Awami League lawmaker Tanjim Ahmed Sohel Taj hands resignation to Speaker,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Awami League lawmaker Tanjim Ahmed Sohel Taj has now in person tendered his resignation letter to Speaker Abdul Hamid.

Sohel Taj handed over the resignation letter to the Speaker around 6:30pm on Saturday and the Speaker accepted that, Speaker's Personal Secretary Joinal Abedin confirmed.

Sohel Taj, son of the country's first prime minister Tajuddin Ahmad, earlier on April 23 resigned as lawmaker and declared that he would no longer be involved in active politics.

But the Speaker had declined to "accept" the resignation, claiming he did not follow constitutional provisions and rules of procedure of the House in submitting the resignation letter.

Clarifying his decision, the Speaker said Sohel Taj, who was then in USA, did not write the letter in his own hand, rather it was typed. Also, he did not submit the letter in person and it did not contain the phrase "willing to resign," which is mandatory under article 67 of the constitution.

Sohel Taj has to come to Bangladesh to submit in person his resignation letter to the Speaker if he desires to quit, he added.

The Speaker's decision comes more than two weeks after Sohel Taj resigned as lawmaker on April 23.

The reasons he cited to justify his decision, however, are not in conformity with a High Court verdict.

According to a 1995 HC judgment, the constitution does not have any provision authorising the Speaker to accept or reject a resignation letter submitted by an MP.

On the practice of submitting resignation letter by a lawmaker in person, the HC said the letter "need not be written by the lawmaker concerned; it is sufficient if it is signed by him or her."

However, if there is any doubt, the Speaker may check the authenticity of the letter or the voluntariness of it, the HC observed.

Aggrieved at the reported interference in his work, Sohel Taj, son of the country's first prime minister Tajuddin Ahmad, stepped down as state minister for home on May 31, 2009.

But Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on April 19 this year said Sohel Taj was still a state minister as she did not "accept" his resignation.

Legal experts, however, say there is no need for prime minister's acceptance of a minister or a junior minister's resignation letter.

Hasina's announcement apparently prompted Sohel Taj to resign from the House as well, as that would put an end to the prime minister's effort to keep him as a state minister without portfolio.

Under article 58 (1) (b) of the constitution, his resignation as an MP would disqualify him from continuing as a state minister without portfolio.

But Abdul Hamid's decision had denied him the relief.

When his attention was drawn to the provision, Hamid said the Speaker had discretionary powers to grant leave to an MP. "So, I may allow him leave since I don't know whether he is able to attend the House."

Sohel Taj had also demanded that the government issue a gazette notification on his resignation as state minister, as he thinks his dignity and the image of the government as well as the prime minister were tarnished for not doing so.

He also said the government must take back around Tk 40 lakh deposited in his account as remuneration and allowances for the post.

The resignation of this young politician, who was elected from Gazipur-4 constituency in 2001 and 2008 national polls, came as a shock to Awami League leaders and workers and ordinary people.

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad wants Yunus to head Grameen Bank MD search,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad has urged the government to form a search committee with Prof Yunus as its chairman to find a new managing director for Grameen Bank.

Ershad, a key leader of the ruling grand alliance, made the urge in a statement on Saturday and expressed concern over the long-standing deadlock on appointing a new MD for the largest micro-credit institute of the country.

He also said the existing stalemate on the affairs of the bank is not only unexpected but also it was created different questions in the foreign countries.

The military dictator said the bank was given the licence during his regime and suggested forming the committee comprising of two representatives from the government, three from the grand alliance, two from the civil society and three women members from the present board of the Grameen Bank.

The incumbent government removed the founding MD of Grameen Bank and Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus last year that created a huge outcry at home and abroad.

The Nobel laureate had submitted his resignation after losing the legal battle against the government's decision in the apex court.

Ershad reminded the nation of his initiative to establish the bank, which has won the Nobel Peace Prize as well as played a great role in the country's socio-economic development.

"I made Dr Yunus the managing director and gave the power to appoint all other directors. That decision not only brought good for the country but also won Nobel Prize,” Ershad said.

HRW cannot demand disbanding of Rab: National Human Rights Commission Chairman Prof Mizanur Rahman,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

National Human Rights Commission Chairman Prof Mizanur Rahman said on Saturday that Human Rights Watch cannot demand disbanding of the Rapid Action Battalion.

“It is fully a matter of the sovereignty of Bangladesh and the country would decide which force will stay or be dissolved,” he said while addressing at a views-exchange meeting in Narayanganj.

The NHRC boss came up with the remarks days after the HRW called for disbanding the Rab after raising allegations of human rights violations against the force.

Mizanur said a number of rights bodies of the country have already put the allegations against the elite force that the HRW alleged in its report, our Narayanganj correspondent reports.

"Can we demand to disband the US Armed Forces as allegations arose against them of killing innocent people in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan," Mizanur questioned.

He said, "Human rights situation of the country has been changing and now we are facing the truth frequently."

Narayanganj District Lawyers’ Association organised the programme at Chandmari court presided over by its president Advocate Kholilur Rahman.

Sultana Kamal, Executive Director of Ain O Salish Kendra, was also present at the programme as key speaker.

Brad Adams, director of HRW in Asia, launched the report “The Fear Never Leaves Me” at a press briefing in the capital on July 4. The report deals with the BDR (Bangladesh Rifles, now Border Guard Bangladesh) mutiny in April 2009 and its aftermath.

The report claimed that Rab has been involved in many human rights abuses against the accused in BDR mutiny cases.

The HRW demanded the government disband Rab to stop such human rights violation.

Graft, HR violation dent country’s image: BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday alleged that the government’s widespread corruption, human rights violation and undemocratic activities dented the country’s image abroad.

“International agencies are now vocal against the government’s corruption as well as human rights violation. They’re accusing the government of severely violating human rights in Bangladesh,” he told a token hunger strike in front of the National Press Club.

The BNP unit of Dhaka-18 arranged the programme demanding immediate release of BNP leader Azizul Bari Helal who had contested the last parliamentary polls from the constituency against Home Minister Shahara Khatun.

Helal’s wife and his little daughter, Aimun Bari, also attended the programme.

Speaking at the programme, Fakhrul said Helal has been a victim of political vendetta. “Helal is being harassed as he contested polls against the home minister. The home minister should do politics with a broad mind.”

Criticising the government for torture on opposition leaders and activists, he said no one in the history of human civilisation could stop any democratic movement by resorting to repression, killing and harassing opposition leaders and activists.

“This government will also fail to stop the ongoing movement.”

He warned that they will launch a tougher movement to force the government to restore the caretaker government system and release the detained opposition leaders.

The BNP leader urged the nationalist force to get ready for strengthening the movement.

Later, Helal’s daughter took juice offered by Fakhrul to break the hunger strike.

'It's time to form 3rd political party',Dhaka Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Two major political parties – Awami League and BNP – have failed to fulfil people's aspiration in the last 40 years, therefore time has come to form a third political party with honest, patriotic and visionary persons, Nagorik Oikya and civil society leaders observed on Saturday.

Speaking at a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club, they said people are fade up with the wrong leadership of Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, chiefs of BNP and AL, as they do not practice democracy in their respective parties.

“People don’t have trust in the two top leaders of our country as they do not think country’s welfare in real. People still cast their votes either for BNP or for AL as they don’t have any alternative. People is eagerly waiting for an alternative political party to come and save them from the present misrule of the two parties in turn,” said M Hafizuddin Khan, former adviser to a caretaker government.

Blasting BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and AL President Sheikh Hasina, he said of the two top leaders, one is known as "gonotontrer manoskonna" while the others as "ganotontrer agnikonna". Both are shouting for democracy but they do not practice democracy within their parties.

Khan added since restoration of democracy in1991, people had been waiting for a change in politics, but nothing has changed.

“Awami League in its electoral manifesto pledged for charter of change but it is acting the opposite in real. Both the parties have similarity in one thing. When they come to power, they make partisan in every sector. People want to get rid of the situation,” he added.

Former president of Narayanganj district AL SM Akram said, "We all should do something to save people from the autocratic rule of the two parties by turn."

A former bureaucrat and former AL lawmaker, Akram also said, "If BNP comes to power, we will not be able to live in this country. Same thing will happen if Awami League again comes to power in the next polls. That’s why we need do create some alternative platform for people."

Akram who acted as the main architect behind victory of Selina Hayat Ivy in the Narayanganj City Corporation polls in 2011 ignoring AL high command's directive, resigned from the party the following day of Ivy’s victory.

He said except Bangabandhu, no top leader of the two major parties has patriotism in them as they only aim to go to power and make money.

Remittance rises 10.26pc in last FY BB expects further rise in new FY,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

The country received an increased volume of remittance sent home by Bangladeshis working abroad in the last fiscal year, showing a 10.26 percent rise compared to that of fiscal year 2011-12, the central bank said on Saturday.

The total remittance inflows stood at Tk $12.85 billion or $12846.05 million in the last 12 months (July-June) against $11.65 billion or $11650.30 million received in the fiscal 2010-2011.

“The figure of June is provisional… we’ll get final figure within the next couple of days. Then the amount might jump further,” a senior Bangladesh Bank official told UNB over phone.

According to the provisional figure, the country received $1.07 billion or $1073.48 million in the last month (June) of the last fiscal year.

“The total remittance might touch $13-billion mark or it’ll be very close to that,” he said adding that the government expects a further rise in the remittance inflows in the current fiscal.

The data shows that the lowest remittance inflow was recorded in September with only $855.44 million while January saw the highest amount of remittance ($1.22 billion).

The BB officials said the government and the central bank along with commercial banks are continuously putting in their best efforts to make it easier for people to send money home which helped give the country an increased volume of remittance.

The central bank’s initiative to encourage people send money through formal channel also helped boost remittance inflow, they said.

The country received remittance worth $1015.58 million in July, $1101.79m in August, $855.44m in September, $1039.48m in October, $908.79m in November and $1144.38m in December last year.

Meanwhile, the remittance inflows was $ 1221.4 million in January, $1133.01 in February, $1109.14 in March, $10.83.9 in April, $1156.82 million in May and $1073.48 in June.

Economists said the money sent by the expatriates played a major role in alleviating poverty.

Over eight million Bangladeshis working abroad send remittance which is playing a significant role in the country’s economy.

The remittance is the key source of foreign exchange alongside garment exports which account for 80 percent of the total export earnings of around $25 billion a year.

A majority of Bangladesh expatriates are employed in Middle Eastern countries and almost 60 percent of the remittances come from there.

Ilias victim of local, int’l conspiracies: BNP Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque on Saturday said missing BNP leader Ilias Ali had been a victim of local and international conspiracies as he raised voice against Tipaimukh Dam.

“Ilias Ali has been made disappeared as he raised voice against the government’s misrule and launched a movement against Tipaimukh Dam, “he told reporters while visiting Ilias Ali’s home in Biswanath upazila.

Earlier in the morning, a five-member parliamentary delegation of BNP, led by Farroque, went to Biswanath and visited the village home of Ilias Ali. They talked to the ex-BNP MP’s anxious mother, Surjyaban Bibi, who has been waiting for the return of his son since his disappearance over three and a half months back.

The BNP organising secretary went missing along with his driver, Ansar Ali, on April 17 midnight. BNP blamed security agencies for his mysterious disappearance, an allegation denied by the government.

The other members of the delegation include AKM Hafizur Rahman, Ashrafuddin Nizam, Nazrul Islam Manju and Shammi Akhtar.

They also visited the dejected family members of Ilias Ali’s driver Ansar Ali, and enquired about their condition.

Later, the BNP delegation visited the violence-hit Biswanath upazila headquarters which witnessed a fierce clash between police and locals during an opposition-sponsored hartal on April 23, demanding the safe return of Ilias and his driver, leaving three BNP men killed and over 100 injured.

They also offered fateha at the graves of the three local BNP activists who were killed during the clash with the police.

Talking to the reporters, Farroque said his party believes that Ilias is still alive, and he demanded the return of the BNP leader and his driver.

He alleged that the government during its three and a half years rule has destroyed all the democratic institutions as it is busy subduing opposition activists through sending them to jails, implicating them in “false” cases, inflicting torture on them and making them disappeared.

Bomb scare halts trains in Bochaganj Railway Station in Dinajpur,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Rail communication between Dinajpur-Panchagarh and Dinajpur-Thakurgaon has remained suspended since Saturday morning as a box-like object was found lying on railway tracks at Bochaganj upazila in Dinajpur.

On information, a nine-member bomb disposal team led by Captain Purnima reached the spot around 3.15pm and examined the box for an hour.

But the team declined to make any comments about the object, reports our Dinajpur correspondent.

Meanwhile, different sources said that the experts were suspecting that it was a ‘powerful explosive’.

The team members were communicating with bomb experts in the capital hence the train communication remained suspended at 5.30pm when the report was filed.

The rail communication came to a halt around 9:00am when locals saw a box-like object from which two wires came out lying on the rail tracks around 400 meters off Thanapara area in the upazila and informed railway master Shawkat Ali.

Later, the railway master suspended the rail communication between Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh which were programmed to run in the three northern districts, Zia Shamsun Noor, officer-in-charge of Bochaganj Police Station, told our Dinajpur correspondent.

Of the scheduled trains, two were passenger trains while another was freight.

Make World Bank’s letter public: Opposition BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Opposition BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Friday asked the government to make public the World Bank’s letter over corruption of Padma Bridge.

“People want to know the statement of the letter and who are involved with the corruption. So, make the letter public,” he said indicating the government.

The senior BNP leader of the party made the demand while addressing a discussion meeting organized by Swadhinata Forum held at the National Press Club marking one year of police attack on opposition chief whip Zainul Abdin Farroque.

“The country’s law-and-order situation is deteriorated in such a level that foreign human rights organizations are talking about dissolving RAB and halting BDR mutiny trial,” he said.

The spokesperson for the former ruling party said RAB was formed in a bid to control law-and-order. But, now it has been turned into a weapon of political parties, he added.

Mentioning that the price of essentials is out of people’s affordability, he said, “Prime Minister does not want to admit people’s sufferings.”

He said the attack on opposition chief whip is an attack on the democracy.

With Swadhinata Forum president Anu Naser M Rahmatullah in the chair, the discussion was also addressed, among others, by BNP vice-chairman Abdullah Al Noman, joint secretary general Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon and opposition chief whip Zainul Abdin Farroque.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed for people’s confidence in insurance,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA UNIVERSITY: Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed Friday said people’s confidence should have to be achieved to boost up country’s insurance industry.

The law minister made the observation while addressing a programme of diploma certificate and Mostafizur Rahman Khan and Saleha Khanom Trust Gold Medal distribution at Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University.

“Insurance industry can be faced threat for irregularity and illegal activities. So, the irregularities have to be stopped,” he said.

He said insurance industry is a potential industry and it can play a vital role in poverty reduction and eradicating unemployment in the country. “So, the incumbent government has taken programmes to flourish the industry,” he said.

Addressing the function, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique said, “Modern world is obsolete without insurance. The role of insurance is so important to protect national resources.”

Secretary of bank and financial institution department Shafiqur Rahman Patwari and Professor Mahfuza Khanom addressed at the programme presided over by director of Bangladesh Insurance Academy F Kamal Uddin.

Four great insurance personalities were given Mostafizur Rahman Khan and Saleha Khanom Trust Gold Medal for their outstanding contribution in insurance industry.

No anti-labour law: Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan Friday said the government would not enact any law which is harmful for labors’ interest.

He made the assertion while addressing a national conference of Bangladesh Labor Federation at the National Press Club.

The minister also said, “The labor organizations should have to be united for implementation of their fair demands.”

The ruling Awami League lawmaker said, “The Labour Act-2009 will be amended considering the recommendations.”

Mentioning that the demand to dissolve industrial police as ‘unacceptable’, he said, “Industrial police is not for protecting owners and repressing labors. It was formed to save the industry.”

Addressing the programme, BNP standing committee member and president of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal Nazrul Islam Khan said the incumbent government has not fulfilled its election manifesto regarding the labours.

President of Jatiya Sramik League Abdul Matin, general secretary of Bangladesh Trade Union Centre Dr Wazedul Islam, general secretary of Bangladesh Mukta Sramik Federation Mojibur Rahman Bhuyan and President of Bangladesh Free Trade Union Congress Abdul Mukti Khan also spoke.

E-ticketing after Ramadan:Communications and Railway Minister Obaidul Quader MP,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Communications and Railway Minister Obaidul Quader MP Friday said the government would introduce e-ticketing across the country after Eid-ul-Fitr.

The railway minister came up with the assertion while talking to journalists during visiting Jessore Railway Station.

He said, “Bangladesh Railway will introduce e-ticketing on Rajshahi-Khulna route in limited volume from next week.”

The system would be introduced countrywide in phases after the month of Ramadan, he said.

The minister made a sudden visit to Jessore Railway Station Friday.

Meanwhile, he talked with the passengers of Sundarban Express. The passengers informed the minister that seats in trains are less than the demand.

The minister apprised that Bangladesh Railway has taken preparation to provide extra service ahead on upcoming Ramadan.

Later, the minister told the journalists that a foot-over-bridge would be built in Jessore Railway Station.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina talks to citizens on cell phone,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

After the disclosure of her cellphone numbers and e-mail address in parliament, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has received an overwhelming response from people across the country and talked to them on various issues.

After her return to Gono Bhaban from parliament after 5:00pm on Thursday, the premier received a call with the caller saying: “Is this the prime minister?” When confirmed, the call got disconnected.

Hasina then called back to that number and the person at the other end could not believe he was talking to the country’s head of the government. Nervous, the caller disconnected it again.

Earlier on Wednesday, the prime minister in response to a supplementary question in her scheduled question-answer session in parliament revealed her two mobile phone numbers and the email ID for the people of the country.

She also urged all to inform her if anyone tries to avail of undue facility and take commission using the names of her family members. The PM’s cellphone numbers are 01711520000 and 01819260371, and the email ID is: sheikhasina@hotmail.com.

The prime minister on that day told the house, “One thing I would like to tell people, all the MPs, ministers and government officials: my family includes myself, my younger sister, and our five children.”

Apart from them, the prime minister said, she has no one else as family member. “No one of my family members takes commission. If anybody uses the name of my family members and wants to take undue advantage, I request you all to either make a call or send a text message instantly to my mobile phone.”

Special Assistant to the prime minister (Media) Mahbubul Haque Shakil told UNB that the premier talked to many from 5:00pm to 11:00pm on Thursday and after Jum’a prayers on Friday.

Most of the phone callers greeted the prime minister on her firm stance on the Padma bridge issue while some others said they prayed for her on ‘Shab-e-Barat’.

Quoting a phone caller, Shakil said, “I couldn’t believe that you (PM) will receive the call!”

Some others said: "Are you really Sheikh Hasina speaking?”

Besides, some phone callers shared their feelings with the prime minister about the cancellation of the World Bank fund for the Padma bridge and the government’s stance to this end.

Another caller from Chakoria, Cox’s Bazar requested the prime minister to remain firm on her own policy on the Padma bridge project.

Shakil said another phone caller told the prime minister, “You (PM) didn’t bow down your head to them and this is our pride. We’ll construct the bridge on our own collecting money.”

One phone caller from the country’s southern part said, “Your Excellency prime minister, the Padma bridge would surely be constructed. No matter what…though there are conspiracies, you would begin the construction work on the Padma bridge and complete it.”

Another person from Sunamganj dialled Sheikh Hasina to inform a problem of his village.

An employee of the women affairs ministry requested the premier to absorb her service in the revenue sector.

Describing the atrocities carried out by the activists of BNP-Jamaat alliance on them, another phone caller from Banaripara urged the prime minister to put the perpetrators on trial.

HRW report 'int'l conspiracy against Bangladesh' BDR

BANGLADESH NEWS

The government has described the Human Rights Watch report on BDR mutiny and carnage trials as part of an international conspiracy and propaganda against the country.

In a press statement Friday afternoon, the home ministry termed allegations by the New York-based rights body about the trial 'totally false, baseless and imaginary'.

It called for the withdrawal of the HRW report and statement so that the trial of the killing of 74 people including 57 army officers in the most hated and heinous incident to ensure exemplary punishment to the culprits through a smooth trial.

About the HRW allegations that those detained in connection with the mutiny have suffered tremendous abuse and torture in custody, the government said it is totally baseless and fabricated. It is void of reality.

It also said the trial is being held in a fair and transparent manner. The cases filed under Penal Code and Arms Act are being conducted under the existing laws of the land.

The accused are enjoying all kinds of opportunities like appointing lawyers, defending oneself and placing witnesses, the statement said.

Journalists from both the print and electronics media along with the relatives of the accused remain present in the court during the trial.

Meanwhile, Border Guard Bangladesh also described HRW remarks on the BDR trial thoughtless and illogical and said the report as a whole is ‘baseless’ and ‘ill-motivated’.

In a press statement released in the afternoon, it said the HRW had violated the laws of the country by demanding a halt to the trial of the 2009 BDR mutiny and carnage.

The provocative demand has surprised and concerned the paramilitary force, the statement said.

The BGB accused the rights body of creating confusion among the people of the country about the laws of the land, hurting the morale of the members of the discipline force, depicting a negative image about Bangladesh in the international arena.

The force strongly condemned and protested the remarks of the HRW about the trail of the mutiny and the heinous killings in its Pilkhana headquarters.

On July 4, a HRW report claimed that the mass trial for the February 2009 BDR mutiny is fundamentally flawed and the accused are subjected to gross human rights violations.

Releasing the report at a press conference in the capital, HRW officials called upon the government to immediately halt the trial.

The New York-based rights body also called for disbanding Rapid Action Battalion (Rab).

It also demanded the government form a special independent commission to investigate the custodial deaths and torture of BDR (now BGB) soldiers and take action against human rights violations by the members of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and other intelligence agencies.

The trial of the country's largest ever killing case in connection with the BDR carnage at Pilkhana in February 2009 began on January 5 last year.

A total of 74 people, including 57 top and mid-ranking army officers, were killed in the two-day mayhem that began on the morning on February 25, 2009.

Bangladesh making rapid progress:UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said Bangladesh is rapidly advancing towards development with success in several sectors.

He made the remarks while addressing a reception accorded to newly-appointed UN Under Secretary General Ameerah Haq at the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York on Thursday, according to a message received here on Friday.

“In overall consideration, Bangladesh is marching towards development in women's empowerment, women's development, unemployment mitigation, employment generation and rural development,” Ban Ki-moon said, adding that the appointment of Bangladeshi citizen Ameerah Haq as the Under Secretary General bears the testimony of another success of Bangladesh.

Hailing the marked success of Bangladeshi soldiers in UN Peacekeeping Missions across the world, the UN chief said the training programme of Rajendrapur Peace Building Institute impressed him during his visit to Bangladesh.

Praising Ban Ki-moon for his important role in different fields, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Dr AK Abdul Momen said the United Nations is working for fighting the adverse impact of climate change, ensuring food security, spreading education, women development, creating employment opportunities for youths, disaster management and disarmament.

He also urged the UN to take steps for the infrastructure development of developing countries, including Bangladesh.

Ameerah Haq praised achievements of Bangladesh in various fields.

She mentioned the social safety network programme and national guarantee service scheme for employment taken by the Bangladesh government as well as its rapid response to any international activity.

Suranjit Sengupta for national unity to solve Padma bridge crisis,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Suranjit Sengupta, minister without portfolio, has hoped that the prime minister will call for national unity following the cancellation of World Bank funding for the Padma bridge project.

“The country is now facing national and international conspiracy. I wish our prime minister will invite all political parties for a national dialogue in her concluding speech on Jatiya Sangsad”, Suranjit said while speaking at a discussion meeting on Friday at Public Library auditorium in the capital.

Suranjit on April 16 resigned as the railways minister in the face of railwaygate scandal and just a day after he was made minister without portfolio.

World Bank on June 30, cancelled its $1.2 billion credit for the Padma bridge project with, saying it has proof of corruption conspiracy involving Bangladeshi officials, executives of a Canadian firm and individuals.

BNP for credible panel to probe HRW allegations,BNP leader ASM Hannan Shah,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

The main opposition BNP on Friday demanded that the government form a credible committee to investigate the allegations of torture on the suspected 2009 BDR mutineers in custody as raised by New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW).

"Form a public inquiry committee or a judicial committee to investigate the allegations brought by the HRW," BNP front-ranking leader ASM Hannan Shah told a human chain programme.

Jatya Ganotantrik Party (Jagpa) organised the programme in front of the National Press Club in the city, demanding resignation of the government because of Padma Bridge project graft and restoration of the caretaker government system.

Speaking at the programme, Hannan Shah, a standing committee member of BNP, said the government shrugged off the report of the HRW on the torture on the accused in the BDR mutiny, but what he saw himself is contradictory to the government’s statement.

"I went to Kashimpur Jail a few days back and witnessed in my own eyes how the BDR men were kept chained up," he said.

The HRW, in its report published on Wednesday, urged the Bangladesh government to disband the Rapid Action Battalion and set up a non-military unit within the police or set up a new institution to combat crimes and terrorism.

It also urged the government to halt the mass trial of suspects in the 2009 mutiny staged by the members of Bangladesh Rifles (presently Border Guard Bangladesh).

In its 57-page report, `The Fear Never Leaves Me’: Torture, Custodial Deaths, and Unfair Trials After the 2009 Mutiny of the Bangladesh Rifles’, provides a detailed account of the mutiny and documents serious abuses in the aftermath, including torture by security forces, particularly RAB, in custody on suspicion of planning the mutiny, and of ongoing concerns about fair trial violations in mass trials of hundreds of suspects at a time.

Former adviser to a caretaker government Dr Akbar Ali Khan for judicial probe of extrajudicial killings,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Former adviser to a caretaker government Dr Akbar Ali Khan on Friday stressed judicial probes into all the extrajudicial killings.

“The extrajudicial killings can not continue any more… judicial probe must be conducted for every extrajudicial killing and the probes should be fair and neutral,” he said.

Akbar said this while addressing a meet the press programme organised by Muktochinta Forum, an independent human rights body, at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the afternoon.

He made the call two days after the Human Rights Watch, New York-based human rights body, demanded to disband Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) due to its controversial role.

Dr Akbar Ali said that if the police force could be strengthened, it will be able to maintain law and order in the country.

He suggested forming a ‘police commission’ for monitoring the work of the police force to make it effective.

Defining state sovereignty, the former adviser said the definition of sovereignty has changed worldwide, as most of the countries, including Bangladesh, have signed a number of international agreements, committing themselves to ensure human rights.

“As they (states) signed international agreements, the rights organisations can raise question if human rights are violated in any country.”

About the World Bank’s cancellation of its credit for the Padma Bridge Project citing corruption concerns, he said merely illegal exchange of money is not corruption, but involving in conspiracy to make corruption is also corruption.

Dr Akbar Ali, a former bureaucrat and economist, said the government is saying that no corruption has occurred in the proposed Padma Bridge Project, but third party Canada has brought two officials under trial on graft charge in the project.

“If these two officials will be convicted in Canadian court, our country’s image will face crisis abroad. All the accused corrupt persons (of the Padma Bridge project) should surrender in Canadian court to defend themselves.”

About the country’s ongoing political crisis, he said no state can run amid such political instability.

Blaming the political actors for such political instability, Akbar Ali said the political leaders must find a solution to resolve the persisting political crisis.

“Many say the civil society members should join politics. There is little scope for this since political parties are prevailing in the country,” he said citing historical reasons.

The former adviser urged the ‘marginal workers’ of the political parties to put pressure on their respective party leaders to reach consensus for resolving the ongoing political crisis in the country and holding the next parliamentary elections in a free, fair and credible manner.

About the war crimes trial, he said the war crimes trial should be held because there should be a historical record about those guilty.

Dr Akbar also suggested filing cases against the Pakistani war criminals and holding their trial, even in absentia.