UK pressing govt on Ilias: envoy,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

British High Commissioner Robert Gibson on Wednesday said they were still concerned about the disappearance of BNP leader M Illias Ali and his driver and urged the government to do whatever possible to find them.

"Since his disappearance we have been in constant contact with the appropriate authorities and raised concern. We will continue to raise the issue of disappearance with the government," he said at a "Meet the Press' programme at the National Press Club.

His remark came four months after the disappearance of the Sylhet district BNP chief. The opposition says he was abducted by the law-enforcing agencies.

Deteriorating law and order

Some people express concern about rule of law and some see that 'law-enforcing agencies appear to work beyond the judicial norms', Gibson said.

"This scenario we want to look at and want to ensure and hope that this improves in Bangladesh."

Rohingya issue

He said the British government has contacted the Myanmar authorities about distressing situation in north Rakhaine, the region Rohingya people fleeing after recent communal riot to take refuge in Bangladesh.

Myanmar has developed in many areas and more needs to be done, he observed.

Election Commission

Envoy Gibson said the British government was working with the Election Commission to strengthen the electoral process in Bangladesh.

It was also working at the local level so that democratic system was better understood, he added.

Government allows Orion Group to produce power,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

The government has entered a deal with Orion Group to install three private coal-based power plants to add 1088MW power to the national grid.

Although there is a government-run coal-based power plant producing 250MW power at Barapukuria, this is the first move to get private firms to produce power from coal.

On Jan 29, the government struck a deal with India for installing a coal-based power plant with a capacity to produce 1030MW at Rampal in Bagherhat near the Sundarbans.

One of the new power plants will be set up at Mawa in Munsiganj to produce 522MW. Two other plants will be established at Anwara in Chittagong and in Khulna each with a capacity of generating 282.67MW.

Orion Group Managing Director Salman Obaidul Karim and Power Development Board (PDB) Secretary Md Azizul Islam signed the agreement at the Bidyut Bhaban.

The power plant at Mawa will go into operation in 45 months while the plants at Khulna and Chittagong will be built in 36 months.

The government will pay Tk 4.79 for per unit power produced by the Mawa plant and Tk 4.45 for power supplied from the other two plants.

Currently daily power production is 5,500MW against the demand of 7,000MW.

The Prime Minister's Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Power Mohammad Enamul Hoque, Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, PDB Chairman ASM Alamgir Kabir and Orion Group Chairman Obaidul Karim were present at the ceremony.

"Many had feared whether it would be possible at all to establish power plant by importing coal. After overcoming all the challenges we are going to prove that through this agreement. I hope the plants will come into operation at the expected time," said advisor Chowdhury.

Chairman Karim said they will import coal from Australia and Indonesia and that reputed organisations have been employed to look into issues including building the plants and importing coal.

He was also hopeful about making the plants operational three months before schedule.

Power is being produced using five types of energy. About 80 percent of the daily power is being produced using gas, while furnace oil and diesel are used for producing 17 percent. Water and coal produces 3 percent.

After assuming power the government undertook a plan of raising daily power production by 15,000MW within 2016.

The government has so far struck deals for 56 power plants.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposes cell-phone bill tax waiver,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has requested Finance Minister AMA Muhith to waive the proposed 2 percent mobile phone bill tax at source and cut export tax to 0.8 percent at source.

The tax on export of all products including readymade garment was proposed at 1.2 percent in the next budget.

Speaking on the proposed budget on Wednesday, she also urged the Finance Minister to raise individual income tax ceiling to Tk 200,000 from Tk 180,000.

The Prime Minister's proposals are set to be adopted, as per custom, in the budget for 2012-13 fiscal before Parliament passes it.

On Jun 7, Muhith proposed for levying the tax on the total bill of post-paid cell phone users and on recharge of pre-paid phone card.

Currently, 90 million mobile phone users across the country pay 15 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on bills, according to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

BNP men burn JSD president Hasanul Haq Inu effigy,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Leaders and activists of opposition BNP burnt the effigy of JSD president Hasanul Haq Inu in protest of his indecent remarks on opposition leader Khaleda Zia.

Hundreds of activists of the party led by acting Chhatra Dal president Shahidul Islam Babul and acting general secretary Amiruzzaman Khan Shimil burnt his effigy in front of party’s Naya Paltan office on Wednesday afternoon.

The leaders of the party alleged that Hasanul Haq Inu had told to minus Khaleda Zia from politics.

Amongst others, party’s Joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Abul Khayer Bhuiyan were present during the protest programme.

Opposition BNP vice chairman Abdullah Al Noman urges (JSD) president Hasanul Haq Inu Beg pardon for criticizing Khaleda,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Opposition BNP vice chairman Abdullah Al Noman Wednesday urged Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) president Hasanul Haq Inu to apologize to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia for his proposal to delete her from politics.

He said, “Inu’s proposal of deleting Khalead from politics through implementing minus one formula, violated political courtesy. BNP will take step against him if people do not forgive him.”

He came up with the remarks while addressing a human chain demo in front of National Press club on Wednesday noon.

Later, he burnt the effigy of Hasanul Haq Inu protesting his objectionable remarks against BNP chief.

Earlier on May 25, Inu proposed to delete Khaleda Zia from politics through implementing minus one formula. Otherwise, he asked Khaleda Zia to get amended.

He said, “‘Minus two’ formula will never be implemented. Now it is time for implementing ‘minus one’ fomula, it is time to minus Khaleda Zia from politics as she is associated with communalists and war criminals.”

We have to stop her and her associates through deleting them from politics, he added.

Case against ATN chief No govt intervention: Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Advocate Quamrul Islam,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: State Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Advocate Quamrul Islam said the government did not order or interfere to file defamation case against ATN Bangla Chairman Dr Mahfuzur Rahman.

The state minister came up with the assertion over filing case against ATN chief by Juba League leader Abdul Qaiyum while talking to journalist at his secretariat office Wednesday.

“The person, who has filed the case, has done it willingly,” Quamrul said adding, “If anyone is hurt by someone’s comment he or she has right to file defamation case in the court.”

While asked, Quamrul informed, the ‘derogatory comment’ made against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina doesn’t come under the sedition.

Earlier in the day, a defamation case was filed against ATN Bangla Chairman Dr Mahfuzur Rahman for making ‘derogatory comment’ against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Juba League leader Emdadul Haque filed the case with Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court on Wednesday morning.

Mahfuzur Rahman has called Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ‘talkative’ in a programme during his recent visit to London.

He made this comment while recalling PM’s remark that “It is not possible for the government to guard anyone’s bedroom.”

Taking back Rohingyas Myanmar to send proposal to Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

FROM SANGSAD BHABAN: Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni Wednesday apprised that the Myanmar government has prepared recommendation and guideline for taking back the Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh.

The foreign minister made the remarks while addressing parliament in response to a question from lawmaker Muhibur Rahman Manik at the question-hour session.

“The government is always communicating with the Myanmar government to give back the refugees,” she said.

The ruling Awami League lawmaker said giving back the Rohingya refugees to Myanmar is a complex and lengthy process.

Some 36,000 refugees have been send back till 2005, he told the House.

In response to another query from Habibur Rahman Molla, she said, “The government has been requesting Pakistani government for taking back the Pakistani nationals who had been trapped here after 1971.”

Home Minister Sahara Khatun tells JS India BSF kills 151 in last 3 years,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Home Minister Sahara Khatun categorically Wednesday said the Border Security Force (BSF) of India had killed some 151 Bangladeshi nationals in the border in the last three years.

The minister came up with the disclosure while addressing the parliament in response to a query from lawmaker Nazim Uddin Ahmed in the parliament.

Sahara Khatun said, “The government had protested against these killings in several flag meetings between Border Guard Bangladesh and BSF.”

She added: “India has assured us to take necessary action in stopping these types of killings.”

In another query from lawmaker Harunur Rashid, the home minister told the parliament, “In last six months, BSF has killed some 11 and injured 27 Bangladeshi nationals in the frontier.”

Bangladeshi journalist Abu Sufian receives BOBs jury award

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Bangladeshi journalist Abu Sufian received BOBs (Best of Blogs competition) jury award in the “Reporters Without Borders” category of 2012 Tuesday.

He was chosen from 11 finalists by an international jury consisting of bloggers and a Reporters Without Borders representative at the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle`s Best of the Blogs 2012 contest.

Sufian exposes himself to threats and considerable danger to provide detailed investigative coverage of extrajudicial executions, a problem that the government denies and the traditional media largely ignore, although the victims number in the thousands.

He also won an award from a national journalists’ organization in 2006.

His reporting has included coverage of last February’s murder of husband-and-wife journalists Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, which has prompted unprecedented protests and joint demands for justice by Bangladeshi journalists and bloggers.

He is also campaigning for a “right to information” law that would force the government to be more transparent.

For the eighth time, DW presented its blog awards, selected by an international jury from more than 3,000 suggestions.

"They give minorities a voice and claim their right to free speech. That is a huge challenge," said DW Editor-in-Chief Ute Schaeffer. "Deutsche Welle wants to give you courage and show you how important your work is."

The main winner was Iranian blogger Arash Sigarchi for his "Window of Anguish," selected by the panel as the best blog of 2012. The blog is well-known in the international Iranian community, attracting a significant number of readers. Despite being arrested several times for the content of his blog, and becoming ill with cancer, Sigarchi has kept on blogging - nowadays from the United States.

Other prize winners included a site that allows women in Egypt to record instances of sexual violence using an interactive map and a Chinese cartoon site depicting themes of social injustice.

Landslides kill 70 in Chittagong divn,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: At least 61 people, including women and children were killed and dozens others injured in separate landslides in rain- drenched Chittagong, Cox’s Bazaar and Bandarban districts early Wednesday.

Bandarban  reports: At least 33 people, including 11 of a family were killed in separate landslides that were triggered by incessant rainfall in district’s Lama and Naikhanchhari upazilas.

The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately.

Locals recovered at least 24 bodies from under the rubble in Lama upazila’s Fightong union till Wednesday noon. Of the deceased, 11 were from a family.

Meanwhile, bodies of three people of a family were recovered from Rupashi para area on Wednesday noon.

On the other hand, fire fighters recovered six bodies in Naikhanchhari upazila’s Baisari union at about 9:30am.

Confirming the matter, Fightong UP chairman Shamsul Islam and Baisari UP Chairman Manirul Islam said the rescue operations were declared abandoned at about 1:30pm.

Cox’s Bazar : At least 18 people were killed due to separate landslides in different parts of the district.

Confirming the matter, district deputy commissioner Zainul Bari said, “ seven people, including  four of a family were killed in Haldia Palang union early Wednesday while seven, including three of another family in Ramu upazila at about 3am. ”

Besides, four people were killed in the district on Tuesday night.

He said, “The rescue drive is underway and death toll may rise.”

Besides, at least 19 people were killed and several others injured in separate landslides in Chittagong on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Of the deceased, nine were identified as Shanu, 16, Khalek, 55, Rabeya Begum, 60, Masum, 2, Kulsum, 8, Ramzan Ali, 28, Shahidul Islam, 12, Khorsheda Begum, 8, and Fatema Begum, 4.


Confirming the matter to , Deputy Director of Chittagong Fire Service Ruhul Amin said, “The rescue operation is underway and death toll may rise.”

Sylhet Nogor Floods in 4 dists: 200,000 marooned,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Days of rain in four districts of the country, some of the heaviest in years, have set off flash floods stranding about 200,000, police and officials said on Wednesday.

Disaster control officials said about 150,000 people had been marooned by the floods in southeast districts of the country while 50,000 were marooned in Sylhet.

Hundreds of homes have been washed away, while authorities moved hundreds of families from shanty housing and told others to leave quickly.

Agriculture officials said it was too early to estimate crop damage. "In flash floods, water recedes soon after the rain stops, So we don`t anticipate any major damage to rice and other crops," one official said.

Most road and rail links between Chittagong and the rest of the country were suspended late on Tuesday, while Chittagong airport was closed after water inundated part of the runway.

Five days of rain had beset wide areas near the border with Myanmar and India, with the weather office recording 463 mm (18.2 inches) in Chittagong over the past 24 hours.

"We are having the worst rainfall in many years," said Jainul Bari, district commissioner for Cox`s Bazar.

In Sylhet, houses stood up to three feet (one meter) under water, with residents perched on boats or scrambling to high ground. Three children were reported killed.

Flooding also hit districts northwest of the capital.

Weather officials said more heavy rain was expected in the next few days.

Joint study on Tipai impact soon: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said in parliament that the process was underway to begin a joint study to assess the possible impact of Tipaimukh Dam on Bangladesh.

“Bangladesh government has already formed its team and informed it to the government of India,” she said replying to a lawmaker’s queries.

Following negotiations held at different levels, the premier said Indian government has agreed to conduct the joint study on the possible impact of the proposed dam on Bangladesh.

On signing the much-talked-about treaty on Teesta water sharing with India, Hasina said her government was determined to implement the treaty.

“This government is actively working to this effect,” The PM said.

HC questions BB action legality on Destiny,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

The High Court on Wednesday questioned the legality of Bangladesh Bank’s action to freeze the bank accounts of the Destiny Group.

The HC also issued a rule upon the government to explain in a week why the central bank’s action that had frozen the bank accounts of 35 associated organisations of Destiny Group should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice Hasan Foez Siddique and Justice Shahidul Haque issued the rule following a writ petition filed by Destiny Group Chairman Mohammad Rafiqul Amin.

In the petition he said the Bangladesh Bank on May 24 froze all of its associated organisations excluding two sister concerns — Boishakhi TV and Bangla daily Dainik Destiny — for 30 days without mentioning any reason.

Later on June 19, the BB extended this order for next 30 days, which is illegal.

The Destiny chairman also said in the petition that there is no mention of any offence committed by the associated organisations of the group.

He prayed to the court to stay the Bangladesh Bank decision and also issue a rule upon the government to explain why the bank’s decision should not be declared illegal.

Advocate SM Rezaul Karim appeared for the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Abdus Salam Mondol represented the government.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami review petition rejected Tribunal allows attendance for being with Sayedee 24hrs in hospital,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

International Crimes Tribunl-1 on Wednesday rejected a petition for reviewing charges framed against war crimes suspect Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami.

The court also rejected another appeal by defence for transferring the case against Nizami to the ICT-2 from the tribunal-1.

Earlier on May 28, the tribunal indicted Nizami with 16 charges of crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War. Later, Nizami filed the review petition.

In another development, the tribunal allowed an attendance who will be with Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Delawar Hossain Sayedee 24 hours in hospital with some conditions.

The order will be cancelled if the attendance breaks or violates jail code or any rule of hospital, the court added.

Sayedee is now undergoing treatment at Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital in the city.

Justice Nizamul Huq and Justice Anwarul Haque delivered the orders as another member of the panel Justice Zahir Ahmed was not present at the tribunal.

The trial proceedings were suspended around 12:40pm for today after a false ceiling collapsed in the courtroom when defence was cross-examining a witness. However no one was injured.

ATN Bangla chief sued for defamation,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

A Jubo League leader filed a defamation case against ATN Bangla Chairman Mahfuzur Rahman on Wednesday for making ‘derogatory remarks’ about the prime minister.

Metropolitan Magistrate Farhana Ferdous took the case into cognisance and set Thursday for passing an order on the issue.

Emdadul Haque Emdad, a leader of Dhaka City unit of Jubo League, filed the case with Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's (CMM) Court in Dhaka against Mahfuzur around 11:00am.

The complainant also appealed to the court to issue arrest warrants against Mahfuzur for making 'disgraceful comments' against the PM.

Mahfuzur during a programme in London recently termed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina "talkative". A private television channel telecast the report on Monday.

He made the comments on the same occasion when he remarked that journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi were victims of an "extramarital affair".

1 dead in Chittagong hillslide-Flood in Chittagong,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Hillslide induced by torrential rains killed one as a large chunk of earth falling from the nearby hill buried 25 houses at Khulshi in Chittagong.

Chittagong Fire Service's Deputy Assistant Director Jasim Uddin confirmed that the landslide happened at 7:30pm on Tuesday at Akbar Shah burying the houses in the neighborhood known as Yasin Colony.

Rescue operation began immediately while troops joined police and fireservice, he added. Chittagong City Mayor M Manjur Alam and senior officers at the district administration were overseeing the rescue operation.

at the scene saw rescuers pulling out the body of a girl, identified as 'Shanu', 16, from under a heap of mud at 9:30pm.

Three others including a child were rescued around 8:30pm.

As many as 127 people were killed in different incidents of landslide at the port city only in a month in June, 2007.

Several landslides were also reported in other parts of the hilly city as downpour continued for hours since Tuesday morning. The district administration has been suggesting people living by the hillside to take shelter in safer places until the weather improves.

One of the reported landslides took place near Sugandha Ekushey Hospital and the other other at Lalkhan Bazar, injuring two.

A child, Abul Hossain, 8, died when a wall collapsed on him at Dakkhin Ambagan at 7:30pm.

According to Fire Service and residents, boundary wall of another house collapsed at OR Nizam road.    

'Stubborn prime minister's' blamed for power crisis,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

The main opposition BNP has claimed that the country is headed for a deeper crisis due to prime minister's stubborn attitude and corruption.

Addressing a discussion at the National Press Club on Tuesday, the party's Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said that the government had destroyed the power sector in a planned way by setting up quick rental power plants.

"They've failed to succeed in any area, including law and order situation and corruption eradication. It appears that the country is being pushed towards a deeper crisis due to the stubborn attitude of the prime minister. To get rid of this situation, there is no alternative to pulling down this unsuccessful government."

Mosharraf, a former energy minister, blamed the government's 'wrong policy' for the power crisis. He said that after the Awami League took the office, it decided to set up quick rental power plants without any tender to loot money from the power sector.

"There would have been no power crisis in the country if the projects taken up by the BNP government had been implemented," he added.

To deal with the soaring demand for power, the government set up 24 furnace oil-based rental and peaking power plants soon after it took the office in January in 2009. It also plans to set up 27 more power plants of this category. But production in most of the power plants has remained suspended as the prices of furnace oil shot up.

Bashundhara Group keen to export gas cylinder,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Bashundhara Group, the leading business conglomerate of the country, is keen to export gas cylinder.

In the meantime, a factory with the production capacity of some 3000 cylinder a day has been set up in the country following the standard of Department of Transport, USA.

The factory with latest technology has been set up for the first time in the country with the technical assistance of Chinese companies.

A huge amount of money has to spent due to importing gas cylinder but due to taking initiative by the Bashundhara Group, it will not need to import gas cylinder.

M Akbar Hossain Siraji, Head of Division of Bashundhara LP Gas and Sundarban Industrial Complex, told that LP gas is environment friendly.

The Bashundhara Group is playing a vital role in building green Bangladesh, he added.