Hasina wants EU to nominate Yunus as WB chief

DHAKA NEWS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested the European Union on Wednesday to nominate Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus as the president of the World Bank.
She made the request when visiting member of EU Parliament Jean Lambert called on the PM at her office.
According to meeting sources, Hasina said Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus is respected all over the world for his outstanding contribution to alleviating poverty through microcredit activities.
She said Prof Yunus’ experience would be a valuable asset for the WB to expand its activities to different countries of the world.
The premier said the EU could persuade the concerned authorities to make Prof Yunus as the WB president for the welfare of the world.
She said the Nobel Laureate has vast experience to run big institutions like Grameen Bank and other organisations having excellent reputations in the world.
The WB is planning to appoint a new president by the time of the annual spring meetings in April.
Incumbent WB chief Robert Zoellick said Wednesday he would not seek a second five-year term and planned to step down by the end of June.
The WB said the selection process will be "merit-based and transparent" with all the executive directors able to nominate and consider all candidates. Nominations must be received by March 23.
The board will then draw a shortlist of prospects for a formal interview process.

Journo work abstention Feb 27

DHAKA NEWS

Journalists across the country will observe one-hour work abstention on February 27 demanding immediate arrest and trial to killers of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi.
The work abstention programme will continue from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
The journalist organisations will also observe a six-hour token hunger strike from 10:00am on March 1 if the perpetrators are not put behind bars by February 27.
Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, president of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalist (BFUJ), announced the agitation programme from a rally held in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Wednesday.
The rally was organised as part of their countrywide demonstration demanding immediate arrest and trial to killers of the journalist couple.
Several journalists’ associations including BFUJ, JPC, Dhaka Reporters' Unity and Dhaka Union of Journalists held the protest rally and procession for two hours from 11:30am stretching on the area from JPC to Paltan intersection in the capital.

Sagar, news editor of private television channel Maasranga, and his wife Runi, a senior reporter of another private television channel ATN Bangla, were killed in the early hours on February 11 at their rented flat in the city's West Rajabazar.

Homage paid to slain military officers of BDR carnage

  

DHAKA NEWS

The nation  on Saturday paid  homage  to the armyofficials  who were killed in the BDR (now BGB) carnage  at  its Peelkhana headquarters in the capital on this day three years ago.

At least 74 people including 57army officials deputed to paramilitary force were brutally killed bydisgruntled border guards during the mutiny on February 25-26 in 2009.

political leaders, ranking armypersonnel and relatives of the  slainmilitary officers paid respect to them by placing wreaths at theirmemorial  built at the Banani graveyardand offered munajat for the peace of the departed souls. Special prayers werealso offered at different mosques and also at Dhaka Cantonment and BGBheadquarters at Peelkhana for the salvation of their souls.

President's military secretaryMaj Gen Kazi Fakhruddin and the prime minister's assistant  militarysecretary Lt Col Monir placed wreaths at their Banani Memorial on their  behalf.

State Minister for Home ShamsulHaque Tuku,   the chiefs of threeservices and directorate general of Border Guard Bangladesh were among thosewho placed wreaths at their memorial and offered munajat.

Deputy leader of parliament SyedaSajeda Chowdhury, Jatiya party chief H.M. Ershad and BNP acting secretarygeneral Mirza Fakhrul lsam Alamgir placed wreaths at the memorial on behalf oftheir parties. Scores of leaders and activists of  several political parties and organizations also paid homage to them on the occasion.

The members of the bereavedfamilies  observed one minutesilence  at the memorial as a mark ofrespect to them.

Talking to newsmen  after attending a milad mahfil at  the Peelkhana BGB headquarters yesterday,state minister for home Shamsul Haque Tuku said several  culprits involved in the massacre have fledthe country to escape punishment. The government is trying its best to findthem out, he said.

Meanwhile, family members of theslain army officers have expressed frustration over the delay in trying theculprits and demanded that justice be delivered as quickly as possible.

After 17 months' investigation,the Criminal Investigation Department initially charged 824 BDR soldiers andcivilians for their involvement in the carnage.

 Another case was filed against 807 BDR personnel, who are alsoaccused in the carnage case.

A few months after the rebellion,special courts were set up to try 6,045 accused mutineers of 57 units of theerstwhile BDR across the country. Beginning on November 24, 2009, trial of3,036 mutineers of 51 units has been completed.

Of them, 2,959 BDR jawans weregiven different terms in prison ranging from three months to seven years. Thespecial courts acquitted the rest 77, who later rejoined the force.

At present, 2,932 allegedmutineers from different units in Peelkhana are being tried in five specialcourts.

"We are convinced that thetrial of the remaining mutiny cases will be completed by August thisyear," a top Border Guard Bangladesh official said wishing anonymity.

Demolition of illegal structures begin

  

DHAKA WNES

As per High Court order, illegal structures beside the central shaheed minar was partially demolished on Saturday which were constructed centering an ordinary grave which was later transformed into a shrine.
 In the name shrine a vested quarter occupied 20 katha land of the central shaheed minar illegally .
Dhaka district magistrate Al Amin led the eviction team comprised of Public Works Department, Dhaka South City

Corporation, Dhaka University,Police and Fire Service.  The drive wascontinued from 10 am to 12 .15 pm.

Al Amin said at least 20structures including 9 big size structures were demolished during the two-hourdrive. Some structures belong to the mazar were demolished but the grave andthe mosque remain untouched. The High Court will be informed about the progressof the drive, he added.

He said the persons concernedhave been asked to remove the structures of grave and mosque within 24 hoursotherwise legal steps will be taken. About the mosque a clear directive fromthe court will be sought soon, he added.

The magistrate said as there is abig mosque in Dhaka Medical Collage campus there is no logic of buildinganother mosque here.

Proctor Amzad Ali said aftercompletion of the eviction Dhaka University authority will maintain thepremises that was illegally occupied through constructing a mazar.

The illegal structures demolishedinclude one kitchen room, one store room, two toilets, two living rooms, onewash room, one water tank and gate of the shrine. These structures were erectedadjacent to the boundary wall of the nursing hostel. 

The High Court on Wednesdaypassed an order to remove all illegal structures beside the central shaheedminar within 48 hours responding to a writ petition filed by Prof MuntasirMamun.

Former students of Dhaka MedicalCollege said a fourth class employee was buried in that place but after thedecades of the ordinary grave was gradually transformed into a shrine by the vestedquarters.

British High Commissioner

  

DHAKA NEWS

British High Commissioner to Dhaka Robert W Gibson CMG seen with the winners of the 'Duke of Edinburgh's Award' at his residence in the city recently.