The New Nation - Internet Edition

BTRC website launched

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has finalised Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) guideline to provide speedy internet service to villagers yesterday.

Interested organisations or people could apply for licence following the guideline said a press release.

Seeking public opinion BTRC put the guideline on its website (www.btrc.gov.bd) on August 28 and November 10.

The NTTN licence obtained organisation could build, direct and maintain optic fiber based nationwide telecommunication transmission network throughout the country. Telecommunication service providers could reach their service to 'marginal users' through this network facility.

BTRC Chairman Manjurul Alam hoped the telecommunication network will expand more due to this step. "If the construction of coordinated nationwide transmission network is accomplished, villagers would be connected to telecommunication and internet network broadly. This will also increase the penetration of internet", said the Chairman.

3 die after taking sugar candy-made drink in Kushtia

UNB, Kushtia

Three of a family, including two minor siblings, died while another fell sick after taking sugar candy-made drink at Krishnapur village in Kumarkhali upazila on Sunday morning.

The deceased were identified as Saleha Khatun, 50, and her grand children Rajib, 8, and Sajib, 6.

Locals said Saleha and her family members took drink made by some sugar candies (Tal michhri) in the morning as her husband Akbar Ali bought those from a village shop.

Rajib and Sajib died soon after taking the drink while their mother Rozina and grandmother Saleha fell sick.

Both the sick were admitted to Kushtia General Hospital where Saleha died at noon. Condition of Rozina was stated to be critical, hospital sources said.

Police detained shopkeeper Abdul Awal and Rozina's husband Ibrahim for interrogation.

Bar on mayors joining polls: HC hearing on its rule Wednesday

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court Sunday set Wednesday (Dec 3) for hearing on its rule upon a pending writ petition filed by Dhaka City Corporation Mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka challenging the Election Commission decision disqualifying the incumbent mayors of the cities from contesting the parliamentary polls.

A division bench comprising Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice Farah Mahbub fixed the date after hearing on an EC petition seeking to vacate interim HC stay on the operation of the election-disqualification provision for incumbent City Corporation mayors.

The HC bench also appointed a three-member panel of amicus curiae to assist the court during hearings for legal interpretations in resolving the issue.

On November 25, the High Court upon a writ petition filed by Khoka stayed operation of the impugned election-disqualification provision, clearing the way for him to contest the December 29 polls.

The HC had also issued a rule upon the EC to explain in four weeks why the impugned decision "should not be declared to have been made without lawful authority".

Former attorney-general Mahmudul Islam, assisted by Dr Shahdeen Malik, appeared for the EC, while Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazol for Khoka.

Meanwhile, Mayor Khoka secured BNP ticket and filed nomination for an Old Dhaka seat on the last day yesterday for contesting the general election going to be held on December 29 after lots of turns and twists in the country's political scenario.

Babar punished for talking over mobile in prison

UNB, Dhaka

Detained BNP leader and former minister Lutfuzzaman Babar was Sunday shifted to prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from the luxury cabin after he the authorities found a mobile phone set in his possession.

Confirming this, DIG (Prisons) Major Shamsul Haider Siddiqui told UNB that the prison guards detected Babar talking on mobile phone in his cabin and informed the authorities.

"It's a clear violation of the Jail Code," he said, adding Babar was initially removed from the cabin and shifted to prison cell of BSMMU.

The matter is under investigation and further disciplinary action against the former state minister for home would be taken under the Jail Code if he proved guilty of jail code violation.