The New Nation - Internet Edition

New govt should be prompt to decide on gas dev

Staff Reporter

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Prof M Tamim yesterday called upon the newly elected Awami League government not to make any more delay in taking decision on the issue of gas exploration because more delay will deepen the crisis.

He made this call in his last briefing on the performance of the Power and Energy Ministry during a year he served with the status of a State Minister.

Prof Tamim has expressed his deep frustrations as he was not able to sign deals on offshore gas block bidding and also failed to get coal policy approved.

I have some frustrations about the offshore gas block bidding and approval of the coal policy…all these should have been done, he said reporters at the Energy Ministry.

About the offshore bidding, Tamim said the tender was done fully in transparent manner and the proposed deals were better in any comparison with the previous deals.

"But, the energy ministry didn't get positive response from the two major political parties. That's why the caretaker government is leaving the matter for the elected government."

Tamim, however, claimed that he had tried to improve the gas supply situation in port city Chittagong and after his effort about 40 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of gas was added to the national grid.

Of this, Chittagong city will get 10 MMCFD of gas which will improve

the situation, he said, adding that a 50-MW power plant is being installed for the port city as well.

He also said that about 170 MMCFD of gas would come to the national grid by the middle of the current year while about 500 MW power would be added to the national grid.

Tamim, in his last day of office, also held a farewell meeting with the officials and employees of his ministry.

Despite completion of all procedures, the government could neither sign an accord on the installation of 450-MW power plant at Bibiyana, nor sign deals on the 3rd round international gas block bidding.

Of this, Chittagong city will get 10 MMCFD of gas which will improve the situation, he said, adding that a 50-MW power plant is being installed for the port city as well.

He also said that about 170 MMCFD of gas would come to the national grid by the middle of the current year while about 500 MW power would be added to the national grid.

BNP's protest rally at Muktangan today

Staff Reporter

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) would hold protest rally at Muktangan in the city in protest against the killing of Nazrul Islam, president, 56-Ward of Shechchhachebok Dal, a front organisation of the party by terrorists in the city.

The party high ups urged the city activists of the organisation to be present in the programme and make it a success.

Workers’ strike hits Benapole port operation

UNB, Benapole

Benapole land port was paralyzed for half-day today as handling workers enforced strike protesting attack on them allegedly by Awami League activists.

Loading and unloading was disrupted from

6 am to 12 noon. The striking workers brought out procession and held rally protesting Monday's attack by AL activists.

Witnesses said a group of local AL leaders Monday night pressed for recruitment of their cadres as handling workers. On resistance, the handling workers came under attack.

2 killed in boiler blast in Jamalpur

BSS, Jamalpur

Two persons were killed and a boy was injured critically when a boiler of 'Zonaki Rice Mill' exploded at Goal Gaonareain of Bokshiganj upazila in the district on Monday evening.

The victims were identified as Zonaki, 12, daughter of mill owner Joynal Abedin, and Mojibar Rahman, 50, a worker of the mill.

Police and witnesses said when the boiler exploded, Zonaki and his brother Sumon, 15, were standing in front of their house, adjacent to the rice mill.

Lanka win series 2-0

UNB, Chittagong

A magical performance by Tillakaratne Dilshan guided Sri Lanka to win the two-match GrameenPhone test series 2-0 outplaying Bangladesh by a massive 465 runs with a day to spare on the 4th day of the final test in Chittagong on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old Dilshan led the Island nation to the fifth-highest margin of victory ever in Test cricket as he not only scored back to back century in the 2nd test but also grabbed four wickets in the 2nd innings today.

At the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium in Chittagong, Sri Lanka resumed the 2nd innings on Tuesday morning with overnight 295 for 4 and declared the innings at 447 for 6 at lunch giving an impossible target of 624 runs for Bangladesh in the 2nd innings to win.

Dilshan, who scored 162 runs in the first innings, today resumed the 2nd innings with 81 runs and hammered his back to back ton in the 2nd test contributing an entertaining 143 runs off 175 balls that featured 14 fours and a six.

Right arm off break bowler Dilshan also emerged as the most successful bowler for Sri Lanka in the second innings with four wickets -- Shakib Al Hasan, Mehrab Hossain Jr, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shahadat Hossain Rajib -- conceding just 10 runs in 4.2 overs with a maiden.

With this feat, Dilshan was adjudged both player of the match and player of the series.

Replying to a huge target, Bangladesh (1st innings 208) opened the 2nd innings to be bundled out for 158 runs in 49.2 overs with wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan batting confidently.

The Bangladesh batsmen put on a toothless display from the very beginning and were bowled out inside two sessions; they never really had a chance with the top five batsmen departing before tea, and then Dilshan ran through the bottom order.

After the soft dismissal of five top order batsmen -- Tamim Iqbal (17), Imrul Kayes (5), Junaid Siddiqui (4), Raquibul Hasan (10) and Mohammad Ashraful (7) -- for 62 runs in 27 overs at tea, Mushfiqur Rahim pairing with Shakib Al Hasan contributed 92 runs in the 6th wicket stand.

Number seven batsman Shakib hammered 46 runs off 49 balls with seven fours while number six Mushfiqur Rahim scored 43 runs off 93 balls with six boundaries.

Apart from Dilshan's four-wicket haul, bowling sensation Ajantha Mendis claimed three wickets for 57 runs while Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando took one wicket each.

Pakistan may outsmart India in diplomatic poker

Reuters, New Delhi

India may be frustrated and even outwitted by Pakistan over the Mumbai attacks, after placing its faith in diplomacy and the support of the United States.

New Delhi has responded to the attacks on its soil with a determined diplomatic offensive, trusting Washington and ultimately Barack Obama to force Pakistan's hand.

It could be disappointed, but is unlikely to vent its frustration through military action, analysts and diplomats say.

"Pakistan has been able to obfuscate the issue, which is testimony to its chutzpah," said Indian security analyst Uday Bhaskar.

"It is also a reflection of the degree to which the major powers are complicit in allowing the Pakistani establishment to engage in this kind of double-speak.

"India will have to temper its own expectation of what the international community can deliver."

Monday, India handed evidence to Pakistan and other countries which it said showed Pakistani militants carried out the November attack on Mumbai, and Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram will take the dossier to Washington this week.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh kept up pressure yesterday, saying the attack must have had support from "official agencies" in Pakistan and accusing Islamabad of "whipping up war hysteria."

But with Obama and the West depending on Pakistani support for a planned troop surge in Afghanistan, there are limits to how far the world will twist Islamabad's arm.

Immediately after the attack, India won what it called "very, very heartening" international support, but Pakistan has since had some success in obfuscating the issue by raising the threat of Indian military retaliation.

Its people have largely united against India, and its army suddenly seems indispensable again. But there are critical voices-Pakistan's main human rights group accused its government Saturday of being in a "state of denial."

India has demanded Pakistan pursue investigations to their conclusion and hand over the organizers to Indian justice.

Mohajote MP denies war criminal charge

Staff Reporter

Dr Md Anwar Hossain, newly elected MP from Pirojpur-3 constituency under Awami League led Grand Alliance, yesterday rejected the allegation that he was a war criminal.

"If anybody can prove the accusation, I will leave politics and MP post", he vowed at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) in the city.

Earlier Dr Zahangir Hossain, Vice President of Muktijodhha Central Council, and Sushasaner Jonya Nagorik (SUJON) claimed that Syed Bahadur, a writer, includes the matter at his book "Ganahatya and Badhhabhumi-71" published in 2007. His name was included as a war criminal.

Major (Retd) Ziauddin Ahmed, Sub-Sector-Commander of Sector No 9, AKMA Awal, Commander during the Liberation War, Freedom fighter Goutam Ray Chowdhury, among others, supported Anwar's claim.

CU teacher commits suicide

BSS, Chittagong

Dr Andrew Alok Dewari, assistant professor of the Department of Communication and Journalism of Chittagong University (CU) committed suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling fan of his residence at Mirzapur in the city yesterday morning.

He was 48.

Police and family sources said Alok Dewari was alone at home as his wife, a senior nurse of Chittagong Medical College Hospital was at her work place and their son and daughter had been attending at their respective educational institutions in the city.

2 cops among 12 hurt in BCL-Shibir clash in CU

UNB, Chittagong

Twelve people, including two police constables, were injured during clashes between activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) at Shah Amanat hall of Chittagong University (CU) yesterday.

The clashes ensued when rival processions brought out by BCL and ICS activists confronted each other near the hall shortly after mid-day, witnesses said, adding both sides used sticks and hurled stones at each other.

Seven BCL and three Shibir men were injured in the violence. In addition two police constables were hurt in the melee. It could not be ascertained if any of them were in serious condition.

Police later rushed to the spot and charged batons to disperse the feuding groups and brought the situation under control at around 3:00pm.

BCL later submitted memorandum to CU authorities demanding police raids in residential halls to flash out 'outsiders' and allow the general students to return to their halls.

Meanwhile, CU authorities at a meeting, chaired by Vice Chancellor Dr Badiul Alam, formed three-member vigilance teams in the halls. Another 24-member environment team, to be headed by VC, was also formed to maintain congenial atmosphere in the campus.

The meeting also allowed police to raid all halls yesterday night.

Police was deployed in front of all six male halls from 6:00pm Tuesday to defuse tension.

All classes of CU, which remained closed since December 28 for parliament elections, are due to resume on January 9.

Curbing inflation, graft top priorities

UNB, Dhaka

US based International Republican Institute (IRI) in its exit poll conducted in Bangladesh showed that the respondents said containing price inflation and corruption should be the priority for the next government.

The exit poll by IRI for the first time in Bangladesh under the supervision of David Williams of Williams and Associates interviewed 18,055 persons during the polling at 150 centers across the country.

Some 27 percent of the respondents said that price inflation need the greatest attention of the government while 22 percent attached priority to curbing corruption.

Some 86 percent said they do not encounter any problem, difficulty or irregularity when in casting vote.

82 percent mentioned that things in Bangladesh are headed in the right direction.

The Exit poll showed 93 percent answered that candidates, their surrogates or a political party offered gift, favour, food or money to try to convince to vote for them.

It found that 35.1 percent cast their votes for 4-party alliance while in the official result said that the alliance got 37.8 percent votes.

60.3 respondents answered that they cast their votes for the grand alliance while official result said it got 56.6 percent votes.

31 percent of the respondents said that they cast their votes to particular party as he/she or their family always votes this way. 8 percent said that they had decided about casting votes during the campaign period (last three weeks) while the same percentage said that they decided after elections were scheduled (five weeks ago).

DSE witnesses sharp fall amid profit taking

UNB, Dhaka

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) witnessed a sharp fall for the second consecutive day yesterday amid profit taking.

The DSE General Index (DGEN), the benchmark index, fell 51 points or 1.84 percent to close at 2,757 from 2,808 on Monday as the investors rushed sales orders to take profit.

The All Shares Price Index (DSI) lost 43 points or 1.84 percent to 2,278 from 2,321 on Monday while DSE-20 of selective shares shed 38 points or 1.63 percent to close at 2,274 points from 2,312 on Monday.

The day's total turnover dropped to Tk 3.79 billion from Tk 4.64 billion on Monday while the market capitalization declined to Tk 1.04 trillion from Tk 1.05 trillion on Monday.

Of the total 247 issues traded on the day, 63 registered gains while 177 incurred losses and seven remained unchanged.

Beximco Pharma, Shinepukur Ceramics, Titas Gas, Summit Power, Beximco, ACI Formulations, GrameenS2, AIMS 1st Mutual Fund, ACI and Maksons Spinning were the turnover leaders in terms of value.

The day's volume leaders were AIMS 1st Mutual Fund, Shinepukur Ceramics, Beximco Textiles, Beximco Pharma, GRAMEENS2, Maksons Spinning, Beximco, Golden Sons, Quasem Dry Cell and BD Online.

Top gainers of the day were Shyampur Sugar, Al-haj Textiles, Orion Infusion, Padma Print, Sreepur Textiles, Modern Dyeing, Northern Insurance, Maksons Spinning, Fine Foods and Meghna Shrimp.

Top losers were Wata Chemicals, Monno Stafflers, Therapeutics Bangladesh, Mithun Knit, Samata Leather, ICB, Miracle Industries, Quasem Silk, Beximco Synthetics and ICB Islamic.

Israeli aggression on Gaza condemned

Staff Reporter

The Bangladesh Afro-Asian Peoples Solidarity Organization (AAPSO) yesterday condemned the Israeli invasion of the Gaza strip in Palestine and killing of innocent people there.

AAPSO president Prof Anisuzzaman, general secretary Prof A.H. Sydur Rahman and Joint Secretary Hasan Tarique Chowdhury in a statement to the press said that after a weeklong bombardment of innocent children, women and civilian population, the war machinery of Israel is escalating further its aggression with a ground invasion.

More than 500 people have died in this State-sponsored terrorism. "The massacre by Israeli forces is crime against humanity and should have to be put to an international court," said the Bangladesh unit of the trans-boundary organisation.

The Bangladesh AAPSO also condemned the stand taken by the United States of America in the UN Security Council, which prevented a statement calling for an end to the hostilities.

AAPSO demanded Bangladesh government to immediately take diplomatic steps to halt this aggression. The AAPSO called upon all other progressive forces to organize protest demonstrations against this brutal aggression by Israel. It also expressed deep respect and solidarity to the forces struggling for peace inside Israel and all other parts of the world.

Meanwhile, different organisations demonstrated and condemned against the genocide of Israel over the people of Gaza of Palestine across the country yesterday.

Bangladesh Student Union staged demonstration on Dhaka University (DU) campus yesterday protesting Israeli attack on Gaza.

Leaders of the organisation claimed that Israel stand against the world people through the killing operation with assistance of USA.

Bangladesh Afro-Asian people's solidarity Organisation also condemned at the attack and urged the Bangladesh government to take diplomatic steps for stopping the genocide.

Phensidyl recovered

Staff Reporter

Detective Branch (DB) of police recovered 1,300 bottles of phensidyl and arrested one drug peddler from in front of Shikder Medical College under city's Hajaribagh police station yesterday.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of detective police asked the driver of a capital bound truck coming from Chapainawabganj to halt as the vehicle was passing by Gabtali at about 3:00am.

Ignoring the signal, the truck driver along with his vehicle sped away towards Hajaribagh.

The law enforcers later held the truck near Shikder Medical College and recovered the drugs and arrested drug peddler Mohammad Touhid Sarder Khokon, 22, at about 4:00am. The truck was also seized.

AL to implement electoral promises, hopes Rab

Staff Reporter

Former Minister, ASM Abdur Rab said the elected government under the leadership of Awami League President, Sheikh Hasina would implement the promises they made in their electoral manifesto.

He hoped in a statement yesterday that this government would be able to keep the prices of the daily commodities under the control of the general people.

Rab said for strengthening the economic power of the country they must create new opportunities to employ two crore unemployed people.

He urged Hasina to ensure security to the people to save one's life and property by enforcing law. Her government would be able to make a progressive society ensuring good governance in the country, he hoped.

Rab stated, the people of the country believed that she could bring about a qualitative changes in the political culture in the country.

Tk 1 lakh snatched in Savar

UNB, Savar

Armed muggers snatched Tk one lakh after shooting and injuring two people at Berutala village here yesterday.

Police said snatchers, numbering 2/3, opened fire on Imran, 25, and his aunt Chandra Banu, 32, and took away the money when they were returning from local branch of Islami Bank after enchasing the money at about 4 pm.