The New Nation - Internet Edition

Extremism, terrorism, extortion to be rooted out : IGP

IGP Noor Mohammad and RAB DG Hasan Mohammad
Khandoker airdashed to Bagmara, the hotbed of extremists in
Rajshahi yesterday to kick start an awareness campaign in
the region. FocusBangla

BSS, Rajshahi

Inspector General of Police Nur Muhammad on Wednesday said extremism, terrorism and extortion would be rooted out with people's participation and extremist-infested areas freed from their tyranny.

"We are not trying to prevent the crimes, but to uproot those," Nur Muhammad said while addressing as the chief guest a views-sharing meeting on "Creating mass awareness in eliminating terrorism" arranged by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-5) at Taherpur Degree College playground under Bagmara upazila in the district.

He asserted that the criminals and their dwelling houses would not be existed, but peace-loving people would remain. He said concerted efforts by all law-enforcing agencies, including police, RAB and general people, have become essential to ensure that.

In this context, he said the community policing should be more activated and called upon the field level police officials to perform their duties with utmost sincerity and honesty for welfare of all as well as the nation.

Referring to some successes, the IGP urged the people to stand by the law-enforcing agencies to make the efforts a total success as you know very well about the subversive activities.

Taherpur, a commercial hub of Bagmara upazila, where four sensational killing incidents occurred by Sarbahara elements during the last couple of years, was turned into a place of bloodshed.

A large number of enthusiastic people from far-flung areas of the region including some of the victims of the extremists and terrorists attended the meeting.

"We have no lacking in sincerity and efforts, but you have a vital role in informing us about the whereabouts of the culprits to bring those to book," he said adding "the law-enforcing agencies could do nothing good until and unless local people, elected representatives and civil society members actively cooperate with us".

Director General of RAB Hassan Mahmud Khandaker addressed the meeting as the special guest with RAB-5 Director Lt Col Israt Hossain in the chair.

DIG of Police of Rajshahi Range Mukhlesur Rahman, SP of Rajshahi Shahabuddin Khan, Taherpur Poura Mayor Shamsur Rahman, Principal of Taherpur Degree College Prof Nur Muhammad Sarder and journalist Bulbul Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.

Zaheedul Islam, a resident of Modandanga village under Atrai upazila of Naogaon district, who lost his three brothers and one sister-in-law in the extremist attacks, narrated his grim picture of the heinous acts at the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, the RAB chief said the anti- terrorist drive would continue and it would be intensified gradually until all the extremists and militants are eliminated.

Earlier, a large number of school students and local people greeted the police and RAB chiefs when their helicopter landed at the college ground and shouted slogans against the terrorist activities.

BIT award giving ceremony held

One of the talented students of BIT receiving award
from founder Chairman of BRAC Fazle Hasan Abed at an award
giving ceremony at BRAC Centre Inn Auditorium in the city
yesterday. NN Photo

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh International Tutorial (BIT), one of the renowned English medium schools and known for higher standard education, organised an award giving ceremony along with Edexcel International, to honour the talented students of 'O' and 'A' levels who have achieved outstanding results, at the BRAC Centre Inn Auditorium in the city yesterday.

Fazle Hasan Abed, founder Chairman of BRAC, was present as chief guest, while Lubna Choudhury, founder Principal of BIT, Saidur Rahman, Country Manager of Edexcel International, among others, were present at the function.

Twenty out of 52 candidates who took 'O' levels got 10 to 6 'A' and four out of 42 took 'A' levels got five to three 'A's.

Fazle Hasan Abed gave special awards to the 'O' level candidates who got nine or 10 A's.

Fazle Hasan Abed in his speech said, "BIT has proven the centre of excellence in the country. Its diverse extra-curricular activities have made an excellent job for the development of the students. This institution is a testament of education which is providing the highest quality of education."

"Too many children in the country are deprived of education. The roll of BIT will help to reduce this problem," said Abed.

Lubna Choudhury pointed out that far larger school that BIT did not produce such a high percentage of similar results.

In her speech she said, "This is the first time that we have introduced this award for the students who have obtained outstanding results in the Edexcel O' and A' level exams."

"The graduates here today are part of an international body of exceptional students who have studied a common curriculum recognised and accepted at universities throughout the world. They are self reliant and have confidence while they will aim to be leaders in the fields of their choice," she said.

The outstanding candidates at 'A' level were - Shamavi Hasan (5As), AM Muhib Morshed Ami (4As), Farah Nasreen Choudhury (4As) and Autushi Aurpi (3As). The outstanding candidates at 'O' level were - Nabil Bin Murtaza (10As), Aniqa Tasnim Huq (10As), Faiza Rahman (9As), Marzuk AN Hossain (9As), Adeena Anahita Alam (8As), Fehma Sadeem Munazza (8As), Hasinul Wasee (8As), Karina Ehsan (8As), Md Injamul Haque (8As), Monika Islam Khan (8As), Shafiuddin Beg (8As), Umar Kazmi (8As), Khan Noirit Mustapha (7As), Md Nafis Mubaswir Khan (7As), Shuvo Chandra Choudhury (6As), Saniat Ahmed Choudhury (6As), Md Atteul Karim Rafee (6As), Md Sayeem Chowdhury (6As) and Salman Sujat Anowar (6As).

HC bench grants bail to 14 more VIPs

Desk Report

The High Court bench of justices Sharifuddin Chaklader and Md Imdadul Haque Azad yesterday granted or extended bail of 14 top corrupt suspects , including nine BNP leaders.

The same bench granted former BNP minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan six months' anticipatory bail in the Barapukuria coalmine corruption case and extended his bail in the GATCO graft case by four months.

The same bench has granted bail to Khaleda, Shamsul Islam, Anwar and Nizami in the Barapukuria coalmine case, over the past two days.

The bench also extended the bail of former BNP minister M Shamsul Islam by another four months in the GATCO graft case.

The same bench granted six months' bail to former BNP lawmaker Salauddin Ahmed who faces nine cases, and Sylhet mayor Badaruddin Ahmed Kamran for as many months in one case.

In the Bashundhara bribery case, the bench granted bail to former state minister Lutfozzaman Babar until Oct 22, and stayed the proceedings against him until that date; it also granted bail to Bashundhara Group director Abu Sufian in the same case for one year.

The HC bench allowed bail and froze the proceedings for three months of a case on charges of amassing ill-gotten wealth against another former BNP lawmaker Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu.

The same bench granted former BNP minister Tariqul Islam two-month bail in a case for amassing wealth beyond known sources of income and stayed the case proceedings for the same period.

It also granted bail to former state minister Amanullah Aman and former Awami League lawmaker Kamal Ahmed Majumdar, and halted case proceedings for three months against former BNP lawmaker M Ilias Ali. Former Rajshahi mayor Mijanur Rahman Minu and former BNP lawmaker Ali Asgar Lobi also got bail for six months in two separate cases on charges of obtaining ill-gotten wealth.

The bench also halted the proceedings of the cases for the same period.

The same bench granted forestry official Alamgir Md Mahfuzullah Farid bail for six months in a case involving illegal logging.

Meanwhile ,Awami League Religious Affairs Secretary Sheikh M Abdullah was released from Dhaka Central Jail on bail at 8pm yesterday following a High Court order.

Earlier, on August 16 police arrested Abdullah minutes after he was released from jail on bail on charges of breaking the unassailable EPR.

EC now stumbling bloc to JS polls in Dec: AL

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL) Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday said that the Election Commission (EC) the major obstacle in the way of holding of national election by December as per the roadmap, as it impose some unconstitutional conditions for registration of political parites.

He was addressing the party leaders and activists at a discussion meeting organised by Dhaka City Awami League to mark the 33rd martyrdom anniversary of Bangabanhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the auditorium of institution of Engineers in the capital.

"The EC has proclaimed the Representative of peoples' Ordinance-2008 only to push back the national election and to banish politics from the country. But we will resist this ill motive of the EC by any means," said Ashraf.

Criticising the rules of "No vote" and banning front organisations he said there is no such example in the history any democratic country in the world.re these rules were enacted.

He demanded cancellation of all the unconstitutional and undemocratic rules in the ordinance. "We think that all the disputes can be resolved through negotiation. But if the way of negotiation is blocked, this will open the way to violence. We hope the government and the EC will choose the first one," he added.

He also demanded the official declaration of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the father of the nation.

Al Acting President Zillur Rahman demanded immediate withdrawal of the state of emergency saying, "AL will never participate in the national election under the state of emergency and without Sheikh Hasian."

He also expressed party's firm stance not to participate in any other local government election ahead of the national election.

About the reluctance of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia to enlist the name in the voter list, he said, " She has no proper record of her birthday. She has declared herself of her birthday on August 15, coincidingwith the in the day of Mujib's killing with ulterior motive. There is dissimilarity in about birthday between educational certificate and her self-announced date. That is why she is not being able to enlist her name in the voter list.

He also demanded the implementation of the court verdict of the Baggabandhu Sheikh Mujiburb Rahman murder case.

AL presidium member Amir Hosain Amu urged the people to be prepared for waging a tough movement to facilitate the holding of national election by December, as the government is trying to make Bangladesh inactive by pushing back the national election and prolonging state of emergency for long time.

He also called on the CEC not to comment anything contradictory to misguide the people of the country, which might fuel the mobs towards violation.

AL presidium member Begum Matia Chowdhury warned the government that the people of the country would never accept any act, which might contradict with the constitution.

She assured the government to provide any support for holding national election as per the roadmap.

Abdul Mannan, organizing Secretary, Mukul Bosh, Joint Secretary of AL central committee, Advocate Kamrul Islam, Acting General Secretary of Dhaka City AL, Economist Dr Abul Barakat, among others, also spoke while MA Aziz, Acting President of Dhaka City AL presided over the meeting.

Duration of power supply to shops extended

Staff Reporter

The government has extended the time of power supply to all shops and markets across the country till 9pm during the first week of the holy Ramzan on demand of stakeholders for withdrawal of full restriction.

The decision came at a meeting between Adviser Anwarul Iqbal and leaders of the Dokan Malik Samity at his office.

"After observing the situation of the first week, we will take decision about rest of the holy Ramzan," Anwarul Iqbal told newsmen after the meeting.

At present electricity is given to shops and markets till 8pm because of scarcity.

Anwarul Iqbal said the government has decided to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the mosques across the country during the prayers time, especially at the time of Tarabi.

"We will monitor the situation in the first week of Ramzan when shops will also remain open at the Tarabi time," he said.

However, the Adviser cautioned the shop owners of drastic action against any illumination in the shopping centres and markets. He asked the shop owners not to use excessive air-conditioners and prefer use of energy saving bulbs.

Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samity chairman Amir Hossain Khan urged the

Adviser for total withdrawal of restriction on power supply from the beginning of Ramzan.

45 cellphones seized

Staff Reporter

RAB personnel yesterday recovered 45 mobile phone sets, two firearms and seven rounds of ammunitions from a house at Kalachnadpur, Gulshan in the city.

Acting on a tip of RAB members led by SM Mahbub Morshed in collaboration with police personnel raided at the residence of Dr Asrab Uddin at 101/1(A) Kalachnadpur and recovered the 45 mobile sets, a big chamber revolver, a pipe gun and 7 rounds of ammunitions from the possession of Abdus Satter, 22 who lives in the ground floor on rent.

They arrested Abdus Satter and his ally Jamal 20 on the spot.

Sub-Inspector Ismat Ara of Gulshan Police Station filed a case (No 91) in this regard.

Sources said the mobile sets comprising various brands were deposited there by resorting to snatching from different parts of the city.

JU drama & dramatics students demand resumption of classes

JU Correspondent

Students of the Department of Drama and Dramatics of Jahangirnagar University yesterday urged the university authority to resume classes and examinations in the department resolving the ongoing stalemate.

Students under different academic sessions of the department submitted their memorandum to the Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University (JU) Prof Dr Muniruzzaman urging him to resume classes and examinations, suspended for more than four months due to agitation of students to remove a teacher of the department.

Students in their memorandum stated that their (students) future is to be shattered due to impasse in the department. They want to get free from the suffocating situation created by another section of the students of the department.

Sources said that a section of teachers of the department is patronising the agitating students and trying to obstruct resumption of classes and examinations.

In this circumstances, most of the students of the department sought university authorities intervention to resolve the impasse.

Tribute paid to Nazrul

UNB, Dhaka

The 32nd death anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was observed across the country yesterday 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.

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.

Dhaka University authorities observed the death anniversary of the rebel poet with due respect.

Students, teachers and employees of the university led by pro vice-chancellor Prof Dr AFM Yusuf Haidar visited the mazar of the poet and placed floral wreaths in the morning.

DU Teachers' Association (DUTA) also placed floral wreaths at the mazar of the rebel poet beside the DU Central mosque.

No political party went for registration on 1st day

UNB, Dhaka

The first day found it nil as no political party did turn up yesterday to the Election Commission to apply for registration following the EC announcement that this is mandatory for contesting the general election.

The documents must have to be attached with application for registration include the name of party and address of central office, constitution of the party, election manifesto and rules of party, party logo and picture of party flag, central executive committee or equivalent all members and their designations, bank-account number and current balance reserved for the party, description of party funding source and a treasury challan with a certain amount as registration fee.

Asked about the registration of the political parties, EC secretary M Humayun Kabir said the commission formally asked the political parties Tuesday and they (parties) might start applying from next week.

"It is too early to answer. Let's see what turns out-the rules are just promulgated," he said in reply to a question.

Party registration is one of the provisions made through politico-electoral reforms after the January 11, 2007 changeover following a grave political crisis over election issues.

Thai protesters seize PM’s house: No street violence in Bangkok

BBC Online

Thai riot police have surrounded the prime minister's compound to try to evict anti-government protesters who took over the building on Tuesday.

But demonstrators are vowing to stay camped in the grounds of the premises until PM Samak Sundaravej steps down.

A court has issued arrest warrants for nine protest leaders on charges of trying to overthrow the government.

The protesters say Samak is a proxy for former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006.

Thaksin is now living in self-imposed exile in London, after leaving Thailand earlier this month to avoid facing a series of corruption charges.

Analysts say that Thai society is deeply divided between those who will never trust an administration run by allies of Thaksin, and those - particularly in the countryside - who are his ardent supporters.

The army, in particular, is uncomfortable about being caught in the middle of this conflict and, according to the BBC correspondent in Bangkok, Jonathan Head, there may well be similar divided loyalties in the ranks.

After news of the arrest warrants filtered through to the protesters, their leaders remained defiant.

One of those facing arrest, Somsak Kosaisuk, a union leader from the south of the country, said he would wait for the police to arrive.

Protesters stand their ground outside the prime minister's compound

"If you want to arrest us, come here and arrest us here - it is the government who must go," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday hundreds of riot police cut through makeshift barricades and moved into the compound around Government House.

There were scuffles between the two sides, and a few minor injuries were reported.

But the demonstrations were largely peaceful, with protesters posing for photographs, picnicking and singing.

Many were clad in yellow as a mark of loyalty to Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Samak, who is currently stationed in military headquarters, rejected calls for his resignation and demanded that the protesters leave Government House by the end of the day.

Gunmen shoot 5 persons in Gulshan area

UNB, Dhaka

Five people, including a rickshaw-garage owner, were shot and wounded in a desperate gun attack by a gang in the capital's posh Gulshan area yesterday.

Witnesses said rickshaw-garage owner Mosharraf, 30, was having tea in front of his garage near Korail Jamia Mohammadia Islamia Madrasa at about 1:15 pm. Suddenly, two gunmen appeared there and shot at him pointblank.

"Struck by two bullets in his hip, Mosharraf jumped into nearby water-body to save himself. But the armed hoodlums went on spraying bullets indiscriminately," says a spot account of the shootout.

Garment worker Abdul Jalil, 17, garage-employee Joynal, 28, rickshaw-puller Ali Akber, 50, and van-puller Jahirul Islam, 20, also suffered bullet injuries amid the shooting spree.

They were all rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Mosharraf told medical reporters that earlier extortionists had demanded money from him and suspected that it was their misdeed. "The gunmen might have attacked me as I refused to pay the toll," he said.

WB global projection, poverty yardstick adjusted: More people living below poverty line

Reuters, Washington

The World Bank said on Tuesday more people are living in extreme poverty in developing countries than previously thought as it adjusted the recognized yardstick for measuring global poverty to $1.25 a day from $1.

The poverty-fighting institution said there were 1.4 billion people -- a quarter of the developing world -- living in extreme poverty on less than $1.25 a day in 2005 in the world's 10 to 20 poorest countries. Last year, the World Bank said there were 1 billion people living under the previous $1 a day poverty mark.

The new figures are likely to put fresh pressure on big donor countries to move more aggressively to combat global poverty, and on countries to introduce more-effective policies to help lift the poorest.

Even so, the new estimates show how progress has been made in helping the poor over the past 25 years. In 1981, 1.9 billion people were living below the new $1.25 a day poverty line.

The new estimates are based on updated global price data, and the revision to the poverty line shows the cost of living in the developing world is higher than had been thought. The data is based on 675 household surveys in 116 countries.

"These new estimates are a major advance in poverty measurements because they are based on far better price data for assuring that the poverty lines are comparable across countries," said Martin Ravallion, director of the World Bank's Development Research Group.

While the developing world has more poor people than previously believed, the World Bank's new chief economist, Justin Lin, said the world was still on target to meet a United Nations goal of halving the number of people in poverty by 2015.

However, excluding China from overall calculations, the world fails to meet the U.N. poverty targets, Lin said.

The World Bank data shows that the number of people living below the $1.25 a day poverty line fell over nearly 25 years to 26 percent in 2005 from 52 percent in 1981, a decline on average of about 1 percent a year, he said.

Lin said the new poverty data meant there was no room for complacency and added that rich donor nations need to keep their promises of stepped-up aid to poor countries.

"The sobering news that poverty is more pervasive than we thought means we must redouble our efforts, especially in sub-Saharan Africa," said Lin, a leading Chinese academic. The new figures come ahead of an updated assessment of progress in meeting the U.N.'s Millennium Development Goals, which will released late next month at a meeting of the U.N. General Assembly.

While most of the developing world has managed to reduce poverty, the rate in sub-Saharan Africa, the world's poorest region, has not changed in nearly 25 years, according to data using the new $1.25 a day poverty line.

Half of the people in sub-Saharan Africa were living below the poverty line in 2005, the same as in 1981. That means about 380 million people lived under the poverty line in 2005, compared with 200 million in 1981.