The New Nation - Internet Edition

Khaleda’s ultimatum for joining polls: Meet 4 demands in 48 hours

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia addressing a press
briefing after 4-party meeting at her Gulshan office last
night. Banglar Chokh

Staff Reporter

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday announced preparedness of her party and the four-party alliance to take part in the parliamentary elections provided the government withdraws emergency and reschedules the polls within two days.

Briefing journalists after a meeting of the four-party alliance at her Gulshan office in the city, she also called for repeal of some "objectionable sections" including section 91(e) of the Representation of People Order (RPO) 1972 as amended this year, and shifting of the Upazila polls by keeping a gap of one month from the parliamentary elections.

Begum Zia said rescheduling of the elections was needed also to facilitate the casting of votes by hajis.

The four-party alliance leader said they were preparing for the elections with a view to freeing the people from the suffocating situation and anxieties even though the Election Commission (EC) did not yet have the complete preparation to hold the polls.

"We have completed all preparations to contest the elections despite having different uncertainties. We want to go for elections. We want freeing people from the suffocating situation and return them back to a democratic atmosphere," she said.

The immediate past prime minister sought support from all democratic political parties, professionals and patriotic citizens of the country.

Begum Zia, however, warned that the government and the EC have to bear all responsibilities if the four-point demands were not met and the elections foiled.

"We are considering our other demands as we want to take part in the polls," she said hoping that the government would show its willingness for the sake of creating a congenial atmosphere for the polls.

The four-party leader alleged that the government and the EC are yet to complete their preparation, the candidates and the voters are yet to know their positions under the delimitated parliamentary constituencies.

"Announcement of elections schedules under such a situation is nothing but deception with the nation," she said.

Khaleda Zia explained that the countrymen are waiting not only for changing the election date but they were waiting for two years for a free, fair acceptable elections and that expectation could not be foiled.

Referring to the initiative of her party in establishing parliamentary democratic system and rebuilding the country along the path of development, the BNP Chairperson said they want to inspire country's people in the same spirit.

She expected that a free, fair and competitive elections would be held in a festive mood rather than holding one for name sake.

Khaleda Zia strongly criticised the role of the EC people for their negligence in taking preparation for the polls.

"The Commission itself has created different obstacles by not carrying out their main task and talking too much. At the last moment they are trying to hold a name sake election in a hurry," she alleged.

The BNP Chairperson mentioned that though the EC has announced the schedules but voters list is yet to reach its respective constituencies, registration process just has been completed and two partners of the four-party alliance are yet to get their registration.

She also criticised the government for not implementing their seven-point demands.

Terming the prevailing situation transitional, Begum Zia observed that such a situation would not have arisen, if the government had taken initiatives to create a congenial atmosphere for the polls

She extended thanks to the members of the armed forces to their assistance in preparing the voters list with photographs.

The four-party alliance meeting was attended, among others, by Khondoker Delwar Hossian, M Saifur Rahman, Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, RA Ghani, Abdul Matin Chowdhury, M Shamsul Islam and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed.

Earlier, Begum Zia held a meeting with the party leaders.

AL names candidates for JS polls

Jubilation of Awami League ticket holders and their
supporters in front of Sudha Sadan at Dhanmondi in the city
yesterday. Focus Bangla

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Awami League yesterday distributed nomination letters among the candidates it has selected to contest the Jatiya Sangsad elections on its tickets.

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina handed over the letters to the candidates at her Sudha Sadan residence after short interviews of each.

A total of 200 candidates received nomination papers yesterday. The distribution was continuing till filing this report at 10-30 pm yesterday.

The party is expected to finalize its list of candidates today after accommodating the candidates of its allies in the 14-party and other partners in the grand alliance. Those who obtained Awami League's nomination are:

Dhaka Division

Tangail- 1 Dr Abdur Razzaq, Tangail- 2 Khandakar Asaduzzaman, Tangail-3 Prof Matiur Rahman, Tangail-4 Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Tangail-6 Ahsanul Islam Titu, Tangail-7 Ekabbor Hossain and Tangail-8 Shawkat Momen Shajahan.

Jamalpur-1 Abul Kalam Azad, Jamalpur-2 Fazlul Haq Khan Dulal, Jamalpur-3 Mirza Azam and Jamalpur-4 Murad Talukder, Jamalpur-5 Rezaul Karim Hira.

Sherpur-1 Atiur Rahman Atik, Sherpur-2 Matia Chowdhury and Sherpur-3 Engineer Fazlul Haque.

Mymensingh-1 Pramod Mankin, Mymensingh-3 Majibur Rahman Fakir, Mymensingh-4 Principal Matiur Rahman, Mymensingh-5 KM Khaleque, Mymensingh-6 Mohammad Moslem Uddin, Mymensingh-8 Abdus Sattar, Mymensingh-9 Maj Gen (retd) Abdus Salam and Mymensingh-11 Dr M Amanullah.

Netrokona-1 Jalal Uddin Talukder, Netrokona-2 Captain (Red) Noor, Netrokona-3 Monjur Kader Koraishee, Netrokona-4 Rabeka Momen and Netrakona-5 Jalaluddin Talukder.

Kishoreganj-1 Syed Ashraful Islam, Kishoreganj-2 Prof MA Mannan, Kishoreganj-4 Adv Abdul Hamid and Kishorganj-6 Zillur Rahman.

Manikganj-2 Dewan Shafiul Arafin Tutul and Manikganj-3 Jahid Malek Swapon, Munshiganj-1 Sukumar Ranjon Gosh, Munshiganj-2 Sagupta Yasmin Emili and Munshiganj-3 Idris Ali.

Dhaka- 1 Adv Abdul Mannan Khan, Dhaka-4 Adv Sanjida Khatun, Dhaka-5 Habibur Rahman Mollah, Dhaka-6 Dipu Khan, Dhaka-10 Rahamatullah, Dhaka-12 Barrister Fazley Noor Taposh and Dhaka-13 Kamal Ahmed Mojumder and Dhaka-18 Shahara Khatun.

Gazipur-2 Jahid Ahsan Russel, Gazipur-3 Advocate Rahmat Ali, and Gazipur-4 Tanjim Ahmed Sohel Taj and Gaziupur-5 Aktaruzzaman (Held Up), Narsingdi-4 Nurul Majid Humayun and Narsingdi-5 Raziuddin Ahmed Raju.

Narayanganj-1 Gazi Golam Dastgir, Narayanganj-2 Nazrul Islam Babu and Narayanganj-4 Kabori Sarwar and Narayanganj-5 SM Akram. Narsingdi 2 Anwarul Ashraf Khan, Narsingdi-3 Zohurul Huq Mohon

Rajbari-1 Kazi Keramat Ali and Rajbari-2 Zillul Hakim. Faridpur-1 Abdur Rahman/ Kazi Seraj (Held Up), Faridpur-2 Sajeda Chowdhury, Faridpur-3 Khandker Mosharraf Hossain and Faridpur-4 Mis Zafarullah.

Gopalganj-1 Col (retd) Faruk Khan, Gopalganj-2 Sheik Fazlul Karim Selim and Gopalganj-3 Sheikh Hasina.

Madaripur-1 Nur-a-Alam Chowdhury Liton, Madaripur-2 Shajahan Khan and Madaripur-3 Syed Abul Hossain, Shariatpur-1 BM Mojammael Huque, Shariatpur-2 Col (retd) Shawkat Ali and Shariatpur-3 Abdur Razzak.

Khulna Division

Meherpur-1 Zainal Abedin and Meherpur-2 Maqubul Hosain, Kushtia-1 Afazuddin Ahmed, Kushtia-2 Mahabubul Alam Hanif, and Kushtia-3 Rashiduzzaman Dudu and Khushtia-4 Sultana Begum.

Chuadanga-1 Solaiman Haque Joarder Salun, Jhenidah-1 Abdul Hai, Jhenaidah-2 Shafiqul Islam Opu and Jhenidah-4 Mohammad Abdul Mannan.

Jessore-1 Sheikh Afil Uddin, Jessore-2 Mostofa Faruque, Jessore-3 Khaledur Rahman Tito, Jessore-4/6 Principal Abdul Wahab, Jessore-5 Khan Tipu Sultan. Magura-1 Prof M H Akbar and Magura-2 Biren Sikder and Narail- 1 Advocate Subhas Chandra Ghosh, Narail-2 Brig Gen (Retd) Abu Bakar.

Bagerhat-1 Sheikh Hasina and Bagerhat-4 Dr Mozammel Hossain, Khulna-1 Nani Gopal Mandol, Khulna-2 MIzanur Rahman Mizan, Khulna-3 Quazi Sikandar Ali Dalim, Khulna-4 MOllah Jalal Uddin, Khulna-5 Narayan Chandra Chanda and Khulna-6 Nurul Hqu.

Satkhira-1 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Satkhira-4 Prof Ruhul Haque.

Jhalkathi-1 BS Harun. Perojpur-1 AKM Abdul Awal.

Rajshahi Division

Panchagarh-1 Mirza Golam Earfan Babu and Panchagarh-2 Nurul Islam Sujon. Thakurgaon-1 Romesh Chandra Sen and Thakurgaon-2-Mohammad Dabirul Islam. Dinajpur-1 Monoranjan Sheel Gopal, Dinajpur-2 Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury/ Shatish Chandra Roy, Dinajpur-3 Iqbalur Rahim, Dinajpur-4 Mahmudul Islam/ Mizanur Rahman Manu, Dinajpur-5 Advocate Mustafizur Rahman Fizar.

Nilphamari - Hamida Banu Shova, Nilphamari-2 Asaduzzaman Noor, Nilphamari-4 Maruf Saklien, Lalmonirhat-1 Motahar Hossain, Lalmonirhat-3 Abu Sayeed Dulal,

Rangpur-4 Tipu Munshi, Rangpur-5 HN Ashiqur Rahman, Rangpur-6 Sheikh Hasina.

Kurigram 2- Maj Amsa Amin / Jafor Ali, Kurigram- 3 Principal Nasima Banu, Gaibandha-1 Mis Khaza, Gaibandha-2 Mahbub Ara Gini, Gaibanda-4 Monowar Hossain Chowdhury, and Gaibandha-5 Advocate Fazle Rabbi. Bogra-1 Abdul Mannan, Bogra-2 Mahmudur Rahman Manna 9Held Up), Bogra-3 Gen Golam Mowla, Bogra-6 Momtaz Uddin, and Bogra-7 Dr Mostofa Alam Nannu.

Pabna-5 Golam Faruk Khondker Prince Chapainawabganj-1 Brig Gen (retd) Mohammad Enamul Haque, Chapainawabganj-2 Mohammad Ziaur Rahman and Chapainawabganj-3 Prof Wadud Bishwas, Naogaon-1 Sadhan Majumder, Naogaon-2 Shahiduz-zaman Sarker and Naogaon-3 Akram Hossain Chowdhury, Naogaon-5 Abdul Jalil.

Rajshahi-1 Omar Faruk Chowdhury, Rajshahi-2 Prof Abdul Khaleque, Rajshahi-3 Maraj Uddin Mollah, Rajshahi-4 Sarder Amzad Hossain/ Eng Enamul Houqe, and Rajshahi-5 Abdul Wadud Tara, Rajshahi-6 Shahrier Alam,

Natore -1 Shefali Momotaz,

Natore-4 Prof Abdul Quddus.

Sirajganj-1 Tanvir Shakil Joy, Sirajganj-2 Jannat Ara Henley, Pabna-1 Prof Abu Sayeed (Held Up), Pabna-2 AK Khandaker (Proposed), and Pabna-4 Shamsur Rahman Sharif.

Barisal Division

Barguna-1 Direndra Debnath Shambhu, Patuakhali-1 Shahajan Mia, Patuakhali-2 ASM Firoz, Patuakhali-3 AKM Jahangir Hossain (Held Up) and Patuakhali-4 Mahbubur Rahman

Bhola-4 Abdullah Al Islam Jackob, Jhalakathi-1 BH Haroon and Jhalakathi-2 Amir Hossain Amu.

Sylhet Division

Sunamganj-2 Suranjit Sengupta and Sunamganj-3 MA Mannan. Sylhet-1 Abul Mal Abdul Muhit, Sylhet-3 Mahamudur Samad Koyes Chowdhury, Sylhet-4 Emran Ahmed, Sylhet-5 Hafiz Ahmed Majumder and Sylhet-6 Nurul Islam Nahid.

Maulabhibazar-2 Sultan Mohammad Mansur Ahmed (Held Up) and Maulabhibazar-4 Abdus Shaheed. Habiganj-1 Dewan Farid Gazi, Habiganj-2 Nazmul Hasan Jahid and Habiganj-4 Enamul Haque Mostafa Shaheed.

Chittagong Division

Brahmanbaria-1 Sayedul Haq, Brahmanbaria -3 Lutfor Hye Sacchu,

Brahmanbaria-4 Alhaj Shah Alam and Brahmanbaria-5 captain (Retd) Tazul Islam.

Comilla-1 Subid Ali Bhuyan, Comilla-3 Jahangir Alam Sarkar,

Comilla-4 Golam Mostafa, Comilla-5 Abdul Matin Khasru, Comilla-7 Prof Ali Ashraf, Comilla-9 ANH Mostafa Kamal Lotus, Comilla-10 Mohammad Tazul Islam and Comilla-11 Jainal Abadin.

Chandpur-1 Mahiuddin Khan Alamgir, Chandpur-2 Ruhul Huque, Chandpur-3 Dr Dipu Moni, Chandpur-4 Shamsul Haq Bhuiyan and Chandpur-5 Maj Rafiqual Islam.

Feni-1 Faiz Ahmed, Feni-2 Iqubal Sobhan Chowdhury, and Feni-3 Abul Basher. Noakhali-1 Golam Quddus, Noakhali -3 Mamunur Rashid,

Noakhali-4 Ekramul Karim Chowdhury and Noakhali-5 Obaidul Quader.

Laxmipur-2 Harun-or-Rashid Laksmipur-3 Mohammed Abul Hashem, and Laxmipur-4 Abdur Rob Chowdhury.

Chittagong-1 Engineer Mosharaf Hossain, Chittagong-3 ABM Abul Kashem Master, Chittagong-4 MA Salam, Chittagong-5 ABM Fazley Karim CHowdhury, Chittagong-6 Dr Hasan Mahmud, Chittagong-7 Abdul Salam, Chittagong-12 Aktaruzzaman Chowdhury, Chittagong-13 Engineer Afsar Uddin Ahmed and Chittagong-15 Sultanul Kabir Chowdhury.

Cox's Bazar-1 Salauddin Ahmed CIP, Cox's Bazar-2 Dr Ansarul Karim, Cox's Bazar-3 Mostaq Ahmed Chowdhury and Cox's Bazar-4 Abdur Rahman Badi.

Khagrachhari-Rangamati (299) Dipankar Talukder and Bandarban-Bir Bahadur.

Canadian HC

calls on Hasina

Of leaders and nomination

Hasanuzzaman Khan

Horse-trading was put on hold in the post-one eleven political scenario in the country. It has not been revived with the resurrection of the political process leading to election. But Sheikh Hasina, the leader of the biggest political party in the country has taken cognisance of the post-one eleven conduct of the party candidates seeking nomination to the Jatiya Sangsad polls.

Nominations of some of the top ranking party leaders were reportedly withheld for their alleged reformist role which they had purportedly undertaken to democratise the party or to free the party from its one-man or one-woman domination. Some of the reformist leaders- Tofail Ahmed, Abdur Razzak and Suranjit-held press conferences outlining their political reform programme to which the party supremo Sheikh Hasina took umbrage while she was in jail. Later their nomination papers were kept valid for only one seat each. However, her unhappiness with the senior leaders is evident by the changed environment in Sudha Sadan where junior and emerging leaders are more visible now on important occasions. The senior leaders are conspicuous by their absence or they were kept at bay.

The leaders who contested from more than one Jatiya Sangsad seat in the past like Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sen Gupta, Amir Hossain Amu, Abdul Jalil have now been debarred from doing that by a decision taken at a party meeting. The leaders who had a tradition to contest JS polls from more than one seat will not have that privilege anymore. In the parliamentary board meeting the above leaders felt humiliated following outright rejection of Sheikh Hasina who on one occasion said, she can forgive them but won't forget their post 1/11 divisive activities leading the party to two separate streams. The politicians who remained loyal to her party line are certain to be rewarded after being placed in the nomination list of the future MPs. Matiya Chowdhury, the Hasina loyalist, has already been assured of a berth in the future Awami League government.

The senior Awami League leaders who acted like non-stop interview machine before the 1/11 changeover have now become media-shy all on a sudden. Amir Hossain Amu and Suranjit Sen Gupta who went to London to appease the party leader Sheikh Hasina failed to have her audience. It was reported in the media that the chances of Asaduzzaman Noor, the AL Publicity Secretary, securing party nomination from a Rangpur seat, the citadel of Ershad, was not bright. It seems that he has become a victim of media blitz. ALPB in its last-minute deliberation has accommodated him in a Rangpur seat.

The senior party nomination seekers who were in the beeline but got the axe and have their application for nomination withheld are Mukul Bose of Gopalganj, Sutan Mansur of Sylhet, Jahangir Hossain of Patuakhali, Abdur Rahman of Faridpur, Akhtaruzaman of Gazipur, Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin of Lalbagh, Dhaka and Abu Sayed of Pabna. They are all senior Awami League leaders,some of them having rank of party organizing secretary but are not in the good grace of party chief Sheikh Hasina now.

The second segment of Awami League leaders were getting prominence as a sizeable section of senior leaders were sidelined.

Abdul Jalil and Obaidul Kader, just released from jail, were barred from playing the role that they were assigned to perform due to their position in the party hierarchy. Saber Hossain Chowdhury, one time confidante of Sheikh Hasina was also not sure of getting party nomination for the traditional Dhaka seat (Sabujbagh).

The electoral adjustment of Awami League with Ershad-led Jatiya Party and Oli Ahmed-led LDP has become complex and given rise to controversy within the 14 party alliance. The Awami League is still silent on Ershad's claim that he has been offered presidency with a duration of six months if Awami League-led alliance is voted to power. Ershad claims that Rangpur is the bastion of his power.

But the prospect of upcoming December 18 polls remains under a smokescreen. In a hurriedly called press conference at the CA's office the Advisor of the Caretaker Government, Hossain Zillur Rahman said the Government was firm to hold the next parliamentary polls on schedule. His body language did not indicate the same.

Import of MS rod: Re-rolling millers for re-imposing of VAT, duties

Staff Reporter

Ship breakers, steel and re-rolling millers at a press conference demanded of the government to increase value added tax (VAT) and import duty of MS rod and other steel products to protect indigenous steel and re-rolling manufacturers from the impact of global economic recession.

Bangladesh Re-rolling Mills Association (BRMA), Bangla-desh Steel Mill Owners Association (BSMOA) and Bangladesh Ship Breakers Association (BSBA) jointly organised the conference at the Jatiya Press Club yesterday. Addressing the conference, leaders of the three groups said that if the government fails to take appropriate measures, local steel and re-rolling mills will collapse rendering about 10 lakh workers unemployed.

"We used to import melting scrap at a price of about US$ 700 per tonne in July-August. Now, the price fallen to US$ 300 per tonne. But we have to sell our products with a loss of Tk 25,000 per tonne as the products were made of previously imported high-priced raw materials," said Sheikh Masudul Alam Masud, BRMA secretary.

"The Indian government has recently withdrawn export duty on their steel products that created a scope for Indian MS rod to come in Bangladesh. If Indian products are allowed to come in then our 100 steel mills and 300 re-rolling mills having an investment of Tk 5000 crore will collapse," he said.

The business leaders also urged the government to reduce tax on the chemicals used in steel and re-rolling mills and to withdraw the pre-shipment inspection (PSI) system to reduce the import cost.

BSMOA president Fazlur Rahman Bakul and secretary Shekh Basir Ullah

and BSBA vice president Mohammad Mohsin, among others, were present at the press conference.

BSF regrets killing three Bangladeshis

UNB, Panchagarh

The Indian Border Security Force yesterday sought apologies for Sunday's killing of Bangladeshi civilians by an intruding BSF man at a frontier village in Tentulia upazila and assured legal actions against the runaway soldier.

BSF Kishanganj DIG Dr SK Mohanchandra, at a high-level flag meeting between BDR and BSF today, also assured of taking legal actions after proper investigation and stopping recurrence of such outrageous incident.The sector commander-level meeting was held near No-435 main pillar on Majhipara border in Tentulia upazila yesterday afternoon.

On the other hand, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) agreed to set free and return the detained BSF member who ran amok and gunned down the three people on Sunday night.

Sector-Commander Aftabul Islam led the Bangladesh side while DIG Dr SK Mohanchandra the Indian team at the flag meeting. BDR 25 Rifles Battalion Commander Major Sheikh Farid, Adjutant Captain Hasib and five BSF members also attended the talks.

After the meeting, both BDR and BSF teams visited the scene, saw the dead bodies and their haunted houses. They talked to the newsmen in a press briefing.

Replying to a query, the BFS DIG told the newsmen that the BDR headquarters would be informed later on about compensations for the families of the victims.

Commander Major Sheikh Farid, terming the meeting fruitful, said, "It' s a great achievement for us that BSF authority saw the spot of the gruesome killings inside Bangladesh and sought apologies in front of journalists and the public."

Later, police recovered the bodies and sent to morgue for autopsy.

A BSF man crossed Majhipara border into Bangladesh and opened fire indiscriminately, killing three people, including a baby boy, and injuring another at Moynakuri village at about 10:30pm on Sunday.

After the incident, villagers caught the BSF man, RP Singh, and handed him over to BDR after giving a good beating.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the killings. A Foreign Ministry spokesman, about the reported killing of several Bangladeshi nationals by BSF on Sunday, "strongly condemned" the incident and said that relevant authorities would carry out an inquiry.

"Such incidents militate against good neighbourly relations, and must not recur," he said.

Bangladesh Rifles issued a press release yesterday strongly denouncing Sunday night's killings.

UNB Panchagarh correspondent also said BDR troops have been put on 'red alert' along the border in Tentulia upazila following Sunday's killings by the Indian stray border guard.

Sources said the BDR beefed up vigilance on the frontier reinforcing its troops to patrol the area, gripped by tensions.

Radiation detection equipment to be installed at Ctg Port

Staff Reporter

The United States National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its Bangladesh's partner, the Ministry of Shipping and other government agencies to install radiation detection equipment and associated infrastructure at the Chittagong Port, according to a press release issued yesterday.

It said the NNSA would also provide training to Bangla-deshi officials on the use of equipment.

The Chittagong Port is a major cargo container hub in South Asia and a strategic transit point in the international maritime trading system. The United States is the largest destination of exports from Bangladesh.

"Considering Bangladesh's strategic South Asian location, this agreement is a major step forward in preventing nuclear materials from being smuggled through maritime cargo container traffic," said NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation William Tobey. "NNSA appreciates Bangladesh's willingness to cooperate with us in this critical mission and we look forward to continuing our joint efforts," he added.

The work is part of the Megaports Initiative, a program under the NNSA's Second Line of Defense Program, which aims to strengthen the capability of foreign governments to deter, detect, and interdict illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials across international borders and through the global maritime shipping system.

The Megaports Initiative provides radiation detection equipment, training, and technical support to key international seaports to scan cargo containers for nuclear and other radioactive materials.

Around the world, the Megaports Initiative is currently operational in 19 ports and work is underway at over 20 additional ports in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a separately organized agency within the US Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science.

It maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the US Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the United States and abroad, the press release said.

Renewable energy can ease power crisis

Staff Reporter

Renewable energy can play a vital role to face the power crisis in the South Asian region, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of Energy, Power and Mineral Resources Prof M Tamim said.

He was addressing as chief guest in the inaugural function of a 3-day workshop on efficient energy management and renewable energy that began at the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel yesterday.

Secretary of Power Division Dr M Fouzul Kabir Khan and Assistant Country Director of UNDP Shireen Kamal Sayeed were present as special guests in the workshop. USAID Mission Director Denise Rollins presented the keynote paper on the opening day of the workshop which has been jointly organised by the USAID and UNDP. "The Power Ministry has been making preparations to place the renewable energy policy before the cabinet division for approval," Dr Tamim said.

He praised the USAID activities t in this sector.

He said that women in South Asian region can play an effective role in energy management.

"This workshop provides opportunities for policy makers, energy experts, women, media to share knowledge and experience in the countries of South Asia on efficient energy management, energy conservation, renewable energy technologies and gender role in the sector," Mercy Thomas of USAID said adding, "The main goal of the workshop is to make a framework how to provide low cost energy to the rural people."

Former Chairman of BREA Muhammed Zamir, S Padmanaban, Regional Programme Director of SARI/Energy, USAID in India, Ekta Bhardwaj of the PA Consulting, addressed, among other.

Women professionals working in the energy sector particularly in renewable energy, energy conservation and efficient energy management from Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives, Afghanistan and host Bangladesh are participating in the workshop.

The South Asia Women in Energy (SAWIE) as a separate activity of USAID, SARI-Energy was launched in India in April this year with the aim in promoting women in renewable energy, energy conservation and efficient energy management and support the poor women in South Asia to reduce their drudgery, improve their health, empower them both economically and socially, and thus to make a difference in their lives.

Incumbent mayors barred from contesting JS polls

BSS, Dhaka

The Election Commission (EC) imposed bar on the incumbent mayors of city corporations and municipalities to contest in the upcoming parliamentary polls retaining their present posts.

The decision was taken in line with the Representation of the People's Order (RPO), EC officials said on Monday.

The Commission at meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda in the chair took the decision after a long discussion on opinion of legal experts on 'office of profit' in the RPO.

Terming the posts of mayors as 'office of profit', the EC said, according to the RPO, a person is not qualified for election as a member of parliament, if he holds an 'office of profit' in the service of the republic or a statutory body.

The Commission decided to ask the Returning Offices to reject the nomination papers during scrutiny of nomination papers if any mayor of city and municipality submit nomination papers retaining their post.

The mayors, however, may contest in the polls after tendering their resignation from the posts, the Commission decided.

The EC's legal expert, earlier, opined that that mayors are not qualified to compete in the national election since they enjoy financial and other benefits from statutory authorities like city corporations and municipalities.

The issue came up following reports that mayors of Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna are preparing to contest in the next parliamentary polls slashed for December 18.

The EC officials said, as per rules in the Local Government (Upazila Parishad) Ordinance 2008, a person shall not be allowed to contest in the election to Upazila Parishad if he holds office in a local government organisation or parliament.

The incumbent mayors and chairmen can only contest in the upazila polls if they step down from their existing posts before filing nominations.

Massive hunt for JMB outlaws: 1000 grenades can be produced from recovered explosives

Mamunur Rashid

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has launched a drive for five high-ranking leaders of the outlawed Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), according to the anti-militant cell.

The drive aims at hunting the new Ameer of the banned JMB, Saidur Rahman, the militant IT chief Sayem and three other leaders, Shahid, Ibrahim and Mustaq.

RAB source said the recently recovered ammunition could produce at least 1,000 hand grenades more powerful than Arges. RAB recovered 150 empty grenade shells and huge quantity of militant booklets printed in the country.

Mohmmad Hanif alias Kalam, a top-ranking leader of JMB, arrested recently, is a close associate of Saidur Rahman, sources said.

On a tip off, the RAB raided a house at Kalshi in Mirpur at dawn on Saturday and arrested Mohmmad Hanif alias Kalam, while he was at a meeting with the five top-ranking leaders of the JMB. Sensing the presence of the RAB forces, the others fled the house. Kalam confessed to the RAB that Saidur Rahman was in the house during the raid but escaped arrest.

Early in the morning on Sunday RAB-10 raided the house of IT chief of JMB Sayem on the backside of United Petrol Pump at Shanir Akhra under Jatrabari Police Station in the city and recovered the huge cache of explosives and militant booklets. However, RAB was unable to arrest him.

The militant activists established dens in most of the low-lying areas and crowded places in the Mirpur, Jatarabari, Manda, Shanir Akhra, Jawabazar and the old part of the city. They use mobile phones to communicate with their network all over the country, sources said.

The militant JMB allegedly have strong links with an influential political party and their source of income was donation from its members, the RAB learnt.

The JMB was trying to regroup, armed with country-made weapons and establish strongholds in the city to take revenge of the execution of JMB kingpins Abdur Rahman, Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai and four others in March 2007, sources added.

Director of RAB-10 SM Kamal Hossain told the New Nation, "We are trying to nab all militant cadres so that they cannot function in future." He also urged the citizens to keep an eye on their neighbourhood and inform the law enforcement agencies if they find anything unusual.

Police-RMG workers clash leaves 50 injured in Savar

UNB, Savar

At least 50 garments workers, including a manager, were injured in a clash between workers of a factory and police at Hrishipara of Hemayetput here yesterday morning.

Police said agitated garments workers of Abani Knitwear Textile Mills staged a rowdy demonstration on Dhaka-Aricha highway and damaged 20/22 vehicles, including private cars, trucks and buses.

Local sources said the workers and factory manager Abul Bashar locked into an altercation over poor quality food items supplied to the workers.

At one stage, the workers beat up the manager that agitated other management officials, triggering a clash at about 8:30 am.

On information, police rushed to the scene and charged batons on the workers to disperse them, leaving 50 people injured. The workers pelted brickbats on the law enforcers, witnesses said.

Later, the workers took to the street and staged demonstration on the Dhaka-Aricha highway, smashing vehicles.

Rapid Action Battalion and police forces brought the situation under control, police claimed.