বৃহস্পতিবার, ৩১ মে, ২০১২

Fakhrul, others charged in court


Dhaka, May 31 on Thursday pressed charges in court against 29 senior opposition leaders over bomb explosions at the Bangladesh Secretariat during the Apr 29 shutdown.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Prosecution and Information) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Anisur Rahman told bdnews24.com that Detective Branch Inspector Tapan Chandra Shaha filed the charge sheet under the Explosives Act.

Senior Special Judge Mohammad Zahurul Haque of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court will hold a hearing on July 26 on whether to accept the charge sheet.

Most of the opposition 18-Party Alliance leaders, including BNP Acting Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, got bail from the High Court on May 14 until submission of police report in this case filed at the Shahbagh Police Station.

Two cocktails exploded inside the Secretariat, the seat of the civil administration, on Apr 29 during the countrywide general strike called by BNP-led alliance in protest against the disappearance of M Ilias Ali, one of the organising secretaries of the BNP.

Sub-Inspector Hirendranath Pramanik filed the case the same night accusing Mirza Fakhrul and 28 others.

Another case was filed with the Tejgaon Police Station for torching of a bus in front of the Prime Minister's Office during the shutdown.

Those who were accused in the case include BNP leaders Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Sadeque Hossain Khoka, A S M Hannan Shah, Goyeswar Chandan Saha, Aman Ullah Aman, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Abdus Salam, Shahid Uddin Chowdhry Annie, Rehana Akhter Ranu, Syeada Asifa Ashrafi Papia, Shammi Akhter, Nilufer Yasmin Moni, Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu, Kamruzzaman Ratan, Juba Dal leaders Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Saiful Alam Nirob, Mortajul Karim Badru, Swaechchasebak Dal leaders Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Chhatra Dal leaders Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Liberal Democratic Party President Oli Ahmed, Bangladesh Jatiya Party President Andaleeve Rahman Partho.

One Tofazzal Hossain Bhuiyan of Dhanmondi area was later named in the charge-sheet.

Currently, they are in Kashimpur Jail in another case filed under the Speedy Trial Act over charges of arson attacks during the Apr 29 shutdown.

According to the charge sheet, two unidentified youths riding a motorcycle hurled the bombs inside the Secretariat to create panic, cause damage to important government infrastructure and thwart democratic system. The attack was carried out on direct and indirect orders and provocation of the other accused and the their financial assistance.

The accused also helped the youths to collect the explosives, the charge sheet said.

Of the accused, 25 got bail from the High Court on May 14 in the blasts case.

In the arson case, police pressed charges against 45 opposition alliance leaders on May 10. Most of the arrested opposition leaders were sent to jail in that case. However, the High Court granted bail to five of the accused who are MPs on May 27.

Keep Grameen Bank's integrity: Burt


Dhaka, May 31 Foreign Office Minister for South Asia Alistair Burt has stressed protecting the integrity and efficiency of Grameen Bank.

Burt, prior to concluding his three-day visit to Bangladesh, met former Grameen Bank Magaing Director Muhammad Yunus at the UK High Commissioner's residence on Wednesday.

He admired Yunus for what he did and felt that his legacy should be protected and upheld, the British High Commission said in a media statement on Thursday.

The Nobel laureate expressed his deep concern about the future of the Grameen Bank following the formation of the review commission.

The commission's recommendations could alter the ownership and nature of the bank and deprive the poor a voice in how the bank was run, he feared in a statement on Wednesday.

He questioned the necessity of forming a probe commission to look into Grameen Bank's activities since its birth and said he was afraid that the bank's future would be at stake if the government exerted more influence on the bank.

"Has Grameen Bank done any major misdeed that needed (the government) to initiate this probe?" he asked. "I am saddened at hearing the news."

The government on May 16 formed the commission to review the ownership of Grameen Bank and 54 related social businesses that Yunus still heads, 14 months after Yunus was removed as its Managing Director.

Yunus added in that statement: "I am now enormously worried about the possibility of Grameen Bank being put under government control. I fear even to anticipate the course that Grameen Bank will take if it is made a government institution."

PM invited to attend NAM


Dhaka, May 31 President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday invited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to attend the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to be held in Tehran in August.

Visiting Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran for Asia and Oceania Seyed Abbas Araghchi formally handed over the invitation to the Prime Minister in her office, PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told reporters.

The summit is scheduled to be held in the last week of August.

Azad said, "Araghchi met the Prime Minister on Thursday morning. They discussed various issues of mutual interests."

During the meeting, Hasina stressed the need for holding NAM summit, saying it has great importance to Bangladesh. "Bangladesh believes friendship with everyone."

She also requested the Iranian government to reduce duty on import of jute and jute products from Bangladesh.

Ambassador at-Large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary Sheikh M Wahid Uz Zaman and PMO Secretary Mollah Wahiduzzaman were also present during the meeting among others.

Khaleda graft case hearing deferred again


Dhaka, May 31 Dhaka court on Thursday deferred again the hearing on the acceptance of the charge-sheet in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

The hearing was deferred for the second time as the main accused BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was not present at the court.

Judge of the Dhaka Senior Special Judge's Court Mohammd Zahurul Haque set the new date on July 1 after Khaleda's lawyer Taherul Islam Touhid sought more time.

Earlier, the hearing was deferred to May 31 from Apr 29 due to a countrywide general strike enforced by the opposition.

Apart from the BNP chief, her former Political Secretary Harris Chowdhury, his Assistant Private Secretary (APS) Ziaul Islam Munna and former Dhaka Mayor's APS Monirul Islam Khan are the other accused in the graft case.

On Aug 6 last year, Anti-Corruption Commission Deputy Director Harunur Rashid filed the case accusing Khaleda and three others of illegal transaction under the banner of Zia Charitable Trust. On Jan 16, Rashid, also the investigation officer of the case, pressed charges against the accused.

According to case details, a 42-kantha piece of land in the capital's Kakrail had been bought from one Suraiya Khanam in January 2005 for Tk 65.2 million.

The Zia Charitable Trust did not have any known source of income for around Tk 12.5 million, a sum that made up part of the payment for the land.

The ACC said in the charge-sheet that information of transactions worth more than Tk 31.5 million was found, apart from an amount given to the owner of the land. The money allegedly came from illegal sources.

SQ Chy's lawyer pardoned by ICT


Dhaka, May 31 BNP MP Salauddin Quader Chowdhury's lawyer at the first crimes tribunal was exonerated although the first war crimes tribunal found him in contempt.

Giving the order chairman of the International Crimes Tribunal – 1, Justice Mohammad Nizamul Huq, said the court had considered a number of factors before reaching its decision.

"Although we find that he has committed contempt, we are inclined to accept his unqualified apology."

Set up to try crimes against humanity during the Liberation War of 1971, the tribunal has issued a verbal notice upon defence counsel Fakhrul Islam on May 15 for violating a court order.

The BNP leader has been indicted on 23 charges of war crimes.

Fakhrul Islam had called Dr Anisuzzaman, a professor emeritus at Dhaka University, 'a liar' several times in the court but stopped after the court ordered him not to insult the first prosecution witness against his client.

Justice Huq noted in his order that the defence counsel, however, used the same term regarding the noted educationist while speaking to the media on May 14.

When asked the next day, Fakhrul Islam admitted that he had used the same language in front of the press that he had used in the court.

This prompted the verbal notice ordering the counsel to show cause why he should not be held in contempt.

Fakhrul Islam offered his unqualified apology for having violated the court order unintentionally. His senior colleague on the same defence team, Ahsanul Haq told the court on Thursday on behalf of Islam, "I throw myself at the mercy of the court."

However, upon the court's desire Fakhrul Islam was made to add a few more lines to his written reply mentioning that he also regretted having insulted Dr Anisuzzaman, upon which the court began giving the order.

Justice Huq mentioned in the order that the image of his court 'rises and falls with the conduct of its counsels'. The order further said that the tribunal sought the cooperation of all parties including the press and observers, besides of course the defence and prosecution, in the 'proper dispensation of justice'.

The tribunal chairman noted in his order that Fakhrul Islam was a well-educated lawyer in the High Court and if there were any actions against him then there will be more problems for the counsel in the future.

Considering a number of different factors, the tribunal decided to exonerate the counsel accepting his apology.

There were two other petitions for the six-time MP from Chittagong where is alleged to have committed crimes against humanity. The one for bail was rejected. Regarding the other petition seeking the court's leave to attend parliament sessions, the tribunal was "not inclined to pass an order".

The tribunal suggested that the former prime ministerial adviser for parliamentary affairs could contact the appropriate authorities for attending the budget session if he wanted to.

Salauddin Quader in ICT

The prosecution submitted formal charges against Salauddin Quader on Nov 14, 2011 and the tribunal took them into cognisance three days later.

A former prime ministerial adviser on parliamentary affairs when BNP chief Khaleda Zia was in office, the Chittagong MP was shown arrested for war crimes charges on Dec 20, 2010, five days after his arrest.

The investigating agency submitted a 119-page report with around 8,000-page data to the chief prosecutor on Oct 3 in a bid to prove allegations of war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War.

The BNP leader was indicted on Apr 4 on 23 charges of war crimes.

Besides Jamaat-e-Islami executive council member Delwar Hossain Sayedee whose case is the most advanced and Salauddin Quader, Jamaat chief Matiur Rahman Nizami, Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed and assistant secretaries general Mohammad Kamaruzzaman and Abdul Quader Molla have been detained on war crimes charges.

The tribunal also sent Jamaat-e-Islami's former chief Ghulam Azam to jail on Jan 11 and indicted him on five different charges on May 13.

The second tribunal, set up on Mar 22, 2012, has given Abdul Alim, former BNP MP Abdul Alim and member of Ziaur Rahman's cabinet, an indefinite bail while his trial proceeds.

The second war crimes tribunal has set Jun 4 for framing charges, if any, against Jamaat-e-Islami assistant secretary general Mohammad Kamaruzzaman.

The second tribunal was set up to expedite the war crimes trials for atrocities during the 1971 Liberation War.

বুধবার, ৩০ মে, ২০১২

Burt backs dialogue to end vote row


Dhaka, May 30 Alistair Burt has encouraged all political parties to engage in dialogue to resolve their difference and build confidence in the election system.

Britain always supported for free, fair and participatory elections to further strengthen political and economic stability in Bangladesh, he said at a press conference Wednesday.

Burt came to Dhaka on May 28 on a three-day visit and met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia.

The minister said he talked to a cross section of people and their aspiration was that the parties should hold dialogue to hold a free and participatory election.

He also spoke to three senior leaders of the country and all of them wanted participatory election.

The main challenge, he added, was to have a platform where the aspiration of political leaders and people meet together.

Muhith for MFIs' institutionalisation


Dhaka, May 30 Finance Minister on Wednesday stressed institutionalisation of microfinance institutions to continue their operations for more than one generation.

There are many MFIs that died out after the death of the founders but there should be capacity to make them part of a structured and usually well-established system to prevent such ending, AMA Muhith said.

He made the remarks at the National Microfinance Conference 2012 organised by Credit and Development Forum at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

Subscribing to the view, BRAC Chairman Sir Fazle Hasan Abed said governance needed to have institutional capacity in an organisation.

Police 'far better' now: Shahara


Dhaka, May 30 Home Minister on Wednesday sprung to the defence of the under-fire police force, claiming its behaviour is 'far better' now than before.

Shahara Khatun said reforms were underway to make the force 'pro-people'.

She made the comment only a day after police were accused of sexually assaulted a young woman and beating journalists at the Judges' Court premises in Dhaka.

"There are 141,000 police personnel in the country. I would not say all are good (well behaved). But we are working to make them pro-people," Sahara said.

She gestured to her right leg and said, "Police are now far better than before. My right leg is broken. Such incident also took place [in police action in the past]."

The government will take measures if there was any 'wrongdoings' in the police force, Shahara said.

"I was a political activist on the streets and have been pursuing politics since the Pakistani regime. We took action in the last three and a half years whenever there were wrongdoings in the police. Action will also be taken in future."

She dodged a 'yes' or 'no' answer to a question as to whether the media was the rival of police and government.

"People rush to police in incidents of burglary and robbery, but police don't torture them then."

She further claimed that the government took immediate measures in the incidents of police negligence and inaction.

Responding to a media query about the repression on the journalists by police on the court premises in old Dhaka, Shahara said the government took action soon after the incident. "Investigation is underway and measures will be taken [against those found responsible]."

Police on Tuesday withdrew two Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) over allegations of sexually harassing a woman at the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court premises.

After a heated verbal exchange, the policemen dragged the young woman to the 'Police Club' on the court premises and sexually assaulted her, according to the lawyers who witnessed the incident.

As the Court Correspondents rushed there on information to have statement from police, they attacked three journalists and two lawyers.

Amid severe criticism, police withdrew ASIs ANuruzzaman Sarker and Amir Afzal Biplob in the evening. Police also formed a panel to investigate the incident.

Last week, police beat up three photojournalists of the daily Prothom Alo, snatched their cameras and cell phones and swore at them while they were taking photos of demonstrations by polytechnic students in Agargaon.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police after primary investigations closed Shahidul Islam, Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Tejgaon zone, and suspended nine policemen.

State Minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku at a discussion on Tuesday advised journalists to keep a "safe distance" from police while gathering news.

"Journalist can avoid such unwanted incidents if they collect news or take photos by keeping a safe distance from police," he advised.

Home Minister Shahara Khatun on Wednesday claimed that the media twisted the remarks of her deputy.

Earlier, Shahara attended an inter-ministerial meeting on reduction of extortion in the transport sector.

Top UK court backs extradition of Assange


London, May 30 Britain's Supreme Court upheld the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to Sweden over alleged sex crimes on Wednesday.

Seven judges at the country's highest court rejected by a majority of 5-2 that Assange's claim that a European Arrest Warrant under which his extradition is sought was invalid.

Two lower courts have already ruled he should be extradited.

6 cops summoned over 'sexual assault'


Dhaka, May 30 High Court on Wednesday summoned six police officials over sexual harassment of a woman and beating of journalists at a court of Dhaka.

The bench of Justices A H M Shamsuddin Chowdhury and Jahangir Hossain ordered them on its own volition to appear before it and explain their role in the incidents on June 6 after reading newspaper reports.

Those summonsed are Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Deputy Commissioner of Lalbagh Zone Harun-ur-Rashid, Assistant Commissioner Rajib-al-Masud, Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Salahuddin Khan, Sub-Inspectors 'Jahangir' and 'Zaman', and the President of the Police Club.

They were also asked to explain why the authorities should not be ordered to take measures against them.

The court ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to submit two reports within 48 hours from Wednesday noon. The report will have the details of the incident, background of the summoned police officials and their activities when they had been students in one report. The other report will be on whether any departmental step was taken against them.

The bench also ordered the victim, Farzana Akter, to appear before it with her parents.

Police withdrew Assistant Sub-Inspectors Nuruzzaman Sarker and Amir Afzal Biplob on Tuesday over allegations of sexually assaulting Farzana at the Dhaka court premises.

A two-strong committee was also formed to look into the allegation of sexual violation.

Though police had the woman detained all day, she was released under the custody of Executive Director of Ain O Salish Kendra Sultana Kamal in the evening.

Police beat up Prothom Alo's Proshanto Karmaker, Kaler Kantho's MA Jalil Ujjal and Bangladesh Protidin's Tuhin Hawlader in the afternoon on Tuesday at the entrance to the court when they went to gather news after policemen had dragged Farzana inside the Police Club at the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court premises following a heated argument.

The High Court on Wednesday told Sultana Kamal to assist it and asked Bengali daily Prothom Alo's Senior Reporter Proshanto Karmaker, Kaler Kantho's Abdul Jalil, Bangladesh Protidin's Tuhin Hawlader, and lawyers Shakhawat Hossain and Rashedul to assist it with information.

It also issued three rules asking why the authorities should not be ordered to try the policemen under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act 2000, why departmental steps should not be taken against them and why steps should not be taken against them in line with the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Bangladesh Service Rules.

The Home Secretary, IGP, DMP Commissioner and the summoned police officials will respond to the rules.

Vice President of the Supreme Court Bar Association K M Saifuddin presented newspaper reports on the incidents to the court.

শনিবার, ২৬ মে, ২০১২

9 policemen suspended


Dhaka, May 26 Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Saturday suspended nine policemen on charges of assaulting three journalists, who were covering the demonstrations by students of a polytechnic institute at Agargaon in the capital.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media and Community Services) Masudur Rahman also told bdnews24.com that the move came after a preliminary probe into the incident.

He said that a one-member probe committee has been formed to further investigate the occurrence.

The suspended police officials are Sub-Inspector Jahirul Islam, Deputy Sub-Inspector Shafiqur Rahman and Nazmul Islam, Constables Motiur Rahman, Abdur Razzak, Mohammad Shahjahan, Mohammad Joynal, 'Ratan' and 'Jahangir'.

The authorities have also withdrawn Tejgaon Zone Assistant Commissioner Shahidul Islam immediately after the incident on Saturday, DMP Tejgaon Zone Deputy Commissioner Imam Hossain told bdnews24.com.

Students of Dhaka Women's Polytechnic Institute (DWPI) demonstrated blocking the Rokeya Sharani for around two hours from 11am in protest against 'downgrading' rank of diploma engineers.

Three journalists of Bengali daily Prothom Alo were assaulted by police while covering the incident.

Prothom Alo photographer Khaled Sarker told journalists that some police personnel, not in their uniforms, attacked a photo journalist of the daily when he tried to snap a photo of the demonstrators at Agargaon.

Khaled and another journalist of the daily were assaulted, too, when they tried to save the photo journalist, he alleged.

The three journalists were taken to the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station later, he said. They took treatment from the Pangu Hospital after they were freed, Khaled added.

Polls under AL govt: PM


Dhaka, May26 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated that the next elections would be held under her government despite opposition demand for revival of caretaker system to oversee the parliamentary polls scheduled for January 2014.

"Elections so far held under this government were free, fair and impartial. So this government would be able to hold national elections in that manner," Sheikh Hasina said on Saturday while exchanging views with leaders of the party's Meherpur unit at Ganabhaban, PM's official residence in the capital.

She mentioned that 5,175 elections were held since her government took office in January 2009 and she claimed those were free, fair and impartial.

Hasina said, "The Election Commission is independent and it will work impartially. The administration, including the law enforcing agencies, will be under the Election Commission during the polls. There will be no interference by the government."

The government annulled the caretaker government system through the 15th amendment of the Constitution last year. In line with the amended Constitution, the incumbent government will oversee the next parliament election.

However, the opposition parties, led by BNP, have been protesting against the repeal of the system and said elections would not be fair if not held under non-partisan caretaker administration.

Rejecting the opposition's demand to reinstate the caretaker system, she said, "The caretaker government sent her [Khaleda Zia] two sons abroad after giving them a good beating. How could she forget the caretaker government of 1/11, did she forget the repression and torture during its term?"

"One set of caretakers went, another set came. They didn't even want to hold the election and they forced us to jail," Hasina said pointing to the military-backed caretaker government.

She said all the ways to grab power illegally has been plugged though the amendment of the Constitution, "Many games have been played with the fate of the people. We don't want this to continue."

"People will try those who would grab power violating the Constitution," she added.

Wasfia conquers Everest


Dhaka, May 26 Bangladeshi woman mountaineer Wasfia Nazreen conquered the summit of the Mount Everest early Saturday as part of her 'Bangladesh on Seven Summits' campaign, one of her associates said.

Wasfia, 29, reached the highest peak of the Mount Everest at 6:41 am, associate Korvi Rakshand told bdnews24.com in an email.

This is for the first time a solo Bangladeshi woman with no other team members has led an expedition to the top of the world after she started her journey on March 26 to mark the Bangladesh's 40th year of independence.

Her victory came within a week of Nishat Mazumder's expedition to the world's tallest mountain as the first Bangladeshi woman.

Nishat had ascended to Everest's 8,850-meter-high (29,035-foot-high) summit on May 19 from the northern side of the mountain in Nepal with M A Mohit, the second Bangladeshi to have conquered the Everest.

The indomitable Wasfia on Saturday reached the South summit with American guide Chris Klinke and two sherpas Nima Gyurme Dorje and Kusang Sherpa, according to the expedition's Facebook fan page 'Bangladesh On Seven Summits'

Rakshand said Wasfia called from her satellite phone from the Everest summit immediately after she got there.

"We got our independence, but we, women, are still fighting for freedom. This is to the women of Bangladesh who brave their lives everyday for freedom, peace and equality," Rakshand quoted Wasfia as saying.

As part of the Bangladesh on Seven Summits campaign, she has successfully complete two continents, the previous one being Aconcagua, the second highest of the Seven summits and the highest point outside the Himalayas.

On Dec 16, she reached the near-seven kilometer peak of Aconcagua in Argentina.

Wasfia had dedicated that victory to the struggle of the martyrs of 1971, calling on greater recognition for the contribution of the women who had participated and suffered in the War.

Musa Ibrahim, the first Bangladeshi to reach the highest peak, congratulated Wasfia in a Facebook post.

"She did it, many congratulations to Wasfia. Again, I am saying, this is (the) time for the women of Bangladesh. They rocked and proved: YES, WE CAN DO IT," he said.

Wasfia's 2012 Everest trip was sponsored by Bangladesh's Citybank Ltd as the lead sponsor, and Renata Ltd and Kazi Farms Ltd as co-sponsors. The expedition was supported by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Himalayan Climate Initiatives (HCI) and Nepal's Everest Women's 7 Summits Eco-Action Team (EW7SEA).

Wasfia started 'Bangladesh on Seven Summits' foundation in July 2011. As part of this effort, she has already climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa.

New schedule for Upakul Express


Noakhali, May 26 Railway Minister Obaidul Quader announced new schedule for the inter-city Upakul Express on Dhaka-Noakhali route and inaugurated an air-conditioned coach for the train at Noakhali station on Saturday.

"A long-standing demand of the people of Noakhali has been fulfilled by rescheduling the train. A new dimension has also been added to the improvement of Bangladesh's railway," Quader, also the communications minister and an MP from Noakhali, said at the inauguration.

"The railways will have to be protected from the evil influence of irregularities and corruption. Our immediate target is to stop irregularities and ensure safe journey by train," he said.

After the programme, the minister left the station for Dhaka aboard the train with local MP Ekramul Karim Chowdhury, Railway Division Secretary Fazle Kabir and Director General Abu Taher.

According to the new schedule, the train will leave Noakhali at 6:30am and reach Kamlapur Station at 12:25pm. On its return journey, it will leave Dhaka at 4pm to reach Noakhali at 10:30pm.

The people of Noakhali had long been demanding that the train be rescheduled as it was difficult for them to reach the capital to catch their offices and return after the office hours.

Inu lost senses winning on AL symbol: BNP


Dhaka, May 26 senior BNP leader on Saturday said Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haque Inu was under the false impression of being in control when he was threatening to force BNP chief Khaleda Zia out from politics.

"Mr. Inu didn't become someone very important after winning the last election with the electoral symbol 'boat' that he can minus Khaleda Zia from politics. Who is he to give her a last chance to be in politics," BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said.

"I'm telling Mr. Inu that you don't have any power other than to minus yourself," he said while speaking at a human-chain programme held in front of the National Press Club in the capital to press for release of the arrested BNP leaders.

Hasanul Haque Inu on Friday threatened to force the BNP Chairperson from politics if she did not stop siding with the suspected war criminals.

'Boat' is the electoral symbol of the ruling Awami League. Inu's party is an ally to the ruling party and a member of the ruling Grand Alliance.

Nazrul Islam Khan on Saturday said, "This Awami League had excluded him [Inu] in 1972-75. At least 30,000 JaSaD activists were killed and abducted during that time. And now, he is threatening with the minus formula."

"I don't know when he (Inu) was talking about the minus one whether he was in his senses or not. BNP doesn't believe in any minus one or minus two formulas. We don't need the minus formula of Mr. Inu," he added.

Nazrul also said that the Grand Alliance leaders have been separated from the people and were talking in indecent way.

বুধবার, ১৬ মে, ২০১২

No bail for Fakhrul, others, sent to jail


Dhaka, May 16 A Dhaka court on Wednesday ordered into jail BNP's Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and 32 other opposition leaders after refusing them bail in an arson attack case.

The leaders appealed for bail after surrendering at the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in the morning after failing to get bail in the High Court that had ordered them to surrender at the trial court.

Metropolitan speedy trial magistrate Mohammad Erfan Ullah heard the petitions at noon and passed the order. The lawyers for the alliance leaders then pleaded with Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Bikash Kumar Saha to reconsider, but he also turned them down.

The alliance leaders surrendered before the court around 11am.

The hearing started around 1:15pm with Barrister Moudud Ahmed placing arguments for the alliance leaders' bail. The Public Prosecutor (PP) of Dhaka District Judge's Court Khandaker Abdul Mannan and Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court PP Abdullah Abu opposed the plea.

The judge threw out the bail petition after nearly an hour-long hearing. The alliance leaders, including Mirza Fakhrul, were taken to the prison around 3pm when the 'reconsideration' plea was rejected.

The pro-BNP lawyers erupted in protest at the rejection of the bail pleas. Some of them tried to vandalise the door of the court. Magistrate Mohammad Erfan Ullah's nameplate was also smashed and thrown outside.

A large number of police were deployed in the court premises ahead of the hearing in anticipation of unpleasant incidents. Traffic on the Johnson Road in front of the CMM court and the Roy Shaheb Bazar area was halted during the hearing.

The BNP-led 18-Party Alliance enforced countrywide general strike on Apr 29 and 30 protesting against the disappearance of M Ilias Ali, one of BNP's organising secretaries.

On Apr 29, a vehicle was torched near the PMO and crude bombs were hurled at the Secretariat. Police filed two cases at Shahbagh and Tejgaon accusing the leaders of their alleged involvement in the two incidents.

Fakhrul, Dr Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, M K Anwar, Mirza Abbas, ASM Hannan Shah, Sadeque Hossain Khoka, Liberal Democratic Party president Oli Ahmed and other senior leaders of the coalition were charged in the two cases.

A third High Court bench last Sunday ordered them to surrender in the trial court by Wednesday after the bench of justices Mainul Islam Chowdhury and Nazrul Islam Talukder returned a split decision on their petition for anticipatory bail.

The court has already sent the BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi to jail in the case and another joint Secretary General Mahbubuddin Khokon got bail in the same case.

রবিবার, ১৩ মে, ২০১২

Fakhrul, other ordered to surrender


Dhaka, May 13 third High Court bench that the opposition leaders had approached for anticipatory bail on Sunday ordered them to surrender in the trial court by May 16.

BNP's Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other leaders of the opposition alliance are facing charges of involvement in the torching of a bus and explosion of bombs in front of the Prime Minister's Office during the Apr 29 shutdown.

Besides the one filed over arson at Tejgaon Police Station, BNP-led 18-Party Alliance leaders were also accused in a case filed with Shahbagh Police Station for hurling crude bombs at the Secretariat.

The Chief Justice constituted the third single-judge bench to settle the issue after another bench had returned a split verdict on the petitions but asked police not to 'harass' the opposition leaders for seven days.

The bench of Justice Mohammad Anwar-Ul Haque heard the petitions on Sunday afternoon.

Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain on May 10 formed the third bench to hear the bail petitions of the leaders.

Earlier, the High Court bench of justices Mainul Islam Chowdhury and Nazrul Islam Talukder gave a split decision on the petition and the matter went to the Chief Justice's office.

Police last Thursday pressed charges against the accused leaders in two cases filed for violence during the countrywide general strike on Apr 29 demanding 'release' of missing BNP leader M Ilias Ali.

The Dhaka metropolitan speedy trial tribunal judge Erfan Ullah has fixed May 21 for hearing the counsels as a Detective Branch investigator had sought arrest warrants for the opposition leaders in connection with the cases.

The third High Court bench will hear on Monday the petition for anticipatory bail in the Secretariat bomb blast case.

Ghulam Azam indicted for war crimes


Dhaka, May 13 In a landmark decision, the first war crimes tribunal of Bangladesh indicted Jamaat-e-Islami guru Ghulam Azam for incitement, conspiracy, planning, abetment and failure to prevent crimes against humanity during the nation's War of Independence in 1971.

When asked to plead, the former Jamaat chief said there were numerous charges mentioned. "It is not possible to respond to all of them in a short time. But I do not consider myself guilty of the charges."

A political science graduate of Dhaka University and also a former leader of the university's central students union, Azam pointed out to the tribunal that the list of war criminals of 1973 did not have his name on it.

"I was, however, on the list of collaborators. But after pardoning principal war criminals, the government of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared a general amnesty. Hence I have been already forgiven."

The former teacher of Rangpur's Carmicheal College was not allowed to continue further when his remarks took a political turn and the tribunal advised him that he would get the opportunity to make these remarks once his defence called him to the stand presumably during the witness examinations.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1, set up on Mar 25, 2010, on the 39th anniversary of Bangladesh's independence to try crimes against humanity during the bloody war, read out five kinds of charges against the former chief of Jamaat, arguably the largest Islamist organisation of the region, having deferred the indictment order twice since Apr 17.

The three-judge tribunal, headed by chairman Justice Mohammad Nizamul Huq, read out charges for almost two hours dwelling upon the historical context, Ghulam Azam's history and procedural history of the case before beginning with the charges.

Justice Huq, reading out the charges, also noted the arguments of both the prosecution and Azam's defence along with the court's observations, as his court gave its third indictment order — the first being another Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee on 20 counts and BNP MP Salauddin Quader Chowdhury on 23 counts.

Before beginning with the historical context, Justice Huq said the order was of 'considerable significance for the people of Bangladesh'. "It is a significant moment in the history of Bangladesh," he said before commencing on the historical development leading up to the Liberation War.

The order stated that the tribunal had prima facie case against Azam on the basis of formal charges, witness statements and other documents.

The thrust of the charges was based on Ghulam Azam's superior status, as the chief of Jamaat during 1971, and his influence over his party men.

The indictment order noted that Azam had been part of the 12-member delegation that met with Lt Gen Tikka Khan, the martial law administrator of East Pakistan, on Apr 4 of 1971 and suggested that he had thereby endorsed the heinous atrocities committed by the Pakistani Army from the very outset, since it was after the night of Mar 26 when Pakistani occupation forces had descended upon the Bangladeshi civilians across the country.

The order went on to note the numerous meetings between Ghulam Azam and central figures of the Pakistani junta of 1971 like Tikka Khan and Yahiya Khan, the then president, along with Azam's inciting speeches at meetings and rallies.

The charges linked Azam with the Razakars, through his position in the central Peace Committee and Jamaat-e-Islami, something that is denied by the 89-year old man's defence.

Upon noting that Azam had pleaded 'not guilty', the tribunal directed that the trial proceed against him commencing with the opening statement and witness examination on June 5 when the defence will also have to submit its list of witnesses and other documents that it intends to rely upon.

Jamaat Guru in ICT-1

On Dec 12, 2011, the prosecution brought a 52-point charter of charges against Azam and appealed for his arrest. Later, following the tribunal order, charges were re-arranged and presented to the tribunal on Jan 5.

He was produced before the tribunal on Jan 11 and sent to jail the same day. Since that evening, Ghulam Azam has been kept at the prison cell of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University for better treatment considering his delicate health.

The prosecution's numerous charges against him mainly consist of incitement, conspiracy, complicity and command responsibility for crimes against humanity.

A former chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, Azam is allegedly among the key people who pioneered anti-liberation efforts in 1971 colluding with the Pakistani military junta of that time.

He is widely perceived to have been among core group of right-wing supporters of the Pakistani Army, who came out strongly in support of a united Pakistan.

Ghulam Azam, then chief of Jamaat, was instrumental in setting up the infamous Peace Committee at the national level. The Razakars, an auxiliary force set up mainly to actively thwart the liberation forces, are said to have been mobilised through the Peace Committees across Bangladesh.

Among the most notorious vigilante militia are the Al Badr, whose membership is said to have been mainly dominated by the Jamaat's student wing called the Islami Chhatra Sangha at that time.

The Al Badr is alleged to have spearheaded execution of the intellectual elites of Bangladesh just days before the victory on Dec 16, 1971.

Azam also spoke in favour of Pakistan to the Middle Eastern countries during the war, according to the prosecution.

He stayed in London for seven years after 1971 and returned to Bangladesh in 1978 during BNP founder Ziaur Rahman's rule. Having led Jamaat for long, Azam retired from active politics in 1999.

His party remains a key ally of the main opposition BNP. Two Jamaat leaders, also behind bars for war crimes charges, have even served as ministers during the BNP's last tenure in government between 2001 and 2006, when Azam's party was part of the ruling coalition.

Padma bridge funding decision in July: Muhith


Finance Minister AMA Muhith said on Sunday that the decision on financing the Padma bridge project would be finalised by July.

Muhith came up with the comment at a meeting with editors of different media houses in his ministry in the morning.

About the World Bank report submitted to the government in April on corruption allegations involving the Padma bridge project, he said the report was created based on assumptions.

“The government did not spend a single taka (from the fund). So, there lies no question about corruption,” the minister said.

He further stated that the report had been sent to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for inquiry.

The ACC is now investigating the matter.

In April last year, the government signed an agreement with the World Bank for a $1.2 billion loan to construct the country's longest bridge.

The Asian Development Bank was to provide $615 million, Japan International Cooperation Agency $400 million and Islamic Development Bank $140 million more for construction of the multipurpose bridge.

But uncertainty shrouded over the financing of Padma Bridge project when the project was stalled in October following corruption allegation in the bidding process by the World Bank.

Ghulam Azam indicted for war crimes


The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday framed five specific charges against former Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Ghulam Azam for committing crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.

The Jamaat leader has been indicted for conspiracy, planning, incitement, complicity and murder.

The three-judge panel headed by Justice Md Nizamul Huq fixed June 5 for starting trial against Ghulam Azam.

After reading out the charges, the presiding judge asked the Jamaat leader whether he pleaded guilty or not.

The 89-year-old Jamaat leader, arrested on January 11, denied the charges and claimed to be innocent.

The tribunal started the day’s proceedings around 10:40am, which continued for two hours.

Earlier, the tribunal dismissed a petition seeking discharge from the charges brought by the prosecution against Ghulam Azam.

The prosecution charged the Jamaat leader with 62 counts of crimes against humanity on January 5.

The tribunal accepted formal charges against Ghulam Azam on January 9.

Driver knew of no traffic signs


Dhaka, May 13 Islam, the driver of the bus that ran over journalist Bibhash Chandra Saha on Friday, has said he did not recognise the traffic signs, but had no difficulty in getting driving licence.

The detained driver was produced before the journalists at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Media and Community Service Centre on Sunday.

Recalling the accident, Islam said on that day he heard people were shouting that his bus ran over a motorcycle. He stopped his bus and promptly contacted the owner of the bus, one 'Hasan'. The owner suggested him to flee, Mofizul claimed.

Islam later told bdnews24.com that he could not read but only write his name when asked whether he had any education.




"I do not recognise these [traffic signs]," he said when this correspondent has shown him several traffic signs.

He said he obtained the driving licence by signing on a paper in spite of his being illiterate and not recognising traffic signs. "There was no problem [in getting the licence]," he said.

When asked to write his name on a paper, he could only write his first name that too with a wrong spelling, 'Mofizol'.

Police detained Mofizul from Chandpur on Saturday night and brought him to Dhaka, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police's Detective Branch Masudur Rahman earlier told bdnews24.com.

Bibhash, 45, a senior reporter with the English-language daily The Independent, was killed when the Maitree Paribahan bus knocked his motorcycle in front of Star Kabab Restaurant on Dhanmondi Road No. 2, only yards away from his workplace.

Bibhash was cremated at Rajarbagh Crematory on Saturday afternoon.

On Saturday, hundreds of journalists demonstrated in front of the National Press Club protesting the death, after paying their last respects at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity office. A human chain protest was also staged later.

Journalist union leaders gave a 24-hour deadline to the government to provide financial assistance to the family of Bibhash.

They also demanded withdrawal of the Dhanmondi Police Station Officer-In-Charge within the deadline and resignation of the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation Executive President Shajahan Khan, who is also the Shipping Minister.

Probe committee formed

ADC of Police's Detective Branch Masudur Rahman said the law-enforcing agency has formed a two-member committee to probe police charge on the agitated journalists, firing blank shots and non-professional conducts on the day of the accident.

The committee is headed by the Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch Joint Commissioner Sheikh Maruf Hasan. The other member is Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Police's Ramna Zone A S M Mahtabuddin.

Rahman said the committee has been asked to submit its report within three days.

Suranjit 'not tied to cash scam'


Dhaka, May 13 railway ministry investigation has cleared former Railway Minister Suranjit Sengupta of any involvement in the 'cash scandal' involving his assistant personal secretary and two other top officials.

Railway Director General Abu Taher told journalists at his office on Sunday that a report on the findings would be submitted to the government on Sunday afternoon. The investigation details may be published later if the government wanted to.

"Former railway minister's APS Omar Faruque said that the Tk 7 million found in his car at Peelkhana belonged to him. No ties were found between the incident and the then railway Director General Yusuf Ali Mridha and rail police Commandant Enamul Haque," Taher said in response of a media query.

A large amount of cash was recovered from the vehicle of Sengupta's APS at the main gate of the BGB headquarters on Apr 9. Mridha and Haque were both present during the seizure.

Media reports attributed the cash to bribes taken in exchange for appointments in the railway, an allegation refuted by Faruque, a former Vice-President of Jahangirnagar University init of Bangladesh Chhatra League.

After the cash scandal surfaced, Mridha and Haque were temporarily suspended while Faruque was fired. Bangladesh Railway formed a committee to look into the accusations.

Suranjit took responsibility and resigned, but the government only relieved him of his ministry charges and retained him as a minister.

Answering journalists on the source of Tk 7 million Faruque had claimed to be his, Taher said it is not the job of the railway ministry but of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to look into it, which the ACC was doing.

Replying to another question as to whether the APS and the other two travelling with him in the vehicle were heading towards the railway minister's house, Taher said, "The government will answer to such question once the probe report is submitted."

According to Taher, involvement of East Zone General Manager Mridha and railway police's Dhaka Commandant Haque relating to the recovered money was not found.

Taher said that all the people including the eight members of Border Guard Bangladesh concerned with recovery of the money were questioned during the investigation. Only the driver of the car, Ali Azam, could not be questioned as he refused to appear before the investigators.

Taher added Azam was told to appear before the committee through newspaper advertisements and a letter had been sent to his home, as well.

"The probe body has prepared its report correctly even without the statement of Azam," he claimed.

Ali Azam has been missing since the money was recovered by the BGB.

The border guards told the committee that the vehicle was allowed to enter their headquarters without any check as the car bore a sticker meant only for the members of parliament.

But they could not confirm the amount of money being carried in the vehicle.

The probe body led by Abu Taher was formed on Apr 11 with a deadline of 20 days for submitting a report to railways Secretary Fazle Kabir.

শনিবার, ১২ মে, ২০১২

1 dead, 100 hurt in Savar clash


Savar, May 12 (sunnews24.com) - Police on Saturday fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse angry garment workers who blocked streets and smashed dozens of vehicles to protest against detention of a fellow worker, police and witnesses said.

One female worker died after she was run over by a bus during the hours-long violence. But the two-way clash between the protesters and the police left at least 100 people, including 10 police officials, injured after the chaos broke out at Savar.

The death occurred when the worker tried to flee the police action.

The disorder forced authorities to suspend operations at about 100 factories amid fear of further violence at the industrial hub where hundreds of garment factories are located.

The protesters said they began their protest in the morning for the release of a fellow worker of Hameem Group’s Artistic Design Limited who was detained on Thursday after he allegedly attacked an official of the group.

The melee broke out as the workers of Hameem Group first took to the streets. And responding to their call, workers from other factories joined the Hameem Group workers and attacked police after they charged them with batons to remove them from the streets.

“We’ve fired at least 1,000 rounds of rubber bullet and 100 shells of tear gas to bring the situation under control,” Industrial Police (Ashulia Zone) assistant director Mir Fusiar told bdnews24.com.

Six people were arrested over snatching of a shotgun from a constable, Fusiar said.

Faizul Kabir, deputy director of the Industrial Police at Savar, said he and nine other police officials were injured as the protesters threw brickbats at them.

Thursday’s detention of the worker followed an altercation with an official over talking on mobile phone during work.The authorities of Artistic Design handed over the worker to the police as he had allegedly beat up the official.

Hameem Group managing director and FBCCI President A K Azad told bdnews24.com that the disorder was created by spreading a rumour of death of the detained worker.

“We’ve taken step to produce him before the workers by releasing him on bail,” he added.

The protesters also smashed about 50 vehicles during the blockade on Dhaka-Tangail highway in protest against the detention, witnesses said.

Thirty-year-old ‘Nahar’ of Opex Sweater was crushed by a bus while she was reportedly fleeing the scene being chased by police.

Harun-or-Rashid, an assistant manager of local Women and Children Health Centre, said the agitated workers took away the body after she was declared dead.

Humayun Ahmed in his favourite haunt


Gazipur, May 11 Popular Bengali fiction writer Humayun Ahmed is spending time with family, friends and relatives at Nuhash Polli in Gazipur, his country retreat, after flying back home after eight months.

He came back with wife Meher Afroz Shaon and their two sons 'Nishad' and 'Ninit' on Friday morning and headed straight for Nuhash Polli. The writer had been in New York for the last eight months for his colon cancer treatment and will return there for a surgery in three weeks' time.

"What I missed most is my Nuhash Polli. I have missed the garden and the trees there. Then I missed my friends. Missed my mother and the relatives," said Ahmed as he talked with the journalists at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the morning.

His friends and relatives could not help but throng Nuhash Polli too.

Humayun's mother Ayesha Foyez, sisters Sufia Haider and Mamtaj Shaheed, mother-in-law Tahura Ali, architect friend Fazlul Karim and personal physician MA Karim were with him.

Ayesha Foyez was ecstatic having her son back.

"I pray to Allah for my son's recovery even in exchange for my own life," said Ayesha, who in the last eight months talked only with Shaon on the phone.

Winner of The Ekushey Padak and The Bangla Academy award, Humayun walked around the garden he had grown at Nuhash Polli. He watched people catch fish from the pond he had made before going for a rest prescribed by the doctors.

A large number of journalists thronged Nuhash Polli but could not reach him for comment as the writer has been advised to meet people sparingly.

"Humayun is resting as he has travelled down a long way. Doctors have restriction over Humayun appearing in public places," said M A Karim.

"He (Humayun) could not bear the pain of people and that's why he loathed to stay in the hospital. He even won't visit relatives in hospital. But this is what has become the routine of his life," sighed Humayun's sister Sufia Haider.

Former vice-Principal of Kabi Nazrul Government College, Haider, however, believed people's love will get her brother back in good health.

Besides relatives, the publication house Anyaprakash owner Majharul Islam and its director Sirajul Kabir Chowdhury also went to Nuhash Polli to meet the writer.

Jewel Rana, Chief Assistant Director at Nuhash Films, the production house owned by the writer, told bdnews24.com Ahmed has brought along a screenplay he prepared while undergoing treatment in America.

The screenplay was made from his own story 'Pipra' (Ants) and has been named as 'Pipilika'. Rana said that they expected to air the drama during the next Eid festival.

Humayun had left country for cancer treatment on Sept 13 last year.

After his brief return, the writer said after arriving at the airport, "If I had returned forever after getting done with my treatment, then I would have said I am very happy. But after setting my foot in the country today, I thought one of the 20 days have gone. Only 19 days are left."

Doctors treating the writer have decided to operate on his colon as he has already taken twelve chemo-therapies to contain the spread of cancer.

Khaleda to address Gazipur rally


Dhaka, May 12 BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is scheduled to address a rally in Gazipur on Saturday afternoon.

She will leave her Gulshan home at 2:30pm for the rally at Kapasia Chala Club ground, her Press Secretary Maruf Kamal Khan told bdnews24.com.

The rally has been planned to gear up the opposition's campaign against the government.
The BNP and its 17 other allies are out to strengthen its anti-government movement amid authorities' indifference to its demand for caretaker government. The opposition alliance also wants to rally support from the common people by protesting against the disappearance of M Ilias Ali and cases against opposition leaders and activists, saying the charges are false.

After a Mar 12 rally in Dhaka, this is going to be the first rally to be addressed by Khaleda. She had given the government a deadline of June 10 to meet the demand for restoring the caretaker government system.

Khaleda had told the Mar 12 rally that fresh agitations would be announced if the demand is not met within the deadline.

The party, however, enforced five days of general strikes last month in protest against the disappearance of Ilias Ali, an organising secretary. A number of top BNP leaders have been sued in cases over violence during the strikes.

Journos demo to protest Bibhash death


Dhaka, May 12 Journalists demonstrated in front of the National Press Club by blocking traffic on the street on Saturday to protest against Friday's death of a fellow in a road accident.

Hundreds of journalists gathered in front of the club after expressing their last respects to Independent newspaper journalist Bibhash Chandra Saha at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

His relatives left the place with the body around 11am for cremation.

His cremation will be held at Rajarbagh Crematory in the afternoon, his brother-in-law S N Bhakta told bdnews24.com.

Bibhash, 45, a senior reporter with English-language daily The Independent, was killed as a bus knocked his motorcycle yards from his workplace in front of Star Kabab Restaurant on Road-2 of Dhanmondi.

Addressing a street rally in front of the Press Club, DRU president Shakhawat Hossain Badshah criticised the government for its failure to take visible steps to improve road safety.

Badshah, who was a member of a committee formed to investigate the death of journalist Dinesh Das in a similar road accident in January, said authorities seemed reluctant to implement recommendations to contain reckless driving by unskilled drivers.

"We've proposed to give driving licences to only those who have passed fifth grade. We demanded an increase of punishment from three years to 10 years in jail for the responsible drivers," he said.

He expressed his anger as the proposals had not been implemented.

Journalist trade union leader Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury urged the government to compensate the family of Bibhash.

বৃহস্পতিবার, ১০ মে, ২০১২

Charge sheet politically-motivated: BNP


Dhaka, May 10 on Thursday termed 'false' and 'politically-motivated' the charge sheet against senior party leaders in the Apr 29 shutdown arson case and demanded the case be withdrawn.

"The government has filed two false cases against senior opposition leaders to divert people's attention from the ongoing anti-government agitation. Charge sheet of one of the cases was submitted today. We condemn this," BNP standing committee member Khandker Mosharraf Hossain told a human chain programme in front of the National Press Club in the capital.

"We urge the government to withdraw the false cases and the charge sheet immediately," he added.

He also claimed that the people did not believe these cases and alleged that the government was 'neck-deep' into corruption and the cases intend to 'bury that flaw'.

Police filed two cases accusing senior opposition leaders over hurling bombs in the Secretariat, the centre of government administration, and torching of vehicle in front of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) during the Apr 29 general strike.

Police on Thursday pressed charges against BNP's acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and 44 others in the arson case claiming that their investigation found involvement of those. The charges said the accused leaders of the BNP-led 18-party alliance had backed the strikers who allegedly set the bus on fire in front of the PMO.

The case was filed by Tejgaon police amid growing tension on the street over the disappearance of BNP's organising secretary M Ilias Ali who has remained traceless since Apr 18.

In April, the BNP-led opposition alliance enforced five days of general strike to demand that the government 'return' Ilias amid accusation that security agencies have 'abducted' him. The government has denied the allegation, saying that it was 'a plot by the opposition to create anarchy' in the country.

Among the accused in the Apr 29 arson case, BNP's joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi was arrested and sent to jail, pending further order, while another joint secretary general Mahbubuddin Khokon was on bail until May 20.

The charge-sheeted accused also include BNP leaders MK Anwar, Hannan Shah, Sadeque Hossain Khoka, Mirza Abbas, Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, Amanullah Aman, Ruhul Kuddus Talukdar Dulu, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, Fazlul Haque Milon, Sharif Uddin Chowdhury Anne, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal president Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Liberal Democratic Party president Oli Ahmed, Jamaat-e-Islami acting chief Mokbul Hossain, BJP President Andalib Rahman Partha and Swechchhasebak Dal president Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel.

JS goes into budget session May 27


The budget session of the ninth parliament will start on May 27.

President Zillur Rahman on Thursday convened the parliament session, said a release of the parliament secretariat.

The last session of the House was prorogued on March 29.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith earlier said the budget for fiscal 2012-13 is likely to be tabled in parliament on June 7 and passed on June 28.

This will be the fourth budget of the Awami League-led grand alliance government since it assumed office in January 2009.

WB can probe alleged Padma graft: Quader


Dhaka, May 10 Communications minister Obaidul Quader said on Thursday that the government would not sit idle if the World Bank's suspension on funding the Padma Bridge project remain on alleged corruption.

In reaction to media reports that the lending agency has handed over proof of corruption, including the names of those responsible, to the finance minister, Quader also said if the World Bank wish they could probe into the alleged corruption.

"If the World Bank's suspension of fund exceeds the tenure of the incumbent government, it will not sit idle. The government is pledge bound to the people to construct the Padma bridge. We do not have even a single moment to waste," he told reporters.

"We are continuing talks with the Malaysian government. The bridge will be built on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis."

The government signed a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia last month to start the construction of the bridge within the tenure of this government.

Quader said that the World Bank could fund the second Padma bridge if it wanted to.

The World Bank pledged $ 1.2 billion fund for the $ 2.9 billion Padma Bridge project, but suspended it last year alleging corruption in appointing consultants. Funding by other lenders also halted due to this.

After investigation into the WB allegation, Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission said it did not find any evidence of anomalies in pre-qualification bidding in the project.

However, media reports said the WB has handed over a report on the alleged corruption to the finance minister, where it reportedly given specific evidences and names of the persons involved with the alleged irregularities.

On a question regarding this, communications minister said, "The Anti Corruption Commission is the highest body in Bangladesh to probe grafts. They investigated the allegation and found nothing."

"Even then, if the World Bank has any other documents, it is the ACC that has the authority to evaluate those. And if the World Bank wishes they can probe by themselves," Quader added.

HC for preserving Wonderland site as park


The High Court on Thursday issued a rule upon the government to explain why it should not be directed to preserve the place of the Wonderland as a public park.

The government will have to answer the rule in two weeks.

The HC also directed the authorities concerned of the government not to lease the land of Wonderland amusement park situated in the capital’s Gulshan area till disposal of the rule.

The HC came up with the rule following a writ petition filed by Manzill Murshid.

Manzill Murshid filed the writ on Thursday on behalf of the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.

An HC bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Jahangir Hossain Selim also directed the government to continue the eviction proceedings at the amusement park till further order.

During the hearing of the rule, Manzill Murshid told the court that as per the Rajuk plan, the land of the park is a public place. But people could not use the place as a park. So, the place of the Wonderland should be preserved as a public park.

He also prayed for necessary order from the HC to preserve the place as a park.

On Monday, Rajuk demolished frontal boundary wall of the park to free around 4-acre area of Gulshan central playground following a verdict of the Supreme Court.

বন্ধুপ্রতিম প্রতিবেশী ভারত-বাংলাদেশের সম্পর্ক এখন তিক্ত: নিউইয়র্ক টাইমস’র প্রতিবেদন

একসময়ের বন্ধুপ্রতিম প্রতিবেশী ভারত ও বাংলাদেশের মধ্যে কয়েক মাস ধরে ফুঁসতে থাকা উত্তেজনা সম্প্রতি প্রকাশ্যে এসেছে। বাংলাদেশে একজন হিন্দু পুরো...