Khaleda Leaves House after an Hour

DHAKA NEWS

Dhaka, Mar 18 Opposition leader Khaleda Zia left parliament an hour and a quarter after joining it on Sunday following her 83-day long absence.

She did not rejoin the session after the break for Maghrib prayers after leaving the parliament building at 6:35pm.

Other opposition MPs including opposition chief whip Zainul Abdin Farroque, Moudud Ahmed, Mohammed Jamiruddin Sarker and M K Anwar went back after the break.

The BNP chief had led the MPs from her party and allies to the House after they had sat it out for 77 business days.

The team of opposition MPs entered parliament at 5:12pm through the west side gate with speaker Hamid presiding over the session, who the BNP has been calling 'impartial'.

The ruling MPs, however, were silent when the opposition entered the House. Prime minister Sheikh Hasina was present in parliament that time along with deputy leader of parliament Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury, Jatiya Party president H M Ershad and other senior MPs of ruling Awami League-led 14-party coalition.

Khaleda did not speak in parliament. However, BNP MPs Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie and Rehana Akter Ranu joined the session's discussion on the president's speech in her presence.

After Ranu's speech, Awami League's reserved seat MP Fazilutunnesa Bappy and opposition's reserved seat MP Shammi Akter engaged in a heated argument to liven things up after a long time.

As the argument was turning into an ugly one, opposition chief whip Farroque and ruling party chief whip Abdus Shahid stepped in and requested the two women MPs to calm down.

The argument began when opposition MPs responded to Treasury Bench MPs' remarks over BNP's relationship with former Jamaat-e-Islami chief and war crimes suspect Ghulam Azam, reports of BNP taking money from Pakistani intelligence outfit ISI before elections, allegations of money laundering against BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman and some other issues.

According to Parliament Secretariat, there were 284 working days in the 12 sessions of the ninth parliament in all, including the ongoing 12th session's 30 working days.

MPs of BNP and its allies were absent in 233 working days while Khaleda was present on only six.

Claiming that parliament lacks a "congenial atmosphere", the opposition had been continuously boycotting parliament session up until now.

According to law, a seat is lost if a legislator is absent for 90 consecutive working days.

The last time the BNP MPs attended a session was Mar 24 last year. BNP and its allies have 39 seats, including those reserved for women, in the 350-seat in the house.

End Teesta Deadlock: PM to India

DHAKA NEWS

Dhaka, Mar 18  Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has called on India to quickly resolve the deadlock over Teesta river water-sharing treaty and include Bangladeshi experts in studies before building controversial Tipaimukh dam.

Hasina conveyed her messages to Indian high commissioner in Bangladesh Pankaj Saran on Sunday when the envoy called on the prime minister at her office.

Later, prime minister's press secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed reporters about the discussion at the meeting.

She urged India to reciprocate the steps taken by Bangladesh for a better bilateral relations and sought stern action against killing of Bangladeshi citizens along the border. She asked India to ratify the land boundary agreement in parliament.

Hasina requested India to stop construction of dams detrimental to environment and ecological balance.

Recalling the contribution India made to the War of Liberation, the prime minister observed that Bangladesh and India were enjoying an excellent relationship than ever before.

She reiterated her pledge for ensuring regional connectivity and referred to the steps her government has taken to that end.

Hasina also assured the Indian envoy of all supports necessary for discharging his responsibilities in Bangladesh.

Ambassador at-large M Ziauddin, principal secretary to the prime minister Sheikh M Wahid Uz Zaman, secretary to the prime minister's office Mollah Wahidduzaman were present at the meeting.

Earlier, presiding over first meeting of National Disaster Management Council this year, Hasina emphasised compliance with the building code strictly to avoid casualties from earthquake. 

Tarique Indicted, Aug 21 Case Trial Starts

DHAKA NEWS

Dhaka, Mar 18 A Dhaka court on Sunday framed charges against senior BNP vice-chairman Tarique Rahman for the Aug 21, 2004 grenade attack, beginning trial in the case.

Twenty-nine others were also indicted at a special court of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1. Judge Mohammad Shahed Nur Uddin set Mar 28 for deposition.

Charge against BNP chief Khaleda Zia's elder son Tarique has been framed in his absence as he has been staying in UK for over three years.

Earlier, charges against 22 were framed during the tenure of last caretaker administration.

At least 24 people died, including senior Awami League leader Ivy Rahman, wife of President Mohammad Zillur Rahman, in a grenade attack on Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina's rally in Dhaka on Aug 21 2004.

Hasina narrowly survived the attacks and over 100 others suffered injuries.

Allegations were there that there had been attempts to divert the course of investigation during the BNP-Jamaat-led coalition government. During the last military-backed caretaker government, CID official Fazlul Kabir submitted two chargesheets on June 11, 2008 accusing 22 people of being involved with the attack.

The court on Aug 3, 2009 ordered further probe into the case following petition from the state lawyers.

Abdul Kahar Akand, special police superintendent of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), submitted supplementary charge-sheets in the cases on July 3 last year accusing Tarique, Khaleda's former political secretary Harris Chowdhury, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed and 27 others of complicity in the attack.

At present, the total number of accused is 52, including the previous 22.

The newly accused include the former state minister for home during the BNP-led 2001-6 cabinet Lutfozzaman Babar, Khaleda's nephew Saiful Islam Duke and BNP MP Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad.

The hearing on the discharge plea began on Sept 11 last year.

Nineteen of the 52 charge-sheeted accused in the Aug 21 grenade attack cases are now staying abroad. The two cases were filed under the explosive and murder acts.

Banned Islamist outfit Harkatul Jihad al-Islami (HuJI) chief Mufti Abdul Hannan and former deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu of BNP were among the formerly accused

Prosecution to Outline Deposition Against Sayedee

DHAKA NEWS

Dhaka, Mar 18  The war crimes tribunal has ordered the prosecution to submit an application elaborating its future course of action regarding witness testimony against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee.

The tribunal ruled that it pass an order in response to that application after which the prosecution might proceed with the deposition of the investigation officer. The tribunal set Mar 20 for further order in this regard after submission of the application.

The prosecution had expressed its desire on Sunday to depose the investigation officer of the case but wanted to keep the option of bringing in further witnesses afterwards.

The International Crimes Tribunal, set up to deal with crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War, was expected to hear testimony of 28th prosecution witness in the case against Jamaat executive council member Sayedee who has been indicted on 20 counts of war crimes.

However, since there were no witnesses other than the investigation officer, the hearing was adjourned till the next date.

ADJOURNED TILL MAR 20

As soon as the court came back from lunch recess, tribunal chairman, Justice Nizamul Huq asked prosecutor Syed Haider Ali what he intended to do with further witnesses in the Sayedee case.

The prosecutor, who has been handling Sayedee's case, said that he wanted to depose the investigation officer but wanted to keep the option of bringing further witnesses later on.

The tribunal did not consider the proposition fully acceptable and indicated that it had reservations about allowing further witnesses after deposition of the investigation officer.

Tribunal member Justice A T M Fazle Kabir also asked the prosecutor whether he was fully prepared with the all the paperwork that technicalities required when deposing the investigation officer especially regarding the seized documents and other evidences that had to be submitted and exhibited.

The prosecutor indicated that he had adequate preparations.

However, the defence raised an objection in this regard.

But Justice Huq assured them saying that the court would not allow anything that be prejudicial against the defence.

Counsellor Mizanul Islam, who generally leads cross-examination of the witnesses, said that once the defence cross-examined the investigation officer, its entire line of defence would be compromised. "So cross examination of the investigation officer would certainly be prejudicial against the defence."

He point out that there were 68 material witnesses according to the prosecution's documents. "Only 18 have been deposed so far, so it is not a matter of the odd one or two that may be deposed later."

The tribunal chairman then issued the order saying that the prosecution could choose to depose the investigation officer only after it had passed an order in response to the application detailing the prosecution's future course of action.

At this, Mizanul Islam wondered whether there would be a hearing of the application, to which the tribunal chief said, it would depend upon the court's consideration.

The defence counsel then submitted, "The matter is certainly up to the court, But it is my advanced submission that the court conducts a hearing of the application before passing the order."

The proceedings in Sayedee's case were thus adjourned till Mar 20 and the prosecution resumed reading the 110-page formal charge against Jamaat assistant secretary general Abdul Quader Molla.

FIRST CASE TO TRIAL

Sayedee's is the first case to proceed to the trial stage at the tribunal. The prosecution on Sept 4 proposed framing of charges against him on 31 counts for crimes against humanity and genocide.

On Oct 3, the tribunal indicted Sayedee on 20 counts including murder, rape, arson and loot.

The tribunal also sent Jamaat's former chief Ghulam Azam to jail on Jan 11. His indictment hearing began on Feb 15.

Besides Sayedee, Jamaat chief Matiur Rahman Nizami, secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed and assistant secretaries general Mohammad Kamaruzzaman and Abdul Quader Molla, and Bangladesh Nationalist Party's standing committee member and MP Salauddin Quader Chowdhury have been detained on war crimes charges.

The tribunal granted conditional bail to former BNP lawmaker and minister Abdul Alim on March 31 last year. The bail was extended till Mar 23 on Mar 15 when the prosecution submitted formal charges against the BNP leader

'Myanmar Denies Troop Buildup in Border'

COX'S BAZAR NEWS

Cox's Bazar, Mar 17 Myanmar border security force, Nasaka, on Saturday denied troop gathering charges along the Bangladesh borders following the sea limits verdict that went in Bangladesh's favour.

"Nasaka has denied the troop gathering and said it is nothing but a sham media report," lieutenant colonel Zahid Hasan, commander of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Teknaf battalion-42 told  after a flag meeting with Nasaka.

UN maritime tribunal on Wednesday gave their verdict in favour of Bangladesh over sea limits dispute between the neighbouring countries.

Following media reports that Myanmar is gathering their troops on the Naikhangchharhi, Ukhia and Teknaf borders, BGB sent a letter to the Nasaka officials for a flag meeting to talk over the issue.

"When we asked Nasaka about Myanmer government's reaction to the verdict, they said their government is looking at it positively. Because they too were in confusion over the maritime boundary issue," Hasan said.

"The verdict has cleared everything," he added.

The Bangladesh border force commander said the Nasaka officials have assured cooperation to maintain a healthy relation between the neighbouring countries.

The meeting was held in Nasaka's Sector-6 office in Maungdaw. Zahid Hasan led an eight-member Bangladesh side while Nasaka's deputy commanders of sector-5 U D Min Thang and sector-6 Aung Thein Aung led the 10-strong Myanmar side.

BNP to join JS to Save Remuneration, Allowance: Ashraf

DHAKA NEWS

LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam on Saturday alleged that the opposition lawmakers were returning to the parliament to keep their remunerations and allowances flowing.

He made the comment after placing floral wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at 32 Dhanmondi Bangabandhu Museum in the capital on the occasion of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s 92nd birth anniversary.

For the past few days, the younger generation wrote various comments about the opposition party’s rejoining the Jatiya Sangsad, the ruling AL general secretary said.

The opposition lawmakers have enjoyed their remunerations and other facilities without attending JS sessions. Now if they do not join the parliament they won’t receive their remuneration, Syed Ashraf quoted the youths as blogging.

“This is the reason why the opposition intends to join the House,” the minister guessed.

He expressed hope that the BNP, joining the parliament, will place a proposal regarding the caretaker government.

Earlier on Friday, the opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque said the BNP chief will discuss the issue of joining the House at a BNP Parliamentary Party (BNPPP) meeting on Sunday.

Party insiders, however, said the main opposition might join the ongoing session right after the BNPPP meeting since Khaleda is flying abroad for treatment the next day.

The opposition last walked out of parliament on March 24 last year and has not returned since. The BNP lawmakers have been absent in 83 consecutive sittings.

Under article 67(1) (b) of the constitution, membership of a parliamentarian will be cancelled if s/he remains absent in parliament, besides leave, for 90 consecutive sittings.

At this rate, Khaleda may be compelled to join the current JS session to save her membership.

Railway Losing Tk 7,000 crore per year: Suranjit

DHAKA NEWS

Railways Minister Suranjit Sengupta said on Saturday that the railway sector is incurring a loss of Tk 7,000 crore every year.

To reduce the loss in the sector, the government has recently taken up different projects involving Tk 24,000 crore, the minister said.

Suranjit was addressing a seminar on revamping Bangladesh Railway at Dhanmondi. English daily The Independent organised the seminar.

While pointing out different weaknesses of the sector, the minister cited again limited resources.

Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, CEO and editor-in-chief of Boishakhi TV, moderated the programme while Moazzem Hossain, a professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, presented the keynote.

Mahbubul Alam, editor of The Independent and Railways Secretary Fazle Elahi were also present at the programme.

Fresh Gas in National Grid

 

NOAKHALI NEWS

Dhaka, Mar 17  State-run gas and oil exploration company Bapex has started feeding gas to the national grid from Sundalpur field in Noakhali.

"On experimental basis, 10 million cubic feet of gas is being supplied to the national grid from a single well of the field," Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) chairman professor Hossain Mansur told on Saturday.

He hopes to increase the gas supply up to 15 million cubic feet (mmcf) in the near future.

"It is a huge achievement," he said mentioning that Bapex, an associate organisation of Petrobangla, has finally supplied gas from a new field after a 15-year gap.

Mansur said the new gas added to the grid will be directed to Chittagong where it can be used for generating power and in the industries.

At present, the total daily gas production stands at 2 mmcf against a demand of 2.5 mmcf - a daily shortage of 500 mmcf.

On Dec 21, 2010 Bapex (Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited) started digging a well to explore oil or gas at the 3.5-acre field at Shahzadpur village of Companyganj upazila in the district.

After around eight months of exploration, on Aug 17 last year, Bapex found the new reserves and started experimental extraction.

For the first time in the country's history, Bapex found gas just 1,400 metres below the surface at Sundalpur.

With the Sundalpur field, now there are 24 gas fields and 82 wells in the country.

'Sundalpur Oil, Gas exploration Well Digging' project director Abdul Halim told bdnews24.com: "The Sundalpur field has an estimated reserve of 50 billion cubic feet. The well falls under a channel where we have plans to dig another well. There are possibilities of greater gas reserves there."

Including Sundalpur, Bapex has so far discovered three gas fields in the country. In 1995, it found gas in Shahbazpur of Bhola, and at Salda of Brahmanbaria in 1996.

AL Rumoured to Take Indian Fund for Polls, Fakhrul Retorts

DHAKA NEWS

BNP acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Saturday that there were rumours that ruling Awami League won the 2008 general election by taking “bags of cash” from India.

The statement came three days after a former chief of Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) admitted before a court to funding the BNP during the 1991 parliamentary elections.

Addressing a memorial service in tribute to the late BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain in the city Saturday, Mirza Fakhrul retorted, alluding to a 2011 report of The Economist, that the AL received fund from India to win the 2008 parliamentary elections, Bangla daily Prothom Alo reported citing a private TV channel report.

There are further rumours that the AL took assistance from Salman F Rahman and Zafarullah Chowdhury to win the 1996 polls, the report further quoted Fakhrul as saying.

He also alleged that the government was using the state-owned news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha to spread fallacies.

The BNP will formally protest this, Fakhrul added.

Addressing the programme, Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque said, “If we join the parliament then the ruling party will have to maintain cordiality.”

“If the government attitude destroys the environment of the parliament, we will have to consider whether we can continue there.”

On Wednesday, ex-ISI chief Asad Durrani confessed before Pakistan Supreme Court to funding the BNP during the 1991 parliamentary elections, British newspaper Daily Mail Online reported.

Earlier on March 3, UAE-based daily Khaleej Times reported that complainant Air Marshal Asghar Khan, Pakistan's former Air Force commander-in-chief, alleged in his petition that ISI paid Rs 50 million to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia ahead of the 1991 elections in which the party won and formed the government.

In an immediate reaction then, Rafiqul Islam Mia, a member of BNP standing committee, denied the allegation terming it “absolutely false and ridiculous”.

Alluding to a report about ruling AL and the 2008 elections published in the July 2011 copy of The Economist, he said, “An influential international newspaper has recently published a story about a major political party of our country. This one [in Khaleej Times] might have been intended to counter that one.”

Bangabandhu's Birthday Today

BANGLADESH NEWS

The nation observes the 92nd birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children's Day today.

The government, ruling Awami League (AL), various socio-cultural and political organisations have planned elaborate programmes to mark the day.

Paying rich tributes to Bangabandhu, President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the president of AL, gave separate messages on the occasion.

Both the president and prime minister will visit Tungipara, the birthplace of Bangabandhu, this morning, and will place wreaths and offer special prayers at his mazar there.

The premier will address a children's rally on the mazar premises, open a library and distribute sewing machines among the distressed.

After returning from Tungipara, the president will inaugurate the National Children's Day programme to be arranged by Bangabandhu Shishu Kishore Mela at Bangabhaban at 12:00 noon.

The ruling AL will hoist the national and party flags at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the capital and party offices across the country at 6:30 am, place wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban at 7:00am.

A discussion on the life of Bangabandhu will be held tomorrow at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital at 3:30pm where the AL chief will address as the chief guest.

Besides playing the recorded historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu throughout the day, special prayers and milad mahfil seeking peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and his family members, will be held across the country.

Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV and radio stations will air special programmes, while national dailies will publish special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.

On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu was born at Tungipara in Gopalganj. He led all the important movements including the language and independence movements in the country.

The Father of the Nation delivered his historic speech to unite and prepare the whole nation for the Liberation War on this day in 1971.

On March 25 the same year, Pakistani army pounced on the unarmed Bengali people killing hundreds and arrested Bangabandhu from his Dhanmondi residence.

Prior to the arrest, Sheikh Mujib declared independence of the country. The entire nation, except few collaborators of Pakistani forces, fought unitedly against the Pakistan army, and after nine months of bloodshed the country was liberated.

Throughout his life, the Father of the Nation struggled for the rights and freedom of the people of Bangladesh.