The New Nation - Internet Edition

65 people injured in Jamalpur, Habiganj clashes

UNB, Jamalpur

At least 15 people, including 10 policemen, were injured in a clash between police and villagers at Jhaudanga in Dewanganj upazila early Sunday.

Acting on a tip off, police arrested three criminals - Osman Gani, Rafiqul Islam and Abul Kashem - from the house of UP Chairman of Pararamrampur union Insar Ali at about 3am.

Police said, sentenced to life term for murder Osman remained fugitive, Rafiqul was awarded three years jail in drug case and Abul Kashem is accused in a criminal case.

Following their arrest inmates of the house raised alarming cries of dacoits, dacoits. Villagers rushed in and attacked the police. They snatched away the criminals from the police custody that led to the clash.

Police fired three warning shots to disperse the villagers, police said.

Ten policemen, including SI Asaduzzaman Ripon and ASI Shuvra Shaha, injured in the clash were admitted to Dewanganj Upazila Health Complex.

Another report from Habiganj adds, more than 50 people were injured in a fierce clash between two rival groups at Majlishpur village in Baniachang upazila Sunday noon.

Police said the clash ensued between the supporters of Abdus Salam Londoni and Shahed Ali as a sequel to long standing enmity. Both sides used lethal weapons leaving more than 50 people.

On information, police rushed to the spot and fired six warning shots and used batons to bring the situation under control.

Three of the injured were admitted to Sadar Hospital in serious condition while 25 others to the upazila health complex.

Police arrested 30 people in this connection.

JP's stay in mahajote will be decided on return of Hasina

UNB, Kurigram

Indicating to a hard bargaining for sharing seats to contest in the upcoming election Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad yesterday said staying in Awami League led grand alliance would be decided on return home of Sheikh Hasina.

Addressing a number of wayside meetings Ershad said his party has a bright prospect in all the 22 constituencies of greater Rangpur district.

"We are still in the grand alliance. Our stay in the alliance will be decided on return home of Awami League president Sheikh Hasina," he told his supporters at Rajarhat.

Referring to an estranged leader Ershad said Tajul Islam Chowdhury was elected MP several times from Rangpur-2 with JP ticket and was a minister during his rule. He defected Jatiya Party to join PDP, a party that has no root in Rangpur. Tajul now wants to back to JP but he will not be taken back, he added.

The JP chairman announced Major (rtd) Abdus Salam as the party candidate from Rangpur-2 in the December 18 election. He also announced Paniruddin Ahmed as the candidate for sadar upazila chairman.

He said his party's election manifesto is under preparation pledging for measures that will help the poor change their lot.

Ershad dismissed the prospect of his party's joining the BNP led alliance in the event of coming out of the grand alliance.

He was annoyed when a correspondent asked if he smells conspiracy of implicating him in Zia killing case to debar from contesting the election and in that case will JP take part in the election without him? "It's no question," he said avoiding answer.

The JP chairman also addressed wayside meetings at Baidder bazar, Tograihat, Vogdanga and Ghogadah.

IGP leaves for Russia to join Interpol assembly

UNB, Dhaka

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nur Mohammad left for Russia on Saturday night to attend the 77th General Assembly of International Police Organisation-Interpol.

The IGP is leading a two-member Bangladesh team to the four-day assembly beginning Tuesday in St. Petersburg, said a statement by the Police Headquarters.

Additional Inspector General of Special Branch Baharul Alam is accompanying the IGP to the multi-national gathering.

Some 186 member countries of Interpol will take part in the assembly where issues of further cooperation and exchange of information among the member states to curb terrorism would be discussed.

The meeting will also discuss ways of strengthening Interpol's National Central Bureau (NCB).

The conference will encourage the NCBs to issue red alert against the fugitives while yellow notice for the missing ones.

The gathering will also discuss issues tied to elections to its various organs, venue for the 79th conference in 2010 and approval of the 2007's budget.

The IGP is expected to return home on October 11.

Mirza Azam grants bail

UNB, Dhaka

The vacation bench of the High Court Sunday granted bail to former Awami League MP and Juba League general secretary Mirza Azam in EPR violation case.

The division bench comprising justice M Anwarul Haque and justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury passed the order.

Police arrested Azam on charges of violating the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) soon after his release from jail on bail on September 18, 2008 in connection with a case involving ill-gotten wealth.

Police had arrested Azam near GPO crossing when he along with his partymen was making an attempt to break the EPR section 16 (2), according to the prosecution.

The HC had earlier granted him bail on September 16 for three months.

On July 16 this year, Azam was first sent to jail after Metropolitan Sessions Court here denied him bail on surrender.

Advocate Motahar Hossain Saju appeared for Azam.

PBCP chief held in Naogaon

UNB, Naogaon

Matiar Rahman alias Mantu Bhai, chief of outlawed Purba Banglar Communist Party (Lal Pataka), condemned to death three years ago for murder, was arrested from a remote village of Manda upazila early Sunday morning.

Informing about the prized arrest, police super Mofazzal Hossain told newsmen in the afternoon that Matiar, 56, was holding a secret meeting with his 10 or 12 cadres at Turukbaria school ground. On tip off, a police team headed by ASP Sohel Reza cordoned them and arrested Matiar. Others, however, managed to slip away in the darkness, said the SP.

He was undergoing interrogation.

Matiar succeeded Dr Mizanur Rahman alias Tutul, chairman of the outlawed party, who was killed in a gun battle with police at Raninagar on July 27.

Naogaon and adjoining districts are heavily infested by cadres of divided factions of the underground PBCP who are engaged in class struggle.

Rajshahi court awarded Matiar the death penalty in absentia on July 25, 2005 for the murder of UP chairman Golam Rabbani at Bagmara.

In 2006, the government had declared a prize of Tk one lakh for the arrest or clue to arrest of Matiar.

He faces trial in a number of criminal cases including the murder of Salamat Hossain, JCD leader of Atrai, and Mansur Mridha, BNP leader of Manda.

Matiar Rahman hails from Krishnapur village of Raninagar upazila.