The New Nation - Internet Edition

Hunger strike by unsuccessful BCS candidates for 9th day

UNB, Dhaka

Public Service Commission chairman Dr Saadat Husain in a tripartite meeting today advised the striking unsuccessful BCS candidates to apply to the government for resolving their problem.

Representatives of more than 100 striking BCS candidates, Dhaka University teachers and PSC had two-hour meeting in the wake of strikers announced for going for self-immolation if their demands are not met.

The strikers had passed the first phase of 27th BCS examination but became unsuccessful in the second phase. Demanding recognition of the first phase results they began hunger strike unto death at the Central Shaheed Minar on November 1.

Teachers of the Dhaka University have been trying to negotiate with PSC and government to resolve the problem of the strikers.

Tainted milk powder HC order on test reports today

UNB, Dhaka

Complying with the High Court order, the government Sunday submitted before the court all the four sets of reports of laboratory test done at home and abroad on the eight brands of 'melamine-tainted' powdered milk.

Deputy attorney general Rajik Al Jalil placed the test reports on the questionable eight brands from the Dhaka University, BSTI, Atomic Energy Commission and Thailand. These are Yashili-1, Yashili-2 and Sweet Baby-2 of China, Diploma and Red Cow of Australia, Dano of Denmark, and Nido and Anlene of New Zealand.

After going through the reports, Manzill Murshid, the counsel for the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) writ petitioner, submitted that the reports were "manipulated" and prayed that an appropriate committee be formed afresh with West European experts for the sake of "a transparent report" in the interest of public health.

He also pleaded for the appointment of amicus curiae (friend of the court) with technical expertise to enlighten the court on the issue in a bid to dispel all doubts and confusions.

Opposing the contention, lawyers for the 'melamine-tainted' powdered milk, prayed for vacating the HC embargo on display, sale and marketing of Red Cow, Dano, Nido and Anlene now that the court has received the laboratory test reports that had found melamine in only other three brands of powdered milk.

After hearing both sides, the HC bench, comprising Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Quamrul Islam Siddiqui, fixed today for order on the dispute.

Nasim, Nanak, Liaqat asked to surrender to lower court

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court Sunday asked Awami Juba League president Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Awami Swechhasebak League president Bahauddin Nasim and former Chhatra League president Liaqat Sikdar, all three wanted in criminal cases, to surrender to the lower court within ten weeks.

A division bench comprising Justice Syed AB Mahmudul Huq and Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury passed the identical orders when the accused petitioners, who had been absconding for long, surrendered to it and sought anticipatory bail individually.

The HC orders also asked the law to "refrain from arresting or harassing" them in the meantime.

Nanak and Bahauddin are to stand trial in four criminal cases each while Liaqat faces two, a lawyer for them said.

Meanwhile, another division bench comprising Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice Farah Mahbub, following a writ petition, asked the police not to arrest or harass Nanak in connection with ill-gotten wealth case, filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), in three weeks.

Nanak filed the writ petition challenging the legality of the case against him initiated by the ACC.

The HC also issued a rule upon the ACC to explain in a week why its action "should not be declared illegal".

Advocate Abdul Baset Majumadar appeared for Nanak and Bahauddin while Abdul Matin Khasru for Liaqat.

BRAC staff released in Afghanistan meets Iftekhar

UNB, Dhaka

The two BRAC employees, who were abducted in Afghanistan and later released, thanked Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury for the efforts made by him and the Foreign Ministry to secure their release.

The two employees-M Shahjahan and Akhter Ali-met with the Foreign Adviser at the Foreign Ministry on Sunday morning to convey their appreciation.

"I truly admire the courage of the BRAC employees who are risking their lives in Afghanistan to improve the lot of their Afghan brothers and sisters", Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury said.

BRAC Chairman Fazle Hasan Abed has also addressed a letter thanking the Foreign Adviser today, said a Foreign Ministry press release.

Retailers ask for stopping extortion by wholesalers

UNB, Dhaka

Retailers of perishable commodities yesterday brought out a procession protesting extortion of wholesale markets in Dhaka city in the name of 'tola'.

Dhaka Fish & Kanchabazar Small Traders Association brought out the procession. Police intercepted the procession at the west gate of the secretariat where it held a rally.

The association leaders urged the government to stop illegal toll collection by the wholesalers in Dhaka city's wholesale markets.

They said it was earlier decided in a joint meeting of retailers, wholesalers, police, RAB and City Corporation officials that the wholesalers (Aratdars) would not collect any toll in the name of "tola".

According to the decision, the wholesalers are supposed to give receipt against payment by small traders. But the wholesalers are not abiding by the decision. They are harassing the small traders, alleged the association leaders.

They urged the government and City Corporation to take immediate measures against the illegal toll collectors.