The New Nation - Internet Edition

Holy Ashura observed

Devotees of Shia Community brought out procession in
the city marking tragic death of Hazrat Imam Hassan and Imam
Hussein. NN photo

BSS, Dhaka

The holy Ashura, commemorating the supreme sacrifice made by Hazrat Imam Hossain (RA), grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad PBUH), and his followers to uphold the teachings of Islam, was observed on Thursday across the country as elsewhere in the Muslim world with due religious fervor and solemnity.

On this day, Hazrat Imam Hossain (RA), along with his family members and close relations, embraced martyrdom at the hands of Yazid's forces in the desert of Karbala for cause of truth and justice.

Different religious organisations have observed the occasion in a befitting manner by holding discussions and seminars on the significance of the event in the history of Islam.

Marking the occasion, the organisations of Shia sect brought out colourful "Tazia" processions from Hossani Dalan, Azimpur, Mohammadpur and others parts of the city in remembrance of the martyrs.

Milad Mahfil and special prayers were also held in Azimpur Dayera Sharif and Dewanbag Sharif on the occasion. Islamic Foundation Bangladesh also held a waz mahfil at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Renowned Islamic thinker Dr. Moulana Mushtaq Ahmed addressed the mahfil.

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have given separate messages on the eve of the day.

President Iajuddin, in his message, said the eternal message of holy Ashura is to sacrifice life for establishing truth and justice in society.

He hoped that the spirit of holy Ashura would strengthen the bonds of love and tolerance among the people in society.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said "holy Ashura teaches us not to bow down to untrue, suppression and injustice. It gives us inspiration to resist chaos and envy at all levels in national life."

Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television aired special programmes and national dailies brought out special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.

Private radio and television channels also aired special programmes marking the day.

Middlemen’s control over market must go

Staff Reporter

Prof Dr Muzaffar Ahmed, Chairman, TIB yesterday said middlemen's control in the market should be reduced for supply of agricultural products to the consumers at a rational price.

He was speaking as chief guest at a roundtable titled "Pledges and Duties of the New Government to Control Essential Goods" organised by Bangabangdhu Diploma Agriculturists' Parishad at the National Press Club in the city.

Md Zahir Uddin Babu, founding president of the organisation chaired the discussion.

Prof Dr MA Nasir presented the keynote paper while Prof Dr Atiur Rahman, Prof Dr SM Imamul Haque, Khandokar Muhitul Islam, Editor of the Daily Janata, Agriculturist Moin Uddin Ahmed, Md Motaher Hossain, among others, took part in the discussion.

Dr Atiur urged the government to immediately increase subsidy to fertilizer and diesel prices for controlling the market.

He also said "Very political well-wishes is enough to control the price of essential goods".

Mentioning 70 percent of main necessity goods being import, Khandokar Muhitul urged the new government to reduce the dependency of import through increasing local agricultural products for the country's development.

Speakers emphasised on giving training to the farmers and increasing agricultural products for ensuring food security of the country.

"Priority should be given toresearch and prescription of our local agricultural specialists, not the World Bank (WB) for improving the sector", they said.

Speakers also stressed on implementing the Consumers' Rights Ordinance as soon as possible with the assistance of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB).

Commodity prices reducing, further action to follow

Talha Bin Habib

The price of essential commodities started falling yesterday following the down trend in the international market and government move to contain it to a tolerable level.

Commodities like soybean oil, rice, flour, sugar and some other items were selling at cheaper rate on Friday in comparison with the last week price.

The high ups of the government have vowed to break the market syndicate to keep the price of essential items to a tolerable level.

Finance Minister Abul Mall Abul Muhit and Commerce Minister Col (Retd) Faruque Khan said, the government would take all possible means to arrest the skyrocketing prices of essentials.

" The government will intervene directly into the market to eliminate market syndication and contain the price to a tolerable level," said Muhit.

He also said the government intervention would become inevitable if the market syndicates failed to keep the price to a tolerable level.

Commerce Minister also expressed his optimism that the prices would come down by next one month.

"The skyrocketing price of essentials would come down even more than what people expected" he said while visiting the city's Karwan Bazar kitchen markets on Tuesday.

The minister discussed with the business leaders and gave them his cell phone number and asked them to report should there be extortion and' syndicate' in the markets.

"There were syndicates and extortion in the markets that pushed the prices up. Still there are syndicates, but they will not be able to do anything in the future," he said.

Asked on how the government would check the market price the commerce minister said the government was observing the international markets.

"We will discuss with the business community how they can sell their commodities profiting not more than 10 to 12 percent," he mentioned.

He, however, said the government did not want to control the market. It only wants to make sure that the prices are reasonable. Replying to a question he said none was extorting money from the market now.

He also said that additional transportation cost and extortion also added to the price hike. These would not happen again in the market.

Asked why prices are not coming down in retail markets despite low prices in the wholesale markets, he said, " We will take further actions for that."

In the retail markets soybean was sold between Tk 85 and Tk 88 per kg which was Tk 100 to Tk 105 in the last week. Five litre canned different brands of soybean oil was selling between Tk 430 and Tk 445 which was Tk 540 to Tk 550 in the previous week. Per kg of loose ata was sold at Tk 23 which was Tk 28 to Tk 30 in the last week and packed ata containing two kg's was sold at Tk 52 yesterday.

Coarse rice was sold at Tk 26 per kg yesterday, which was Tk 30, Nazirshail was sold between Tk 36 and Tk 38 per kg which was Tk 44 to Tk 46 over the past few weeks. The price of different winter vegetables were reducing gradually over the last some days.

JU deadlocked over work abstention

BSS, Savar

The ongoing teachers' work abstention programme on the Jahangirnagar University (JU) campus have paralyzed the academic activities here putting on extra stress by elongating it into another one-year fresh session jam prompting frustration and mixed reaction among the students.

Fates of thousands of students of the university are now depending on the new administration, to be formed soon with supervision of new government, as they want to see a university, free from session jam as well as ill practices of so called teacher politics.

Classes and scheduled examinations of 26 departments of the university remain suspended from November last year due to indefinite work abstention programme by a section of teachers demanding punishment to the students allegedly involved in assaulting a teacher of the department of Drama and Dramatics.

Several departments of the university have been suffering from marathon session congestion for more than two years due to teachers' politics, regular absence of teachers from department, rampant leave of teachers and irregularities in classes and examinations, an official of examination office told BSS.

Students of the university have already returned to their respective residential halls after month-long vacation for Eid, winter and national election vacations. The university reopened on January 3, but the classes and examinations are yet to resume for teachers' work abstention programme.

The first year admission tests, scheduled to begin from January 3, are now uncertain for the non-cooperation of a section of teachers. Fates of seventy thousand admission seekers are now depending on the mercy of new administration.

"Admission process of most of public universities have already been completed, but the JU authorities are yet to announce the date of admission tests", advocate Mustak Ahmed, a guardian of an admission seekers told this correspondent.

On the other hand, another section of teachers urged the university incumbent authorities to take immediate necessary steps restoring congenial academic atmosphere on the campus considering the life of thousand students.

They also requested the authorities to announce the fresh dates of admission tests. In a statement they called all teachers to resume academic activities by calling off work abstention.

"It is the moral responsibility of every teachers to take classes and assist the university authorities to cut down the prevailing session jam thinking the future of students", said Dr Muniruzzaman.

Bangladesh Chhatra League, JU unit, recently declared to restore congenial academic atmosphere on the campus by ensuring co-existence of all student organizations here for the greater interest of general students.

Results of different departments like-Economics, Government and Politics, Geological Sciences, Environmental Science, Urban and Regional Planning and Anthropology are yet to be published in stipulated time due to non-cooperation of teachers of the departments, an official of examination office of the university told BSS.

"Our honours final examination, scheduled for 2005, was held on January 2008 but the results are yet to be published," students of the English department told this correspondent seeking immediate publication of the results.

"The prevailing session jam of the university snatches two years valuable time from my life putting me into suffocating and embarrassing situation in the campus", an MA student of English department Mizanur Rahman said.

While contracted, the JU VC Prof Dr Mohammed Muniruzzaman told that they are trying to solve the prevailing problems through discussion and consultations with influential and senior teachers and officials of the university. He also sought co-operations from all corners to run the university smoothly.

Asked about the new dates of the admission tests, JU acting registrar Abu Bakar Siddique told reporters the new dates are yet to be finalised. It is now depending on the new administration, expected to be formed soon with the supervision of the new government, he added.

Israeli atrocities condemned

Staff Reporter

Leaders of different political and non-political organisations yesterday strongly condemned the Israeli atrocities in Gaza.

They demanded an immediate halt to air attacks on the Palestinians and sought urgent intervention of international bodies.

BNP secretary general Khandker Delwar Hossain condemned the continued killing of the Palestinians of Gaza and blamed Israel for violating the international laws by continuing its brutalities on the Palestinians.

He called upon the UN Security Council for taking resolution with a view to stopping the unilateral war by Israel.

Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Hizbut Tahrir and others groups gathered at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque after Juma prayers to protest Israeli attack on Palestinians.

They chanted slogans against Israel and the United Nations.

Some of the participants were critical of the coalition of Muslim nations in stopping the Israeli aggression.

Human Rights Review Society formed a human chain in front of the National Museum in the city.

Executive Director of the Society Advocate Mohammad Saidul Haque Said led the programme, while Mahmuda Khatun Meer, Md Jabed, Mizanur Rahman, Rokeya Parvin Keya, Shahidul Islam, attended it, among others.

Our Correspondent from Khulna in a report said Islami Andolon Bangladesh organised a rally at Baitun Noor Mosque in Khulna after Juma prayer. Prof Mokhtar Ahmed Presided over the rally. A big procession was brought out following the rally.

PM places wreaths at mazar of Bangabandhu

UNB, Tungipara

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday paid tributes to the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his mazar at Tungipara in Gopalganj.

After placing wreaths, she stood in solemn silence for sometime showing respect to the father of the nation. A smartly turned out contingent of the three services gave a guard of honour while bugle played to its last post.

The Prime Minister offered Fateha at the mazar praying for eternal peace of Bangabandhu. She also prayed for peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.

Contd from page-12

Later, she signed in the visitor's book kept at the mazar premises.

Cabinet members, advisers to the Prime Minister, state ministers, members of the parliament, high civil and military officials and family members and relatives of Sheikh Hasina were present, among others, on the occasion.

Home Minister says: Nobody responsible for will be spared campus violence

Earlier, the new PM was flown to Tungipara at about 11:30 am.

Staff Reporter

Home Minister Sahara Kahtun warned yesterday "nobody will be spared" from action against campus violence, after two factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League were involved in overnight clashes at Dhaka University.

The clashes left four injured at DU's Zia Hall, while Shahbagh police arrested seven individuals from the spot.

Asked to comment on the clashes, Home Minister advocate Sahara Khatun told reporters, "Nobody will be spared. I've already instructed the authorities to take action. Stricter measures will be taken, if necessary."

Professor Borhanuddin Khan, provost of Zia Hall, told reporters after the incident that he was unwilling to continue as the hall's guardian any more.

Among the injured, Shohagh, a fourth year sociology student suffered a severed artery in the hand and was admitted to the National Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology.

Sumon, another fourth year sociology student was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, two more students Himel of first year finance and Chunnu were also admitted to medical centres.

Among the arrested students were Khokon of fourth year Sanskrit, Selim Reza reading for a masters in sociology, Zakaria Rahman Ziko of English fourth year, Shafiullah Shihan of first year psychology, Touhidul Islam from first year political science, Rashidul Islam of fourth year philosophy and Ruhul Karim from second year history.

Activists of the hall kept up their agitations from 12 midnight till 4.30 am, reportedly sparked by the ousting of a Chhatradal activist from the dorms.

Cohorts of DU Chhatra League president Sheikh Sohel Rana Tipu led the violence by swooping on supporters of DU Chhatra League general secretary Sajjad Sakib Badsha's, inflicting injuries with knives, sticks and pieces of iron rod and vandalising ten rooms including the hall provost's chamber.

Hall residents and other BCL activists alleged that Kamal and Salman who were also leading the attack were known to be BCL rival Chhatra Dal activists in the recent past, who happen to be enjoying Tipu's patronage now.

Police arriving at the hall charged with batons on the students to disperse them.

Dean of social sciences, professor Harunur Rashid also came to the hall to pacify the angry students, who declined to continue in his office

Delwar urges govt to ensure public security

Staff Reporter

Criticising the remarks made by Home Minister over the looting and tortures committed on BNP activists as the outcome of intra-party conflict, BNP secretary general Khandker Delwar Hossain said yesterday the ruling party resorted to falsehoods to cover the terrorist acts on political adversaries.

"The Government should take action against the terrorists of its own party and concentrate on ensuring security of the public life and property," he said in a statement.

"The Home Minister took recourse to falsehoods to cover up the terrorists acts by her party's leaders and workers," he added.

Mentioning the terrorists' attacks on BNP activists by its political adversaries, Delwar said 13 people were killed and many others were injured soon after the day of elections on December 29 last year.

He blamed Awami League for falsehood and patronisation of terrorism.

He, however, called upon the government to play a responsible role.

Obama’s South Asia headache

BBC Online

Guest columnist Ahmed Rashid in Lahore says US President-elect Barack Obama and the West face a massive task if Pakistan, Afghanistan and the surrounding region are to see greater stability in 2009.

South and Central Asia are the most explosive areas in the world today and will continue to be so in 2009.

The Taleban insurgency in Afghanistan has expanded to the gates of Kabul and there are several insurgencies underway in Pakistan under the leadership of al-Qaeda, the Taleban and allied groups.

There are a number of insurgencies in India where minorities such as Muslims and Christians feel under threat.

Indefinitely stalled

Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan are at daggers drawn after the Mumbai attacks, which India says were carried out by the Pakistan based group, Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The four-year-old peace process between the two countries is indefinitely stalled.

In parts of Central Asia there is increasingly widespread poverty, a collapse of social services and an underground Islamic militant movement.

However the biggest threat emanates from Pakistan, which former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has described as an "international migraine" where nuclear weapons, terrorism, political instability and poverty all collide.

All these regional problems threaten to undermine the world's stability - as does the presence of global jihadists who will intensify their operations in Europe, Africa and Asia in the coming year.

Ctg Port to be upgraded

BSS, Chittagong

Newly appointed Shipping Minister Dr. Afsarul Amin yesterday sought sincere and effective cooperation from all in carrying out the already initiated infrastructural change programme of the Chittagong Port and expressed his determination to upgrade the port to international standard.

Talking to journalists at VIP lounge of Shah Amanat International Airport soon after landing from a private flight on his maiden visit to the home city as a minister, he said efforts would continue with cooperation from all to elevate the services and standard of the country's prime seaport.

Referring to the Awami League's election manifesto and Chittagong AL's old stand in favor of a deep-seaport, Dr. Afsarul Amin said, " Establishment of a deep-seaport would not only usher in a new vista of socio-economic development for Chittagong, but for the whole nation".

Soon after Dr. Afsarul Amin landed at the airport, Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Alhaj ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, senior officials of local administration including Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Hossain Jamil, chairman of Chittagong Port Authority Commodore RU Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner Ashraf Shamim welcomed the new minister by presenting him bouquets.

Replying to a question on the development of Chittagong, the Minister said the government of Sheikh Hasina was pledged bound to the real development of the port city.

He said the people of Chittagong would not need to be worried on the question of development of the region as Jananetri and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a mammoth pre-election public meeting at Laldighi Maidan announced that she has taken the responsibility of development of Chittagong in her own hands.

"Apart from the new government's future efforts, mayor of Chittagong Alhaj A B M Mohiuddin Chowdhury has proved his sincere commitment and is still working relentlessly for the uplift of the port city under the aegis of the city corporation" he said.

Dec 29 polls important for democracy: US

UNB, Dhaka

A spokesman for the US state department has congratulated Bangladeshi people on the elections held on December 29, saying that it's important for democracy in South Asia.

"We think it's important for democracy in South Asia that you have these types of elections," Robert Wood, Deputy Spokesman, told a regular press briefing in Washington on Thursday. Replying to a question on what would be the US role after the elections in Bangladesh, he said the US wants to see this type of thing continue to happen in South Asia, "which, as you know, unfortunately has some problems with stability.

Rebuild BNP from grassroots: Khaleda

Bdnews24.com, Comilla

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday called for 'rebuilding the party' from the grassroots, after once again alleging the four-party alliance was forcibly defeated in the Dec. 29 election.

"The [caretaker] government and the Election Commission did not work neutrally in the election; they worked in favour of a particular party and alliance," Khaleda told party supporters at Comilla Circuit House, on her way to Noakhali.

"And thus BNP was forcibly defeated," said the former prime minister.

Khaleda left Dhaka Friday morning to attend campaign rallies for the postponed election to Noakhali-1.

Getting into campaign mode, she called on supporters not to be frustrated with the defeat.

"The people of the country are with me; we'll rebuild our party from the grassroots after dissolving all existing party committees."

Dipu Moni favours student politics

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni has said that she is in favor of student politics, as all great achievements of Bangladesh owe a great deal to student politics.

"Without the student politics, we will not get our future leaders," she said claiming herself as an example of student politics.

The new Foreign minister made the comments while attending a TV programme 'First Minister' at the Tejgaon studio of Channel-i on Wednesday night. Dr Dipu Moni said that their government would work to open the doors of the world for the young generation. "We will create opportunities for the young generation as per our capabilities."

January 22 upazila polls Army to be deployed

Staff Reporter

The government will deploy army as striking force alongside over 500,000 members of other law enforcing agencies across the country to ensure peaceful holding of elections in 481 upazila parishads on January 22.

The Election Commission earlier decided not to deploy members of the armed forces in the upazila polls but reviewed it later based on opinion of the field level officials engaged in holding the elections.

Members of BDR, coastguard, Rab and APBn will be in the field till January 24 to maintain law and order during and after the upazila polls, sources in the Home Ministry said.

Besides, Judicial and executive magistrates will also work in the field from January 16 to 24.

"One judicial and one executive magistrates will be deployed in each upazila from January 16," said Election Commissioner M Sohul Hossain on Tuesday.

Moreover, Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain yesterday warned that the candidature of those who will try to grab polling centres in the January 22 upazila elections will be cancelled.

He said this while exchanging views at the Comilla Town Hall yesterday afternoon with the candidates of the elections.

Shakhawat also warned that punitive actions would be taken against those who will try to prevent voters from exercising their franchise.

Police Super of the district Imtiaz Ahmed and Additional Deputy Commissioner M Aminul Islam, among others, spoke at the meeting with Deputy Commissioner M Manzurur Rahman in the chair.

The government has already asked BDR and members of other law enforcers to tighten security and watch in the bordering areas so that criminals hiding abroad could not come to the country with firearms, ammunition and explosives ahead of the upazila elections.

It has also asked the customs and immigration authorities to mount watch to control arrival of persons who might be a risk or threat for holding the elections peacefully. Order has also been issued to arrest probable troublemakers during the election.

EC Secretariat officials also said security arrangement for the upazila elections will be as same as that of December 29 parliamentary election.

Law and order coordination cell will be opened at EC secretariat, home ministry and at the offices of returning officers three to four days before the polling day aiming at taking quick measures in case of any trouble.

As per the home ministry plan, 14 law enforcers including one armed policeman and one armed ansar will be deployed at each general polling station. The number will be 15, including two armed policemen and one armed ansar at each general polling station in hill tracts, islands and haor regions. However, the number of armed police will be three at each important polling station in those areas.

Besides, the home ministry has already issued a circular so that people having firearms' license do not carry their arms from December 15 to January 31.

The authority has imposed a ban on the movement of taxicab, baby-taxi/auto-rickshaw, microbus, jeep, pickup vans, car, bus, truck, tempo, launch, engine boat and speedboat from midnight January 21 to midnight January 22. The ban on the movement of motorcycle however will come into force on January 20 midnight and remain until January 24 midnight.

However, there will be no restriction on the movement of taxicab, microbus, pickup van and jeep in metropolitan city areas and on national highways.