The New Nation - Internet Edition

Impact of food-price rise: 40 lakh people pushed below poverty line: WB

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh could increase rice productivity from 30 to 60 per cent by using hybrid seeds, improvement of crop management and proper utilisation of fertilizer for attaining food security.

"Open Market Sale (OMS) of rice, social safety net programmes and 100 day Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) are some of the effective measures taken by the government to ensure food security for the vulnerable people," said Xian Zhu, Country Director of the World Bank yesterday.

He said at a workshop on 'Impacts of Food Crisis in Bangladesh' organised by the World Bank at its office in the city.

Some 40 lakh people of the country have been pushed down under the poverty line anew by the recent food-price rises due to natural disaster on the domestic front coupled with volatility on the international market, according to World Bank's findings.

Vinaya Swaroop, lead economist of the bank for Bangladesh presented the keynote paper.

It was also attended, among others, by Zahid Hussain, senior economist, Nihal Fernando, senior rural development specialist and Mehrin A Mahbub, public information associate of the bank.

Xian Zhu said the price of rice remained high despite the bumper production of 'Boro' crop. It is causing hardship to the poor and low-income group of people and eroding nearly one-fifth of their household income.

He said the bank is assisting the government to provide medium-to-long term support to enhance food security and production.

He also said $ 109 million financial support from the bank for Emergency Cyclone Recovery and Restoration project, National Agriculture Technology Project (NATP) in the crops, livestock and fisheries sub-sectors, shall be extended.

He mentioned that the bank was also going to assist the government for preparing a National Social Safety Net Project for protecting urban poor form the vulnerabilities of food price hike and natural disasters.

Vinaya Swaroop said currently the price of coarse variety of rice is still high in comparison with the last year price.

He also said the overall food inflation in the country has been in double digits since the beginning of this year due to rising of rice prices.

"High rice price has forced the poor and low-income group to spend one fourth and one third of their household expenditure," he said adding that poverty has declined 2 per cent from 40 per cent in 2005 to 38 per cent in 2008.

Discussion in city told: Acrimony over coal extraction unhelpful for N region

Chhatra Federation activists staged a demonstration
on the Dhaka University campus yesterday to mark August 26
Phulbari Tragedy Day. Focus Bangla

Staff Reporter

Debate is raging among people on the issue of coal extraction in the northern area of the country. The sections for and against coal mining brand each other agents of foreign countries and organisations.

Engineer Md Fazlul Haq, former member of Power Development Board (PDB), yesterday at a discussion meeting in the city said, "The progress of the country could not be achieved without industrialisation of greater Rangpur-Dinajpur regions. As power is important for industrialisation, the northern zone could get it from their coal mines."

As it is difficult for the Government to finance coal extraction he further said it could take nongovernmental or foreign aid.

To develop Rangpur and Dinajpur, he pleaded for the implementation of all the pending proposals with Asia Energy immediately. Fazlul believes that the coal, which can be extracted through open pit mining system, would help meet the growing demand of electricity in the region.

Greater Rangpur-Dinajpur Industry-Business Development Forum sees the division in the opinion of some people on the issue of coal extraction as ploy to make the political field volatile. It believes that some black power were backing these persons.

The organisation, however, hoped, joint discussion between them and the other party could help work out the problem.

When the New Nation contacted Prof Anu Mohammad, Member Secretary of National Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources Protection Committee, about the possibility of sitting for talks with the Forum he put forward two conditions.

"We will talk only when the Phulbari contract with Asia Energy will be scrapped," he said and added, "When we are assured of 100 per cent use of extracted coal for our country."

He thinks that open mining will cause severe damage to our country. As we are densely populated and river are connected with each other like web of a net, pollution will spread out all over the country easily which in turn would harm people of the country severely.

Anu said,"As we will be able to extract huge amount of coal in excess of our demand by the open pit mining system, there is a possibility of smuggling of coal to neighbouring countries."

Two years ago people of Phulbari and adjoining upazilas joined a peaceful programme to lay siege to the office of Asia Energy Corporation (AEC), a UK-based company in Phulbari, when the law enforcers intercepted them a clash ensued in which three people died on August 26.

Strong rumour on campus closure: 280 students sued

Md. Jamal Uddin

A rumour that the Dhaka University (DU) would be closed sine die or at least for three months for the rampage on Monday by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has severly panicked the university students.

The speculation of campus shutdown is floating among the DU students since early August. But no one got specific information in this regard.

"Every student of the hall knows that the university will be declared closed soon, said Zafar Iqbal Rocky, a resident student of Kabi Jasim Uddin Hall.

Mentioning the last year's session jam, he said the students would be loser more if the university was closed.

JCD, student wing of BNP, yesterday staged a demonstration on the campus peacefully and no untoward incident took place on the campus or elsewhere of the city in sequel to Monday's occurrence.

Two cases were filed against 280 students, 30 of Dhaka College and 250 of DU with the New Market and Shahbag Police Station in connection with the incident. "Demonstrations violating the state of emergency are a serious matter," Inspector General of Police Nur Mohammad told reporters after a meeting on law and order at the home ministry yesterday.

He said security measures had been beefed up to avoid further chaos in the capita.

"One person died in yesterday's mayhem, but police took instant action to bring the situation under control," he said.

"If anybody takes to the street, cases will be filed against them for violating emergency powers rules and arrests will also be made."

"Police are not neglecting the matter," the IG stressed.

Meanwhile, JCD senior leaders alerted the juniors before starting demonstration to refrain from any conflict that can cause closure of the university, a JCD sources said.

Thousands of JCD activists participated in the demonstration led by JCD senior vice president Sultan Salah Uddin Tuku and reiterated the demand of BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman`s release. Later, it held a rally at the 'Bat-tala' of the university.

Addressing the rally, JCD leaders urged the government to fulfill their demands, otherwise, it shall face serious problem.

They said it would be better for the present caretaker government to hand over the power to the political parties soon by holding general lection.

JCD vice president Akramul Haque Biplab, organising secretary Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Jewel, Bazlul Chowdhury Abed, Mamunur Rashid Mamun, DU unit general secretary Saiful Islam Firoz and female students affairs secretary Tanzim Chowdhury Lily, among others, spoke in the rally.

Students, who were setting for examinations in different departments, are so feared if the university was closed.

Student organisations are against the closure of the university. They think, the ongoing movement for release of Sheikh Hasina, Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman would be slow if the campus was put off.

Members of the intelligence agencies of the government were spreading the rumour of campus closure to the students, sources said.

The rumour intensified over last two days due to the closured of Rajshahi University and Barisal Medical College. Even some students took preparation to leave their respective halls and they were more attentive to the media when the declaration would come.

Admitting the rumour, JCD DU Unit general secretary Saiful Islam Firoz said a vested quarter was trying to shut down the campus to slow down the current student movement but they were alert in this regard.

Bangladesh Chhatra League DU Unit general secretary Sazzad Sakib Badsha also uttered the same word saying they will not tolerate any conspiracy of closing the university.

New campaign against Bangla speaking people in Assam

Staff Reporter

Propaganda against Bangladesh is rife again in the India's north-eastern state of Assam and branding Bengali speaking people there as intruders, informed sources said.

The propaganda against Bangladesh and the Bengali speaking people is aimed at driving them away from the state and move to that effect has geared up, sources added.

Instigated by the state government, political leaders, government officials and the Indian newspapers are enthusiastically writing that Bangladesh is helping the Assam's revolutionary political organisation United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). This propaganda aims to keep Bangladesh under pressure, sources observed.

Informed sources said propaganda against Bangladesh and terming Bengali-speaking Muslims, as intruders is not new in north-eastern states of India. But recently the chief minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi has extended his support to those people and organisations that are spreading propaganda against Bangladesh. This has encouraged them to accelerate their onslaught and they are doing so in full swing.

Reports in the Assam media mentions that hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis are entering into the state to earn their livelihood without valid documents. These people become citizen of India and later join in different important departments of the country.

State BJP president Ramen Deka recently alleged that Muslims have become the largest power in 40 Bidhan Sabha elections as Bangladeshi nationals' have entered the state. Earlier in January 5, 2007, an Indian Court had ordered for push in of the Bengali-speaking people who they termed as so-called intruders following a writ petition by Image India, an NGO.

Informed sources said the propaganda against Bangladesh is to keep the country under pressure, realize benefit on transit issue, destroy country's image and create negative mindset at home and abroad against Bangladesh.

Propaganda against Bangladesh and Bangladeshi citizens started in Assam and other Indian states during the early 80s. Later in 1992 the home ministry of India organised a meeting of the chief minister's of seven northeastern states of the country in which the main issue of discussion was so called Bangladeshi intruders. At that time they tried to push in several lakh of so called Bangladeshi intruders, which was foiled by the Bangladesh Rifles.

The tension created by the foiling of BSF attempts to push in was calmed down by diplomacy, the Indian media did not stop propaganda against Bangladesh. A report submitted before the Indian court revealed that nearly 1, 17,428 Bengali speaking people were pushed into Bangladesh between 2001 and 2003.

Sources said a portion of vested quarters, backed by chief minister Tarun Gogoi, recently started refuelling the movement on the so called Bangladeshi intruders. The Young Mizo Association in Assam has started to intensify the movement against Bengali speaking Muslim community following the death of a young Mizo man in July 2008.

Highly placed sources said the Assam government itself was helping continuation of the ULFA movement but spreading propaganda against Bangladesh over sheltering ULFA members. Indian detective agency RAW has identified that the Assam state government was maintaining relations with ULFA in exchange of 50 crore Indian rupees per month. A powerful minister of Gogoi government is collecting 2 crore rupees per day from different sources to provide money to ULFA, sources alleged.

Informed sources said the Rastriya Sebok Sangha (RSS), Biswa Hindu Parishad and Simanta Surokhsa Samity have started to be active in the border areas. Besides they have started to harass Bengali speaking Hindu people terming them foreigners. They are making Bengali speaking people as D category voters, Indian media recently reported.

Sources also added that recently the Hindu Milon Mancha submitted a memorandum to the Indian President Prativa Patil that the Assam Bidhan Sabha may go under control of Bangladeshi people if their entrance was not stopped. Recently ULFA's area commander Probal threatened Bengali-speaking people to leave Assam or face reprisal.

On August 4, 2008 the Indian Express reported that Assam police has arrested a Bengali speaking Muslim who was possessing a Pakistani passport. But he was sent to the Bangladesh border for push back. The arrested Kamaruddin had lands in Kapabari village and he participated in Assam Assembly election in 1996, the newspaper mentioned quoting police.

Informed sources said the reason behind the propaganda against Bangladesh is to hide the government's failure to stop the movement of independence in the north eastern states. ULFA started movement since 1979 for the independence of Assam, the sources added.

LR fund: Century-old legacy

Hasanuzzaman Khan

The century-old LR (Local resources) fund having legacy from the British era has undergone scrutiny from Duduk and other government agencies mainly because of taking donations from the business communities.

The fund established at the district level during the colonial rule remains under the arbitrary control of the deputy commissioners. It was mainly set up in districts to meet any unforeseen expenditure ranging from a marriage of a destitute woman to arranging hospitality for political office holders and visiting officials who were on tour in districts for official purpose.

The original intention behind creation of the fund was lofty?to help distressed people, to salvage handicapped schools and colleges and to help calamity? stricken people. Despite flaws and irregularities the positive aspects have so far kept the fund alive. But degeneration has entered into it due to lack of transparency and accountablity. The fund hitherto remains unaudited and irregularities seem to be galore here while spending and transactions are made.

According to experts, non-transparent unaccountable fund operated arbitrarily is sure to plunge in irregularity. In view of such apprehension the LR fund remained suspended for a period during military rule of Ziaur Rahman and HM Ershad. But the fund was revived when political government was restored in 1991. But no improvement of the fund raising process and fund management were made to take advantage of whimsically using the fund by the political party in power. Such use of the fund for political purpose has given rise to questions in the minds of informed circles as the political activists of the ruling party appear to be the main beneficiaries of the fund.

The enlisted businessmen at the district level are said to be the regular donors to this fund. The diversion of bulk of this fund for political purpose against the backdrop of coming polls has created stir in the administration of the country. According to informed sources, India has no provision like this. So they did not find any justification to practise it in Bangladesh, especially when the country is under a caretaker government. They argue that all VIPs and VVIPS get official allowances while visiting districts. They are supposed to pay Circuit House bills from their own fund instead of resorting to LR fund raised by the local administration for the welfare of the vulnerable people and institutional salvation.

Tolls are taken for LR fund from different sources. Businessmen at the district level had to contribute to LR fund while taking licence for firearms and during their renewal, for having permission to hold dramas and operas, issuing of passport and its renewal, leasing khas land, water bodies, haats and bazaars and auction sale. The donation of each individual ranges from Tk.200 to 50,000. Anybody refusing to contribute to LR fund are denied any government cooperation.

The Deputy Commissioners said, they are only entitled to Tk 200 as entertainment allowance a month. But they are to hold at least 35 social functions a month in the district in addition to entertaining VIPs and VVIPS.

Kamal Siddiqui, a former bureaucrat, said entertaining the high officials during field level inspection has become a regular phenomenon in our country. The subordinate official has to bear the expenses from his own pocket. The visiting officials should be given enough money to bear their expenses for inspection tour. There is only one instance in this respect, former President Shahabuddin Ahmed paid the bill of Feni Circuit House when he visited the district.

TIB Chairman Muzaffar Ahmed said, there should be transparency and accountability in spending public money. It should be audited as well.

Akbar Ali Khan, a public administration expert, said, the political government in the past did not take any initiative to proscribe this fund, or keep it loophole-free.

Meanwhile, Duduk has sent a letter to the cabinet secretary to evaluate the local resource fund position and bring it under transparency. They said, many irregularities have crept into the fund transaction as the fund remains unaudited for indefinite period. The cabinet secretary, following Duduk instruction, has to submit a report on LR fund position to the council of advisers.

The Duduk also suggested formation of an alternative fund to meet exigencies keeping provision of transparency.

Zardari seeks Sharif’s forgiveness: Nomination paper for presidency filed

BBC Online

The leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Asif Zardari, has appealed to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to rejoin the governing coalition.

Sharif pulled his PML-N party out of the coalition on Monday after a dispute over the reinstatement of judges sacked by former president Pervez Musharraf.

The two sides also disagree over who should be the next president.

Sharif's party has put forward its own candidate to run against Zardari in the 6 September presidential poll.

The split in the coalition has created fresh political uncertainty in Pakistan, as it faces a deteriorating security situation and a declining economy.

In a televised address, Zardari said: "We are sad over Nawaz Sharif's decision. We want to move together and solve the problems facing the nation.

"We will request Nawaz Sharif to return to the government," he said.

Zardari said the survival of the PPP and PML-N were interlinked. He said the PPP wanted Sharif's support in its effort to strengthen democratic institutions.

Sharif said he was abandoning the coalition because the PPP - led by Asif Zardari, the husband of the assassinated Benzir Bhutto - had broken too many promises.

He accused the PPP, among other things, of failing to honour agreements to re-instate judges sacked by the Musharaaf, who resigned last week.

Zardari said he would "seek forgiveness" from Sharif if "his feelings are hurt".

"I want to take Nawaz on board as there are immense difficulties ahead. Perhaps I cannot tell the whole truth to the nation," he said.

Analysts say the PPP fears that if the judges are reinstated, they may revoke an amnesty that paved the way for Zardari and Ms Bhutto to return to Pakistan last year - leaving Zardari open to prosecution on long-standing corruption charges.

The two parties are also at odds over who should become Pakistan's next president.

Zardari filed his nomination papers for the presidency at the election commission office on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Sharif announced his party's candidate as the former Supreme Court chief justice, Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui.

The two party leaders had agreed to reduce the powers of the presidency in a country where the president has in the past dismissed democratically elected governments.

Sharif says as long as the presidency remains a powerful post, a non-partisan candidate acceptable to everyone, rather than Zardari, should have been agreed on.

The BBC's Charles Haviland in Islamabad says the PPP has other parties in the coalition and the government will not fall.

But our correspondent says the PPP may find Sharif to be an uncomfortably powerful figure to have in opposition at a time when the country lacks a sense of political direction.

Zardari and Mr Sharif worked together to threaten Musharraf with impeachment, which led him to resign last week.

The US gave huge financial backing to Musharraf during his nine years as president as Pakistan became a key ally in Washington's so-called "war on terror".

Washington is concerned that an insurgency is gaining strength in Pakistan and that the coalition's current policy of negotiating with militants is not working.

Last week a double suicide attack at a munitions plant in the town of Wah in Punjab province left nearly 70 people dead.

The Pakistan Taleban claimed responsibility for what was the heaviest attack on a military installation by a militant group in the country's history.

Farmers urged to go for organic, alternative instead of bio-fertiliser: Govt move to reduce dependence on imported fertiliser

Shamim Jahangir

The Government is encouraging farmers to use organic or alternative fertiliser instead of Urea, TSP and MOP on their land, as the price of bio-fertiliser have increased considerably in the international market, according to agriculture ministry sources.

The authority has taken the decision at a time when farmers are facing shortage of TSP and MOP fertiliser in the Aman cultivation season.

The market price of urea is $799 dollar per tonne. It was $600 dollar last year. TSP is selling $1,065 dollar. It sold at $600 dollar. MOP is selling at $900 dollar in the international market. It was $450 dollar last year, according to sources.

As part of the Government initiative, the Department of Agriculture Extension conducted several projects styled 'Expansion of Urea Deep Placement Technology (Guti urea),' 'Quick Compost project,' 'Deep Colour Chat (DCC) project' and 'Green Manure project' to reduce use of bio-fertiliser on agricultural land in the country.

DEA has encouraged farmers in 80 upazila including Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Comilla and Laksam to use Guti urea in the Aman season this year. It has covered 1.5 lakh hectares out of 58.20 lakh hectares of Aman land across the country this year, sources said.

"The guti urea will save some 30 to 40 per cent traditional urea in the 80 upazila during the Aman season," Md Abdul Muyeed, project director of expansion of Guti urea told the New Nation yesterday.

He said that the Government has saved Tk 324.60 crore by using Guti urea on 1.51 hectares of Boro field last fiscal.

"We were able to get one tonne of additional paddy from per hectare of land by using Guti urea last year," he also said.

The DAE also trained the North Bengal farmers to adopt the 'Deep Colour Chat,' which would be able to save huge amount of fertiliser, sources said.

"We have encouraged farmers to use compost, green manure technology on their lands," Abdul Mazid Biswas, Director of the DAE told the New Nation yesterday.

He said that the department has already directed its 1,266 block supervisors to produce 12,660 tonnes of quick compost per year.

"It would reduce the pressure on TSP and MOP," he said adding, "Long term productivity of land was also ensured by using compost, green manure technology instead of bio-chemical fertiliser."

The Government has also taken steps to produce compost through the food for work programme, sources said.

The Government has fixed the distribution target of fertiliser at 42.90 lakh tonnes. Of the projected distribution of fertiliser, 28.50 lakh tonnes are Urea, 5 lakh tonnes of TSP, 4 lakh tonnes of MOP, 2 lakh tonnes of DAP, 1 lakh tonnes of SSP, 1.50 lakh tonnes of NPKS, 1.50 lakh tonnes of Gypsum, 50,000 tonnes of Zinc Sulphur, 20,000 tonnes of Ammonium Sulphur and 20,000 tonnes of Magnesium Sulphur.

4-party human chain today: No permission sought: DMP

Staff Reporter

The BNP-led 4-party alliance will stage human chain today across the country to press for the release of party's detained chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman.

Police source said the BNP-led 4-party alliance did not take permission from the DMP. So police will maintain 'hardline' during the time of the protest.

BNP leader Mohiuddin Khan Mohon told a news agency that the human chain would continue for 45 minutes from 5:00pm, in their planned second street protest after their abortive road march to Chief Adviser's office on

August 21 on the same demand.

In Dhaka City, leaders and workers of BNP, its allies and their front organisations will participate in the human chain.

The possible spots are: Jatrabari, Tikatuli, Shapla Chattar, Dainik Bangla crossing, Press Club, Shahbagh, Bangla Motor, Farm Gate, Asad Gate, in front of Suhrawardy Hospital, Shyamoli and Gabtoli.

Former MPs of the alliance and senior leaders will lock their hands in the human chain in front of the makeshift jail in the parliament-building complex where Khaleda has been detained.

She was arrested on September 3 last year in connection with GATCO graft case amid a clampdown on the politicians following the January 11 changeover. Tarique was arrested on March 7 last year in connection with several corruption cases. He is now undergoing treatment in custody at BSMMU hospital.

Meanwhile, BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain again questioned the neutrality of the Caretaker Government in dealing with Tarique's release and proper treatment.

Talking to reporters after a milad-mahfil on the ground floor of his NAM apartment, he urged the Government "to behave humanly with Tarique."

Delwar urged the nationalist forces to hold milad-mahfil and offer special prayers on Friday throughout the country seeking Tarique's recovery from illness.

Construction of Padma Bridge to begin in 2010

BSS, Khulna

The construction of the long- cherished Padma Bridge will begin in July 2010 with the cost being estimated at Taka 10,161.75 crore.

A meeting of the council of advisers was told on Tuesday that the design of the bridge would be submitted by 2009.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed chaired the meeting at Khulna Circuit House.

The meeting of the council, fifth of its kind outside Dhaka, also approved a 32-point package proposal for development of Khulna as well as southwestern region of the country.

It endorsed in principle the draft of the Union Parishad Ordinance-2008 with a view to strengthening the local government bodies.

Under the development package, Dhaka-Maowa-Benapole highway and a bridge on Kalna point would be constructed at a cost of Taka 600 crore, the project of 250-bed Sheikh Abu Naser Specialised Hospital would be completed, a cutter suction dredging machine would be procured spending Taka 58.56 crore for Mongla port while steps would be taken to infuse dynamism into the activities of the port.

The development package also includes implementation of 10 million US dollar Sundarbans Environmental and Livelihood Security Project with financial assistance of European Commission (EC).

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin briefed reporters on the outcome of the meeting. LGRD Adviser Mohammad Anwarul Iqbal briefed on the 32-point development package proposal.

Advisers and special assistants to the chief adviser attended the meeting. Cabinet secretary, press secretary to the chief adviser and secretaries concerned were present.

Cops hurt in mob attack in Kishoreganj

UNB, Kishoreganj

Nine policemen, including three sub-inspectors, were injured in an attack by the people of Gozaria village in Tarail upazila on Monday night.

Of the injured, constable Rafiqul Islam was admitted to Kishoreganj Adhunik Sadar Hospital in critical condition.

Police and local sources said there had a longstanding conflict between two rival groups of Gozaria village following establishing supremacy over a local water-body. Tarail thana police took position at the village as tension escalated there following the feud on Monday night.

When the law enforcers were returning from the village, a group of villagers attacked the police-carrying boat and pelted brickbats on them at about 9 pm, leaving six constables and three SIs injured on the spot.

The injured are SIs Shamsul Alam, Abul Kalam and Imran Hossain and constables Rafiqul Islam, Shahabuddin, Sukanta, Mosharraf, Mamunur Rashid and Billal Hossain.

SI Abul Kalam confirmed the incident. None was arrested in this connection.

Nazrul’s death anniversary today

UNB, Dhaka

The 32nd death anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam will be observed in the country today with due respect.

Nazrul, popularly known as Bidrohi Kabi, through his powerful poems had inspired the people to fight against all kinds of injustice and repression during the colonial rule.

The fearless voice of the poet also earned him the wrath of the British rulers, who jailed him several times for igniting people's desire for independence through his poems.

Nazrul's songs and poems were also a great source of inspiration for the freedom fighters during the Country's Liberation War in 1971.

On August 27, 1976, the poet died at the age of 77 after suffering from a long ailment.

To mark the occasion, Dhaka University authorities have taken an elaborate programme.

People of all walks of life, including DU students and teachers, will pay floral tribute to the mazar of the rebel poet beside the DU Central mosque in the morning.

Students, teachers and employees of the university will assemble at the feet of Aparajeo Bangla at 6:45 am and then visit the mazar. They will later place wreaths to the mazar of the poet.

A discussion meeting will also be held on the mazar premises on the occasion.

Iceland President due Aug 29

UNB, Dhaka

Iceland President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson arrives here Friday on a four-day visit to Bangladesh as per his fresh tour schedule.

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed is expected to receive him at Zia International Airport on Friday morning.

According to the new schedule of his trip, President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson will meet President Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban, Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at Sheraton Hotel and Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus at hotel suite. He will attend a symposium on climate change at Hotel Sonargaon Saturday.

The President is also likely to visit Bangladesh Folk Art and Crafts Museum in Sonargaon of Narayanganj, Grameen Bank head office and Sundarbans.

He is expected to leave here Monday,

President Grimsson, who was earlier scheduled to arrive here Tuesday, had postponed his 5-day tour of Bangladesh on Monday.

Three injured in old city bomb blast

Staff Reporter

Three people, including a shopkeeper, were injured as criminals exploded bombs at Roy Saheb Bazar in old Dhaka yesterday shortly after investigators broke the previous case of police bombing in the same area of the capital.

Witnesses said several crackers were blasted in front of 'Suvo Hardwares' Store at Roy Saheb Bazar crossing at about 7:30 pm in the fresh bomb attack. Habul, 37, a laborer, Abdul Quader, 35, a pushcart puller, and shop-employee Khalil were injured in the blasts.

They were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Meanwhile, police on yesterday night arrested three alleged muggers in connection with the bomb attack on policemen that injured three cops on the Judge Court premises in the same old-Dhaka area on August 21.

Arrested persons are Selim, 38, Baltu, 30, and Aynul alias Aminu, 25.

Constables Monwar, Shafiqul and Akram were injured when criminals exploded handbombs targeting them as they were on duty on the court premises on August 21 night. Among them, seriously wounded Monwar was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

After investigation, a team of Kotwali thana police raided Koltabazar area at about 20:30 pm on Monday and arrested "bomb-thrower" Selim. Following his statement, the police team arrested Baltu and Aminul from the same area.

"The arrested persons confessed to their involvement in the bomb explosion. They also confessed to having been engaged in mugging and extortion in CMM-Judge Court area," says a police release.

"As they did not get a chance to commit mugging and extortion due to police vigil, the muggers resorted to launching attack on the police," it said.