The New Nation - Internet Edition

Tale of a captive doctor

Agency

An NHS doctor who was freed following claims that she was being held captive in Bangladesh by her parents is due to fly into the UK later.

Lawyers for trainee GP Humayra Abedin, 33, from east London, said her family planned to force her into marriage.

She had travelled to Dhaka in August after hearing her mother was very ill.

London's High Court had ordered her return to the UK under the new Forced Marriage Act and the High Court in Dhaka has now ruled she must be freed.

Lawyer Sara Hossain, representing Dr Abedin in Bangladesh, said her client was "very relieved" by the decision and had "clearly stated" that she wanted to return to the UK immediately.

Dr Abedin's parents had been ordered to appear at Dhaka's High Court with their daughter on Sunday.

She was later released into the custody of the court and handed over to the British High Commission. She is expected to return to Heathrow from Dhaka on Monday.

Judge Syed Mahmud Hossain said her parents' actions were "not acceptable".

Dr Abedin's father collapsed from shock after the court's ruling.

The BBC's Mark Dummett in Dhaka said Dr Abedin had been held captive first at her family's home and then at a psychiatric hospital following claims she was not able to make decisions for herself.

But she had managed to get messages to her friends in the UK about her plight who then notified the British authorities, he said.

She has chosen not to press charges against her parents.

Dr Abedin's UK lawyer, Anne-Marie Hutchinson, said there were currently up to 350 similar cases involving British women and she hoped the latest case would give them hope.

"What the ruling makes clear is that there is a right of redress," she said.

"I would hope that many other young victims, or potential victims, would feel confident enough now to come forward and feel confident in the fact that courts will act and authorities overseas will act on their human rights and implement them."

She added that, although forced marriage was already illegal in Bangladesh, it was significant that the judge had gone public with his ruling in demonstrating that such things were unacceptable. An unnamed British victim of a forced marriage, who is now separated from her husband, told the BBC's Today programme the ruling was the "best news" for those facing similar situations.

"I think it will give a lot of hope to young girls out there," she said.

Dr Abedin arrived in Britain in September 2002, when she studied for a Masters degree in public health at Leeds University. She had been due to start work in August at a GP surgery in east London, but travelled to Dhaka after being told that her mother was ill.

AL accuses 4-party of violating electoral laws

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League yesterday accused the BNP-led four-party alliance of violating electoral code of conduct during their election campaign.

Awami League said they will inform the Election Commission about the "breach of code of conduct by the BNP-Jamaat alliance."

"After starting electioneering from Sylhet, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia made election campaign till 1am, which is a major violation of the code of conduct. By holding election rallies blocking the streets, BNP is also breaching another code of conduct," said HT Imam, co-chairman of AL Election Steering Committee.

He was briefing journalists after nearly two-hour meeting between Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty yesterday (Monday) morning.

Imam also blasted Jamaat leader Maulana Delwar Hossain Sayeedi for his reported remarks that people would not be able to wear cap and have beard if Awami League is voted to power. "Such negative and false campaign, which will hurt people's religious sentiments, is another big breach of law," he said.

The US Ambassador has been informed about such violations of electoral code of conduct.

Imam said the US Ambassador has highly praised the election manifesto of Awami League.

Sheikh Hasina particularly informed the US ambassador about 'Vision-2021' of the Awami League manifesto, he added.

Awami League's programmes for the new generation received "high appreciation" from the US Ambassador, HT Imam said.

When the US Ambassador wanted to know about the source of resources for implementing the long-term pledges made in the manifesto, Sheikh Hasina informed the envoy that Awami League would be able to implement the pledges with self-reliance.

"If we can increase food production, we won't need to import food. Price of oil in international market has also decreased and this will save huge money for Bangladesh," Imam quoted Hasina as saying.

Besides, sending highly skilled laborers instead of unskilled ones to different countries will be another big source of resources, Hasina said.

The former Prime Minister mentioned that by sending skilled manpower abroad, Bangladesh can earn three times more than the present amount of foreign exchange.

Moreover, Bangladesh's volume of export and import of capital goods is also increasing day by day. So, it will not be a problem to generate the necessary resources for implementing the pledges made in the Awami League manifesto, Imam said.

Even then, he said, Sheikh Hasina sought cooperation from the US government in some sectors like agro-based industries, constructing towns and suburbs outside of the main cities of the country.

HT Imam informed the journalists that Awami League has got another plan to decentralize the administration of trade and business as well as local administration across the country.

Sheikh Hasina informed Ambassador Moriarty about her plan to strengthen the district and upazila councils.

The former prime minister and the US Ambassador exchanged views about the drive against corruption and terrorism.

Earlier, talking to the reporters, Moriarty said the Unites States thinks of the general election in Bangladesh as "transformational" election through which the country will get a strong democracy.

Replying to a query about the upcoming election and the Election Commission, the US Ambassador said the general framework of the election has already been established. Now the implementation of various election-related rules and regulations is very much important.

There should not be any attempt to undermine the Election Commission right now, he said.

Negligence of election duties won’t be tolerated: CA

UNB, Sylhet

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday urged the field-level government officials to make arrangements so that people could cast their votes in a festive mood without any fear.

"Any kind of laxity or negligence in election activities and discharging responsibilities won't be tolerated," he told an opinion-exchange meeting with government officials of Sylhet division at the Circuit House here this afternoon ahead of the December 29 national election.

Dr Fakhruddin also asked them to extend cooperation and take necessary steps so that election observers from home and abroad could properly and fairly monitor the polls.

It was the third meeting with government officials after the first one held in Khulna city on December 1 and the second one in Rangpur district headquarters on December 6. DCs, SPs UNOs, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, the DIG police of Sylhet Range, senior officials of RAB, BDR and Ansar and various intelligence agencies were, among others, present at the meeting.

Home Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin, Cabinet Secretary M Abdul Aziz, Home Secretary Abdul Karim and eight officials, including DCs, SPs, UNOs and representatives of BDR and Ansar, also spoke on the occasion. Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury was on the dais.

Divisional Commissioner of Sylhet Zafar Ahmed Khan gave welcome address and conducted the meeting.

The Chief Adviser said the journey that started with the assuming of office by the government with a key objective to hold a free, fair and acceptable election to transfer power to an elected government has reached closed to its target.

Fakruddin urged the government officials to take a vow to hold the election in a fair, neutral and peaceful manner, and hoped that the transition of a democratic system and foundation of good governance would get a firm footing through the upcoming elections. "The government will succeed in this tough test of national life."

Referring to voters' views being reflected on the media, he said the voters want to elect competent candidates of their choice, but terrorists can again raise their heads and commit terrorist acts during the elections.

He asked the government officials to be more active to deter such occurrences.

Fakruddin told them to take all necessary legal measures to present the nation a transparent and peaceful election free from black money, terrorism and muscle power, asked them to carry out their duties without fear and greed rising above all kinds of influence.

He reminded them that there is no scope to be partisan or to bow down to any kind of influence or pressure.

The head of the care taker government gave a package of guidelines and decisions for the election dividing into three phases-before, during and after the election.

The CA asked the officials to carry out their drive nonstop so that terrorists, hardcore criminals, and listed miscreants cannot create chaos during electioneering by the election candidates. "A massive election campaign is already underway."

Mentioning that the four districts of Sylhet division as frontier ones, he asked them for intensifying vigilance by intelligence so that terrorists, absconding criminals outside the country cannot come back. "It's necessary to avoid possible pre- and post-election violence."

At the same time, he said, BDR and other law-enforcing agencies should remain always alert so that illegal arms and ammunition cannot enter the country.

He further asked the authorities and law-enforcing agencies concerned to remain active round the clock so that no banned outfits and other evil forces cannot make any ill attempts before the election.

"On the election day", he said, "Apart from deployed forces, mobile and striking forces would there at polling centers to ensure three tiers of security bulwarks."

The voting should go on its normal course, he said adding, "Apart from voting, it has to be ensured that the whole process of vote counting and publishing of vote results are done with hundred percent neutrality, transparency and credibility."

He also asked for taking necessary preparations in advance to prevent possible violence between the supporters of the winning and defeating candidates soon after the announcement of results.

Fakhruddin directed the officials to ensure vigilance regarding clash, damage of property, especially attack on female, minority and weak voters, and asked for taking strict measures as per records of previous such incidents.

The CA expressed his belief that government officials engaged in election duties would carry out their tasks sincerely and impartially.

The Chief Adviser returned to Dhaka from Sylhet in the afternoon.

Jatiya Jukto Front announces polls manifesto

Staff Reporter

Announcing the election manifesto yesterday the leaders of the Jatiya Jukto Front pledged to establish a self-reliant, non-communal and democratic country free from hunger, corruption and terrorism.

Bikalpadhara Bangla-desh, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Gonoforum, Bangladesh Kallyan Party (BKP) and Bangladesh Forward Party (BFP) comprise the Jukto Front, a newly formed political alliance.

The leaders of the front also called upon the people of the country to elect candidates of the front in the parliamentary election on December 29 for establishing rule of law and a dynamic, functional and people oriented administration. Pankaj Bhattacharya, presidium member of Gonoforum, read out the 39-point manifesto at the VIP lounge of the Jatiya Press Club.

Prof AQM Badrudozza Chowdhury, president, Major (Retd) Abdul Mannan, general secretary of Bikalpadhara, Dr Kamal Hossain, president of Gonoforum, Dr Ferdous Ahmed Qureshi, president of Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Major Gen (Retd) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, chairman, Bangladesh Kallyan Party, Mostafa Amin, chairman of Bangladesh Forward Party (BFP) and Md Nawab Ali of Gonoforum among others, were present on the occasion.

With a slogan to change the sick politics and establish a healthy and accountable political system in the country, the manifesto also promised to contain prices of essential items, increase food production by giving subsidy on agriculture inputs, create new jobs, uproot terrorism, establish the spirit of the liberation war, make education for all, allocate more fund for health sector, gear up economic growth, reforming of land, effective steps to expand industry, trade and export, measures to solve problems in electricity, coal, gas and energy sector and creation of employment, particularly in rural areas and protecting the national interest.

Prof Badrudozza Chowdhury called upon the people to elect honest, dedicated and committed to the people candidates in the polls.

Dr Kamal Hossain urged citizens to remain united to achieve and maintain a functionary democracy in the country.

5 pc rise in women migration

Staff Reporter

The women migration from Bangladesh has increased by five per cent since 2001 and at the moment 90,000 women of this country are working abroad.

This was stated by Md Nurul Islam, Director, Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) while spelling out the Bangladesh Overseas Employment policy at a dialogue in the capital yesterday. The WARBE Development Foundation organised the dialogue at BIAM Auditorium yesterday. WARBE Development Foundation Chairman Syed Saiful Haque chaired the dialogue.

Bangladesh is seeking new markets for exporting manpower from the country, a senior official of Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) yesterday informed.

"We (Bangladesh) have already signed memorandum with six countries included UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Libya," BMET Director Md Nurul Islam informed a dialogue while he read out Bangladesh Overseas Employment Policy (BOEP). He pointed out that the government has been trying its best to ensure the rights of the Bangladeshi women now working in different countries of the world.

BMET Director General Md Abdul Malek said, "Bangladesh has several laws to ensure the rights of migrant workers. But none of the laws was implemented properly."

"For ensuring the rights of the women migrant workers, both the public and private organisations should come forward to disseminate information on migration policy," he said.

The government realised Tk 10 crore from the several recruiting agencies as a fine for their malpractice, he said adding that the government distributed the received money among the victims.

Speakers at the dialogue said the cheating of the migrant workers before they leave the country.

Ignorance of legal procedures compelled many migrant workers to remit their income to their home through illegal channels.

Md Rashed-Al-Hasan, BRAC Director Sheefa Hafiza, MJF Director Rina Roy, among others, addressed the dialogue.

Poll aspirants pledge priority to education

Narsingdi Correspondent

Leaders of different political parties of Narsingdi yesterday vowed to put top most priority on ensuring education for the betterment of the country.

The leaders gave this assurance while addressing a public meeting at the local press club auditorium organised by Mothers' Development Society(MDS), an NGO working for human rights. They gave high preference to education for both men and women. They also demanded removal of firearms from educational institutions.

BNP candidate former DACSU GS Khairul Kabir Khokon Candidate of Narsingdi-1, Gonoforum Candidate from Palash upzila, Narsingdi-2 Advocate S.M. Altaf hossen, Narsingdi-3, Shibpur upzila BNP candidate Tofazzel Hossen Master, Narsingdi-4, Monohordi upzila BNP candidate Let. Col. (Retired) Joynal Abedin, Narsingdi-5, Raypura upzila Gonoforum candidate Farida Yeasmin, Narsingdi-1 Sadar upzila Gonoforum chairman candidate Shahiduzzaman Chowdhury, Abu Saleh Chowdhury and woman vice chairman candidate Umme Salma Maya were present in the meeting..

Call to build Mitra Bahini Smriti Complex

Staff Reporter

Speakers yesterday called upon the caretaker government to establish a "Mitra Bahini Smriti Complex" (Allied Forces Memorial Complex) in memory of the war heroes of the liberation war in 1971.

The call was made at a press conference at the National Press Club in the city organised by Citizens Rights Movement.

Former Secretary Sayed Margub Murshed, an Adviser of the Rights group, presided over the programme and General Secretary Tushar Rehman read out a written statement.

Former president of Dhaka Bar Advocate Fakir Dalwar Hossain moderated the function, while professor of Dhaka University Dr Nimchandra Bhoumik, Freedom Fighter Maj (Retd) Ziauddin, among others, attended the press conference.

Tushar Rehman in his statement said, with the inception of the war around one crore people from this country took shelter in India to save their lives from the attack of the Pakistani occupation forces.

Besides, the then political leaders also took shelter in India for strategic reasons and planned for a temporary government to conduct the war, he added.

Recalling the contribution of India to the liberation war, Tushar said the Mitra Bahini (Allied Forces) was formed comprising Indian army and Mukti Bahini at the end of the war to help expedite the victory.

Margub Murshed called upon the government to pay tributes to Mitra Bahini by establishing a monument soon.

It was possible to form a strong resistance against Pakistan army when the Indian government extended support to the freedom fighters, he added.

Stressing the need for a monument Nimchandra Bhoumik said the demanded "Mitra Bahini Smriti Complex" should be established at the Suhrawardi Udayan where the surrender ceremony was signed.

The speakers said a city street should also be named after Indira Gandhi, the then prime minister of India in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the liberation war.

Poll campaign gains momentum on DU Campus

DU Correspondent

Campaigning for the national elections in and around the Dhaka University campus is getting momentum, as the student organisations of the major political parties have started touting in support of their respective parties.

Especially, leaders of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) divided into small groups were seeking votes for their respective candidates.

Black and white posters and leaflets of the two major alliance candidates have been put up throughout the campus.

Candidate for Awami League-led grand alliance and the president of Bangladesh Workers Party Rashed Khan Menon visited the campus at 10:00am yesterday and met voters in the residential areas of the university. Later, he met Vice Chancellor Prof SMA Faiz, Pro-VC Prof AFM Yusuf Haider and Treasurer Prof Syed Abul Kalam Azad.

During his visit, Dean of Social Science Faculty Prof Harun-or-Rashid, Prof AAMS Arefin Siddiqui, BCL president Mahmud Hasan Ripon, general secretary Mahfuzul Haider Chowdhury Roton, Sheikh Sohel Rana Tipu, among others, were present.

In the afternoon, candidate for BNP-led four-party alliance and the former JCD president Habibunnabi Khan Sohel accompanied by other JCD leaders sought votes from the Shahbagh area and university residential areas.

The both student organisations -JCD and BCL- brought out processions on the campus during the visits of their supported candidates yesterday.

Moriarty praises AL manifesto for new generation

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL) yesterday accused the BNP-Jamaat alliance of breaching electoral code of conduct during the election campaign for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

HT Imam, Co-Chairman of the AL election Steering Committee, told newsmen that they would place allegation against the BNP-Jamaat alliance to the Election Commission for violating the code of conduct.

Imam was briefing journalists after two-hour long meeting between the AL chief Sheikh Hasina and United States Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty at Sudha Sadan.

He said that after starting electioneering from Sylhet, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia held rallies blocking streets for a long time which is a gross violation of electoral code of conduct framed by the EC.

Imam also criticised Jamaat leader Maulana Delwar Hossain Sayeedi for his misleading statement at a meeting that the people of the country would not be able to wear holy cap and keep beard if the AL-led alliance was voted to power.

He said such reckless comment of Sayeedi hitting the religious sentiment of the people was another violation of the electoral code of conduct.

"We have informed the US Ambassador of such this kind of violation of law,",he noted.

Imam said the US Ambassador has highly praised the election manifesto of Awami League especially charter for the new generation and the `Vision-2021'.

When the US ambassador wanted to know the sources of resources to implement the pledges incorporated into their manifesto, Hasina referred to

several measures for this purpose. These include steps to increase food

Production to make the country self-reliant. Achievement of self-reliance on the food front and decrease in the prices of fuel in international market would enable the country to save huge sum of money.Besides. sending of skilled manpower abroad will also add to the resources of the country, Iman quoted Hasina as telling the US ambassador.

He said Sheikh Hasina sought cooperation from the US government in some sectors such as agro-based industries and building of towns outside the main cities of the country.

Sheikh Hasina and the US Ambassador also exchanged views on vigorous drive against corruption and terrorism, Imam said.

Earlier talking to reporters, Moriarty said, " The US hopes that the national election of Bangladesh would be held in a free, fair and credible manner through which the country will get a strong democracy."

Replying to a query about the upcoming election and the Election Commission, the US Ambassador said the general framework of the election has already been established. Now the implementation of various election-related rules and regulations is very much important.

No army involvement in allotting Rajuk plots: Army HQ

UNB, Dhaka

The Army Headquarters yesterday said the army doesn't have any kind of involvement in allotment of the plots of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) and there should not be any misunderstanding in this regard.

Mentioning that confusion has been created in public mind and media about direct involvement of Bangladesh Army, an ISPR release said, "It is to inform all that army doesn't have any type of involvement in plot-allotment system."

It noted that the professional skills of the army were appreciated by all as they formulated voter list with photograph and national ID card within a very short span of time.

"And due to such professional efficiency of the army, the Housing and Public Works Ministry requested Bangladesh Army to provide information technology assistance for necessary data entry and selection of candidates through lottery in the allotment of Rajuk's plots under two projects-Purbachal and Uttara," the ISPR release said.

Following the request, the army sent an expert team to the Rajuk to review the whole matter of electronic selection.

The Army team opined that any non-government skilled IT organization would be able to accomplish the task of Rajuk through its specific IT programme and IT operators.

Legal action against those who fail to deposit firearms: DMP

UNB, Dhaka

DMP Commissioner Naim Ahmed said legal action would be taken under Arms Act against those small firearms holders who failed to deposit their arms in concerned police station in the capital within the deadline expired Sunday.

He warned this while talking to reporters at his office yesterday The Home Ministry had ordered to deposit legal small firearms by December 3 avert any untoward incident on the eve of the upcoming general election.

Later, the deadline was extended for 11 days which expired Sunday.

The DMP Commissioner said a total of 2,419 small arms (pistol and revolver) were deposited in 35 police stations in the capital.

Besides, 457 rifles and guns were also deposited, he added.

Naim Ahmed said over 900 polling centres have been identified as 'important' in the capital.

He said special security measures would be taken in those polling centres to avert any untoward incident.

Sources said 50 percent of the 1,834 polling centres in the capital has been identified as vulnerable.

ACC to file 11 cases against 22 BTCL officials

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission has decided to file 11 cases against 22 officials of Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) for misappropriating Tk 40.63 crore.

ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal told the Commission's regular briefing yesterday that the anti-graft watchdog has approved the filing of the cases against the officials of BTCL, formerly known as Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB).

Seven cases will be filed against 14 officials for misappropriating Tk 32.55 crore from 2000-01 to 2006-07 fiscal in the name of repairing vehicles through fake vouchers.

Those to be accused in all the seven cases are Raich-ur-Rahman, Mostafa Hanif Chowdhury, Abdul Goni, Noni Gopal Ghosh, Fakhrul Haider Chowdhury, Zafar Sadek, Sheikh M Shafiullah, Abul Kashem, Saedul Haque, Shahajahan Mian, Fazlul Haque (2), Fazlul Haque (1), Ahsan Ali and M Faruk.

Another four cases will be lodged against eight BTCL officials for misappropriating Tk 8.08 crore from 2004-05 to 2007-08 fiscal. The misappropriated money was shown as conveyance allowance.

Those to be implicated in the four cases are Ayub Reza Pahlavi, Abdul Latif, Amir Hossain, Mujibur Rahman, Habibullah Bahar Chowdhury, Fazlur Rahman, Sirajul Islam and Badiul Alam.

All the 11 cases will be filed under sections 420/409/109 of the Penal Code and section of 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.

GP, Prothom Alo to publish book of FF's letters

Staff Reporter

Grameen Phone Ltd in collaboration with Prothom Alo will publish letters written by freedom freighters during the liberation war of 1971in the form a book.

It was said at a press conference organised at the Liberation War Museum in the city yesterday.

Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, Deputy Editor Anisul Huq, Oddvar Hesjedal and Syed Yamin Bakht, CEO and Director of Public Relations of Grameen Phone respectively, among others, were present.

Hesjedal said the initiative would help to preserve an important part of history of Bangladesh for the next generations.

The letters would be collected through Grameen Phone Centres and all Prothom Alo offices across the country within February and later a book would be published on March 26, said Matiur Rahman.

These letters would be scrutinized for authenticity by researchers before being approved for inclusion in the book, he added.

JSD eyes 'national government’

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu), a component of the Awami League-led grand alliance has said it will move to form a national government if the alliance goes to power.

"We have to form a national government with secular and democratic forces for meaningful reform and economic, social and political development of the country," JSD president Hasanul Haque Inu told a press conference yesterday, unveiling the party's election manifesto.

Citing the example of the national government formed by Nelson Mandela in South Africa, Inu said the country had not seen any period of political stability after liberation.

Call to protect consumers rights

Staff Reporter

All should come forward to ensure consumers rights through implementing the Consumers Protection Ordinance effectively.

Speakers said this at an opinion exchange meeting organised by Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) with its president Borhan Ahmed in the chair at the CAB office in the city yesterday.

Consumers International (CI) consultant Julian Edward, Policy Adviser Sadi Homer, Asia Pacific and Middle East Zone regional Project Officer of CI RSN Sharma, among others, were present.

They called upon the coming elected government to take steps preserving consumers rights.