Oli's concrete castle on beach

Cox's Bazar

Liberal Democratic Party chief and lawmaker Oli Ahmed is having a four-storey structure built in the jhau woods on the Cox's Bazar beach in violation of the environmental laws.
The site falls in the ecologically critical area (ECA), where any type of construction is prohibited by Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995 (amendment 2010).
Oli Ahmed, a retired army colonel, had signed a deal with Impulse Properties, a real estate company, to construct the building, and unveiled the foundation stone of “IPL-Sandcastle” in November 2010.
Soon after that, the company started construction work without any permission from the authorities, thereby violating environmental rules.
Asked about the construction of the building in the ECA, the Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar, Jainul Bari, said the previous deputy commissioner had forwarded Oli's request to the ministries concerned for deciding whether he could be allowed to construct the building in the ECA.
"Now, the matter rests with the ministries concerned, not with me," he said.
Oli Ahmed, communications minister in the BNP government between 1991 and 1996, had been allotted a five-katha plot in the jhau (tamarisk) woods on the beach near the airport during the tenure of the four-party government in 2002.
He told The Daily Star, "I had sought permission from the government to build the structure. If I don't get the permission and the government wants to acquire my land, it should return to me the money I paid for the plot."
"I am ready to return this plot of land to the government, if necessary," said Oli Ahmed, who is chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the planning ministry.
Apart from Oli Ahmed, four former secretaries, including Md Asaduzzaman, ex-Awami League lawmaker in Tangail, had been allotted plots that fall under the ECA.
Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995 (amendment 2010) prohibits any intervention or construction in the ECA without permission from the authorities concerned.
In April last year, Impulse Properties fenced off the plot and felled three jhau trees without the consent of the Department of Forest (DoF), which is responsible for conservation of the jhau woods on the sea beach.
Acting on information, the department seized three trunks of jhau trees from the site and asked the company to stop the construction.
The DoF planted jhau trees on the beach on instructions from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1974, said a forest official who did not want to be named.
“The district authority can allocate government land to anyone, but none can fell trees there without our permission,” the official said.
The project site has been fenced off with corrugated tin sheets, and a huge billboard has been put up with pictures of luxurious rooms. The billboard contains details of the plot, and says lawmaker Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram owns the land.
Oli Ahmed said he intended to construct a four-storey building there, and it would not be used for commercial purposes.
An Impulse Properties official ruled out any violation of environmental laws on its part, and claimed that the company is building the structure in compliance with government rules.
Nurul Alam Nizami, additional deputy commissioner of Cox's Bazar, said if someone applied to the district authority for a plot of land, the administration might allocate it to the applicant in line with the law.
"We have almost completed re-demarcation of the Cox's Bazar beach according to a High Court order. We have marked out all sandy areas with jhau trees as the core beach area," said Jainul Bari, the deputy commissioner of Cox's Bazar.

Jamaat warns against any harm to Ghulam Azam

 DHAKA NEWS

Jamaat-e-Islami leaders on Tuesday threatened the government with dire consequences if "any harm happens" to its former chief Ghulam Azam, now behind bars on charge of crimes against humanity.
“We urge the government to free our leader. No-one on the soil of Bangla will be able to live safely if any harm comes to him,” warned Selim Uddin, an assistant secretary to Jamaat's Dhaka city unit.
Speaking at a discussion marking the International Mother Language Day, he described former Jamaat ameer Ghulam Azam as a 1952 Language Movement veteran.
Jamaat organised the meeting at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital.
Ghulam Azam was sent to jail on January 11 this year on charges of crimes against humanity during the liberation war in 1971.
Azam is accused of leading pro-Pakistan militias which carried out numerous murders and rapes during the nine-month war. He was the mastermind of all crimes against humanity in 1971, said prosecutors of the International Crimes Tribunal.
In the discussion, Jamaat leaders portrayed Ghulam Azam as one of the country’s ‘gallant and popular’ figures.
Jamaat leaders even criticised the government for what they said awarding "third class" persons with the Ekushey Padak, one of the highest civilian awards in the country.
“Our leaders are behind bars. We don’t have the right to speak freely and live safely,” said Nurul Islam Bulbul, Jamaat's city unit acting secretary.

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.

Floral wreaths were placed

DHAKA NEWS

Floral wreaths were placed at Banani graveyard memorial of BDR officials on the 3rd anniversary of Peelkhana carnage on Saturday.

Infrastructure not ready for taking load

DHAKA NEWS

Muhith for more efforts to boost S Asian connectivity

The country's existing infrastructure cannot take the load that will come with transit to its neighbours, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said yesterday.
“Transit is extremely important, but mind that development of infrastructures is very basic,” Muhith said at the inaugural session of a two-day dialogue on India-Bangladesh relations at Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) yesterday.
Transit between Bangladesh and India has been there since 1947. It stopped only for a brief period during the India-Pakistan war in 1965, said Muhith.
“Sometimes it [transit] was reasonably exploited. Sometimes its use was minimal, as in the past few years.”
The minister also dismissed fears that there would be fraudulent activities in the name of transit of goods. “Modern technology can detect tampering easily. So, you don't have to waste your time over a physical examination of goods in the matter of transit.”
In a joint communiqué signed after Sheikh Hasina's visit to New Delhi in January 2010, Bangladesh and India agreed to put in place a comprehensive framework of cooperation in transportation and connectivity, among other matters. Dhaka also agreed to allow the use of Mongla and Chittagong seaports for movement of goods to and from India by road and rail.
Since then, the transit issue has been widely discussed in the public domain.
The Hasina government, however, maintains that it will not sign any transit treaty since transit between the two countries has existed since 1947. It says it is just updating the expansion of the old transit deals and working out the operational modus operandi.
Government policymakers on different occasions have said though connectivity protocols between the two countries cover air, rail, water and roads, the use of roads will have to wait until the infrastructure is upgraded to a point where it can handle enhanced traffic.
At yesterday's programme, Muhith expressed disappointment at the poor progress in intra-regional trade (which now stands at less than 5 percent) among Saarc countries.
He said many studies had underlined the need for cooperation in trade and investment to boost intra-regional trade.
Pointing to the inclusion of trade and environment in the Saarc Charter years after the forum's formation, he said, “This kind of decision requires political will.”
Such political will is needed to boost cooperation in trade and investment, which are crucial in establishing a union or a common market, the minister said.
“If cooperation is ensured in trade and investment, other issues such as water, agriculture, food security, tourism and power will fall into line.”
On the formation of executive agencies or boards, the minister said such boards could implement the decisions made at the government level.
Referring to electricity trade in the region, Sanjay Bhattacharyya, acting Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, said dissimilarity in the grid system makes it difficult for countries to do such trade.
He said Bangladesh could invest in the power sector in India.
On the sharing of water of common rivers, Bhattacharyya said, “The Ganga sets the template for other agreements.”
He stressed the need for regional connectivity, saying it would lead to future closer relations in this part of the world.
“If people are connected nothing can stop us.”
He said of India's $1 billion credit to Bangladesh, both sides had reached an agreement on $830 million for a number of projects.
The Indian acting high commissioner claimed that Bangladesh now hardly faced any tangible non-tariff barriers (NTBs) to export goods to his country.
However, Tariff Commission Chairman Mozibur Rahman told The Daily Star that Bangladeshi businesses still faced many non-tariff barriers in exporting goods to India.
Weak infrastructure and poor banking facilities at border points are among those barriers, he said.
Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad, a private think-tank, and Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID), India, jointly organised the dialogue.
It was co-chaired by PKSF Chairman Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad and CRRID Executive Vice-Chairman Rashpal Malhotra.

Mandela stable after surgery

WORLD NEWS

Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela is in a stable condition after undergoing surgery, the BBC understands.
Officials said he was taken to hospital overnight for a "long-standing abdominal complaint" which needed "proper specialist medical attention".
A government spokesman said the former leader was "in good spirits and well".
The 93-year-old statesman and anti-apartheid icon has suffered declining health in recent years.
In a statement, President Jacob Zuma's office said the "love and good wishes of all South Africans and people throughout the world" were with Mandela, and asked for his family to be given privacy.
The statement did not say which hospital he had been admitted to but there are suggestions it was a military hospital in the capital, Pretoria.
Mandela had returned to Johannesburg last month from his rural home in the Eastern Cape and in January last year, he received treatment in the city's Milpark hospital for a serious chest infection.
"I can assure you that the former president is in good spirits and well," said Mac Maharaj, a spokesman for Zuma.
He told the BBC that further information would be released once Zuma and the Mandela family had received a full medical report from doctors, but that the 93-year-old's life was not in danger.
"This was a long-standing complaint - nothing that cropped up suddenly and needed emergency attention," said Maharaj.
"But it is an issue that the doctors treating him felt needed specialist attention, and so arrangements were made accordingly."
He would not confirm reports that Mandela had undergone overnight surgery for a hernia, and appealed for "co-operation from the public and the media so we manage this thing properly".
Nobel prize
The BBC's Andrew Harding in Johannesburg says the government is clearly keen to control the flow of information, after previous alerts about the former leader's health have been the subject of much speculation.
Mandela retired from public life eight years ago - his last public appearance was at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner is affectionately known in South Africa as Madiba.
He spent 27 years in prison for his actions against the apartheid regime before being released in 1990.
In 1994, he became South Africa's first black president, stepping down in 1999 after one term.