Ashulia erupts into violence, 100 hurt 100 garment units suspend production

DHAKA NEWS

Over 100 people were injured as several thousand garment workers fought pitched battle with police in Ashulia industrial belt near the capital for the second straight day on Sunday.

Production at over 100 garment factories situated beside the Dhaka-Tangail highway stretching from Jamgorah to Narasinghapur were suspended fearing vandalism, said Mostafa Kamal, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Ashulia Police Station.

The marauding workers also vandalised around 50 vehicles as soon as they took to the highway around 9:00am.

Traffic movement on the highway however resumed around four hours.

The clash started from the Ha-Meem Group as its disgruntled workers blocked the highway to know the whereabouts of Salman, a storekeeper of the group's Artistic Design Ltd, and to protest the death of a garment worker in a road accident during Saturday clash.

Ashulia industrial belt area turned to a battleground around 10:00am when the workers of other adjacent factories joined the agitating workers.

Following the violence, the law enforcers rushed to Narasinghapur, the scene of the violence, to bring the situation under control, said Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Meer Fasiur Rahman, also the assistant director of Ashulia Industrial Police.

The workers demonstrated blocking the highway and setting fire to tyres and other roadside abandoned things as they did not find Salman in the factory.

They locked in clashes with police when law enforcers tried to disperse them from the highway.

Police, in a bid to remove them from the highway, fired nearly 1000 rubber bullets and charged truncheons on them, leaving at least 100 workers injured.

As the situation deteriorated, the authorities of nearly 100 garment factories suspend the production for Sunday.

To control the situation, nearly 1000 law enforcers including Rapid Action Battalion, Industrial police, Armed Police Battalion (APBn) were deployed on the area.

At one stage, Ashulia police produced Salman before the agitating workers around 1:00pm in a bid to control the situation.

The situation eased following the action of law enforcers, closure of factories and as Salman appeared before the workers around 1:00pm.

In this situation, the leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) will hold a press briefing at its office at 7:00pm to disclose their stance.

BACKGROUND

On Saturday, at least 100 people including 10 police personnel were injured and production in around 350 garment factories remained suspended in Ashulia industrial belt following rumours of Salman's death.

During the clashes, Kamrun Nahar Golapi, 30, an operative of Opex Sweater Factory, was run over and killed by a bus at Jamgorah when the workers were chased by police.

Arrest order for RCC mayor

RAJSHAHI NEWS

A labour court in Rajshahi has ordered the arrests of Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and three RCC officials for not complying with its order.

Rajshahi Divisional Labour Court Judge M Ansar Ali issued the warrants on May 10 since the defendants did not appear before it despite its order, reports our Rajshahi correspondent.

RCC Chief Executive Officer Azahar Ali, Secretary K M Abdus Salam and Chief Accountant Abdur Rashid along with the mayor face the warrant in connection with depriving an employee of his retirement allowances.

Plaintiff's lawyer Korban Ali told , “The arrest warrants have been issued through Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Headquarters.”

However, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner M Obaidullah denied receiving such order and said, “I heard about it, but yet to see.”

Earlier, Abdul Jabbar, an employee of the conservation section of the RCC, filed a case with the labour court on May 25, 2010 as he was deprived of Tk 2.30 lakh of his gratuity and provident fund money from pension.

In a verdict in August 2011, Kobita Khanam, the then judge of the court, asked RCC authorities to pay off Jabbar his due Tk 2.03 lakh with 25 percent compensation within 60 days.

But, the authorities did not comply with the court order and also refrained from filing any appeal against the order within the stipulated time.

Later on April 11, Jabbar filed a criminal case with the court accusing the four for violating the order and the court on the following day summoned the four to appear before it on May 10.

Jabbar had been on service since April 29, 1974 and retired on December 31, 2008.

On retirement, his gratuity and provident fund money was assessed as Tk 4.08 lakh, while he was paid Tk 2.85 lakh.

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni speaks of refugee problem in Muslim world

DHAKA NEWS

Dhaka, May 12 Foreign Minister Dipu Moni says refugee problem imposes heavy burden on host countries, which are mostly developing countries, or least developed countries like Bangladesh.

She made the remark at the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) ministerial meeting entitled 'Refugees in the Muslim World' in Ashgabat of Turkmenistan on Saturday, said a media statement of the foreign ministry.

Bangladesh has hosted a huge number of Myanmar refugees during the last two decades despite it not being a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or the 1967 Protocol, she said.

The two-day meeting, first of its kind under the aegis of the OIC, would focus on the issue of overwhelming number of refugees who are Muslims and also most of the refugees being hosted by Muslim countries.

The foreign minister proposed that there is a necessity of international dialogue and engagement with non-OIC countries to address the root causes of protracted refugee situation.

"While stressing the necessity of UNHCR to take the lead role, the foreign minister opined that the OIC can be a political partner in that dialogue," the statement said.

In a sideline meeting, Dipu Moni met the Turkmenistan foreign minister, Rashid Meredov, and discussed issues of mutual interest.

In their first-ever meeting, they discussed issues including cooperation in energy, textile and agricultural sectors.

Bangladesh proposed to conclude a memorandum to have an assured supply of cotton from Turkmenistan. 

Oppn duty-bound to attend budget session: Akbar

DHAKA NEWS

Dhaka, May 12 A former caretaker government advisor insisted on Saturday that the opposition attend the upcoming budget session in parliament as it is their 'moral and constitutional' duty.

"There is no point in discussing the budget without the opposition. They [BNP] are saying that the country's economy is in a crisis. If they believe so, then it is their duty to say that in parliament, Akbar Ali Khan told a workshop organised by the Economic Reporters' Forum and the International Finance Corporation.

The parliament is set to start talks on the next fiscal's budget from May 27. Finance Minister AMA Muhith is expected to propose the budget for this fiscal on June 7.

Akbar Ali Khan, also a former cabinet secretary, pointed out that the budget formulation process is 'defective'.

"Discussion on the proposed budget goes on for only 18 to 24 days. It should at least be for six weeks."

Khan also criticised the role of the House members during the budget session pointing out that they only tend to praise the government instead of taking an in-depth view of the budget proposals.

The former finance secretary came down hard on the government's hint to raise more VAT as a part of its effort to prop up revenue collection saying it will increase the people's tax burden.

"VAT is not for a country where 60 to 70 percent people are illiterate."

The claim of economists that the country is in a 'crisis' is a criticism coming from their intention to do well for the government, Khan pointed out.

"It irks the government. But it's not rubbish or nonsense when they admit those facts to get loan from the IMF."

Around 60 economic correspondents from print and electronic media took part in the day-long workshop.  

Rafiqul slates Ashraf, Dilip for Dr Yunus snipe

DHAKA NEWS

Dhaka, May 12  Eminent jurist Barrister Rafique-ul Huque has strongly criticised LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam for his remarks ridiculing Nobel laureate Prof Mohammad Yunus.

"What a stupid country we live in! Holding such a significant position of a major political party, he (Ashraf) has said that one has to pacify a region to get a Nobel Peace Prize," the former attorney general said at a function in the city on Saturday.

"There's no work more heinous than to dishonour a respected person," said the senior lawyer.

He was addressing a discussion organised by Muktochinta Forum, a human rights organisation, at Bangladesh Photojournalists Association auditorium on the country's recent political scenario, forced disappearances and abductions

Ashraf, also the general secretary of the Awami League, at a function at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, in presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on Thursday raised questions about the justification of awarding Grameen Bank founder Prof Yunus the Nobel Peace Prize.

"His [Prof Yunus] basic subject was economics. But he didn't get Nobel Prize in Economics. He got Nobel Prize in Peace without pacifying any region."

He went on to say: "Many of the people present here better know how Nobel Prize is given."

Rafiqul on Saturday also came down hard on Industries Minister Dilip Barua for sniping at Dr Yunus and BRAC Chairman Sir Fazle Hasan Abed. "I say, with due respect to him, he is worth nothing compared to Yunus."

Barua addressing a discussion organised by Bangabandhu Academy at the National Press Club on Friday came down heavily on them for their suggestion for holding the next general election under a caretaker administration.

"Come, get involved in politics if you (Yunus) want to talk on the caretaker issue," the minister had said.   

Rampage over death rumour Around 350 garment units lose a day's production, one dies under wheels, at least 100 injured as workers in Ashulia clash with cops

DHAKA NEWS

Some 350 garment factories suspended production yesterday in Ashulia industrial belt when a group of workers took to the streets after a rumour of a co-worker's death went around.

In hours of fights between police and workers, at least 100 people, including 10 cops, were injured.

Kamrun Nahar Golapi, 30, an operative of Opex Sweater Factory, was run over by a bus at Jamgorah when the agitating ready-made garment workers were chased by police during the clashes, said Mokhlesur Rahman, inspector of Ashulia industrial police.

Traffic on Dhaka-Tangail highway and Ashulia-Baipail road was suspended for three and a half hours since the workers started agitations around 10:00am.

Police had to fire teargas shells and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control. The workers retaliated with brickbats, set tyres afire and put blockades on roads, witnesses said.

All the factories, offices, and business establishments at Jamgorah, Baipail, Beron, Narasinghapur and Banglabazar were shut down to avert a massive violence.

Mizanur Rahman, superintendent of Police, Dhaka district, told  that from the spot they had arrested six persons, who were later released.

Witnesses said the angry workers damaged around 20 roadside factories, including those of Ha-Meem Group, and vandalised over 50 vehicles.

Several hundred workers of Ha-Meem Group started agitation inside the factory at Narasinghapur around 9:00am alleging that some officials and security guards had beat dead Salman, a store keeper of the group's Artistic Design Ltd, and concealed the body, witnesses and police said.

According to police, Salman was locked into an altercation with Mofakkharul Islam, a director of Ha-Meem, Thursday evening when the latter asked him not to use mobile phone during working hours.

At one stage, security guards and officials beat up Salman and handed him over to police, they said. Ashulia police confirmed that he was sent to jail yesterday.

As Salman was absent yesterday morning, a rumour spread that he died from torture by the official, said Meer Fasiur Rahman, assistant director of industrial police.

Later, the workers demonstrated on the streets and called other factory workers to join them.

Rafiqul Islam Sheikh, additional superintendent of police of Dhaka district, told  that police brought the situation under control around 1:30pm.

The injured were admitted to Enam Medical College and Hospital and other local hospitals.

FINANCIAL LOSS

The factories that were shut in the wake of violence are likely to resume production today.

Garment makers said they had incurred a significant financial loss for stoppage of production in almost 350 factories at Ashulia.

The majority of the country's big garment manufacturing units is located at Savar and Ashulia. The owners could not quantify the losses immediately.

“The major concern for such sudden violence is that the buyers want to know whether the shipments could be made properly or not,” said Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, vice-president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

“An uncertainty prevails among buyers and manufacturers for such a sudden violence.”

AK Azad, owner of Ha-Meem Group, said normalcy had returned to the factory and the workers had pledged to go back to work from today.

“It was a rumour that a worker was killed,” he said. “But we have lost production of one day. This is a big loss.”

Munsur Khaled, chief of BGMEA Crisis Management Cell, said he had held a meeting on the Ha-Meem Group premises with at least 5,000 workers, owners and workers' leaders. Everybody there agreed on reopening the factories today.

“The workers assured us that they will join work from today,” he said. Munsur could not say the exact amount of loss from the work stoppage in more than 350 factories.

He also said the industrial police yesterday released seven workers, those who were nabbed suspecting their involvement in the violence.

“We want a friendly working environment in factories. We do not want any violence. Practice of trade unionism can help establish a friendly working environment,” said Nazma Akter, president of Sammilito Garment Sramik Federation.

Foreign investors jittery CPD discussion points at hostile politics

DHAKA NEWS

Foreign entrepreneurs shy away from investing in Bangladesh for confrontational politics, strikes and mass demonstrations, an EU envoy said yesterday.

"These are scaring for investors," Svend Olling, the Danish ambassador to Bangladesh, said at a dialogue on Bangladesh-European Union relationship and scenarios for the next decades.

Problems of poor infrastructure, energy shortage and corruption also discourage foreign investment. "These are also technical barriers to trade," Olling said.

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) organised the discussion at the Lake Shore Hotel in the capital. The Head of the EU Delegation to Bangladesh William Hanna, leading businesspeople, and diplomats also spoke there.

CPD Chairman Rehman Sobhan presided over the discussion while CPD Distinguished Fellow Debapriaya Bhattacharya moderated it.

Olling made the remark after discussants pointed out that investment from European companies remains low here though EU is Bangladesh's largest export market and the single biggest source of aid.

In 2011, foreign direct investment (FDI) from EU accounted for one third of the total FDI here, said CPD Executive Director Prof Mustafizur Rahman while presenting a paper on Bangladesh-EU relations.

"Except for the UK and Netherlands, FDI from EU countries has tended to remain low," said Rahman.

Participants said an increased investment from EU companies will benefit both the trading partners since Bangladesh and the EU together make a market of 65 crore (650 million) people.

Saiful Islam, former president of Bangladesh German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the EU should encourage its investors to put money in businesses here, as Bangladesh has the potential to become a regional trade and economic hub.

On the government initiative to establish special economic zones, he said the EU should offer assistance for SEZ's infrastructure development and other issues.

Md Fazlul Hoque, former president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said European companies can get a huge market in the region by investing in Bangladesh.

Discussants also underscored the need for an increased EU support for skills development of Bangladeshi workers, mitigation of the impacts of climate change, and addressing the problems of malnutrition and gender disparity.

They proposed that the EU should hire more Bangladeshi workers. The bloc is the third biggest source of remittances for Bangladesh to date, mainly for the migrant workers in the UK.

"Remittance inflows from the EU are not very encouraging. Bangladesh's dependence on EU aid can be reduced if it gets more remittance," said former ambassador Ashfaqur Rahman.

Syed Nasim Manzur, managing director of footwear exporter Apex Adelchi, said the EU spent $21 million to help Bangladesh develop infrastructure. "If you [the EU] want Bangladesh to create more jobs and cut poverty, you need to support infrastructure development."

Manzur feared that Bangladesh might face tough competition in the Eurozone market in the future, as the EU is cutting average tariffs and signing free-trade deals with different countries.

Prof Meghna Guhathakurta, executive director of Research Initiatives Bangladesh, said the eastern border will be important for Bangladesh, as issues of regional connectivity, ethnicity, and maritime boundary will revolve around the eastern part.

William Hanna said Bangladesh has taken the advantage of zero-duty export facilities provided by the EU.

He said the EU will continue to work closely with Bangladesh to support its development, strengthen democracy and ensure human rights. The two sides should talk about mutual interest and engage at global forum.

Rehman Sobhan said the EU should support Bangladesh for agrarian reforms and distributing khas land to the landless.

He proposed that the EU should link the issue of market access with the benefit of workers, and said the EU can have provisions to make workers direct beneficiaries of profit from duty-free export to the EU market.

Hasina trusted by 77 percent Gallup Poll survey of 2011 ranks her 7th among Asian leaders

BANGLADESH NEWS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has 77 percent approval rating, according to a Gallup Poll.

The Washington-based Gallup, renowned for predicting US election results and conducting the US presidents' approval ratings, ranked Sheikh Hasina seventh in the survey conducted in 21 countries of Asia and the Pacific Rim in 2011.

Indian premier Manmohan Singh ranked 11th with 59 percent support while only 20 percent Pakistani people approved of their president making him dead last in the region.

Hasina received higher approval than her counterparts in Australia, New Zealand, or Japan, according to the survey.

The survey report, released Friday, found that just about a fifth of the people (19 percent) disapproved of Hasina and four percent refused to answer.

The report, however, did not elaborate on the Bangladesh situation and why it is among the top 10 in Asia despite its volatile political arena, soaring food and fuel prices, and chronic utility crises, including severe electricity and gas shortages.

It said recent government corruption scandals and economic troubles most probably tarnished the image of Manmohan Singh, who has seen a slight dip in his approval rating.

“Pakistanis have never placed much confidence in President Asif Ali Zardari's leadership; throughout his tenure, the country has grappled with terrorism, challenging relations with the US and a struggling economy,” said the report.

The report said, “Economic stability and peace dividends may help explain some of the relatively high approval that leaders of Laos, Cambodia and Sri Lanka get from their constituents.”

In contrast, political discord, internal strife, and geo-political complexities likely affected approval ratings for leaders in Hong Kong, Nepal and Pakistan.

The report said Laotians, Cambodians, and Sri Lankans were most likely to express support for their leaders. 

Majorities in more than half of the countries surveyed in the Gallup Poll approved of their chief executives, with leaders in Southeast and South Asia earning some of the highest marks in the region. 

However, the survey found that more leaders in Asia lost support between 2011 and 2010.

It showed New Zealand Prime Minister John Key ranked ninth with an approval rating of 72 percent while Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard came 14th with 45 percent and Japan's Yoshihiko Noda ranked 15th with 44 percent.

The Gallup Poll survey results were based on face-to-face and telephone interviews with approximately 1,000 adults, aged 15 and older, between April 5 and December 4, 2011, according to the firm.

Gallup Polls are best known for their accuracy in predicting the outcome of United States presidential elections. The company has four divisions: Gallup Poll, Gallup Consulting, Gallup University and Gallup Press.

Special force responsible Khaleda warns Rab, cops at Gazipur rally

DHAKA NEWS

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday accused the government of using a special force comprised of intelligence, Rab, Chhatra League and Jubo League men to force disappearances.

Those who are involved in killings and disappearances won't be spared. They will be put on trial, warned the leader of the opposition.

''Because of committing terrorism and murder, people didn't vote Awami League to power for 21 years. If it loses the next general elections, it will not be able to return to power for the next 42 years,'' she told a rally at the playground of welfare club at Ghagutia of Kapasia upazila in Gazipur.

She cautioned the police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) saying, ''If you try to make the government happy, you will make a mistake. This government has only a few days left. Who will save you after that?''

The former premier complained that the government does not sack ministers fearing disclosure of secret information about corruption.

That is why the government has transferred former communications minister Syed Abul Hossain to another ministry and kept Suranjit Sengupta as a minister without portfolio, she stated.

The country is in a regime of killing and disappearance, she mentioned adding, the government has prepared a list of senior BNP leaders to force them to disappear.

The government has shown disrespect to Tajuddin Ahmed and his family and even did not accept the resignation of Sohel Taj from the parliament fearing he could disclose information about corruption of the government, said Khaleda.

''Suranjit told the prime minister that he would reveal secret information of the government and that's why he has been made a minister without portfolio,'' she mentioned.

“No one is secured in the country. A total of 14 journalists have been killed during the present government's tenure. A journalist couple was murdered, but no arrest has been made so far. They (the couple) had important information about corruption by the prime minister and her relatives,” said the BNP chief.

To cover up the railwaygate scandal, the government has made BNP leader Ilias Ali to disappear, she maintained.

''The government has worsened the relations with foreign countries.

The Indian finance minister has told me that they don't want to keep relations with any particular party, rather they want to maintain relations with people,'' mentioned Khaleda.

In the name of quick rental power plant, people close to the prime minister have made quick money, she alleged.

She further noted that the construction of Padma bridge is halted due to the government's corruption. She vowed to build two bridges over the Padma if her party is voted to power.

Thousands of people joined the rally which began around 3:00pm.

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and member of its standing committee ASM Hannan Shah spoke, among others.

An accident, a life turned upside down

DHAKA NEWS

The day was to be worry-free for Tapoti Shaha with her caring husband by her side, overseeing her treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) yesterday.

But fate had other plans. In a cruel turn of events, it was Tapoti herself who had to spend the day by her husband, performing his cremation rituals. Her world had turned upside down.

“A great misfortune has befallen me. I have become a wretched widow,” wailed the grieving wife of Bibhash Chandra Saha over and over again at a crematorium in the capital.

Bibhash, chief crime reporter of The Independent, was killed in the capital's Dhanmondi on Friday afternoon. A bus had run him over.

Tapoti was scheduled to be admitted to DMCH for an operation over some health complications yesterday, said Bibhash's cousin Sujit Kumar Saha.

“Bibhash had completed the necessary preparations to admit Tapoti to the hospital. He had even booked a cabin for Tapoti.

“But the accident changed everything,” he said.

Another cousin, Shipra Bhakta said, “The couple did not have any children in their 16-year married life. It was very painful for them.

“Now with her husband gone, what will she live with? What consolation can we offer?”

The couple was preparing to go to the US, she said, adding that Tapoti will continue her medication and her operation will be held after the shraddha (after 15 days).

Bibhash's body was brought to be cremated at Sree Sree Baradeswari Mohashoshan at the capital's Rajarbagh in the afternoon where a heart-wrenching scene met these correspondents.

Relatives and friends were weeping, tears silently running down their cheeks while Tapoti continued to wail and choke on her tears, drowning the silence of the crematorium.

It was only after relatives took her away when the funeral rites could be initiated.

Sujit demanded proper investigation into the accident and exemplary punishment to the bus driver.

Homage and protest

Bibhash's body was brought to Dhaka Reporters Unity on a pick-up van having a freezer unit at 10:00am. Different organisations, journalist leaders and his colleagues arrived to pay their last respects.

Placing a wreath on the coffin on behalf of the newspaper, The Independent Editor Mahbubul Alam termed the accident “a murder” and demanded punishment of the responsible driver.

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists President Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said the journalist community has been repeatedly demanding precautionary measures to stop road accidents but such deaths continue to occur.

Later, different journalists' associations brought out a procession and formed a human chain before Jatiya Press Club demanding arrest and exemplary punishment of the driver. They also criticised the shipping minister for his alleged unconditional support for bus drivers.

They issued a 24-hour ultimatum over two demands and threatened to go for tougher movements otherwise.

One was on the authorities concerned to withdraw Dhanmondi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Moniruzzaman for firing shots in the air and charging baton on the crowd at the accident spot.

The other was on the bus company, Moitree Paribahan, to provide assurance of adequate compensation for the affected family.

During the programmes, the road on both sides from Purana Paltan intersection to the press club intersection was blocked from 11:00am to 1:30pm.

Dhaka Reporters Unity announced a three-day programme protesting the death.

Meanwhile, the inspector general of police expressed deep shock yesterday at the death and expressed his sympathy to the bereaved family.

Bibhash's cousin Rathindranath Saha filed a case with Dhanmondi Police Station on Friday night accusing the driver and helper.

Titu laid to rest

Shahiduzzaman Titu, senior photojournalist of local Daily Matabad of Barisal, was laid to rest at Barisal Muslim graveyard of the city yesterday noon, reports our Barisal correspondent.

Shahiduzzaman died when a bus rear-ended his rickshaw near Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in the capital on Friday afternoon and then ran him over.

Journalists of Barisal held protest programmes demanding punishment of the bus driver.