.

The RRC is focusing on 20 to 30 most important regulatory areas, and its officials expect to finalise its comprehensive reform recommendations by way of a final report by October.

The RRC recommended that the Directorate of Land Registration should be transferred from the Law Ministry to the Ministry of Land to allow a "one-stop service" for land registration.

Implementation of it is hanging in the balance as the High Court has pronounced a three-month stay order responding to a writ against the Government move.

However, remarkable progress in the implementation stage was noticed in few cases. Following RRC recommendations, the Government had started to publish gazette notifications on the website and developing a full-fledged website incorporating all previous gazettes.

The RRC suggested that all proposed regulations must be published in draft form for feedback from civil society members before finalisation. This recommendation now awaits approval of the Council of Advisers.

The commission recommended online registration with BoI, uniform fees or charges for registration of investment projects and reforms in BoI to make it dynamic.

A consultant has been appointed for implementation of online registration and BoI discussed the issue of uniform fees.

The commission proposed that Bangladesh Bank should alone take decision regarding private sector foreign loans without informing the BoI. Recently, the Chief Adviser's Office has directed BoI and BB to implement it within two months.

The RRC suggested legalisation of "courier service" in the country, by amending the Post Office Act 1898. The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications is taking steps to implement this. A draft amendment to the Post Office Act has also been prepared.

An SRO was issued on May 22 to reduce the time of giving location clearance and environment clearance certificates according to RRC suggestions.

The government has also implemented the recommendation regarding bonded warehouse licencing process.

The proposals to annul the "Sarai Act 1867," and updating of "The Bangladesh Hotels and Restaurants Ordinance 1982" are pending for final recommendation.

On the other hand, the BBF has so far put forward 126 recommendations for execution in the short, medium and long terms. Of them, all the six short-term recommendations were implemented through executive orders, according to official sources.

However, only half of the 56 medium-term (1-2 months) recommendations were implemented, while the remaining 64 others were for implementation either in the long-term or to be reviewed further by the working groups of the BBF.

BDR-BSF DG-level meet concludes: India imposes night curfew along border

Director General of BDR Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed and
Director General of BSF Ashish Kumar Mitra addressing the
joint press briefing after holding the 6-day border
conference at BDR Headquarters in the city
yesterday.:FocusBangla

Staff Reporter

At least 59 Bangladeshi and Indian nationals have been killed while trying to cross the international border between the two countries illegally in the last six months.

Ashish Kumar Mitra, Director General of Indian Border Security Force (BSF), said the dead included 34 Bangladeshis and 21 Indians, while the others could not be identified.

India has imposed a night curfew along its border with Bangladesh and built barbed-wire fences on 46 different places to stop movement of smugglers and illegal immigrants.

"The night curfew is enforced in our territory along the border, so anyone crossing into India from Bangladesh may risk his life," Mitra told a news conference following a half-yearly meeting yesterday with his Bangladesh counterpart at the BDR Headquarters at Pheelkhana in the city.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh and India yesterday promised to work for an improved relationship between the border guards of the two neighbouring countries, burying some bitter disputes of recent times.

"It has been a fruitful discussion," Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed, Director General of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), told the briefing at the end of a four-day border conference that began on Thursday in the city.

The BDR Chief's Indian counterpart, AK Mitra, was also happy at the outcome of the talks encompassing intrusion, cross-border trade in contrabands and insurgency, border skirmish, frontier fencing and so on. "This meeting will certainly improve better understanding, as we have discussed some very contemporary and contentious issues," Mitra said at the news briefing at the BDR Headquarters.

Maj Gen Shakil led a 22-member team while the BSF Chief headed a 19-member delegation to the meeting.

As the two nations share a porous border of more than 4,000 kilometers, small skirmishes are common and India often trades blames on Bangladesh for border tensions over smuggling.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, blames India for opening fire at innocent Bangladeshis and unprovoked attack on BDR patrols. The DG-level meeting took place after a recent border clash that left two BDR jawans dead while the BSF officials crossed the dividing line into Bangladesh.

Terming it an "individual aberration", the BSF chief regretted the incident and said they discussed the issue during the talks.

He said it would require an inquiry into the matter to know what prompted such an incident, but whatever the case, it should not have happened.

"It was an individual aberration, not an organisational attempt. It is highly regrettable," Mitra said.

Both the officials said the issues of border firing, transborder crimes, smuggling, border fencing came up for discussion.

A list of 263 persons wanted by India has been handed over to the Bangladesh while another list of 1,464 Bangladeshis given to India, they said about what appears to be a regular swap on such occasions.

About the Indian claim that Bangladesh shelters Indian insurgents, the BDR chief, referring to the discussion details, said: "We don't shelter any insurgent in Bangladesh."

About some ULFA leaders, including Poresh Barua, who are in jail in Bangladesh, the BDR DG said the matter of handing them over to India was out of his agency's mandate.

"We will examine the list and give it to the Home Ministry," he said, replying to a query.

About Bangladesh's list to India, Mitra said they would give the list to the Indian police for further action.

About the much-disputed border fencing by India, Mitra said of some 4,000-kilometer-long border, India is fencing off some 3,200

kilometers as the rest is straddled by rivers and forests.

He said fencing has been completed along some 2,000 kilometers of border while 900 to 1,000 kilometers remained open.

The BSF chief said there are some disputed areas along the 900 kilometers of unfenced border.

"We have identified some 46 spots and handed over a list to the BDR for its position on that," he said.

In response, the BDR chief said they would examine the 46 spots, and if justified, they would send it to the Home Ministry for further action.

Replying to a query if transborder crimes and firing along the border have dropped because of the border fencing, Mitra said over last six months firing along the border dropped by about 30 per cent along the fenced border while casualties also subsided substantially.

Along some 200 kilometers of border where floodlights have been installed crimes have dropped significantly, Mitra said.

Mystery shrouds capsize of rice-laden ship

The rice-carrying sunken ship at outer anchorage of
Chittagong Port.

Chittagong Correspondent

The sinking of the vessel at the outer anchorage of the Chittagong port with 3.6 tonnes of rice worth about Tk 11 crore on August 20 has raised questions in different quarters as the incident took place at a time when the government has been frantically endeavouring to replenish the country's depleting food stocks through import and other means.

According to reports, the Sri-Lankan vessel carrying the rice from India sank after collision with an oil tanker in broad day light when the weather was fine. Many are in doubt whether there was any design or sabotage behind the sinking the rice carrying vessel to put Bangladesh in a tight corner on the food front. People by and large are of the view that the sinking of the rice laden ship is sure to add to the woes of the country which is desperately trying to build buffer stock of foodgrains to meet any future contingency. The loss of rice in the bay, by design or accident, is likely to have adverse impact on the rice markets in the country. The loss or damage of foodgrains under whatever circumstances at this critical period will push up their prices in the home markets adding to sufferings of the common people of the country, some rice traders said. The general people are particularly worried over the rising prices of essential including rice just on the eve of holy month of Ramzan.

Talking to the New Nation, some rice merchants of Karwan Bazaar said the capsize of the vessel at the outer anchorage of the Chittagong sea port might be a deliberate act to make the rice markets unstable and destabilize the whole situation in the country.

They called for a thorough investigation into the incident to unveil the mystery behind the incident. Otherwise, such mishap will continue to take place under any pretext to derail the country's economic progress and plunge it into further economic turmoil, they obserbed.

Meanwhile, the two-member probe body on the sinking of the vessel is expected to submit its report on August 28.

Move on to seek Khaleda’s bail

Rafiqul Islam Azad

Lawyers of detained BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia are taking preparation to submit petitions to the higher courts for her bail.

The lawyers are taking the initiative as the BNP Chairperson has already conveyed to the authorities concerned that she would not apply for her release on parole or on the basis of executive order, reliable source said.

According to the sources, Begum Khaleda Zia thinks that she is eligible to get release in all the four graft cases filed against her. The cases are NIKO, GATCO, Boropukuria Coalmine and Zia Orphanage.

The BNP Chairperson has to choose parole, like another prime minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina, or get bail from court for her release.

"We are trying to ensure the release of Madam Khaleda Zia through higher courts since she made it clear that she would not apply for getting release on parole or on the basis of executive order," said Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan, a lawyer of the BNP Chairperson.

He said the lawyers have started the procedures to submit bail petitions to free Begum Zia, who was arrested on September 3 last year, one after another to the higher courts.

Sources in the Government said though the procedure for the release of Begum Zia was at the final stage as stated by several Advisers to the Caretaker Government, it is being delayed since she has been refusing to apply to this end.

The Government could consider the matter even if any relative or lawyer would have applied on her behalf for her release source added.

Begum Zia's another lawyer Shimul Biswas told The New Nation earlier that no decision was taken by her lawyers or her family members to apply for her release.

Advocate Azam Khan said they would file bail petition after facing all the four cases in the judge courts first.

The former prime minister has already been denied bail at least in two cases including the Zia Orphanage graft case.

Meanwhile, former BNP lawmakers have been taking initiative to mobilise party's rank and file to get united to free their party chief.

A series of meetings have already been held to discuss the issue of releasing Begum Zia and consolidating the party unity before the upcoming parliamentary polls.

Talking to reporters former MP Shah Nurul Kabir Shahin claimed that progress has been achieved though holding meetings.

BNP Standing Committee Member Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman, a pro-reformist leader, told the reporters that they are ready to extend their cooperation in freeing the party Chairperson if they have been ensured about the unity of the party.

He argued that BNP leaders should hold more meetings to ensure the release of Begum Zia like the AL leaders who held series of meetings before freeing their party chief Sheikh Hasina.

Pak coalition faces split over judges’ issue

AFP, Islamabad

Pakistan's fragile coalition government is facing a Monday deadline on reinstating judges sacked by former president Pervez Musharraf that could determine whether its major parties split.

Political infighting has weakened the ability to focus on militant violence-almost 100 people were killed in bombings in the past week-and leave the government in disarray ahead of the September 6 presidential election.

Seven militants were killed and three soldiers wounded in the latest violence in the troubled tribal areas along the Afghan border, officials said Sunday.

The party of ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif has imposed a Monday deadline for hearing from its coalition partner, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), on whether the judges will get their jobs back.

Critics say PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of another former premier, Benazir Bhutto, fears their return could mean the end of an amnesty on corruption charges that brought the couple back to Pakistan last year.

Although the PPP has signalled it will agree to the reinstatement, it has been dragging its feet on the issue, which has threatened to fracture an already fragile coalition that took power after the defeat of Musharraf's allies in February 18 polls.

Sharif held a meeting with close aides Sunday to discuss the political situation, the presidential election and the judges issue, party officials said. A decision whether to participate in the presidential election will be announced on Monday, they added.Zardari confirmed Saturday that he would run for president in the September 6 poll triggered by Musharraf's resignation to avoid impeachment charges.

A resolution on the reinstatement of the 60 judges, who include the independent-minded former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, would require the PPP's support.

Musharraf's resignation and the race to replace him come amid a prolonged battle with Islamic militants who have carried out a series of suicide bombings and clashed with troops on the Afghan border.

A double Taliban suicide bombing at Pakistan's biggest weapons factory on Thursday, the deadliest ever attack on a Pakistani military site, has put fresh pressure on the coalition to end its bickering and focus on militant violence.

Sharif also wants the powers of the presidency reduced to prevent the next incumbent from dissolving parliament-a power created by Musharraf-and said he would back Zardari for president if this happened.

PPP deputy secretary general Raza Rabbani said Saturday that the judges would be restored to office but declined to disclose a timeframe.

Sharif previously threatened to quit the coalition if they were not reinstated by Friday.

The former premier-who was ousted by Musharraf in a 1999 coup-had said representatives of the two parties would draft a resolution on restoring the judges over the weekend and then introduce it in parliament on Monday.

Sharif's party spokesman Siddiqul Farooq said the issue of whether Zardari would stand for the presidency was the PPP's "own decision," not that of the coalition partners, but reiterated its leader's demands Saturday.

"We do not want a civilian president with the same powers that Musharraf had, mainly the power to dissolve parliament," Farooq said.

"Our top priority is restoration of the judges and we want it done on Monday," Farooq insisted, adding that the party would meet in Islamabad on Monday to discuss the latest developments.

Farooq on Sunday said the future of the alliance depended on reinstatement of the judges.

"The party will decide its future course of action," Farooq told AFP.

"The alliance is intact today but its future depends on the fulfilment of the promise Zardari made for the restoration of the judges," he said.

The deadlock has heightened the political instability in Pakistan some six days after Musharraf, a key US ally, quit office and as Western nations look for continuity after his departure.

4-party demands repeal of new electoral law

Staff Reporter

The BNP-led four-party alliance yesterday demanded of the Caretaker Government to cancel the new electoral laws, free former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and hold parliamentary elections first.

The demands were made at a meeting of the alliance held at the residence of BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain in the city. "We (the four-party alliance) have rejected the ordinance (RPO). The next parliamentary elections will be illegal if it is held under this ordinance," BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain said while briefing journalists after the meeting.

Terming the Representation of the People Order, (Amendment) Ordinance-2008' (RPO) unconstitutional, undemocratic and motivated he said the RPO has been enforced deliberately to keep the four-party alliance out of the ensuing polls.

"It's like serving old wine in a new bottle, which a Caretaker Government or the Election Commission doesn't have any jurisdiction to do it. Only an elected parliament can enact such a law," he said.

According to the amended RPO, a candidate will not be able to contest the national polls from more than three constituencies simultaneously, one has to register as a voter first to be able to run the elections and political parties contesting the polls must register first.

He alleged that the release of Begum Zia remained stuck, since the Government has attached some conditions including endorsement of all its misdeeds and taking part in the planned upazila and next parliamentary polls under the state of emergency.

"Such conditions are not acceptable to Khaleda Zia and even the people won't accept those," he observed.

The meeting started at 11:00am and continued for one and half an hours discussed the latest political development and preparation of August 27 human chain programme demanding immediate release of Begum Zia and her ailing elder son Tarique Rahman.

The meeting was attended, among others, by BNP Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, IOJ Secretary General Abdul Latif Nezami, BJP Chairman Andalib Rahman Partho and Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Ahmed Abdul Kader.

Khondoker Delwar said the amendment has been brought to the RPO as part of a deep-rooted agenda designed with the motive to hold the next general under a blueprint.

Accusing the government of pursuing a double standard policy in releasing Begum Zia, he said Awami League president Sheikh Hasina has been freed but BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is still behind bars.

Besides, he said, though Tarique Rahman's condition is deteriorating, he is not freed for treatment but many others with minor complications have been released for treatment.

The BNP secretary general criticised the government for ignoring the suggestions by the medical board of Tarique Rahman to send him abroad immediately for treatment to avoid becoming paralysed completely.

"We are worried about him (Tarique) as he has been partially paralysed. The Government will have to bear all responsibility," he cautioned.

TAC extends deadline: Only 21 corrupts approach so far

UNB, Dhaka

Only 21 corrupt persons have so far approached the Truth and Accountability Commission for pardon in return for their amassed money, prompting the TAC authorities to think about extending the petition period as many are still in two minds.

"The Commission is definitely going to extend the deadline by another month after September 1 initially set by the Commission," a competent source told UNB on Sunday.

About the extension of timeframe, TAC chairman Justice Habibur Rahman Khan told UNB, "Yes, there is a possibility of extending the time by one month. It will be announced later on."

The chief of the clemency body, who, along with the two TAC members, attended office on the holiday today, said he and his two colleagues are able to take the decision of extending time. "No government permission is needed in this regard," he said to a question.

In the regular briefing on Wednesday, the TAC chairman admitted that the response so far was not up to the expectation and had said an extension of timeframe would be considered.

The TAC contemplation over extending time is the result of the lukewarm response from the corrupt individuals, who are on the horns of a dilemma as to whether to surrender their ill-gotten wealth to state exchequer or surrender themselves to the law under the ongoing clean-up drive against corruption.

Since the formation of the Commission on July 30, only four have applied to make voluntary disclosures for clemency in exchange for their ill-gotten wealth. And, upon applications from the concerned, the Anti-Corruption Commission has sent a list of 17 persons asking to take the advantage of the TAC.

According to ACC spokesperson Col Hanif Iqbal, the ACC has prepared another list of 15 persons to be sent to the TAC.

None of the 36 penitent persons to be dealt with by the TAC is known to be any bigwig. They include retired and serving government officials, some of wives of corrupt officials and a businessman.

Meanwhile, the hearings of the limited number of cases received by the TAC are likely to begin within a week.

"The hearings will begin soon…Maybe, within a week or so," the TAC chief said.

He said the Commission would speak to the applicants Aug 25-28 and, if satisfied with their statements, the applicants would be provided with the prescribed forms to make the declarations. During that period, the applicants would be informed about the dates for hearing.

On July 30 this year, the TAC was formed with the appointments of the chairman and the two members - Asif Ali and Maj Gen (retd) Manjur Rashid. They assumed office on Aug 3 and the public notification was issued immediately asking the corrupt to come up to take the advantage by September 1 at the latest.

Under the ordinance by which the TAC was constituted, apart from voluntary disclosure by the individuals, the ACC, the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on serious crime and corruption and courts (before or during charge-framing hearing) can refer the cases. But, the persons concerned will have to apply for referring their cases to the TAC.

Use of modern technology in fisheries sector stressed

Staff Reporter

Finance and Planning Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday stressed the need for adopting modern technology in the fisheries sector to increase fish production for meeting the country's demand.

The government has laid special emphasis on the fisheries sector because of its vital role in alleviating poverty, he noted.

The Finance adviser was addressing as a chief guest the inaugural function of the five- day long fisheries fair at Khamarbari Krishibid field in the capital. A total of 37 stalls have been set up at the fair to exhibit their products.

"We have shortage of fishes against the increasing demand as the water bodies drying out day by day," Azizul Islam said adding, "The water bodies also being filled up for the establishment of industries and other purposes".

He called for recovering the lost water bodies and dredging ponds and rivers for their cultivation.

Aziz said the private sector is playing a vital role to meet the demand of fish in the country.

Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Sayed Ataur Rahman presided over the function while Chief Adviser Special Assistant for Fisheries and Livestock Manik Lal Samaddar, Director General (DG) of the Directorate of Fisheries Rafiqul Islam, DG of the Fisheries Research Institute Dr MA Mazid and Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation Chairman Md Shahjahan addressed at the function.

Manik Lal Samaddar said that the government has taken various steps to promote the fisheries sector.

"The government will introduce hatchery law immediately," he said adding, "We have also taken steps to promulgate the national shrimp ordinance within three months for the development of this important sector."

The government also formed a high-powered committee led by Agriculture Adviser CS Karim to implement short term, mid term and long-term plans for development of Haor area people, the Special Assistant of the Chief Adviser said.

It is necessary to take steps for saving open water bodies to increase the fish production, he observed.

Rafiqul Islam said that the government has earned Tk 3353 crore by exporting fishes in the year 2007-08.

Dr MA Mazid said, "We have 807 species of fishes. Of the species, 260 are sweet water fishes and rest of them marine fishes."

He said that the government should take permanent programme immediately by conservation of water bodies in Union Parisad level to save the huge varieties of fishes.

DU blue teachers demand removal of Pro-VC, treasurer

DU Correspondent

The 'blue panel' teachers, loyal to the Awami League, of Dhaka University (DU) Sunday demanded immediate removal of the university's pro-vice-chancellor and the treasurer for their irregularities in the recruitment of DU teachers.

They alleged the treasurer despite being the election commissioner became biased to the candidates of the 'white panel', belonging to the BNP-Jamaat, in the recent dean election.

"We want the announcement of dates of election of all components of the Senate immediately by removing the pro-VC and the treasurer, recruited during the government of the four-party alliance, for their ill-attempts and irregularities galore at the university", DU Social Sciences Faculty Dean and blue panel Convener Harun-or-Rashid said at a press conference at the university.

Rashid claimed in his written statement that the treasurer and the pro-VC made frantic efforts to realise support for the candidates of the white panel.

"The proctor and the assistant proctors are taking handsome money every month without discharging their duties on the days of examinations", Rashid alleged, seeking reshuffle in the proctorial body of the university.

The 'blue panel' also brought a wide range of allegations of politicisation and irregularities against the present University Administration, recruited during the regime of the four-party coalition, in appointing teachers and officials and even in allotting residences at the University.

When contacted, DU Treasurer Syed Abul Kalam Azad termed the statement of the 'blue panel' teachers politically motivated and said no one would believe that the dean election was manipulated, as the university teachers, the conscience of the nation, cast their votes there.

DU Teachers' Association (DUTA) General Secretary Md Anwar Hossin, DUTA former President AAMS Arefin Siddiqui, former General Secretary Akhteruzzaman, 'blue panel' Joint Convener Wahiduzzaman Chan and Muhammad Samad, among others, attended the press conference.

Women repression: Protest day observed

Staff Reporter

National Protest Day against Women Repression was observed in the country on the occasion of the death anniversary of Yasmin yesterday.

To mark the 13th Yasmin killing anniversary day, National Forum for Resistance against Women Repression with cooperation of Actionaid organised a discussion meeting at the Bengal Gallery in the city.

Nurul Kabir, Editor of the Daily New Age and Farah Kabir, Country Director of Actionaid addressed the discussion with the forum President Anwar Hossain in the chair.

Speakers demanded reformation of the Women Anti Repression Acts and immediate trial of cases involving repression on women.

Nurul Kabir stressed on changing power relation structure in the patriarchal society to stop violence and repression on women.

He said repression on women would never stop without a large-scale cultural movement and enhancing gender sensitivity in the society.

Farah Kabir said gender sensitivity among media men could reduce the repression on women, as the media could play a vital role creating awareness among the people on the issue.

Lawyer and journalist Nahid Sultana presented keynote paper on the killing and leader of mass movement created following the incident Razia Sultana presented her bitter experiences after the killing and role of the police against women.

Asma Akter Mukta conducted the function also addressed by Nayeema Imam Chowdhury of Actionaid and journalist Syed Borhanul Kabir.

Besides, various programmes were taken at the district level to mark the day.

Yasmin (aged 13/14) was killed after violation by the policemen in Dinajpur on this day in 1995. Later, police shot dead seven more innocent people during mass demonstration against the heinous incident and role of the administration. Three alleged policemen got death sentence in 2004.

The forum has been observing the day of Yasmin killing as the national protest day since 1996.

Indian woman among three

shot in city

Staff Reporter

Three people were shot by the assailants in city's Banani and Ibrahimpur areas yesterday.

In the first incident, muggers shot a car driver, Badrul Alam, in Banani when he tried to save his employer.

Badrul Alam said muggers intercepted his employer, an Indian woman near Canadian International School at about 8:45am when she was getting into the car. The muggers also snatched away her gold chain, he added.

As Badrul tried to save the woman, the muggers shot him on his left thigh. He was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

In the other incident, assailants shot two construction workers in Ibrahimpur at about 9:00am.

Witnesses said the assailants entered the compound of an under-construction apartment at 430/A Ibrahimpur and shot workers Mamun, 20, and Mujibur Rahman, 39. They were admitted to the DMCH.

Two separate cases were filed.