The New Nation - Internet Edition

20 'injured in transport workers' clash

Our Correspondent, Barisal

At least 20 people were injured and several vehicles damaged in clashes between bus and tempo workers at Natun Bazaar Marokhola Tempo Stand on the outskirts of the city yesterday over opening of a bus route

Local commissioner and police sources said local bus owners made an attempt yesterday to ply bus from Barisal Natun Bazaar to Babuganj via Lakutia. But the tempo owners and workers opposed the operation of bus service on the route..

The tempo owners and workers objected when a bus was going from Barisal to Lakutia.

When the bus reached Lakutia local UP chairman Muhammad Hossain Sikdar advised bus driver to ply bus on the route after negotiation with tempo owners and workers to avoid trouble.

As the bus was coming back to Barisal, the tempo workers allegedly ransacked the bus and injured 4 of the bus workers at Natun Bazaar Marokkhola tempo stand at about 12-30 pm .

Later the bus workers from Nathullabad central bus terminal rushed to the spot, ransacked two tempos and injured about 16 people .

Tempo workers called strike in the city from 2:00 pm demanding punishment of the attackers and cancellation of the route permit.

Wahab Laskar, a bus owner, said that seven buses after getting route permit from BRTA planned to start plying on that route from Friday. But the tempo workers damaged one bus injured at least four bus workers.

Khoshed Alam, general secretary of Barisal Tempo Sramik Union, claimed that bus workers damaged at least eight tempos and injured 16 tempo workers .Injured Ashraf Ali Fakir, vice president, Khalilur Rahman, publicity secretary of their union were admitted to hospital for treatment, he said.

Muhammad Hussein Sikder, chairman of Kashipur union and Md. Nasiruddin, commissioner of ward 1 of BCC, confirmed the incident and said they were trying their best to negotiate the dispute and start bus service on the route considering the sufferings of the people on the eve of the Eid festival.

Police and RAB have been deployed at the place to avert further trouble.

Cable operator shot, killed in city

Staff Reporter

A cable businessman was shot death and another person injured by local miscreants in city's North Shajahanpur in Badda area yesterday.

The victim was identified as Shariat Ullah Billah proprietor of Tri-Star Dishline Service Provider and a resident of North Shajahanpur in the city.

On Friday evening a gang of five local miscreants led by 'killer Zahid and Guja Monir demanded tolls from Billah. When Billah refused to pay them the terrorists shot him twice on the head and chest and fled the spot firing in the air to scare away their pursuers. A passer-by, Mamun was hit by a stray bullet.

Local people rushed Billah to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in a critical condition. Doctors on duty declared Billah dead upon his arrival. Mamun was undergoing treatment. His condition is also stated to be critical.

Low over Bay

UNB, Dhaka

The well marked low over north-west Bay off Bangladesh-West Bengal coast persisted over the area Friday noon.

"It is likely to intensify further and move in a north/ northwesterly direction," said a special bulletin of Met Office today.

Under its influence, steep pressure gradient and convective cloud persists over north Bay. Squally weather is likely over north Bay and adjoining coastal area of Bangladesh and may affect the maritime ports.

Maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Mongla have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal number three ® three.

All fishing boats and trawlers over north Bay and deep sea have been advised to come close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.

Iftekhar meets Boucher in New York

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury held a meeting with the US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher on the sidelines of the UNGA Session in New York on Wednesday night.

They discussed a range of bilateral and regional issues, in particular the latest announcement of election date by the Chief Adviser, said a press release.

The Foreign Adviser and the Assistant Secretary also discussed the possibility of sending an Election Observer Mission from the United States at that time.

Earlier, Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury had also a long and fruitful meeting with Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte in New York.

Time will decide CG's future: AL

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Time will tell if the system of caretaker governance will continue to play a role when necessary, said the Awami League's acting president Zillur Rahman yesterday.

"Time will tell if the caretaker government system has to go in the future," the AL acting president.

Zillur made the comment to reporters at his residence when they had asked for his reaction to the chief adviser's address to an audience of Bangladeshi expatriates in the US.

Fakhruddin Ahmed had hinted on Wednesday to a New York audience that the caretaker system of governance could be re-evaluated.

"I believe the caretaker government is not a permanent solution. An elected government should govern the country."

"The caretaker government system is provisioned by the Constitution. But we should think what is required in the future," he chief adviser said.

Zillur, however, said the AL, should it be elected to office, would endorse all the initiatives and reforms effected by the current interim administration that were just and benefited the people.

"Our leader Sheikh Hasina hasn't committed any mistake so far," said Zillur.

He alleged the government was not sincere in taking measures to curb soaring prices of essentials weighing on the people.

He asked the government to release Hasina and other political leaders.

The stand-in AL chief urged authorities to defer the Upazila polls for a month.

"If the dates are not shifted, the grassroots leaders will be naturally busy organising for the Upazila polls, which will jeopardise the Jatiya Sangsad elections."

Urging all leaders and activists to stay united, he said: "We'll tell you when to do what. Do not create confusion."

Zillur was speaking after a meeting with Bangabandhu Shangskritik Jote (BSJ) members on the occasion of the 28th founding anniversary of the the party's cultural wing.

Banks to hire credit raters for risk assessment

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Banks now will have to have their credit risks assessed by External Credit Assessment Institutes (ECAI), the Bangladesh Bank has said.

The banks will choose from a list of ECAIs provided by the central bank, it said in a circular on Thursday.

The central bank has issued guidelines for recognition of eligible ECAIs to assess credit risks in line with the Basel-II framework.

The circular sent to chief executives of banks advised them to take proper precautions before issuing loans to avert risks.

"Banks will have to appoint ECAI to assess credit risks from the list of organisations provided by the Bangladesh Bank," reads the circular issued by the central bank's banking rule and policy wing.

According to the new guidelines, capital adequacy risk would be determined on the basis of the ECAI rating report on counter-party of the bank.

Bangladesh bank has also asked banks to practice the same guideline for government organisations.

Currently, risks against loans to government organisations are accounted between 0 and 20 percent while for private organisations it is 100 percent.

"Private organisations have sound credit performance while government entities have a bad credit history.

"Bangladesh bank feels credit assessment prior to issuing loans will lead to sound financial state for banks [while] clients will be careful about their loans,", a central bank official, who would remain unnamed as he was not authorised to speak to the media, told bdnews24.com.

Bangladesh Bank will invite applications from interested credit rating agencies, both local and foreign, added the official.

Currently, two local credit rating agencies - Credit Rating Information and Services Limited (CRISL) and Credit Rating Agency of Bangladesh (CRAB) - operate in Bangladesh.