3 Bangladeshis die in US New York road crash

USA-BANGLADESH NEWS

Three Bangladeshi youths were killed in a road accident in New York early Monday, Niagara-based newspaper The Niagara Gazette reports.

Two people including another Bangladeshi Burhanur B Rahman, sustained critical injuries during the accident.

The deceased were identified as Shofiul Alom, 20, Nazim Khan, 21, and Rezwan Chowdhury, 21.

Initial reports suggest that the victims hailed from Sylhet's Golapganj and Balaganj, and they came to New York from Hamstring city of Michigan to see Niagara Falls.

The accident occurred between the Whitehaven and Beaver Park exits around 11:00am (BST), the newspaper reports.

Officials report that 87-year-old Richard Hildebrand of Kenmore had been travelling the wrong way on the thruway for about eight miles when he crashed into another vehicle head-on, killing three on the spot.

According to State Trooper Leonard Genovese, Hildebrand was first seen near where the I-190 and Scajaquada Expressway. I-190 video cameras, as well as eyewitness accounts, place him there about 12:40am.

State Police were trying to determine Monday why an 87-year-old man was driving the wrong way down the Grand Island section of the I-190 prior to the early morning fatal crash.

Hildebrand and the other driver, Burhanur B Rahman, were transported to Erie County Medical Centre and are in critical condition.

State Police Sgt Brian Guise told Channel 4 News, "It looked like at the last second, one of the vehicles, if not both, swerved. The major impact was on the passenger side of each vehicle."

Several questions remain, including what the elderly man was doing on the road that late at night and why several other cars before the crash didn't tell him he was going the wrong way. Troopers received multiple calls, but were just too far away.

"We are still working on why Hildebrand was going the wrong way," Genovese said. "The assumption is that he was elderly and confused, and that's what caused him to go the wrong way — he was not arrested for DWI."

Genovese also said that State Police do not know where Hildebrand was coming from or headed to, as they were not able to interview him.

Hildebrand was travelling alone Sunday morning and has lived on West Hazeltine for years, according to neighbours—who describe him as a friendly individual.

"He is such a nice gentleman," Janet Dalimonte, Hildebrand's next-door neighbour, said. "It's a terrible thing, and we really hope he is going to be okay."

The three deceased passengers and Rahman are from Hamtramck, Michigan—which is in the Detriot metropolitan area, and were travelling in a Toyota Camry Hildebrand was driving a Kia Sorento.

Opposition BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for democratic govt under Tarique’s leadership,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Opposition BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Monday expressed desire for establishing democratic government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.

The senior BNP leader came up with the hope at a discussion titled ‘Present political reality of Bangladesh, tomorrow’s leadership and Tarique Rahman’ organized by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at Engineers Institution auditorium.

Fakhrul called upon Chharta Dal for projecting country’s overall situation through organizing discussion meetings in different unions, upazilas and districts.

Mentioning Tarique Rahman as perfect inheritor of Ziaur Rahman, he said, “Tarique Rahman is the symbol of protecting the country, independence and sovereignty.”

He said there is no alternative of Tarique Rahman to protect the existence of the country in the age of global competition.

With Chhatra Dal president Sultan Salauddin Tuku in the chair, the discussion was also attended, among others, by SCBA president Advocate Jainal Abedin, journalist Amanullah Kabir, former president of BMA Dr, MA Majed and former VC of Dhaka University Professor Emajuddin Ahmed.

AL men kill Bangabandhu: Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque claimed that the people of Awami League killed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Criticizing Sajeda Chowdhury for her irrelevant comment on late president Ziaur Rahman, he said, “Ziaur Rahman was also a freedom fighter and he did not kill Bangabandhu. BNP does not kill people. But, Awami people know how to abduct people and kill them.”

He came up with the remarks while addressing a discussion meeting at National press Club on Monday noon.

The leader said, “The present government is fully involved with corruption. It is possible to build Padma Bridge with the money that the ruling party men misappropriated by committing corruption.”

Regarding the funding of Padma Bridge, he said, “We will help the government in constructing the Padma Bridge if necessary. We are ready to donate any amount in this regard. But, the government has to beg pardon for their corruption. They have to expose the letter of World Bank to people.”

BCL-Shibir clash Government MC College closed sine die,Sylhet-Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

SYLHET: Government MC College was closed for an indefinite period on Monday morning following a clash between Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Meanwhile, the college authority has formed a five-member probe body led vice principal professor Al Helal Bhuiyan by to investigate the incident on the same day.

MC College principal Dhiresh Chandra Sarker came up with the declaration after emerging from a meeting of academic council and teachers’ association.

He said, “All examinations will be underway but the administrative activities will be stopped during the closer.”

Earlier on Sunday night, the activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Islami Chhatra Shibir were locked into a fierce clash that left at least 20 people injured on both sides.

Meanwhile, two groups of BCL College unit locked into another factional clash on the same day over establishing supremacy.

Over 200 rooms of MC College student dormitory were gutted during the clash as the agitated leaders and activists of Chhatra League set fire during clash with Shibir.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid asked authorities concerned to find out the culprits who set fire the student dorm of MC College and take legal action against them.

The directives were sent through a press release from the Education Ministry on Sunday night.

As per the release, the minister contacted with Sylhet City mayor, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, DIG of Sylhet range and Deputy Commissioner immediate after informed about huge loss in MC College student dorm fire.

Nahid requested the higher government officials to take necessary steps including douse the blaze on emergency basis.

The minister also expressed his concerned over such kind of criminal activities.

August 21 grenade attack case against 52 persons Deposition deferred till Jul 15,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: A Dhaka court Monday deferred till July 15 submission of deposition by the witnesses in August 21 grenade attack case against 52 persons, including BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman.

Judge M Shahed Nur Uddin of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 fixed the date held in the city’s central jail in Nazimuddin road.

The court also asked the defense counsels to cross examine the witnesses separately in the cases.

Accused, including former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s nephew Lt Commander (retd) Saiful Islam Duke, Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid were present in the court.

On April 9, a Dhaka Court on Monday granted bail to three former inspector generals of police and three investigation officers in August 21 grenade attack case.

They are former IGPs M Ashraful Huda, Shahidul Haque and Khoda Box, former special police super Ruhul Amin, senior ASP of CID Munshi Atiqur Rahman and ASP Abdur Rashid.

Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Shahed Nur Uddin granted them bail upon a bond of Tk 50000.

Meanwhile, the court also rejected the bail plea of another accused Abu Taher as the allegation against him was considered as non-bailable.

Chief Prosecutor of the case Syed Rezaul Rahman and Advocate Khandaker Abdul Manna was present in the court.

On August 21 in 2004, a terrible grenade attack was made on an Awami League meeting at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital.

A total of 24 people, including wife of former party general secretary and incumbent President Zillur Rahman and AL’s the then Secretary for Women’s Affairs Ivy Rahman, died in that attack. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the then opposition leader, narrowly survived the attack.

Motijheel Thana SI Faruk Hossain, AL leader Abdul Jalil and Saber Hossain Chowdhury filed three separate cases with Motijeel Thana over the incident.

BNP standing committee member MK Anwar opposes Padma bridge with own fund,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Reiterating their party's stance, BNP standing committee member MK Anwar on Monday asked the government to resolve dispute with the World Bank instead of going to construct the Padma bridge with local fund.

“It will create extra burden on the people if the government tries to collect money by issuing bond or imposing surcharge. Even it will have a bad impact on the economy,” he said while addressing a discussion at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) organised by Sushil forum, a pro-BNP body.

The BNP leader suggested the government to take actions against corrupt persons in line with the World Bank allegations and convince the Bank to fund the Padma bridge project.

“Even it would be possible to build a number of bridges on Padma if the money which was looted in the last three years is given back,” the former minister said.

Meanwhile, Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque asked the government to disclose the letter sent by the World Bank and made the names of the corrupt persons public.

“If necessary, we will take two meals in a day. We will cooperate with the government to construct the Padma bridge. But, before that the government must seek apology for the Padma bridge scandal,” he said while addressing a discussion at the National Press Club organised by Jasas, a front body of BNP.

Earlier on July 1, the main opposition party in its formal reaction said that the construction of the Padma bridge with World Bank fund will be better for the country and there is still scope to resolve the issue with the WB instead of going for alternative funds with tough conditions.

World Bank misses Finance Minister AMA Muhith briefing,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

No representative of the World Bank was present as Finance Minister AMA Muhith told development partners that there has not been any corruption in the Padma bridge project and that the government showed zero tolerance to corruption regarding the project.

In a meeting with the Local Consultative Group (LCG)-a joint body of the government and the representatives of the local development partners, Muhith quoting an international lawyer told the donors that the government position regarding the WB allegation was right.

However, the development partners welcomed the government’s zero tolerance to corruption and said they also show zero tolerance to graft and will observe the government stance in this regard.

The WB on June 29 cancelled its $1.2 billion credit for the project on grounds that it had evidence of a corruption conspiracy involving Bangladeshi officials, executives of a Canadian firm and private individuals.

After Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the finance minister in lengthy speeches in the parliament presented the government position regarding the WB statement, on Monday at the LCG meeting the government formally presented the official position to the donors.

However, though there has been huge stir over the WB’s allegation no representative of the organization was present at the meeting held at the National Economic Council (NEC) auditorium at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

Asked about whether any WB representative attended the meeting, ERD Secretary Iqbal Mahmood did not give any reply. However, a WB official told that in the LCG meetings the WB is represented by its Country Director Ellen Goldstein but as she is now in Washington none from the organization was present at the meeting.

The official also said, Goldstein herself oversaw the Padma bridge project. That is why no other official was delegated to the meeting.

However, a high official of the ERD said in absence of the country director any WB official could represent her in the meeting. He said in the past, other officials attended such meetings in absence of Goldstein.

The official also said may be WB Dhaka office did not send any representative to the meeting complying with any instruction from the Bank’s headquarters in Washington.

UN Resident Coordinator and LCG Co-chair Neal Walker represented the development partners while ERD Secretary Iqbal Mahmood represented the government at the meeting.

After the meeting, the finance minister told reporters that he has urged the development partners to judge for themselves about the World Bank’s issuance of open press statement on its cancellation of Padma bridge funding on graft allegations.

Pak troops escorted by BNP leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury Chy killed 5',Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

A war crime victim on Monday told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that he witnessed his family members to be murdered brutally in a raid of Pakistani Army escorted by BNP leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury in the 1971 liberation war.

Advocate Nirmal Chandra Sharma, 67, the sixth prosecution witness in a war crimes case against the BNP leader, lost his mother, brother, uncles and nephew in the raid. His father Joyonto Kumar Sharma, whose left hand and leg were riddled by bullets, died after suffering for 5-6 years.

Nirmal who was also in the line of fire managed a narrow escape and later joined the liberation war against the Pakistani occupational forces.

In his about 100 minutes long deposition, the witness often burst into tears while narrating the incident of the day.

DUJ declares ATN Bangla Chairman Mahfuzur Rahman, 11 journos persona non grata,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Dhaka Union of Journalists has declared ATN Bangla Chairman Mahfuzur Rahman and eleven journalists persona non grata for manipulating news and attacking a DUJ leader at a human chain.

The journalists are – Za E Mamun, head of news of ATN Bangla; its special correspondents Shawkat Milton, Keramat Ullah Biplob, Manash Ghosh, Nadira Kiran and Mahmudur Rahman, senior reporter SM Babu, staff reporters Minhajur Rahman Rahat, Mahfuz Rahman Mishu and Mainul Ahsan, and Shamim Ahmad of Bangle daily Bhorer Kagaj.

DUJ leaders took the decision in its executive committee meeting held at its office on Sunday, said a DUJ statement on Monday.

Terming Mahfuzur Rahman 'enemy of the mass media', the union leaders demanded immediate arrest of him for inspiring the attack, destroying journalists' unity, practicing yellow journalism and attempting to diverting the killing of journalist couple Sagar and Runi.

The attack is a conspiracy to foil the trial of killers of Sagar-Runi and to breach the unity of journalists, they viewed.

On June 24, Jahangir Alam Prodhan, organising secretary of Dhaka Union of Journalists, came under attack after he had called for arrest of Mahfuzur Rahman at the human chain organised to demand the arrests of the killers of Sagar and Runi.

Stray tiger returns to Sundarbans,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

A Bengal Tiger that entered locality in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira Sunday and stayed there for about 30 hours finally went back to the Sundarbans Monday morning.

The tiger returned to the wild at around 9:30am following continued efforts including firing blank shots by forest department officials, said a press release of Wildlife Trust of Bangladesh.

Earlier, the tiger became weak after passing two days without any food at Golakhali in the upazila, said Toufiqul Islam, a forest official of Satkhira, informed a Satkhira correspondent.

The people of Golakhali, Kalinchi and Tengrakhali areas had been passing time with great anxiety due to the presence of the tiger in their locality.

Most of them preferred to stay inside homes in fear of the tiger.

It was suspected that the male tiger is sick.

Khokon Gazi and Haren Mondol, two locals of Golakhali, first saw the tiger standing at their shrimp enclosure around 6:00am Sunday.

On information, a team of forest department and Tiger Response Team rushed to the spot around 8:00am and blasted over 100 crackers and fired 25 blank shots to send it back to forest.

As the members of forest department failed to send the tiger back to Sundarbans, they surrounded the tiger with a net enclosure, resisting it from entering the village.

The villagers earlier complained that the forest department personnel had not acted properly to send the tiger back to the forest.