The New Nation - Internet Edition

Pakistan soldiers 'confront US’

BBC Online

Pakistani troops have fired shots into the air to stop US troops crossing into the South Waziristan region of Pakistan, local officials say.

Reports say nine US helicopters landed on the Afghan side of the border and US troops then tried to cross the border.

South Waziristan is one of the main areas from which Islamist militants launch attacks into Afghanistan.

The incident comes amid growing anger in Pakistan over increasingly aggressive US attacks along the border.

The latest confrontation began at around midnight, local people say.

They say seven US helicopter gunships and two troop-carrying Chinook helicopters landed in the Afghan province of Paktika near the Zohba mountain range.

US troops from the Chinooks then tried to cross the border. As they did so, Pakistani paramilitary soldiers at a checkpoint opened fire into the air and the US troops decided not to continue forward, local Pakistani officials say.

Reports say the firing lasted for several hours. Local people evacuated their homes and tribesmen took up defensive positions in the mountains.

The incident happened close to the town of Angoor Adda, some 30km (20 miles) from Wana, the main town of South Waziristan.

A Pakistani military spokesman in Islamabad confirmed that there was firing but denied that Pakistani troops were involved.

It emerged last week that US President George W Bush has in recent months authorised military raids against militants inside Pakistan without prior approval from Islamabad.

The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says there is a growing American conviction that Pakistan is either unwilling or unable to eliminate militant sanctuaries in its border area.

There have been a number of missile attacks aimed at militants in Pakistan territory in recent weeks.

Pakistan reacted with diplomatic fury when US helicopters landed troops in South Waziristan on 3 September. It was the first ground assault by US troops in Pakistan.

Locals in the Musa Nikeh area said American soldiers attacked a target with gunfire and bombs, and said women and children were among some 20 civilians who died in the attack.

In the latest incident, the tribesmen say they grabbed their guns and took up defensive positions after placing their women and children out of harm's way.

Pakistan's army has warned that the aggressive US policy will widen the insurgency by uniting the tribesmen with the Taleban.

Call to amend vested property Act

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a view exchange meeting in the city yesterday urged the Caretaker Government to amend the Vested Property Return Act 2001.

They also urged political parties to include the issue in their election manifestoes.

Rashed Khan Meneon, President of Workers' Party, Subrat Chowdhury, Advocate of Bangladesh Supreme Court, Aroma Dutta, Member of Orpita Shampatti Ain Protirod Andolon Kendria Committee, among others, addressed the meeting styled "Vested Property Act: the Nations' Curse".

Advocate Ziad Al Malum, President of Orpita Shampatti Ain Protirod Andolon Kendria Committee presided over the meeting.

Subrata urged the Government to include the right of inheritance in vested property in the Vested Property Return Act 2001 and published it in gazette.

He pointed out more than ten errors in the law and proposed amendments favourable to the sufferers.

Subrata opined that the execution of the law with the proposed amendment would reduce hassle and introduce a new chapter in the life of the minority community in the country.

Menon suggested the committee to take their movement to the masses.

This is not the problems of a certain minority group rather it is a problem for all and said, "Let's propose the political parties to include the issue in their election manifestoes."

Expressing regret Aroma Dutta said though we are liberated, communal discord still remains in the country.

Echoing Menon's opinion she also requested the audience and members of the committee to act as a pressure group on the political party to implement the same after assuming power.

SC upholds HC stay on graft cases against Hasina

UNB, Dhaka

The Supreme Court yesterday rebuffed a government-ACC joint move by refusing to entertain their applications for overturning extended High Court stay on the case proceedings in Niko and Barge-mounted power plant graft cases against ex-premier Sheikh Hasina.

Instead of granting the government side's prayer for staying the HC orders of stay, vacation Chamber Judge of the Supreme Court M Joynul Abedin fixed October 13 for hearing the petitions.

Attorney-General Salah Uddin Ahmed appeared for both the government and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in the move, which came at a time when a latest legal procedure is on for her release following a government plan for her meeting with another former PM, Khaleda Zia of BNP.

"Why do you undermine the High Court orders; let it function properly," Justice Abedin told the chief government law officer before fixing the date of hearings.

Emerging from the court, Barrister Shafique Ahmed, a top counsel for Sheikh Hasina, told reporters that the posture of the caretaker government demonstrated through moving to the Supreme Court for vacating any High Court stay order secured by his client betrayed its discriminatory attitude.

"The stance of the government towards Hasina is not only unfair but also discriminatory considering the case of another ex-Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia," Shafique said.

If it continued, the last-ditch legal bid for freeing her on bail to join the current political process of resolving various issues for transition from the interim period through election would be at stake, he apprehended.

"If the government believes in democracy and the rule of law, all the cases facing Hasina should be withdrawn before the proposed dialogue as those have been filed with a motive of political harassment," he suggested.

Visionary leadership must to attain food autarky: Gen Moeen

BSS, Dhaka

Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed on Monday said the country needs visionary leadership, who would be able to lead the country attaining food autarky.

"Country has tremendous potentialities and pragmatic plans, but lacks farsighted leadership to advance the nation towards an expected development fighting all sorts of impediments like corruption, poverty and hunger," he said.

The Army Chief said this while inaugurating a unit of 'Trust Islamic Banking' at the principal branch of the Trust Bank Limited at Dhaka Cantonment on Monday afternoon here.

Adjutant General of Bangladesh Army and vice chairman of the Trust Bank Ltd. Major General Motiur Rahman, managing director of the Bank Iqbal U Ahmed, Deputy Managing Director Ishtiaque Ahmed Chowdhury, chairman of Shariah Council and Acting Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Muhammad Nuruddin, head of Trust Islamic Banking Shahud Ahmed and directors the bank were present, among others.

General Moeen, who is also the chairman of the Trust Bank Ltd, said there is no alternative of making the country self- sufficient in food production.

He also laid emphasize on increasing crop production by providing farmers with necessary inputs such as water, fertiliser, diesel and interest-free loans.

General Moeen said changing climatic conditions are posing a serious threat to development and time has come to cope with the challenges efficiently.

The Army Chief underscored the need for strengthening the country's family planning programmes for a speedy economic growth. "The Trust Bank is providing services to the people not for earning profits only," he said adding 10 per cent profit of the bank would be directly provided to the poor.

Trust Islamic Banking Service, run on the basis of Shariah- based economic activities, will provide hundred percent interest- free loans to the customers," the Army Chief said.

He said except Bangladesh Islamic Banking is in operation in many countries, including England and Japan.

General Moeen has transferred his account with the Trust Bank to the Islamic baking service unit of the organization.

Initially, the Islamic Banking facilities will be available at the principal branch of bank at Dhaka Cantonment and CDA Avenue Branch in Chittagong, and subsequently at all other branches, the bank sources said.

National Tourism Board soon

BSS, Dhaka

The government is going to form a national tourism board soon for flourishing the country's tourism industry.

"The process is underway to turn the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) into a national tourism board by changing its structure to make the organisation time-befitting, dynamic and effective," BPC Chairman Shafique Alam Mehdi told BSS on Monday.

He hoped that the new organization would play a more effective role in the development of tourism industry of the country.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry has finalised a draft tourism law, which is now for the government's approval and likely to be announced by the end of this month.

"There are huge potentialities in the country's tourism sector and if we can utilise those properly, Bangladesh will soon turn into a well-off nation," Mehdi said.

The BPC chairman stressed the need for a well-coordinated plan to develop the country's tourism sector in the greater national interest.

Mehdi said the country's tourism sector was being neglected for the last 37 years." The sector did not get proper attention during the period as there was no plan or accountability for it," he said.

As a result, he added, the sector failed to achieve expected progress and prosperity.

The BPC chairman said after taking office the present caretaker government identified tourism as a thrust sector and undertook various steps for its gradual development.

The steps included construction and development of tourist motel and Buddhist temple at Kuakata, development of Mirinja Tourist Centre at Lama in Bandarban, construction of a motel in Moulavibazar and restaurants at Jaflong and Kantazi and expansion of motel in Dinajpur, construction of motel at Anwara in Chittagong and restaurant at Patenga Sea Beach, motels at Buimari Land Port and at Munshiganj in Satkhira, construction of restaurant at Birisiri in Netrokona and touris resorts in Saint Martin and Teknaf, construction of motels in Rangamati and Kaptai, introduction of tourist facilities in Baga Lake and Shuvalong, setting up special tourist zone in Cox's Bazar and construction of tourism training centre in Sylhet.

Graft case : Trial against Justice Fazlul Haque stayed

BSS, Dhaka

The High Court (HC) on Monday stayed the trial proceedings of the graft case against former adviser of the caretaker government Justice Mohammad Fazlul Haque for three months.

A two-member vacation bench comprising Justice Mirza Hussain Hyder and Justice Mamnun Rahman issued the order of stay after hearing a writ petition filed by Justice Haque, a retired judge of the Supreme Court, challenging the legality of the case.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lodged the case against him with Ramna thana on March 13 last on charge of amassing wealth beyond his known sources of income.

The HC also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to show cause why the case would not be declared illegal and without lawful authority.

Earlier, on September 4, a HC division bench granted three-month ad interim bail to Justice Fazlul Haque in the case.

On September 3, senior special judge of Dhaka Mohammad Azizul Huq issued a warrant for arrest against Justice Fazlul Haque and asked police to submit the compliance report within a week.

The following day, Justice Fazlul Haque obtained bail from the HC. On September 2, the ACC submitted charge sheet against him for amassing illegal wealth of over Taka 1.80 crore and concealing information in his wealth statement submitted to the ACC.

The charge sheet said Justice Fazlul Haque accumulated huge property illegally when he was an adviser of the caretaker government under Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed from October 2006 to January 2007.

The ACC served a notice on Justice Fazlul Haque on November 18 last year demanding a statement of his wealth.

He submitted a wealth statement to the ACC on November 26 last year where he mentioned that he owned the assets of about Taka 97 lakh.

AL to intensify movement unless Hasina released

Staff Reporter

The Acting President of Awami League (AL) Zillur Rahman yesterday threatened to launch tougher movement to ensure the unconditional release of party chief Sheikh Hasain,now in USA for treatment under parole, before Eid-ul-Fitr.

"The Government will have to free Sheikh Hasina before the Eid otherwise we will be compelled to wage a action programme, as we have no alternative option" Said Zillur.

Zillur Rahman said this while addressing the leaders and activists at a discussion meeting commemorating the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman organised by the Tungipara Association in Dhaka arranged the meeting at the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) auditorium with Sheikh Kabir Hossain, president of the samity, in the chair.

Zillur Rahman accused the government for engaging in a deep-rooted conspiracy to postpone the upcoming parliamentary election scheduled at the third week of December as per the roadmap announced by the government and Election Commission (EC).

Zillur questioned that why the governemnt and EC would not hold the parliamentary polls ahead of the upazila polls since they would have taken preparation to arrange elections in 300 upazilas. He expressed doubt over the government's motive behind their attempts to bring Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia to the negotiation table saying that it might be another conspiracy against AL. He highly criticised the governemnt for releasing the persons who were corruption champion.

"The Hawa Bhaban Hero (Tarique Rahman) and his mother Khaleda are now free. But the most innocent person, Sheikh Hasina, has not been released yet. How unfortunate the matter is!" he said.

Zillur also alleged that the government is trying to safeguard the real corrupts who were responsible for country's political crisis of 1/11.

AL presidium member Amir Hossain Amu feared that the anti-liberation forces have again planned to foil the parliamentary elections, as they want to bring back militancy and communalism in the country.

About the government's attempt to arrange a mneeting between Hasina and Khaleda in a table cross, Amu said unless Hasina is released permanently, she would not sit with the BNP chairperson.

Another AL presidium member Tofail Ahmed said after the enormous victory AL in the city

corporation and pourashava polls the BNP-Jamaat forces have started conspiring to foil the parliamentary polls, as the AL will certainly win the election.

Suranjit Sengupta urged the BNP and Jamaat leaders to admit their involvement in all the political killings, and apologize to the people to have a chance to sit with AL.

He was against the proposed meeting between Khaleda and Hasina, saying that such meetings in the past did not bear any fruit for the country.

AL Acting general Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam, Former President of Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA) Prof. Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, among others, also spoke.

8 killed in road accidents

UNB, Sirajganj

At least eight people were killed and 19 others injured in separate road accidents in the district yesterday.

Police and witnesses said four people died on the spot and 19 others got hurt when a Bogra-bound bus hit a human hauler at Binnadair village in Shahjadpur upazila at about 4pm.

The dead were identified as Kamela Khatun, 40, Shahjalal, 28, Ghedan, 42, and Biku, 25.

The injured were admitted to sadar hospital and Shahjadpur and Bera health complexes.

Earlier, a minor boy, Jamiullh, 7, died on the spot as a rickshaw-van knocked him down on Saleha School road in the town at about 10am.

Separate cases were filed with respective police stations.

Meanwhile, At least three people were killed and 20 others injured in a head-on collision between two buses at Kabirpur on Kaliakoir-Nabinagor road yesterday.

Witnesses and police said one bus carrying workers of Shachchan BD Ltd from DEPZ area collided with a Dhaka-bound bus in the afternoon.

They said critically injured Sujan, 25, Shefali Begum, 48, and an unknown bus driver aged around 45 died at clinics in Savar and Kaliakoir after admission.

A case was filed with Ashulia police in this connection.

No alternative to raising internal resources: Aziz

BSS, Dhaka

Finance and Planning Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam on Monday called upon all eligible people to pay taxes for building a self-reliant country.

There is no alternative to raising internal resources and for this collection of income tax should be increased, he said while addressing as the chief guest a reception to 316 highest and longtime taxpayers at the district level at the Bangladesh- China Friendship Conference Centre here.

National Board of Revenue (NBR) arranged the function marking the first National Income Tax Day-2008.

With NBR Chairman Mohammad Abdul Mazid in the chair, the function was addressed by one of the highest taxpayers Alhaj Rahim Uddin Bharasha of Rangpur, and longtime taxpayer and Chairman of Square Group Samsan H Chowdhury.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, who was scheduled to attend the function as the chief guest, sent a message on the occasion. The message was read out by the NBR chairman.

Mentioning the lack of necessary social and physical infrastructures in Bangladesh as a least-developed country, the finance adviser said the reason for it is not to extract enough internal resources.

Dr Azizul Islam said importance to duty tax has been reduced to a great extent because of globalisation. So, the income tax has been given more priority, he added.

The finance adviser said the income tax is not only contributing to the country's infrastructure development, but also playing an effective role in reducing discrimination of income.

Referring to various steps for motivating people to pay taxes, he said the tax-related laws have been simplified.

Besides introducing the voluntary tax payment system, Dr Azizul Islam said impartiality and transparency have been created in the tax administration.

Terming the observance of the National Income Tax Day for state recognition to contribution of the taxpayers as time- befitting, he called upon all eligible people to pay taxes voluntarily.

Holy Ramzan: Be kind to Allah’s creatures

Islamic brotherhood and fraternal relation in the Muslim Ummah is an ordained responsibility. To help one another in times of need and to stand unitedly against the enemies of Islam and Muslims are the prominent reasons for this call. This principle and its realisation may be presented in the context of the holy Ramzan, which imparts comprehensive training for our inner advancement.

The Holy Quran defines the relations : "Believers are but brothers, so set things right between your brothers and observe your duty to Allah so that you may obtain mercy." (49:10)

The Messenger of Allah said, "Believers are like the parts of a building to one another-each part supporting the others". "None of you can be a believer unless he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." (Bukhari)

"Each of you is a mirror of his brother ; if you see something wrong in your brother, you must tell him to get rid of it," (Trimizi)

At the same time, the Message of Islam does not confine itself within the Muslim community only, its humanistic call is universal, for the mankind in general and even for all the creatures.

"And We have not set you, but as a mercy to the world," (21:107).

"Allah is not kind to him, who is not kind to people". (Bukhari, Muslim)

"Those who are kind and considerate ot Allah's creatures, Allah bestows His kindness and affection on them. Show kidness to the creatures on the earth so that Allah may be kind to you." (Abu Daud. Tirmizi)

The Holy Quran and Sunnah has ordained responsibility to all creatures, crossingthe boundary of human race

-Abdul Muqit Chowdhury

Diarrhoea patients increase

Staff Reporter

The number of diarrhoea patients have been increasing at city's hospitals. However, the experts said it is not an alarming situation.

According to the latest report, a total of 1,022 patients have been affected in Dhaka yesterday. Of the affected persons, 539 were admitted to ICDDR,B.

A total 17,710 people were affected by diarrhoea last week. Of them, six died, according to the Directorate of Health.

The sources also said, a total of 22 persons, among the 72,710 affected persons, died due to diarrhoea in last one month across the country.

Besides, a total of 195 persons, among 5,92,575 affected person, died due to diarrhoea, in the current year, the sources added.

According to ICDDR,B Scientist Dr Shahadat Hossain, most of the diarrhoea patients admitted to the hospital were taking unhygienic drinking water.

He said that the government should take immediate measures to tackle the diarrhoea situation by supplying pure drinking water.

"We have received patients from Mirpur, Uttara, Mohammedpur, Khilgaon, Sabujbagh, Badda in the city. They were taking unhygienic water," he said adding, "If it continued, the country's diarrhoea situation would take an alarming turn."

He advised the patients to take oral saline and immediately seek hospitalisation if condition worsens.

Clemency pleas of 64 heard so far by Tac

UNB, Dhaka

The Truth and Accountability Commission (Tac) has so far heard the pleas of 64 corrupt individuals who have agreed to pay more than Tk 15 crore to the national exchequer in return for clemency.

Tac sources said the Commission yesterday heard the clemency pleas of seven corrupt individuals taking the total number to 64 since the hearing began two weeks ago. The amount pledged by the corrupt individuals so far stands at Tk 15,31,98,833.

Those heard today are officials of Titas Gas, according to the sources. The Commission is scheduled to hear seven clemency seekers today.

Police raid DU halls Sunday night

UNB, Dhaka

Police launched simultaneous raids on three dormitories of Dhaka University on Sunday night, following recent student strife.

The operation in Amar Ekushey Hall, Shahidullah Hall and Fazlul Haq Hall started at 10:45pm and continued till the filing of the report at 00:30am.

There were no reports of arrest during the nighttime raids.

It was believed that the police action was prompted by recent trouble on the DU campus, particularly involving the activists of two major student organizations-Chhatra League and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.

Low in west Bay persists

BSS, Dhaka

The well marked low in the north west Bay of Bengal and adjoining area continued to persist there and may intensify further, moving in a north westerly direction.

Under its influence squally weather may affect the maritime ports, met office said in a warning message on Monday.

The maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Mongla have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal number three.

All fishing boats and trawlers in the north Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast, negotiating the rough sea with caution until further notice, the met warning said. Met office sources said the sultry weather may also prevail over the country under the influence of the well marked low pressure, which formed on Saturday off a low pressure area in the north west Bay.

4 party secretaries general meet today

Staff Reporter

The secretaries -general of the four-party alliance would meet today at the BNP central office at Nayapaltan in the city.

The meeting will start at 3:00pm today. It is first such meeting after the release of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia from detention.

The meeting is likely to decide the date for going to dialogue with the Election Commission (EC), sources said.

The meeting would also discuss overall political situation, dialogue with the EC for holding parliamentary election ahead of local body polls.

Meanwhile the BNP secretary general Khandker Delwar Hossain informed that they would shortly sit with the EC to fix the date for the dialogue after the meeting with partners of the alliance.