The New Nation - Internet Edition

Day long strike at Moulvibazar market in city

Businessmen of the city's Moulvibazar market brought
out a procession yesterday in protest against the attack on
the traders by some miscreants. NN photo

Staff Reporter

Trading at Moulvibazar, country's largest wholesale market, came to a halt yesterday as the businessmen enforced a daylong strike in the old part of the city in protest against an attack on them by miscreants.

Abdur Razzak, President of Moulvibazar Traders' Association, told the New Nation that the businessmen of Moulvibazar, Begum Bazar and part of Chawkbazar went on strike as seven of their colleagues were injured by miscreants at Keraniganj Thursday.

He said miscreants hired by two brothers-Alamgir Hossain and Abdur Rahman-of Keraniganj attacked businessmen during an arbitration called at Keraniganj for realising dues amounting to Tk 2.50 crore.

Alamgir and Abdur Rahman bought goods worth Tk 2.50 crore from different business houses on credit earlier.

As they delayed repayment of the dues, the businessmen arranged arbitration at

Keraniganj to realise the money when the attack took place near the residence of Alamgir.

During the strike, the businessmen downed the shutters of some 5,000 shops, took out procession and held a rally at Moulvibazar road crossing where the speakers demanded the arrest and "exemplary punishment of the culprits" and payment of their dues.

Abdur Razzak said police arrested four persons in connection with the attack and assured the businessmen of taking "necessary steps" for fulfilling their demand.

Embezzlement of relief goods at Sidr-hit areas alleged

Police breaking Sidr-affected people's human chain
in front of National Press Club yesterday Focus Bangla
Police breaking Sidr-affected people's human chain in front
of National Press Club yesterday Focus Bangla

Staff Reporter

Police dispersed a human chain formed on behalf of SIDR affected people in front of the National Press Club marking the first anniversary of the super cyclone yesterday.

They alleged that the local administration, UP members and the chairmen were involved in a competition to embezzle the relief-goods sent by the donors from home and abroad.

They told the media that these unscrupulous people not only deprived the poor from their share of relief-goods, they also forced these poor people to purchase the donated items from them.

They claimed the administrators, UP members and chairmen took the last penny of Saudi allocation for house building deceiving these hapless people.

Around 70 people gathered together to draw the attention of the government to their plight.

TAC activities to remain stopped: Justice Khan

UNB, Dhaka

Truth and Accountability Commission chairman Justice Habibur Rahman Khan yesterday said the activities of his Commission would remain stopped following Thursday's High Court order declaring it illegal.

"As per the judgment, the Commission's activities will have to remain stopped," he told UNB over phone.

Asked if he and other members would attend office today(Sunday) Justice Khan said, "It hasn't been decided yet. After evening, I'll sit with two other members to decide whether we'll go today or at all we'll go there."

"There is much possibility of not going to office tomorrow," he said, adding, "Even if we go we'll definitely not work."

About the deadline for filing clemency application which expires tomorrow, the Tac chairman said, "That doesn't stand anymore."

Asked if anyone comes to apply for clemency, he said no application would be accepted.

Replying to a question, Justice Khan said the office of the

Commission would remain open tomorrow and other staff would attend office. "An office can't remain closed like this."

He also said he did not yet see the judgment and there has been no communication with him in this regard. "Therefore, it's not possible for me to say in details."

Responding to a query, the former High Court judge said it is up to the government to decide if an appeal would be lodged against the verdict.

The three-member Tac was set up through an ordinance on August 3 when it's chairman Justice Khan and members Asif Ali and Maj Gen (retd) Manjur Rashid took office.

As of Wednesday (Nov 12), some 389 individuals have applied for clemency in return for their ill-gotten wealth. Of them, 20 have applied directly, 192 applications through the Anti-Corruption Commission, 167 through the National Coordination Committee on serious crime and corruption and 10 through courts.

Among 389 applicants, there are two politicians, 28 businessmen, 303 government servants, wives of 39 of them and 17 belonging to other professionals.

Since September 1, the hearing of 259 individuals has been completed and they have pledged to return Tk 27.79 crore.

An amount of Tk 14.46 crore has already been deposited with the government treasury by 154 individuals. Mercy certificates have been distributed among 65 individuals while another 40 are ready for distribution.

The tenure of the Truth and Accountability Commission expires on January 2, 2009.

Ensure sufficient opportunities for journalists: Prof. Faiz

BSS, Dhaka

Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Dr SMA Faiz yesterday said journalist community always plays an important role for welfare of the country and the nation.

He said responsibility of journalists to the country and society is very high, so it is the demand of time to ensure sufficient opportunities for them.

Prof Faiz was addressing the inaugural function of the two-day Biennial Council of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) as chief guest at Jatiya Press Club here.

President of BFUJ Mozzamel Haque presided over the function while organising secretary Modabber Hossain conducted.

BFUJ Secretary General Ruhul Amin Gazi gave a welcome address while President of Jatiya Press Club Shawkat Mahmud and General Secretary Kamal Uddin Sabuj, President of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Abdus Shahid, President of Rajshahi Union of Journalists ASM Kader, President of Khulna Metropolitan Union of Journalists Mohammad Anisuzzaman, Jessore Union of Journalists Mahidul Islam Mantu, President of Bogra Union of Journalists Mirza Selim Reza and General Secretary of Chittagong Metropolitan Union of Journalists Mohammad Shahnawaz, among other, addressed the function.

Describing the relation between mass media and university as part and parcel of society, Prof Faiz said practice of knowledge is being taken place in the universities in every time and mass media is playing a significant contribution to reach it to doorsteps of the people.

The election of executive committee of BFUJ-2008 will be held tomorrow. A total of 128 councillors will cast vote in the election.

Mozzamel Haque and Ruhul Amin Gazi are contesting for the post of president of the executive committee of BFUJ while MA Aziz and Munshi Abdul Mannan for the post of secretary general.

Later in the council session of the conference, reports of the secretary general and the treasurer were elaborately discussed. The session was presided over by eminent journalist Syed Mahmud Hasan.

BNP to observe Bhashani’s death anniversary

Staff Reporter

BNP has chalked out an elaborate programme to observer the thirty second death anniversary of Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani.

A meeting of the 'National Committee to Observe Death Anniversary of Moulana Bashani' was held at the party's central office at Naya Paltan in the city. Former minister Tariqul Islam presided over the meeting. Shamsuzzaman Dudu, member secretary of the committee presented detailed report on the anniversary programme of the late leader.

As per the programme a party delegation would leave Dhaka from party's central office at 7:00 am towards Tangail they would offer fateha and place flower wreaths at the mausoleum of Moulana Bhashani at 10:00 am and hold discussion at 11:00 on the same day.

A discussion meeting would be held at the auditorium of Engineers Institute in Dhaka on November 18.

BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain is expected to be the chief guest of the discussion.

The meeting was also attended, among others, by Begum Sarwari Rahman, NI Khan, Qazi Asaduzzaman, Kabir Murad, Rezabudollah Chowdhury, Moazzem Hossain Alal, Khandker Babul Chowdhury, Mahbubul Alam Tara, Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel, Shamol Hor, Shamsul Huq, Moniruzzaman Bulbul, Shafiul Bari Babu, Sultan Salauddin Tuku, MA Malek, Takdir Hossain, Md Jasim, Moulana Hafez Abdul Malek, Moulana Shah Md Nesarul Huq, Humayun Islam Khan, Helen Jerin Khan and Anwar Hossain.

Syllabus for SSC (vocational) curriculum revised

UNB, Dhaka

The government introduced a revised syllabus and regulation for SSC (vocational) curriculum to make it effective for students in the changed times, as the traditional education in this discipline "failed to fulfill nation's expectations".

As per government decision announced yesterday, the new syllabus will be effective from academic year 2009.

The decision was disclosed at a seminar on Revised Syllabus and Regulation of SSC (Vocational) Curriculum organized by Bangladesh Vocational Education Board at the LGED auditorium in the city.

Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman, who was present as chief guest at the function, explained the necessity of the change, which came at a time when the caretaker government is carrying on reforms in different sectors under an overhauling recipe.

Under the revised syllabus, there will 1000 marks (1100 with fourth subject) for class IX and X students of SSC (Vocational) instead of 1400 numbers.

Besides, a total of 31 trades have been included in the curriculum and some of the trades have been renamed in consistency with the subjects.

In his speech Dr Hossain Jillur said, "Although vocational education is very important in this country of huge population, it failed to fulfill expectations of the nation. So the government has taken initiative to make the syllabus and regulation time-worthy."

He added: "If skilled manpower could be groomed through education and training, the amount of foreign-exchange earnings will increase multifold."

The syllabi for Bengali, English, Mathematics, Religion and Social Science have been revised in the light of the syllabi of general education boards.

'Computer Application' has been incorporated as a compulsory subject in the curriculum of class IX and X while Elective Mathematics, Accounting, Commercial Geography and Agriculture Education as optional subjects.

In the practical part of Trade, Communicative English, Personality Development, Positive Outlook, Health Awareness, Security and Environment Awareness have been included for developing skills of the students.

Pulmonary disease major cause of death

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a seminar yesterday said the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the major causes of death across the world.

Terming it a major concern of health care, they said COPD is expected to rise to the third position as a cause of death and fifth position as the root of disability by the year 2020.

They also suggested taking proper measures for stemming the fast spreading disease across the world.

Their observation came at the scientific seminar on "Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)" marking the World COPD Day 2008 at National Asthma Centre (NAC) auditorium, NIDCH at Mohakhali in the city.

The seminar was jointly organised by National Institute of Chest Diseases and Hospital (NIDCH), Sanofi- Aventis and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lunge Disease.

AMM Nasir Uddin, secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was present as chief guest while Dr Duangvadee Sungkhobol, country representative of World Health Organisation (WHO) as special guest.

The speakers laid emphasis on the need for the intervention of pharmacological aspects and rehabilitative programmes to improve the situation.

They also said as per general clinical observation, the prognosis of COPD in the developing countries like Bangladesh is somewhat worse than that in the developed countries of Asia.

Low socio-economic condition, poor diet, environment pollution and childhood infections are not only responsible for the development of COPD but also for continued decline in lung function, disease complications and early morality. They said that in Bangladesh tobacco related smoking remains as the most important risk factor identified as the cause of COPD and chronic respiratory morbidity. The risk morbidity and morality from COPD in the next two decades in the country is directly attributed to the continued increase in tobacco smoking.

As per recent survey there are about 65 lakh COPD patients in the country. Of them 63 per cent are men and 73 per cent Syed AB Tahmeed, head of marketing, Sanofi-Aventis Bangladesh Ltd offered vote of thanks. Prof Md Mostafizur Rahman, Director, NIDCH presided over the seminar. Prof Md Ali Hossain, course coordinator, Department of Respiratory Medicine, NIDCH made welcome speech and Prof Md Rashidul Hassan, Department of Chest Medicine, NIDCH presented the keynote paper on "COPD in Bangladesh: Present scenario and future directions".

Prof Shafiqul Ahsan, Head of Department, Thoracic surgery, NIDCH, Dr Md Wahiduzzaman Bhuiyan, Head of Department, Radiology and Imaging, NIDCH and doctors and health professionals, among others, attended the seminar.

4 VIPs reply over violation of prison rule

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Four imprisoned VIP's have provided their replies over prison rule violations within the 24 hour time frame stipulated by the prison authorities.

Four VIP prisoners, Barristers Najmul Huda and Moudud Ahmed, Mirza Abbas and Wadud Bhuiyan were issued show-cause letters on Friday for violations of prison rules.

The four prisoners are faced with charges of taking in food from outside, meeting relatives on a regular basis, talking on mobile phones and having meetings with party workers and leaders.

Already, 28 prison guards have been suspended temporarily for giving unlawful facilities to VIP prisoners.

"If the accusations brought against them are proved then they will be deprived of all facilities,' said Major Shamsul Haider Siddiqui.

Meanwhile, of the four accused, Wadud Bhuiyan was returned to Dhaka Central Jail from Bangabandhu Medical University prison wing.

Hasina gets ID card

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Former prime minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina received her national identity card yesterday, said an aide.

Her private secretary Abul Kalam Azad told bdnews24.com Election Commission representatives handed over the ID card to Hasina at the latter's Sudha Sadan residence at 4:00pm.

Dhaka district Election Commission officer Faisal Quader said: "Anis Mahmud, a deputy director of voter list and National ID card project handed over the card."

Hasina was enrolled as a voter in June while still in the special jail. But BNP chairperson has so far declined to be enrolled.

Mir Soroar Morshed, deputy secretary to EC Secretariat, told bdnews24.com "BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has not been listed as a voter yet.

"To participate in the general election, she must be a voter before Nov 20 as per the announced schedule," he added.

US intelligence warns: Financial crisis may increase terror risk

AFP, Washington

US intelligence officials are concerned the current financial crisis could weaken pro-Western governments around the world and diminish the US government's ability to respond to new security threats, The Washington Post reported today.

Citing unnamed US government officials and private analysts, the newspaper said the economic downturn has increased the risk of a terrorist attack in the short term as radical groups look for new gaps in defenses.

Meanwhile, intelligence experts believe that a protracted crisis could threaten the very survival of friendly governments in Pakistan and the Middle East because Western nations will be forced to cut spending on defense, intelligence and foreign aid, the report said.

The paper said the crisis could also accelerate the shift to a more Asia- centric globe as China and other Asian nations gain more influence in international financial institutions.

Experts are particularly worried about Pakistan, which since September has seen its national currency devalued and its hard-currency reserves nearly wiped out, The Post said.

Analysts also worry about the impact of plummeting crude prices on oil- dependent nations such as Yemen, which has a large population of unemployed young people and a history of support for militant Islamic groups, the paper noted.

Election must be held on Dec 18: EC Shakhwat

UNB, Patuakhali

Election must be held as scheduled on December 18, Election Commissioner Brig Gen (rtd) Shakhwat Hosain told the prospective candidates of the political parties here yesterday.

"Many top echelons will hold the responsibility in the event of election is deferred on any plea," he said emphasizing that both parliamentary and upazila elections are to be completed in December.

The Election Commissioner asked the politicians to forget the dodgy past noting there shall be no chance of vote rigging this time. Anyone attempting to do the mischief will lose the candidature, he cautioned.

Khan Mosharraf Hossaibn of Awami League, Abdur Rashid Chunnu Mia of BNP, AKM Fakruddin Khan Rajee of Jamaat and Abdul Aziz of Gano Forum were among those took part in the open discussion in the afternoon at Darbar Hall of the district.

Earlier, the Election Commissioner had a meeting with officials involved in conduction the polls. He asked them to remain neutral in carrying out the responsibility.

Farmers demand land reform

Staff Reporter

Farmers at a seminar said land reform is a must for ensuring food security of the country.

They said this at a seminar on 'Food Security means Security for Farmer' at CLNB Hall Room at Shymoly in the city. The Bangladesh Alliance of Land Labour Association (BALLA), Bangladesh Landless Association (BLA), Bangladesh Farmer Federation (BFF) and Coalition of Local NGOs' Bangladesh (CLNB) jointly organised the event in observance of national agriculture day.

"The commercial agro production system in the country must be stopped. For this, the government should distribute land among small and marginal farmers," they said.

Seeds produced by multinational companies were disrupting crops production, they alleged.

Agro-based companies could be set up to create manpower generation in the sector, they further said. They welcomed the government declaration the day yesterday as a national agriculture day. BALLA President Abul Kalam Azad, BLA General Secretary Subal Sarkar, BFF Coordinator Jayed Iqbal Khan and CLNB Executive Chairman Syed Saidur Rahman addressed the seminar.

Falling edible, fuel oil prices a blessing: SEC Chairman

UNB, Dhaka

Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Faruq Ahmad Siddiqi yesterday said the falling prices of edible and fuel oils are blessings for Bangladesh economy.

"Now the government will have to borrow less and this will help increase the credit flow to the private sector," he said at a roundtable on global financial crisis and its impact on Bangladesh.

Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSC) organised the roundtable at Sonargaon Hotel with its senior vice president Saiful Islam in the chair. Prof MA Baqui Khalily presented the keynote paper.

The SEC chairman said Bangladesh cannot avoid the impacts of the global financial crisis in the long run as the consumption pattern of the developed countries would cool down. "The situation will be complex if the recession continues for 2 to 3 years," he said.

Referring to the recent slide in fuel oil prices, he said this will cast an immediate impact on Bangladesh, as the government has to pay a huge amount in subsidy for the sector.

But, Faruq Ahmad said the RMG sector might face a critical situation due to the ongoing recession. "But the hope is that Bangladesh exports mainly cheap RMG products."

He suggested the government to diversify manpower export, saying, "If the recession prolongs, it might affect the country's manpower export."

In his keynote paper, Prof MA Baqui Khalily said the SEC should re-formulate securitisation rules with appropriate governance structure, avoid principal-agency problem in credit rating, carefully monitor investment banks and must revisit the rules and regulations so that they do not lag behind in regulation.

He said global financial crisis is unlikely to affect Bangladesh financial sector, capital market and the overall economy in the short term. "This is not the issue of impact, but it's a lesson for the future."

Teachers’ work abstention JU remain paralysed

JU Correspondent

The academic and administrative activities of the Jahangirnagar University (JU) have been paralysed due to work abstention programme of the teachers of the university sparking huge dissatisfaction among the students.

Only a few classes were held yesterday with a very small number of students attending as the Teachers' Association continued its indefinite work abstention programme for the seventh consecutive day.

The indefinite strike was alled on November 8, demanding expulsion of the students accused of assaulting Drama and Dramatics Chairman Sanwar Hossain Sunni.

The university authorities issued show cause notices on 20 students, accused for the assault, seeking their reply for taking decision against them. The university authority will hold meeting on November 17 to take decision on the issue according to the investigation report and statement of the accused students, JU Proctor Mafruhi Sattar told reporters.

JUTA President Prof Ajit Kumar Majumdar said they would continue their work abstention programme until November 24, further programmes would be declared.

Thaksin divorces wife

AFP, Bangkok

Ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife of 32 years have divorced, his spokesman said yesterday.

Thai newspapers reported that the divorce was finalised at the Thai consulate in Hong Kong on Friday, but Thaksin's spokesman Phongthep Thepkanjana said he could not confirm details.

"I have had it confirmed by a credible person in his team that Thaksin and Pojaman have divorced. But I have no details," Phongthep told AFP.

There was no immediate comment from the Thai consulate.

Thaksin, 59, and Pojaman, 51, have been living in exile to avoid jail sentences in their homeland and last week had their British visas cancelled.

Thaksin was toppled in a military coup in 2006.

A source close to Thaksin's family in Thailand confirmed the report but said that it would be a "divorce on paper" for practical or economic reasons.

"Thaksin and his wife remain very close and they are even closer since their problems began in Thailand," the source told AFP on condition of anonymity.