The New Nation - Internet Edition

CA inaugurates celebration of 400 years of Dhaka as capital: Take effective steps to make Dhaka a modern city

Elephants being displayed marking the celebration of
400 years of Dhaka as capital in front of the Jatiya Sangsad
Bhaban at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar yesterday where law-making
which was its usual business was absent for last two years.
Focus Bangla

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday called upon all concerned to take effective steps to make the capital Dhaka a bustling, habitable and modern city.

The Chief Adviser made the call while inaugurating a three-year gala celebrations of 400 anniversary of the capital Dhaka at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban here yesterday afternoon.

He said Dhaka city is the central point of the country's almost all activities including politics, economy, administration, trade and business as well as education and culture.

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said after 400 years, Dhaka has now established as a vibrant and illuminated city crossing many ups and downs.

He said the history of once Bangla then East Bengal and thereafter today's Bangladesh was basically encircled keeping Dhaka as its centre.

Mentioning Dhaka as the witness of many historical events, the Chief Adviser said Dhaka city and its people are the architects of many splendid creations including the Revolution in 1857, Language Movement, Mass Upsurge, surrendering of Pakistani occupation forces and Democratic Movement of 1990.

The Chief Adviser called upon the city corporation mayor, ward commissioners, city planners, utility service departments, civil society and conscious city dwellers to take steps to protect all surrounding rivers to save the capital city Dhaka.

He also advised all concerned including the archeological department to take meaningful initiatives for proper preservation of the historic establishments and other archeological sites including Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil and Baro Katara.

LGRD Adviser Mohammad Anwarul Iqbal also spoke on the occasion as special guest with Cultural Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury in the chair. Cultural Affairs Secretary Md. Sharful Alam gave address of welcome.

Earlier, the three-year colourful programmes have started with the release of pigeons and balloons.

A cheerful gathering of people from all walks of lives including old Dhaka city dwellers, students, senior citizens started converging at the South Plaza in the afternoon to attend the programme.

Advisers, special assistants to the Chief Adviser and high civil and military officials were present.

Later, the Chief Adviser released a commemorative stamp of Taka six denominations marking the 400th anniversary of Dhaka as capital.

The inaugural function was followed by a colourful cultural show depicting the tradition and heritage of the capital Dhaka and its people.

UK shadow minister arrested over home ministry leaks

Damian Green

BBC Online

Conservative immigration spokesman Damian Green has been arrested and released on bail in connection with a series of leaks from the Home Office.

Police say Green was held on suspicion of "conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office".

The MP denied any wrongdoing and said "opposition politicians have a duty to hold the government to account" and that he would "continue to do so".

He was questioned, but has not been charged and was bailed until February.

Green's arrest is believed to be connected to the arrest of a man suspected of being a Home Office whistleblower.

Speaking outside the House of Commons, Green said: "I was astonished to have spent more than nine hours yesterday under arrest for doing my job.

"I emphatically deny I have done anything wrong. I have many times made public information that the government wanted to keep secret - information that the public has a right to know.

"In a democracy, opposition politicians have a duty to hold the government to account.

"I was elected to the House of Commons precisely to do that and I certainly intend to continue doing so."

The BBC understands that a junior Home Office official was suspended from duty 10 days ago over a number of leaks and the matter was referred to police. He was arrested but not charged.

It follows a series of leaks, including:

The November 2007 revelation that the home secretary knew the Security Industry Authority had granted licences to 5,000 illegal workers, but decided not to publicise it.

The February 2008 news that an illegal immigrant had been employed as a cleaner in the House of Commons.

A whips' list of potential Labour rebels in the vote on plans to increase the pre-charge terror detention limit to 42 days.

A letter from the home secretary warning that a recession could lead to a rise in crime.

The BBC understands Tory leader David Cameron is angry about what has happened and stands by Green.

Speaking on BBC One's Question Time, shadow chancellor George Osborne said: "I think it's absolutely extraordinary that the police have taken that decision.

"It has long been the case in our democracy that MPs have received information from civil servants - I think to hide information from the public is wrong.

"It is early days, it's an extraordinary case. I think there are going to be some very, very big questions asked of the police."

A spokesman for the Conservative Party said Green had "on a number of occasions, legitimately revealed information which the Home Office chose not to make public.

"Disclosure of this information was manifestly in the public interest.

"Green denies any wrongdoing and stands by his actions."

Conservative sources said a police investigation into a high-ranking politician would have to have been cleared at "the very top" and have described the actions as "Stalinesque".

But a Downing Street spokesman said: "This is a matter for the police. The prime minister had no prior knowledge of the arrest of Green and was only informed after the event."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has said he was informed in advance of the Met's plan to arrest Green, and expressed "trenchant" concerns about the move.

Green, the MP for Ashford in Kent, who has been the Conservatives' immigration spokesman since December 2005, was arrested shortly before 1400 GMT at his constituency home.

The Tories say they understand counter-terrorism officers were involved in searches of his home and offices.

In a statement, the Met said the arrest was made without any ministerial influence.

They said: "The investigation into the alleged leak of confidential government material followed the receipt by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) of a complaint from the Cabinet Office.

"The decision to make arrest was taken solely by the MPS without any ministerial knowledge or approval."

It said search warrants had been carried out at a home in Kent, a home in west London, business premises in Kent and in central London

"The search at the residential address in west London has concluded, the other searches continue," it added.

A Home Office spokesman confirmed that a Home Office official had been arrested last week "in connection with an inquiry into alleged leaked documents".

Thai PM removes police chief

BBC Online

Thailand's Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has fired the chief of the national police force, officials say.

The news comes amid mounting tensions over the ongoing protests paralysing Bangkok's two airports.

Police have now ordered protesters to quit the smaller Don Mueang airport, reports say, while riot police are in place at the international airport.

Anti-government protesters have said they will not leave until Mr Somchai resigns, which he has refused to do.

Police have not yet moved to break up the protests but have said earlier they were prepared to take "other steps" if negotiations failed.

An officer at Don Mueang used a megaphone to tell protesters they had to leave the rally site, reported AFP news agency, otherwise "law enforcement officers will carry out appropriate and necessary measures to solve the situation".

"All of those who violate law will be prosecuted both in criminal and civil cases," he said.

Police chief Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwanbut has been moved to an "inactive post" in the prime minister's office, said officials.

No official reason was given for his demotion, but government spokesman Nattawut Saikuar suggested to Thai TV that it was in connection with the protest crisis.

"The transfer is because of suitability and in line with the situation. The prime minister considered how he handled the current situation," said Mr Nattawut.

He said the prime minister had appointed Maj Gen Prateep Tanprasert as acting police chief.

The government has said that Mr Somchai will remain in the northern city of Chiang Mai indefinitely for his own safety.

The BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Bangkok says that Mr Somchai has already lost the confidence of his army chief, Gen Anupong Paochinda, and rumours of a coup are circling in the capital.

Earlier this week, Gen Anupong urged Mr Somchai to call a snap election as a way of easing the crisis.

The anti-government People's League for Democracy (PAD) have taken over both Suvarnabhumi international airport and the smaller Don Mueang airport. A state of emergency has been declared at both sites.

Thousands of passengers are stranded in Bangkok, including hundreds of Thai Muslims trying to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage.

Negotiations are continuing to end the demonstrations but officials have said they will take "other steps" if they fail to make progress.

More than 100 police in riot gear have moved into place on the perimeter of Suvarnabhumi airport.

Government spokesman Nattawut Sai-Kau said police had been instructed to "do whatever is necessary to open the airports on the basis of non-violence".

But the protesters have remained defiant, with one leader, Somsak Kosaisuk at Don Mueang, saying they were prepared to "fight to the death".

"We are ready to defend ourselves against any government's operations to get us out of those places," said another PAD spokesman, Parnthep Wongpuapan.

Meanwhile, in what is being seen as a sign of the growing tensions in the country, Thai TV has shown footage of a television presenter apparently coming under fire while on air.

The ASTV station, which broadcasts on behalf of the PAD, said the presenter sustained light injuries during the attack.

Thailand has been in political turmoil since former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a military coup in 2006.

The PAD - a loose alliance of royalists, businessmen and the urban middle class - claim that the government is corrupt and hostile to the monarchy.

They have occupied a government complex in Bangkok for months, and declared at the beginning of this week that they were embarking on the "final battle" of their campaign to unseat the government.

Correspondents say the airport protesters appear increasingly isolated and are losing the support of their traditional sympathisers, the business elite.

The airport closure will cost the country around $4bn (£2.6bn) in lost business and cause serious damage to its reputation as a tourist destination, something which will take the country years to recover from, say analysts.

Preventive steps to check bird flu stressed

BSS, Rajshahi

Speakers at a workshop here yesterday underscored the need for taking preventive measures against infection of avian influenza (bird flu) to protect the country's poultry farms from ruination.

Quiet a large number of people at every nook and corner of the country are directly engaged in poultry farming, making significant contribution to the economic development of Bangladesh.

The speakers urged all concerned government and non-government organisations as well as poultry bird farmers should work together to protect this potential sector from any adverse impact.

Besides, they said, focus should be given on creating awareness among the grassroots people side by side with intensifying inter-departmental coordination to check bird flue.

Local unit of Mohila Sanghati Parishad (MSP) and CARE- Bangladesh jointly arranged the workshop styled "Influenza NGO Network" at the conference hall of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The speakers said that measures should be taken to gear up the activities of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and other law enforcing agencies to check smuggling of chicks and eggs into the country from neighbouring India.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and Development) Satyendra Nath Sarker, Training Officer of Department of Agriculture Extension Dr Ittefaqul Azad, District Livestock Officer Khairul Alam and Journalists Mustafizur Rahman Khan Alam and Akbarul Hassan Millat addressed the workshop as guest speakers with MSP president Shahnaj Begum in the chair.

They said steps should be taken to impart motivational training to the poultry farmers, the concerned officers and employees of the Livestock Department and other law enforcers to check any kind adverse impact in this sector.

They said effective steps should be taken to prevent entry of any chick or poultry bird into the country from India.

Owners of the poultry hatcheries, they said, should also be brought under the close supervision and monitoring network of the Department of Livestock.

They also suggested involvement of religious leaders' in creating mass awareness, enforcement of bio-security in laboratory for bird flue test, ensuring availability of one-day chicks at reasonable price at home and raising inter-departmental coordination.

DSE suffers major setback last week

UNB, Dhaka

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) suffered a major setback last week that ended Thursday, with the benchmark index recording worse single-day drop in four years to a 15-month low.

The DSE General Index (DGEN) started high at the beginning of the week on Sunday with a 105-point gain, the biggest jump in last four months, amid bright signs of holding the general elections.

But, it began falling since Monday to continue until Thursday when the index registered a 100-point decline, the worse in last four years, pulling down the DGEN to a 15-month low.

Stockbrokers said the investors were seen losing confidence over the market due to continued losses for quite a long time, which aggravated further due to fresh uncertainty over holding of the election as the two major political parties imposed conditions anew to participate in the elections.

Besides the fear, though a little, about the possible impact of global financial crisis, the country's premier bourse also witnessed small withdrawal of investments during the week ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

However, they said that the situation worsened as the merchant bankers forced their clients to adjust loans at a time when the World Bank projected a gloomy economic prospect for the country.

As a result, the benchmark index fell 156 points or about 6 percent to close at 2,459 points during the week, while the All Share Price Index (DSI) dropped 126 points or 6 percent to close at 2,035.

The DSE-20 index of selective shares lost 92 points or over 4 percent to close at 2,101 points.

The total turnover during the week increased by about 20 percent to Tk 11.25 billion from Tk 9.41 billion in the previous week. The daily average turnover of the past week also rose about 20 percent to Tk 2.25 billion from Tk 1.88 billion in the previous week.

Market capialisation fell slightly by over one percent to Tk 948 billion during the week from Tk 959 billion in the previous week.

Uttara Bank, Beximco Pharma, Titas Gas, Beximco, National Bank, AB Bank, Brac Bank, Square Pharma, ACI Limited and Shinepukur Ceramics were the turnover leaders of the week.

Zeal Bangla Sugar, Shyampur Sugar, Modern Dyeing, Purabi General Insurance, Renwick Jajneswar, Style Craft, Reckit Benckiser, Pragati Life Insurance, Apex Footwear and National Bank were the top gainers of the week.

Top losers were National Tubes, Beximco, Shinepukur Ceramics, ACI Formulations, ACI Limited, Bangladesh Online, Beximco Pharma, Agni Systems Limited, Golden Son and BDCOM Online.

Quasem Dry Cell recommended 12 percent cash dividend during the week while Hakkani Pulp and Paper 8 percent and Yusuf Flour 3 percent.

Northern Insurance, BLTC, Padma Print, Zeal Bangla, Anwar Galvanizing, GMG Industries and Tamijuddin Textiles recommended no dividend.

Immunisation Days today

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh will immunise 22 million children under the age of five on Saturday in an effort to sustain its polio-free status by providing two drops of polio vaccine in observance of the first round of the 17th National Immunization Days (NIDs)on Saturday.The second round will be held on January 3 next year.

Field workers from both Health and Family Planning sectors along with 600,000 volunteers will administer oral polio vaccines (OPVs) to 22 million children aged 0-59 months and vitamin A capsule to nearly 21 million children aged 12-59 months at 140,000 sites across the country, said a release.

Besides, "a four-day house-to-house search will follow in order to make sure that no child is left out," it said.

The Government of Bangladesh (GOB) with support from UNICEF, WHO, Rotary International and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, Atlanta) mounted a model response to immunize all under-5 children across the country when the first case of polio was detected in March 2006 after an absence for five years.

Eighteen polio cases were thereafter detected in 12 districts across all divisions of Bangladesh with the last one reported on November 22, 2006.

As the NIDs restarted, the government decided to integrate National Vitamin A-Plus Campaign (NVAC) with NIDs. With support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Micronutrient Initiative, UNICEF, and WHO, the government will give Vitamin A capsule with polio vaccination during the 1st round of the 17th NID.

Since the detection of the poliovirus in March 2006, there have been six rounds of polio NIDs in 2006 and four rounds in 2007. In each round it reached between 95 per cent and 98.2 per cent of under-five children in the country. The highest-ever coverage (98.2) was achieved during 15th and 16th NIDs conducted in 2007.

Due to efforts of the government and partners in Bangladesh, coverage of vitamin A supplementation in Bangladesh increased from around 50 percent in the mid-1990s to above 95 per cent in recent years.

This tremendous achievement of administering OPV and Vitamin-A is the result of the combined efforts of multi sectoral involvement of the Government of Bangladesh and other non-governmental organizations.

"This particular NID round is sure to go much beyond containing the recurrence of polio alone. But through combining vitamin A supplementation, it will be able to reduce a host of other illnesses that pose threats to the lives of children in Bangladesh," said Carel de Rooy, UNICEF Bangladesh Representative.

Adviser for Health and Family Welfare Dr AMM Shawkat Ali addressed a press briefing Thursday before formally inaugurating the 17th round of the NIDs on Saturday.

"Supporting the Government of Bangladesh to achieve polio eradication is an operational priority for WHO. Bangladesh is again polio-free for two years since the importation of wild polio virus in 2006. But the threat of re-importation of the polio virus still exists.

"Therefore, we need to sustain our achievements made during the previous NIDs, along with the routine EPI coverage, particularly in hard-to-reach areas", said Dr. Duangvadee Sungkhobol, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Bangladesh.

She also highlighted the advantages of administering Vitamin A for prevention of night-blindness and use of albendazole for de-worming during the NIDs, which would likely to have an impact on health and survival of the children of Bangladesh.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) works with governments around the world to reduce the incidence of polio and is spearheaded by the WHO, Rotary International, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and UNICEF.

JP to stay in Mohajote

Staff Reporter

Jatiya Party Chaiman HM Ershad is ready to stay with Awami League in the grand alliance, even, if he is not made president after winning the scheduled election on December 29.

The former president told the media yesterday adding that still he hoped to be the next president, as his biggest political ally promised it ahead of the foiled election of January 22, 2007.

Meanwhile, as the grand alliance leaders are discussing seat-sharing issues, Ershad wants to contest from three seats as AL President Sheikh Hasina will do in the ensuing general election, party insiders said. Jatia Party is also hopeful to bag more seats for this election than the previous time, its leader Ziauddin Bablu told reporters after a daylong meeting with Awami League leaders at the Dhanmondi office of Sheikh Hasina in her presence.

The JP has demanded 74 seats Bablu said adding, "Sheikh Hasina and Ershad are likely to contest the coming elections from three seats each."

JP acting Chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud said, "In the 2007 agreement, the number of seats for Jatiya Party candidates from the grand alliance was 50. This time it may increase depending on the prospect of the candidates of both the parties to win."

At the daylong meeting, Anisul Islam said, they reviewed the prospect of candidates of both AL and JP to come out successful in the polls.

In the stalled January 22 election, Jatiya Party was given 50 seats following an agreement with Awami League.

Mahmud said JP and AL are working on the basis of an "understanding" reached ahead of the stalled elections of January 22, 2007.

Asked about their agreement with AL for making Ershad president, Mahmud said this issue and all other things relating to the elections will be settled today.

The JP leader said this time their main target would be to ensure the victory of the grand alliance. "Seat sharing is not the main concern. We'll do what will be good for the grand alliance."

Responding to a question, Mahmud said that the JP had submitted 280 nominations. "Once the matter of the seat distribution is finalised, candidates will withdraw their nomination."

However, the AL has nominated its candidates for the 300 seats and party leaders say they will withdraw nomination papers for the seats that will be given to the allies.

Other parties have already informed AL of their demands with Liberal Democratic Party and Jatiya Party (JP-Monju) demanding 30 and 12 seats respectively.

AL presidium members Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Matia Chowdhury and joint general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam were present in the meeting.

Rights of street children in poll manifesto urged

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a meeting here yesterday urged political parties to declare their action plans in their election manifestos to protect the rights of the street children.

The speakers were addressing the meeting on 'Demand political commitment for safe shelter and well-protection of street children' at the Jatiya Press Club here.

Incidin Bangladesh, a non-government organisation, organised the meeting while AK Mustak Ali presented the keynote paper.

Information and Research Secretary of Awami League Nurul Alam Lelin, Central leader of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Ruhin Hossain Prince, Central leader of Workers Party Hajera Sultana and Advocacy Chief of the Incidin Bangladesh Nasimul Ahsan took part in the discussion on the keynote paper.

Nurul Alam Lelin said the rate of ultra poor people of the country would be cut 25 per cent from 45 percent by 2021, if his party comes in power.

Referring to 2,122 calories need for each people to lead healthy life, he said his party would take necessary steps to meet the demand of the calories, if they come in power. The speakers stressed the need for clear political commitment for ensuring secure life of street children.

Eid-ul-Azha on Dec 9

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Eid-ul-Azha will be observed in the country on Dec 9, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram national mosque Mufti Mohammed Nuruddin told bdnews24.com yesterday

He said the moon of the Jilqad month was not sighted and so the Eid will be celebrated on that day.

Two killed in road accident in Mymensingh

UNB, Mymensingh

Two motorcyclists were killed when a bus rammed into their vehicle on Dhaka-Mymensingh road at Kanhar in Trishal upazila yesterday.

The deceased were identified as Kabir, 30 and Jony, 29.

Police said the accident took place at about 3pm when a district-bound bus hit the motorbike from behind, leaving two motorcyclists dead on the spot.

AL-backed lawyers sweep Bar Council polls

Staff Reporter

Awami League-backed Sammilita Ainjibi Samannaya Parishad Panel swept the Bangladesh Bar Council elections with 12 of the 14 posts.

On the other hand, the BNP-backed Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Oikya Parishad Panel won the other two seats.

Attorney General Salauddin Ahmed, the ex-officio chairman of the council, announced the official results yesterday.

The Bar Council election was held on November 20 at 77 centres across the country.

According to the results, Samannya Parishad's candidates obtained all seven general seats. The winners are Abdul Baset Majumder (11,283 votes), Syed Rejaur Rahman (10,821 votes), Shafiq Ahmed (10,345), M Enayetur Rahim (10,169), Z I Khan Panna (9,899 votes), P C Guha (8,759 votes) and Md Kamrul Islam (8,487 votes).

In the seven group seats, Samannya Parishad's Mohammed Israfil (2,576 votes), AHM Khalekuzzaman (1,460 votes), AM Anwarul Kabir (1,267 votes), Md Mesbahuddin Siraj (1,010 votes) and Mohammad Yahiya (1,436 votes) were declared elected. While Abdul Malek (1,192 votes) and Badrul Islam Chunnu (1,298 votes) won from Oikya Parishad.

The term of the new committee shall expire on June 30, 2012.