The New Nation - Internet Edition

BL Varsity College closed following clash

UNB, Khulna

Khulna Government BL University College in city' s Daulatpur thana was closed sine die Monday noon following violence on the campus.

All residential students of four male and one female hostels of the college have also been asked to leave their dormitories by 3pm yesterday.

The teachers' council in a meeting, chaired by Principal Prof. Dr Ahmed Reza, took the decision at about 11:30am as activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Islami Chhatra Shibir engaged in a fierce clash when BCL men went to capture the college dormitories at about 8am yesterday.

Several rooms of Joha Hall and Model Hostel were damaged during the melee.

Activists of both the organizations took out processions and attacked each other with brickbats and sticks leaving a number of students injured.

On information, police rushed to the spot and quelled the situation at about 11am. The injured were admitted to local clinics.

Foreign Adviser concerned over Gaza situation

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury expressed his grave concern over the deteriorating situation in Gaza.

In a statement he said, "The Israeli ground action is extremely worrying as it places us on the brink of full scale war".

"Bangladesh's position on the issue of Palestine is well-known. But right now our principal worry is the situation in Gaza. The fighting must be stopped forthwith. Further killings of innocent civilian are totally unacceptable", he added.

Removal of new Khatib of Baitul Mukarram mosque demanded

UNB, Dhaka

'Baitul Mukarram Masjid Musalli Samaj' has demanded removal of the newly appointed Khatib of National Mosque Maulana Salah Uddin, alleging that his appointment by Islamic Foundation was illegal and contrary to rules.

Addressing a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club yesterday , Musalli Samaj convenor Maulana Saifullah urged the newly elected government for canceling the appointment of Khatib Maulana Salah Uddin.

He said Maulana Salah Uddin was earlier removed from the post of Khatib of a mosque in Mirpur and of Dhanmandi Eidgah Jame Mosque for his "questionable character."

"Maulana Salah Uddin's new appointment is nothing but a conspiracy to put a wedge in the harmony between government and religious leaders," said the Musalli Samaj convenor.

Convener of Olama-Mashaikh Samannay Parishad Maulana Abdul Latif Chowdhury, secretary of Amra Dhaka Basi Abu Naser Chowdhury and teacher of Chittagong Hathajari Madrasah Maulana Junayed Babunagri were, among others, present at the press conference.

Earlier, on Sunday, the Musalli Samaj submitted a memorandum to the Islamic Foundation demanding removal of Khatib Maulana Salah Uddin.

When contacted, Director General of Islamic Foundation M Fazlur Rahman told UNB that the decision of Maulana Salah Uddin's appointment as Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque came from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

"I only issued the appointment letter," he said.

After the death of Maulana Obaidul Haq, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in October 2007, Maulana Nuruddin was acting as Khatib of the Mosque.

Oli demands abolition of CG system

UNB, Dhaka

LDP president Dr Oli Ahmed has sought to abolish the system of caretaker government saying nowhere in the world such a system derogatory to the politicians is found.

The newly elected MP from Chittagong, Oli speaking at a reception at the party office yesterday said it is unfortunate for the nation that the political parties do not take each other into confidence and fail to resolve the problems of the country.

"It is indecent and unbearable that a few people neither elected nor linked with the masses are imposed upon the nation to dictate the politicians. We shall not allow some stooges of the alien powers sitting in cozy hotel to humiliate the politicians," he said about the council of advisers of the caretaker government.

LDP leader congratulated the Awami League president Sheikh Hasina for his party's landslide victory in the election and assured cooperation to her government.

He suggested that the ruling party will implement its pledges to the nation including trial of the war criminals, strengthening the Anti-Corruption Commission, reforms of the judiciary, bring down prices of essentials and easy loans to the farmers.