The New Nation - Internet Edition

BGMEA, BKMEA given 5 days to resolve wage hike issue

Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Commerce asked the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knit Manufacturers and Exporters (BKMEA) leaders to solve the wage enhancement issue of workers within four to five days to stop unrest export-oriented garment sector in the eve of Eid-ul-Fitre.

"We have asked the BGMEA and BKMEA to sit together with workers organisations leaders to solve the wage problems. It is not possible to the government to solve the problem alone," Commerce Secretary Firoj Ahmed said after attending a meeting with the garment leaders on garment sector's compliance issue at his ministry.

Commerce Secretary presided over the meeting, said BGMEA and BKMEA were given a guideline to resolve the problem through discussion.

There might be labour unrest at different garment factories on the issue of salary enhancement ahead of Eid festival, he admitted.

The Commerce Ministry asked the local law-enforcing agencies to be careful against any move to create unrest in the garment factories, he said.

The commerce ministry organised yesterday's meeting to discuss and review

the progress on the implementation of 8-point compliance for the country's garment sector.

Ahmed noted that there has been significant improvement in the implantation of the compliance issues in the readymade garment (RMG) sector.

He said Already 99 percent garment factories have introduced the government declared minimum wages for the workers.

He ruther said that it was fond that about 11 percent garment factories could not meet the 8-point compliance fully.

"But, both BGMEA and BKMEA assured us that they would strengthen their monitoring on the implementation," he said.

The country's garment workers have been demanding a 20-percent wage hike since the government had announced a dearness allowance (DA) for the public-sector employees.

Power loom workers put barricade on Dhaka-Ctg Rly line

Train communication between Dhaka and Chittagong was
disrupted as hundreds of power loom workers put up barricade
on the railway line at Amirganj Railway Station yesterday
demanding uninterrupted electricity supply to their
factories. FocusBangla

Narsingdi Correspondent

Railway communications between Dhaka and Chittagong was disrupted for six hours from 6:00am to 12:00 noon as hundreds of workers of power loom factories put up barricade on the railway line at Amirganj Railway Station demanding uninterrupted power supply to their factories.

During the railway route blockade programme thousands of train passengers have faced immense hardship yesterday.

Following a three hour-long negotiation between the workers and Narsingdi Palli Bidyut Samity-2 officials, the agitated workers withdrew the barricade at noon.

"Officials of Narsingdi Palli Bidyut Samity-2 assured us of supplying at least 18 hours uninterrupted power to our factories," a worker said.

The frequent power cut, which is halting production is also affecting our wages, workers claimed.

The agitated workers also demanded to withdrawal of General Manager of Narsingdi Palli Bidyut Samity-2 Syed Wahidul Islam for his failure to supply power to the industrial units.

Car bomb blast at US Embassy in Yemen: 16 killed

AP, Sanaa

Attackers armed with automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades and at least one suicide car bomb assaulted the U.S. Embassy in the Yemeni capital yesterday. Sixteen people were killed, including six assailants, officials said.

No Americans were hurt in the deadly attempt to breach the compound walls, which the U.S. said bore "all the hallmarks of an al-Qaida attack."

Multiple explosions rang out outside the heavily-guarded facility, and gunfire raged for at least 10 minutes at the concrete checkpoints that ring the compound. The dead included six attackers, six Yemeni guards and four civilians, the state news agency SABA reported. Security officials said people lined up for visas were among those killed or wounded.

It was the deadliest attack on a compound that has been targeted four times in recent years by bombings, mortars and shootings. Yemen, the ancestral homeland of Osama bin Laden, has struggled to put down al-Qaida-linked Islamic militants, often to the frustration of U.S. counterterrorism officials.

Just last month, the State Department allowed the return of non-essential personnel and family members who had been ordered to leave after a volley of mortars targeted the embassy. The attack instead hit a girls high school next door, killing a Yemeni security guard and wounding more than a dozen girls.

In the 9:15 am attack Wednesday, gunmen in a vehicle attacked a checkpoint outside the embassy with RPGs and automatic weapons, Yemeni security officials said. During the assault, suicide bombers in a vehicle made it through the checkpoint and hit a second, inner ring of concrete blocks, and detonated, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the press.

SABA, citing an unidentified Interior Ministry official, reported that two suicide car bombs detonated and made no mention of a gunbattle. There was no immediate explanation for the differing accounts. A senior U.S. official in Washington said at least five detonations were heard - but embassy officials spoke of "secondary explosions," suggesting some could have been RPG blasts.

The Washington official, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe an internal Bush administration briefing, said some of the attackers were dressed as Yemeni troops, and that Yemeni emergency personnel who first rushed to the scene were hit by heavy sniper fire from gunmen who had stationed themselves across the street from the embassy.

CA urges Chinese businesses to invest in Bangladesh

UNB, Beijing

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed on Wednesday offered an open-arm invitation to the Chinese investors in various potential sectors of Bangladesh assuring them of basic infrastructure facilities and fair and equitable treatment.

The head of the caretaker government made the offer addressing a meeting with business leaders of China at Diaoyutai State Guest House at 10 am (local time).

"Investment for Chinese investors in Bangladesh is open in all areas. Apart from industries, Chinese investors are (also) welcome in power, communication, road transport and mass transit transport in Dhaka city," he said.

Referring to the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation signed between Bangladesh and China, Dr Fakhruddin said that under the agreements, the government accords fair and equitable treatment to investors from China who will enjoy full protection and security in Bangladesh.

Representatives from 14 companies and business houses attended the meeting. The business houses included Jiangsu Redbud Dyeing Technology Company Ltd., China National Complete Plant Import and Export Corporation, China Machinery Import and Export Corporation, China Texmatech Co. Ltd., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Shijiazhuang Guangming Shoes Industry, Sino-coal International Engineering Designing and Research Institute, ZTE Corporation and Beiqi Foton Motor Co. Ltd.

Some of the business leaders who attended the meeting already have investment and businesses in Bangladesh.

After the opening statement of the Chief Adviser, a number of representatives of different business companies and houses wanted to know about potentiality, government policy and other business related matters.

Dr Fakhruddin said the government has recently decided to set up special economic zones and China will be welcome for setting up exclusive special economic zone for the country.

There are a number of export processing zones in Bangladesh where Chinese investors have already invested, he said and hoped increased investments from Chinese investors.

Mentioning Chinese investment and business companies in Bangladesh, the Chief Adviser said Chinese investment already helped coal mining in Barapukuria and also in power generation.

Bangladesh, he said, offers attractive fiscal facility, trainable workers, GSP export and easy repatriation of profit and earnings for foreign investors.

He added Bangladesh have resources including good quality coal and gas with both requiring exploration and extraction.

Dr Fakhruddin projected some aspects of investment potentiality including large domestic market, trainable and cheap labour force, government's investment-friendly attractive package for foreign investors. On coal policy, he said the Coal Policy is at final stage. Coal extraction and mining will be primarily for power generation, he informed replying to a participant and further said that foreign investors are welcome to this sector individually or in joint venture.

Replying to another query, the Chief Adviser said setting up a deep seaport in Chittagong is in the government's book. He, however, spoke of efficient management of Chittagong seaport, saying that Chittagong port still has the capacity to handle more ships.

He told the participants that gas would be further explored and extracted in the country.

Replying to a question, he said there is need of mass transit transport in Dhaka and the government is implementing a 15-year Strategic Transport Plan for an easy transport system in Dhaka city and adjacent districts. He welcomed investment in elevated expressway, underground train and larger buses.

Gas engine is also encouraged in Bangladesh as cars as well as buses are now run by CNG, the CA told a questioner.

Replying to Huawei, a big telecommunication company having business in Bangladesh, he said the government is giving high priority to telecommunication and IT sector. Telecommunication has big potentiality in Bangladesh, he added.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury also spoke at the meeting, while Bangladesh Ambassador to China Munshi Faiz Ahmad gave the welcome address and moderated the function.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Zheng Qingdian, Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossian, and CA's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim were also present.

The Chief Adviser is scheduled to return home late Thursday night.

Fugitive criminals stage comeback ahead of polls

UNB, Dhaka

Wanted criminals who went into hiding after the January 11 political changeover last year are believed to be staging a comeback in the capital, causing a sudden disruption in the law-and-order situation.

A number of criminals reappeared and engaged in criminal activities ahead of Eid-ul-Fitre and Durga Puja, two biggest religious festivals of the Muslim and the Hindu communities.

A senior police officer told UNB that some underworld kingpins, who fled the country after army-led joint forces had launched the anticrime crackdown under the state of emergency imposed on January 11 last year, are believed to be engaged in criminal activities again and established their control on their areas ahead of the general election.

Bangladesh authorities already have handed over an updated list of 1,648 Bangladeshi criminals said to be hiding in India to the Indian authorities at the director general-level conference between BDR and BSF held in Dhaka recently.

The police administration now seems to have been in a fix as to how to deal with the self-exiled criminals if they enter Bangladesh anytime ahead of the general election-a strong possibility tipped off by intelligence agencies.

In the wake of a fresh slide in law-and-order situation, already admitted by Home Adviser Maj Gen (Retd) MA Matin and DMP Commissioner Naim Ahmed, the police department has to chart out its operation plan to combat any hazard for ensuing fearless election atmosphere.

General Matin last Monday told reporters that recent upturn in crimes indicated that the law and order in the city took a knock.

He also made a stark observation that suspected muggers and extortionists and terrors came out from their hideouts on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, Durga Puja and the upcoming elections to make a killing on the spending binge.

The Home Adviser ordered the law-enforcing agencies to take stern action against the criminals as the government took serious note of the spurt in the incidence of crime in the capital.

Admitting the situation, DMP Commissioner Naim Ahmed said the law-and-order situation suddenly broke down after four-five months. "Law and order remains good for some time and it turns bad some time."

Many city-dwellers feel that situation might turn for the worse if the listed "top terrors" of Dhaka's criminal gangland, believed to be hiding abroad, return to the capital.

DMP on December 27, 2001 released a list of 23 top terrors published in national dailies with their photographs and also announced bounties for helping arrest of the wanted persons.

Eight on the list-Kamal Pasha, Freedom Sohel, Khurshed Alam alias Rashu, Titon, Liakat, Arman, Moshiur Rahman Kochi and Killer Abbas-were arrested.

Two others were killed-Alauddin in mass beating by an angry mob before the 'Operation Clean Heart' got off on October 16 midnight in 2002 and Pichchi Hannan in an encounter with RAB on June 26, 2005.

Liakat was recently set free on bail from Dhaka Central Jail-and in no time he disappeared from the jail gate.

However, the remaining suspected "top terrors"-Tokai Sagar, Subrata Bain, Kala Jahangir, Joy, Haris Ahmed, Prokash, Kamrul Hasan alias Chhuto Hannan, Imam Hussain, Jabbar Munna, Manik, Mullah Masud and Aga Shamim-are still at large.

It is up in the air that Kala Jahangir was killed or he committed suicide. But intelligence took it with a grain of salt.

Competent sources said these suspected terrors are said to be in contact with their local godfathers, waiting to receive the green signal from them before stepping into Bangladesh for their election-time operation.

Holy Ramzan: Fight for peace

The 17th Ramzan reminds us of the 'Zihad' of Badar. It was a defensive fight against infidel aggressors. The Muslims, though very small in number and weak in arms and ammunition, became victorious in the battle with the help and grace of Allah.

Al-Quran reveals : "Allah had helped you at Badar, when ye were contemptible little force t.." (3: 123).

"Remember ye your Lord, and he answered you : I will assist you with a thousand of the angels, ranks on ranks." (8:9).

Though Ramzan is the training period of 'zuhd'- 'spiritual purification', it also presents practical performance of 'Zihad' through example of Muslim history. 'Zihad'- 'the exerting of one's power', 'repelling the enemy' and 'struggle to the utmost of one's capacity' is permitted as the last resort for the Muslims to survive as an independent and sovereign nation, in case they become the victims of aggression, tyranny and oppression.

Al-Quran permits Zihad in the following way : "Fight in the name of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits ; for Allah loved not transgressors." (2:190).

Thus, Zihad is very much a defensive one and it should not be misinterpreted by the ignorant or vested quarters.

We should have a view of the limitation ordained by Allah. Zihad is not permitted when the enemy is 'inclined towards peace'. Peace is the ultimate goal of Islam. So, the Quran directs the believers : "But if the enemy inclines towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allaht..''(7:61).

With this background of the context of the Zihad of Badar, the Muslim strategy of fighting against aggression is to be framed. They are 'wronged.' They are being massacred and their properties being demolished in the name of war against terror and pre-emptive war. And here the Quran voices for defence. : "To those against whom war is made permission is given (to fight), because they are wrongedt"(22:39).

-Abdul Muqit Chowdhury

Hold JS poll ahead of local govt election: Delwar

Staff Reporter

BNP Secretary General Khandokar Delwar Hossain yesterday reiterated the demand for holding free, fair and credible parliamentary election ahead of local government polls.

"We along with the people of the country are doubtful over the next parliamentary elections within December," he told the media at the party's central office in the city's Nayapaltan area.

He said the Election Commission (EC) has taken so many tasks in their hands, which have complicated the election process.

" First of all the Election Commission should hold the national elections before local government polls with the participation of all parties," he stressed.

Replying to a question whether there is any division exists in the party, he firmly said BNP is united under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia.

He said efforts by some so- called reformists to divide the party have failed.

" Reformists would have to prove their acceptability to the party as Begum Zia has urged all to work for the party from their respective positions," he added.

On the issue of dialogue between BNP and the EC expected to be held on Saturday Khandoker Delwar said issues relating to voter lists, Representation of People Order (RPO), registration of political parties and ways for holding a free, fair and credible election would come up in the discussion.

He, however, demanded of the EC to scrap the RPO, as it has been prepared without discussions with the political parties.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General (retd) Hannan Shah, BNP Chairperson's adviser, told reporters at his Mohakhali DOHS residence that Khaleda Zia wants to include some new faces in the party's ranks to make the party stronger.

" Begum Zia needs some time to reorganise the party as it faced some troubles in recent past," Hannan Shah said after meeting with Khaleda on Tuesday.

25 hurt in gunfight in Kishoreganj

Kishoreganj Correspondent

At least 25 people were injured yesterday in a series of clashes and gunfight between two rival groups of a village under Karimganj upazila here over domination over the village Taritola.

Of the injured, seven received bullet wounds. They are identified as Nasima Begum, 25, Nuruddin, 47, Masum, 23, Hakim, 45, Anis 25, Chunnu, 35 and Islam, 28.

They were admitted to Karimganj and Kishoreganj Sadar hospitals.

Police and eyewitnesses said in the clashes, the two groups-one led by Faruq Talukder and another by Gedu Miah and his son Abdul Sarker locked in gunfight after Iftar.

The situation came under control after Additional Police Superintendent Maskukur Rahman and local UNO Atiqur Rahman visited the village.

Police and RAB personnel have been deployed at the village to maintain law and order.

According to sources, the clash was a sequel to an incident of clashes among children centring a football match a month ago.

Grenade attack case: Next date for hearing Sept 24

Court Correspondent

Hearing on the charge framing of the murder case filed in connection with the 21 August grenade attack on a rally of Awami League in 2004 was not held yesterday and the Judge refixed September 24 as next date for hearing.

Md Masdar Hossain, Judge of the Speedy Trial Tribunal 1 passed the order on Wednesday in presence of all accused, besides, Md Uzzal who is under treatment at the National Institute of Mental Health in the city.

Earlier, on behalf of former Deputy Minister detained Abdus Salam Pintu a petition was submitted seeking analogous hearing of the two cases including this murder case filed in connection with the grenade attack.

The other case also filed in connection with the grenade attack under Explosive Substances Act is under trial at the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court of Dhaka. Some 22 people were made accused in both the cases and eight of them are on the run.

In the grenade attack 23 people were killed and about 200 others were injured.

Khaleda demands release of party leaders, activists

Staff Reporter

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday demanded release of all detained political leaders for holding free, fair, transparent and credible election in the country.

She termed the arrest and detention of her party leaders a part of conspiracy to destroy the nationalist force.

In a statement Begum Zia said people of the country have also voiced their demand for release of the detained leaders of her party.

She expressed her hope that the caretaker government would soon take initiative to create a healthy and congenial political atmosphere in the country setting free all detained leaders and activists of the party.

Begum Zia particularly sought the release of BNP leaders Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Tariqul Islam, Nazmul Huda, Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Mirza Abbas, Amanullah Aman, Mir Nasiruddin, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Mizanur Rahman Minu, Mujibur Rahman Sarwar, Abdus Salam Pintu, Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, Salahuddin Ahmed, Fazlul Huq Milon, Manjurul Ahsan Munshi, Mosaddeq Ali Falu, Shamsuzzoha Khan, Ali Asgar Lobi, MAH Selim, Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, Naser Rahman and Wadud Bhuiyan.

10 RAB men injured in attack

UNB, Sylhet

At least 10 members of the elite-force Rapid Action Battalion, including an Assistant Superintendent of Police, were injured in an attack by villagers at Pashchim Noagaon in Bishwanath upazila on Tuesday night.

On information, a team of RAB-9 conducted a drive at Pashchim Noagaon village to arrest drug peddlers at about 8 pm Tuesday, official sources said.

According to their operation plan, ASP Sarwar entered the village by an auto-rickshaw in the guise of drug buyer. As suspected drug-dealer Abbas supplied him 72 bottles of Indian liquor, the cop handcuffed him.

The ASP went to Kalamdar Ali Market along with Abbas to make a seizure list. But Abbas' relatives started shouting "dacoit", "dacoit" when they reached the market.

"Hearing shouts, some 50 villagers swooped on the ASP and other RAB members mistaking them for 'robbers'. The attackers took them inside a restaurant and beat them, leaving the ASP and nine others injured," says a report from the area quoting local sources.

The villagers snatched away Abbas from the RAB men along with the handcuffs.

After receiving the information, a special team of police and RAB launched a joint raid on the village and rescued the injured RAB members. They were admitted to Osmani Medical College Hospital.

The team also arrested 13 people for interrogation during their six-hour drive through the area till 2 am Wednesday.

A pistol, which was dropped on the ground from the possession of the ASP during scuffles with the drug peddlers, was recovered after a few hours of the incident.

A RAB source in Dhaka said three of the law-enforcers were injured in the incident, including the ASP.

Nizami off to S Arabia for performing 'Umrah’

Staff Reporter

Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Ameer Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami yesterday left Dhaka for Saudi Arabia to perform 'Umrah' at the invitation of the Royal Saudi Arabia government. He is accompanied with his wife.

Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, acting secretary general, Abdul Kader Mollah, assistant secretary general, Prof Mazharul Islam and members of the central 'Majlish-e- Shura' among others saw off Nizami at the Zia International Airport.

Maulana Abul Kalam Muhammad Yousuf, senior Naeb-e-Ameer and Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, acting secretary general of the party would act as acting Ameer and Secretary General of the party respectively.

Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed, Secretary General of the Party is also in Saudi Arabia for performing Umrah.

Maulana Nizami is expected to return on September 28.