Barisal-Patuakhali 3 killed road crash,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

BARISAL: Three people were killed and 30 others injured in a road accident in Kornakathi area on Barisal-Patuakhali road Saturday morning.

The deceased was identified as Suman, 22, Farruque, 35 and Liton, 10.

Witnesses said a Dhaka-bound bus of Sakura Paribahan plunged into a roadside ditch after hit a by-cycle as the driver lost control over the steering at about 10:30am, leaving two cyclists dead on the spot and 31 others injured.

The bus driver succumbed to his injuries after admitted to a local hospital.

Of the injured, three were admitted to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital while others were taken first aid in local clinics.

Deputy police commissioner (Barisal south) Mujaheed told that on information, police rushed to the spot.

Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina meets Presidium Council Member Sayeda Johra Tajuddin,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met the party's Presidium Council Member Sayeda Johra Tajuddin at her residence in the city on Saturday evening, two days after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the by-polls to the Gazipur-4 (Kapasia) constituency.

Earlier, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told that the ruling party chief would meet Johra Tajuddin at her DOHS (Defence Officers Housing Society) residence in Banani.

He, however, did not elaborate on the reasons for the meeting.

The by-election is scheduled to be held on Sep 30. The main opposition BNP has announced to boycott the polls.

Later, an Awami League Parliamentary Party meeting nominated Sayeda Johra Tajuddin's daughter Simeen Hussain Rimi for the by-polls.
The Gazipur-4 constituency fell vacant following the resignation of ruling Rimi's brother Awami League lawmaker Tanjim Ahmad Sohel Taj on July 7.

Sohel, the only son of the country's first Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed and Sayeda Johra Tajuddin, had resigned as the State Minister for Home on May 31, 2009.

According to media reports, Sohel Taj's uncle Afsar Uddin Ahmad Khan, who was State Minister for Public Works in Hasina's previous cabinet (1996-2001), has already started lobbying with the party high command to get ticket for the by-polls.

General Secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed Mehdi also tried to secure nomination from the Awami League.

As per the schedule, the last date for submission of nomination papers is Sep 3, scrutiny on Sep 5 and the deadline for withdrawal of nominations is Sep 13. 

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) reopens, no classes held

BANGLADESH NEWS

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) reopened after a 44-day closure on Saturday, but no classes were held.

The teachers did not attend any class considering the thin attendance of the students, Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Habibur Rahman told.

The Buet authorities on July 10 announced a 44-day closure in advance for Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr when the demonstrating teachers declared to resign en masse on July 22 if Vice Chancellor Prof Nazrul Islam and his deputy would not resign by that time.

But the teachers later postponed their en masse resignation after a meeting with Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid.

Asked about their movement against the VC and Pro-VC, Prof Ashraful Islam, general secretary of Buet Teachers Association, refused to make any comment on the issue on Saturday as the High Court on July 31 imposed an injunction order on the strike by teachers and students.

About the admission, the Pro-VC said the authorities will soon sit and take decision on it.

The teachers' association has been agitating for several months demanding removal of the VC and Pro-VC for their alleged involvement in irregularities.

Dr Muhammad Yunus criticised for putting int'l pressure on country,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Expressing concern over the statement of Dr Muhammad Yunus, eminent citizens of the country said after losing in the legal battle, Dr Muhammad Yunus has been creating pressure on the country through 'super power' and donor agencies exploiting his personal relations with them.

"Such an unexpected pressure is tantamount to interference in the country's internal affairs which is not acceptable to the citizens of an independent state," they said in a joint statement on Saturday.

In their reaction, the distinguished personalities said there is a difference of opinion between the government and Dr Muhammad Yunus over the appointment process of managing director of Grameen Bank (GB).

Bangladesh Bank removed Dr Yunus from the post of managing director of the GB because of expiry of his service age as per the government's service rule, they said and added he (Yunus) lodged a case and the highest court of the country delivered a judgment in favour of the government's decision.

The matter was settled legally through it, they added.

The eminent citizens said anyone could have different opinion about the recent amendment the government has brought to the GB Ordinance for the third time.

"But we're observing that Dr Yunus was putting pressure on the country through 'super power' and different donor agencies," they added.

"We're also observing that Dr Yunus in a statement has been tried to misguide the countrymen, especially the young generation, saying that new government after coming to power would change this ordinance to reinstate Grameen Bank in its previous position," they said.

"But he did not make clear what he wanted to say about the new government, when an elected government is in power," they added.

"We know, Dr Yunus formed a new political party when conspiracy was going on to implement 'Minus Two Formula' after arresting two leaders during the emergency of the last caretaker government," they said in the statement.

They urged the countrymen to remain alert against any sorts of conspiracy that can hinder the country's democracy through undemocratic means.

Signatories to the statement included Prof Zillur Rahman Siddique, Artist Quayum Chowdhury, Sayed Shamsul Haq, Artist Hashem Khan, Shamsuzzaman Khan, Kamal Lohani, Justice (retd) Mejbah Uddin Ahmed, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique, Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Prof Anwar Hossain, Prof Nazrul Islam, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Vice- Chancellor Prof Prangopal Dutta, Economist Abul Barakat, Prof Abdul Khalek, Prof Nazrul Islam, Poet Belal Chowdhury, Ramedu Majumder, Mamunur Rashid, Selina Hossain and Poet Nirmalendu Gun.

Detective Branch of police (DB) arrested 5 Dr Nitai murder suspects held,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Law enforcers on Saturday arrested five persons suspected of killing Dr Narayan Chandra Dutta Nitai in the capital.

Detective Branch of police picked up four of them -- Peda Mashud, 25, Saidul, 37, Pichhi Kalam, 26, and Faisal, 30, -- from Mohakhali Shaat Tola Slum and Kamrangir Char areas.

Meanwhile, a team of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested the fifth suspect -- Kamal -- in the capital, said Commander M Sohail, Legal and Media Wing director of the elite force.

A team of detectives rounded up the four in separate drives between Friday night and Saturday, Monirul Islam, deputy commissioner of DB, said at a press briefing on Saturday afternoon at the DB headquarters.

The detectives also seized two knives, two iron rods, one machete allegedly used in the murder and also recovered four pairs of gold bangles stolen from the residence of Dr Nitai, the official said.

At the briefing, the arrestees also said that on that fateful night seven of them went to the residence of Dr Nitai -- four of them went in and three waited outside. The rest three -- Mintu, Masud and unnamed one -- were still at large, they added.

The suspects also stated that Mintu and Masud masterminded the stealing that ultimately led to the killing of Dr Nitai.

Nitai, an assistant professor of the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH), was stabbed to death by unknown criminals at his quarters in the NIDCH compound at Mohakhali in the capital early Thursday.

The 47-year-old physician was also an executive councillor of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) and a central committee member of Swadhinata Chikitshak Parishad.

A day after the killing, the case was handed over to the Detective Branch of police for investigation Friday.

Police said the dead, Dr Nitai might have been a victim of robbery, but relatives suspect it was a planned murder.

Bangladesh Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid urges all to resist stalking

BANGLADESH NEWS

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid on Saturday urged people of all walks of life -- teachers, students, guardians, political leaders and people’s representatives -- to play firm roles from their respective position to eradicate stalking, a persisting social menace.

Nahid expressed deep shock as Sangita Mondal, a meritorious student of class X at Sundali ST School and College in Abhoynagar upazila of Jessore district, committed suicide after falling victim of sexual harassment by some wayward boys of the locality.

He talked to the deputy commissioner of Jessore over phone this (Saturday) morning and asked him to take immediate legal steps against the stalkers.

The education minister also gave directives to the district education officer of Jessore to take appropriate measures after making a thorough probe in the matter.

He said: “Female students are our daughters, sisters and relatives, and they are the future educated mothers, skilled administrators and social reformers. It’s our responsibility to ensure they grow up in safety.”

Nahid mentioned that the government has taken up various programmes such as holding meetings with various professional people, bringing out processions, distribution of leaflets across the country and formation of defence committees at schools and colleges since 2010.

“Counselling teachers have been selected at schools and colleges and mobile courts have been operating across the country,” he said, adding that although sexual harassment of student’s had seemed on a downtrend due to creating awareness, but such incidents are found on the increase recently.

The minister said creating awareness and strict enforcement of laws are urgently needed to eradicate this social menace.

BNP, Jamaat link with Aug 21 attack:Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif Friday said investigation has proved that bigwigs of then BNP-Jamaat government had link with the August 21 grenade attack.

“They formulated the blueprint of the grenade attack,” the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant added.

He came up with the statement while placing wreaths at grave of President’s slain wife Ivy Rahman at Banani Graveyard marking her eighth death anniversary.

“August 21 grenade attack case is being investigated and its judgment will soon be completed,” he said.

Talking about the BNP’s remark of Awami League involvement with the incident, he said, “The remark is disheartened. Those, who have come in power by killing, can do nothing better but spread fake information.”

“Khaleda’s involvement was clearly proven from the deposition given by then Army officer Rumi,” he stressed.

Besides, he was urged the opposition party to refrain them from spreading propaganda.

Talking about BNP programme after Eid, Hanif said, “We do not bother about their programme. There was no public support in their past anti-government movements during three years. So, they are recently trying to create public opinion in favor of their programmes.”

journalist Sagar-Runi murder DNA profile found from Runi’s shirt,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: A full DNA profile of a person was found from slain journalist Meherun Runi’s T-shirt, she wearing during the murder, in a laboratory test in the United States.

RAB is thinking that killer of the journalist couple might be the owner of the DNA.

The DNA test of Sagar Sarowar and his son Megh is underway, sources said.

Director of RAB Media Wing M Sohayel said the investigation team will start identifying the killers after getting the forensic and DNA report.

As per the information from US laboratory test, several persons’ fingerprints were found in most of the samples of the killing, RAB officials said.

Earlier on April 18, the High Court directed the authority concerned to transfer the twin murder case of journalist couple Sagar and Runi to Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) as the detective police admitted their failure in this regard.

Senior reporter of ATN Bangla Runi and her husband Sagar Sarowar, who was news editor with Maasranga Television, were murdered at their west Rajabazar rented house in the city on February 11.

Nowsher Alam Roman, younger brother of Runi lodged a case accusing some unidentified persons on February 12.

On February 16, the twin murder case was transferred to the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) for fair investigation

Banani Graveyard eighth death anniversary Ivy Rahman,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: President Zillur Rahman Wednesday paid tribute to his late wife Ivy Rahman by placing floral wreath at her grave to mark her eighth death anniversary.

He arrived there at 10:30am at Banani Graveyard in the city. 
  
Later, he placed floral wreath at the grave of family members of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and left the place at about 10:50am.

After placing tribute by the president, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader, foreign minister Dipu Moni, Home Minsiter Sahara Khatun, State Minister for LGRD Jahangir Kabir Nanak, PM’s special assistant also AL joint-general secretary Mahbul Alam Hanif, Dhaka University vice-chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique and among others placed wreaths.

Besides, leaders of Awami Mohila League and other associate organizations of Awami League also paid their rich tribute to the memory of Ivy Rahman by placing wreaths on behalf of their respective organizations.

After paying tribute, a milad mahfil and Doa mahfil was held at Banani graveyard mosque. Leaders of Awami Mohila League and other associate organizations of Awami League joined the programme.

Separate programmes have chalked out by her family members and different organization to mark the day.

Another Milad Mahfil will be held at Bangabhaban after Asr prayer.

Ivy Rahman, the Awami League women`s affairs secretary and president of Mohila Awami League, received severe injuries in the August 21, 2004 grenade attack at an Awami League rally in the city targeting incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the then leader of the opposition, who narrowly escaped the attempt.

Ivy Rahman succumbed to her injuries at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) on August 24, after three days of the heinous killing of another 23 leaders and activists of the Awami League.

Senior Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta:Khaleda Zia must admit mistake of backing grenade attack,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Minister without portfolio Suranjit Sengupta on Friday said opposition leader Khaleda Zia must apologise to people admitting her mistake for what he said backing the August 21 grenade attack.

“I appreciate BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for recently admitting her mistake by backing former president Iajuddin Ahmed as the chief adviser to the caretaker government, and she should now admit her fault in patronising the August 21 grenade attack,” he told a discussion at the city’s Osmani Auditorium.

According to media reports, Khaleda at a meeting of the BNP standing committee on August 2 “admitted her mistake of backing Iajuddin as the chief adviser to the caretaker government”.

“Backing Iajuddin was not the only mistake the BNP chairperson made,” Suranjit said adding, “She should admit and apologise to people for all her mistakes, including backing the August 21 grenade attack and delaying the war crimes trial.”

“It’s natural to make mistakes in politics, but there’s also scope for corrections in politics. It’s better to admit the mistakes,” he said.

“If she doesn’t admit the fault and prefers the culture of violence, bloodshed and obstructing constitutional course, she’ll lose her position in democratic politics,” he added.

Speaking at the discussion, organised by Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote marking the 8th death anniversary of AL leader Ivy Rahman, State Minister of Law Quamrul Islam accused the then BNP government of destroying a lot of evidence of the grenade attack case.

Ivy, the then Women Affairs secretary of the AL, along with others was injured in a grenade attack on an AL rally at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city on August 21, 2004. She later died at the Combined Military Hospital on August 24.

“But, I think, the trial on the grenade attack will be completed under this government,” he said.

The trial proceedings are progressing fairly well as 62 witnesses have already testified in the court, Quamrul added.

“Not only the trial of the grenade attack, but also the trial of war criminals and 10-truck arms haul case will be completed before the end of our tenure,” he said.