The New Nation - Internet Edition

Cops rule out polls sabotage

Staff Reporter

High police officials yesterday ruled out any possibility of sabotage to disrupt the 9th parliamentary elections of December 29 anywhere in the capital.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Naim Ahmed said they have no information about any attempt to sabotage the election. He at the same time pointed out that highest security measures have been taken to tackle any such situation in the city.

After a monthly crime conference and election security-review at Rajarbagh Police Lines auditorium, he elaborated an unprecedented security preparations being taken for the polls that will determine the fate of the country's transition to unalloyed democracy.

Replying to a question, Naim Ahmed said police have been conducting drive in city residential hotels and suspected houses to rein in suspects who might create trouble to hamper the polls.

"We are closely watching the activities of the trouble makers," he said.

Expressing his satisfaction over the existing law- and-order situation, the city top police boss hoped that such condition would also prevail on the election day.

A record-high 38,928 members of police, Ansar and Village Police will be deployed in the capital to facilitate smooth holding of the crucial general election which was once cancelled in January last year amid a political turmoil.

The voting will take place in the capital and its outskirts in a total of 1,834 polling centres, 875 of those have been identified as "most vulnerable".

In view of the special context in which the elections are being held, two Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams, two bomb-disposal units, 16 uniformed womens' teams and eight plainclothes womens' teams will be put on standby-readiness to strike on call.

They are being deployed as Specialised Supportive Force for the polling day, which the government has declared as a public holiday.

7 JMB men held in Gaibandha: Explosives hauled

Police arrested two JMP members and recovered huge
quantity of explosives from a village of Gobindaganj Upazila
of Gaibandha district on Wednesday. Banglar Chokh

Staff Reporter

At least seven-suspected militants of outfit Jam'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) were arrested from Sadar and Gobindaganj upazilas yesterday along with a "huge" quantity of explosives four days before the country goes to its first polls in seven years.

In the first raid law-enforcers arrested Rezaul Karim, a regional commander of the district-unit JMB, from his Bhatpara Gopalpur village in Sadar upazila at about 11:00pm.

As per his statement, two other suspected militants--Alamin of Char Shibpur village and Manzurul Islam of Dalbari Satbari village in Gobindaganj upazila--were arrested from their respective villages.

As per his statement, two other suspected militants - Al Amin of Char Shibpur and Manzurul Islam of Dalbari Satbari village in Gobindaganj upazila--were arrested from their respective homes.

Bomb making materials and some books were also recovered from the possession of Al Amin and Manzurul, police said. Following their confessional statements, police today picked up Mustafizur Rahman (32) of Bogdaha, Nannu Mia (32) and Amjad (40) of Chandpara village in Govindaganj upazila and Rawshan Ali (40) of Harinsingha village in Sadar upazila from their homes.

Police Super Moniruzzaman yesterday said the seven arrested persons admitted during interrogation to having links with JMB.

The three are members of the banned Islamic extremist group JMB that has been blamed for a series of blasts in 2005 that killed at least 28 people, the police chief of northern Govindaganj district said.

"We raided their premises acting on a tip-off. We seized a huge quantity of explosives and grenade casings. The explosives were enough to make at least 50 grenades," he said.

He said the three include a regional commander of the JMB, which intelligence officials said has been trying to reorganise in recent months after its leaders were arrested and executed in March 2007.

"The three also disclosed the names of some other JMB members, who

will be arrested shortly," the SP said about operation against the network, detected at a time of reports regarding the regrouping of these outlaws in different parts of the country.

The triple arrest came just days after two suspected militants from the same group were arrested in the southeastern Comilla district after one hurled a grenade at a member of the country's elite security force.

The raid happened in an area where two hours earlier Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khaleda Zia was holding a rally ahead of Monday's election that will restore democracy after two years of an army-backed regime.

Khaleda, an ex-premier, said the extremists were plotting to kill her ahead of elections.

On the same day, a court sentenced to death three members of another banned group Harkat-ul-Jihad al Islami (HUJI) for a 2004 attack on the British High Commissioner to the impoverished South Asian nation.

Muslim-majority Bangladesh has been hit by a series of attacks by Islamic groups in recent years -- including 400 blasts on just one day in August 2005 by the JMB.

The JMB has been virtually silent under the current government but analysts fear it has regrouped and is planning to strike ahead of the elections after the arrest of several suspected militants in recent months.

Bangla-Lanka 1st Test begins today

Ashraful, Mahalea Jayawardene

Sports Reporter

Banglasesh National Cricket team faces Sri Lanka National Cricket team in the first Test of the Grameenphone Test Series which starts today at 9.30 AM at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Bangladesh Television will telecast the match live everyday from the stadium. It may be mention that the fourth day's play

of the Test match will not be held on December 29 due to national parliament elections. The fourth day's game will be held on December 30.

Before today's Test match, Bangladesh Cricket team faced Sri Lanka Cricket team in ten Test matches. Sri Lanka won all the Test matches held earlier.

To effectively face the ensuing first Test match, Bangladesh team took part in fullfledged practice session yesterday morning at the stadium while Sri Lanka team practised in the afternoon at the same venue.

Mohammad Ashraful, the skipper of Bangladesh team hopes that his players will show their best performance and shall keep consistency with their recent performance.

He said, the players of Sri Lanka team are habituated in this condition. Thus, it would be tough task to face Sri Lanka.

He said they will play good cricket against Sri Lanka.

On the other hand, captain of the touring Sri Lanka team Mahela Jayawardene did not underestimate Bangladesh team.

He said, their preparation was good and they had a game plan. "If we could perform according to our game plan, we would get our expected result," said the Sri Lanka team captain.

However, the cricket viewers of the country do not rely on optimistic expressions. They want to see positive approach and good play from their side.

Vote to protect country from looters: Hasina

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina introducing Dr
Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin as candidate for Dhaka-7 at an
election rally at Lalbagh on Thursday. Banglar
Chokh

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the people to cast their votes without fear for the candidate of their choice.

Hasina made this call while addressing a public meeting at Lalbagh organised by AL candidate for Dhaka-7 Dr. Mostafa Jalal Mahiuddin.

She asserted that the December 29 elections would be a milestone of fighting terrorism, corruption and militancy.

Hasina also claimed that BNP enjoys nursing terrorism and militancy. "So everyone must be alert so that the evil sector cannot rig the election and manipulate the election result.

Hasina brushed aside the possibility of the victory of BNP-Jamaat alliance saying, "In the last election at 2001, they included at least one crore extra voters in the list but this time these fake names have been deleted from the new photo-based voter list. So, it is impossible for them to win, as all the fake voters have been dropped from the list." She thanked the caretaker government and the military for the photo-based voter list.

Hasini also termed the BNP candidate for the same constituency Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu corrupt and money plunderer and said, " All of you know the BNP candidate and his past. In 1994, after the mayoral election, according to his direction, a number of murders were committed in Lalbagh."

Then she asked the people, " Now it is your decision whether you will vote a terror or a gentleman like Md. Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin."

Hasina reminded the people that after 2001, there had not been any development in the Lalbagh area and the promised water treatment plant did not see the light of the day.

At the rally Dhaka city AL president MA Aziz, Acting General Secretary Advocate Kamrul Islam and AL central Deputy Publicity Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, among others, were present in the meeting. Later Sheikh Hasina addressed another rally at Nababganj Pilot High Shool in favour of Abdul Mannan Khan for Dhaka-1 constituency.

There the AL chief promised to the people to construct a modern road linking Nababganj with Dhaka city through setting up a bridge over the Turag River.

"The BNP-Jamaat government plundered hundreds of crores of takas keeping the country's people in hunger. Their rampant corruption has badly tarnished the country's image in the international arena," she told the rally.

Hasina urged the people to cast their votes for the grand alliance candidates to protect the country from 'looters'.

She also expressed concern that the BNP-Jamaat alliance was trying to buy votes with their black money and asked the people not to sell their votes.

Hasina addressed another meeting at Dohar Joypara Boromath in Dhaka-1 and another wayside meeting at Ruhitpur in Keraniganj on her way back to Dhaka.

Vote and guard polling centres: Khaleda

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia waving to the
supporters at an election rally in Jamalpur on Thursday.
FocusBangla

UNB, Jamalpur

Immediate-past premier Khaleda Zia, continuing with her physically exacting nonstop cross-country electioneering trying to get back to power, yesterday urged the people to guard polling centres on December 29 so none could rig the elections and remake the results.

"Voting for the sheaf of paddy won't be enough…You must guard your polling centres until you get the result sheets so none can rig the polls," she told an election rally at Singhajani High School ground in support her party nominees for five seats in this northern district.

The BNP chairperson bitterly criticized her archrival Awami League for what she said patronizing terrorism and corruption. She alleged that terrorist activities spread alarmingly during the mid-period of their 1996-2001 rule. "People were held hostage for extortion, rail tracks were uprooted and people killed with gunpowder," she said.

"When they were in power, their leader pledged not to call hartal. But, after losing election, they again resorted to hartal and practiced politics of arson and assassination," she said in her tirade.

"Bangladesh was made champion of corruption during their rule and people cannot expect good work from such a party," she told her audience.

The BNP leader was also critical of the Awami League for banding with Ershad's Jatiya Party. She reminded that the Awami League broke promise made in public by joining parliament elections under Ershad in 1986 and was branded as 'national betrayer'.

Seeking vote for the sheaf of paddy, Khaleda said country's independence, sovereignty and people are safe under BNP rule. She reiterated her pledges to cut down prices of essential commodities and agriculture inputs, including fertilizer and diesel.

The former Prime Minister also pledged to implement her previous government's plan to check river erosion in the northern region.

Khaleda introduced Saida Akhtar Rita from Jamalpur-1, Sultan Mahmud Babu from Jamalpur-2, Mustafizur Rahman Babul from Jamalpur-3, Faizul Kabir Talukdar from Jamalpur-4 and Sirajul Huq from Jamalpur-5.

Christmas celebrated

Santa Claus among children at Hotel Sheraton on
Christmas Day yesterday. FocusBangla

BSS, Dhaka

Members of the Christian community in the country yesterday celebrated their greatest religious festival holy Christmas as elsewhere in the world with much enthusiasm, festivity and religious fervour.

All six churches in the capital were tastefully decorated marking the day with setting up Christmas trees and cribs. The celebration started on Wednesday night with church bells, carols and midnight gatherings in all churches and some city hotels.

Other features of the day included commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Bethlehem 2008 years ago, singing Christmas corals, cutting Christmas cakes, presenting gifts by Santa Clause to children, decoration of houses with Christmas trees, and reunion of family members and friends for exchanging greetings.

The main programme of the Christmas Day in the city was arranged at Kakrail Church where prayers were arranged on Wednesday night and yesterday morning both in Bangla and English. Archbishop Paulinus Costa conducted the prayers.

Two more prayers were arranged, which were conducted by Father Dilip and Father Lintu. Special prayers were offered seeking continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation. In the evening, people from all walks of life irrespective of their religions visited the church.

Similar programmes were arranged at the churches at Tajgaon, Nayanagar in Basundara, Laxmibazar, Mirpur and Mohammadpur in the city.

The day was a public holiday. National dailies published special articles highlighting the significance of the day. Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private television and radio channels broadcast special programme on the day.

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in separate messages greeted the Christian community on the Christmas.

The President and his wife Professor Dr Anwara Begum also hosted a reception and exchanged greetings with the members of the Christian community at Bangabhaban.

Archbishop Paulinus Costa, diplomats of different countries including US Ambassador James F Moriarty and British High Commissioner Stephen Evans, distinguished persons of the Christian community, religious leaders and professionals joined the reception.

A decorated Christmas tree was set up while a group of young singers of the community sang carol during the reception.

The Christmas was also celebrated in Gazipur, Narayanganj, Comilla and Madaripur with various programmes in different churches. Prayers, singing Christmas corals and banquet programmes were arranged on the occasion.

Marking the day the two five star hotels in the city today organized programmes for children on the occasion of the Christmas Day.

Dhaka Sheraton Hotel arranged Children Christmas Party this morning. Over 300 children along with their parents attended the function. The hotel management presented the children with various gift items including cakes from Santa Clause, best dress award, raffle draw, games, packet launch, ice cream, and soft drink.

Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel also organized a programme from 10 am to 4 pm to celebrate Mary Christmas for children. The programme included gift from Santa Clause, rides, magic show and mini zoo. A total of 1,500 children along with their parents participated in the programme.

Survey predicts BNP victory

Staff Reporter

A number of organisations and international academic bodies have predicted that the BNP-led alliance will win the general election to be held on December 29. The organisations include London Institute of South Asia (LISA), Weekly Probenews and Bangladesh Manabadhikar Samonnay Paris-had (Bamasap).

Probenews and Bamasap predict that the BNP-led alliance will win an absolute majority bagging 154 to 155 constituencies, while LISA says, the BNP led alliance have nearly 10 per cent lead over the Awami League (AL) lead alliance. LISA conducted the survey from December 12 to 22 under the supervision of a team of academics headed by Dr M Abdul Mumin Chowdhury.

The other members of the team include Dr Nurul Islam Manjur, Dr Akhteruzzaman and Dr Harunu-ur-Rashid. From the respondents expressed voting intention nearly 10 per cent are still to make up their minds, LISA says about its survey.

The other significant findings of the survey are that the overwhelming majority are against army's involvement in the political process.

They are also against the meddling of representatives of foreign governments and international agencies and want the incoming elected government to curb this.

The people are also against granting port and transit facilities to India, a press release attaching the survey report of LISA says.

"Our survey gives the BNP-led alliance 9.57 percent lead over its challenger, the Awami League-led alliance," says LISA.

"By forming a much larger alliance AL expected to increase its votes in this election. Our survey clearly shows this expectation has not materialised," it observes.

"It is possible that the AL's role in ushering in the emergency and the unpopular unelected government, the latter's sanguinity to undercut the BNP as well as the party's endearment of the arch secularist and perceived anti-national parties, together with its pledge to give port and transit facilities to the 'neighbours,' which in popular perception stands for India, seem to have cost it dearly," LISA says.

The survey shows the percentage of the supporters of the Awami League-led alliance is proportionately higher in towns and cities than in rural areas, whereas in case of the BNP led alliance the opposite is true.

"The BNP led alliance's position appears to be unassailable. On this basis we predict that the BNP led alliance will win the election," it concludes.

Govt leaves gas-block bidding to successors

UNB, Dhaka

The caretaker government now shifts to the next elected government the matter of taking decision on the 3rd-round international bidding for gas blocks although it had invited tender with a vigorous move to award the contracts within its tenure.

According to official sources, some critical issues and a possibility of future litigation have finally prompted the interim government's policymakers to think of passing the buck.

The sources said despite high urgency, none of the top policymakers of the country's longest interim government did want to take the responsibility of awarding contract of hydrocarbon exploration to foreign companies on the basis of a bidding process that appeared controversial.

The Energy Ministry invited the 3rd-round international gas-block bidding in February this year with a plan to award the contract by September or October. The main thrust of the plan was to utilize this year's dry season for exploration work under the contracts.

After the bidding, only two international oil companies (IOCs)-US-based Conoco Philip and Irish company Tullow-were selected responsive bidders for the country's nine offshore blocks.

Conoco was selected for 8 separate blocks while Tullow chosen for only one block. But, interestingly, it appeared that these two companies came out in the nine blocks as lone bidders, which means there were no other competitors in the race.

After completion of a two month-evaluation process by the state-owned Petrobangla, the Energy Ministry put forward the proposals of Conoco and Tullow to the Cabinet purchase committee of the caretaker government.

Instead of taking any responsibility of considering such single bid in the hydrocarbon business, the finance advisor-led Purchase Committee sent the things back to the Energy Ministry saying that the line ministry should be the final authority to take the decision.

But the energy ministry did not dare to take the decision on its own on the matter of billion-dollar business in Bangladesh's potential natural wealth.

Finally, the energy ministry sent the matters to the Chief Advisor's Office (CAO) for the final decision.

The CAO also followed suit. Instead of making any decision, CAO redirected the matter to the energy ministry for some clarifications.

Admitting to such dillydallying on part of policymakers, a senior official of the energy ministry said actually the main theme was to delay the process and avoid the responsibility for a faulty tender process where the single bidders were selected to bag the billion-dollar business.

"Because, they thought if they took the decision, then the next elected government might raise question and put them behind bars for awarding contract to single bidders," said the official on condition of anonymity.

He said such a seesaw finally prompted the caretaker government's policymakers to leave the issue to the upcoming government expected to be elected through next Monday's polls.

The government had invited bids for the hydrocarbon exploration at a time when the country has been experiencing severe energy crisis, particularly in gas and power supply.

At present, gas shortages come to about 300 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) with the supply amounting to 1800plus MMCFD against a demand for 2100 MMCFD.

The electricity shortage is about 1500 MW, and the state-owned Power Development Board (PDB) laments that it could not produce 600-700 megawatts due to gas shortages.

Countdown to election

Staff Reporter

As the campaign for December 29 election reaches the final stage, candidates and their supporters are making door-to-door approaches round the clock to woo the voters countrywide defying heavy fog.

The country witnessed lively poll campaign yesterday, Christmas Day. The candidates and canvassers spent sleepless nights in their efforts to draw as many voters in their favour as possible.

Elections dominate talks in all public places like haats, bazaars, tea-stalls, restaurants both in the city and its outskirts. Canvassers are seen knocking at doors and fraternising with the voters.

BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia addressed a series of election rallies at Jamalpur, Sherpur and Madhupur yesterday urging her party people and supporters to remain alert against any kind of conspiracy.

She exchanged Christmas greetings with the Christians overnight at Kakrail Central church on her way back home after addressing a rally in Narayanganj.

The leader of BNP led four-party alliance will address a rally at Paltan ground in Dhaka on December 27, the last day of campaigning.

Awami League President and grand alliance leader Sheikh Hasina addressed many election rallies in the capital city pledging to set an accountable government if voted to power.

She also pledged to develop the weaving industry, communication to and from Dhaka city, and construct dams and dredge rivers.

Awami League will hold a grand election rally at the city's Paltan Maidan today. Sheikh Hasina will address the rally.

Electioneering officially started on December 12 with the lifting of restrictions on processions and rallies.

A total of 144 candidates who are contesting in the 15 constituencies in the capital have now become hyper active.

Christians overnight at Kakrail Central church on her way back home after addressing a rally in Narayanganj.

The leader of BNP led four-party alliance will address a rally at Paltan ground in Dhaka on December 27, the last day of campaigning.

Awami League President and grand alliance leader Sheikh Hasina addressed many election rallies in the capital city pledging to set an accountable government if voted to power.

She also pledged to develop the weaving industry, communication to and from Dhaka city, and construct dams and dredge rivers.

Awami League will hold a grand election rally at the city's Paltan Maidan today. Sheikh Hasina will address the rally.

Electioneering officially started on December 12 with the lifting of restrictions on processions and rallies.

A total of 144 candidates who are contesting in the 15 constituencies in the capital have now become hyper active.

Pakistan does not want war with India: Gilani

PTI, Islamabad

Seeking to tone down the war hysteria, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani yesterday said Pakistan does not want a conflict with India and is determined to foil the designs of "non-state actors" to use the country's soil to indulge in terrorism anywhere.

Gilani said Pakistan wants "excellent" relations with India even as he asked the international community to persuade New Delhi to defuse the current tensions.

"We understand India's pain as we are also affected by terrorism," he said. "Pakistan is a responsible country and is engaged in the war on terror. We don't want terrorist attacks anywhere in the world, including India." Gilani said his country was ready to share intelligence with India. "We don't want terrorism in any form to be encouraged.

Gilani said his government is determined to foil the designs of "non-state actors" and elements opposed to stability and the ideals of Benazir Bhutto and her father Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

At the same time, Gilani said Pakistan armed forces know how to defend the country in the event of any aggression.

"I want to tell the world that as a responsible nation, we don't want war buttIf war is imposed on us, the people, the leadership and the armed forces know how to defend the country," he said in his third such assertions in as many days.

"Nobody should have any mistaken notions about this," Gilani told reporters after offering prayers at the mausoleum of slain former Premier Benazir Bhutto at Garhi Khuda Baksh in Sindh province.

The premier also urged the world community "to convince India that they should defuse the situation (prevailing) at the moment".