The New Nation - Internet Edition

Dhaka Club holds Iftar for children

DU Correspondent

Dhaka Club Ltd yesterday arranged an Ifter mahfil at its lawn for the deprived children of the society.

Around five hundred madrasah students, some of them are orphans, from two madrsahs named Ambarshah Islamia Hafizia and Eatimkhana and Rahmat-e-Alam Islam Mission Eatimkhana took part in the function.

The club arranged such kind of programme for the first time and it will also try to develop their condition, said Sadat Hossain, president of the club.

He said the Ifter mahfil was the part of its social activities to stimulate the young generation to show leniency to others.

The members and the officials of the club were also present in the function.

Ershad sees nat'l govt without elections

bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad thinks the government wants to bring the two former prime ministers across the table to form a national government, forgoing general elections.

"We hear about the meeting between the two leaders. As far as our knowledge goes water and oil don't mix. So what's the meeting for?" the former president said at a rally before iftar at a community centre at Jatrabari yesterday.

The Jatrabari, Demra and Shyampur thana units of the party organised the function.

Ershad announced that he would run the next parliamentary elections from Gulshan constituency.

The former military strongman expressed doubts over the staging of general elections.

"People think the elections will not be held. There will be a national government."

Ershad, however, urged the party supporters to get ready for the elections.

"Insha Allah (God willing) I'll contest Gulshan constituency."

"I've prepared the party for elections. If the Upazila elections are held before the national elections we will participate in it.

"I congratulate the present caretaker government on its realising the importance of the Upazila as a local government institution."

He took a swipe at former caretaker government chief and president Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed.

"If Shahabuddin did not betray in 1991 the Jatiya Party would have gone on to win the elections then."

BRTC to start ' Eid Sheba Service' from Sept 26

Staff Reporter

The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has taken measurers for facilitating bus services to the homebound passengers for ensuring smooth celebration of the Eid-ul- Fitr.

The ' Eid Sheba Service' of BRTC would be launched from September 26 and lasted on the third day of the Eid-ul- Fitr.

About 50 buses from city and staff services have added to the existing fleet of the service and the BRTIC authority would not increase the bus fares.

Passengers could collect their advanced tickets from BRTC offices at Motijheel, Joar Shara, Kalyan Pur, Mirpur 12 and Fulbari.

The BRTC would also ensure reserved seats for women and disabled persons.

Amu protests re-arrest of Azam at jail gate

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Awami League presidium member Amir Hossain Amu yesterday protested the arrest of Awami Jubo League general secretary Mirza Azam from the jail gate immediately after his release on bail on Thursday.

Amu aired his anger at a meeting held at the party's headquarters on Bangabandhu Avenue.

The High Court on Tuesday set Azam free bail in a case on charges of acquiring assets illegally.

But police, acting on a complaint filed with Paltan Police Station based on apprehensions of breaching the emergency powers rules, detained him again from the jail gate.

"People won't accept the government treating political leaders this way. The overall law and order situation will slump if the law enforcers abuse the law in this manner," Amu said.

He also demanded party chief Sheikh Hasina's unconditional release and announcement of election dates.

"Announcing the dates of elections only will not suffice, the government has to ensure the release of Sheikh Hasina and other AL leaders to create an amicable polls environment."

He also asked authorities to release the leaders of the AL's front organizations.

"If the government activities give rise to any crisis, people will hold the government responsible."

Transport leaders demand security

UNB, Dhaka

Transport sector leaders and workers Friday threatened the caretaker government to paralyse the sector through tougher protests if the administration fails to stop extortion and provide security.

They also demanded action against the people who gunned down Parvez, a counterman of Shohag Paribahan at Gabtoli bus terminal, on Sept 11.

They set October 13 deadline for the government to take measures against the extortionists and the killers of Parvez.

They said a group, named Shahadat group, is controlling the whole thing from behind the scene.

Their concerns came at a press conference jointly organised by Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation (BSPSF) and Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association (BBTOA) at the Jatiya Press Club.

BSPSF executive president Shahjahan Khan said extortion in the transport sector has become a big national problem.

"I hope the government will take immediate action against the culprits to protect the sector and the transport owners. Otherwise, we will have no option but to shut down our businesses," he said.

Shahjahan, also a former MP from Awami League, said the owners regularly need to pay tolls to extortionists while traffic police and highway police also take their share in the name of filing cases.

"We hope the government will punish the extortionists and the killers of Parvez. If the government fails to do so by Oct 13, we will go for tougher movement," he said.

Sohel Talukder, owner of Shohag Paribahan, said the Shahadat group has been demanding Tk 1 crore in toll from him over phone.

He said the group also threatened to kill him if he failed to pay the amount.

"After killing Parvez, they now threaten to kill me and my other family members one by one," he said.

He said after examining all the phone numbers the law enforcing agencies informed him that the calls came from Shahadat and his people.

Shafiqul Islam, owner of Nabil Paribahan, said the same group asked him to give Tk 50 lakh to 'Kochi Dada (Shahdat)' over phone on September 13.

As he switched off the mobile phone, they made call to one of its ticket counters demanding toll.

"We feel insecure and want security for our life to the government," he said.

Mentioning some extortion incidents, BBTOA chairman GM Siraj said that the whole transport sector has become hostage to the Shahadat group.

He said earlier the gang used to collect toll from the readymade garment sector regularly and later shifted their toll collection activities to the transport sector.

Replying to a query, Siraj said they did not raise fare ahead of eid.

About ticket sales at black market, Siraj however admitted that it was happening at some points.

"Our mobile teams are monitoring the situation very closely to catch the culprits," he said.

The transport leaders also announced a series of protest plans to press home their demands.

The bus owners, drivers and employees at Gabtoli terminal will wear black badges on September 20 while they have planned a national convention in the city on Sept 21 and suspension of vehicular movement from 3-5pm on Sept 22.