Farm subsidy will continue: Prime minister Sheikh Hasina

DHAKA NEWS

Dhaka, Apr 29 Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has said her government will continue subsidising the agriculture despite opposition from different international agencies.

A month before the next budget, the prime minister stressed export of agro-products and processed food at a programme arranged to award Bangabandhu National Krishi Award on Sunday.

She rattled off a list of initiatives her government took to strengthen Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC). "The BADC had been made weaker as per the donors' suggestions. The donors had asked for a cut in subsidy in agriculture during the previous government."

"But we had said that we would continue to subsidise, we would continue to subsidise agriculture," she added at the programme at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

Finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith had indicated that the next year's budget may include subsidies worth Tk 100 billion in agriculture. He did acknowledge subsidy created difficulties for the government but said it was needed to provide the peasants with fertiliser and timely irrigation facilities.

Hasina handed over the awards to 27 people and organisations for their contribution in the agricultural sector. This is the highest state recognition for those working in development of agriculture.

"We need to export agro-products after meeting our own demand. We also have to ensure that we can export processed food too," said Hasina as she urged all to increase food production.

She said the government to achieve food sovereignty and ensure nutrition for every single citizen.

The award-giving ceremony was held amid the countrywide strike enforced by the 18-Party Coalition led by the BNP for 'return' of BNP leader M Ilias Ali.

Hasina said it was Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who first created a fund in 1973 to introduce a presidential honour for promoting agricultural development.

Terming the present government 'peasant-friendly,' she said, "We will ensure food security. Our aim is to gain food autarky by 2013."

Referring to reduction of prices of non-urea fertilisers thrice since her government came to office, the prime minister said, "Now fertiliser is waiting for the farmers. I thank the agriculture minister for this success."

Presided over by the agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury, the ceremony was also addressed by fisheries and livestock minister Abdul Latif Biswas and environment and forest minister Hassan Mahmud.

Hasina pointed out that budget for the current fiscal provided Tk 65 billion for chemical fertilisers, power and diesel used in irrigation and other facilities for the farmers cultivating sugarcane.

Agricultural machineries were being distributed on 25 percent discount and Tk 3 billion were allocated in the current budget only for this purpose, she added.

Continuous power supply has been ensured from 11pm to 6am every day for uninterrupted irrigation while power cost has been reduced 20 per cent for those using it for irrigation, she added.

Emphasising agricultural research, Hasina said successful decoding of the crucial genome sequence of jute was another success of her government.

The awardees

This year the awards, a certificate, cash and a medal, were given to 27 persons including four women and two institutions in different categories for their outstanding contribution for development of agriculture, fisheries, research, marketing of agro-products, and creating public awareness about agricultural development.

Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) and Horticulture Research Centre of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) and two individuals were given the gold awards. Silver awards went to seven persons while bronze awards were given to 17 persons.

Sabiqun Nahar Sheuli of Adiyabad Union of Roypura upazila of Narsingdi district received the gold award in recognition to contribution of women to agriculture while and Dr SM Afsaruzzaman, Upazila Agriculture Officer of Biswambarpur of Sylhet, received gold award for his outstanding contribution to agriculture expansion.

The silver awards recipients are- AKM Zakaria, Director of Agriculture Science Department of Rural Development Academy, Bogra, Dr Delwar Hossain (posthumously), former chief scientific officer of Pulse and Oil Seeds Research Centre of BARI, Anisa Begum of Pairaband of Mithapukur, Rangpur, Mofizul Islam, sub- assistant horticulture officer of Shariyatpur, Joynal Abedin, sub assistant agriculture officer of Pirganj, Rangpur, Mamunur Rashid, sub assistant officer of Burichang, Comilla and M Sujauddowlla of Bobindi of Saghata of Gaibandha.

The bronze medal recipients are AKM Nurul Haque of Puliamari of Raghabpur, Mymansingh, Neasr Ahmed of Faridganj of Chandpur, Showkat Ali of Nakaihat of Gaibandha, Shahedur Rahman of Dharmapur, Hajirhat of Noakhali, Mosammat Anwara of Natun Char of Keraniganj, Dhaka, Nurun Nahar of Joynagar of Pabna, Ashish Kumar Paul of Kulaora of Moulavibazar, ATM Nasimuzzaman of Shahjibazar of Habiganj, Nizamuddin Faruki of Gandhabyapur of Laxmipur, Moazzen Hossain, agriculture officer of Sarishabari, Jamalpur, Abbas Ali, deputy director of AED, Naogaon, Habibur Rahman of Atgharia of Ishwardi, Pabna, Mizanur Rahman of Alopara, Putiya, Rajshahi, Saiful Alam, agriculture officer of Godabari, Rajshahi, Abul Mia of Char Mohammadpur of South Surma, Sylhet, Raghujit Kumar Guha, sub-assistant agriculture officer of Satkhira and Mokarram Hossain of Bishnupur of Jhikargacha, Jessore.

Hearings on Khaleda's graft cases delayed

DHAKA NEWS

Dhaka, Apr 29  Hearings on two corruption cases involving BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was deferred on Sunday as she could appear in court because of the daylong shutdown her party enforced nationwide.

The graft cases involving Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust were due to be heard on Sunday. Khaleda's lawyers told the court that the BNP chief could not come to the court over 'security concerns'.

Judge Mohammad Zahurul Haque of Dhaka's Senior Special Judge's Court fixed May 31 for hearing on the admissability of the charge-sheet placed against Khaleda in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case following plea from her lawyers Mahbubuddin Khokon and Sanaullah Miah.

Both of Khaled's lawyers are central leaders of the BNP.

Apart from the BNP chief, her former political secretary Harris Chowdhury, his assistant private secretary (APS) Ziaul Islam (Munna) and former Dhaka mayor's APS Monirul Islam Khan are the other accused in this graft case.

Hearing on the case was earlier deferred on Mar 18.

On Aug 6 last year, the Anti-Corruption Commission's deputy director Harunur Rashid filed a case accusing Khaleda and three others of illegal transaction under the banner of Zia Charitable Trust. On Jan 16, Rashid, also the investigation officer of the case, pressed charges against the accused.

According to case details, a 42-kantha piece of land in the capital's Kakrail had been bought from one Suraiya Khanam in January 2005 for Tk 65.2 million.

The Zia Charitable Trust did not have any known source of income for around Tk 12.5 million, a sum that made up part of the payment for the land.

The ACC said in the charge-sheet that information of transactions worth more than Tk 31.5 million was found, apart from an amount given to the owner of the land. The money allegedly came from illegal sources.

The Zia Orphanage Trust graft case charge-framing hearing against Khaleda, her son Tarique Rahman and four others was also deferred to July 14.

Judge Mohammad Mozammel Hossain of the Dhaka Special Judge's Court-3 rescheduled the hearing following plea from Khaleda's lawyers Taherul Islam Touhid and Joynal Abedin Mesbah.

The BNP chief's lawyers said Khaleda could not come to the court over security concerns on the first day of the dawn-to-dusk shutdown.

Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, lawyer for Tarique, appeared before the court as the BNP senior vice-chairman has been living abroad.

The other accused are former MP from a Magura constituency Qazi Solimul Hoque, former bureaucrat Kamaluddin Siddiqui, businessman Shorfuddin Ahmed and Mominur Rahman.

Qazi Solimul Hoque and Shorfuddin Ahmed, who had earlier secured bail, were absent at the court. Their lawyers pleaded for more time. The other two accused in the case are absconding.

On July 3, 2008, the ACC filed the case with Ramna Police Station accusing seven, including Khaleda and Tarique of embezzling over Tk 21 million from the Zia Orphanage Trust.

ACC deputy director Harunur Rashid, investigation officer of the case, filed the charge-sheet of the case on Aug 5 last year accusing the former prime minister, her elder son and four others. 

Blasts, Vandalism, Detention Mark Hartal

DHAKA NEWS

Stray incidents of explosions, vandalism and detention of opposition activists marked the first day of a second spell of countrywide dawn-to-dusk shutdown.

The BNP-led 18-party alliance enforced the hartal to protest what it said government’s ‘failure to return’ missing BNP leader M Ilias Ali by the opposition set deadline that expired on Saturday.

Twenty-one cocktails went off in six parts of the capital during the first day of the back-to-back hartal from Sunday to Monday.

The incidents of detention and vandalism were also reported from different points of the city.

Five cocktails exploded at Tolarbagh in Mirpur around 7:30am while two in front of BNP’s central office at Nayapaltan around 6:30am while two more at Nazirabazar area in Old Dhaka around 8:30 in the morning, reports our correspondents covering the hartal.

UNB adds: Police and witnesses said pro-hartal activists blasted five cocktails at Mohakhali crossing, five at Mugda-Bishwa Road and one at Malibagh. All the cocktails exploded between 8:00am and 9:00am.

Police detained BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and another around 6:30am, but they were released after a while.

The law enforce also picked up Labour Party President Mustafizur Rahman Iran from in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan office when he went there to express his solidarity with the hartal.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists of Titumir College unit vandalised several vehicles including an ambulance in the capital's Mohakhali area around 8:20am.

Pickets also stoned and damaged five to six trucks at Jatrabari at 7:30am and several passenger buses at Shaheenbagh in Tejgaon.

Police also barred the pro-hartal activists whenever they tried to bring out processing in different parts of the city including Mirpur Road and Dhanmondi.

The law enforcers also resisted a procession of around 10 opposition lawmakers when they tried to move towards Manik Mia Avenue from South Plaza of the Parliament complex around 9:30am. Later, they held a rally at the South Plaza.

Earlier, they brought out a procession from the South Plaza.

Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Syeda Asifa Ashrafi Papia and barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon were among the lawmakers.

Like the recent hartal days, the BNP central office remains cordoned off since the morning.

Law enforcers have not been allowing the party leaders and activists to bring out any processions or hold rallies.

Huge contingents of law enforcers are seen patrolling the main thoroughfare and key points of the capital to avert any untoward incidents.

The key city streets which usually remain bustling during office hours wears an empty look as most passenger buses and private cars stay off roads fearing vandalism.

Very few CNG run three wheelers were seen to ply the city streets during the morning hours.

Rickshaws were found dominating the major thoroughfares of the city like other hartal days.

At least 15 buses left the city’s Sayedabad Bus Terminal for Comilla and Narsingdi in the morning. But there is no report of any long-route bus left the other terminals in the capital.

All educational institutions, business establishments, most shops and shopping malls besides the major thoroughfares remained closed. However, the government offices remain opened.

Meanwhile, the government on the eve of hartal postponed Sunday's and Monday's Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations due to the hartal.

RAJSHAHI

A chase and counter-chase took place between pro-hartal activists and law enforcers when police tried to resist a procession brought out in the city in support of the hartal.

At least 10 people were injured in the chase and counter-chase, President of BNP Rajshahi district unit Nadim Mostafa claimed.

Humayun Kabir, an assistant commissioner in Rajshahi, however denied any casualty.

NARAYANGANJ

At least five pro-hartal activists including Narayanganj district BNP president Taimur Alam, were injured at DIT commercial area in the town when police charged batons on them to foil an opposition gathering.

Ignoring police obstruction, the BNP activists tried to hold a rally in front of their party office in Narayanganj.

Earlier around 7:00am, the party leaders and activists brought out a procession there.

Police also arrested two persons including a Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal leader from the spot.

NATORE

The pro-hartal activists torched a passenger bus in front of the Chakrampur Cinema Hall of the district headquarters during the hartal hours.

Police foiled another attempt of pickets while they were trying to obstruct traffic movement setting fire to tyres in Barogachha area of the Natore town.

BACKGROUND

Former lawmaker and BNP Organising Secretary (Sylhet Division) M Ilias Ali along with his driver remain missing since the night of April 17.

The main opposition BNP claimed that government agencies have picked them up to make them disappear.

Earlier, the main opposition BNP observed countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal from April 22 to 24 protesting the disappearance of Ilias.

Pre-Hartal Violence in Capital

DHAKA NEWS

Four vehicles were torched in different parts of the capital yesterday on the eve of two back-to-back shutdowns called by the BNP-led 18-party alliance protesting the disappearance of former lawmaker M Ilias Ali.

Police said a group of four to five youths set fire to a bus of Gazipur-Azimpur route after pouring petrol on it at New Market intersection yesterday around 4:00pm.

AKM Azizul Haque, officer-in-charge of Lalbagh Police Station, told , the passengers rushed out of the bus and no injuries were reported.

A microbus was set ablaze in Fakirapool area around 7:00pm, said Kazi Abdullah Al Mahmood, an assistant sub-inspector of Paltan Police Station. It could not be known who carried out the arson.

Fire service sources said another microbus was set afire near Shewrapara bus stop around 8:45pm.

Some unidentified persons set fire to a taxi cab near Mirpur Ansar Camp around 9:10pm.

The main opposition BNP yesterday afternoon called the countrywide hartal for today and tomorrow.

Earlier on Tuesday, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia issued a four-day ultimatum to the government to locate Ilias Ali and his driver, or her party would go for tougher agitation.

Ilias Ali, an organising secretary of the party, along with the driver has been out of trace since early hours of April 18.

Alleging that one of the government agencies picked him up, BNP enforced dawn-to-dusk hartals on April 22, 23 and 24.

Meanwhile, the Dhaka district administration deployed 10 mobile courts across the city from yesterday evening to check violence before and during the shutdowns.

Ten mobile courts headed by executive magistrates have started their work at 6:00pm, Muhibul Haque, deputy commissioner of Dhaka district, said.

Shahbag police said some miscreants around 7:00pm yesterday tried to torch a staff bus of Jahangirnagar University in front of the Shishu Park. The passengers of the bus caught one the miscreants and handed him over to police.

Later a mobile court sentenced him to a term in jail for three months.

Hartal Again

DHAKA NEWS

The BNP-led 18-party alliance has called back-to-back shutdowns for today and tomorrow for the government's “failure to return” missing BNP leader M Ilias Ali by the opposition-set deadline.

Acting BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the dawn-to-dusk hartal at a press conference in the party's Nayapaltan office in the capital yesterday.

“The government has failed to produce Ilias before the nation by our chairperson's four-day deadline. Such forced disappearance is nothing but a crime against humanity,” he said.

He also threatened to go for tougher programmes if the government fails to make any progress in tracing Ilias and his driver Ansar Ali by Monday.

Fakhrul, however, hinted that the opposition would not stage any agitation during US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's May 5 visit to Dhaka. “We will not do anything that harms the country's interests and image. However, Awami League had called hartal when the US secretary of state visited Dhaka during BNP's tenure. Besides, May Day will also be observed on Tuesday.”

When a reporter drew his attention to the ongoing HSC examinations, he said, “We tried to avoid calling hartal on exam days. But Ilias' disappearance is a national crisis. It is not a simple incident. It involves the future of the country's democracy, independence and sovereignty.

“Ilias' son is also an HSC examinee. Instead of preparing for the exams, he has been made to wait for his father's return.”

BNP leaders Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, and Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, Bangladesh Jatiya Party Secretary General Shamim Al Mamun and Islami Oikya Jote Secretary General Abdul Latif Nezami were present at the BNP office where several hundred opposition workers and leaders thronged in the afternoon.

A huge number of police and Rab personnel were deployed in the area to ward off pre-hartal violence.

Meanwhile, BNP and its allies staged demonstrations at upazila headquarters to protest Ilias' disappearance. Alamgir alleged that police charged batons to disperse the opposition's processions in many areas.

M Ilias Ali, BNP central organising secretary and its Sylhet unit president, along with his driver went missing on April 17 and his car was found abandoned near his Banani residence the next day.

BNP on April 18 called a dawn-to-dusk hartal for April 22 and later extended it for two more days.

After the hartal for the third consecutive day on April 24, Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia set a four-day deadline for the government to find the missing BNP leader.

Yesterday, Alamgir said, “Seventeen days have passed since Ilias went missing. But the government is yet to locate him. We believe government agencies are behind his disappearance, which is aimed to divert public attention from the government's failure to run the country.”

Asked about the filing of a writ petition with a court for banning hartal, the BNP leader said it is a political issue. “I don't know if the court has any jurisdiction to make decisions on political programmes.”

It's true that hartal will create some problems for people but they are ready to make this sacrifice in their greater interest, he said.

“Hartal will be enforced only during the daytime.”

The BNP leader thanked the international community for protesting Ilias' disappearance.

Stop Anarchy During Hartal, AL Activists told Home minister Shahara Khatun

DHAKA NEWS

Dhaka, Apr 28  Home minister Shahara Khatun on Saturday asked the leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League and grand alliance partners to stay alert and prevent any chaotic situation created by the opposition party during their general strike called for Sunday and Monday.

"Whoever tries to torch vehicles to create chaos in the name of hartal should be stopped right there," she said at a programme organised to hand over two new vehicles to Adabar Police Station in the city.

She said the government and the law-enforcers are not enough to prevent 'all kinds of anarchy'. "That's why leaders and activists [of the parties] will have to be on the streets besides the law-enforcers to maintain law and order."

Leader of the opposition and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Tuesday set the deadline for 'returning' the missing organising secretary M Ilias Ali by Saturday after countrywide shutdowns for three consecutive days.

Saying law-enforcers are trying to find out Ilias, Shahara on Saturday said, "We had asked for the opposition's assistance in this regard, but they did not help."

"The opposition has been enforcing general strike continuously over the issue of Ilias Ali's disappearance. They are doing this only to create anarchy in the country," she claimed.

Ilias Ali, also the party's Sylhet chapter chief, and his driver Ansar Ali went missing at around midnight on Apr 17. Police found Ilias's abandoned car and mobile phone at a street in the capital's Mohakhali near his Banani residence. There has been no trace of Ali or his driver ever since.

The Rapid Action Battalion has conducted raids at several places in Gazipur's Pubail and Dhaka in the last 10 days to find Ilias, but to no avail. 

Mujaheed back in jail after parole

DHAKA NEWS

Dhaka, Apr 28 Detained Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed, who is behind bars facing war crimes charges, is back in the prison after being released on a six-hour parole on Saturday to attend his brother's funeral at Uttara in the capital.

The Jamaat secretary-general started from Narayanganj prison at 3:30pm and reached his Uttara residence a few minutes after 5pm. The body of his younger brother, Ali Ashraf Mohammad Shoaib, 56, was kept there.

After passing some time beside the dead body and attending the namaj-e-janaza at a local mosque, Mujaheed was brought back to the prison around 9pm, jailer Dewan Toriqul Islam told .

Earlier, Narayanganj correspondent reported that a white microbus carrying Mujaheed and police left the jail premises. It was followed by a police van.

Mujaheed's younger brother Ali Ashraf Mohammad Shoaib, 56, died on Friday afternoon. He was the Faridpur district correspondent of Dainik Shangram and vice-president of the press club there.

Detained on June 2010, Mujaheed was shown arrested in for charges of crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War.

The International Crimes Tribunal's probe body accused him of various crimes including killing, rape and arson.

Delawar Hossain Sayedee, against whom war crimes charges have been framed at the ICT, had also been granted temporary parole in October last year to attend his mother's funeral. 

15 Hurt in BCL Attack

DHAKA NEWS

Bangladesh Chhatra League men at Jahangirnagar University yesterday beat up at least 15 cultural activists for protesting the pro-government student body's vandalism at a demonstration by teachers the day before.

Late at night, a group of BCL men hurled brickbats at the teachers holding a sit-in outside the vice-chancellor's residence demanding his resignation. During the attack, they clubbed the cultural activists with sticks.

AKM Shahnewaz, a professor of archaeology, was injured as one of the projectiles thrown cut his forehead.

Earlier, around 3:00pm, some 50 Chhatra League men attacked Sangskritik Jote activists who were bringing out a protest procession near the arts faculty building.

The Jote leaders alleged that the attack took place in presence of a few members of the proctorial body.

Of the injured, Sangskritik Jote JU unit President Koli Mahmud, Vice-president Moin Muntasir Kartik, activists Toufiqul Islam Arno, Sushanto, Sudip Bhattacharya and Farid Uddin Masud were admitted to Savar Enam Medical College Hospital.

Kartik said Chhatra League activists led by Sharif, Shamim and Samrat first swopped on Koli Mahmud. The others came under attack when they rushed to save Koli.

Contacted, JU Proctor Sukalyan Kundu denied the allegation that members of the proctorial body were present during the attack. He said the university authorities would take necessary action after investigating the incident.

Chhatra League activist Sharif told journalists that they had beaten up the processionists suspecting there were Chhatra Shibir men among them.

Earlier on Friday, BCL men vandalised the stage set up for a teachers' protest programme. They also burnt the banner of the programme.

Since early morning yesterday, JU teachers under the banner of Shikkhak Samaj were demonstrating in front of the vice-chancellor's residence.

Shikkhak Samaj has been demanding the resignation of VC Prof Shariff Enamul Kabir since the murder of Zubair Ahmed, an English department student, on January 9.

The agitation intensified after two teachers of Botany department were arrested on Thursday for allegedly assaulting the chairman of the department the previous day.

The agitating teachers yesterday vowed to continue their sit-in in front of the vice-chancellor's residence for an indefinite period.

“We will not stop our protest until this illegal VC resigns,” said Prof Nasim Akhter Hossain.

Meanwhile, the teachers loyal to Shariff Enamul Kabir have taken up counter-demonstrations behind the VC residence.

Hasina Warns Against Attack on Democracy

DHAKA NEWS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged all to be cautious so that none can play games with people's fate and democratic rights.

Stating that repeated attacks on democracy have foiled the efforts to build the country with the spirit of Liberation War, she said Bangladesh could have been a prosperous nation 20 to 25 years ago and set an example in the world, had the Father of the Nation survived today.

Only the democratic governments can bring about prosperity and welfare to people, she told a civic reception at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad.

National Citizens' Committee accorded the reception to her to celebrate the victory in a case over disputed maritime boundary with Myanmar.

"It is unfortunate and painful that the nation lost the Father of the Nation and the four national leaders. As a result, democracy was hampered and military dictators had captured state power at gunpoint," she mentioned.

She urged all to work together to make the country free from hunger, militancy and fundamentalism.

The organisers said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the nation during the country's Liberation War and his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led people to the victory in maritime boundary case with Myanmar. Such achievement of the father and daughter is unique in world history, they added.

With a recent verdict from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Bangladesh has established its economic and territorial rights on 200-nautical mile in the Bay of Bengal and a substantial share of the outer continental shelf beyond 200-nautical mile. The court also awarded Bangladesh a full 12-mile territorial sea around the St Martin's Island.

Thousands of people attended the reception that turned into a joyous ceremony. Noted singers and dancers performed at the reception.

In his citation, poet Syed Shamsul Huq said Bangladesh is known as Green Bangla and with the latest victory it now could be Blue Bangla. "Thus with the combination of green and blue, we will build a Golden Bangla."

He congratulated Hasina for her outstanding leadership in the maritime boundary case.

Prof Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, chairman of the National Citizens' Committee, handed over a crest and citation to the premier, congratulating her on behalf of the people.

Hasina dedicated the victory to the next generation, saying this is not her victory but of the people who have supported her government.

She also thanked Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, officials concerned of her ministry, Bangladesh Navy and others for pursuing the case with the ITLOS.

The government of Bangabandhu in 1974 had framed the relevant laws on the maritime boundary. The previous Awami League government in 1996 took various efforts to that end. After returning to power in 2009, the AL through its all-out efforts achieved the victory, mentioned Hasina.

A case on the maritime boundary with India will be settled in 2014. "If people vote us back to power, we will employ all our efforts to ensure victory again," she said.

"Bangabandhu loved the people of this country deeply. I realised that. Therefore, I too love the people of this country and can make any sacrifice to see them prosper," she said adding, "We want to see a prosperous Bangladesh in 2021 on the 50th anniversary of our independence."

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said people have to be cautious about those who cannot accept the achievement and progress of the nation and act accordingly during the elections.

Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, Prof Qazi Kholiquzzaman, artist Quayuum Chowdhury, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry President AK Azad Chowdhury, cultural activist Golam Kuddus, journalist Golam Sarwar, National Professor MR Khan, Peshajibi Samannay Parishad leader Mesbahuddin Ahmed, former captain of Bangladesh national cricket team Rakibul Hasan, Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad President Maj Gen (retd) Helal Morshed Khan, Bangladesh Football Federation President Kazi Salahuddin were present, among others.

Fire Kills 5 of a Family in Faridpur

FARIDPUR NEWS

Five members of a family were killed as a devastating fire broke out at a house in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur early yesterday.

Police identified the victims as Abdur Rashid Bhuiyan, 80, his grandchildren Shahin Bhuiyan, 17, and Fiha, 3, and two relatives Golam Mohiuddin alias Sumon, 16, and Tohura, 11.

Dadan Fakir, officer-in-charge of Bhanga Police Station,  that the fire originated at Rashid's house at Khakanda Nazirpur village around 12:30am. All of the deceased were asleep, he said.

Fire fighters extinguished the blaze with the help of locals after one hour of frantic efforts and recovered the charred bodies, the OC said. The fire originated from the kitchen.

Deputy Commissioner Helaluddin Ahmed visited the spot. The family was given Tk 5,000 for each of the deceased. He told  that the district administration will also give them 100kg rice for each.

Youth: a boon for economy

DHAKA NEWS

The majority of youth population in Bangladesh could be a boon for the country as young people have emerged as a major force behind economic development in many Asian countries, speakers at a discussion said yesterday.

Three out of four people in Bangladesh are below 40 years, which could impact the growth story, they said.

Bangladesh's young population should be open-minded and tolerant to new ideas, cultures and religions and also be knowledgeable and hard-working to become global citizens, they suggested.

Their comments came at the seminar on "Global citizenship: a step forward" as part of the "Youth Leadership Summit 2012" at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka.

Bangladesh Youth Leadership Centre (BYLC) organised the three-day event with the theme “Leading Bangladesh into the future: a journey of exploration.”

Neal Walker, United Nations resident coordinator in Bangladesh, said the youth population around the world accounts for a fifth of the world's population. "This is your world and you are going to change it."

The youth has the potential to contribute to creating a better world, Walker said. "To become a global citizen, you need to know your country first to be able to appreciate other countries."

He urged the participants to get involved in any work that gives the individual satisfaction because all jobs give dividend. "By doing so, you will learn how to get things done and get results."

He said the youth issue is one of the top five agendas of the current UN secretary general. "The UN aims to strengthen participation of the youth in decision making process."

Walker said the opinion of the youth served the key ground for the recent political and social changes in the Arab world, similar to the Language Movement and the Liberation War in Bangladesh.

The UN official said Bangladesh has been known as a land of storms, floods and typhoons. "But that is a small part of the success story of the country."

"Bangladesh is one of the few countries that are on track to achieve most of the Millennium Development Goals."

Michael Kuehner, chief executive officer of Robi Axiata Ltd, a mobile operator, said leadership is the key requisite for development, and the youth has always played a critical role in development.

He said youth is one of the biggest resources for any country to have. Unlike many other countries, Bangladesh has a lot of resources in terms of the youth. It is a good thing.

Kuehner said the youth is contributing to the economic growth in many countries to a large extent.

He said economies of the deve-

loping countries, which have a big class of youth, are growing.

Asia, for example, is growing as its youth population is energetic, hardworking and entrepreneurial, he said adding that youth should be given proper training and opportunities so that they can tap their potential.

He urged the country's growing young population to excel in English to connect themselves with the rest of the world in an effective way.

Kuehner said global citizenship faces many challenges. It is not fully covered by legal framework in most countries that are making it impossible for the youth to act globally.

Shiro Sadoshima, Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh, urged the participants to think big.

Bangladesh has given so many things to the world, he said. "Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus' microcredit has been replicated in many countries. Many countries have accepted the idea as an important tool to fight poverty."

Anam urged young people to be open-minded, tolerant, knowledgeable and hard-working to become leaders.

Ejaj Ahmad, president of BYLC, also spoke at the summit, which began yesterday.

Ferry service at Lebukhali terminal threatened

BANGLADESH NEWS

Ferry service at Labukhali terminal on Patuakhali-Barisal road is under threat due to river erosion at the onset of the rains as a portion of the protection embankment near the terminal collapsed on Monday.

Earlier in August last year, a point of the embankment just beside the ferry terminal collapsed, making the station highly vulnerable.

Fresh crack developed on the flood protection embankment near the gangway of Labukhali ferry terminal on Patuakhali-Barisal road on Monday noon and over 100 feet area of the embankment collapsed in the evening, said locals and Water Development Board (WDB) officials.

"With fresh collapse in the protection embankment, the gangway of the ferry ghat has turned too risky. In August last year, the main point of the embankment collapsed but it is yet to be repaired," said Abdul Kuddus, supervisor of Lebukhali ferry terminal.

The road communication between Patuakhali and Barisal may stop any time if the gangway of the terminal has to be removed from the riverbank, he said.

Lebukhali ferry station bears much importance as it is on Kuakata-Dhaka highway.

"We are worried as the erosion of the protection embankment may cause suspension of road communication if authorities fail to take necessary step," said Awal Farazee, a local businessman.

A number of families will also become homeless if the embankment cannot be protected, said Abul Hossain Howlader, another local.

When contacted, Md Siddiqur Rahman, executive engineer of Patuakhali WDB, said, "We have already taken primary steps to protect the ferry station by putting some concrete blocks at the damaged site. We will take long-term steps to save the spot as soon as possible."

11 freedom fighters lined up, then killed

DHAKA NEWS

On the instruction of Abdul Alim, the Pakistani army killed 11 freedom fighters near Government Degree College of Joypurhat during the Liberation War, the prosecution told the International Crimes Tribunal-2 yesterday.

“Geyara admi Bharat ka char hay, Pakistan ka dushman, Muktifouj hay, usko vej do [These 11 people are spies of India, enemies of Pakistan, freedom fighters, send them],” was what the former BNP lawmaker had said in Urdu, said Prosecutor Rana Dasgupta.

“Afterwards, they [11 freedom fighters] were lined up before the Pakistani army and shot dead in Barghati pond area, at the northeast side of Government Degree College,” said the prosecutor.

During the hearing on charge framing at the Tribunal-2 yesterday, the prosecutor, for the third consecutive day, was reading out the charges of crimes against humanity allegedly committed by Alim.

The freedom fighters were rounded up in the first week of September by the Pakistani army and their collaborators. They were later taken in front of the house of Azim Uddin Sardar on Sadar Road of Joypurhat on two trucks.

“When one of the freedom fighters sought water and Azim Uddin's son came forward to give water, Alim's bodyguard kicked the water pot,” Rana went on reading.

Later, they were taken to the Government Degree College where Alim on a jeep asked them to “vej do [send them]”, said the prosecutor.

The prosecution yesterday finished reading out all 28 incidents of atrocity allegedly committed by Alim and completed their deposition on charge framing against the former minister. He read out nine incidents yesterday.

The prosecution pleaded the tribunal to frame charge against the accused on the basis of documents submitted to the tribunal.

“We have read out 28 incidents of atrocity with the places, time, victim's address, statement of the witnesses and other relevant documents before the tribunal and we hope that one or more elements to frame charges are available in it,” said the prosecution.

“We have tried our best so that charges are framed against the accused, now it is up to the tribunal to consider,” the prosecutor added.

The tribunal, the second of two set up to deal with war crimes committed during the Liberation War, fixed May 3 for recording the arguments of the defence on charge framing.

When yesterday's proceeding began at 10:30am, Prosecutor Rana Dasgupta drew the court's attention on a report of Bangla daily Prothom Alo headlined “Alimer biruddhe 17 ghatanar barnana [Description of 17 incidents against Alim]” published on April 26 and said a part of the news was not authentic.

He said if the tribunal thought that the part of the report did not justify the facts, then it should direct the newspaper authority to publish a correction and warn the reporter to be more cautious while writing about court proceedings.

The court, however, did not deliver any order immediately.

Rana Dasgupta then started reading out the incidents of atrocity allegedly committed by Alim.

In another incident, Pakistani army and their collaborators picked up freedom fighters Fazlul Karim and two others from Akkelpur and took them to the CO (dev) Office on October 7, 1971, said Rana.

Driven by “political malevolence” and in Alim's presence and on his orders, faces of the three were painted in black and white. They were then walked all around the entire town, Rana went on reading.

Major Afzal, a Pakistan army officer, and Abdul Alim also went along with them and delivered speeches against the Liberation War, said Rana.

“Freedom fighters are fighting against Pakistan. Father of Fazlul Karim is my friend and I told him to bring his son back from the wrong path but he did not pay heed to my words. So his son has to die,” the prosecutor quoted Alim's alleged speech delivered on that day.

Later, the three were killed but their bodies were not found.

Yesterday, Rana mentioned nine bullet points during the reading of charges, each on one incident of crimes against humanity allegedly committed by Alim, the chairman of the Peace Committee (a collaborator force) of Joypurhat.

The bullet points were: Abduction, confinement and torture of Fazlur Rahman; abduction, confinement, torture and killing of Doctor Abul Kashem; confinement and torture of Khalilur Rahman; Barghati genocide after confinement of 11 youths; provocative speech of the accused; killing of three people including Fazlul Karim; confinement, torture and killing at Joypurhat Sugar Mill; abduction, confinement and killing of Jabbal Hossain and abduction, confinement and torture of Azizar Rahman.

The tribunal asked the prosecution to submit proper addresses of some of the places it mentioned in the charges and mention the corresponding date following the English calendar in cases where dates were mentioned following the Bangla calendar.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 had taken the charges brought against Alim into cognisance on March 27 after the prosecution submitted formal charges against him on March 15. On April 16, Tribunal-1 transferred three cases, including Alim's, to Tribunal-2 for quick disposal.

Alim who is facing 74 counts of crimes against humanity in the 28 incidents, was present at the tribunal yesterday. Alim is among the nine accused facing crimes against humanity charges at the two tribunals.

BNP, Mozena mum after meeting Khaleda

DHAKA NEWS

Dhaka, Apr 26 The US ambassador to Bangladesh, Dan W Mozena, met BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia Thursday evening amid growing political unrest over the disappearance of opposition leader M Ilias Ali.

Coming out of the meeting that lasted about 45 minutes, Mozena declined to talk to media, walked straight to his car and left the Gulshan office of BNP chief.

And none from BNP briefed the media about what was discussed at the meeting. However, the opposition party usually briefs media after such meetings.

Earlier in the morning, Khaleda's press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan informed journalists that Mozena wanted to meet the BNP chief.

BNP's acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP chief's adviser Reaz Rahman, vice-president of the party Shamsher Mubin Chowdhury and Sabihuddin Ahmed attended the meeting among others.

Earlier on Tuesday, the US ambassador told reporters at his residence that they were worried over the Illias Ali affair.

He called on everyone to react rationally in finding out Ilias Ali. Mozena also urged the opposition to assist the government in the affair.

M Ilias Ali, one of BNP's organising secretaries and also a former MP, has been missing since Apr 18. The BNP had been accusing the government of abducting him.

BNP recently enforced a three-day countrywide shutdown demanding the government return Ilias Ali. At a media briefing on Tuesday, the party chief gave the government an ultimatum to find out Ilias Ali by Saturday and warned that if he was not found tougher agitation programmes would be announced from Sunday.

The following day, leaders of the newly formed 18-Party Alliance hinted that they might enforce nonstop shutdown from Sunday if Ali was not found by the deadline.  

No clear signs after re-autopsy

DHAKA NEWS

Dhaka, Apr 26  After carrying out fresh autopsies on 'highly decomposed' bodies, the forensic expert has said it was not still clear how journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi had died nearly two and a half months back.

"The muscles and skin have mostly moved away from the bones. The organs couldn't be recognised properly," Dr Kazi Golam Mokhlesur Rahman, chief of the Forensic Department of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, told reporters at its morgue on Thursday.

"However, we've collected some samples from their bodies for viscera tests," he added.

Sagar, news editor at private TV channel Maasranga, and Runi, a senior reporter at another TV channel ATN Bangla, were killed in the early hours of Feb 11 at their rented apartment in the city's West Rajabazar.

The remains of their bodies were exhumed from Azimpur Graveyard on Thursday morning in presence of executive magistrate Shahiduzzaman for fresh autopsies to crack the mystery surrounding the homicide.

Apart from DMCH forensics chief Dr Rahman, assistant professor Dr Kamrul Hasan and lecturer Dr Parvez Iftekhar carried out the re-autopsy.

The bodies were buried again around 5:15pm in presence of Runi's brother Nowsher Alam Ruman and Sagar's brother-in-law Shah Md Shariful Islam, sub-inspector at the RAB headquarters Abu Hossain confirmed bdnews24.com.

After the re-autopsy, Mokhlesur Rahman told reporters that the bodies were exhumed to find out the answers to the some questions – whether the couple were poisoned to death and who had died earlier.

Asked whether it was possible to find now if the couple were poisoned to death, Dr Rahman said, "Traces of poisons generally do not last long in most cases. But there are some evidence that do remain in the body for long."

When asked why no viscera test was done or no evidence was preserved during the first autopsy, he said the police investigation officer did want ed to know the reasons of the deaths.

"He had not spoken about the suspicion that they might have been poisoned. We would have conducted chemical test if we had been told about the suspicion," he added.

Following the brutal murders, Runi's brother filed a case with the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station but the Detective Branch (DB) of police failed to make any visible headway into the investigation.

The High Court on Apr 18 vented frustration over the failure of the detectives in identifying the killer(s) and ordered the authorities to transfer the case to Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

The court also asked the elite crime-bustling force to complete the case within a short time using modern technologies.

On Tuesday, the RAB forensic wing's assistant superintendent of police Jafar Ullah, who is investigating the case, appealed for exhuming the bodies for visceral examination and other forensic tests as those had not been done earlier.

Magistrate Bikash Kumar Saha of Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court approved the plea and asked for an executive magistrate to be assigned to supervise the whole affair.

Sagar's brother-in-law Shariful Islam, who was present at the DMCH morgue, told reporters they hoped the exhumation and fresh autopsies of the bodies by the RAB did not go in vain. "We want a positive outcome this time."  

Clinton to visit Dhaka May 5

DHAKA NEWS

Dhaka, Apr 26 US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will arrive in Bangladesh on May 5 on a two-day trip, the State Department announced on Thursday.

She will travel to Bangladesh on May 5- 6 before rounding off the two-nation South Asia tour in India on May 7-8. Clinton will depart Washington D.C. on Apri30, it added.

In Dhaka, Secretary Clinton will meet senior government officials and civil society representatives to review "robust US-Bangladesh cooperation across the full range of political, economic, and security matters".

Clinton's sudden decision to visit Bangladesh and India came as a surprise as a stopover in Dhaka was not on her initial Asia itinerary that was primarily meant to attend the fourth round of US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Beijing on May 3-4.     

Bashundhara chief faces arrest

DHAKA NEWS

A Dhaka court on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant against Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan Shah Alam and two others in a case filed against them for misappropriating Tk 2.63 crore.

Metropolitan Magistrate Md Shamsul Islam passed the order as Shah Alam, also the chairman and managing director of East West Properties Development Ltd, a concern of Bashundhara Group, and the two other accused did not appear before the court despite the court duly summoned them.

The two other accused are Mahbub Morshed Hasan, vice-chairman of East West Properties Development Ltd and Shah Alam’s son Sadat Sobhan who is also a director of the company.

The court, however, granted bail to another accused Towhidul Islam, the deputy managing director of the company, as he surrendered earlier seeking bail in the case.

Another Dhaka court on December 18 last year summoned Shah Alam and Sadat, Morshed and Towhidul to appear before the court on February 20 on fraud charges.

North South University Chairman Mohammad Shahjahan filed the case accusing the four for embezzling the money Tk 2.63 crore.

11,573 BCS hopefuls get nod for exam

DHAKA NEWS

The 11,573 Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) applicants of 33rd batch who failed to make online payments due to server shortcomings of Teletalk for appearing the examination will now be allowed to sit for examination.

The officials of Public Service Commission (PSC) took the decision at a meeting held at its office in line with a High Court order, a senior PSC official told on Wednesday.

The applicants are given time from 8:00am of April 29 to 10:00pm of May 2 to pay their fees of the examinations.

The 33rd BCS hopefuls failed to make payments due to server shortcomings even after filling in forms online by the April 7 midnight deadline.

The PSC refused to consider their application and did not issue admit cards forcing the civil service aspirants to go to the HC order.

On April 15, the HC following their writ petition stayed for three weeks the process for holding the 33rd BCS examinations.

PSC has fixed June 1 for holding preliminary test of the 33rd BCS examinations.

In response to the petition, the HC also issued a rule upon the authorities concerned to explain in a week why the circular issued on February 29 for holding the 33rd BCS examinations should not declared illegal.

The PSC chairman and its exam comptroller, the cabinet secretary, the Tetetalk managing director and its general manger (marketing) have been made respondents to the rule.

Earlier, 20 candidates for the BCS examinations jointly filed the writ petition with the HC saying that they have deposited money, filling BCS application forms through Teletalk for appearing the examinations.

But the authorities have not issued admit cards for them, the petitioners said.

Adv AKM Fayez, counsel for the petitioners, earlier told the court that several thousands of BCS candidates have not got admit cards due to technical problem of Teletalk.

He prayed to the court to direct the authorities concerned to give his clients scope so that they can participate in the BCS exams.

Mojahid denied bail in grenade attack case

DHAKA NEWS

A Dhaka court on Wednesday rejected the bail petitions of Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid, an accused in the August 21 grenade attack cases.

Judge Shahed Nuruddin of Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 passed the order after a lengthy hearing on the bail petitions filed by Mojahid.

Earlier in the day, counsels of six accused in the cases cross-examined Sharif Faruq Ahmed, the then sub-inspector of Motijheel Police Station and also the complainant of the cases.

The court later fixed April 30 for the next hearing of the cases.

Twenty-four people including Awami League leader Ivy Rahman were killed and around 200 others injured in the grisly grenade attack on an AL rally at Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21 in 2004.

The then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina narrowly escaped the attack.

BACKGROUND

After the grisly grenade attack in 2004, two cases were filed in connection with the attack – one under explosive substances act and the other for killing people.

In 2008, the CID submitted charge sheets against 22 people including former BNP deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu and 21 Huji men including militant kingpin Mufti Hannan.

On July 3 last year, 30 more people including BNP's Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman, former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar, BNP chairperson's political secretary Harris Chowdhury and Mojahid were made accused in the supplementary charge-sheets.

Of the 51 accused, 32 including Babar and Mojahid are now in jail and one was released on bail. Tarique and 18 others are absconding.

ICT Rejects SQ Chy's Discharge Plea

DHAKA NEWS

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Wednesday rejected BNP lawmaker Salauddin Quader Chowdhury's petition seeking discharge from the charges of his involvement in crimes against humanity committed during country's Liberation War in 1971.

The three-panel tribunal headed by Justice Nizamul Huq also turned down another petition of the detained BNP leader which sought some changes to his indictment order.

Salauddin who is now facing 23 specific war crimes charges present in the tribunal dock during the day's hearing.

Khaleda Gives govt 4 More days to Trace Ilias

DHAKA NEWS

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has threatened to go for tougher programme from Sunday if the government fails to find out missing BNP leader M Ilias Ali by Saturday.

"There is no doubt that the government has done it. So, it is the responsibility of the government to return him to his family," she said at a press conference Tuesday evening.

The main opposition party will stage countrywide demonstrations on Thursday and organise the same programme at upazila sadars on April 28 to press home its demand.

BNP will announce fresh agitation programme on Saturday if Alias Ali is not traced by the day.

The former prime minister was addressing the crowded press conference at her Gulshan office after wrapping up their nationwide dawn-to-dusk hartal for a third consecutive day on Tuesday.

M Ilias Ali, a former lawmaker and organising secretary of the party, and his driver went missing around midnight of April 17.

On Wednesday, police found Ilias' private car abandoned near his Banani residence in the capital.

US concerned at Ilias disappearance

DHAKA NEWS

The United States on Tuesday expressed concern over the disappearance of BNP leader M Ilias Ali and called on all sides to work together to find him out.

“First of all I join everyone the concern of disappearance of anyone. It may be to anyone and it is violation of basic human rights,” said US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan Mozena.

Replying to a question, he said, “This is a frightening experience not for the person but also for the families.”

The US diplomat was talking to a selected group of journalists at his Gulshan residence in the afternoon.

IO gets Permission to exhume Sagar-Runi’s Bodies

DHAKA NEWS

A Dhaka court on Tuesday granted permission to the investigation officer to exhume the bodies of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and his wife Meherun Runi for second autopsy.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Bikash Kumar Saha passed the order after Assistant Superintendent of Police Abu Zafar, also the investigation officer of the case, submitted the petition to his court in the morning.

After the court sent the matter to the Dhaka district magistrate Monoj Kumar Roy on Tuesday to take next course of action, he assigned executive magistrate Md Shahiduzzaman to take necessary steps for exhuming the bodies.

The executive magistrate will now fix a date for exhuming the bodies.

Sagar, news editor of private TV station Maasranga, and Runi, a senior reporter of another TV channel ATN Bangla, were killed in the small hours on February 11 at their rented apartment in the capital's West Razabazar.

Earlier on April 18, the High Court expressed frustration over the Detective Branch's failure in identifying the killer(s) of the journalist couple and ordered to shift the case to Rapid Action Battalion (Rab).

8,000 sued over Sylhet Violence

SYLHET NEWS

Over 8,000 people were sued in two cases filed in connection with Monday’s fierce clashes between pro-hartal pickets and law enforcers during a countrywide hartal at Bishwanath upazila of Sylhet.

Meanwhile, Rapid Action Battalion and police conducted an overnight raid till early Tuesday at different parts of the upazila and arrested 40 persons in connection with the cases.

Dev Dulal, a sub-inspector of Bishwanath Police Station, filed one case Monday night with the police station against 5,000 people naming 100 BNP leaders and activists on charges of attacking police during the hartal.

Md Kamal Hopssain, Bishwanath upazila nirbahi officer, filed another case Monday night under Speedy Trial Tribunal Act with the same police station against 3,000 unnamed people.

A tense situation has been prevailing in and around the upazila headquarters following the clash.

Rab, police and Border Guard of Bangladesh personnel have been deployed in the area to fend off any untoward incident.

Police raid Hannan Shah Residence

DHAKA NEWS

Police Tuesday morning conducted a 30-minute search at the Mohakhali DOHS house of BNP Standing Committee Member Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah but to no avail.

None was arrested nor could the law enforcers find any evidence of something illegal there during the raid, said Imtiaz Hossain, deputy police commissioner (DC) of Mirpur division, reports our Sylhet correspondent.

Describing the raid, the DC said a team of police cordoned off the house of the BNP leader since 1:00am following an intelligence report that a secret meeting was going on there.

They entered the house of the BNP leader around 6:00 in the morning as Hannan did not allow them to search his house till morning, he added.

After nearly 30-minute search, they came out of the house finding nothing suspicious, the police official said.

Kader Siddiqui lies Down on Street Protesting Detention

DHAKA NEWS

Kader Siddiqui, president of Krishok Sramik Janata League, lay down for nearly 45-minute on the street in front of BNP's central office as police detained ten of his party men on Tuesday.

The incident took place around 11:20am when police picked up ten of his party activists immediately after they came out of BNP's Nayapaltan office.

Kader along with some activists of his party went there to have a brief meeting with the BNP leaders who are observing hartal for the third consecutive day today protesting the disappearance of M Ilias Ali.

During the talks, he called upon the BNP leaders to look for alternative means of protest instead of hartal.

He however went away with his party men chanting slogans when police released the ten KSJL men around 12:40pm.

“Police detained my party men without any reason and so that I remain here lying on the street to protest the incident,” an angry Siddiqui

Siddiqui was accompanied by his wife Nasrin Siddiqui and KSJL General Secretary Habibur Rahman Talukder

Mirza Azam Acquitted of Graft Case

DHAKA NEWS

A Dhaka court on Tuesday discharged Jubo League General Secretary Mirza Azam from a case filed for amassing wealth illegally and giving false information to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Judge (in-charge) Borhan Uddin Ahmed of the Special Judge Court-8 passed the acquittal order as no element was found to frame charge against the AL leader.

Mirza Azam was earlier acquitted of a police assault case.

The judge in his order said the notice, which was served asking Mirza Azam to submit his wealth statement, was not issued legally. Moreover, the charge brought against him was baseless and concocted. So, he was discharged.

On July 7 of 2008, ACC Deputy Director SM Mofizul Islam, also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, submitted the charge sheet against Azam to the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s (CMM) Court showing 34 people as prosecution witnesses.

The IO also prayed for dropping charges against Azam’s wife Aleya Azam as the charges brought against her were not proved. Aleya Azam was accused of abetting her husband.

ACC Deputy Director Mobara Khanam on January 10 of 2008 filed the case against the couple with Ramna Police Station for committing the offences.

In the case statement, the complainant said Azam accumulated wealth worth Tk 53,62,645 illegally and concealed information about his wealth worth Tk 64,34,295 from the commission.