Boishakh 26, 1421 Rajab 9, 1435 Regd. No.

DA 6238 Vol 2, No 39

FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

www.dhakatribune.com

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WT | BECOMING A MUM

7 | FREEDOM OF PRESS OPPRESSION

8 | RAHUL TAKES ON MODI

13 | MUSHFIQ BIDS JURGENSEN GOODBYE

Is Nur pawn in a bigger game?

Narayanganj residents believe involving Nazruls rival was calculated
kar Ali Manik, Ashif Islam n Jul Shaon and Ahmed Zayeef, back from Narayanganj
The recent abduction and murder of seven people in Narayanganj was apparently the result of longstanding rivalries between the two city corporation councillors Nazrul Islam, one of the slain persons, and Nur Hossain, the prime suspect. Residents of the port city, who are aware of the rivalry between the two Awami League leaders, seem to have a very clear notion about what Nur wanted to achieve by eliminating Nazrul if he was really involved with the murder. Possible motives behind the seven murder have been in discussions of a cross-section of people in Narayanganj, but most people have been reluctant to talk to these correspondents on record out of fear. Nazruls father-in-law Shahidul Islam, who has revealed many things since the abduction of Nazrul and six others on April 27, earlier told the Dhaka Tribune that he believed Nur Hossain had masterminded the crime to ensure his unchallenged supremacy in the locality. However, many strongly believe that Nazruls murder was actually killing many birds with one stone. They believe killing Nazrul was not the end of the plot at all because the murders have complicated the situation for a number of parties that were allegedly partners in the crime. Prime accused Nur Hossain, now a fugitive, came under spotlight as an emerging Mafia don or a godfather of the commercial hub just 20km from the capital. Now, after Nazruls murder Nur Hossain faces more challenges to making Narayanganj his unchallenged empire as he has become the prime accused himself in the sensational case. On the other hand, the elite strike force Rapid Action Battalion its 11th battalion has been into controversy for its alleged role in the abduction and killing. RAB has been investigating and has already unearthed the alleged involvement of the local powerful Osman familys involvement in last years abduction and killing of college student Tanvir Mohammad Twoki. Chandan Seal, who is close to the Osman family, especially Awami League lawmaker Shamim Osman, told the Dhaka Tribune that both Nazrul and Nur Hossain were from Siddhirganj area of the port city and contested in the union parishad election in the
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Now RAB 10 faces abduction allegation

n Mohammad Jamil Khan
While the investigation into the involvement of RAB 11 personnel in seven murders followed by abduction in Narayanganj is underway, a new allegation of abduction has come up, this time against the forces unit 10. Lovely Akter, wife of the victim, at a media briefing at the National Press Club yesterday alleged that some people identifying themselves as RAB members had abducted her husband from the capitals Chief Metropolitan Magistrates Court area on April 9. She made the allegation public a month later as the police had failed to trace the victim, Rahamatullah Sentu, a transport leader and businessman from Narayanganj. In a written statement, Lovely said she along with Sentu had gone to the court to meet one Shah Alam, a lawyers assistant. When they came out of the chamber around 11:30am, some 10 people forced Sentu to go with them. Hearing her screams, some shopkeepers came to rescue him. Soon, those people were locked in a scuffle with the locals but still managed to take Sentu into an off-white microbus with tinted glass waiting on English Road, she said. When the locals chased the microbus, some RAB personnel in uniform equipped with arms came to the spot and charged batons on the onlookers. At that time, another RAB vehicle appeared at the scene and those people sped away with her husband.
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Investigators arrive at the Narayanganj deputy commissioners office yesterday to probe allegations against RAB in the sensational abduction and killing of a city ward councillor, a senior lawyer and five others DHAKA TRIBUNE

Suspended RAB members to be grilled

n Mohosinul Karim
The probe body formed by the Public Administration Ministry following a High Court order has visited the area in Narayanganj from where the seven dead bodies including ward councillor Nazrul Islam were recovered. The committee will take interviews of the victims family members on Saturday. After that it will submit its primary progress report to the court. Public Administration Ministrys Additional Secretary Shahjahan Ali Molla, also head of the committee, told the Dhaka Tribune prior to his visit to the spot yesterday afternoon. He said: It will take time to complete full investigation into such incident. A primary report will be submitted to the High Court within seven days according to its direction. We will talk to the families of the victims. We will also talk to those we deem necessary to find out the reason behind the incident. The RAB personnel suspended for their alleged involvement in the abduction will also be interrogated. After taking interviews and interrogating all those people we will prepare and submit a full report, he added. Asked about the involvement of a ministers family members in the killing Shahjahan said: There is no chance
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Minister: 3 RAB officials under surveillance n Rabiul Islam

The government has imposed restrictions on three dismissed RAB officials so that they cannot leave the country before the investigation into abduction and killing of seven people in Narayanganj ends. We have asked the airport and the BGB authorities to prevent them from leaving the country, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan told the Dhaka Tribune over phone yesterday. They are now under the surveillance of the law enforcement agencies, he claimed but said he did not know where they were staying at the moment. On Tuesday, former commanding officer of RAB 11 Tarek Sayeed and two other officers Maj Arif and Lt Commander Rana were sent to forced retirement following allegations of their involvement in the incidents. We will not let them go abroad as the investigation is underway,
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Police: Substantial progress made

Islam Shaon and n Ashif Ahmed Zayeef
Nur Hossain, the prime accused of the gruesome seven-murder case in Narayanganj tried to flee the country but failed to do so, police said. We do not think that Nur Hossain has managed to flee the country. We have arrested some of his close aides. They are being interrogated. Nur Hossain will be arrested soon, said Narayanganj Superintendent of Police Khandaker Mahid Uddin yesterday. When asked if police have been able to trace Nurs whereabouts, the district police chief did not want to make any comment for the sake of investigation. Claiming to have made substantial progress in the case, he said they had vital information from different investigators and now are crosschecking those to reach a concrete decision. For the sake of investigation we cannot disclose everything now. More people will be detained, arrested and interrogated. We will quiz every single suspect, he said.
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Massive reshuffle in Narayanganj police

Sarkar with our n Kailash Narayanganj correspondent
The authorities have brought about a massive reshuffle into the police administration of Narayanganj following a spate of abduction and killings in the district. As many as 40 sub-inspectors and 39 assistant sub-inspectors deputed in the district had been transferred, district Intelligence Officer Moinur Rahman said yesterday. The transfer order of the deputy inspector general of Dhaka range has been executed in efforts to improve law and order, he said. The transfers have been made within the Narayanganj district, Bangladesh Police Headquarters Senior Information Officer Kamrul Ahsan told the Dhaka Tribune. He also endorsed the information that the order was made by Deputy Inspector General (Dhaka Range) Mahfuzul Haque Nuruzzaman. The changes have been made in the backdrop of the recent incidents in the district, he said. Earlier, three top officials of RAB 11 unit were dismissed for their alleged involvement in the sensational incident. Seven bodies surfaced in Shitalakkhya River on April 30 that included the body of a Narayanganj ward councillor, Nazrul Islam, and lawyer Chandan Sarker. Autopsy reports say they were murdered by professionals. However, police were yet to trace anyone behind the killings. Prime accused in the case, local Awami League leader Nur Hossain, has eluded capture. Nazruls family has blamed elite force RAB for its involvement in the murder, alleging that it took Tk6 crore for the task. Several probe bodies including one within the RAB have been working on the issue. l

Nur Hossain

Yasin Miah

Aminul Islam Raju

Iqbal Hossain

Anwar Ashique

Hasmat Ali Hashu

BSTI sets Bangladesh Standard Time

Muhith: No more whitening of black money this time

n Syed Samiul Basher Anik
The government will not allow any scope for whitening black money in the upcoming budget, Finance Minister AMA Muhith has said. Muhith made the remark at the 35th meeting of the National Consultative Committee of the National Board of Revenue at a city hotel yesterday. As he was leaving the venue after delivering his speech, when the journalists asked him the reason for the sudden decision, the minister said he was ill and would not answer any question. Muhith has always been known for being in favour of allowing opportunities to whiten the so-called black money that exist in the economy. During FY2013-14, the government allowed legalising undisclosed money by investing in the real estate sector through payment of a 10% penal tax, in addition to normal taxes. According to the Global Financial Integrity Report 2013, from 2009-2013, more than Tk2,098 crore was whitened in Bangladesh, against which the NBR received Tk279.29 crore in taxes. From 1971-2013, nearly Tk13,809 crore was legalised, against which the NBR received only over Tk1,455 crore in taxes, the report said. However, a few days ago, NBR Chairman Md Ghulam Hussain observed that conditions for allowing undisclosed money should be relaxed for promoting new industries and also to prevent money laundering. Many developed countries have moved far ahead in terms of financial and social development, by just allowing undisclosed money in investments with trouble-free conditions, the NBR chief said. Wealthy people are now busy siphoning off black money abroad. That money could have been used for developing industries in the country, he said. Continuation of the scope for whitening black money by investing in the housing sector is one of the core demands from the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh. REHAB General Secretary Md Wahiduzzaman said the opportunity should be continued for a while for the sector to enjoy the fruits of investment. He also suggested that the government should start supporting buyers through easy re-financing of housing loans if it finally decided to withdraw the whitening facility.

n Tribune Report
Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) yesterday fixed the Bangladesh Standard Time in order to maintain a standard uniform time with the world and develop the e-governance system. The time set by using Rubidium Atomic Clock through Global Positioning System will be telecasted across the country through the National Data Centre situated in Bangladesh Computer Council Bhaban in the capitals Agargaon.
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Tax-free income ceiling

This year, FBCCI demanded that the government increased the tax-free income ceiling to Tk2.5 lakh from the existing Tk2.20 lakh. However, during yesterdays meeting, Muhith advised the apex trade body of the country to not expect too much from him. The minister said he would consult with the prime minister and fix the ceiling for the next 10 years but hinted that there might not be any drastic change. l

INSIDE
Nation
6 Native freshwater fishes are going extinct in the water bodies like rivers, bogs, canals due to lack of navigability, use of insecticides and water pollution in Narsingdi.

Op-Ed

News

5 Dhanmondi playground continues to lose its open space as the Local Government Department and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Ltd goes on building concrete structures inside the premises, occupying the public space for their personal interests.

World

08 Islamic militants who have triggered international outrage over the kidnapping of more than 270 Nigerian schoolgirls opened fire on a busy marketplace, killing hundreds of people in a new spasm of violence.

11 A bank robbery captured headlines, incumbents amassed vast wealth, gold smuggling appears to be a regular trade, sale of adulterated foods is still rampant, rural hospital patients remain unattended, public exam question papers are leaked, tenders are manipulated, and violence dominates campuses. Surpassing all of this, human life has become cheaper as we can tell from the recent spate of abductions and killing of people.

Sport

14 Manchester City moved to the brink of the Premier League title with an emphatic 4 0 win over Aston Villa on Wednesday as Edin Dzeko scored twice.

Business

B4 Global business growth slowed to a sixmonth low in April as both services firms and manufacturers saw slower expansions in activity and a sales tax rise hit Japanese output, business surveys showed on Wednesday.

Business

B1 Finance Minister AMA Muhith suggested increasing taxes on SIM card, tobacco products and import of vehicles as these sectors could boost revenue collection.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, May 9, 2014

BNP irked as Khaledas graft case transferred

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla
The BNP has alleged that the transfer of corruption case against party Chairperson Khaleda Zia from the court building to Alia Madrasa vicinity in the capitals Bakshibazar was done to only to keep her away from politics. BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the allegation while addressing a press briefing at the partys Nayapaltan Headquarters yesterday. The spokesperson of the party condemned the decision of shifting the trial of Khaledas corruption case and demanded that the trial be brought back to the court building. Fakhrul said: A false and baseless case was filed against Khaleda Zia. The case was sent to the speedy tribunal and the trial was shifted from court building to Alia Madrasa ground. The government wants to complete the trial soon only to keep her away from politics and to humiliate

The party claims government trying to complete trial hurriedly

her, Fakhrul said. He said Narayanganj BNP invited Khaleda Zia to attend a programme for expressing condolence to the victims family, but the authorities concerned turned down the request. Fakhrul termed the authorities disapproval an attack on democracy. Narayanganj City Corporation Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy first said permission would be given, but later refused, reasoning that it might volatile the law and order situation, he said. Requesting Ivy, Fakhrul said: We hope that for the sake of democracy you would allow us to hold our rally. He alleged that the government had been filing false cases one after another just to cling to power unopposed. BNP Vice-Chairman Sadeque Hossain Khoka said State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Kamal should be accused in connection with the seven murders in Narayanganj. Before Nazrul was killed, he sought security, but the minister did not pay any heed to his request, he said. l

Members of Narayanganj Ainjibi Samity go on a hunger-strike protesting the abduction and killing of senior lawyer Chandan Sarker, in the city yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Chhatra League men vandalise CU shuttle train, two policemen hurt

n CU Correspondent
A faction of Bangladesh Chhatra League enforcing a strike at Chittagong University vandalised a train near the port citys Sholoshahar railway station yesterday morning, leaving a train driver and two railway police injured. The sudden attack on the CU-bound shuttle train forced Bangladesh Railway to suspend services to the university campus, sources said. The faction, led by Suman Mamun, joint secretary of BCLs CU unit, staged a strike for a second day yesterday to press home its eight-point demand, including removal of the CU proctor and expulsion of BCL members who assaulted an Awami League leader on the campus last month. Witnesses and police sources said the BCL activists first slowed the train down by waving a red flag and then hurled brick chips at its engine as the shuttle was passing through Pilkhana area on the way to the campus. The train later returned to the station and the BR authorities suspended services to the university until further notice, Sholoshahar station master Md Shahbuddin said. The injured train driver, Anwar Hossain, was admitted to the Railway Hospital, while constables Musfiqur Rahman and Farid Khan of Government Railway Police (GRP) were taken to the Chittagong Medical College Hospital. However, no one was arrested in connection with the violence, said Yasin Faruk, officer-in-charge of GRP outpost at Chittagong Railway Station. BCL activists also set fire to rail tracks at Fatehabad in Hathazari upazila and halted campus-bound minibuses, causing immense sufferings to common students. Meanwhile, most departments at CU postponed classes and only few held examinations as scheduled. On April 5, some BCL activists assaulted Narir Haider Babul, assistant secretary of an AL sub-committee,as he attended a programme on the campus. The central leadership of the ruling partys student wing expelled five of its members in this connection. However, a rival faction has been demanding their expulsion from the university. CU Proctor Sirajud Dowla said the university administration was investigating the assault on the AL leader. He also said they would sit with the BR authorities to resume shuttle services. l

Now RAB 10 faces

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Lovely said there were some on-duty police personal in the area who she had approached for help. The police officials told me that those men were from RAB 10. They also showed their RAB identity card. Following the incident, she had gone to the RAB 10 office to enquire about her husband. But the elite force had denied picking up Sentu, Lovely said. On April 16, she filed an abduction case with Kotwali police station. Sentu is the vice-chairman of Sayedabad-Tongi Route Turag Paribahan. He also has rod-cement business in Sanarpar area of Shiddhirganj of Narayanganj. He resided with his family at his own house at Sanarpar. Lovely said her husband had business conflict with Saiful Islam Mahmud and Babu of Sayedabad Bus Terminal. She also alleged that lawyers assistant Shah Alam might have link with the incident. Finding no trace of her husband,

Lovely yesterday pleaded to the prime minister and the home state minister to bring back Sentu. When contacted, Firoz Al Jala, OC of Kotwali police, told the Dhaka Tribune that the investigation was underway. We are hopeful to find her husband. He also said the victims family had not mentioned in the complaint the presence of RAB and police members at the scene. Asked about it, Lovely alleged that when they had gone to the police station and wanted to file the case giving details of the incident, the on-duty police officer asked me to file the case with the court if I wanted to mention about the presence of law enforcers. So we filed the case dropping the line. Fazle Rabbi, operation officer of RAB 10, told the Dhaka Tribune that they knew nothing since no one had filed any complaint about the incident. This is totally baseless, he claimed. l

BSTI sets Bangladesh Standard Time

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From now on, the standard time of Bangladesh can be checked visiting the website www.time.gov.bd. Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, while inaugurating the standard time at the BSTI auditorium, said: It is a historical event for Bangladesh. With the expansion of the use of information technology, trade across the globe has been increasing through the electronic system. So it is inevitable to harmonise the time with the world. Earlier, the Bangladesh Computer Council strongly urged the Information and Communication Technology Ministry to give responsibility to BSTI for fixing the standard time and broadcast it throughout the country. The European Union and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation assisted the BSTI to fix the time. l

Suspended RAB members to be grilled

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Police: Substantial progress made

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of being influenced by any quarter as our committee was formed on the instruction of the High Court. Earlier, the members of the committee held an emergency meetingat the committee chiefs ministry office. Several important decisions were taken in the meeting which Shahjahandenied disclosing for the sake of investigation. The other committee members are Public Administration Ministrys Abdul Kaiyum Sarker and AbulKashemMohiuddin, Law Ministrys Mostafizur Rahman and Mizanur Rahman Khan and Home Ministrys Shafiqur Rahman and Sayeed Mahmud Belal Haider. Abul Kashem Mohiuddin will act as member secretary of the probe committee. Mohiuddinyesterday issued a letter

to the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Narayanganjasking them to ensure the presence of all the family members of the victims at the DC office conference room at 10am on Saturday. The probe committee will take interview and exchange views with them there, he informed on behave of the body. On Wednesday, the public administration ministry constituted the seven-member probe body as per the High Court directive to investigate the abductions and killings of seven people in Narayanganj. The High Court on May 6 ordered the public administration ministry to form a probe committee for investigating the seven murders in Narayanganj. It also asked the ministry to submit a report within seven working days. l

He said the case is sensitive. Investigating such planned murder needs proper plan. It will take time to draw a conclusion. We cannot reach anabrupt end in such a short time. Seven people including Nazrul and senior lawyer ChandanSarker were abducted from the city on April 27. Six of their bodies were found floating in the Shitalakkhya river on April 29 while another body was found the following day The accused in the case are Nur Hossain and his close aides Haji Yasin Miah, general secretary of Siddhirganj Thana Awami League, Nazruls relative Hasmat Ali Hasu, also a BNP activist, Aminul Islam Raju, Swechchhasebak League leader, Anwar Hossain, general secretary of Sramik Dal and Iqbal Hossain, a realtor. In the latest development the law enforcers arrested three persons including a woman from Shibpur upazila. They are Mintu, Masuma and Tipu. The arrestees are not accused in the case and their details were not disclosed.

With this, a total of 15 people have been arrested in connection with the murders of seven people including Narayanganj panel mayor Nazrul Islam. Meanwhile, the SP said four police officials of Narayanganj had been transferred from the district for the sake of transparent investigation. The police officials are Akhter Hossain and Abdul Matin, officers-in-charge of Fatullah and Siddhirganj police stations and Mahbubur Rahman and Abdul Awal, OCs of the Detective Branch police. Of them, Awal who was probing the seven-murder case was replaced by Mamunur Rashid Mondol in the wake of a controversy over his alleged links with the prime accused Nur Hossain. OC Awal has been transferred to Barisal range. The new investigation officer of this case has already taken charge, the SP said. The transferred officers joined their new work stations yesterday. Akhter Hossian joined Munshiganj police station after he was replaced by Narshingdi Model police stations OC

Asaduzzaman. Nobody has been posted to the post of officer-in-charge of the Shiddhirganj police station. Abdul Matin has been transferred to Tangail. In another development, lawyers of Narayanganj Bar Association observed a one-hour token hunger strike onthe Narayanganj District Judges Court premises demanding arrest of the killers. On the other hand, son-in-law of Chandan Sarkar filed a murder case last night with Fatulla police station without mentioning any name. The DB police are investigating both of the cases.

According to police, Yasin Miah, an accused in the case, fled to Singapore under the excuse of his wifes treatment on April 28. Aminul Islam Raju lived at Mijimiji Dakkhin Para of Siddhirganj. He fled to India, said an official of the DB police. Hasmat Ali Hasu and Iqbal Hossain who live in the same area at Mijimiji also fled their houses. Locals said, soon after the bodies of the victims were found they put their houses under lock and key. l

3 RAB officials
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Houses of all accused are now empty

On May 3 police recovered a microbus and arrested 12 persons in a raid from Nur Hossains house at Siddhirganjs Shimrail and since then no family members of relatives of Nur Hossain found at homes. Besides, after the bodies of seven people were recovered local attacked the house and businesses of Nur Hossain several times which compelled his family members to leave Narayanganj.

Asaduzzaman said adding that they must be brought to book if found guilty. While talking to reporters at his Secretariat office yesterday, he said the ministry also sent a list of suspects of the seven murder incident to the airport and the border authorities concerned. They have been asked to take necessary action to prevent the culprits from fleeing the country. l

Is Nur pawn in a bigger game?

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late 1990s. Nazrul was initially declared the chairman of the Siddhirganj union but Nur complained of vote rigging at a few centres. Following court orders, the union saw a re-election which Nur Hossain won. Interestingly, at that time Nazrul was an Awami League leader and Nur Hossain was from the BNP. Chandan Seal said a rivalry had since developed between them and a competition of establishing their influence and supremacy in Siddhirganj area. Both Nazrul and Nur were the contractors of the Roads and Highways Department, meaning their rivalry was also at the professional level. Seal said: If Nazurl got a work order for a big project in Siddhdirganj, Nur Hossain would be disappointed. Nur Hossain joined the Awami League between 2000 and 2001 when the party was in power and Shamim Osman was also the most influential ruling party lawmaker in Narayanganj. Nur had fled the country during

the 2001-2006 rule of the BNP Jamaat-led four party alliance and the military-backed caretaker government from 2007 to 2008 to evade arrest or harassment or any legal action. He returned when the Awami League returned to power in 2009. Similarly, Nazrul had left the country when the BNP came to power, said Seal. Both of them had negative reputation, he said. Chandan Seal said initiatives had been taken in the past by local Awami League leaders for the reconciliation between Nazrul and Nur Hossain, but nothing worked. When Narayanganj was declared a city corporation the electoral areas of Nazrul and Nur were automatically separated: Nazrul became the councillor of ward 2 and Nur of ward 4. But in the panel mayor election Nur Hossain contested another councillor Obaidullah to become number 1 panel mayor, but he lost the battle as Nazrul, who had contested for panel

mayor 2, won. Nazrul eventually started becoming a close aide of Narayanganj Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy. So, the rivalry between Nazrul and Nur never really minimised; it has rather intensified for many reasons, said Seal. Seal believes that Nazurls murder was the result of a fight between Nazrul and Nur Hossain over establishing and expanding supremacy in Siddhirganj and other parts of the city. Some sources said although Nur was known as an aide of Shamim Osman, he had gradually expanded his network within the Awami League and had been able to reach even the top level of the party and the government. Wishing not to be named, a local leading socio-political activist said Nur Hossain had gradually established close relations with some other Awami League lawmakers, ministers and even an adviser to the prime minister. This ambition of Nurs might become a threat to other local influential leaders of losing their supremacy in

Narayanganj to Nur. So, knowing well about the rivalry between Nur and Nazrul and Nurs desperate desire to eliminate Nazrul physically, some other group may have taken the chance, helping Nur commit the crime, anticipating that this would ultimately bring the worst results for both. Involving local RAB officials as a mercenary group in the abduction and killing might have also been part of a bigger plot, said a resident who closely follows socio-political development in Narayanganj. He said RABs revelation of Osman familys involvement, especially that of Nasim Osmans son Azmeri Osman, and use of his torture cell to kill Twoki after abduction annoyed this powerful family. Nasim Osman, elder brother of Shamim Osman and a Jatiya Party MP from a constituency in the port city, died last month under treatment at an Indian hospital. The Narayanganj resident said Sultan Shawkat alias Bhromor, an accused

in Twoki murder case, had confessed to a Narayanganj court in November last year revealing the whole incident and Azmeri Osmans direct involvement in Twokis murder. Bhromors statement said he had witnessed the incident as he was in Azmeris office at that time. RAB investigated Twokis murder and revealed Azmeris involvement and in March revealed to the media 11 names, including Azmeri, saying it had found their involvement in Twokis killing and would submit the charge sheet soon. The developments from Bhromors confessional statement and RABs preparation for submitting the charge sheet accusing Azmeri Osman prompted Osman family stalwarts to rush to the government high ups for preventing the charges against Azmeri, said a source. The source said the Osman family desperately pursued and tried to explore all possible avenues to refrain RAB from prosecuting Azmeri in the

Twoki murder case. Rab 11, which had shown the courage to reveal the involvement of the political clout in Twoki murder, has now come under huge criticism for its alleged involvement with the murder of seven people in exchange for crores of taka. Analysing these backgrounds and developments, some sources in Narayanganj expressed concerns about the fate of the Twoki murder case and its investigation. But Rabiul Huq, who has been with RAB 11 and investigated the case, told the Dhaka Tribune: Twokis murder was an isolated incident. The recent seven murder in Narayanganj will not have any influence into the investigation of this case. Our investigation into Twokis murder will continue in its natural course. It was a big sensational criminal incident, so we have to submit the charge sheet after ensuring all evidence with caution. So, it will take time to complete the investigation. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, May 9, 2014

EU ambassadors worried over abductions, killings

n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman
Nine ambassadors of the European Union have voiced concern over the recent abductions and killings in Bangladesh. We two weeks ago expressed our concern to the government about this question. We called for investigations to take place into all cases and we were told that would be done and people to be brought to justice, EU Ambassador William Hanna said at a press briefing held at a city hotel yesterday to mark Europe Day. He was flanked by eight other ambassadors of the European Union. About meeting with the BNP on Wednesday, he said the political party expressed concern over the recent deterioration in law and order in the country. Yesterday they were telling us about their concern about the abductions. When asked about the EUs stand on reform of the RAB, Hanna said he would not make any comment on any institution in the country. I would simply say it is very important that justice should prevail. About the political situation, he said: We have called them for dialogue and we renew that call. We still think that is the way forward. He added: People need to sit and talk about the problem and the EU position is dialogue and negotiation and that is the way forward. I think there probably have to be a dialogue and solutions before fresh election. It is not for us to prescribe to find a way forward. About the readymade garment sector, Hanna said the government and the EU need to work together to make the factories safe. Many progresses had been made in the areas like labour reforms and inspection of factories, he added. Hanna said he heard that 800 factories had been inspected which was very good and it would help the export sector of the country. Substantial progress on labour issues is important for Bangladeshs continued preferential access to the EU market, not only for RMG products, but for all goods it exports to the single EU market. British Acting High Commissioner Nick Low said they were following the case of Narayanganj 7. Lets not make any mistake that the case of Narayanganj is very bad indeed. We hope that will produce a change in attitude. He mentioned that a British national and his driver were abducted on Sunday and Britain asked the authorities to make every possible effort to locate them and clarify the circumstances. Low also said three years back, BNP leader Ilyas Ali disappeared and urged the government to return Mr Ali to where he belongs and that is his family and clarify the circumstances about his disappearance. Spanish ambassador Luis Tajeda Chacon said they want to do business here. Growth rate in Bangladesh is high and EU companies are interested in doing business here, he said. We want to invest more and trade more. He said protectionism and put barriers to foreign investments are big challenges for Bangladesh. I think this is a mistake. Dutch Ambassador Gerben Sjoerd de Jong said work is going on to transform the garment industry to avoid any incident such as Rana Plaza. Danish Ambassador Hanne Fugl Eskaer, French Ambassador Michel Trinquier, German Ambassador Albrecht Conze, Swedish charge d affaires Karin Rohlin and Italian charge d affaires Edmondo Falconi were present at the press conference. l

Ambassadors of the European countries address a press conference in the capitals Lakeshore Hotel yesterday to mark the Europe Day
DHAKA TRIBUNE

Arbitration stressed in foreign policy

n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman
The government deems that arbitration and mediation are two effective tools in resolving international disputes and conflicts, says the foreign minister. Bangladesh has resorted to Permanent Court of Arbitration to resolve its maritime boundary dispute with India, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said at a dialogue on arbitration organised at a city hotel yesterday marking the third anniversary of Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre. We are expecting the verdict to emerge in June this year, he added. The minister said about 10 lakh civil cases were pending with courts in Bangladesh and many of these could be resolved quickly through cost-effective method. Many of the civil cases can be resolved using ADR techniques. Ali said: Mediation is cheaper, faster, more effective and more comfortable, and it has bright future in Bangladesh. Barrister Rafiqul Haq said many laws in the country including VAT, income tax and Artha Rin Adalat laws have outof-court settlement provisions. Former chief justice KM Hasan, who was a mediator, said unless the parties involved agree to the verdict, it is very difficult to implement. Joseph R Profaizer, partner of Paul Hastings LLP of Washington, delivered his keynote speech at the programme chaired by Mahbubur Rahman, chairman of BIAC. l

Man remanded over threat to foreign envoy n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

A Dhaka court yesterday granted police five days to interrogate a man over threatening a foreign envoy through a text message on the mobile phone. Metropolitan Magistrate Waiskurui Khan Chowdhury passed the order when Gulshan police placed Miraj Hossain, 30, before the court for a 10-day remand. The court also rejected a bail petition filed by the defence lawyer. Miraj was arrested from Banariparha upazila in Barisal on Wednesday night, said Qutubul Alam, general recording officer of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrates Court. However, he refused to reveal the identity of the envoy for the sake of the investigation. Miraj had text-messaged the envoy: Time and tide waits for none, but one person is waiting for you and that person is Azrael [the angel of death] l

Ashraf: Action after investigation

n Emran Hossain Shaikh
Asserting the governments strict stance over the seven murders in Narayanganj, LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday said all the culprits would face punishment. After investigation, those involved with the incident must face trial under the existing law of the country. Necessary action will be taken against them, Ashraf, also general secretary of the ruling Awami League, told reporters at Ganabhaban. The briefing was held after the Awami League Parliamentary Board meeting presided over party chief Sheikh Hasina. Ashraf said he would not make any comment on the issue out of speculation since it was under investigation. As a minister of the government and general secretary of the Awami League, I cannot tell you anything without having information, the leader said adding that if he had been an ordinary citizen, he would have said anything at talk-show. Replying to reporters query whether the image of government was tarnished because of the incidents of abduction and enforced disappearance, the minister claimed that there was no word like abduction, it was actually disappearance. Abduction takes place all over the world. People are disappeared around the world. In Bangladesh, we see disappearance and they have been spotted, Ashraf said citing the disappearance of a Malaysian aircraft. Bangladesh is not an exceptional country. Incidents take place here, and investigations and trials are also conducted. Terming the seven murders followed by abductions matter of regret, he said the law enforcement agencies had been investigating the matter to find the culprits. The court can say who is guilty or not. We have to wait until then. Ashraf said the prime minister was investigating every occurrence and legal action had been taken. The government believes in rule of law. Our job is to identify the criminals through investigation and ensure their punishment through court, and we are doing it, he said. l

Arms dealers, drug peddler held

n Our Correspondent, Savar
Detectives yesterday arrested three arms dealers and a drug peddler from the capitals outskirts Savar in separate drives and recovered a foreign pistol, four bullets, two magazines and one kilogramme of marijuana from their possession. The arrested arms dealers are Jasim Uddin, 29, Anis Sheikh, 74, Ayub Ali, 46, all hailing from Manikganj and drug peddler Dulal Hossain, 30, hailing from Bogra. Acting on a tip-off, an undercover team of the Detective Branch went to Savars Rajfulbaria Bus stand area and nabbed the three arms dealers. Meanwhile, detectives arrested a drug peddler from Ashulias Palashbari area at dawn and recovered one kilogramme of marijuana from his possession. Confirming the arrests, Shahin Parvez, officer-in-charge detective branch of police for Dhaka district (north), said the arms dealers were running their illegal business in Savar for a very long time. Posing as customers, detectives arrested the arms dealers and recovered a foreign pistol, four bullets, two magazines from their possession, he added. He also said two separate cases have been filed in this regard and the detainees have been handed over to the respective police stations. l

Tribunal sets date for order on Mahbubs contempt

n Udisa Islam
The International Crimes Tribunal 1 yesterday set June 22 to rule whether contempt proceedings would commence against senior Supreme Court lawyer Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, also an adviser to the BNP chief, for threatening the trial-related persons with action. The tribunal yesterday completed hearing on the reply of Mahbub, also vice-chairman of Bangladesh Bar Council. The notice was issued on October 6 last year for his remarks on the verdict against death row convict Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, a former lawmaker of the BNP from Chittagongs Raozan. Mahbub, just after the pronouncement of the verdict, at a press conference said the ongoing war crimes trial had been farcical and warned that each and every person involved with the trial would be tried if the BNP came to power. When the tribunal 1 issued a showcause notice why his remarks would not be taken as contempt of court, Mahbub submitted his reply to the tribunal on November 19 last year. He claimed that he had not said anything regarding the tribunal or its judges. He also said he had not tried to malign the tribunal. Against this reply, prosecutor ZeadAl-Malum submitted that Mahbubs speech was baseless, incorrect and one-sided. The speech was aimed at scandalising the tribunals activities which could not be accepted. He added that the speech had also been a threat to the security of the persons involved with the trial process. He said because of such remark, the prosecution witnesses had been in fear. During the hearing, Mahbubs lawyer Md Tajul Islam prayed to the tribunal to accept his explanation and dismiss the prayer of the prosecution. l

Detained police denies extortion allegations n Our Correspondent, Kurigram

A court in Kurigram sent two police constables and a source of DB to jail after they denied their involvement in this connection in their remand in connection with an abduction and extortion case of Maidul Islam, an NGO officer of Kurigram, yesterday. The police members are constable Atikuzzaman and constable Mamunur-Rashid and the name of the source is Monu Maker. The accused were brought before Chief Judicial Magistrate of Kurigram Md Rezaul Karim after one-days remand of Atikuzzaman and two-days remand for each of two others. The investing officer of the case Sub-Inspector of Kurigram Sadar police station Abdul Gafur said no important information could be retrieved out of the accused and they denied their involvement in this connection; although the accused confessed their crime earlier when they had been caught red-handed. Earlier, three members of the police had abducted Maidul Islam, an NGO officer of Raomari upazila of Kurigram on Wednesday evening and took him to Mogholbasa Ghat area of the Sadar upazila where the accused allegedly threatened to kill him. Later he was released upon paying Tk10,000 as ransom to the accused. When he filed an abduction case, police arrested Atikuzzaman and Mamun-ur-Rashid and DB source Monu Maker. However, Shah Alam, a court constable, allegedly involved in this case managed to escape. The supervising officer of the case and Additional Police Super of Kurigram Md Shahab Uddin told the Dhaka Tribune that though the accused did not give information in remand nevertheless there is enough evidence against them as they were arrested red-handed. The statement of the witnesses who were involved in the transaction of the extortion money will be recorded soon, he added. l

Lovely Akhter, wife of abducted Rahmatullah Sentu, speaks at a press conference demanding recovery of her husband at the National Press Club yesterday. Sentu was abducted allegedly by RAB from the capitals English Road area on April 9 MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

No tinted glass in cars of ministers, bureaucrats

n Mohosinul Karim
The Public Administration Ministry has asked the Directorate of Government Transport, known as transport pool that provides transports for cabinet members and bureaucrats, to follow the directives of the Home Ministry on removing tinted and translucent glasses from all its cars and microbuses by May 10. The Home Ministry imposed the ban as criminals are believed to be using such vehicles to commit crimes easily and get away from the hands of the law enforcers. The move came following the killing of seven persons in Narayanganj after abduction on April 30. Public Administration Ministrys Senior Secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that the directorate had been instructed to remove tinted or translucent glasses from all vehicles by the stipulated time. The transport pool now has around 2,000 vehicles which are usually provided for the minister, state ministers, deputy ministers, secretaries, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, UNOs and high officials of different ministries, departments and other government offices. When contacted, Transport Commissioner Reaz Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune: We will follow the directive of the Public Administration Ministry and the Home Ministry. As a result, the tinted and translucent glasses of all the transports of the directorate will be removed. The tinted and translucent glasses of the vehicles belonging to the cabinet members and senior bureaucrats will also be removed regardless those were set after purchase or built in. He said most of the cars used by such persons were bought with tinted and translucent glasses. l

HC issues ruling on RMCH authorities

n Nazmus Sakib
The High Court yesterday issued a rule upon the authorities of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital asking them as to why they should not be directed not to issue practicing licences to the interns who refused to treat a journalist. It also asked the authorities concerned to submit a report on what action had been taken against the interns for their refusal to treat the journalist. The court sought an explanation for why the interns refused to provide treatment. A bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice ABM Altaf Hossain issued the rule. The health and home secretaries, director general of Directorate General of Health Services, director of RMCH, Rajshahi University vice-chancellor, deputy commissioner, Rajshahi superintendent of police and chief of Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council were asked to reply to the rule within four weeks. The bench directed DG health and RMCH director to submit a compliance report before it by May 25. The court will pass the order in this regard on May 25. Deputy Attorney General Biswajit Roy stood for the state. Before issuing the order, the High Court said how a public hospital could refuse to provide treatment. They cannot do so, it added. The bench observed that the interns were exceeding the limit. Earlier, they did the same thing at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Mitford Hospital, the court said, adding that the hospital was not a place for hooliganism. Interns at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital allegedly forced a local photojournalist out of the hospital on Tuesday, saying that they would not provide the journalists with treatment. The interns took the move after a few journalists filed a case against the doctors for assaulting them at night on April 21. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, May 9, 2014

Discrepancies in Petrobanglas books

Over Tk6,500 crore lost in cost recovery, sales of profit gas

JaPa demands special tribunal for 7 murder cases

n Manik Miazee
Main opposition in parliament Jatiya Party yesterday demanded formation of a special tribunal immediately to try the criminals responsible for the abduction and murder of seven people including a Narayanganj City Corporation ward councillor and a lawyer. The party, led by former military dictator HM Ershad, also urged the president to convene a special session of the House to discuss over the incidents. On behalf of the party, its Secretary General Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu yesterday placed the demands to the president and the government from a human chain in front of the National Press Club. JaPa organised the event to protest the recent abduction, killings and enforced disappearances across the country. He alleged that the government had failed to ensure the peoples constitutional rights. The government is responsible for the incidents [in Narayanganj] and if the government does not take necessary action against killings and enforced disappearances, then we will launch mass movement against the government, Bablu said. Incidents like enforced disappearance, abduction and killing cannot be allowed in an independent and civilised country like Bangladesh. We do not want to do politics centring these issues. He observed: As there is no session in parliament, we cannot strongly protest the incidents discuss on it. For that reason, we have taken to the street to protest the incidents. Other leaders of the party demanded exemplary punishment to the killers and sought the right to natural death of every citizen of the country. l

Aminur Rahman Rasel

Financial irregularities have reportedly been running rampant within Petrobangla, with a recent audit finding discrepancies worth over Tk6,500 crore by the state-owned entity for the 2012-13 fiscal. A four-member team of the Commercial Audit Directorate went through the books of Petrobangla for two months to come up with the irregularities, most of which were related to international oil companies (IOC). The team submitted its audit report to the chief of the directorate on April 10. The report, a copy of which has been acquired by the Dhaka Tribune, read that irregularities were commited when Petrobangla paid cost recovery demands to IOCs without scrutinising their claims; securing illegal benefits from banks by keeping the funds acquired from selling profit gas in bank accounts instead of the government

treasury; and paying irregular advance income taxes (AIT) on foreign equipments bought by the oil companies. The payment of cost recovery claims without proper scrutinisation resulted in discrepancies of over Tk3,453 crore, the report read, adding that the IOCs did not submit any proof of their development works attached to their bills or invoices. For the 2012-13 fiscal, Petrobangla paid US-based oil company Chevron Tk2,801 crore for Bibiana gas field, Tk361 crore for Jalalabad gas field, while paying London-based Irish company Tullow Tk291 crore in cost recovery claims. According to the production sharing contract (PSC), Petrobangla has to pay all costs related to gas extraction and development works carried out by the IOCs as cost recovery. Each month the IOCs submit invoices to Petrobangla by mentioning the amount of the months produced gas and its price. Another observation by the audit

team said the government suffered over Tk3,118 crore in losses as Petrobangla violated existing rules by depositting the money collected from selling profit gas (Tk2,395 crore) and natural-gas condensates (Tk723 crore) into its own bank account, instead of the government treasury. According to the PSC, apart from the cost recovery, the surplus gas that belongs to Petrobangla is known as profit gas. The audit team also observed that Petrobangla incurred losses of over Tk11 crore for irregularly paying advance income taxes (AIT) for the purchase of equipment by the IOCs. According to the PSC, the IOCs are exempt from paying advance income tax for the import of equipments for oil or gas exploration and extraction; instead Petrobangla will need to submit the AIT on the companys behalf into the treasury funds within 90 days of

unloading the equipments. The audit report read that the discrepancy is created when IOCs pay the taxes during the unloading of goods and later bill Petrobangla for reimbursement. However, the reimbursement invoices only include a copy of the bank cheque, but no details on the imported equipment. The audit report recommended that necessary steps be taken for scrutinising the cost recovery claims, ensuring that funds from selling profit gas are deposited in the treasury funds, and for ensuring that the IOCs had paid AITs on behalf of Petrobangla. However, Petrobangla Chairman Hossain Mansour denied the allegations and told the Dhaka Tribune that all the procedures had been carried out without violating any regulation. Refusing to comment in detail, the chairman said he did not know how the audit team had found the irregularities. l

Gonojagoron Moncho factions demonstrate at Shahbagh

n DU Correspondent
Imran H Sarker, convener of youth platform Gonojagoron Moncho, yesterday accused the government of neglecting the trial of war criminals. Addressing a rally at Shahbagh, he also criticised the ruling Awami League for welcoming members of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir into the party with floral wreaths across the country. It is a contradiction to the governments actual spirit. It will obviously create obstruction to the way to create a Bangladesh free from Jamaat-Shibir-razakar, he said. Imran urged the government to execute the verdicts against convicted war criminals as early as possible, delivering verdicts in the pending cases including the one against Delawar Hossain Sayedee and imposing a ban on Jamaat-Shibir. He announced that they would not backtrack from the movement until the six-point demands were met, though they would have to face oppression and attack. One of the key organisers of Gonojagoron Moncho Badhon expressed dissatisfaction over the governments attitude towards the platform. He said one year back, the government tried to stop our activity but it failed and will fail in the future. The discussion began around 5pm at Projonmo Chattar where the platform had initiated a mass demonstration on February 5 last year demanding death penalty for all war criminals. Among others, Chhatra Union General Secretary Lucky Akter and Chhatra Front Dhaka University unit Convener Pritilata also spoke at the function. Later they brought out a procession. However, their programme coincided with the discussion meeting called by another faction, led by ruling party-backed Kamal Pasha, at the same place. Both the groups used loudspeakers.

The real activists of Gonojagoron Moncho are those who were with Imran as they have been continuing the movement since February 5, 2013
Activists of the Kamal Pasha faction staged a symbolic execution of Sayedee. Speakers at the event blamed Imran for diverting the platforms activities into other direction persuaded by some evil forces. On the conflict, Imran at the other rally said the group led by Pasha had never been with the mainstream and was using the name of Gonojagoron Moncho. This platform was not created to fulfil the desire of any political party, he said. Imran also urged not to malign the image of the platform and asked them to stage greater movement together. Rights activist Khushi Kabir said: The real activists of Gonojagoron Moncho are those who were with Imran as they have been continuing the movement since February 5, 2013. She also urged the people to be aware of those who were trying to spread distorted image of the Gonojagoron Moncho. l

Three children draw pictures sitting on a roadside bench after attending school at Rajshahis Poba upazila. These children travel a noticeable distance everyday to attend school as their village does not have a proper educational facilities DHAKA TRIBUNE

24 Shibir men held in Chittagong

n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong
In a special drive early yesterday, police in Chittagong arrested 24 Jamaat-e-Islam and Islami Chhatra Shibir activists suspected of subversive activities in different parts of the district. The suspects, who were picked up from Satkania, Lohagara and Banshkhali upazilas, were allegedly involved in violence during the last general elections and were planning to create disturbances ahead of the forth coming verdict in the war crimes case against Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee, a police official said. Additional Superintendent of Police NazmulHasan of Chittagong (north zone) told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that acting on a tip-off,they arrested 20 members of the Islamic party and its student wing from Sadhonpur, Puichhari, Shekherkhil and other Jamaat-Shibir dominated areas of Banshkhali. Moreover, three wanted men from Jamaat-Shibir were held from Lohagara, while one was nabbed from Satkania, he said. All the suspects were produced before a court yesterday. Most of those detained were accused in several cases filed with different police stations in connection with the violence during the January elections, Nazmul said. The police official added that special drives would continue in the three upazilas to pre-empt any sabotage. l

DMCH director abruptly postpones press conference n Moniruzzaman Uzzal

Authorities at Dhaka Medical College Hospital yesterday cancelled a scheduled press conference, reportedly after sensing trouble following a protest by intern doctors. Earlier a press invitation, signed by DMCH Director Brig Gen Dr Mustafizur Rahman, was sent to different print and electronic media on Wednesday, requesting them to send competent journalists to cover a press conference to be held at the hospital Thursday noon. However, most journalists came to know that the press conference was postponed after arriving at the venue. A DMCH official, requesting anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune that although the authorities had taken full preparations to hold the press briefing, it was called off following a protest from intern doctors at the hospital. A group of intern doctors met the director and demanded that they should be allowed to question the journalists on why they published or broadcasted fabricated reports, the official said. If we organise a press conference, an untoward situation may arise and thus, we cancelled the press conference, the official added. However, when asked, Brig Gen Dr Mustafizur Rahman said: We had to cancel the programme as all preparations were not completed. l

Bangladesh, Myanmar border guards hold flag meeting

n Our Correspondent, Coxs Bazar n Moniruzzaman Uzzal

Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) and Myanmars Border Guard Police (BGP) held a flag meeting yesterday at a seaside hotel in Coxs Bazar town. The sector commander-level meeting discussed ways to curb cross-border crimes, like smuggling and drug trafficking, as well as the illegal entry of Rohingyas from Myanmars Rakhine state into Bangladesh. The sector commander of BGB Coxs Bazar, Colonel Khondokar Farid Hasan, led a 22-member Bangladesh team, while the commanding officer of BGPs Mondu camp, Think Ku Ku, headed a 21-member Myanmar delegation at the talks. Bangladesh expressed concerns over rampant smuggling of such as alcoholic beverages and yaba tablets, and killing of its citizens by buried land mines or shooting by guards at the border. It also called for establishing direct telephone links between the neighbouring countries, release of Bangladeshis from Myanmar jails. Myanmar, on the other hand, suggested building a new river port at Teknaf to boost bilateral trade. It also demanded the arrest and extradition of criminals involved in robbery, abduction and illegal logging in border areas, quick repatriation of Bangladeshi prisoners at the end of their terms and a stop to the construction of a concrete embankment on the frontier Naf River. l

Health Services recruitment viva starts May 15

The Directorate General of Health Services is set to hold viva voce examinations for over 9,000 health job aspirants from May 15 to recruit 1,808 3rd and 4th class employees in 26 districts. The viva voce exam will carry 30 marks. A five-member central recruitment committee headed by Dr Subash Kumar Saha, additional director general of the DGHS, has recently taken the decision. Dr Md Shah Newaz, director (administration) of the DGHS, and also member secretary of the central recruitment committee, told the Dhaka Tribune they invited the divisional health directors and district civil surgeons to join the meeting on 12 May to discuss how the viva voce examination could be held smoothly. The DGHS arranged a 70-mark written test on March 28. More than 1,00,000 candidates sat the test. The health authorities picked up five qualified candidates instead of three to vie for a single post through the viva voce examination. The DGHS brought this change after 2006 at the directives of Health Ministry high-ups. It has reportedly been said piles of recommendations are landing at the DGHS. A lot of influential persons such as ministers, secretaries, lawmakers, political and doctors leaders were recommending the aspiring job seekers for the posts. Besides, a section of lower-grade employees union leaders had been luring the interviewees into parting with money so that they could surely get them the jobs. They have been demanding Tk2,00,000 to Tk4,00,000 from each candidate. Sources in the Health Ministry and health directorate said Health Minister Mohammad Nasim and State Minister for Health Zahid Malik had been closely monitoring the recruitment process. The health minister instructed the DGHS to cancel the recruitment process of 911 3rd and 4th class employees in nine districts. It is being alleged that no candidate will get job without recommendations and a secret final recruitment list of 1,808 employees has already been prepared. A source in the health directorate said recommendations of lawmakers were top priorities. It also said the lawmakers requested the health minister to provide a few jobs for the health job aspirants of their constituencies in the interest of party politics. Earlier, an official of the DGHS said there were anomalies in candidates selection, but this time it was fair enough. Asked about the piles of recommendations landing at the health directorate, Dr Md Shah Newaz told the Dhaka Tribune it was a common allegation that the directorate was flooded with recommendations. l

Jeweller killed by cousin in Chittagong n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

A jeweller was allegedly killed by his cousin in Raozan upazila, Chittagong on Wednesday night over disputes about land ownership. The victim was Kiran Mohajan, 45, was from Bania Para in Raozan. Police sources said Bishu Mohajan, Kirans cousin, stabbed him around 9pm. Kiran died on his way to the hospital, the OC said. A case had been filed with Raozan police station in this regard, he said. l

Rickshaws clog the main road in front of the National Press Club during the morning rush in the capital yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, May 9, 2014

Dhanmondi playground still under threat of losing space

Sheikh Jamal Club authority converting the public playground to a social club, say green activists

n Abu Hayat Mahmud

Dhanmondi playground continues to lose its open space as the Local Government Department and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Ltd goes on building concrete structures inside the premises, occupying the public space for their personal interests. Environmental activists and residents of the area have alleged that although the Dhaka South City Corporation had reopened the ground to all by placing sign boards, the ground remains occupied by the respective sporting club which continues to construct concrete structures for social club activities. Architect Mubasshar Hussain, who was a former president of the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB), told the Dhaka Tribune: The city corporation only installed signboards on gates of the public playground, but had done nothing to halt the construction. Local Government Department and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club continue to construct concrete structures, occupying almost half of the public playground. he said. Mubasshar further added that their movements would continue until legal steps are taken against the occupants and all illegal establishments on the playground were demolished. We will never accept that someone will convert the public playground into something like Dhaka Club or Dhanmondi Club Ltd, he warned. Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan Joint Secretary Iqbal Habib said: Authorities of Sheikh Jamal Club has been trying to convert a portion of the public playground for its private social club. He said basically children and

Concrete infrastructures are being built inside the Dhanmondi playground by Local Government Department and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club yesterday youths mostly play football and cricket in the open field, but the sporting club has been constructing tennis, badminton and basketball courts on the playground. The club authority has been constructing the structures for their own reap, not for public, he added. He also noted that the activists went to the court due to get the court order in favour to public, but the High Court bench has repeatedly felt embarrassed to hear a petition seeking its directives to remove the structures built on the Dhanmondi playground. We have understood everything. Our movement would continue until the country passes its verdict, he added. The protesters are expected to gather in front of the Dhanmondi play-

ABU HAYAT MAHMUD

ground at 9:30am today demanding immediate demolition of all illegal structures and halting all illegal construction on the public space. During a visit to the playground yesterday, the correspondent observed that two tennis courts, two badminton

courts and a basketball court were being built on the space. The playground now seems to be cut in half by establishments of the private sporting club. When contacted, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Sports-In-Charge Abdul Gaffar brushed off the protesters allegation and said there was no relation between the sporting club and Dhanmondi Club Limited and the two clubs were separate. Lt Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Limited is registered sporting club while Dhanmondi Club Limited is a social club. Claiming that the protesters were mixing up the two clubs for their personal motives, he further added: We are not concerned over tomorrows (today) demonstration because the playgrounds authority is the city corporation and they will take steps. Following a petition filed by Bangladesh Poribesh Andalan and IAB in 2004, the High Court directed the then city corporation (now Dhaka South City Corporation) to free Dhanmondi playground from the illegal occupation of Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club. On April 24, DSCC authorities reopened the public playground after almost two years following protests and criticism from environmental activists, local residents and sports personalities. Meanwhile, several High Court bench had felt embarrassed to hear petitions filed by activists seeking directives to remove illegal structures on the playground. The petition, lodged on April 22, by six persons including architects Mubassher Hussain and Iqbal Habib, also sought the courts directive to ensure access of all people to public playgrounds. l

Death anniversary of Wazed Miah today

n
Tribune Report
The fifth death anniversary of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas husband Dr M A Wazed Miah (Sudha Miah) will be observed today. Also a renowned nuclear scientist, Dr Wazed died on May 9, 2009. Many organisations are having daylong programmes to observe the day. Dr Wazed Smriti Sangshad, district and city units of Rangpur Awami League, and its Pirganj upazila unit will offer prayers and place wreaths at the grave of Dr Wajed in his paternal village Fatehpur at 9am. Milad mahfil at mosques in Rangpur city will be held after Jumma prayers as well. In the capital, several organizations have organised programmes to observe the death anniversary. Dr Wazed was born in Pirganj, Rangpur on February 16, 1942. The former chairperson of Bangladesh Atomic Commission made a valuable contribution to nuclear research throughout his life. l

Two lakh teachers to receive training

n Mushque Wadud
The government has taken up a project to train around two lakh secondary schoolteachers as quality of teaching at the secondary level not up to the mark. Banamali Bhowmick, director of the project titled Teaching Quality Improvement II, told the Dhaka Tribune that the training was already under way and 13,000 teachers had been trained so far. Jointly funded by the government and Asian Development Bank, the Tk646 crore project will continue until June 2017. A regulatory body named National Teaching Council will also be formed under the project to improve the standard of teaching. Banamali also said around 225 teachers would be trained abroad. We hope that after the projects completion, teaching quality at the secondary level will improve on a great scale, he said. Under the project, a 21-day training will be provided to the head teachers, principals and madrassa teachers, followed by a 35-day in-service training. l

Another minor hurt in red ball blast

n Mohammad Jamil Khan
A five-year-old boy was severely injured from a crude bomb blast in the capitals Pallabi area at 11:15am yesterday. The victim, Mohammad Arif, found the stray crude bomb in a dustbin and went to pick it up, thinking it was a ball, when it exploded, said his grandmother Ojufa Begum. He received splinters in his hands and was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 12:30pm, she said. Arif was seen crying at the hospital, asking his mother, Sabina Begum, to alleviate his pain. Mother, my hands hurt too much. I cannot bear it any more. Please help me, he appealed to Sabina. Dr Riaz Morshed, registrar at the DMCH emergency unit, told the Dhaka Tribune that Arif had received severe injuries in two fingers of his right hand, his right leg and part of his face. We have treated him and given him medication. It seems he will not be able to move the fingers any more, but we are still hopeful, he said. Arif lives with his family in a slum in Kalshi area in Pallabi. His father, Anju Miah, is a day labourer. He, along with Sabina and Ojufa, had been going through the dustbin near their residence in search of usable things when the incident took place, Ojufa said. Muniara, sub-inspector at Pallabi police station, confirmed the incident to the Dhaka Tribune and said police had visited the scene to check if there were more crude bombs lying around in the area, finding none. This is not the first time that a minor has got hurt by unknowingly setting off abandoned crude bombs. A number of children have been reported to receive injuries from these blasts, some even suffering loss of vital body parts. l

Obaidul: Government to take steps to stop abductions, killings

n Our Correspondent, Savar
Communication Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said the government cannot escape from the responsibility of killing and abduction which had taken place across the country recently. The minister said not only people of the country but also the government was passing days in insecurity. The minister made the comment while inspecting progress of the construction work on the Nabinagar-Chandra Highway at Ashulia in the capital. The recent killing and abduction across the country was a sensitive issue to the government, he said, adding that regardless of political influence, none found to be involved would be spared from justice. The stable economy of the country is an example for Asian countries and for this reason a vested-interest group is hatching conspiracy to tarnish the image of the country and create an anarchic situation, he said. Urging political parties not to politicise the issue, he said the government had taken a strict position in this regard. The abduction and killing will be stopped soon, the minister hoped. Earlier, the minister visited the highway at Kaliakoir. Local lawmaker Dr Enamur Rahman and officials of Roads and Highway Department accompanied the minister. l

WEATHER THUNDERSHOWER

FRIDAY, MAY 9
DHAKA TODAY TOMORROW SUN SETS 6:31 PM SUN RISES 5:19AM FORECAST FOR TODAY
Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Coxs Bazar 39 32 44 39 40 38 30 32 28 27 31 26 28 28 24 28 Two workers prepare cricket bats near Rajshahi Bus Terminal yesterday. These bats are sold at Tk70 Tk450 per piece
DHAKA TRIBUNE

Six murdered across the country

n Tribune Report
At least six people were murdered in Noakhali, Rangamati, Sirajganj ,Coxs Bazar and Khulna districts yesterday. In Noakhali, criminals killed a man at Porkot village near Kaji Saheber Pol area of Porkot union under Chatkhil upazila. The victim was identified as Shuvo Chandra kuri 25, son of Makhan Lal Kuri of village Vadur of Ramgonj upazila in Lakshmipur district. Aminul Islam, officer-in-charge of Chatkhil police station quoting the locals said, locals found the body lying beside a canal and informed police. On information, the police recovered the body. In Rangamati, Two siblings were shot dead by some criminals at Pakujachhari in Baghaichhari upazila. The deceased were identified as Sushanta Chakma, 35 and his brother Trideb Chakma, 40, son of Kamini Mohon Chakma of the area. The two siblings were members of The Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (NM Larma group). Police and locals said a group of unidentified men swooped onto their house at about 5 am while they were sleeping. The men shot them numerous times, sprayed bullets at the brothers, leaving them dead on the spot. Upon information, police recovered the bodies. Officer-in-charge of Baghaichhari Police Station Azizul Haque said the bodies were handed over to the family members of the deceased without a post-mortem examination following their request. In Sirajganj, a three year old girl was accidentally killed after she was hit with a shovel at house in Mosipur village of Shahjadpur upazila. The deceased was identified as Mithila,3, daughter of Bahadur Pramanik, a resident of the village. Quoting the girls mother Runa Begum, Officer-in-Charge of Shahjadpur Police Station Shamim Iqbal said Mithila died on the spot when she was accidentally hit with a shovel while her mother was digging up soil at their home at around 10:00am. On information, police visited the spot. In Coxs Bazar, a man was murdered by his nephew at Chokoria upazila over a domestic dispute The deceased was identified as Ismail Hossain , 24, son of Farhad. Sources say, Ismail was locked into an altercation with his nephew Ariful Islam in Immauddin Para over a domestic dispute. At one stage, Aiful beat his uncle leaving him critically injured. Later, he was sent to the upazila health complex where he died. In Khulna , a youth was beaten to death by some drug addicts in BIDC Road around the vicinity of Khalishpur Police station. Officer-in-charge of the police station Md.Quamruzzaman said an employee of a semai factory, was playing video game at Padma gate on BIDC road last night. A gang of drug addicts ordered Kalu to bring a phensidyl bottle from a local drug seller. When he refused to comply, they physically assaulted Kalu mercilessly, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to the Khulna Medical College Hospital in critical condition, where he succumbed to his injuries. l

7 arrested for theft n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

Police arrested seven people in Chittagong city yesterday with board paper worth Tk15 lakh that had been stolen from the Chittagong Port. AKM Mohiuddin, OC of Kotwali police station, said police acted on a tip-off and stopped two covered vans carrying the stolen paper and the seven individuals in the citys Anderkillah area around 2:30am. They were arrested when they failed to show legal documents for the goods in the vans, the OC said, adding that they had confessed to stealing the paper during the primary interrogation. A syndicate has been working to steal the imported paper stored in the port area, Mohiuddin said, The arrested, who were mainly carriers, middlemen and buyers of the goods could be part of the syndicate. l

38.0C Rajshahi

YESTERDAYS HIGH AND LOW

Source: Accuweather/UNB

20.6C Sylhet

PRAYER TIMES
Fajar Sunrise Jumma Asr Magrib Esha 3:56am 5:18am 11:55am 4:33pm 6:31pm 7:54pm
Source: IslamicFinder.org

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n Our Correspondent, Narsingdi
Native freshwater fishes are going extinct in the water bodies like rivers, bogs, canals due to lack of navigability, use of insecticides and water pollution in Narsingdi. Pabo catfish, stinging catfish, dwarf gourami, Mola carplet, spiny eel, scribbled goby, snakehead murrel, spotted snakehead are hardly seen in the local fish markers, locals and fishery officers say. The Meghna, Shitalakkha, old Brahmaputra, Arial Kha, Haridhoa, Paharea among some of the main rivers flowing through the district were once the lifelines for thousands of fishermen, they say. Those fishermen have now either switched to other professions or are still trying to do so because of poor catch in the rivers, they add. Lack of navigability and water pol-

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Friday, May 9, 2014

Native fishes going extinct in Narsingdi Gaibandha residents

lution contributed to the fish depletion in the water bodies, they say, adding that water pollution is caused by excessive use of insecticides and industrial wastages. Our correspondent visited the Hajipur Jeleparha. Roughly translated, Hajipur Jeleparha Fishermen Village. But he could see neither fishing boats nor nets in the Meghna river flowing by the village. Almost all the villagers have changed their professions. They earn their living either through rickshaw pulling or through brick-laying work. A dweller of Hajipur Jeleparha, Mohon Das, says, I only know how to fish in the river. I can hardly scrape a living by the amount of fish I catch every day. Yet, I go fishing in the river everyday because I do not know any other job. Another person of the same village, Indrajit Das, says, We do not own any net nowadays. Once we had it, but now it is just a past. We just manage our livelihood through working as day labourers. An inhabitant of Kauriaparha village situated on the bank of the Meghna river, Rashid Mia, tells the Dhaka Tribune: Many people could earn their living through fishing in the past, but now they cannot do any longer. Those who had once taken up fishing as profession have now changed their professions because this river does no longer have the amount of fish it once had. It has now turned into a useless river for fishermen. He blames industrial wastages and lack of navigability for the fish depletion in the river. Another inhabitant of the same village, Akkel Ali, says, I used to live ishing in this river. This river does not have the amount of ish we need for eating, let alone for livelihood. Narsinghdi District Fisheries Officer Md Abul Farah tells the Dhaka Tribune: Fishes lose reproduction capacity due to excessive use of fertilisers and insecticides in the crop fields. Besides this, fish eggs and spawns are ruined in the polluted water. Fish eggs and spawns are ruined due to excessive use of fertilsers and insecticides in the crop field and industrial wastages flowing through the rivers. Besides this, fishes lose productivity due to these reasons, he says. The use of current nets is also a major factor behind the depletion of fish habitats, he adds. Fisheries Officer Md ABul Farah says the government has taken many types of steps like imparting training for cultivating native species of fish in the water bodies like ponds to protect the native fishes. l

unite to end gambling

n Our Correspondent, Gaibandha
Locals formed a human chain to press home their demand to stoppage of gambling immediately, which is being played at the Shah Abdul Hamid Stadium in Gaibandha yesterday. Around a hundred people took part in the programme organised by Gaibandha Jubo Nagorik Forum. Speakers at the program said Gaibandha is one of the least developed districts in northern Bangladesh where most of the people belong to the working class. But district sports association started to operate housie from April 1 in the name of development. They believe that crimes like armed robbery, stealing, snatching have multiplied in recent times in the district town and its peripheral area due to gambling. Even candidates of HSC and Honours exam are participating in this vicious game while teenagers of the rural areas are also playing by selling paddy. They fear that law and order will be deteriorated further if steps are not taken to stop this menace now. They also alleged that loudspeakers were vandalised by miscreants on Tuesday night at the behest of the organisers which they had use to publicise their demand. District administration sources said the housie is being run by the district sports association by the approval of the deputy commissioner as he is the ex officio president of the organisation. They said if any organisation wants to operate housie, circus, Jatra (a traditional stage drama) etc, it has to give written application to the DC for permission as per the rules. l

Wheat for the poor misappropriated

n Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari
Mohammad Jamal Hossain, chairman of Pablakhali Cluster Village Project, also ex president of Kobakhali union Awami League of Dighinala upazila in the district, allegedly misappropriated 45MT of wheat, allocated for 290 poor families. According to upazila nirbahi office sources, government had allocated 25MT rice and 45MT wheat for 290 families for January, February and March months Test Relief. A total 87kg rice and 155kg wheat had been allocated for each of the 290 families. The UNO office also fixed second week of March to distribute the food grains in presence of monitoring officer and Dighinala upazila Agriculture Officer Md Sala Uddin. Mohammad Mahabub Alam, Abul Kashem, Rahomot Ali, Hasina Begum, Rehena Akhter in the village admitted that that project chairman had distributed 25MT rice among the listed 290 card holders families but misappropriated all 45MT wheat, worth over Tk9 lakh. They also submitted a complain letter to the UNO to investigate the matter. When asked, the chairman denied his involvement with misappropriating and said: The incident was planned by my political rivals to tarnish my image. Replying to another question, Jamal said he would fight legally against the complain. Sala Uddin admitted that he had got rice during distribution the three months Relief. I havent seen wheat in the godown, he said adding that project chairman might have misappropriate the wheat. The upazila Awami League President Md Abul Kashem admitted the allegation and said they had already suspended him for his anti-laws activities. UNO Fazlul Zahid Pavel said: A committee is investigating the allegation and stern action would be taken if the allegation is proved. l

Growers sort out sweet gourd in Bypass area of Rajshahi to take those to different parts of across the country

Dhaka Tribune

54 students sick, after eating curd n Our Correspondent, Kushtia

A total of 54 madrasa students fell sick in Kushtia after eating curd on Wednesday. Rakib Khan, general secretary of the Ma Khadizatul Kobra Mahila Madrasas managing body, said all the students fell sick after eating lunch on Wednesday. The lunch was arranged by Dr Abdur Razzak, owner of The Medi Ace Diagnostic Centre at Bheramara, he added. When asked, Rakib said the food and curd, served at lunch, were purchased from Palash Hotel in town. The students started complaining of being sick immediately after lunch, he said and added that all the sick students were admitted to Bheramara Upazila Health Complex around 8pm. Medical Officer of the health complex Dr Nurul Islam said the students might have fallen sick because of eating the curd. l

Renovation makes people suffer

n Our Correspondent, Munshiganj
Thousands of passengers were left suffering as vehicular movement on the Dhaka-Munshiganj road remained suspended from Wednesday to Thursday evening for renovation work of a baily bridge. The Roads and Highway Department blocked the road without prior notice to repair a baily bridge located in Mandolbari area of Kashipur, which made people suffer. Abdul Mazid, who got stranded on the road with his family, said he had gone back to Postagola in the city after seeing that the road was blocked and later reached their native home through an alternate way, spending extra money. He said, We faced difficulties as we were not informed about the renovation work. The authority concerned should inform people previously. Although we need almost an hour to reach Munshiganj from Dhaka, today [yesterday] it took almost three hours as I had to change my route several times, said Rafiqul Islam, a resident of Tongibari upazila. The authority do not have any right to give us pain in this way, he added. Mobarak Hossain, a resident of Rampal area, said it was urgent for him to visit a doctor in Dhaka, but he could not dare to go there for the suspension of vehicular movement. Abdul Mannan, who was looking after repair work, said three girders of the bridge had collapsed 15 days back, and since then traffic on the DhakaMunshiganj road had been running amid risk. But when asked about why people were not informed previously, he preferred to keep mum. Deputy Divisional Engineer of Roads and Highway Department Khairul Alam said the portion where the bridge was damaged happened under the jurisdiction of Dhaka division of Road and Highway Department. Asked about why peoplewere not informed earlier, he said Dhaka Division office of Road and Highway Department might know the reason. But he expressed hope that vehicular movement on the road would start by evening. Local people said many bridges and culvert in the district had been lying in dilapidated condition for long, but the authorities concerned remained ignorant in this regard. Because of the rundown state of bridges and culverts, running of trucks has been banned on the road, hampering production of Muktarpur industrial area. Locals urged authority concerned to take immediate measures to repair these culverts and bridges. l

Turn Shilaidah Kuthibari into a university

n Our Correspondent, Kushtia
Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu demanded that the government turn Shilaidah Kuthibari, ancestral home of Noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, into Rabindra University. The minister said as a resident of the southern region he wanted the lodge which houses countless memories of the poet to be made a university as it was a demand of the residents of southern part of the country. He said he would talk about the matter with governments policy makers soon. The minister said this while addressing the inaugural function of a three-day programme arranged to mark the 153rd birth anniversary Rabindarnath Tagore. The programme began yesterday. The programme features discussions, workshops, singing, poetry recitation and Rabindra Fair. The Kuthibari has been decorated and small repair works have been done ahead of the festivity. Dr Abdul Hakim Sarkar, vice-chancellor of Islamic University, Bangladesh, Anowar Ali, mayor of Kushtia municipality, KM Rahatul Islam, CEO of Kushtia District Council, Shamsuzzaman Aronno, mayor of Kumarkhali municipality, and Golam Mohsin, chairperson of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dals Kushtia wing, was present as special guests. Syed Belal Hossain, deputy commissioner of Kushtia, presided over the inaugural fuction. Dr Abul Ahsan Chowdhury, professor at the Bangla Department of Islamic University, addressed the inaugural ceremony. l

Mastermind placed on 3-day remand

n Our Correspondent, Sirajganj
A Sirajganj court has put Jahangir Hossain Chad, the mastermind behind the sensational abduction and murder of a child by cutting his kidneys, on a threeday remand. Senior Judicial Magistrate Rubina Parvin passed the order yesterday following hearing. Earlier in the day, subinspector Abdul Jalil, also investigation officer of the case, produced Chad before court and petitioned for placing him on remand for 10 days. Meanwhile, Assistant Registrar (surgeon) of Sirajganj Sadar Hospital and autopsy officer Dr Md Imam-alNazimul Haque Biplob, after carrying out the post-mortem, has submitted the report to the civil surgeon. He mentioned in the report that the child named Harun from Tebaria village of Udhunia union in Sirajganjs Ullapara died of excessive bleeding after both his kidneys had been cut. The High Court, meanwhile, has summoned officer-in-charge of Ullapara police station Tajul Huda and investigation officer Abdul Jalil to know about progress of the case. The two have been asked to appear in court in person on May 18. The summons was issued by Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Kazi Md Izarul Akhand in response to a writ petition filed by a lawyer named Kazi Jakir Hossain Masud on May 5. In its order, the High Court also asked eight people, including the Home Secretary and the Director-General of the Directorate General of Health Services, to respond to the rule within four weeks. On April 26, six-year-old Haruns body, with both of his kidneys cut, was recovered from a swamp four days after he had gone missing on April 22. His uncle Abdul Mannan filed a suit against three people, all from neighbouring Tarafbaira village, in this connection. Khalil, one of the three accused, was arrested on April 27 and two days later, he gave a confessional statement before the court of Senior Judicial Magistrate Kohinoor Arjuman. l

KIDNEY SMUGGLING

A procession was brought out in Barisal city yesterday, marking the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Girl sustains acid burn in Madaripur

n Our Correspondent, Madaripur
A schoolgirl sustained acid burn as groom side hurled acid at the bride following a major disagreement between the two sides in Madaripurs Mohisher Char village on Wednesday night. Family members said the marriage between Badsha Khandakar and Liza was foiled following altercations. At one stage, the grooms side hurled acid at the bride around 9pm and the acid fell on Subarna Akhter, 13, cousin of the bride. The victim is a class eight student of Donovan Government Girls High School. Habibur Rahman, father of the victim, said he would take legal actions after completing the necessary treatments of his daughter. Assistant Police Super Abu Bakar Siddique of Madaripur circle said police visited the spot after being informed about the incident, adding that legal actions would taken against the culprits. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

Friday, May 9, 2014

The subcontinental freedom of press-oppression

On the overwhelming freedom and frequency with which journalists in this region are oppressed and assaulted
Pakistani journalists and cameramen chant slogans during a protest, called by Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist, against the attack on Hamid Mir, outside the press club in Karachi, April 21
REUTERS

n Garga Chatterjee

n April 19, bullets fired by unknown gunmen injured Hamid Mir an acclaimed Pakistani journalist, columnist and political talk-show host for Geo TV. His brother alleges that Pakistans intelligence agency ISI is behind the attack. Known to be a strong votary for democratic rule in Pakistan, and consistently against religion-inspired militancy, he has never been in the good books of the intelligence establishment. The subcontinent is a dangerous place, especially for people who consistently speak truth to power. This danger can often be in the form of threats to life, especially if you are in the media expressing the right thing at the right time. Since I write for daily and weekly newspapers in Pakistan, I happen to have acquaintances in Lahore and Karachi who have over time become close friends. I have met some of the journalists in danger. One of them is Raza Rumi.

A journalist is attacked to deny the peoples right to know the truth. What might be the kind of crimes that need to be hidden away from public view that the state agencies feel that it is worth the bad-press that comes from bloodying journalists?

My Pathan broadcaster friend, Wajahat S Khan, had introduced me to Raza Rumi. It was Raza who first welcomed the idea of publishing me in The Friday Times, the Najam Sethi-edited weekly. Raza still is a consulting editor for the publication. It is important to state that quite a view of my pieces published there have been quite critical of the human rights and civil liberties situation in Pakistan, and I believe that the editorial team is in no small measure responsible for that. Raza has been very active in Indo-Pak peace initiatives, and as the director of the Jinnah Institute, a think-tank, has been a key participant in Track 2 dialogues of all sorts, he has an ongoing love affair with all things Delhi, and especially revels in the bygone cultural space of North India that encompassed Delhi, and his favourite city and hometown, Lahore. He had recently published an exquisite travelogue, Delhi by heart. I was among the people he shared his manuscript with for comments before it was published. On March 28, I heard that Raza had been shot at by a group of unknown assailants. He survived. I suspect that his views, which have always been supportive of greater regional cooperation in South Asia, and especially between Pakistan and the Indian Union, are not entirely unrelated to the reasons of this attack.

After anchoring his television show, Raza Rumi was on his way to the Data Darbar shrine. That was when bullets rained on his car. His driver succumbed to the gunshots while his bodyguard was seriously wounded. For a long time, he has been one of the most vocal champions of secularism in Pakistan. He has stuck his neck out for the continued repression of the hapless religious minorities of Pakistan who have very few real supporters. Probably the most consequential stance vis--vis the attack on him, Raza Rumi has been one the staunchest critics of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other extremist Islamic groups that are directly opposed to his vision of a pluralist and harmonious society. Specifically, the Express Media group, for which he often writes and whose TV channel he does his show for, has been attacked five times with 3 staff members being killed in an attack earlier this year. Raza Rumi has appealed to the government to provide him security and prevent him from becoming the victim of an ideology asserted with bullets and bombers. Most TV channels in Pakistan basically underplayed the incident and conveniently reported about Srinivasan and the IPL. Now there is a feeling perpetrated by Delhi-based watchers and other peddlers of the idea of India that things are radically different on this side of the Radcliffe this is some kind of a safe haven for journalists and fearless reporting. Of course, the usual exceptions apply. Local journalists in disputed territories of the Indian Union have been paying with their life and limb for decades now. You can be beaten up with bamboo canes and dragged along the road by the Indian police and Central Reserve Police Force if you interview protesting students or take pictures that the powers-to-be dont want being taken as Azhar Qadri of Kashmir Tribune and Showkat Shafi, a Srinagar-based freelance photojournalist found out in painful ways. These are not exceptional events but simply illustrations. Delhi journalists who go visit these areas often enjoy embedded junkets masqueraded as reporting. Foreign journalists who might be critical are simply classified as persona-non-grata, and are denied entry into the Indian Union, as was the recent case with the famous American journalist David Barsamian. A closer look tells us that the threat to journalists is more widespread in the Indian Union, and is not only limited to separatist insurgency-hit areas. Strangely enough, or may be it is not that strange that fame works for you in terms of protection, and in terms of how long you hold out. If Raza Rumi were a local reporter in Swat or Waziristan, saying what he has been saying and also doing local reporting, we would have crossed his 10th death anniversary by now. Or he would have long left for the UK or the USA. Or he would have done what

most people end up doing simply shut up, change the reported subjects, change his views, change vocation. In the Indian Union, the complicity of media in sustaining abuse of power makes the powerful in media quite safe in this sense. Far from a life threat, they might even end up as parliamentarians. But for the honest and fearless reporter on the ground, things are often very different. Chhattisgarh ranks high in the list of areas where threat to reporters is very high. Unknown people on a motorbike shot Umesh Rajput, of Nai Duniya, dead near his home in Raipur. He had been receiving threats to stop doing the kind of reporting he was doing. In Dantewada, Bappi Ray of Sahara Samay was harassed after he interviewed a farmer who had been assaulted by the district collector. Naresh Mishra of Zee TV was badly beaten, and Azad Saxena and Venu Gopal were kidnapped, for hours, together, to prevent them from reporting from the village of Tadmetla. Surpiya Sharma of Times of India also faced the denial of entry. According to Reporters Without Borders, an international media freedom-watch organisation, police rammed the car of Bastar Impact editor Suresh Mahapatra and several other journalists. The disturbing commonality lies in the finger pointing at the police and other public security forces as being the criminals behind these crimes. A journalist is attacked to deny the peoples right to know the truth. What might be the kind of crimes that need to be hidden away from public view that the state agencies feel that it is worth the bad-press that comes from bloodying journalists? Chhattisgarh is not the lone bad apple, though the rot there is

The subcontinent is a dangerous place, especially for people who consistently speak truth to power. This danger can often be in the form of threats to life, especially if you are in the media expressing the right thing at the right time
particularly offensive. The killing of Shehla Masood, Right To Information (RTI) activist and blogger, in Bhopal created some furore, especially in light of the fact that she had been harassed by the police for sometime. On February 10, officers of the Indian Reserve Battalion at the Kangla Fort beat up Arindam Chaoba Sharma of Imphal Free Press ferociously. In recent times, reports of killings and grave assaults on journalists came in from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Karnataka the list goes on. It extends even to the Andamans where the police have continuously harassed Denis Giles, the editor of The Andaman Chronicle, ever since he broke the now-famous story of poachers and outsiders sexually exploiting Jarawa women. At least eight murders of journalists have been reported in 2013. This was the year when the Indian Union slipped to an abysmal rank of 140 out of 179 countries in the Press Freedom Index issued by Reporters with Borders. However smug may be the claims of the power-elite in terms of freedom of expression, and hence, the freedom to express freely, this rank represents its worst point. As for a reality check, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, two basket-cases in the Anglo-American world-view, do marginally better than incredible India. If this is the state of freedom of expression, a fundamental right under Article 19 of the constitution, then one should reflect very critically about what happens to this right when one drives 10 miles away from Mumbai or Delhi. If it is any consolation to a warped mind, Pakistan ranks 158 in the list. The neighbour has managed to make the power-centres unsafe too. As for India, Criminal organisations, security forces, demonstrators and armed groups all pose a threat to Indias journalists the Reporters without Borders report said. In that list, the security forces are the ones that have greatest impunity. Surely, the violator of liberties with the greatest impunity is the most serious threat to securing freedom of expression. Raza Rumi, in a public statement, appealed to the state for protection. Where do potential victims of state agencies in India turn to? If truths are security threats for the powers to be and security forces are engaged in curbing peoples right to know the truth, it is a sad commentary on state of the republic undergoing the worlds most elaborate exercise in representative democracy. Garga Chatterjee is a freelance contributor. He can be followed on twitter @gargac.

A policeman showing a bullet hole in the door of the car which belonged to Hamid Mir. Unknown gunmen on motorcycles opened fire and injured the reporter and television anchorperson in Karachi REUTERS

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Friday, May 9, 2014

Fresh Boko Haram attack in Nigeria kills hundreds

n AP, Lagos, Nigeria
Islamic militants who have triggered international outrage over the kidnapping of more than 270 Nigerian schoolgirls opened fire on a busy marketplace, killing hundreds of people in a new spasm of violence in the countrys northeast. The attack escalates Nigerias growing crisis from a campaign of bombings, massacres and abductions being waged by the Boko Haram terrorist network in its campaign to impose an Islamic state on Africas most populous nation. As many as 300 people were killed in the assault late Monday on the town of Gamboru Ngala on Nigerias border with Cameroon. The extremists opened fire on a marketplace bustling with shoppers taking advantage of the cooler nighttime temperatures in the semi-desert region, then rampaged through the town for 12 hours, setting houses ablaze and shooting those who tried to escape. The attack and hundreds of casualties were confirmed by Borno state information commissioner Mohammed Bulama, who spoke to The Associated Press by telephone Wednesday. Nigerian federal Senator Ahmed Zannah blamed fighters of the Boko Haram terrorist network that has claimed responsibility for the April 15 kidnapping of 276 teenage girls from their boarding school in Chibok, in northeastern Borno state. The insurgents threatened to sell the young women into slavery in a video seen by AP. Outrage over the missing girls and the governments failure to rescue them brought angry Nigerian protesters into the streets this week in an embarrassment for the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, who had hoped to showcase the countrys emergence as Africas largest economy as it hosted the Africa meeting of the World Economic Forum, the continents version of Davos. Offers of international assistance have poured in, with the Obama administration announcing Tuesday it was sending personnel and equipment to help Nigerian security forces in their search for the girls in the vast Sambisa Forest. Jonathan confirmed that he has accepted the American assistance, which the Pentagon said Wednesday will help with communications, logistics and intelligence planning, but will not include any military operations. Britain and China announced Wednesday that Nigeria has accepted their offers of help, and France said it was sending in a specialised team to help with search and rescue of the girls. In the face of such an appalling act, France, like other democratic nations, must react, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said. This crime will not go unpunished. Fabius gave no details, except to say the team was being drawn from forces already in the region. France has soldiers in Niger, Cameroon and Mali, where it is fighting Islamic insurgents, as well as in Central African Republic. The kidnapping has ignited a viral social media campaign under the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls that has brought renewed attention to Boko Harams campaign of violence. On Wednesday, first lady Michelle Obama joined in, tweeting, Our prayers are with the missing Nigerian girls and their families. Its time to #BringBackOurGirls. l

Nigeria violence
More than 1,500 people have been killed so far this year in attacks blamed on the a radical group Boko Haram. Shown here AFRICA are major attacks attributed to the sect.
Detail
300 mi 300 km

Dec. 24, 2010: A series of bombs detonated in city of Jos Nov. 4, 2011: Militants shoot their way through the city of Damaturu Dec. 25: Christmas Day attack on a Catholic church in Madalla Jan. 20, 2012: Coordinated bombings around city of Kano Jan. 26, 2014: Main market bombed in Kawuri village Feb. 16: Militants gun down villagers in Izghe in Borno state Feb. 19: 1,500 homes razed, many killed Bama town Feb. 25: Students killed at a boarding school, Yobe state March 14: Giwa Barracks attacked, kills about 425 people in Maiduguri April 14: Massive explosion at the capital Abuja
AP

South Africas ruling ANC takes clear election lead n Reuters, Pretoria
The ruling African National Congress (ANC) took a clear lead yesterday in South Africas first Born Free election, featuring voters with no memory of the white-minority rule that ended in 1994. Election officials said they were investigating a shooting death in rural KwaZulu-Natal, the home of President Jacob Zuma. The incident was a rare blot on an otherwise peaceful vote. The ANC, the liberation movement that swept to power two decades ago under the leadership of Nelson Mandela, had 59.7% of the vote with a third of ballots counted, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said. Its nearest rival, the Democratic Alliance, held 26.7 percent, backing predictions the party would improve on the 16.7% it won five years ago as it gradually sheds its image as the political home of privileged whites. The ultra-left Economic Freedom Fighters, led by Julius Malema, a populist politician who was expelled from the ANC, was in third place with 4.3%. l

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Ukraine rebels snub Putin call to delay referendum

n Reuters, Donetsk
Pro-Russian separatists voted unanimously yesterday in favour of holding a referendum on independence, defying calls by Russian President Vladimir Putin to postpone the vote to open the way for talks with the Kiev authorities. Many in Ukraines industrial east said Sundays referendum was the only way to prevent war, adding that without it they would lose the faith of a population fired up over what the rebels, and Moscow, call the fascist government in Kiev. Russian markets sank on the news, and in Kiev, officials promised to press on with their anti-terrorist campaign to retake control over the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regardless of the rebels decision on the poll. We have just voted in the Peoples Council ... The date of the referendum was endorsed by 100 percent. The referendum will take place on May 11, rebel leader Denis Pushilin told reporters. The referendum will take place in Donetsk and Luhansk. In a surprise announcement on Wednesday, Putin called on the rebels to postpone the vote to create conditions for dialogue between Kiev and the east, offering a possible chance to ease the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War. Kiev has rejected the referendum as illegitimate, and Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk suggested Putins command was proof that Moscow was behind an uprising across Ukraines east. Russia denies playing any role in the upheaval. Ukraines top security official, Andriy Paruby, said earlier on Thursday that Kiev would press on a campaign to regain control of the countrys east. l

Poll: Most Ukrainians want a unified country

n AP, Donetsk, Ukraine
A strong majority of Ukrainians want their country to remain a single, unified state and this is true even in the largely Russian-speaking east where a pro-Russia insurgency has been fighting for autonomy, a poll released yesterday shows. The survey results were released as the pro-Russia forces were considering whether to go ahead with a referendum on autonomy planned for Sunday in defiance of a call from Russian President Vladimir Putin to delay the vote. A decision was expected later in the day. The organisers have said the referendum was on whether to give the eastern regions more autonomy within Ukraine, but they have left open the possibility of using it to seek independence or annexation by Russia. Many fear that such a vote could be a flashpoint for further violence between Ukrainian troops and the militants who have seized government buildings in about a dozen cities in the east. Putins comments on Wednesday appeared to be an effort to step back from confrontation with the West over Ukraine. He also declared that Russia has pulled its troops away from the Ukrainian border, although Nato and Washington said they saw no signs of this. Putin also spoke more positively about the Ukrainian interim governments plan to hold a presidential election on May 25, calling it a step in the right direction, but reiterated Russias long-standing contention that it should be preceded by constitutional reforms. His spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, added on Thursday that the election could only be considered legitimate if Ukraine stops its punitive operations in the east and begins a national dialogue on resolving the crisis. The poll was conducted last month by the Washington-based Pew Research Center found that 77% of people nationwide want Ukraine to maintain its current borders, while nearly as many, or 70 percent, in the east feel the same. l A mosque is pictured through shattered glass in the old city of Homs yesterday, as rebel fighters withdrew from the city centre in line with a negotiated withdrawal deal with the government after having held out under tight siege for nearly two years AFP

Homs rebels poised for final retreat

n AFP, Homs
The last rebels were poised to leave the centre of the battleground Syrian city of Homs on Thursday, handing a symbolic victory to President Bashar al-Assad ahead of a controversial election. Rebels hit back in the historic heart of Aleppo, blowing up a luxury hotel turned army position after tunnelling under the front line that divides the main northern city. At least 80% of rebel fighters have already left the Old City of Homs under the unprecedented negotiated evacuation that began on Wednesday, provincial governor Talal Barazi told AFP. The remaining 300-400 were due to leave on Thursday, Barazi said, although no evacuation buses had emerged by early afternoon. The pullout from the city centre after a siege of nearly two years leaves the rebels confined to a single district in the outskirts of a city that what was for long an iconic bastion of the uprising. Barazi said negotiations were well advanced for the rebels to leave that neighbourhood too in the coming weeks. Eighty percent of the rebels have left the city. The remaining 20% will leave on Thursday, Barazi told AFP. On Wednesday, 980 people left, the great majority rebels but some of them civilians, including women and children. He said just 300 to 400 people now remained in the Old City and they too would be bussed out on Thursday to the opposition-held town of Dar al-Kabira, 20 kilometres (13 miles) north of Homs. Barazi was able to visit his former office in the Old City on Thursday for the first time in three years. It is not the first deal between the government and the rebels a number of ceasefires have been agreed in the outskirts of Damascus. But it is the first time that rebel fighters have withdrawn from an area they controlled under an accord with the government. The government allowed the remaining rebels in Homs to pull out with some of their weapons in return for the release of dozens of prisoners and hostages held by opposition fighters and the delivery of relief supplies to two pro-government towns in the north which they have besieged. The negotiations were overseen by the ambassador of close ally Iran. l

Police action on Caracas protest camps

AFP, Caracas

National Guard in riot gear dismantles a students encampment set up in front of the UN headquarters in Caracas yesterday

AFP

Venezuelan riot police detained 243 people Thursday as they dismantled four camps in the capital Caracas set up by students to protest the leftist government of President Nicolas Maduro, authorities said. Interior Minister Miguel Rodriguez Torres told reporters the clearing operation began at 3 am, claiming there was evidence the sites were "being used by more violent groups to commit terrorist acts." Lawyer and human rights activist Elenis Rodriguez said "very few young people were able to escape the onslaught." At least 41 people have died and more than 700 have been injured since students and other opponents of the government took to the country's streets in February to protest rampant crime, runaway inflation and shortages of basic goods. l

US schools pull essay questioning Holocaust

n Agencies
The school board of a southern California district has admitted as wholly inappropriate asking pupils to write an essay on whether they believed the Nazi Holocaust really happened. Local newspaper San Bernardino Sun reported that 2,000 13 and 14-year-old pupils in the district were asked to write an argumentative essay, based on cited evidence, on whether they believed the Holocaust was an actual event in history, or merely a political scheme created to influence public emotion and gain wealth. The essay plan was developed by teachers drawing on work presented in a course on the diary of Anne Frank, who died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. During a public meeting on Wednesday, Joanne Gilbert, the school boards president, said it took full responsibility for the assignment, which she described was wholly inappropriate. The district had already withdrawn the assignment and called it an error, but went further after a public comment session where Jewish groups, tolerance organisations and community leaders denounced the assignment. Gilbert said eighth graders will undergo sensitivity training at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, and several other policy changes would be implemented. Suzanne Singer, a rabbi at the Temple Beth El in Riverside, said: I dont understand why a fact of history would be a matter for debate. An estimated six million Jews were among the millions of people killed by Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945. In some European countries, Holocaust denial is a crime. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Friday, May 9, 2014

Yingluck and 9 ministers abused their power

Red Shirts Head For Bangkok

n Reuters, Bangkok
Thailands anti-graft agency indicted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for negligence on Thursday, a ruling that came a day after a court threw her out of office and could kill off any hopes she has of staging an electoral comeback. Thousands of her loyalists were converging on the capital as the National Anti-Corruption Commissions announced its decision to press ahead with charges related to a financially ruinous state rice-buying scheme. The blows delivered on successive days by the commission and Thailands Constitutional Court are the latest twists in a struggle for power between Thailands royalist establishment and

Yinglucks brother, ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. The committee has investigated and there is enough evidence to make a case ... We will now forward it to the Senate, the National Anti-Corruption Commission(NACC) president, Panthep Klanarongran, told reporters. If found guilty by the Senate, Yingluck could be banned from politics for five years. Several other members of the family and about 150 of Thaksins other political allies have been banned for five-year terms since 2007. Yinglucks removal from office by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday for abuse of power followed months of sometimes deadly protests in Bangkok aimed at toppling

her government and ending elder brother Thaksins influence. Thaksin, a billionaire former telecommunications tycoon who has won the unswerving loyalty of legions of Thailands rural and urban poor, lives in exile to avoid a 2008 jail sentence for abuse of power, but he looms over politics. The Constitutional Court, which removed two previous pro-Thaksin prime ministers in 2008, ruled that Yingluck and nine of her cabinet ministers had abused power in 2011 over the transfer of a security agency chief. However, the court left the Shinawatras ruling party in charge of a caretaker administration intent on organising a July 20 general election, which Yinglucks partywould likely win. l

An anti-government protester holds a national flag during a march in Bangkok yesterday

AFP

Rahul takes on Modi, says Gujarat model no better than India Shining campaign
n Agencies
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday took a swipe at Narendra Modi saying the Gujarat development model, touted by the BJP prime ministerial nominee, is synonymous with toffee model and Adani model. The Congress vice-president claimed that ever since he exposed the myth of the Gujarat model of development, Modi had stopped talking about it. While the Congress, he said, thought about all classes of people, for the BJP the nation belongs to one religion, caste or two-three businessmen. By taking 45,000 acre of fertile land of farmers, Modi gave it to the Adani company for a paltry sum of Rs 1 per sq metre, Gandhi alleged during an election meeting at Gopalganj. Due to largesses showered on Adani by Modi in Gujarat, the companys finance rose from Rs 30bn to Rs 400bn now, which is more than the budget of MGNREGA, he claimed. Gandhi said that Modis tall promises of empowering women and laying the blueprint for economic development of the country was no better than the NDA governments Indian Shining slogan. On Modis promise to give shakti (power) to women, the Congress leader referred to snoopgate. He spent all his shakti keeping track of the movement of a woman and

Indian election commission chief hits back at Modi bias charge

n AFP, New Delhi
Indias election commission hit back Thursday at claims of bias from frontrunner Narendra Modi, saying it deplored attempts to undermine its neutrality in the final stages of the marathon contest. There shall never be a situation or an occasion where the commission will deviate from neutrality, VS Sampath, the head of the commission, said at a press conference in New Delhi. We also deplore any attempt by anyone to cast aspersions on the constitutional institution like the Election Commission of India at a very sensitive time like the present one that could cause long term damage to the independence and neutrality of the commission, he added. Sampaths comments came after Modi accused the commission of bias by not sanctioning one of two rallies that the Bharatiya Janata Party leader had planned to stage in Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday. After accusing the commission of a failure to ensure free and fair polls in the last three phases of the six-week election, Modi said Sampaths organisation had been acting partially. Modi, who is standing for parliament in the holy city on the banks of the Ganges, was allowed to address another rally elsewhere in Varanasi which votes on Monday. But the commission said it would not allow him to address supporters in the centre of the city on security grounds after his last such appearance drew crowds of more than 100,000. Modi, a hardline Hindu nationalist, is widely expected to lead his party to victory in the general election and win the contest in Varanasi. l

now he is talking of providing power to women, Gandhi said. Seeking to debunk Modis lofty assertions about fighting terrorism, the Congress vice-president alleged that Modi was triggering anger by telling lies. Official figures show that 22,000 people died due to terrorism during the five year rule of NDA which was 800 during the five year period of Congress-led UPA, Gandhi said. They criticise us for failing to fight terrorism and protect the honor of soldiers and say they will show how to fight against terrorism. Referring to Modis claim that the Congress did nothing since Indepen-

dence, Gandhi reminded him that that US President Barack Obama had said that his country feared only China and India. Listing MGNREGA, Right to Food law, land acquisition legislation, he said that the Congress sought a mandate to enact three more legislations. These were free medicare including cost of medicine and provision for operation, right to a concrete roof for poor and pension for the elderly. These three vital areas of concern, he said, he gathered after talks with rickshaw-pullers, coolies and other groups. Reeling out comparative statistics about NDA and UPA regimes, he said that the UPA government constructed almost three times more roads than NDA. l

Mamata calls Modi a donkey, rules out possibility of him becoming PM

n Agencies
Trinamool Congress chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday continued her attack on Narendra Modi and ruled out his possibility to become the prime minister saying those who have cause riots, has no right to become a PM candidate. Banerjee, who had demanded Modis arrest, said that It is not that easy. After (he) had said all this, had I been in the Central government I would have tied (him) with ropes and would have made him walk on the road. She was referring to Modis statement that if the TMC chief wants to sent him jail then she should not waste money for issuing tender for buying rope. Just tell me which jail I have to go. I will go there myself. I am here. My first job in jail will be to learn the Bengali language, he had said in a rally earlier in the day. Attacking Modi, she said, those who have caused riots, has no right to become a PM candidate. There can be a challenge on it if any day opportunity comes. But that opportunity would not come. The opportunity wont come, do not worry. Some with money are projecting (Modi as PM) like gas balloon. On May 16, the gas balloon will burst and when the ballot boxes would be opened it will be only see two flowers (the symbol of TMC), Banerjee said ruling out the possibility of Modi becoming the PM. l

China blames Vietnam for sea collisions, but calls for talks
n
Reuters, Beijing/Hanoi
China accused Vietnam on Thursday of intentionally colliding with its ships in the South China Sea, but called for talks to end a bitter row sparked by Beijings parking of a giant oil rig in contested waters. A senior foreign ministry official in Beijing demanded that Vietnam withdraw its ships after its southern neighbour asserted that Chinese vessels used water cannon and rammed eight of its vessels at the weekend near the rig. Hanoi said two vessels were badly damaged and six people were wounded in the worst setback to ties between the two Communist nations in years. China said the drilling operations were being carried out in its territory and it had acted with the utmost restraint in using water cannons in response to rammings it blamed on Vietnam. Yi Xianliang, deputy director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs, said China had only sent civilian vessels to the area while Hanoi sent several armed ships. Our aim, our only aim, is to guarantee our reasonable, legal, normal drilling operations, Yi said, adding China had no choice but to increase its security measures in response to what he said was Vietnams provocations. The operations by China in the waters off Triton Island in the Paracel Islands are Chinas sovereign right and have nothing to do with Vietnam, he told reporters at a hastily-arranged press briefing, referring to the part of the South China Sea where the rig has been operating. China has parked about 80 ships around the rig, Vietnamese officials have said, adding that seven of them were military. Its foreign ministry has shown reporters what it said were video clips of Chinese ships hitting Vietnamese Seaguard vessels. We dont care about what China said, Ngo Ngoc Thu, vice commandant of Vietnams coast guard, told Reuters on Thursday. We have been only doing our job which is protecting our territory and sovereignty. We only sent ships following the laws but China has missile ships supporting its civilian ships. Yis comments were a departure from earlier remarks by Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping, who said he believed there had been no clash at sea, although he said he did not have detailed knowledge of what had happened. China was willing to try and resolve the issue with Vietnam via talks, but Hanoi had to withdraw its ships, Yi added. We can appropriately resolve this issue. We have the ability, the confidence and the wisdom to do so, he said. The two Communist nations have sought to put aside border disputes and memories of a brief border war in 1979. Vietnam is usually careful about comments against China, for which it relies on for political support and bilateral trade that surpassed $50bn in 2013. Still, Hanoi has strongly condemned the operation of the drilling rig, the first such action by Beijing in contested waters, and told the owners, Chinas state-run oil company CNOOC, to remove it. l

Taliban declare last spring offensive before Nato exit

n AFP, Kabul
Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan announced the start of their annual spring offensive yesterday, vowing a final summer of bloody attacks on foreign forces before the 13-year Nato combat mission ends. The Islamist extremists said that the offensive, beginning on Monday, would cleanse the filth of the infidels from the country, and warned that Afghan translators, government officials and politicians would also be targeted. The Khaibar offensive, named after an ancient battle between Muslims and Jews, will coincide with a planned second round of elections next month to choose a successor to President Hamid Karzai, who has ruled since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. The 51,000 US-led Nato troops still deployed in Afghanistan are set to withdraw by December, ending a long and costly battle to defeat the rebels, who launched a fierce insurgency after being ousted from power. A small number of US troops may stay on from next year on a training and counter-terrorism mission, but the Taliban warned that the insurgency would continue against even a few thousand US troops. The Taliban insists on the unconditional withdrawal of all invading forces... and sees the continuation of its armed Jihad (as) imperative to achieving these goals, said an English-language statement on the groups website. If the invaders or their internal stooges believe that reducing the number of foreign forces will dampen our Jihadi fervour then they are sadly mistaken. It added that attacks during the coming fighting season would target US military bases, foreign embassies and vehicle convoys, as well as the Afghan government.

Gunmen kill Pakistan lawyer defending blasphemy case n Reuters, Multan, Pakistan
Gunmen posing as clients shot dead a prominent human rights lawyer defending a professor accused of blasphemy, officials said Thursday, underscoring the danger facing those trying to put an end to religious intolerance in majority-Muslim Pakistan. Wednesdays killing of Rashid Rehman in the southern city Multan of was the first time a lawyer has been killed for taking on a blasphemy case, police said. Rehman had been representing Junaid Hafeez, a lecturer in English accused by hardline student groups of making blasphemous remarks against the Prophet Mohammed in March last year. Hafeez had been in prison without being able to find a lawyer until Rehman agreed to represent him in February. Blasphemy carries the death penalty in Pakistan. The accused are often lynched or languish for years in jail without trial because lawyers are too afraid to defend them. Rights groups say the laws are increasingly used to seize money or property. Judges have previously been attacked in Pakistan for acquitting blasphemy defendants and two politicians who discussed reforming the law were shot dead. Rehman was shot dead by two gunmen at his office on Wednesday night. A junior lawyer and an assistant were wounded, police said. Rehman was at his office at night when two men came there posing as potential clients, asking for his help with a marriage case, police officer Shaukat Abbas told Reuters. l

Barbaric invaders

The days of... the barbaric invaders (on) the pure soil of our country have come (to a) close, Allah willing, due to your 13-year Jihad and sacrifices, it told its fighters. Afghanistans fighting season traditionally begins in April or May as snow recedes from the mountains, and the Taliban mark the occasion with an annual declaration to attack foreign forces and unseat the Kabul government. The offensive will consist of suicide bombings, insider attacks by Afghan soldiers and complex assaults on military facilities. l

Grieving South Korea seeks arrest of ferry operator owners

n Reuters, Incheon, South Korea
South Korean prosecutors are seeking the arrest of members of the family that owns the operator of a ferry that sank last month killing hundreds of school children, an avoidable tragedy that rocked the country to the core. Prosecutors may also seek the extradition of a son of the reclusive head of the family from the United States, an official said on Thursday. The Sewol, overloaded and travelling too fast on a turn, capsized and sank on a routine journey from Incheon on the mainland to the southern holiday island of Jeju. Of the 476 passengers and crew on board, 339 were children and teachers on a high school outing. Only 172 people have been rescued and the remainder are all presumed to have drowned. Some of the crew, the captain caught on videotape in his underwear, abandoned ship as the children were told time and time again to stay put in their cabins. Heartbreaking video shows them playing around as the ship started listing, joking about the sinking of the Titanic, when they had plenty of time to jump overboard. But only two of the vessels 46 lifeboats were deployed. The prosecutors pursuit of a son and a daughter of Yoo Byung-un, the head of the family that owns Chonghaejin Marine, the ferry operator, broadens the criminal investigation into the tragedy. The government has also started the process of stripping the company of the licence to operate ferries. But it was not clear whether Yoo Byung-un himself, who ran the defunct commercial empire that was the precursor to the sprawling business interests that include Chonghaejin, might be called in for questioning. l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Friday, May 9, 2014

CODE CRACKER

Provide land and incentives for EPZs

Be heard
Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

How to solve: Each number in our CODE CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 10 represents A so fill in A every time the figure 10 appears. You them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares. Some letters of the alphabet may not be used. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

angladesh Banks announcement of a procedure to facilitate external borrowing by industrial enterprises, located in export processing zones, is a step forward to making more capital available for investment. Previously, there had been no clear procedure or encouragement available for this avenue of finance. However, much remains to be done to attract foreign direct investment at the levels which the economy needs to secure a sustainable path to long-term growth. The governments role is crucial as it controls or inhibits many of the factors which can help attract FDI. Leading businesses represented at the first meeting of the new Business Advisory Committee have rightly urged the government to do more to improve the supply of gas, water and electricity and to adopt policies which will enable lower lending rates for borrowing funds for investment. The provision of more land for setting up EPZs, in particular to house modern, compliant RMG factories, is an area in which the government can and must act fast, as state-owned enterprises control a significant amount of under-utilised land, which would benefit from investment and modernisation. Policymakers must also adopt more open market policies, as these offer the most cost-effective way to stimulate and attract investment, both from within the country and overseas. Removing double taxation, deregulating the historically counter-productive framework of exchange controls, and easing tariffs, where possible, must not be overlooked. Otherwise, the countrys potential to attract investment will be diminished.

Open market policies offer the most cost-effective way to attract investment

May 3 AlFateh1969 Kamaluddin Ahmed The Hottie and the Nottie shouldnt be in the What did the Indian censor board do? This type of distortion on Gunday should not have been promot- second spot. It wasnt a great movie, but it wasnt a bad one either. I bet 90% of those voters didnt ed by the Indians who played a vital role in 1971 War even see the movie. of Liberation.

The story behind the worst movie on IMDb

Ukraines way out

May 4 Oleksandr Manuylenko All my Russian-speaking friends and relatives in the Eastern Ukraine, as well as in Ukrainian-speaking areas in Central and North Ukraine, want to join the European Union, and are terrified by Putins Russia. I phone them almost weekly, and was in Kharkiv on a pilgrimage to my mothers grave just in September 2013. We all greatly regret Ukraines unilateral disarmament.

CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1 Minute particle (4) 5 Mechanical man (5) 8 Spanish dance (6) 9 Leave out (4) 10 Cricket score (3) 12 Inventors grant (6) 13 Lace hole (6) 15 Nullify (6) 18 Fragrances (6) 20 Female swan (3) 21 Careen (4) 23 Maker of suits (6) 24 Foe (5) 25 Assert the negative (4) DOWN 1 Over (5) 2 Male cat (3) 3 Oily fruit (5) 4 Encountered (3) 5 Turns (7) 6 Naked (4) 7 Tinge (4) 11 Single entity (4) 12 Imposed punishment (7) 14 Time long past (4) 16 Nimble (5) 17 Place of ingress (5) 18 Church recess (4) 19 Single occasion (4) 21 Cover (3) 22 Offspring (3)

Children and local residents at Dhanmondi playground

May 4 Forhad Bappy Its nice to see that DSCC authorities have declared the ground open for all and the children now have access to the dhanmondi playground.

Car seized from Shamims relatives factory

May 4 Akhtar Shah Well, well, well!

Better governance to improve resilience

Arrest warrant issued against Ram-Leela team

May 4 Rachel Sraboni Schrader Arrest warrants were issued in connection with a case alleging that a few scenes in the movie hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindus. Good to see the real issues being tackled.

The song remains the same

May 5 nds The author has missed the root problem that stands in the way of enforcement of any law, restrictions and the proper, assigned function of any law and order-related organisation or institution. And that problem is all-pervasive corruption from top to bottom. Whatever measures one thinks of, one cant implement them without the help of the appropriate human resources to be recruited from this out and out corrupt society. And corruption has the infinite level of capacity to foil all ones good intentions and purposes. Try pointing out the name of a single institution in this country whose functionaries cant be purchased at the right price. Let us begin from the most noble profession, teaching, followed by physicians, lawyers, bureaucrats, police, the judiciary, businessmen, politicians, engineers, bankers, religious leaders, journalists you name it who among all these cant be purchased. Ones stock reply is all too well known not all are corrupt, there are exceptions. Yes, there is, but their number is so abysmally few that it hardly bears any significance. Can the author please answer and explain just one simple question: How do government employees, particularly in higher positions, live such lavish lives and accumulate such sky-high assets with their very modest salary structure? Have any one of these bureaucrats been asked by anybody to account for their more than likely ill-gotten wealth and property? Ours is a totally degenerate society where nothing ideal will work. Scoundrels and rascals will continue to rule the roost.

o add to poor rankings in surveys of transport and livability, Dhaka has recently landed at the bottom of a list of 50 most resilient cities in the world. The ranking was based on vulnerability to issues such as climate change, resources, infrastructure, and strength of community. As governance and the strength of institutions were among factors measured, it is easy to see why Dhaka would score poorly in this type of survey. The dysfunctional state of city management by the two Dhaka city corporations was recently highlighted by both the DSCC and DNCC denying responsibility for the Shukrabad, Farmgate and Indira Road areas because of a dispute over boundaries. A lack of accountability and mayoral elections may be one reason why the corporations resort to such an excuse instead of addressing residents concerns about the visible neglect of street maintenance, potholes and drainage systems. This leads us to despair that these issues are not likely to be solved anytime soon. While many of the sources of vulnerability, such as climate change, are beyond our control, there is much that we can do to improve the resilience of our city. Surely something as simple as better coordination between the two parts of the Dhaka city council would be a good place to start.

Better coordination between the two parts of Dhaka citys council would be a good place to start

I dont know if my audience can accept me as a serial killer

May 4 Sayeeda Ahmad I would like to think that true fans, who appreciate her talents, would love to see her challenge herself in different roles. I cant wait to see her character in Zero Degree!

SUDOKU
How to solve: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no numberrepeating.

Death toll rises to 27 in Assam killing

May 3 shishirchandra The killing of Bangladeshis in Assam cannot be justified. Moreover, these Bangladeshis always voted for a secular government in India. They nullify the Hindu communalism in India by their balancing act. In fact, Indira Gandhi awarded Indian citizenship to thousands of Bangladeshis, including Muslims.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

NHRC boss: Protect human rights unitedly

May 3 Arch Bishop On the contrary, a more useless NHRC chairman is hard to imagine. All he does is recommend stuff and remains absolutely silent at the wholesale destruction of human rights by the regime.

YESTERDAYS SOLUTIONS CODE CRACKER

Weather remains hot while power fails

May 7 SA Mansoor There is a popular saying: What you want, you do not get; you get what you do not want. In this hot weather, we badly need more electric power, which we unfortunately do not get. Instead, we get load-shedding which we do not want. A sad fallacy in life, but Im sure the voters will remember this when the next general election for the parliament is held. For this government, ensuring a continuous supply of electricity all over the country is very important. One of the reasons that AL came to power was BNPs failure to supply enough. However, all the recent much-touted government statements about increased power supply seem to come to naught because of the current situation.

CROSSWORD

PEANUTS

SUDOKU

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

Friday, May 9, 2014

11

Addressing challenges to learning

n M Ehsanur Rahman
n a context where out-of-school children or primary school dropout students cannot attend formal schools because of its structured system, the flexibility in the Multi-Grade Teaching Learning (MGTL) approach of Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) offers an answer for their access and learning. An MGTL class provides a flexible class environment to schoolage children, who could not enroll in school or have dropped out early for a wide variety of complex and often interlinked reasons. Catering to individual learning difficulties and facilitating learning by children at their own pace are the two basic features of DAMs MGTL approach. DAMs MGTL process as a contribution to the primary education in Bangladesh has been developed through the UNIQUE Project, which is being implemented with the support of the EU. At the backdrop of DAMs experience in Non-Formal Primary Education (NFPE) over the last three decades, the MGTL approach has been developed, tested, and scaled up as an effective NFPE process. In this article, the essential features and process of the approach are described precisely, with particular reference to the UNIQUE project.

location of the classroom as per needs.

Assessment as a learning process

A participatory teaching-learning and assessment technique is applied for better and effective learning of each child in the class. Therefore, self-learning, mutual learning, peer learning, one-to-one teaching, project learning, group works are ensured in the classes. The teacher follows fivetask process in conducting the class which are review, reading exercise, writing exercise, self-learning practice, and assessment.

In this approach, a teacher is required to address the learning need of each child in the class
Children are assessed at the time of enrollment in a process called base assessment to determine their subject-based state of competency. Besides, periodic assessment on weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis is done. However, higher grade promotion assessment (usually built-in periodic assessment) allows movement of the learners from lower to higher grades according to the attainment of competencies. There are three types of assessment techniques in the form of written, oral, and observation tests, which are held for each child.

What will her government be remembered for?

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Adding to the list?

n Khawaza Main Uddin

bank robbery captured headlines, incumbents amassed vast wealth, gold smuggling appears to be a regular trade, sale of adulterated foods is still rampant, rural hospital patients remain unattended, public exam question papers are leaked, tenders are manipulated, and violence dominates campuses. Surpassing all of this, human life has become cheaper as we can tell from the recent spate of abductions and killing of people. Meanwhile, the killing of Bangladeshis along the border has not come to a halt. Where is the government? cries a newspaper editorial. Obviously by default, we have a government which has shown its authority by suppressing the rights and views of everyone else. So why should we bother about a few signs of governance failure, especially when these may be the result of excesses allegedly indulged in by the most powerful elements within the government or the ones associated with the ruling party? However, for a man who hasnt completely discarded his ethics, it is not easy to comprehend the reasons behind the misuse of power by rulers or their desperation to cling to that power by force. While in power, a ruler can censor criticism and even annihilate potential adversaries. Also, a tyrant can display sadistic joy in sitting on the body of a victim or even by desecrating the deceased. Yet, even the most powerful ruler cant control the public from talking about the state of their governance.

I asked a senior friend, aligned with the Awami League, about the justification of holding power without public support. This government would correct many anomalies and take a lot of populist steps, he said. Sheikh Hasinas government, constrained by a shortage of revenue and sluggish investments, will try to accomplish what the president of the most powerful country often fails to do convince the people. That too, with serious democratic deficiencies and so much burden of backers and beneficiaries.

tunists question why the nave ones are so obsessed with the righteousness of actions in realpolitik the world has never been just. Cunning people are often short-sighted, forgetting that wrongdoers have never been spared either. We are witness to the downfall of a number of powerful rulers of the 20th century. Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines, General Augusto Pinochet of Chile, Saddam Hussain of Iraq, and Muammar al-Gaddafi of Libya (dont forget HM Ershad!) ruled their

Sheikh Hasinas government will try to accomplish what the president of the most powerful country often fails to do convince the people

The government covertly boasts of backing from an influential external power, believing it to be enough to keep its rule unchallenged. What a way of building self-confidence in national politics, that too without the peoples involvement. Widening alienation of our dominant minority the ruling class from moral values, social norms, and political ideals has left the country unguarded and the citizens helpless. In a reign of injustice, too much compromise with immoral acts all around has metamorphosed many so-called good people into virtual cowards. Frustrated, restless, and rapacious, society becomes sullied while the elite seem resigned to the situation. Oppor-

countries for a long period, but history terms them simply as autocrats. Despite being elected twice, George W Bush has been ranked as one of the worst presidents of the United States for his wrong-headed policies. Babrak Karmal and Dr Najibullah of Afghanistan became presidents with Soviet intervention and they were treated as traitors by the Afghans. Lhendup Dorji, the chief minister of Sikkim during its merger with India, is widely referred to as a symbol of betrayal in his motherland. Apartheid South African rulers had kept Nelson Mandela in jail for 27 years but could not change his destiny as one of the best statesmen of his time. Israels Ariel Sharon had

confronted Palestine leader Yasser Arafat both in the battlefield and in politics, but the former was despised for his hawkish policy and the latter was loved worldwide for his cause. Nawab Sirajuddoulas army chief Mir Zafar Ali Khan was successful in ensuring the formers defeat in the battle of Plassey by collaborating with the East India Company, only to emerge as a permanent betrayer in history. Nisar Ali Titumir proved his mad love for his motherland by fighting from a fort made of bamboo against a far superior colonial army, embracing martyrdom in the end. Despite fighting a losing battle, Titumir is considered a hero. It is actually a matter of choice of a politician whether she/he wants to be nondito or nindito, Bangla words that sound similar but bear opposite meanings celebrated and condemned respectively. Sheikh Hasinas AL government will be remembered for the share market crashing twice, the Padma Bridge corruption case, the swindling of bank money (Hall-Mark and other scams), patronisation of godfathers, the BDR rebellion that resulted in so many unnecessary deaths, presidential clemency to murderers, the Sagor-Runi killing, politicisation of public institutions, late-night crackdown on Hefazat-e-Islam, a farcical election held to stay in power, extra-judicial killings, and political persecution. What else does the AL leadership, super-conscious of history, aim to add to the list before calling it a day? l Khawaza Main Uddin is Executive Editor at ICE Business Times.

Learning by all out-of-school children

The MGTL addresses the learning challenges of children at schools. It transforms the ways of teaching and learning in the classroom. In the whole process of teaching-learning, each child actively takes part, which helps every child to learn effectively and acquire competency at her/his own pace. Children of different grades with varying competencies learn in one classroom. One teacher works for all 25-30 learners by organising them into grade-based groups. Group-leaders and advanced learners play the roles of peer facilitators under the guidance of a teacher.

Teachers accountability

Learning at own pace

The MGTL facilitates restarting learning of dropout children from the level they stopped in formal schools. A learner may complete the course in less time and can move from one grade to another, based on periodic assessments of competencies acquired. Through this process, learners complete their academic cycle in a shorter span of time. UNIQUE experience shows that the children can complete the primary course in 41 months.

It is an undying fact that the teachers role is crucial in every learning situation. In multigrade class, teachers active engagement in the whole gamut of teaching-learning process has further been emphasised. In this approach, a teacher is required to address the learning need of each child in the class. Besides adapting the annual academic plan, the teacher prepares grade-wise lesson plans to meet diverse learning needs. The teacher facilitates childrens learning inside and outside the classroom. She/he also facilitates optimum use of the two writing boards. On a regular basis, the teacher has to make an assessment of the individual learning progress of each child.

Effectiveness and Impact

Classroom management

Indias election and secularism

T
n Mohammad Amjad Hossain
he election for 543 seats of the Lok Sabha in the largest democracy in the world is nearing completion, beginning on April 7. It is expected that more than 814 million will have cast their votes this year, which makes the voting pool larger than the total populations of the United States and Western Europe combined. The last phase of the election is due onMay 12, but the trend in this election appears to be non-secular versus secular, as has been reflected in the campaign by the BJP versus National Congress and other political parties in India. Secularism in India is experiencing serious problems, as can be seen in the campaign. It is a violation of Indias constitution, which declared in the preamble that the people of India having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign socialist secular democratic Republic and to secure to all its citizens: Justice, social, economic, and political. Both the prime minister designate of BJP, Narendra Modi, and Subramanium Swami, vice president of BJP, are reportedly involved in the campaign against secularism. In Assam, both Narnedra Modi and Subramanian Swami appear to be critical of the existence of alleged illegal Bangladeshis in India while Narendra Modi identified the Hindu community in Bangladesh as sufferers. Therefore, he assured that Hindu migrants would be accommodated in India and detention camps would be done away with as soon his party comes to power. West Bengal Mamata Banerjee, who is chief of Trinamool Congress. Narendra Modi is of the opinion that Mamata Banarjee cared more for the chair than for the development of West Bengal, and that her face brightened up seeing Bangladeshis while considering faces from other states alien. The chief minister of West Bengal did not spare Narendra Modi from her criticism of him being the butcher of Gujarat. Gujarat saw the worst type of Hindu-Muslim riot in 2002 when 2,000 Muslims were massacred on his watch, while 400 Hindus were not spared either. Many Muslims were displaced as well. The BJP has been, in fact, espousing Hindutva along with its fraternal organisation, Sangh Parivar. This ideology has, time and again, been reflected in the calls for a uniform civil code, the destruction of the historical Babri Mosque in Ayodhya in December 1992, and in place establishing the Ram temple, during the anti-Muslim riots of Mumbai in 1992-1993. The BJP is the political wing of RashtriyaSwaymmsevak Sangh (RSS) an extremist organisation. Sectarian riots inthe Baska and Kokrajhan districts of Assam on the evening of May 1 saw the killing of 31 Muslims by suspected Bodo tribal people.The sectarian riots in Assam are a reflection of the negative campaign launched by Narendra Modi in February. When the BJP was in power, a push-back trend against alleged illegal Bangladeshis was in effect, but the trend had finally come to a standstill when the left-front Communist Party from West Bengal, led by Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacherjee, vehemently opposed it. This time Mamata Banerjee appears to be against the BJPs anti-secularism. The push-in campaign had begun in 2003 when the BNP was in power. It was initiated by Indian Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, a BJP senior leader, who was on record saying there was an alleged 2 crore Bangladeshis living illegally in India. The same orchestrated campaign is now being repeated, this time by the BJP. From the comments in the election campaign,it appears if the BJP comes to power, it will complicate existing problems between Bangladesh and India instead of resolving them. This ominous sign is really bad for Bangladesh. At the same time, the Nehru-Gandhi dynastys influence in India will erode if the BJP continues its full five-yearterm. l MohammadAmjadHossain is a retireddiplomat from Bangladesh and is a former president of the Nova chapter of the Toastmasters International Club. He writes from Virginia.

If the BJP comes to power, it will complicate existing problems between Bangladesh and India
Addressing in Silchar in Assam in February this year, Narendra Modi drew attention to the fact that, during the rule of the BJP in 19982004, Hindus from Pakistan were accommodated in India. It was reported by The Times of India on February 22. This trend had also been reflected in West Bengal during the BJP campaign. Here too Narendra Modi has made it crystal clear that Bangladeshi infiltrators would be expelled from India afterMay 16, as if the BJPwould capture power this time while criticising the chief minister of

In a multigrade class, there are four grade based groups Beginners, Advanced, Skilled, and Independent. This represents whole cycle of formal primary schools. In the DAM NFPE programs the national primary education curriculum is followed. Apart from the national text books, supplementary reading materials or student generated materials are used to reinforce the learning process. In the class, there is an opportunity to interact with the teacher and the group-leader from each group. A student with advanced ability becomes the group leader in each table who sometimes helps a teacher to follow up the lower grade students. Learning-by-doing method is followed in the class while special attention is given to the slow learners. Project work on issue-based topic facilitates in-depth practical learning of the students. Moreover, co-curricular activities and activity in a big group in the beginning of each new subject stimulate childrens learning process. Apart from peer learning, group tasks, project works, use of mobile boards, extracurricular works, social learning, etc are done depending on subject requirements. The centre has two writing boards one fixed (big) and the other is mobile (small). The mobile board can be moved to any

As individual competency of each child is valued, those pupils who are fast learners can complete the cycle of primary education in less time, and are mainstreamed into secondary level. Flexible assessment helps to graduate earlier and make room to new pupils to enroll any time of the year rather than waiting for the beginning of the academic year. The out-of-school children scattered in different hard-to-reach areas are reached through community based Child Learning Centres (CLC). The most notable feature of (this) NFPE program, known to be the MGTL system is found to be an economic and reasonably effective arrangement. Some statistics may give an indication of the MGTL approachs effectiveness. During 2012 and 2013, 7,267 students and 3,359 students appeared in Primary School Certificate (PSC) examination of which the pass rate was 93% (6726) and 99% (3,342) respectively. In respect of access of children in the hardest-to-reach areas, a total of 14,088 children in Hill areas, 6,400 children in haor areas, 11, 219 children in char areas, and 14,358 children in coastal belt of the country have been covered under this approach (as of March, 2014) alongside the children in other areas of the country. A study report appropriately said: The flexibility of [MGTL] to reach children in isolated locations and in difficult conditions could be utilised in the mainstream education system. l M Ehsanur Rahman is Executive Director, Dhaka Ahsania Mission.

BIGSTOCK

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment
n Entertainment Desk

Friday, May 9, 2014

Badnam airs on SATV

Based on Rabindranath Tagores short story Badnam, a single episode drama with the same title will be aired at 9pm on SATV tonight. Directed by Anjan Aich, the drama features popular soap actors Sadia Islam Mou, Maznun Mizan and many others. Plot of the drama is influenced by the social upheaval during the 19th Century Renaissance in Bengal. A rebel takes shelter in the home of a police officer with the help of the officers wife. However, helping a rebel was considered anathema at that time and the lady in question suffers for her decision to help the marked man, who became as dear as a brother to her. To relieve her from the burden, the man surrenders to the police as he believed that no one was capable of stopping the inevitable. l

The second day of Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangsthas National Rabindra Sangeet festival was enjoyed by a houseful audience at the Shawkat Osman Memorial Auditorium, Central Public Library, Shahbagh. Artistes of the organisation celebrated Kobigurus birth anniversary with renditions of his songs and recitations of his poems and writings. Professor Soumitra Shekhar spoke on Jugomanob Rabindranath at yesterdays programme. The theme for this years festival is Dibey Ar Nibey, Milabey Milibey, Jabey Na Phirey SADIA MARIUM

Bollywood megastars Amitabh Bachchan and his wife Jaya Bachchan are set to share screen in the upcoming film Leader. The first look of the film was unveiled by Big B and Gulshan Grover recently. The film is produced by Deepak Sawant and written and directed by Abhishek Chadha

Recitation and music marks Tagores 153rd birth anniversary

n Entertainment Desk
Indian singer Nayan Mukherjee and Bangladeshi elocutionist Dahlia Ahmed will perform this evening at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Gulshan. A talented artiste, Mukherjee has performed at important concerts in Delhi, Colombo and Jakarta. He was a member of the Viswa Bharati Music Board in the year 2000. He has released two cassettes from India and one CD from Bangladesh on Rabindra Sangeet. He regularly performs for different TV channels of Bangladesh. A leading recitation artiste and elocutionist of Bangladesh, Dahlia Ahmed has an ardent passion for languages, particularly phonetics and pronunciation. She has participated in several national programmes held on many important occasions. She has also given background voice to many stage shows, dance dramas, documentaries and live commentaries. Dahlia has also recited poetry and dance dramas all over Bangladesh and abroad including New York, London and Paris. She was conferred with the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad Award for recitation in 2010. No entry fee is required to attend the show. l

Tagores Darpaharan in todays light

n Entertainment Desk
A single-episode play adopted from Tagores acclaimed short story Darpaharan will be aired today on Maasranga TV at 11:59pm. In Darpaharan, Tagore exhibits a young mans passion in harbouring literary ambitions. Though he loves his wife, he wishes to stifle her literary career, deeming it unfeminine. Tagore himself, in his youth, seems to have harboured similar ideas about women. Darpa-

haran depicts the final humbling of the man via his acceptance of his wifes talents. In the TV play featuring Momo and Niloy in lead roles, the male protagonist is sent to a hostel to study for his final exam by his father on his wedding night. His wife stays back with his parents. They keep in touch via Facebook. At one point, the husband returns to the house before his exam begins. His father keeps the love birds separated in two different rooms. l

TODAY IN DHAKA
Film
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (3D & 2D) I, Frankenstein Divergent Time: 10am 10pm Star Cineplex Bashundhara City

Kamal Ahmeds new album hits market

list of the album. Timeless songs Ami Tomar Songe Bendhechi Amar Pran, Asha Jawa Pother Dhare, Dariye Acho Tumi Amar, Tumi Kon Kanoner Phool and Ami Pothbhola Ek Pothik Eshechi are included for the fans of Rabindra Sangeet. Durbadal Chatyapaddhaya of Kolkata and Almas Khan of Bangladesh worked on the musical arrangement and the recording was done in both Kolkata and Dhaka. About his current album, Kamal said: From my childhood, I appreciated authentic and classical music. During my entire musical career, I have been working towards the enrichment of Bangla songs, specially Tagore songs. The music composition of the album is modern, at the same time I have tried my best to maintain the authenticity of the lyrics and tune. Kamal commenced his musical journey with Chhayanaut where he acquired his training from noted Rabindra Sangeet scholar Waheedul Haque. He is now serving as Director, External Services in Bangladesh Betar. l

Konkana to bring alive Tagores work

n Entertainment Desk
Rabindranath Tagores classic play Raktakarabi is being made as Sajarur Kanta where Indian Bangla film actor Konkana plays the heroine Deepa. Konkana is proud to portray roles based on the characters written by the legendary Rabindranath Tagore. Konkana Sen Sharma, who is a National Award winning actor said: It gives me a high. I am happy that characters with Tagorean references are coming my way a lot more these days, she said. I have to become the Nandini of Raktakarabi as people have certain perceptions about her, while Labanya is also a well-known character in Shesher Kobita. Although it is a challenge to live upto the perceptions, my portrayals are based on my understanding and homework, added the talented Konkona. She had previously played the role of Kadombori in Tagores much-acclaimed work Shesher Kobita. Konkana even acknowledged the role of her mother, Aparna Sen in helping to get a grip on the character Nandini. The director of the film, Saibal Mitra said Konkonas Deepa in Sajarur Kanta is a vital cog in the crime thriller with a romantic angle. l

Cultural Programme

Dibey Ar Nibey Milabey Milibey Jabey Na Phirey By Rabindrasangeet Shilpi Sangstha Time: 6pm 9pm Shawkat Osman Auditorium Public Library, Shahbag Rabindra Utsab By Chayanaut Time: 6:30pm 9pm Chayanaut, Satmasjid Road Dhanmondi

n Entertainment Desk
Marking the 153rd birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, Kamal Ahmeds solo album titled Bendhechi Amar Pran was released yesterday. This is the seventh solo album of the Rabindra Sangeet artiste and was launched under the banner of Laser Vision. A total of ten songs from the Nature, Devotion and Love sections of Tagores Geetabitan comprise the track

Theatre

Munir Chowdhury Theatre Fest 2014 Time: 7pm 9pm Experimental Theatre Shilpakala Academy, Shegun Bagicha

New association for Bangladeshi bands launched

n Entertainment Desk
Society of Musical Bands Bangladesh (SMB), a newly formed association of musical bands officially announced its formation through a press conference yesterday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, Segun Bagicha. The organisers stated that the prime objective of the association is to spread the success of musical bands in Bangladesh and create a bridge between the older and younger musicians of the country. Organising indoor/ outdoor/lounge concerts, workshops and reunion of musicians, SMB will work to strengthen the bond between the musicians, the organisers claimed. They promised to arrange jatra, puppet shows, boat racing and other events that promote the culture and heritage of Bangladesh. The association also expressed their interest to launch campaigns against issues like preserving intellectual property rights and piracy to save the music industry. Mehmud Afridi Toni of Black is elected the president of SMB while Hasan of Ark will act as the vice-president.

Dancers perform at the 9th Rabindra Mela organised by Channel i on their premises in Tejgaon yesterday. Noted artists, littrateurs, Tagore enthusiasts, cultural and media personalities with the Channel i family attended the event. The programme featured music, dance, art camp and a fair presenting 20 stalls which offered products of the cottage and handicraft industries, pansupari and traditional food

Other executive members include Ershaduzzaman of Artcell, Shafkat Ahmed Deepto of Oronno and Mohammad Ali Sumon of Pentagon, Ziaur Rahman of Shironamhin, Sheikh Shahed Ali of Gaach, Rashed Ahmed Tapu of Yatree, Jamshed of Powersurge and Romance of Six.

SADIA MARIUM

Did you know?

No team has leapfrogged the leaders in the final game to win the title since Arsenal did in 1988 89

Sport

Friday, May 9, 2014

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

14 100-goal City on

verge of title

14 Real stunned by

Valladolid equaliser

15 Abahani keep title

hopes alive

Mushfiq bids Jurgensen goodbye

Following the official farewell of the outgoing national coach Shane Jurgensen, hosted by the cricket operations committee of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday, national team captain Mushfiqur Rahim thinks it is very important for the next head coach to adapt to the culture of Bangladesh. Mushfiq was present at the farewell programme alongside Anamul Haque, Mahmudullah and Mashrafe bin Mortaza as the Bangladesh skipper shared his views on what sort of a coach will best suit the Tigers. Obviously someone who is good will be assessed depending on our performance but I hope he can cope up with our culture easily and our cricketers can easily gel with him which I think is very important. The person who can motivate the cricketers and will be able to boost the performance of the team. At this level its more important to provide mental support rather than skill and if we can utilise the assistance then our team will be in a much better shape, said the wicketkeeperbatsman. Jurgensens contract was set to run till the end of the ICC 2015 World Cup down under, but after a dry run over the last few months, the Australian coach decided to step away from his position. Although Mushfiq swatted away worries over the transition period, the 25-year-old skipper, however, informed that there will be some news plan in place for the Tigers.

Russell eye nothing but win

Sheikh Russell KC will take on local club Sri Lanka Air Force in their second match of Group A in the AFC Presidents Cup at the Sugathdasa Stadium, Colombo at 7:00pm today. Fresh from the goalless draw against KRL Club of Pakistan, who on paper are the strongest side in the group, Russell must find the winning formula to keep their hopes of progressing to the second round alive. The team underwent a warm-up session at the Colombo beach yesterday with the players full of confidence.

AFC PRESIDENTS CUP

Russell so far exhibited poor performance in the on going Bangladesh Premier League
Skipper Biplob wants to make use of the positive energy in the team and come out with a win as he said, All of my players are charged and want to win the match. I feel the pulse of my players and I am hopeful of winning against Sri Lanka Air Force. After a treble winning last domestic season, Russell so far exhibited poor performance in the on going Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) but their experienced defender Hasan al Mamun said they are ready to wipe out the failure with a good result. The team has not performed well in the BPL, so there is a motivation to put a good show here and move to the next round. We want to win against Sri Lanka Air Force, said Hasan. l

Outgoing Bangladesh cricket team coach Shane Jurgensen cuts a cake during his farewell at the BCB headquarters at Mirpur yesterday I dont think there will be any such problem (transition). Jurgensen had some plans which we tried to execute but life never stops for anyone so we have to plan again and work according to that in future, said Mushfiq. Mushfiq also acknowledged the qualities of the 38-year-old Australian and pointed to his friendly relations with the cricketers besides also praising him for not reserving any special liking for any individual player. Mushfiq informed he had urged Jurgensen to reconsider his resignation, but upon knowing the personal reasons behind the decision, the Bangladesh skipper refrained from requesting him further. I have talked with him after he arrived and he requested me saying that

COURTESY

it was his personal decision and that his family was also involved in the decision-making so I had nothing more to say. I think whatever happens its good for everyone and at the end of the day we have to try to play with responsibility, Mushfiq added. l

BCB North Zone look for change of luck in final today

BCB North Zone will lock horns with Prime Bank South Zone in the final of the second edition of the Bangladesh Cricket League at Mirpurs Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today. North Zone has been the only side which has failed to attract any franchise since the first season of the tournament. This prompted the Bangladesh Cricket Board to take charge of the team and remarkable to say the least, this side has performed well beyond expectation by qualifying for the final in both the seasons. North Zone suffered a convincing defeat against Walton Central Zone in the final of the previous season. However, North Zone defeated the same opponent in the third round this season to confirm a berth in the final which happens to be the only five-day game of the competition. While South Zone, the other finalist who was sitting third in the points table at the end of the second round game, was the first to book a place in the final by defeating Islami Bank East Zone. The battle between the spinners from both sides promises to make the final interesting. North Zones left-arm spinner Taijul Islam is leading the chart with 27 wickets in five innings. It was his 11 wickets against Central Zone in the previous game which proved to be deciding factor behind his sides victory while South Zone skipper Abdur Razzak is in third position among the highest wicket takers with 19 wickets in six innings. Sohag Gazi, Razzaks colleague has also been effective by picking up 14 wickets from six innings. As far as batting is concerned, the potential duel will be between North Zones Farhad Reza and South Zones Mithun Ali. Farhad has amassed 327 runs so far from five innings with a century and a half century to find himself in the second spot amongst the highest run-getters. Mithun Ali, on the other hand, lies third with 290 runs from five innings with a century and two half-centuries. Both the team took their pre-match preparations at the Sahara-BCB Academy field yesterday. The North Zone will be led by Nasir Hossain in place of Mushfiqur Rahim who is suffering from viral hepatitis. We will have to play the best possible cricket to win against Prime Bank (South Zone), said Nasir to the media yesterday. Nasir, who is not in his best form at the moment, informed that it wont be an added pressure to lead the team. I am not thinking that much and there is no pressure on me as the captain to be honest. There are many senior players in the team and they are helping me in every way possible, Nasir explained. l

Jamal outclass Mohammedan

Nigerian forward Emeka Darlington netted a brace while Haitian playmaker Sony Norde was also on target as table-toppers Sheikh Jamal DC outplayed Mohammedan SC 3-0 in the Bangladesh Premier League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. Norde orchestrated the comprehensive win by opening the scoring before setting up Darlington for both the goals scored in either side of each half. The defeat virtually eliminated Mohammedan from title contention as they are now 11 points behind Sheikh Jamal, who are inching closer to their second professional league crown. The Dhanmondi-based outfit have 34 points from 14 matches, six ahead of second-placed Abahani while Mohammedan are lagging a further five points behind in third having played 14 matches. With just three minutes into the clock, Darlington beat the offside trap and received a through pass from Alamgir Kabir Rana. The Nigerian evaded Mohammedan goalkeeper Titumir Titu before taking a shot on target which was blocked by Arup Kumar Baidya. A minute later Arup denied Darlington again in the six-yard box. Norde on the other hand appeared menacing from the beginning and took only 12 minutes to give his side the lead the ball home from the six-yard box. Norde almost grabbed his second in the 38th minute when the Haitian forwards angular shot from inside the box flew inches wide of the post. Mohammedan created two chances to reduce the arrears on the stroke of the opening half with the best opportunity belonging to Arup. Receiving a pass from Hardy Pinto in added time of the first half Arup fired a 25-yard shot which hit the side-bar. Moments later, Arup provided a cross from the right for Towhidul Alam Sabuj whose diving header from the middle of the box narrowly missed the target. Sheikh Jamal came agonisingly close to a third goal in the 52nd minute when Mohammedan defender Nahid almost scored an own goal as his clearance off a Norde corner hit the side-bar. Darlington notched his second of the evening and extended Sheikh Jamals lead to 3-0 in the 62nd minute. Norde ran free through the left flank and slid the ball onto the path of Darlington who placed the ball into the net despite being closely marked by Nahid. l

RESULT
Sheikh Jamal

Norde 12, Darlington 22, 62

3 0

Mohammedan

Norde overjoyed
Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Clubs Haitian star Sony Norde appeared in a cheerful mood after they beat Dhaka Mohammedan SC convincingly at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. Sony scored one while he played an instrumental role behind the other two goals and was undoubtedly the player of the day. Sony expressed happiness after breaking his two-match goal drought and said, I know there were talks about Sony not scoring goals. I feel happy to break the jinx but I believe not scoring individually is not important, win for Sheikh Jamal is important, we believe in team work. The perfect team man also brushed away any rivalry with his co-attackers in terms of scoring. Why should I think that? I have provided passes to Emeka Darlington that turned into a goal on many occasions, I dont play for scoring goals for me, scoring goals for Jamal is my motivation, he said. However, the Haitian thinks his opponents are always harsh on him after his glittering performance in the IFA Shield. I think the opponents attitude has changed a bit as the challenges are harder now, I have be careful in avoiding injuries. Meanwhile, Jamal coach Josef Afusi thought Mohammedan was outplayed by his teamwork. I am satisfied with the performance. A coach gets pleased when he sees the perfect teamwork, today the teamwork was good, though Wedson missed a couple of chances I believe it was not intentional. Every player wants to score a goal and Wedson is not an exception, said Afusi. He, however, cautioned his team about complacent and said, Sitting on the top of the table with a lead of 11 points is may be good, but there is a still a long way to go. We have to remain focused. Jose Rui Cappella Batista, the Portuguese coach of Mohammedan, admitted Jamal was the better team on the day. They played better, I missed the hardness in the midfield due to Damien Chigozie and Zahid. Moreover Jamal created five or six chances and scored three, my forwards created four to five chances and scored none, so it made all the difference, said Batista. l

with a solo effort. Kesto Kumar delivered a precise pass to Norde from almost the halfway mark and the Haitian skipped past a defender before launching a 20-yard effort between opposition defenders Mintu Sheikh and Baybeck and past the despairing dive of Titu. Darlington doubled the lead ten minutes later. Norde set up the goal with a long cross from the left flank for the unmarked Darlington and the Nigerian forward made no mistake placing

Sheikh Jamal forward Emeka Darlington (C) celebrates a goal against Mohammedan SC during their Bangladesh Premier League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday MUMIT M

14
Villarreal banana-throw fine too soft
The fine of 12,000 euros ($16,700) given to Villarreal after a fan threw a banana at Barcelonas Dani Alves was too lenient, according to Spanish sports minister Miguel Cardenal who is looking to hand out a stiffer sanction. Brazilian Alves received widespread support after picking up the banana and biting into the fruit as he prepared to take a corner during the April 27 La Liga match. The defender later told Brazils Radio Globo that Spain was very backward in its approach to racism. We will use our powers to appeal and we will also study it in the National Anti-Violence Commission, Cardenal told TVE television on Thursday. Reuters

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Friday, May 9, 2014

Durants Thunder strike down Clippers

Kevin Durant, who was named league MVP on Tuesday, had 32 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Los Angeles Clippers 112 101 to even their series at 1 1. Russell Westbrook registered a triple double with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Thunder who rebounded from a one-sided loss in game one of the best-of-seven second round series. We just played physical, made some adjustments and played hard, said Durant. Oklahoma City received some timely help on Wednesday night from role players like Thabo Sefolosha, Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins. AFP

Wilshere could return on final day

England midfielder Jack Wilshere could return to the Arsenal squad for Sundays final Premier League match at Norwich City, raising hopes he will be fit for the FA Cup final and the World Cup. The 22-year-old has not featured since fracturing his foot in a friendly against Denmark in March but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Thursday that he was in line to play against Norwich. Midfielder Aaron Ramsey and defender Kieran Gibbs may also be in the squad but utility player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains sidelined. Ramsey could be available and Wilshere too, Wenger told a news conference. Reuters

100-goal City on verge of title

Chelsea out of title race, Sunderland seal great escape and stay up
Manchester City moved to the brink of the Premier League title with an emphatic 4-0 win over Aston Villa on Wednesday as Edin Dzeko scored twice to leave them needing just a point from the final game of the season. Dzekos double midway through the second half relieved the pressure that had gripped the Etihad Stadium and late strikes by Stevan Jovetic and Yaya Toure, his 20th of the season, secured a comfortable victory. City, who brought up 100 league goals for the campaign, realistically need just a point from Sundays home game against West Ham United to win their second league title in three years. Manuel Pellegrinis side moved two points clear of Liverpool at the top of of remaining in the top flight. With Sunderland moving to 38 points and West Brom one place above the relegation zone on 36, Norwich are three points further adrift with a vastly inferior goal difference. Within seconds of the kickoff at the Etihad Stadium, it became apparent that Villa would look to stifle and frustrate rather than go toe-to-toe with their talent-packed opponents. With all 11 men consistently withdrawn behind the ball, the visitors set out to catch City on the break, but they rarely made it out of their own half as the title challengers launched wave after wave of attacks. I was absolutely sure if we continued to play the same way we would find the space to score a goal, Pellegrini told Sky Sports. Now we can talk about the title. We must win the last game against West Ham. Dzeko rode to the rescue, however, in the 64th minute when he poked home Pablo Zabaletas cross from close range before wheeling away in euphoric celebration. City then cast off the shackles and Dzeko pounced to tuck away a rebound eight before Jovetic powerfully side-footed past Guzan with a minute remaining. The coup de grace arrived in stoppage-time when Toure turned on the afterburners to stride clear of the Villa backline and powerfully finish, becoming only the second central midfielder to score 20 goals in a Premier League season after Frank Lampard in 2009-10. Sunderland boss Gus Poyet had claimed they would need a miracle to escape the drop when his side lost 5-1 to Tottenham Hotspur in April, a defeat that left them bottom of the table and seven points adrift of safety. l

RESULTS
Man City
Dzeko 64, 72, Jovetic 89, Toure 90

4 0 2 0

Aston Villa

POINTS TABLE
Team 1 Man City 2 Liverpool 3 Chelsea 4 Arsenal 5 Everton 15 Aston Villa 16 Hull City 17 West Brom 18 Norwich City 19 Fulham 20 Cardiff City GP 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 W 26 25 24 23 20 10 10 7 8 9 7 D 5 6 7 7 9 8 7 15 9 4 9 L 6 6 6 7 8 19 20 15 20 24 21 GD 63 50 43 25 20 -19 -13 -15 -32 -45 -41 PTS 83 81 79 76 69 38 37 36 33 31 30

Sunderland
Colbeck 13, Borini 31

West Brom

Man Citys Edin Dzeko (C) celebrates scoring a goal against Aston Villa during their EPL match at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday

REUTERS

Zabaleta wary of repeating final day drama

Manchester City have one hand on the Premier League trophy but defender Pablo Zabaleta remains wary of allowing any repeat of the heart-stopping manner in which they claimed the title two seasons ago. That win, Citys first top flight title since 1968, came after Sergio Agueros dramatic late winner against Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the season. Fellow Argentine Zabaleta said his side must guard against making life difficult for themselves at the Etihad Stadium this time around. It was a massive step towards taking the title but we still have one game to play, the 29-year-old right back told Sky Sports. We know from two years ago, when we beat QPR in the last minute

FACTS & STATS

Days spent at top this season

Arsenal Chelsea Liverpool Man City Man Utd

the table but, with a superior goal difference of 13, a draw would be enough for City to be crowned champions while Chelseas title hopes are over. At the other end of the standings, Sunderland guaranteed their Premier League survival when goals by Jack Colback and Fabio Borini sealed a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion which effectively ended Norwich Citys hopes

128 64 59 11 2

to win the title, just how quickly it can change. The only realistic way City can lose the title is if they are beaten by West

Ham and Liverpool take three points against Newcastle United. City have beaten the east London side three times this season, 3-1 in the league and 9-0 over two-legs in the Capital One (League) Cup, but Zabaleta refused to take victory for granted against a side who have secured their Premier League status for next season. We know West Ham are safe but they have very good players and can score at set-pieces, he added. It will be tough and we can not relax. We need to rest but I think the spirit is great. We have a great chance and you can see all the fans are excited. Hopefully, on Sunday, we can celebrate the title. l

The Premier League title will be decided on the final day for the seventh time in 22 season Sunderland have recorded four successive EPL wins for the first time since Dec 2000 Yaya Toure is only the second central midfielder to score 20+ goals in a single PL season (after Lampard in 2009 10) City are only the second team in EPL history to score 100+ goals in a single season (after Chelsea in 09 10) City have now scored 153 goals in all competitions this season, 110 more than Aston Villa Pablo Zabaleta has now assisted six PL goals this season, the only defender to have as many is team-mate Kolarov

Real title hopes fade after Valladolids late equaliser

Real Madrids La Liga title challenge was left hanging by a thread after a late Humberto Osorio header earned Real Valladolid a 1-1 draw and Cristiano Ronaldo suffered an injury on Wednesday. Real, hoping to keep the pressure on Atletico Madrid at the top of table, remained in third place, four points behind their city rivals and a point adrift of Barcelona with two games to play. It is practically gone now but while there is a mathematical chance then Madrid are obliged to keep going. It has been a long season and it takes its toll on the body, Real defender Sergio Ramos told reporters. The match started badly for Real when world player of the year Ronaldo hobbled off with a suspected hamstring strain. They went ahead, however, when Ramos, celebrating the birth of son Sergio on Tuesday and his 400th Real appearance, swept home a Valladolid
Osorio 85

RESULT

1 1

Real Madrid
Ramos 35

POINTS TABLE
Team 1 Atltico 2 Barcelona 3 Real Madrid 4 Athletic 5 Sevilla 15 Granada 16 Valladolid 17 Almera 18 Getafe CF 19 Osasuna 20 Real Betis GP W 36 28 36 27 36 26 36 20 36 17 36 11 36 7 36 10 36 9 36 9 36 5 D 4 4 6 8 9 5 15 6 9 8 7 L 4 5 4 8 10 20 14 20 18 19 24 GD 51 67 66 27 16 -23 -20 -30 -21 -31 -42 PTS 88 85 84 68 60 38 36 36 36 35 22

Real Madrids Cristiano Ronaldo (C) and teammates watch their Spanish La Liga match against Valladolid from the bench, at Zorrilla Stadium in Valladolid on Wednesday REUTERS

free kick after 35 minutes. It was not enough, though, as relegation-threatened Valladolid levelled when Osorio nodded home with five minutes left. We wasted a unique opportunity and we will now have to examine it calmly. With 10 minutes to go we relaxed and against a side battling for survival they are always going to make it difficult for you, added Ramos. The result opened the door for Barcelona, who know that a win in the final match of the season against Atletico would hand them the title providing they beat Elche away on Sunday. Real, who play Atletico in the Champions League final this month, were missing the injured Gareth Bale and Angel Di Maria played in as threepronged forward line as Luka Modric returned in midfield.

Valladolid set out to counter-attack using the pace and movement of Jeffren and Zakara Bergdich on the wings, and they caused problems for the Real defence with a Javi Guerra header going close in the opening minutes. Ronaldos injury seemed to affect the spirit of the Real players as they were too static and predictable in possession. Valladolid sensed the chance of an upset and linked up well again in attack with Oscar Gonzalez firing over inside the area. However, Ramos, who had earlier gone close with a header, was on hand to steady Reals nerves with the opening goal, his fifth in the last four games. As Real sat back after the break it invited Valladolid to come back at them and they got a deserved equaliser through Osorio. l

Benfica win League Cup

Lisbon giants Benfica won the Portuguese League Cup on Wednesday with a 2-0 victory over Rio Ave, just days after winning a record 33rd domestic league title. Brazilian-born, Spanish striker Rodrigo struck four minutes before halftime before captain Luisao added some late insurance, as the Europa League finalists secured their fifth League Cup success. After the heartbreaking disappointment of last season when they finished runners-up in the league, the Cup and the Europa League, coach Jorge Jesus has guided the club to the brink of what could yet be four trophies. They will again play Rio Ave in the Portuguese Cup final on May 18, four days after taking on Spanish side Sevilla in the Europa League final in Turin. l

Van Gaal wants United job

Louis van Gaal said Wednesday he wants to be the new manager of Manchester United. I would love the job, the Netherlands boss, speaking at the start of a three-day Dutch World Cup training camp, told the BBC. I hope that I shall be the one, added van Gaal, who also said United were the biggest club in the world. The 62-year-old has long been the leading candidate to become the next full-time manager of the struggling English champions since United sacked David Moyes just months after hed been unveiled as the chosen successor of retired former boss Alex Ferguson. United, who have failed to qualify for next terms Champions League, are currently under the caretaker charge of 40-year-old club great Ryan Giggs, still an active player. Sunday sees United play their final

PSG clinch title despite defeat

Paris Saint-Germain clinched the French league title for the second successive season on Wednesday before going down to a 2-1 home defeat against Rennes at the Parc des Princes. Confirmation that PSG had secured the Ligue 1 championship came through just before they kicked off their match as it emerged that nearest challengers Monaco had been held to a 1-1 draw by Guingamp, and news of the result in the principality was met with jubilation by Paris fans. The result left second-placed Monaco seven points behind PSG with only two matches of the season remaining and means that Claudio Ranieris side will have to settle for the runners-up spot and automatic Champions League qualification. However, PSG captain Thiago Silva admitted that it was a rather strange way for his team to win the title. l

Premier League game of the season, away to Southampton, and there have been several reports in the British press that van Gaal will be announced as their new full-time manager next week. You (the media) are thinking Im the man but the most important thing is whether Manchester United are thinking that, van Gaal said. And he insisted nothing would distract him from guiding the Netherlands at the World Cup, having failed to qualify for the 2002 tournament in his first attempt at the role. l

PSGs Zlatan Ibrahimovic (L) and Marco Verratti celebrate with children on the field at the end of the French L1 match against Rennes in Paris on Wednesday. PSG loose 2 to 1, but won the French league title for the second successive season AFP

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Friday, May 9, 2014

15
Cook grateful for England support
Alastair Cook said Thursday the backing of his colleagues and team management had persuaded him to continue as England captain after he questioned his own position following a wretched Ashes series. Cook found himself under the spotlight after Englands recent 5-0 thrashing in Australia, a campaign where the opening batsman managed just 277 runs at an average of under 28. Team director Andy Flower resigned and one-day coach Ashley Giles was axed following Englands embarrassing defeat by the Netherlands at the subsequent World Twenty20 in Bangladesh. Disconnected star batsman Kevin Pietersen was sent into international exile but the England and Wales Cricket Board hierarchy remained strong in their support of Cook. I was asked about (my future) after Sydney and after a long, gruelling winter, I gave it consideration, Cook, speaking in Aberdeen, where England play Scotland in a one-day international on Friday, told reporters. Wed lost a lot of games and we hadnt played to the standard that side was capable of, and the stuff we were doing was not making a difference. l

QUICK BYTES Chapal files GD

Renowned sports organizer and the treasurer of Bangladesh Olympic Association Kazi Razibuddin Ahmed Chapal filed a general diary with the Motijheel police station seeking his life security yesterday. In the general diary, Chapal stated that he was a mediator of a family conflict a few days ago but the conflict was not resolved. However, an unknown person calling from the cellular phone number - 01934594693 threatened he would be receiving bullets if he didnt take the necessary steps to resolve the dispute. Chapal also stated that sports commentator Dr. Anupam Hossain also rang him about one hour later and urged him to do accordingly. It is worth a mention here in this regard that Anupam is related to the opposing party. Tribune Desk

Fahad takes solo lead

Fide Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman took solo lead with maximum 4 points at the end of the 4th round in the Azimuddin Bhuiyan 33rd National Sub-Junior (Under-16) Chess Championship at the Chess Federation hall-room yesterday. Akib Jawad, Subrata Biswas, Rabbi Mridha, and Tahsin Mahmud shared the second position with 3.5 points. In the 4th round, Fahad beat Swarnavo Choudhury, Subrata beat Mir Ahanab Kabya, Akib drew with Tahsin, Rabbi drew with Oyon Nur Newaz and Nova Tasha drew with Anata Choudhury. RM

Abahanis Osei Morrison (R) gets knocked over by BJMC goalkeeper Himel for a successful penalty shout during their Bangladesh Premier League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday MUMIT M

Ireland, Sri Lanka ODI washed out

The second one-day international between Ireland and Sri Lanka in Dublin on Thursday was abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain. Umpires Richard Kettleborough and Richard Smith took the decision after a 2:00pm local time (1300GMT) inspection, ruling the outfield too wet for any play. It had rained heavily overnight and further rain in the morning also left damp patches on the pitch. Sri Lanka won the two-match series 1 0 after their 79-run victory in Dublin on Tuesday. Sri Lankas tour continues with a one-day match against county side Essex on Monday, one of several warm-up fixtures ahead of limited overs and Test series with England. AFP

Abahani see off BJMC to keep title hope alive

Abahani ensured they remained in contention for the title as the Sky Blues returned to the winning ways by beating Team BJMC 2-1 in the Nitol Tata Bangladesh Premier League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. One goal each from Portuguese forward Leonildo Soares and Shahedul Alam Shahed in the second half was enough for Abahani before Guinean striker Ismael Bangoura pulled one back for BJMC in the 90th minute to just add a bit of excitement in a game which Abahani hardly looked like losing. With the victory, Abahani are now six points behind leaders Sheikh Jamal with 28 points from 14 matches while BJMC lie seventh with 15 points. After a goalless first half, Soares broke the deadlock 11th minute into the second half from a penalty after Ghanaian sytriker Osei Morrison was illegally brought down by BJMC keeper Arifuzzaman Himel inside the box. The Sky Blues doubled their lead in the 64th minute when after a oneto-one with Morrison, Shahedul Alam Shahed broke into BJMCs penalty area and delivered a pass for Morrison, who failed to connect and have a shot on target. However, the ball rolled into the net past Himel after hitting the side bar.

FA to limit foreigners in Premier League

The English Football Association said Thursday it wants to limit the number of non-European Union players in Premier League teams in a bid to bolster home grown talent. Football Association chairman Greg Dyke also announced an overhaul of the work permit system and the creation of a new division for Premier League B teams in a bid to improve the health of the English game. The work permit proposals include a blanket ban on non-European Union players for clubs outside the top flight, bringing England in line with other European countries. There are currently 66 English players eligible to represent England playing regularly in the 20 Premier League teams and Dyke has set a target of increasing that number to 90 by 2022. A BBC study published in October found that English footballers accounted for just 32% of the minutes played in the Premier League, compared to 59% for home-grown players in Spain and 50% for home-grown players in Germanys top league. The report was produced by a commission set up by Dyke in October to investigate why the number of English players in the Premier League is falling. This decline is a problem in countries right across Europe, but it is a significantly bigger problem in England than anywhere else and if the trend continues, we fear for the future of the English team, Dyke said. l

Abahani keeper Shahidul Alam Sohel made a decent save in 71st minute to deny Guinean striker Ismael Bangouras effort from inside the box. Osei Morrison squandered the easiest chance of the game two minutes later when the Ghanaian striker missed the target from two yards out following a low cross by Awudu Ibrahim from the right flank. BNJMC did finally score a goal which could only only reduce the margin of their defeat. In the last minute of the stipulated time, Ismail Bangoura headed home from a free kick by Samson Illiasu. Meanwhile, Feni Soccer Club and Chittagong Abahani played out a goalless draw in the days other game at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong. l

Morgan to become MCC president

Former International Cricket Council (ICC) president David Morgan has been appointed he next president of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the owners of Londons Lords Cricket Ground, it was announced Wednesday. Morgan, who also served as a chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), will take over on October 1 after being nominated by current MCC president Mike Gatting. David Morgan has been and remains one of the most influential voices in the world game, and Im sure he will do an excellent job in leading MCC through a very important time in its history, said Gatting. He is ambitious, creative and efficient and will be a fantastic leader for this wonderful club. AFP

Gomez missing from Germany WC squad

Germany coach Joachim Loew excluded veteran striker Mario Gomez from his 30-man pre-World Cup squad on Thursday. Gomez, 33, was always a long shot as he has played only nine league games, scoring three goals, for Fiorentina this season. But having scored 25 times in 59 games for his country, the former Bayern Munich star was hoping to muscle his way into Loews reckoning. While he misses out, there is room for 35-year-old Miroslav Klose, who needs just one more World Cup goal to equal the all-time record of 15 set by Brazilian Ronaldo. On the whole, Loew has plumped for a fairly youthful squad with 10 players who were not even born the last time Germany won the World Cup in 1990, as West Germany. Two such youngsters making the squad were attacking midfielder Leon Goretzka of Schalke 04 and Hoffenheim forward Kevin Volland. As expected runaway German champions Bayern Munich provide the greatest number of players with seven, closely followed by Borussia Dortmund, second in the league and supplying five. One notable returnee is Real Madrid defensive midfielder Sami Khedira, who is back following an injury. Loew will unveil his final squad of 23 on June 2, ahead of the June 13-July 13 tournament. l

30 MAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers (3) Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hanover) Defenders (10) Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm (Dortmund), Kevin Grosskreutz (Dortmund), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Dortmund), Marcell Jansen (Hamburg), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal/ENG), Shkodran Mustafi (Sampdoria/ITA), Marcel Schmelzer (Dortmund). Midfielders (15) Lars Bender (Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Schalke), Matthias Ginter (Friburg), Leon Goretzka (Schalke), Mario Goetze (Bayern Munich), Andre Hahn (Augsburg), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid/ESP), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Max Meyer (Schalke), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal/ENG), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal/ENG), Marco Reus (Dortmund), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea/ ENG), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich) Forwards (2) Miroslav Klose (Lazio/ITA), Kevin Volland (Hoffenheim)

Serena, Li ease into Madrid quarter-finals

World number one Serena Williams remained on course for a third consecutive Madrid Open title with a 6 2, 6 3 win over Spains Carla Suarez Navarro on Thursday. Williams was broken twice in her opening three service games, but Suarez Navarro was unable to consolidate the break and once the American moved ahead 4 2 she saw out the set comfortably. More of the same was to come in the second set as Suarez Navarro held serve just once and, despite her serve being broken twice more, Williams went on to set up a meeting with fifth seed Petra Kvitova in the last eight. I played Carla on clay I think last year, but in Rome. I feel like she actually played really well today, she made me work for every point and it wasnt an easy win, said Williams. Kvitova was also a winner in straight sets as she overcame Czech compatriot Lucie Safarova 6 4, 6 3. Second seed Li Na had a more difficult morning as she had to come from a set down to beat 16th seed Sloane Stephens 2 6, 6 3, 6 2. AFP

Watermelons with the carvings of (L to R) Argentinas Lionel Messi, Portugals Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazils Neymar are seen at San Raphael hotel in Sao Paulo on Wednesday. The 2014 World Cup will be held in Brazil from June 12 through July 13 REUTERS

Odemwingie returns to Nigeria WC squad

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has brought back Joseph Yobo and Peter Odemwingie into his initial 30-man squad for the World Cup. Yobo last featured in team which won the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last year. Odemwingie rowed with Keshi after he was left out of the Nations Cup squad. Stoke City striker Odemwingie has scored seven goals in 29 English Premier League matches and he has since apologised to Keshi for his twitter attacks. l

Agassi picks Nadal over Federer as all-time best

Andre Agassi has picked Rafael Nadal ahead of Grand Slam record-holder Roger Federer when asked to choose the best player in tennis history, a report said on Thursday. The American, putting a new slant on one of the sports great debates, said he prefers Nadal because the Spaniard has thrived in an ultra-competitive golden age of tennis. Id put Nadal number one, Federer number two, the eight-time Grand Slam-winner told Singapores Straits Times in an interview. Federer separated himself from the field for four years. He separated himself from (Andy) Roddick and (Lleyton) Hewitt, Agassi added. Nadal had to deal with Federer, (Novak) Djokovic, (Andy) Murray in the golden age of tennis. He has done what he has done and hes not done yet. Conventional wisdom ranks Federer ahead of Nadal, as the Swiss holds a record 17 Grand Slam titles against 13 for the current world number one. l

DAYS WATCH
Sony Six 8:30PM Indian Premier League Bangalore v Punjab NBA Play-Off 2013 14: CONF SF 5:00AM Brooklyn v Miami 7:30AM Portland v San Antonio

Day-night National Junior Athletics begins today

The two-day Walton 30th National Junior Athletics Championship begins today at the Bangabandhu National Stadium comprising more than 400 athletes from 64 districts, six divisions, BKSP and a number of educational boards. This edition, however, carries a different vibe as part of the event will be staged under lights for the very first time in the championships history. To avoid the scorching heat the organisers have decided to break the days proceedings in two parts with the first part from 8:30am-11:30am and the second half from 4:00pm-7:00pm under lights. For any new national record the Bangladesh Athletics Federation (BAF) will award the athletes with a purse of Tk5,000 while the sponsors will also provide gift-hampers. Bangladesh Olympics Association deputy secretary general Badal Roy will inaugurate the event as the chief guest. In a press conference held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday, BAF general secretary Ibrahim Changish revealed the details. Walton additional directors AFM Iqbal bin Anwar Dawn and M Mahmudul Haque and BAF vice president Shah Alam were also present among others. l

Bangladesh Athletic Federation general secretary Ibrahim Changish receives the sponsorship money from Walton additional director AFM Iqbal bin Anwar Dawn at the BNS yesterday COURTESY

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Friday, May 9, 2014

EC wont make public voter information

n Mohammad Zakaria
The Election Commission has decided not to put up National Identity (NID) Card and voter numbers on its website to avoid legal complexity. Moreover, the EC fears that if NID cards and voter numbers are made public personal information of voters cannot be kept secret and criminals can easily collect information about their target people. Once the information about voters on the EC website is uploaded it might put people lives in danger, the commission observed. The commission made the decision at a meeting yesterday. In January Election Commissioner Abdul Mobarak sent a note to the NID wing asking it to come up with suggestion that if voter and NID numbers should be put up on the commission website. The NID wing in reply to the note recommended that the issue should be discussed at the EC meeting before NID and voter numbers are made public. A senior assistant secretary of the EC yesterday said the commission had discussed the issue and decided not to make personal information public as the National Identity Card Registration Act bars such information from being made public. According to the laws, the commission should keep voter information a secret. Earlier, the Bangladesh Bank applied to the EC for three more personal information on voters present address, permanent address and profession. The Bangladesh Bank and National Board of Revenue are using the ECs voter database. Meanwhile, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Special Branch of Police, DGFI, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and some institutions too applied to the EC to get access to the ECs voter database.

Noldanga upzaila polls on June 9

The commission has decided to hold Noldanga upazila polls in Natore on June 9. The last date of filing nomination is May 15 and the nomination will be scrutinised on May 17. The last date of withdrawing nomination is May 25. Besides, the commission has taken initiatives to inform voters about their voter numbers and polling centres through mobile SMS in Barisal-5 by-election scheduled to be held on June 12. l

Firefighters work to douse a blaze that erupted on the fourth floor of a five-storey building in the capitals Elephant Road area yesterday
MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Tagores bank ledger left neglected

Rahman Bilu, back from n Hasibur Naogaon
More than a 100 year old ledger from the bank founded by Rabindranath Tagore known as Krishi Bank in Patishar of Naogaon, has been left uncared for at Naogaon Deputy Commissioners office for an extended period of time. Enclosed in the ledger there is a zamindari statement of Shilaidaha Estate in Kushtia. Tagore enthusiast Matiur Rahman Mamun of Patishar village under Atrai upazila in Naogaon recovered the ledger from a college teacher Abdul Hamid from Bilkrishnapur village of Raninagar upazila in the district a few years ago and handed it over to former deputy commissioner Dr Nazmunnara on 9 May, 2009, as government property. The 18-page ledger had been maintained by Ahmed Ali Shah, an employee of Shilaidaha Estate, which was used to collect accounts of the estate along with related statements of the Krishi Bank at Patishar. The bank was founded by Tagore with the Nobel Prize money to modernise and develop the agriNaogaon Deputy Commissioner Md Enamul Haque said a decision would be made soon as top officials had been informed. I will hand over the ledger as per the decision of the authority, he said. Md Badrul Alam, incumbent Regional Director of the Department of Archeology in Bogra, said they had taken an initiative to collect the document for the purpose of displaying it in the museum. I think the ledger is very important for research on modern banking as well as for visitors, he said. The document shows that the bank transactions had been maintained for at least 25 years as per Bengali calendar from 1320 to 1345. The ledger was written and verified by Raboti Kanto Bhowmik who was an employee of the Tagore estate. Naheed Sultana, former custodian of Rabindra Memorial Museum at Shahjadpur upazila in Sirajganj, said the ledger needed further research to be deciphered. It shows a boy with a bow and arrow mounted on a lion, she added. l

Wonder woman and her 11-year cancer ordeal

n Rajib Bhowmick
Akhtar Zaman, 50, a housewife, was diagnosed with recurrent ovarian cancer in October 2003. Oncologists say the average duration of survival after recurrence of ovarian cancer is about 12 18 months. Records also show that less than one in 10 patients survive beyond five years following chemotherapy treatment. But Akhtar Zaman has proved all predictions wrong, much to the wonder of the doctors who have been treating her for more than a decade. A resident of the capitals Pallabi area and the mother of two children, Akhtar leads a normal life and does her regular household chores with the same efficiency she used to have before she fell ill. Yesterday, she came to the Wings convention centre in the captials Dhanmondi to attend a seminar on the occasion of the World Ovarian Cancer Day, organised jointly by www.cancerbd.com and the Oncology Club. Her husband Syed Tarequzzman, who has been fighting alongside his wife for all these years, described what they had been going through. Soon after she was diagnosed with the disease in 2003, he took her to Bangkok. Over the next few years, she took four cycles of chemotherapy in a hospital in the Thai capital and got well. However, as is usual with Recurrent Ovarian Cancer, after a couple of years, the disease made a comeback. This time though, her husband decided to stay in Bangladesh and continue her treatment. Back in 2003, things were not like what they are now. Today we have modern hospitals equipped with all kinds of stateof-the art facilities to fight against cancer in

cultural practices through technology such as power tillers. We still expect that the Department of Archeology will take an initiative to display it in the Patishar Museum but Naogaon district administration is yet

to take a decision, said Mamun. He has been collecting Tagore memorabilia since 2003 as a hobby. Among the Tagore memorabilia there is a six-page short biography of Tagore which has already been handed over to the Department of Archaeology.

Birth registration: A synonym of farce

n Udisa Islam
In Bangladesh, people need to prove their ages in all kinds of places for getting government jobs, admitting children to schools, courtroom sessions, and so on. Thanks to a section of grassroots level public representatives and public servants and virtually zero monitoring by the government, one can easily customise the official birth certificate according to their needs. Recently, in Rajbari district, a 22-year-old accused in a case secured freedom by proving before a local court that he was not an adult. According to the website of the Local Government Department, there are five authorities for awarding birth certificates union parishads (UP), municipal corporations, city corporations, cantonment boards and the embassies. These authorities award the birth certificates mainly on the basis of recommendations and approvals from local public representatives such as UP chairmen, ward councillors and so on. In Jessore, the UP chairman of Sharsha union recently helped in a child marriage by issuing false certificates that proved that two minor boy and girl were adults. Apart from these serious issues, parents and guardians often tend to customise the birth dates of school going children. The education policy states that the minimum age for getting admission in a school is six and sitting in the SSC examination is 15. According to the public service recruitment policy, the maximum age for application eligibility is 31 years. Even many private banks nowadays have their own minimum age for recruitment. These have prompted many guardians and parents to want their ward to sit in exams at the minimum possible

People take advantage at offices, schools and even in courts

age, so that they can get more time to apply for jobs. Some guardians get actual birth certificates with false dates by pursuing recommendation out of public representatives, some of whom do it for money and others to show that they have the power. Sources at government offices said the trend spiked after the lottery system was introduced for admission in schools and a rule was made that the younger child would be chosen if there were two candidates against one available seat. The same rule for choosing the younger candidate was introduced for admission in the colleges as well. AKM Saiful Islam Chowdhury, project director of the Birth and Death Registration Project of the government, told the Dhaka Tribune that they had been facing a huge rush during February-May every year because that was the time for registration for the primary terminal examinations. He also said sometimes parents and even school authorities applied for re-registration saying a childs birth certificated needed to be changed on humanitarian grounds. Earlier this week, the parents and teachers of at least one hundred fifth grade students of a primary school in Bhairab of Kishoreganj found out that the kids would not be able to sit for the primary terminal examination because all of them were nine years old on papers; for sitting in the exam, a child must be at least 11 years old. Some of them have sought fresh birth certificates from the local issuing authority citing humanitarian grounds. Saiful said he was annoyed that some opportunists had been misusing the birth registration system and violating law. After proper investigation, we will take strong steps to rectify the loopholes, he said. l

Myanmars timber export ban may hit local market

n Abu Bakar Siddique
The sudden decision by the government of Myanmar to entirely ban the export of timber to Bangladesh might lead to an acute shortage in the countrys local market as the neighbouring country is the largest and cheapest source of imported timber. The decision by the Myanmar government might be harmful for Bangladeshi customers. Because of this decision, we have to search for alternative sources which will be able to meet the demands of the local market, making timber more costly, Bangladesh Timber Merchants Association Chairman Nasir Uddin Bahadur told the Dhaka Tribune. Import of a certain type of timber from Indonesia or other tropical countries could raise the cost by around Tk30-50 for each cubic feet or CFT because of the distance, he said. A statement from Myanma Timber Enterprise said Myanmars Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry would prohibit export of logs from April 1, according to a Bangkok Post report published on March 25. The report also said that the Myanmar authorities had taken the decision because the countrys forest area shrank from 57.9% of its total land area in 1990 to 47.6% in 2005. BTMA officials said, Bangladesh had been importing around 50 lakh CFT of timber annually to meet local demands. Of them, around 70% or 35 lakh CFT comes from Myanmar, 20% from Malaysia and the rest from different countries including Indonesia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Canada and the US. We hope that we will continue receiving timber from Myanmar for atleast the next few months, so that we are able to receive the products that have already been ordered. We will then have to find other sources if the Myanmar government continues to impose the ban, Nasir Uddin observed. Bangladesh has largely been dependent on timber from Myanmar, ever since 1989, after the Bangladesh government imposed a moratorium on log cutting from any natural forest. Forest Department officials said they were concerned over the Myanmar governments decision, saying it could result in an increase of illegal wood chopping in natural forest areas in Chittagong. Md Akbar Hossain, conservator of forest of Chittagong Circle said forest officials have to be more vigilant in checking for possible signs of deforestation. l

the country, Tareq said. In these 11 years, Akhtar has taken a staggering number 34 chemotherapies, he said. A few months ago, doctors said she had got chemotherapy resistant, meaning that the treatment was not working anymore to keep the disease from recurring. She started losing weight fast. Then I consulted an herbal specialist. By the grace of the Almighty, she has been recovering well since, he said. Dr Mostafa Aziz Sumon, an oncologist from a private hospital in the city who has been treating Akhtar for a few years now, said she had proved everybody wrong. Her bravery in combatting a disease like cancer has inspired a number of other patients. To the wonder of physicians, she is having a surprisingly good health although it has been 11 years since she was diagnosed with cancer, said Dr Sumon, also a member of the Oncology Club. Rafe Sadnan Adel, organiser of the website cancerbd.com, told the Dhaka Tribune that: After fighting with ovarian cancer for more than two years, my mother died a couple of months ago. I do not want any mother to die from the disease again. That is why I have initiated the website to inform people about the symptoms and treatments of cancer. He also said this is the second time the World Ovarian Cancer Day was being observed in Bangladesh. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207. Phone: 9132093 94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com

B3 Free market America?

Yes, but with limits

B4 Global business growth

eases in April
FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

Muhith eyes more taxes on SIM, vehicles import, tobacco

n
Tribune Report
Finance Minister AMA Muhith suggested increasing taxes on SIM card, tobacco products and import of vehicles as these sectors could boost revenue collection. The minister, however, didnt use the word increase but asked the NBR to carefully consider the sectors while fixing taxes. He also announced the target to raise 18% of gross domestic product in next five years from the current 13%. Taxes constitute 13% of GDP now. We target to raise it to 18% by the end of the present governments tenure. He said the government is losing a huge amount of revenue from the import of vehicles. There are complexities regarding the import duty on vehicles. NBR should take step to reduce the complexities, Muhith said. He added the NBR should also see into the tobacco products more strictly as they cause damage to human health. Bidi industry no longer exists in the country. It is now producing cigarette. NBR should think of this industrial shift while deciding about taxes. SIM card is another matter finance minister focused on while talking about next fiscals budget during the

PM: Keep shut Ruposhi Bangla for renovation

n Muhammad Zahidul Islam
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked authorities to go with the earlier decision to keep shut the Ruposhi Bangla Hotel during its renovation work. Although she is aware about the employees union demand, but not willing to change the latest schedule and the process of renovation work, Rashed Khan Menon, minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, told the Dhaka Tribune after a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held at the Civil Aviation ministry at the secretariat. The meeting is learnt to have decided the hotel would remain closed for at least 16 months from September next as the management plans for a massive renovation before rebranding it for the InterContinental Hotels chain. Ruposhi Bangla Hotel Sramik O Karmachari Union has been pressing its demand for partial closure of the hotel during renovation work as soon as the deal was signed between Bangladesh Services Limited and InterContinental Hotels Chain in February 2012 for 30 years. Meanwhile, state-owned Agrani Bank is going to finance the expenses of the renovation work of Ruposhi Bangla Hotel, which is scheduled to begin from September 16. According to a source, most of the renovation fund will be borrowed from

Agrani Bank to finance renovation expenses

the Agrani Bank. Bangladesh Services Ltd, the management of the state-owned five star hotel, will soon sign a deal with the Agrani Bank to bear the renovation cost of US$43.13m (around Tk335.34 core), which can also be increased by 10%, as per the proposed deal, said a source. Agrani Bank has already expressed its keen willingness to finance most of the renovation work although the loan amount as well as the terms and conditions are still under consultation stage, said the minister. This is the first-ever meeting held between the PM and the officials of the ministry of tourism and civil aviation under the present government to update her about the raising complexities over the renovation work of the Rupashi Bangla hotel, said Menon. Earlier James McDonald, general manager of Ruposhi Bangla Hotel, however said, We need to change every pipe, every cable, every toilet [fitting] and every bathtub to turn this hotel into a world-standard one. It is impossible to offer the service and carry out the renovation work at the same time. The meeting also decided to float the tender for the renovation work by June 1, so the physical work can begin from 16 September. Ruposhi Bangla will not take any guests from 1 September as per the deal.
B3 COLUMN 1

Finance Minister AMA Muhith addressing 35th National Consultative Committee meeting at Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka yesterday
NASHIRUL ISLAM

meeting. Finance minister said the facilities to protect local industries will continue and called on the entrepreneurs to make the best use of those facilities.

Besides, the finance minister alleged that the businessmen were getting back the money which they had to pay as advanced income tax to NBR. Although the businessmen are en-

titled to have refund of their advance payment not used, they are not getting it. He called for creating a separate fund in this regard.l

FBCCI for launching special economic zones, 0.3% source tax

n Tribune Report
The apex body president has demanded launching special economic zones, special incentives to backward area investors, Tk300crore for emerging women entrepreneurs and continuation of VAT package for businessmen. He also urged the government to fix source tax at 0.30% for all sorts of export. Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed made the demands while placing 617-point budget proposals at the 35th National Consultative Committee Meeting in Dhaka yesterday. Finance Minister AMA Muhith was present as chief guest in the meeting with National Board of Revenue Chairman Ghulam Hussain presided over. The NBR chief said as the VAT and Supplementary Duty Act 2012 will come into effect on July 1, 2015, the NBR will have to bring down the number of products and services from 1362 to 170 for imposing supplementary duties. He said the draft of customs has been prepared keeping consistency with the international systems, which will be effective at the end of the current year. The meeting was also attended by the presidents of different chambers and associations, government officials and economists. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Atiqul Islam alleged that inspections by the Accord and Alliance have left 17,500 workers lost their jobs. He urged to reduce import duty on raw materials to be used in pre-fabricated buildings for the RMG sector. Bangladesh Chamber of Industries President AK Azad called on withdrawing duty on newsprint import as the rate is now 21-22%. Exporters Association of Bangladesh President Abdus Salam Murshedy urged the NBR to exempt export sector from VAT after the export policy is introduced. Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mahbubul Alam said the NBR should withdraw 5% tax at source on the locally procured raw materials. Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicle Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA) President Habibullah Dawn demanded the NBR allow importing reconditioned hybrid vehicles, increase of depreciation facility for cars from 45% to 55%, re-structuring the CC slab and withdrawing supplementary duties on import of microbus. Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) President AKM Salim Osman requested the government to audit the companys tax records once in a year as businesses are now facing repeated audits which create harassments for businesses. Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) Senior Vice President Syed Almas Kabir urged the NBR to exempt ICT businesses from 15% VAT on modem and continue the tax holiday facility till 2025. Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) President Mukarram Hussain Khan proposed NBR to reduce the advance income tax on transfer of per square metre residential lands, buildings and apartments to Tk1,000, Tk800 and Tk500 respectively from existing Tk1,600, Tk1,500 and Tk600 for the areas divided in three different categories. Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) President AkbarUddin Ahmed suggested the government allocate special budgetary funds for infrastructural development and providing special incentives to the sector. Former FBCCI Vice President Abul Kashem Ahmed demanded continuing tax holiday facility for poultry, fisheries, dairy and small industries. President of Rangpur Women ChamberAnwara FerdousiPolly proposed special allocation for small industries and development of women in the region. The businessmen also demanded increasing export incentive for Jamdani from 5% to 25%, stopping harassment by the VAT intelligence wing, announcing rubber industry as VAT-free, continuing tax holiday for security companies till 2021 and increasing annual turnover limit from Tk80 lakh to Tk1.5crore. l

Exports rise 13% in July-April period

n Tribune Report
The countrys export earnings rose by over 13% to US$24.65bn garment sector in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year compared to the same period of last financial year. The earnings were slightly higher (0.40%) than the strategic target of $24.55 billion, according to the latest data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) yesterday. In April, the earnings seen a 16% jump to $2.41bn compared $2.07bn of the same period of last fiscal year. The RMG sector, major export earner, posted 15.4% growth to nearly $20 billion in July-April period of the current financial year, while in April it posted a 17.6% rise in the same period of last year. In July-April period, Bangladesh exported knitwear and woven products of $9.80bn and $10.16bn respectively, registering growth of 17% and 14% for the same period of last year. Leather and leather products marked 34% and 70% rise to $424 million and $197million respectively while frozen foods earned 23.3% growth, followed by tea 44%, vegetable 43%, ceramics products 27.75% and footwear 30%. On the other hand, some sectors like fruits, cements, cosmetics, jute and jute goods, raw jute, terry Towel and building materials seen decline in their earnings. Export earnings from the readymade garment sector showed sound growth due to its peak season, Mohammad Hatem, first vice president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), told the Dhaka Tribune. He said knitwear is doing better which is another reason behind the upward rally. We will be able to exceed the export target of $30.5bn set for current financial year if there is no untoward incidents like political unrest, said an official of EPB. l

Tofail urges Accord to pay RMG workers during remediation work n Tribune Report
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed has urged the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh to pay workers wages during factory closure or production suspension for remediation work. He made the call yesterday while holding a meeting with the representatives of Accord and Alliance, two platforms of the global retailers, at his secretariat office in the capital. The meeting was aimed at discussing the standards for Building, fire and electricity safety assessment of the existing RMG factories. As the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety is paying workers wages during remediation, the Accord should also pay the salaries of the workers, Tofail Ahmed told the reporters after the meeting.
B3 COLUMN 5

Imports rise 30.6% in March

n Tribune Report
The countrys import expenditures based on LC (letter of credit) settlement rose significantly by 30.6% to US$3.44bn in March, this year as business activities become normal after cooling down the political unrest, which was created centering the 5 January polls. The import in March last year had stood at $2.63bn, according to the Bangladesh Bank data released yesterday. Import increased by 23.33% to $3.13bn in February of current fiscal year just after January 5 polls, compared to growth of 15.52% in the same month of the previous year. The import turned to the higher in the recent months thanks to the increase of food and capital machineries import, opined a senior executive of Bangladesh Bank. Major entrepreneurs became active to their business soon after the national polls, as a result import demand for capital machineries and raw materials in the different business sector have been increased sharply. Bangladesh Bank is also encouraging the importer due to having dollar adequacy in countrys reserve, he pointed out. The value of LC against Rice import stood at $54.19m in March, this year followed by wheat $76.76m, Sugar $43.80m, Edible oil (crude) $51.76m, Pulses $26.64m and capital machinery $155m, according to the Bangladesh Bank data. The countrys import expenditure rose by 13.49% in the first eight months (July-February) of the current fiscal year as compared to the same period of last fiscal year. Increased import of capital machineries has led the overall import to a positive growth, said a senior executive of Bangladesh Bank. Capital machinery import increased during the period of July-February due to the increased inflow of foreign direct investment mainly in the garment sector, he also added. According to the central bank data, capital machinery import witnessed 8.61% rise in the first eight months from the negative growth of 18.46% in fiscal year 2012-13. The growth was also negative by 15.85% in the previous fiscal year 2011-12. The value of LCs (letter of credits) settlement stood at $2.4bn in the period of July to February of the current fiscal year compared to $2.12bn in the same period of the last fiscal year. Although the import growth remained positive, it was slower compared to the export growth, the trade deficit during the period reduced to $3.56bn from $4.59bn. The export earnings increased by 13.96% in July-February of the current fiscal year from 9.36% growth recorded in the same period of the last fiscal year. l

Bank owners want corporate tax cut

n Tahmidur Rahman
Businessmen have urged the government to reduce corporate tax on banks considering the present business situation in the country. They also demanded measures to lower the lending rate to stimulate industrial growth. At present, the corporate tax for banks is 42.5% and the interest rate on tern loan is as high as 16%. The businessmen raised the demand at the pre-budget meeting of the national consultative committee of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) at a hotel in the city yesterday. The corporate tax for banks needs to be lowered considering the present business situation, said former FBCCI president AK Azad, who is also the chairman of Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited. Azad said the lending rate should also be cut down to single digit as the existing rate, which is as high as 16%, is near to impossible to deal with. He recommended adjusting the interest rates of savings certificates with the lending rates. Being chair of a bank, I believe 9% lending rate against 6% deposit rate to make a 3% spread, he added. The rate of inflation, however, remains well above the proposed deposit rate while the regulatory limit of spread is 5%. Golam Dastagir Gazi, an MP and director of Jamuna Bank Limited also echoed Azad for reducing the corporate tax. FBCCI President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed said the taxes on bank and energy sectors should be rationalised as they dictate other sectors. On a similar note, Abdus Salam Murshedy, President of Exporters Association of Bangladesh, asked the central bank to extend time for announcing loan as substandard to six months, instead of existing two months, taking the current situation into account. l

B2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Stock
DSE GAINERS Company

Friday, May 9, 2014

Profit booking breaks 3-day rally

n Tribune Report
Stocks ended the week with decline yesterday, snapping a three-day rally as investors opted for booking profits. The market opened on happy note and rallied a bit intraday, but failed to hold gains till the end of the trading session. The benchmark index DSEX lost 20 points or 0.5% to close at 4555, hitting highest 4597 in the morning. Shariah Index DSES was slightly down 2 points or 0.2% to 1013.The blue-chip comprising DS30 fell 12 points or 0.8% to 1666. Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index, CSCX, declined 44 points to close at 8763. Trading activities decreased with DSE turnover standing at Tk348 crore, a decrease of 17% over the previous session. All the major sectors ended in red with food and allied shedding highest over 1%, followed by telecommunications and pharmaceuticals 0.92% and 0.91% respectively. Non-banking financial institutions, power and banks also closed lower. Throughout the week, the index followed range-bound strategies, while on the last trading day of the week, market snapped some profit dragging the benchmark index down, said Lanka Bangla Securities, in its daily market analysis. Market witnessed volatility, indicating that investors were cautious over the course of the trading session, it said. IDLC Investments said market demonstrated a mixed trading pattern, as the beginning enthusiasm sedated over time. Consequently, the bourse ended flat again. It added the stock specific movements were notable, while investors switching to lucratively valued scrips. But general investors participation was poor, lowering turnover by 17%. Zenith Investments said: After three days of continuous performance, market was a little bit exhausted and slipped down to negativity. It added: Plagued by some profit taking activities, it is apparent that market has decided to side walk before going for a rally. Gramennphone, the countrys top mobile phone operator, was the most traded stock for the third straight session, followed by Meghna Petroleum, Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Ltd, Matin Spinning, Lafarge Surma Cement, Square Pharmaceuticals, Padma Oil and Emerald Oil. l

DSE key features May 8, 2014

Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract Traded Issues Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis) Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis) Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis) Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.) Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)
3,481.48 79,826,954 81,092 286 88 194 4 2,336.38 28.32

Closing (% change) 9.99 6.57 5.90 5.78 5.22 4.87 4.53 4.50 4.39 4.38

Eastern Cables-A Monno Stafllers -A Libra Infusions-A Midas Financing-Z BD Submarine Cable-A National Tubes -A ICB AMCL 1st NRB -A Usmania Glass -A Renwick Jajneswar-A Matin Spinning-N CSE GAINERS Company ICB AMCL 1st NRB -A GreenDeltaInsu -A Eastern Cables-A Usmania Glass -A Janata Insur -A Padma Islami Life*-N MBL 1st M. F.-A FAS Fin. & Inv. Ltd-B BD Submarine Cable-A Social Islami. B A

Average (% change) 6.77 4.81 5.87 6.25 5.97 3.48 2.90 4.27 3.35 0.30 Average (% change) 9.62 9.45 6.35 7.08 7.12 11.97 3.21 3.38 5.97 3.80

Closing average 128.14 330.16 429.12 23.80 191.44 152.08 29.77 161.52 326.22 46.73

Closing 131.00 335.70 429.10 23.80 193.40 152.90 30.00 162.50 326.00 47.70

Daily high 131.00 340.00 440.00 23.80 194.50 160.00 30.50 164.00 333.80 48.20

Daily low 121.90 315.60 408.10 23.80 166.40 140.00 29.00 151.00 321.00 44.90

Turnover in million 16.645 1.007 1.459 0.012 145.426 34.261 3.825 12.507 4.355 142.018

Latest EPS 2.03 4.15 4.20 -6.91 2.95 3.91 4.57 4.07 3.92 4.55

Latest PE 63.1 79.6 102.2 -ve 64.9 38.9 6.5 39.7 83.2 10.3

Closing (% change) 9.81 9.51 8.35 7.85 7.31 6.03 4.94 4.88 4.75 4.35

Closing average 29.05 90.90 128.37 163.99 23.46 73.90 8.36 16.84 190.73 12.02

Closing 29.10 91.00 128.40 164.80 23.50 73.90 8.50 17.20 191.80 12.00

Daily high 29.10 91.00 130.30 167.00 23.90 73.90 8.50 17.30 193.00 12.30

Daily low 29.00 91.00 124.00 159.90 22.50 73.90 8.10 16.30 185.10 11.70

Turnover in million 0.029 0.091 0.680 1.230 0.033 0.111 0.330 1.617 26.740 1.619

Latest EPS 4.57 3.00 2.03 4.07 0.59 1.10 1.48 0.48 2.95 2.08

Latest PE 6.4 30.3 63.2 40.3 39.8 67.2 5.6 35.1 64.7 5.8

CSE key features May 8, 2014

Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract
249.46 6,442,845 10,436 207 67 132 7 2,242.48 27.18

News, analysis and recent disclosers

SALVOCHEM: The Board of Directors has recommended 10% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2013. The Board has also decided to increase the Authorized Capital of the Company from Tk. 50.00 crore to Tk. 100.00 crore. Date of AGM: 27.08.2014, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Seagull, Shinghar Dighi, Mawna, Sreepur, Gazipur. Record date: 25.06.2014. The Company has also reported net profit after tax of Tk. 50.77 million, EPS of Tk. 1.09, NAV per share of Tk. 12.05 and NOCFPS of Tk. 1.54 for the year ended on December 31, 2013 as against Tk. 31.57 million, Tk. 0.68 (restated), Tk. 11.10 and Tk. 1.84 respectively for the year ended on December 31, 2012. KAY&QUE: (Q1): As per un-audited quarterly accounts for the 1st quarter ended on 31st March 2014 (Jan'14 to March'14), the Company has reported net profit/(loss) after tax of Tk. (1.15) million with EPS of Tk. (0.23) as against Tk. (1.95) million and Tk. (0.40) respectively for the same period of the previous year. Accumulated profit/(loss) of the Company was Tk. (37.98) million as on 31.03.2014. SIBL: (Q1): As per un-audited quarterly accounts for the 1st quarter ended on 31st March 2014 (Jan'14 to March'14), the Company has reported consolidated net profit after tax (excluding non-controlling interest) of Tk. 365.79 million with consolidated basic EPS of Tk. 0.52 as against Tk. 122.29 million and Tk. 0.17 respectively for the same period of the previous year. RUPALIINS: The Company has informed that it has credited the bonus shares for the year 2013 to the respective shareholders' BO Accounts on April 07, 2014. Sale proceeds of fraction bonus shares will be distributed shortly along with cash dividend. SIBL: The Company has further informed that the 19th AGM of the Company will be held on May 31, 2014 at 10:30 AM at Sunrise Community Center, Sunamgonj Road, Pathantola, Sylhet. Other information of the AGM will remain unchanged. PURABIGEN: As per Regulation 30 of DSE Listing Regulations, the Company has informed that a meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on May 10, 2014 at 1:30 PM to consider, among others, audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended on December 31, 2013. Dividend/AGM ISNLTD: No dividend, AGM: 17.06.2014, RD May 20, 2014. GOLDENSON: 25% stock, EGM and AGM: 21.06.2014, Record Date: 15.05.2014. CMCKAMAL: 12.50% stock, AGM: 30.06.2014. Record Date: 29.05.2014. RUPALIBANK: 15% stock, AGM: 31.05.2014, Record date: 14.05.2014. LEGACYFOOT: 5% stock, AGM: 21.06.2014, Record Date: 12.05.2014. BDTHAI: 5% stock, AGM: 21.06.2014, Record Date: 25.05.2014. MEGHNACEM: 15% cash, AGM: 29.05.2014, Record Date: 14.05.2014. MONNOSTAF: 10% cash, AGM: 26.06.2014, Record Date: 19.05.2014. INTECH: 10% stock, AGM: 23.06.2014, Record Date: 15.05.2014. ISLAMIINS: 15% stock, AGM: 09.07.2014, RD: 12.05.2014. BXPHARMA: 10% cash & 5% stock, AGM: 21.06.2014, RD: 18.05.2014. STANDARINS: 15% stock, AGM: 18.06.2014, RD: 15.05.2014. SONARGAON: No dividend, AGM: 07.06.2014, RD: 15.05.2014.

Daily capital market highlights

DSE Broad Index : DSE Shariah Index : DSE - 30 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index :
DSE LOSERS Company 2nd ICB M F -A Kohinoor Chem -A AramitCementA Aziz PipesZ Meghna PET Ind. -Z United Leasing - A LankaBangla Fin. -A United Insur -A Closing (% change) -8.32 -8.22 -6.56 -6.43 -4.92 -4.74 -4.47 -4.20

4555.11581 1012.92123 1666.00852 14050.7262 11597.8600 8763.4045

(-) 0.45% (-) 0.20% (-) 0.70% (-) 0.34% (-) 0.52% (-) 0.50%

Traded Issues Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis) Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis) Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis) Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.) Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

Average (% change) -8.32 -8.22 -6.27 -2.96 -2.28 -3.94 -3.46 -4.21

Closing average 273.20 335.00 45.87 16.06 6.00 24.38 51.83 34.32

Closing 273.20 335.00 45.60 16.00 5.80 24.10 51.30 34.20

Daily high 273.20 335.00 50.00 17.60 5.90 26.50 53.90 34.30

Daily low 273.20 335.00 45.20 15.80 5.80 22.80 49.00 32.20

Turnover in million 0.027 0.865 19.355 0.326 0.018 4.054 48.396 0.228

Latest EPS 33.24 9.37 0.68 0.68 -1.33 1.90 4.36 2.77

Latest PE 8.2 35.8 67.5 23.6 -ve 12.8 11.9 12.4

Orion Pharma-N Padma Islami Life*-N

CSE LOSERS Company Kay & Que (BD) -Z AramitCementA Provati Insur.-A SonarBangla Insu. -A Fine Foods A National Life I -A Union Capital -A BD. Thai Alum -B

-4.02 -3.91

-4.59 -3.67

55.49 68.79

54.90 68.80

57.70 70.20

52.00 67.70

53.017 0.963

4.40 1.10

12.6 62.5

Closing (% change) -29.41 -7.76 -5.65 -5.63 -5.26 -4.94 -4.60 -4.20

Average (% change) -29.29 -6.21 -9.48 -5.09 -5.42 -3.13 -3.60 -3.49

Closing average 12.02 45.91 20.82 21.80 16.23 342.88 25.17 22.95

Closing 12.00 45.20 21.70 21.80 16.20 336.50 24.90 22.80

Daily high 12.20 47.40 21.70 21.80 16.40 345.00 25.50 23.70

Daily low 12.00 45.00 21.70 21.80 16.10 336.50 24.80 22.80

Turnover in million 0.132 6.129 0.018 0.022 0.097 0.069 0.267 0.285

Latest EPS -0.92 0.68 1.63 1.52 -1.01 12.46 2.08 -0.13

Latest PE -ve 67.5 12.8 14.3 -ve 27.5 12.1 -ve

Sinobangla Indu.-A LankaBangla Fin. -A

-4.13 -4.09

-9.48 -3.49

23.20 51.77

23.20 51.60

23.20 52.70

23.20 51.30

0.012 3.029

0.80 4.36

29.0 11.9

ANALYST
SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY
Sector Bank NBFI Investment Engineering Food & Allied Fuel & Power Jute Textile Pharma & Chemical Paper & Packaging Service Leather Ceramic Cement Information Technology General Insurance Life Insurance Telecom Travel & Leisure Miscellaneous Debenture

Plagued by some profit taking activities, it is apparent that market has decided to side walk before going for a rally

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Grameenphone-A Meghna Petroleum -A BD Submarine Cable-A Matin Spinning-N LafargeS Cement-Z Olympic Ind. -A
Islami Bank BD - A

DSE Million Taka 466.86 131.26 124.65 330.55 249.44 381.67 1.68 313.60 475.57 0.25 69.80 19.41 24.36 250.64 36.49 44.62 68.29 388.73 21.65 81.67 0.29

% change 13.41 3.77 3.58 9.49 7.16 10.96 0.05 9.01 13.66 0.01 2.00 0.56 0.70 7.20 1.05 1.28 1.96 11.17 0.62 2.35 0.01

Million Taka 25.07 8.07 5.29 29.67 13.94 26.26 38.70 25.02 16.56 3.66 20.49 3.51 21.43 2.39 0.68 3.63 41.55 5.35 7.82 0.05

CSE

% change 8.38 2.70 1.77 9.92 4.66 8.78 0.00 12.94 8.36 5.54 1.22 6.85 1.17 7.16 0.80 0.23 1.21 13.89 1.79 2.62 0.02

Million Taka 491.93 139.33 129.94 360.22 263.38 407.93 1.68 352.29 500.59 16.81 73.46 39.90 27.87 272.07 38.88 45.29 71.92 430.29 26.99 89.50 0.34

Total

% change 13.01 3.69 3.44 9.53 6.97 10.79 0.04 9.32 13.24 0.44 1.94 1.06 0.74 7.20 1.03 1.20 1.90 11.38 0.71 2.37 0.01

Emerald Oil Ind. -N HeidelbergCement -A Golden Son -A Eastern Housing -A Orion Pharma-N
CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company BD Submarine Cable-A

Square Pharma -A Padma Oil Co. -A City Bank - A

Volume shares 889,400 494,357 759,628 3,039,200 1,899,500 490,812 4,053,918 350,901 261,849 4,167,390

1,474,500 128,800 1,242,993 1,061,235 955,500

Value in million 243.31 146.19 145.43 142.02 130.22 119.49 106.37 97.93 89.45 75.00

73.32 70.92 70.87 65.44 53.02

% of total turnover 6.99 4.20 4.18 4.08 3.74 3.43 3.06 2.81 2.57 2.15

2.11 2.04 2.04 1.88 1.52

Daily closing 272.60 294.40 193.40 47.70 69.20 240.30 26.10 278.60 340.40 17.80

50.80 545.10 56.50 62.60 54.90

Price change -1.37 0.07 5.22 4.38 3.28 -0.95 0.00 -0.43 -0.41 -1.11

3.67 -0.82 -1.57 4.33 -4.02

Daily opening 276.40 294.20 183.80 45.70 67.00 242.60 26.10 279.80 341.80 18.00

49.00 549.60 57.40 60.00 57.20

51.20 560.00 58.10 63.00 57.70

Daily high

Daily high 278.00 298.80 194.50 48.20 69.60 246.00 26.40 282.00 346.00 18.30

47.60 543.20 52.00 54.00 52.00

Daily low

Daily low 271.80 270.00 166.40 44.90 66.90 230.00 24.50 261.00 328.80 16.70

Daily average 273.56 295.71 191.44 46.73 68.55 243.45 26.24 279.08 341.59 18.00

49.72 550.62 57.02 61.66 55.49

Volume shares

Prepared exclusively for Dhaka Tribune by Business Information Automation Service Line (BIASL), on the basis of information collected from daily stock quotations and audited reports of the listed companies. High level of caution has been taken to collect and present the above information and data. The publisher will not take any responsibility if any body uses this information and data for his/her investment decision. For any query please email to biasl@bol-online.com or call 01552153562 or go to www.biasl.net

Matin Spinning-N Grameenphone-A LafargeS Cement-Z Appollo Ispat CL -N Orion Pharma-N AramitCementA Golden Son -A UCBL - A Meghna Petroleum -A Padma Oil Co. -A UNITED AIR A Bengal Windsor-A Square Pharma -A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A

140,200 363,600 53,800 163,500 384,600 111,220 133,500 97,000 204,395 18,444 15,100 373,901 75,400 12,510 125,843

Value in million

26.74 16.95 14.81 11.18 10.71 6.21 6.13 5.54 5.52 5.44 5.15 4.53 3.69 3.49 3.39

% of total turnover

11.09 7.03 6.14 4.64 4.44 2.58 2.54 2.30 2.29 2.26 2.14 1.88 1.53 1.45 1.41

Daily closing

191.80 47.60 272.50 69.10 28.00 55.60 45.20 56.50 26.90 294.30 340.20 12.10 48.80 278.90 27.00

Price change

4.75 3.93 -1.34 2.98 -0.71 -3.30 -7.76 -2.42 -1.10 -0.10 -0.44 -1.63 -1.81 -0.21 -0.37

Daily opening

183.10 45.80 276.20 67.10 28.20 57.50 49.00 57.90 27.20 294.60 341.70 12.30 49.70 279.50 27.10

193.00 48.00 277.80 69.50 28.30 57.30 47.40 58.10 27.40 299.90 345.00 12.40 49.80 280.40 27.50

185.10 44.90 271.90 66.50 27.50 55.50 45.00 56.20 26.80 293.60 340.00 11.20 48.50 278.10 24.50

Daily average

190.73 46.61 275.36 68.37 27.85 55.86 45.91 57.15 27.00 295.08 341.03 12.12 48.99 279.03 26.97

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

Friday, May 9, 2014

B3

SC paves way for KPPLs IPO subscription collection n Nazmus Sakib

The apex court yesterday stayed a High Court order that halted on Wednesday collection of Initial Public Offering subscription by Khulna Printing and Packaging Limited upon a writ petition. As a result, the KPPL can now collect the IPO subscriptions. Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, chamber judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, issued the stay order for two weeks, KPPLs lawyer Mahbub Shafique confirmed to the Dhaka Tribune. He said no lawyer for the writ petitioner was present before the court during the hearing. On Wednesday, the High Court bench of Justice Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice Khurshid Alam Sarkar halted the IPO subscription for three months following a writ petition filed by Raihanul Mustafa, a Supreme Court lawyer. The writ plea was filed alleging that the KPPL had reportedly aimed at collecting Tk40 crore showing prospectus which is full of fake information. But the regulator, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, did not take any action or probe the matter. The High Court also asked as to why inaction of the BSEC regarding the IPO collection should not be held illegal. l

Free market America? Yes, but with limits

n AFP, Washington
The United States portrays itself as a bastion of the unfettered free market, but when foreign firms launch takeover bids for American businesses things are not always so laissez faire. The United States is the worlds top destination for foreign investment. Business leaders here scoff at protectionism, such as the French governments opposition to US engineering giant General Electrics bid for the energy business of French rival Alstom. Theres a sense here that the highest bidder should prevail, said Mitchell Marks, a mergers and acquisitions specialist at the University of San Francisco. Last year, Softbank of Japan acquired Sprint, the third largest American mobile phone carrier. And Smithfield Foods was bought by a Chinese investor for around seven billion dollars. But there are limits to this openness, first because of concerns over competition but mainly when the transaction involves assets linked to national security or crucial infrastructure under current law. In these cases, takeover bids are examined by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). This panel brings together representatives of the Treasury, State and Defense departments as well as domestic intelligence services. After an assessment period that can last up to 75 days, the committee can approve the bid, require changes or, in the most extreme case, recommend that the president simply nix it. In September 2012, President Barack Obama blocked Chinese companies from acquiring wind power farms in Oregon on that grounds that they were located near a US military base. It is a unilateral, non reviewable decision and he doesnt have to justify it, said Samuel Thompson, author of a book entitled Fusion, Acquisition and Tender Offers. A review does not even have to go as high as the White House. Political pressure can also influence the process, especially when the takeover bid comes from a country with delicate relations with the United States, such as China or Russia. Many foreign buyers are surprised by the number of takeover defenses that are available to US companies, said James Hanks, a mergers and acquisitions lawyer with the firm Venable LLP in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2006, facing opposition from Congress even though it had the green light from the White House, the United Arab Emirates firm DP World had to give up on a bid to acquire management business at six American seaports including New York. l

Singer launches Western Union Money Transfer Service

n Tribune Report
Singer Bangladesh, the largest electronics and home appliance retail chain in the country, has launched the western union money transfer service in association with Bank Asia and the Western Union Company. From now on money transferred from more than 200 countries and territories across the globe can be collected from any singer outlets at almost every corner of the country even after banking hours until 8 pm. The company will provide service from their 371 Singer Mega and Singer outlets across the country. The western money transfer service will help the remitters to send money quickly and safely, said Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman yesterday while inaugurating the service in the capital. We are giving approval to the alternative mediums, in addition to the bank branches, to make easy remittance disbursement and bring it through banking channel, he said. Earlier mobile network operator outlets and microfinance institutions were only alternative medium for remittance disbursement and Singer Bangladesh is now new addition in this section, the governor added. We will be able to reach more consumers, making it easier for more people to access western union services all over the country, said A. Rouf Chowdhury, Chairman of Bank Asia. The inaugural ceremony was addressed, among others, by Singer Bangladesh Managing Director A.M Hamim Rahmatullah and Western Union Country Director Vijay Raj. l

Zimbabwe central bank has no tools to fix economy

not have the tools to fix it. In his first statement since assuming the role Reserve Bank governor on May 1, John Mangudya said the past three years had been tough for the economy and for many Zimbabweans. The economy is weaker and the financial system is depressed, he said, admitting that the Reserve Bank has no tools at the moment to influence the economy. Zimbabwe is saddled with high unemployment levels and a dearth of foreign investment. Many companies have shuttered and those still operating are often unable to pay each other for services or meet loan commitments to banks. At the same time the tax base is narrowing and tax revenues plummeting. The lack of liquidity and its limited circulation within the economy remains the biggest challenge that the Zimbabwe economy is facing, he said urging private companies and state institutions to boost exports. Frozen out of foreign debt markets and plagued by years of political crises and international sanctions, Zimbabwe faces what the central bank recently labelled a severe and persistent liquidity crunch. The country had hoped that China and other allies might come forward with financial assistance, but that has not happened. Zimbabwe does not have its own currency, having ditched the Zimbabwean dollar in 2009 for multiple foreign currencies, including the US dollar and South African rand, after a prolonged period of hyper-inflation. Starting from a low base, Zimbabwes headline growth figures look healthy, although the governments projections of six percent expansion in 2014 are disputed by the World Bank, which predicts three percent. l

PM: Keep shut n AFP, Harare new central bank chief on Ruposhi Bangla for Zimbabwes Wednesday said the countrys economy was weakening and the bank did renovation
B1 COLUMN 6

Dollar mixed in Asia after Fed chief Yellens comments

n AFP, Tokyo
The dollar was mixed in Asia yesterday after it rose on Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellens comments that the central bank would keep paring back its stimulus as the US economy recovers. In afternoon Tokyo trading, the greenback bought 101.83 yen, slightly lower than 101.87 yen in New York Wednesday afternoon after Yellens congressional testimony. The euro fetched $1.3914 and 141.70 yen, against $1.3911 and 141.74 yen in US trade, as the European Central Bank (ECB) holds a policy meeting later in the day. The dollars rise was capped by Yellens reiteration of the Feds overall dovish stance, saying that the economy still needs the help of ultra-low interest rates and that there was still no threat from inflation. A speedier pull back on the Feds monetary easing would tend to boost the dollar. The top US central banker also cautioned over the high level of slack in the jobs market and the slowdown in the real estate market as reasons to keep the Feds quantitative easing plan in place for the time being. Risk assets in general enjoyed a positive session as Yellens cautious comments on US housing market soothe worries of any hawkish surprise while President Putins seemingly calmer comments also helped, Credit Agricole said. Russian President Vladimir Putin told pro-Russian rebels fighting in east Ukraine to halt plans for independence referendums, easing some tension in the simmering crisis. The ECB is widely expected to hold off launching fresh stimulus measures at its monthly meeting Thursday. But investors were keen to hear ECB chief Mario Draghis post-meeting comments as speculation builds that the threat of eurozone deflation could force policymakers to act. The ECB... remains under pressure to ease policy further, National Australia Bank said. Even if the ECB Council decide to delay easing for a month, we can expect Draghi will talk down the euro and attempt to persuade markets that the ECB stands ready to act. The dollar firmed to Sg$1.2495 from sg$1.2481 on Wednesday, to 32.45 Thai baht from 32.39 baht, and to 11,618 Indonesian rupiah from 11,522 rupiah. The greenback eased to 1,022.15 South Korean won from 1,025.45 won, to 44.22 Philippine pesos from 44.31 pesos, and to Tw$30.09 from Tw$30.13. The Australian dollar rose to 93.60 US cents from 93.38 cents while the Chinese yuan firmed to 16.34 yen from 16.30 yen. l

As per the new design, the number of guest rooms will be reduced from 272 to 231 but the size of the rooms will be enlarged from 26 square metres to 40 square metres. We also plan to arrange a rebranding program on 31 December in 2015, where the Prime Minister will be the chief guest, said Menon. Under the deal, InterContinental will take over the management of the five-star hotel after renovation works. InterContinental ran the iconic Dhaka Hotel from 1966 to 1983 before Sheraton took over operation and management. Sheraton was under the management of the hotel for 25 years till December 2008. l

Tofail urges Accord to pay RMG workers during remediation work

B1 COLUMN 6

Mutual Trust Bank Ltd recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Jamuna Resort Limited at a ceremony held at the banks corporate head office in Dhaka. Syed Rafiqul Haq, the banks deputy managing director and ANM Shahjahan, general manager of the resort signed the agreement that will allow the banks employees to enjoy up to 30% discount on room rents

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited in Bangladesh has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dusai Hotel and Resorts Limited. As a result HSBC Select customers will enjoy special rates, facilities at the resort in Sylhet. The ceremony was attended by Nasser Rahman, chair and MD of Dusai Hotel and Resorts Limited and Andrew Tilke, chief executive of HSBC Bangladesh among others

He also urged the Accord to follow the rules of the land during factory inspection. The Alliance had earlier promised to pay 50% wages to workers for two months as salaries if productions are suspended due to the remediation works, but it had paid 50% salary of a single factory so far, which have been suspended for remediation work. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) data showed productions of 31 factories were suspended due to structural flaws and nine of them could able to resume operation after necessary

remediation work. Although the closures are temporary, over 14,000 workers of those factories are worried about their jobs and wages during the remediation period. On February 20, the Accord, a platform of 150 European retailers, launched the first phase of inspection and inspected over 225 factories for fire and electrical safety and over 180 factories were inspected for structural safety. On the other hand, the Alliance for Workers Safety in Bangladesh had inspected 474 factories, of which four factories faced music for non-compliance. l

Panasonic recently distributed prizes to four contest winners of Panasonic Air Conditioner 'Beat the Heat' campaign in Dhaka.

Modhumoti Bank Limited recently held its statutory meeting at a city hotel. The banks chair, Humayun Kabir presided over the meeting

Muklesur Rahman, MD and CEO of NRB Bank recently signed an agreement with Kazi Saifuddin Munir, MD and CEO of ITCL at the banks head office in Dhaka. Under the agreement ITCL will implement Tranzware Card Management System for the bank

BRAC EPL Investments Limited (BEIL) has recently organised a road show on Dhaka Elevated Expressway PPP Project at a city hotel. Khaled Yusuf Farazi, CEO of BEIL inaugurated this event while guests from various banks and financial institutions attended the session

The photo shows players of Grameenphone, local winner of Standard Chartered Trophy 2014 who will be flying to UK today for participating in the final tournament that is to be held at Anfield

The 7th branch of National Bank Limited Money Transfer was recently launched at Seremban, Negeri Sembilan in Malaysia. Parveen Haque Sikder, the banks director and chair at its executive committee inaugurated the branch as chief guest

B4
n Reuters, London
Global business growth slowed to a six-month low in April as both services firms and manufacturers saw slower expansions in activity and a sales tax rise hit Japanese output, business surveys showed on Wednesday. JPMorgans Global All-Industry Output Index, produced with Markit, fell to 52.8 from Marchs 53.5 but held above the 50 mark that divides growth from contraction for the 19th month running. It remains at a level consistent with trend global growth, which would be a good outcome considering the likely contraction in Japan following the VAT hike, said David Hensley, a director at JPMorgan. Manufacturing activity in Japan contracted last month for the first time in more than a year as companies cut production immediately after a rise in the national sales tax. That was offset by better growth across much of Europe while activity in the United States stayed at a robust clip. The index combines survey data from countries including the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, China and Russia. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Friday, May 9, 2014

Global business growth eases in April

Asia currency weakness hits Standard Chartered Q1 income

n AFP, Hong Kong
Asia-focused banking giant Standard Chartered said yesterday first quarter profit was hit by weak Asian currencies and ongoing problems with its South Korean operations. The difficult market conditions that began last year have continued into the first quarter of 2014 and remain through April and into May, the London-based lender said in a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Group operating profit in the first quarter was down by a high single digit percentage compared with the same period last year, it said. Group income was down by a low single digit percentage compared with the period a year earlier, hit mainly by weakness in the Indian rupee and Indonesian rupiah, the bank said. Standard Chartered does not release actual quarterly figures. Despite a somewhat challenging external environment, we continue to support our clients growth, whilst managing tightly our costs, risks and capital, group chief executive Peter Sands said in the statement. Our performance so far this year is in line with our expectations, Sands said, adding that the groups margins have stabilised. Breaking down the groups business segments, Sands said income from consumer banking for the period was down by a single-digit figure year-on-year while its wholesale banking income was flat during the period. Excluding South Korea, where income is down by some $110m year-on-year, the groups income was flat on last year, Sands said. The lender, which makes 90% of its profits in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, said in March net profit fell more than 16% last year to $3.99bn and warned of a difficult first half of 2014. The bank said then its South Korean retail bank had suffered a $1bn writedown in its value, and produced lower revenue with higher bad loans during the year. Standard Chartered shares closed at HK$170 in Hong Kong, up HK$1.30, or 0.77%. l

People walk past a display window of a clothing retail store at Ginza shopping district in Tokyo

REUTERS

Oil prices mixed in Asia

n AFP, Singapore
Oil prices were mixed in Asian trade yesterday as investors digested an unexpected drop in US crude stockpiles and fresh Chinese trade data, analysts said. The US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate for June delivery, was up two cents to $100.79 in afternoon trade while Brent North Sea crude for June eased 15 cents to $107.98 per barrel. Oil prices were well-supported in the market due to an unexpected drop in US inventories, said Sanjeev Gupta, the head of the Asia-Pacific oil and gas practice at consultancy firm EY. The US Department of Energy on Wednesday said crude reserves sank by 1.8 million barrels in the week to May 2, confounding market expectations for a gain of 1.2 million barrels. The fall in US crude reserves indicates resurgent demand in the worlds top crude consumer ahead of the busy summer holiday driving season. Investors meanwhile were also digesting Chinese official data released yesterday that showed the countrys exports and imports rose marginally in April, rebounding from sharp declines the month before. The figures showed an overall trade surplus of $18.45bn, the second straight trade surplus amid complaints by analysts over the continued impact of fake reporting of exports seen in early 2013. l

Economists: Australia unemployment may have peaked

n AFP, Sydney
Australias unemployment rate remained steady at 5.8% in April, data showed yesterday, with economists suggesting the peak could have passed. Analysts had been expecting a small rise after the rate unexpectedly fell below 6% in March, but the Australian Bureau of Statistics said there was no change. The figures showed that the number of people employed rose by 14,200 to 11.573 million over the month with all of the increase in full-time positions. Part-time jobs were unchanged. The participation rate - which measures the proportion of adults in work or looking for it - eased slightly from 64.8 to 64.7%. The Australian dollar jumped to 93.50 US cents after the data was released, up from 93.29 US cents shortly beforehand. It was at 93.71 US cents later yesterday. Australia is undergoing a rise over the past year until the dip in March, suggesting it may have peaked. With forward employment indicators starting to turn up there is a good chance we have now seen the worst for the jobs market and that the 6% unemployment rate recorded in January and February was the peak, said AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver. RBC Capital Markets senior economist Su-Lin Ong said yesterdays data had given the market a nice surprise. Employment generation is really stepping up pace here, she said. It will prompt further discussion about whether the unemployment rate has peaked for this cycle. That will get more attention given the Reserve Bank of Australias rhetoric on the labour market - its discussion has turned a little bit more positive. On Tuesday, central bank governor Glenn Stevens noted the improvement in employment indicators, although he cautioned: It will probably be some time yet before unemployment declines consistently. The central bank held interest rates steady at 2.5% this month but Commonwealth Bank economist Michael Blythe said if the jobs outlook continued to improve, the rate may be raised. We have had a rate rise pencilled in for November for a while, and this indication of a peaking in unemployment is consistent with that, he said. l

'Employment generation is really stepping up pace here'

bumpy economic transition with its decade-long Asia-led mining investment boom reaching its peak and the ailing manufacturing sector in dire straits. This has seen the jobless rate steadily

China exports regain some strength on US, EU demand

n Reuters, Beijing
Chinas exports and imports returned to slight growth in April as orders to the United States and European Union surged, offering some positive signals for the worlds second-largest economy after a weaker-than-expected start to 2014. Analysts said the trade picture was better in April than yesterdays data suggested, as export figures last year had been inflated by fake invoices before a mid-year crackdown by authorities. The external demand side is not such a big problem for China now because the genuine recovery is there, said Wei Yao, China economist at Societe Generale in Hong Kong. This is actually offering some support to Chinas growth. Exports rose 0.9% in April from a year earlier, following falls of 6.6% in March and 18.1% in February, the General Administration of Customs said. Imports grew 0.8% from a year ago, after an 11.3% fall in March, to produce a trade surplus of $18.5bn, more than double the $7.7bn surplus in March. All three figures bettered the median forecasts in a Reuters poll, with exports and imports defying expectations of another fall. The pick-up in trade follows a batch of factory surveys for April, after the government unveiled targeted measures to support growth, though both the official and private measures showed export orders had fallen. Last week, Beijing said it would offer quicker tax rebates for exporters and encourage more high-tech equipment and consumer goods imports to support trade. on fake trade receipts that were used to evade foreign exchange restrictions. Those fake invoices have created a high base for export figures which is understating their performance this year, and the distortion is expected to fade after May. Chinas trade data show signs of recovery but continue to understate the true health of the export sector, said Julian Evans-Pritchard, China economist at Capital Economics, in a note to clients. However, some analysts cautioned that did not mean exports were set for a steep recovery, given the weak demand from emerging economies. Trade is still quite weak. The G3 market is doing well but the emerging market - Asia - is still struggling, said Kevin Lai, economist at Daiwa in Hong Kong. The government has set a target of 7.5% growth for exports and imports this year. China missed its targets of 8% in 2013 and 10% in 2012, and some analysts and officials think this years goal could also be tough to reach. Chinas economy grew at its slowest pace in 18 months in the first quarter, and a Reuters poll shows analysts expect growth of 7.3% in 2014, the weakest in 24 years. l

Asia lags

Export growth was largely driven by demand from developed economies. Shipments to the United States jumped an annual 12% in April, a sharp pick-up from a rise of 1.2% in March and a drop of 11.3% in February. Exports to EU surged 15.1% last month, compared with 8.8% growth in March and a 14.4% drop in February. Emerging markets, including in Southeast Asia, lagged. Exports to ASEAN countries rose 3.8%, slowing from double-digit growth in previous months, and shipments to Brazil ticked up 3.7% from a year earlier. The trade data is expected to more accurately reflect actual activity from midyear, following last years crackdown

Japan's mobile communication giant Softbank president Masayoshi Son announces the company's financial result ended in March in Tokyo. SoftBank, which owns Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, reported a record 5.18bn USD fiscal year profit as it raced past rival NTT Docomo to become the country's most profitable major mobile firm AFP

Do-it-yourselfers inspire hardware renaissance in Silicon Valley

n Reuters, San Francisco
In the shadow of Internet monoliths such as Facebook, Google and Twitter, its easy to forget that Silicon Valley got its start from hard-scrabble tinkerers building radios, microchips and other devices. Now, a proliferation of high-tech but affordable manufacturing tools and new sources of funding are empowering a generation of handy entrepreneurs and laying the foundation for a hardware renaissance. Inventors are working on projects as varied as drones, improved artificial limbs, smart jewelry and handheld devices for detecting gluten in food. Google in January acquired fouryear-old smart thermostat maker Nest Labs for $3.2bn. Facebook in March spent $2bn on virtual reality headset startup Oculus Rift, founded by a college dropout in his parents garage. 3D printer maker MakerBot Industries was sold for $400m in 2013 to Stratasys Inc - just three years after a former art teacher cofounded it. All of them embody the growing focus on hardware and the so-called Maker movement sweeping northern California and, in a smaller way, Europe and other countries. Renewed interest in tinkering with objects - versus apps or software - is attracting more money from investors and fostering a growing number of workshops, where aspiring inventors can get their hands on computerized milling machines and other high-end tools. Two and a half years ago when we were started, it was rough, said Jeremy Conrad, co-founder of Lemnos Labs, an incubator that provides funding, tools and guidance for startups working on physical products. Now we have more relationships with venture capitalists who are interested in hardware than we have companies to fund. The growing wave of do-it-yourselfers may hold the key to manufacturing innovation. President Barack Obama sees children who are makers of things, not just consumers of things as a step toward rebuilding a withered US manufacturing industry. A decade ago, free, open-source code slashed the cost and complexity of starting a software company, sparking a boom in Internet and social media startups founded by twenty-something, self-taught programmers. Now hardware is catching up to the opensource revolution, with common standards and a culture that encourages the sharing of designs and building blocks that save inventors the time and expense of reinventing the wheel. l

DILBERT

A forklift transfers a shipping container for export at a port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province. China's overall trade is likely to gain momentum after May when high base effects fade off and data more accurately reflects the underlying picture, the commerce ministry said in a report on its website. Picture taken May 5 REUTERS