The New Nation - Internet Edition

Lathikhela performance at Charukala

Performance of 'Lathikhela' at Bakultola of
Charukala in the city yesterday. Photo: Sharif Khan

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

'Lathikhela' is a skilled theatre and travelling art form. It is also one kind of circus. Common folks of the villages organise the game on various occasions such as the Bengali New Year and the new harvesting festivals, etc. There was a time when this was prevalent throughout Bangladesh. But the practice of the art has gradually trimmed as time passed by.

Now this show can only be seen in Manikganj, Joypurhat, Narail, Srimangal, Kishoreganj, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Kushtia, Jhenaidah and just a few other regions. In the Lathikhela shows of Manikganj, sometimes singing and dancing is also presented.

The Indian High Commission in Dhaka in cooperation with Shadhona, a centre working for the advancement of South Asian music and dance, organised a performance of 'Lathikhela' at Bakultola of the Institute of Fine Arts (Charukala) of Dhaka University. It was an open-air function. The event began at 11:00AM and ended at 12:15PM.

Country's noted dance artiste Lubna Mariam, also general secretary of Shadhona, moderated the show. Eminent litterateur Syed Shamsul Haque, recitation artiste Bhaswar Bondopaddhya, writer Dr Anwara Syed Haque, among others, were present at the event.

A large number of people including children gathered at the spot and enjoyed the event amid fanfair.

The event was a result of joint workshop on 'Rayebeshe-martial art dance.' The workshop was organised at the Dance and Music Training Centre of the Indian High Commission in Dhanmondi in the city recently. Two eminent Indian bamboo dance artistes Tarun Pradhan and Sutapa Pradhan conducted the workshop.

'Rayebeshe' is a folk dance popular, especially in Medinipur district in West Bengal in India, and similar to 'Lathikhela' folk dance in Bangladesh. Artistes from Sirajganj, Manikganj, Kushtia, Jhenidah and Dhaka participated in the joint workshop.

In 'Lathikhela,' a number of stick players form a group. This group enter the village loudly announcing their arrival, sometimes singing. On hearing this, the villagers come out of their houses. Sometimes even people from surrounding villages will run off to see the show. There is a lot of satire in this and usually some comedians get big laughs. In between the jokes and the fights there are some fairly 'masculine' dances.

Noted folk researcher Simon Zakaria in his research mentioned, "Generally during the 'Lathikhela,' the method of attack is quite artificial-- after all, no one is really trying to hurt anyone. They attack each other for a while, then take a break to dance for a while, then go back to attacking. The whole affair is rather stylised. The dance performances actually punctuate the changes in technique, so after a dance is over, the fighters switch over to a different style of fighting. In the Kushtia-Jhenidah region, the fights were based on various stories about war or robbers. Nowadays these story-based shows are just about gone."

6 bombs recovered

UNB, Benapole

Law enforcers recovered six live bombs from Benapole and Meherpur yesterday.

Acting on a tip off, police raided the house of Mobarak and recovered the bombs. Mobarak fled the scene sensing the presence of the law enforcers.

A bomb expert team of army reached the spot.

Police said in a driver on Monday they also recovered three time bombs from nearby Chatkapota village.

A case was filed.

Meanwhile RAB patrol team seized three bombs from Chakshamnagar village in Mujibnagar upazila yesterday afternoon. Gangni RAB commander Lt Noor Mohammad Tariq Aziz said sensing trouble at the sight of the patrol team three terrorists ran away leaving behind three homemade bombs, each weighing about 1kg, near the school in the village.

He suspected that the terrorists were carrying the bombs to disrupt election campaign somewhere in the district bordering India.

Detained militants placed on 5-day remand

UNB, Gaibandha

The eight militants, detained for storing huge explosives at Gobindaganj, have confessed to investigators that they had planned to make grenades in a bid to create anarchy and violence during the upcoming national election.

Police said that the detained militants also confessed to the investigators about their direct involvement with the banned militant outfit Jam'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), which has intensified efforts to reorganize it in Gaibandha.

Meanwhile, the case related to grenade and explosives recovery was transferred to Detective Branch (DB) from Gobindaganj police yesterday.

Later, the DB men produced the eight militants before court seeking a 10-day remand for them, but additional Chief Judicial magistrate Sharif Uddin Azad granted a five-day remand for them.

Sources at the DB said that they would be able to trace entire network and current operational activities of JMB in the district during the granted five-day remand.

During the primary police interrogation, it was known that regional commander of the militant group Rezaul Karim Rezu alias Shihab alias Hasan initially stored the seized explosives and elements used in making grenade at the residence of JMB second-in-command Amjad Hossain and later these were supplied to the places of their targets.

Earlier, police in a midnight drive Wednesday recovered huge explosives and grenade-making materials from villages Chakshibpur and Par Kachua in Gobindaganj upazila.

During the drive, police arrested JMB regional commander Rezaul Karim Rezu, Monjurul Islam Monju and Al Amin.

Acting on their confessional statements, police later arrested five other JMB members - Mostafizur Rahman, Nannu Mia, Amzad Hossain, Obaidur Rahman and Rowsan Ali.

Pakistan moves troops toward Indian border

AP, Islamabad

Pakistan began moving thousands of troops to the Indian border Friday, intelligence officials said, sharply raising tensions triggered by the Mumbai terror attacks.

India has blamed Pakistani-based militants for last month's siege on its financial capital, which killed 164 people and has provoked an increasingly bitter war of words between nuclear-armed neighbors that have fought three wars in 60 years.

The troops headed to the Indian border were being diverted away from tribal areas near Afghanistan, officials said, and the move was expected to frustrate the United States, which has been pushing Pakistan to step up its fight against al-Qaida and Taliban militants near the Afghan border.

Two intelligence officials said the army's 14th Division was being redeployed to the towns of Kasur and Sialkot, close to the Indian border. They said some 20,000 troops were on the move. Earlier Friday, a security official said all troop leave had been canceled.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

Both countries have said they want to avoid military conflict over the attacks. But India has not ruled out the use of force as it presses its neighbor to crack down on the Pakistani-based terrorist group it blames for the attack.

Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has promised to respond aggressively if attacked but reassured India Friday that Pakistan would not strike first.

"We will not take any action on our own," Gilani told reporters. "There will be no aggression from our side."

Meanwhile, Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee accused Pakistan of trying to divert attention away from its struggle to rein in homegrown terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, which Delhi accuses of masterminding the Mumbai attacks.

"They should concentrate on the real issue: how to fight against terrorists and how to fight against and bring to book the perpetrators of (the) Bombay terrorist attack," he said.

Pakistan has arrested several senior members of the banned group and cracked down on a charity the U.S. and UN say was a front for Lashkar. India has demanded greater action, but Pakistan says it needs to share evidence backing up its claims.

Mukherjee responded Friday by saying India had provided more than enough evidence about the militants, who infiltrated Mumbai by sea.

"We have indicated to them that there are ample evidences from the log book of the captured ship, from the information available from satellite telephones and various others that elements from Pakistan were responsible for this attack," Mukherjee told reporters.

Amid reports of a military build-up across the borders in Pakistan, chiefs of the three armed forces yesterday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and briefed him on the country's defence preparedness. During the meeting, which took place at the Prime Minister's office, Singh took stock of the possible conventional military threat scenarios and the counter- measures that the Army, Navy and the Air Force had put in place along the borders, Defence Ministry sources said.

"In the meeting, the three Services chiefs made a presentation on the military preparedness to the Prime Minister," the sources said adding that the issues relating to the Pay Commission "anomalies" were also discussed.

Diplomats, poll watchers consider election crucial for restoration of democracy

Talha Bin Habib

Political parties, professionals, member of civil society and people as a whole consider the long awaited ninth parliament election, only two days ahead critically important for the smooth transition of power to a democratically elected government in the country.

Voters irrespective of their political affiliation and beliefs are eagerly waiting to exercise their valued franchise in the election to choose their representatives.

The caretaker government has completed all preparations to conduct the elections in a free and fair manner. Besides, steps have been taken to ensure a level playing field for all political parties for December 29 polls.

The electioneering will come to end from midnight tomorrow. Candidates and their activists are conducting their last minute polls campaign heart and soul to woo the voters amid chilly weather.

The UN and the donor countries are sincerely want restoration of democracy in the country. To monitor the polls, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) and delegation of International Observers from the National Democratic Institute (NDI) have already arrived in the country.

Citizens are the real 'owner' of the country. Country's peace, prosperity, development and attainment of sustainable democracy largely depend on active participation of the people in the electoral process and taking judicious decision for electing their chosen candidates, said a civil society member preferring anonymity.

The US Ambassador to Bangladesh James F Moriarty said that the United States has important interests in Bangladesh and wants to see a return to democracy and will work well with whatever government comes to power.

In his opening remarks to the Congressional Committee recently he said " In my view, other than last month's (November) election in the US there will be no more transformational election in the world this year than the parliamentary elections schedule for December 29 in Bangladesh.

In an interview with VOA recently he spells out three priorities for the would be winner of Bangladesh elections. They are focus on restoring full democracy, development and denying opportunities for terrorism to flourish.

Any successful government in Bangladesh has to address their three issues. Otherwise, he says in advance "Bangladesh will face even greater challenges than it does at present," he added.

On one hand Bangladesh has been facing recurring natural disasters, endemic corruption, growing intolerance and a growing population, 86 percent of whom subsist on less than two dollars a day. On the other Bangladesh is on the brink of a historic democratic transition that could make country model of governance for other moderate Muslims nations.

US Congressman Joseph Crowely, Chair of the Bangladesh Caucus said, he would do his best to ensure that the United States remain committed to Bangladesh's future progress by enhancing American assistance and helping the country in its quest for better access to US market.

Leader of the UN appraisal team panel Francesc Vendrell said UN wants to see all political parties run the elections and accept the results.

" We want to see all parties accept the results with winners extending friendly hands to the loser and winners not take everything and throw the loser into outer region," he said.

Vendrell has submitted his team's report to the UN Secretary General in New York Ban-ki Moon.

Rashed Khan Menon and Habib-un- Nabi Khan Sohel of Awami League grand alliance and BNP led four-party alliance respectively contesting from Dhaka-8 constituency, said they do not believe in politics of vengeance and confrontation. They were of the view the newly elected MP's should contribute to the parliament effective and pro-people.

Talking to the New Nation some city dwellers said whatever the party comes to power it should devote themselves to the task of addressing the country's problems an urgent basis. They want essential commodities with affordable price and politics free from confrontation chaos and violence.

They also look forward to establishing a relationship between the government and the opposition in parliament where all issues will be settled through debates. In the process of switching over to democracy the government and the opposition should not treat themselves each other as adversaries.

The political parties should not believe in grudge and revenge but in peaceful co-existence. Government and the opposition should not be rivals and have to probe themselves responsible, according to them.

Any attempt to subvert the democratic process could plunge the into chaos and endemic poverty. Peace is pre-requisite for development. Bangladesh could emerge as peaceful and mid level earning country in South Asia, they opined.

Banned groups inactive in SW region

Bdnews24.com, Jhenaidah

'Outlawed' extremist parties have not been seen active in the southwest ahead of elections this time, as police have taken strict measures and maintained "good vigilance", say Khulna law enforcers.

"They will not be able to resurface," says Khulna deputy inspector general of police Md Asaduzzaman Mian, of the banned militant groups which surfaced ahead of previous polls.

"Their organisational base has been shattered due to RAB and police operations. Armed encounters with RAB and police have left dead more than 400 extremist leaders of the Khulna division," he told bdnews24.com.

Director of RAB-12, Lt Col Md Zillur Rahman said, "We have no fresh information about activities of extremist groups."

"In the past, extremists came out before polls and threatened ordinary people to vote for their preferred candidates, but this time the situation is different," he observed.

This year, 'top leaders' of Purbo Banglar Communist Party, Biplobi Communist Party, Communist Juddho, Jhinaidah and other militant groups have been killed in RAB-police 'crossfire' in southwestern districts.

Chief of Purbo Bangla Communist Party, Dr Mizanur Rahman (Tutul) and Jhinaidah chief Roni Biswas were among them.

With the killing of the top guns, second level leaders have become terrified and gone underground, say local law enforcers.

Though 'the arsenals' of the parties remain, no one has dared to take over, they say.

"The clandestine parties have no activities at all and they are absent from electoral programmes," said one official, declining to be named.

4 muggers held in Savar

UNB, Savar

Local people caught four muggers while they were fleeing after robbing off a vegetables trader in Imandipur area here yesterday morning.

The arrested were identified as Azad, Rony, Sohel, and Shohel.

Police said five muggers hacked vegetables trader Salam early in the morning while he was going to his business establishment in Genda Bazar, leaving him injured. Later, they took away Tk 5,000 from him.

Hearing his cry for help, local people rushed in and held four of them after a hot chase.

Later, they were handed over to police after giving them a good beating.

Three sharp weapons were also recovered from their possession.

A case was filed in this connection.

Babar expelled from BNP

Staff Reporter

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) yesterday expelled its former state minister Lutfozzaman Babar for violating the party discipline.

The expulsion order against Babar came following the direction of party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on charges of violating the party discipline.

Party sources said charges of obstructing party candidate from carrying out election campaign were brought against him.

It also said the primary membership of Babar has also been cancelled

apart from expelling him from his party post.

Four BNP leaders, including BNP chairperson's advisory council member

Syed Shahidul Huq Jamal and law secretary advocate Zainul Abedin,

were expelled Thursday violating party dictate.

AL men injure Goyeshwar's daughter in Keraniganj

Staff Reporter

Four people, including the daughter of BNP leader Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, were injured in an attack allegedly carried out by Awami League supporters at Ainta in Keraniganj yesterday.

Witnesses said a group of AL supporters attacked Goyeshwar's daughter Arpana Roy, her relations Himangshu Bhoumik, Debabrata Das and driver Akhter at about 4:00pm, as they went to the area for electioneering in support of Goyeshwar, a BNP candidate from Dhaka-3.

The injured, including Arpana, received first aid at a local clinic.

Arpana told reporters that the supporters of Nasrul Hamid Dipu, an AL candidate from the same constituency, attacked them during their election campaign.

She alleged that the attackers also hurled abuses at them and pointed a gun at her nine-year-old son, Simanta, and warned of dire consequences if they visit the area again to campaign. "They also badly damaged my vehicle," she said.

Arpana filed a case with South Keraniganj Police Station in this connection.

None can prevent victory of Mohajote: Ershad

BSS, Rangpur

Jatiya Party Chairman and former President Hussein Muhammad Ershad on Friday said that none can prevent victory of the Mohajote as the huge peoples' wave has been created in its favour.

Speaking at a number of meetings and street rallies at different places in parliamentary constituencies of Rangpur and Nilphamari yesterday, he called upon the people to vote for Mohajote candidates to ensure sustainable development and change lots of the people.

Ershad said that gas supply will be ensured and agro-based and other industries will be set up in Rangpur region to create job opportunities for ending sufferings of the monga stricken people forever through sustainable developments.

He called upon the people to reject the corrupts, looters and criminals in the December 29 polls to save the country form their clutches, who looted peoples' money, properties and siphoned those off the country.

Ershad said, "The Mohajote has been formed to unitedly build the Sonar Bangla of Bangabandhu and my 'Swapner Natun Bangla' and I suggest the people for casting their votes for 'boat', and 'plough' to enable materialising the dreams."

He cautioned people against the BNP-Jamaat and said, while in power the 4-party alliance plundered national resources, repressed people and unleashed a reign of terror and their slogan "Desh Banchao, Manush Banchao' is not a true one.

He said if voted to power, the Mohajote will do everything for creating a peaceful, democratic, militancy-and terrorism-free and economically strong Bangladesh in the greater interest of the people.

The JP Chairman said that both AL and Jatiya Party are now wholeheartedly united and the JP candidates are contesting with AL-led grand alliance tickets with the 'plough' as its election symbol while AL candidates continued to campaign with the AL symbol of 'boat.'

"I ask the people to vote for 'boat' and 'plough' wherever the Mohajote candidates are contesting the polls to make the grand alliance candidates victorious with huge margins of votes for building a developed Bangladesh,' Ershad added.

He also said that he joined the Mohajote because of his moral obligation to repay the debt to the Rangpur people, and added, "It is the people of Rangpur who saved my life when I was in jail by electing me twice from five seats."

"Now, it is my turn to do something for Rangpur people, and I have joined the Mohajote to go to power, as nothing can be done without being in power," Ershad said. "I would never forget the love of Rangpur people and would try to do everything for them and I am making pledge that Rangpur would be made one of the eight provinces with Rangpur as its centre," he said.

He said that it would be possible for him to introduce the upazila system and initiate a huge development programme as he was in power and it is essential to go to power again to be able do more for the people, he added.

"The AL government supplied gas to Sirajganj and the BNP government brought it to Bogra, and we will definitely take gas to all places in greater Rangpur and Dinajpur districts for quicker industrialisation and job creation if voted to power," he said.

The hardcore poor people would be provided with food, the jobless day-and farm-labourers would be given 120 days' wages, and rationing system would be introduced for the low-income group and the poor, said Ershad.

4 presiding officers withdrawn from Barguna

Barisal Correspondent

The District returning officer of Barguna on Thursday night has withdrawn four presiding officers from election duty following protest from the BNP candidate in Barguna-2 constituency.

The withdrawn presiding officers are Khalilur Rahman, principal of Patharghata Degree College, Mojibur Rahman, principal of Patharghata Haji Jalaluddin Mohila College, Mahbubul Alam Manik, headmaster of Patharghata K M School, Khalilur Rahman Badshah, headmaster of Patharghata Keramatpur Rahmania School.

Safayet Hossain, deputy commissioner and returning officer of Barguna, said they were withdrawn from the election duty after Advocate Khondokar Mahbub Hossain, BNP candidate from Barguna-2 constituency, alleged that they participated in a election meeting with Golam Sabur Tulu, AL candidate, on Tuesday at Keramatpur Rahmania School.

Tulu, however, denied the allegation.

2 more surveys predict BNP victory

Staff Reporter

Two more organisations including National Democratic Foundation (NDF) and Natural Resources Research and Database Foundation (NRRDF) have predicted that the BNP-led alliance will win an absolute majority in the December 29 general election.

Earlier London Institute of South Asia (LISA), Weekly Probenews and Bangladesh Manabad hikar Samonnay Parishad (Bamasap) predicted almost the same.

NDF predicts that the BNP led 4-party alliance will win 169 parliamentary seats giving the AL led grand alliance 114 seats only.

It says that BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is the most popular leader in Bangladesh despite all sorts of negative propaganda against her.

According to NRRF, the 4-party will bag 153 seats, grand alliance 116 and individuals three seats.

Probenews and Bamasap predicted that the BNP-led alliance would win an absolute majority bagging 154 to 155 constituencies while LISA said, "the BNP led alliance have nearly 10 per cent lead over the Awami League (AL) lead alliance."