Opposition leader and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia Performing Umrah and Itikaf Saudi Arabia

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Opposition leader and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Friday performed Umrah after offering her Asr prayer at Kaba Sharif.

Later, she attended an iftar mahfil, offered her Maghrib and Esha prayer there and sought Allah’s blessings for the people and country.

She left Macca for Madina at about 1:30am (BDST). She is set to perform her Itikaf at Masjid-e-Nababi.

She is expected to return home on 29th Ramadan after the Umrah.

Earlier on Thursday, Khaleda Zia reached Saudi Arabia for performing Umrah and Itikaf.

According to BNP’s press wing, a flight of Emirates airline carrying Khaleda Zia landed at the Jeddah Airport at 9:20am (BDST).

BNP leaders and activists led by Saudi Arabia BNP President Ahmed Ali Mukib received her on her arrival in Jeddah.

BDR mutiny Verdict against 336 jawans Sunday,Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: The verdict of BDR mutiny trial against 336 mutineers will be passed at BGB Headquarters on Sunday.

The special court-11 of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is set to pass the verdict under BDR law at Barbar Hall at 10:00am.

On October 26, the charge was framed against 336 jawans for their involvement in the 2009 mutiny and then depositions were taken separately.

On July 14, the special court-10 of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) sentenced 253 mutineers of BGB headquarters’ Hospital Unit to different terms in prison, ranging from four months to seven years, for their involvement in the 2009 mutiny.

In addition to the jail sentences, the court also fined each convict Tk 100.

Apart from this, two accused were acquitted as charges against them were not proved.

The special court led-by Col Khandaker Obaidul Ahsan pronounced the verdict at the BGB Durbar Hall in the morning.

On April 28 in 2010, some 256 jawans were indicted in a case filed by hospital unit’s medical assistant Nannu Mia.

A total of 74 people, including 57 army officials, were killed in the bloody mutiny at BDR Pilkhana Headquarters during the February 25-26, 2009 mayhem.

Malaysian Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam will visit Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Malaysian Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam will visit Bangladesh after the Hari Raya celebration to observe the recruitment system adopted by the government.

He said, during the visit, officers from his ministry and the Home Ministry would study the mechanism in Bangladesh as the recruitment would be carried out on a government to government basis.

He said the decision was made in order to cut down the role of middleman as well as combating fraud middleman activities.

“Bangladesh has approached us to send their workers to our country. Industries also are asking us to open up because of the shortage of workers,” he said.

The minister also told journalists that once they have put the mechanism right, then they can decide whether to open up or not.

He made the disclosure after launching the football tournament organized by the Malaysian India Football Association (MIFA) at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) here Saturday.

He noted that currently about 200,000 Bangladeshi workers were working in various sectors in Malaysia, and there was higher demand in the plantation and manufacturing sectors.

Malaysia had decided to freeze the intake of Bangladeshi workers in October 2007, the second time such a decision was made after the first in 1999.

United States Marine Corps (USMC) Arrive here To Bangladesh army

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: A team of 40 to 45 members of United States Marine Corps (USMC) is set to arrive here on September 1 in order to attend a joint exercise with a team of Bangladesh army.

According to a source, the members of USMC will stay here till September 30 and take part in a repair work of a school as part of their one-month training.

Both the countries have exchanged a number of letters and e-mails regarding the issue.

A letter stated that the US government will conduct a joint exercise titled “Engineering Capabilities Exercise (ENCAP)-2012” in Bangladesh from September 1 to 30.

Bangladesh army has already gave their consent to repair ‘Palashbari Hazi Joinuddion High School’ in response to the proposal of US government, said the letter.

The letter added that the US government will bear all the expenses of USMC during their stay in Bangladesh. They will bring all necessary equipments from their country. But, the Bangladeshi government has to ensure their security.

A letter from US authority requested the home ministry to take the help of local administration and police department in a bid to ensure the security of the US marine members.

Freedom fighter Col (retd) Shafaet Jamil Bir Bikram laid to rest,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Freedom fighter Col (retd) Shafaet Jamil Bir Bikram has been buried at Banani's Army graveyard. He passed away on Saturday,

He was 71.

His nephew Maj (retd) Atiqul Hafiz told that Jamil died of heart attack around 2:30am on Saturday at his home in Uttara's sector 4.

The freedom fighter's namaz-e-janaza (funeral prayer) was held at the Dhaka Cantonment Central Mosque after Zohr prayer. Military officials, political leaders and top government officials took part in the final prayer.

He was honoured in the traditional military way and also received state honour.

Army Chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan paid his respects to the deceased at Banani's Army graveyard.

A gallant freedom fighter, he was decorated with Bir Bikram title for his contribution during the nation's War of Independence in 1971.

He accompanied Khaled Mosharraf in the counter-coup on Nov 3, 1975 during the turbulent days after the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated.

Khaled Mosharraf was killed then and Jamil was detained. He retired from army on Mar 26, 1980.

Born at Khargamara village of Kuliachar upazila in Kishoreganj, Shafaet Jamil studied at Dhaka College and the University of Dhaka. He got commission in 1964 from the Pakistan Military Academy at Kakul. Former Pakistan military strongman Parvez Mosharraf was his course-mate.

In 1971 he was posted at the Fourth Bengal Regiment stationed at Comilla Cantonment. On Mar 1, 1971 Pakistan army sent two companies of the regiment to Brahmanbaria suspecting possible Indian attack.

Jamil was in command of one of the two companies. On Mar 26, he revolted against the Pakistan government getting news of how the military junta had swooped on the innocent Bengalis, killing hundreds of thousands.

He joined liberation war with his company soldiers and waged war in at areas under Sector 2. He was made commander of the Third East Bengal Regiment later.

The battle at Chhatok in Sylhet on Oct 11, 1971 was one of the most famous led by Shafaet Jamil where the Third East Bengal Regiment killed 364 Pakistani soldiers.

Through the Radhanagar Operation, his regiment occupied Pakistani's position which the famous Indian Gurkha Regiment failed to capture.

A Major during the Liberation war, he was promoted to Lt Colonel afterwards. In 1974, Jamil was promoted to the rank of Colonel and made Commander of the 46th Infantry Brigade. He was post there during the assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975.

BNP Preparing formula for Non-party Caretaker Government:BNP leader Moudud Ahmed,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Main opposition BNP is preparing an outline of a non-party caretaker government based on the 13th Amendment of the Constitution to oversee the next general elections, a senior party leader said on Saturday.

The non-party caretaker government to oversee the national polls was annulled through the 15th amendment of the Constitution in June last year.

"The next general elections would have to be held under a non-party government. That's why we are preparing to present an outline for a non-party caretaker government based on the 13th amendment of the Constitution," Standing Committee member Moudud Ahmed said.

He said the draft outline would be made public and they would ask the government to implement it.

Moudud's remarks came on Saturday while he was speaking at a discussion at the National Press Club at the capital amidst row between the ruling coalition and the opposition over poll-time government.

The party decided to prepare the draft outline of non-party government on Jul 2 at the National Standing Committee meeting presided over by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Several newspapers had published reports, but Moudud is the first one from BNP to make any official comment on the issue.

BNP has been protesting against the scrapping of the non-party caretaker government provision and demanding its reinstatement. Even, BNP chief Khaleda Zia has ruled out Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent idea of an all-party poll-time government. But the Awami League led by Hasina is adverse to the idea of handing over power to an unelected administration.

Moudud on Saturday said, "Everyone lost faith on the present government for their actions. They have made the administration into a partisan one in such a way that it would not be possible to hold fair polls under this administration."

"That's why we have raised the demand for a non-party government," he added.

He said only a non-party government would not serve the purpose. "The whole administration must be changed. Unbiased officials have to be posted in the field level administration by changing the partisan DCs-SPs-UNOs-OCs."

Giving reasons for rejecting the Prime Minister's proposal to join the all-party interim government, the former law minister said, "To overcome the political crisis in 1996 former Australian Governor General Sir Ninian Stephen had proposed to form an interim government drawing five members each from the two parties and led by then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Why Sheikh Hasina did rejected the idea then?"

"This party [Awami League] has no principle. They led demonstrations in 1996 demanding the caretaker government. They observed 173 days of general strike. And then they scrapped the system and added the provision to hold the elections under a partisan government," he added.

Even if an interim government was formed under the incumbent Prime Minister, it would not be possible to hold fair elections, Moudud claimed adding that BNP would go for tougher agitations to realise their demand non-party caretaker government after the Eid-ul-Fitr.

Non-Government Registered Educational institutions teachers threaten agitation,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

The teachers and employees of the non-government registered educational institutions have announced to hold a non-stop sit-in programme in front of the National Press Club from Sept 2 if the their institutions were not included in the new MPO (Monthly Pay Order) list by Aug 16.

Mohammad Hanif Ullah, President of the Bangladesh Non-government Teachers-Employees Council, announced the programme at a press conference at its headquarters in the capital's Topkhana Road on Saturday.

He also threatened to observe agitation programme even on the day of the Eid-ul-Fitr if their demand was not met by then.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on May 27 this year had announced to nationalise all the non-government primary schools and colleges in three phases with a view to improving the quality of education and living standard of teachers, but the decision is yet to be implemented.

General Secretary of the council A K M Jahirul Islam, its leaders Waresul Hasan Siddiqui and Alamgir Kabir among others were present at the press conference.  

People have no confidence in Government:BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir

BANGLADESH NEWS

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said people have lost their confidence in the government for its failure on all fronts.

“The government has failed in every sector. It is miserably failed to rein in the prices of essentials, maintain the law and order, and restore peace and stability in the country.

So, resignation of this government has now become people’s demand,” he said while addressing a meeting at the district unit BNP office.

Terming the government corrupt, the BNP leader said the World Bank has annulled its loan deal for the Padma bridge project duet to corruption by the government.

Reiterating his party’s demand for restoration of the non-party caretaker government to oversee the next general election, the BNP spokesperson said holding a free, fair and credible election is not possible without the caretaker government (CG) system.

Claiming that the demand for restoration of the CG system has now become the demand of the whole nation, Fakhrul said the ruling party is unwilling to go to polls under a non-party administration sensing a massive debacle.

He also asked the leaders and workers of the party and its front organisations to take preparation for waging an irresistible movement after Eid to force the regime to reinstate the CG system.

District BNP vice president Nurul Islam, general secretary Taimur Rahman and organising secretary Paigam Ali, among others, spoke at the meeting.

Go tough on highway extortionists:Communications Minister Obaidul Quader,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday asked law enforcers to take stern actions against extortionists on highways before Eid-ul-Fitr.

Terming extortion one of the main reasons behind traffic jam, the minister said administrative actions must be taken against them.

Mentioning the prime minister’s zero tolerance policy towards extortion, Quader said a three-member probe body has been formed to investigate the recent incidents of passengers’ throwing off trains.

He was talking to journalists after visiting Meerer Gaon in Gazipur Sadar upazila, a correspondent reports from Gazipur.

Earlier on Thursday, police recovered three bodies near Dhaka-Rajshahi rail line in Gazipur.

The minister caught a driver for not having legal documents and ordered the authorities concerned to take steps against him.

Besides, he also visited the Joydevpur Railway Station and expressed dissatisfaction over the cleanliness of restroom and the premises of the station.

The minister also talked to the commuters and discussed various problems regarding the communications across the country.

Detective Branch (DB) 2 close aides of Dakat Shahid arrested,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Detective Branch (DB) of police on Friday night arrested two close associates of listed criminal Dakat Shahid who was killed in a 'gunfight' with Rapid Action Battalion in the capital in July.

A team of DB police arrested Bhagina Faruk, 23, and Al Amin, 24, from an under-construction building on Tipu Sultan Road in Old Dhaka around 10:00am, said Deputy Commissioner Masudur Rahman, in-charge of Media and Community Service of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

As per their statements, police later raided a house at Swamibag and recovered two pistols, three magazines and five bullets, the DC said.

Faruk and Al Amin have been taken to DB office on Minto Road, the DC said.

Dakat Shahid, accused in 18 cases including six for murder, was killed in the gunfight with Rab at Laxmibazar in Old Dhaka on July 3 this year.

More than 100 general diaries were filed against him with different police stations in the capital.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visits London Saturday,Bangladesh Uk

BANGLADESH NEWS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to leave Dhaka for the UK on Saturday to attend a three-day international conference on nutrition.

A special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying Hasina and her entourage is scheduled to leave the Shahjalal International Airport around 10.30am Saturday.

On Jul 25, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had visited London on a five-day official visit to attend the inaugural ceremony of the Olympic Games. She returned home on Jul 30.

During her visit, she is expected to stay in Hotel Saint Pancras Renaissance in London.

She will speak at an international conference on nutrition at 10-Downing Streets on Sunday afternoon. British Prime Minister and Brazil Deputy President will also to join the conference.

Andrew Mitchell, the US Secretary of State for International Development, is expected to meet her at the hotel on Sunday evening.

Hasina is scheduled to return on Tuesday morning. 

Shahara wanted to 'make people aware' :State Minister for Law Qamrul Islam,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

State Minister for Law Qamrul Islam on Friday said the Home Minister was trying to raise 'awareness' among the people when she advised the holidaymakers to lock houses and shops before leaving Dhaka for Eid vacation.

"The Home Minister was trying to make the people aware by advising them to lock down their houses before leaving for vacation. She didn't mean neglecting her duty," he said at a discussion at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity.

His remarks came on Friday in response to opposition BNP's criticism of Shahara Khatun for her advice.

After a meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday, Shahara had said that those leaving Dhaka for the Eid vacation must ensure locking their houses and shops. "They should also have their own security arrangement for this period."

Criticising her remarks, senior BNP leader and Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Thursday said the Home Minister's advice was 'frightening'.

He said the minister had asked the people to rely on locks as she would not be able to provide security for their houses. "It is our question, 'if the locks are to be relied upon, why do you have to be Home Minister'?"

Qamrul, however, claimed the law and order situation was better than ever. "BNP leaders are criticising the Home Minister. Please look at yourselves in the mirror first, do some self-criticisms. Then ridicule the minister."

He was speaking at the programme organised by Bangabandhu Academy to mark the birth anniversary of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, the wife of nation's founding father and President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.  

Don't be adamant, call dialogue:Senior BNP leader ASM Hannan Shah,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Senior BNP leader ASM Hannan Shah on Friday asked the ruling coalition to soften its stance and sit with the opposition to decide about a non-party government to oversee the general elections.

"At the end of the term, the election must be held after dissolving Parliament. We want national elections in a nice and peaceful environment," he said at a discussion in the National Press Club in the city.

"I would like to ask the government to please stop being so stubborn and sit in dialogue to decide the name of the non-party government as the people expect."

Criticising the 15th Amendment, Hannan Shah said there was no statute in any country in the world for holding the national elections without dissolving Parliament.

"But our government has introduced a bizarre provision in the constitution. This is unacceptable to the people and constitution experts," he said.

The BNP Standing Committee member claimed the ruling coalition partners were also disappointed with the provision. "We won't allow any elections if Parliament is not dissolved."

The ruling Awami League-led government scrapped the constitutional provision of caretaker government system last year through the 15th Amendment to the Constitution. Main opposition BNP has been protesting the decision since.

According to the amended constitution, the next elections would be held before the term of the current Parliament ends.

"The government has already softened its stance (over staging polls under a non-partisan government) as some of the parties in the ruling coalition have started opposing staging the elections under a partisan government," he said.

Hannan also talked about government's plans to form an interim government with the opposition leaders to oversee the next elections.

"Our stance is clear on the issue. Apart from holding the elections by dissolving Parliament, it must be ensured that the interim government is a non-partisan one. The BNP has no qualms about whichever name you may give (that government)," he added.

He alleged that the government embezzled a huge amount of money in the much-talked-about Padma bridge project.

"I can show how the money was misappropriated if a neutral investigation committee is formed … it's my challenge to you …," he said.

He castigated the government over 'corruption' and 'failure". "The government has indulged in corruption. Former Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain resigned from the Prime Minister's cabinet 10 months after charges of corruption in the Padma bridge project surfaced."

"Syed Abul Hossain did so only to hide the money embezzled," he claimed.