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Those named in mutiny probe will face arrest: Sahara
Dhaka, June 5 —Those named in the BDR mutiny probe reports or whom the case investigators will feel needed to grilled will be arrested, the home minister said on Friday. The case investigators can take assistance from the government probe committee report that has already been submitted and made public, Sahara Khatun said She was speaking at a rally at the National Press Club in Dhaka, organised by Bangladesh Primary Teachers' Association, on the theme, expectations of primary education and teachers in the government's Charter for Change . The country's first female home minister reiterated that the government did not support extra-judicial killings. Two students of Dhaka Polytechnic Institute were killed on May 28 in an alleged gunfight with RAB in the city. A committee was being constituted to look into allegations of these and other killings without trial, the minister said. On the demands raised by primary school teachers, she said she also agreed with them on the demands and assured them of briefing the prime minister on them.
Pintu held for abetting BDR mutineers
Former BNP lawmaker, Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, was detained at the premises of the High Court on Tuesday on charges of abetting BDR mutineers to flee their headquarters at Pilkhana on February 25-26. Pintu is the first prominent political figure to have been arrested after the sensational incident. A team of Detective Branch Police, with the help of Shahbagh police station, picked him up at around 5:15 pm just after he emerged from the High Court where he had gone to pursue a writ. Monirul Islam, deputy commissioner of Detective Branch (South), confirming his arrest told the media, ''We have arrested Pintu and brought him in our custody on the basis of requisition from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) which is investigating the BDR mutiny case''. Pintu had submitted a petition to the court after his name appeared in the national enquiry committee's report on the February 25-26 BDR mutiny. The 12-member national probe body headed by former secretary Anisuzzaman Khan on May 21 submitted a 309-page report to the Home Ministry, in which they revealed that Pintu had instigated the mutineers and helped them flee the scene after the bloody carnage. The probe report stated: ''Former BNP lawmaker Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu helped them flee by arranging engine-run boats to cross the Buriganga at Keraniganj ferry ghat''. Thousands of border guards, guilty and innocent among them, fled the Peelkhana compound in the chaos of the mutiny and its aftermath. Court sources said Pintu's lawyer Mahbub Uddin Khokon filed a writ petition with the bench of justice Tariqul Haqim and justice Azizul Haque on Sunday for ''no harassment or arrest'' of Pintu in the BDR mutiny case. But the bench didn't give its ruling on Tuesday and his lawyer withdrew the petition. Earlier, Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu had been sent to jail after he turned himself to a Dhaka court seeking bail in two cases for attempted murder and theft on February 15, 2007. A former leader of JCD, the student wing of BNP, Pintu's name is closely linked with several crimes and he had been evading arrest since the joint forces launched a countrywide hunt for top corrupt people and criminals in January 2007.SNM/ June 03
Budget session begins amid BNP boycott
The second session —Budget session— of the ninth parliament, began at about 3:25 pm on Thursday amid the boycott by the BNP over seating arrangement in the House.
The BNP parliamentary body was scheduled to meet before the parliamentary session to decide whether they will join the session. But the meeting was not held due to illness of Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia, Chief Whip of the opposition Zainal Abdin Farroque told reporters at the parliament building.
Many of the BNP lawmakers however were in favour of joining the session.
Presided over by speaker Abdul Hamid, finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith is expected to present the budget for 2009-10 fiscal in parliament on June 11.
The second session of the ninth parliament will continue till July 9, and if necessary, the speaker may extend the duration for a few more days.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad and other MPs were present.
SNM/ June 04
PM pledges to revive rivers
Fri, Jun 5th, 2009 4:51 pm BdST
Dhaka, June 5 (bdnews24.com)—The severely degraded river systems will be reverted to their past grandeur whatever the cost, prime minister Sheikh Hasina declared on Friday. She pledged assistance of her administraion to multidimensional researches into modes of combating environmental disasters. In the same breath, the prime minister urged Bangladeshis to prepare to live with the gradually changing climate regime and to engage in environment-friendly activities only in everyday life. Hasina made the call when she addressed a programme convened by the Department Of Environment, the Ministry of Environment and Forest, at Osmani Memorial Hall in observance of the World Environment Day 2009. She also launched a two-day national environmental programme. "All our rivers today have lost the free flows they had in the past due to heavy silt deposition. "Once the rivers are given back their original beds, the frequent overflowing will cease, reducing the negative impacts of the global climate change in our region." Since time immemorial, the ample river systems have maintained the environmental balance in Bangladesh, she said. The rivers have been losing their water-retention capacity due to heavy siltation and unbridled encroachment, she said and called on all to resolve to do their best to save the dying rivers. The quality of water of the rivers contiguous to Dhaka has so deteriorated that they are no more fit for any use, she observed. Therefore, the prime minister said, the government's pledge on the World Environment Day is: We must save the rivers. "This is going to be a huge, time consuming and challenging project. But we must do it," Hasina said. She said her administration received good responses from international agencies after knocking at other nations' doors for assistance, All the rivers will be brought under the project, she said, starting with work on the river Jamuna. "Whatever the costs be, we'll do the job and save people from imminent catastrophe." She stressed dredging, river training and adopting erosion countering measures to save the rivers. As a component of the complex food security issue, Hasina stressed the need for storing at least two to three years' foodcrops as a first step. "We must ensure food security for all despite the fact that our population is growing and we will be visited by floods, cyclones, pest attacks etc." "Arrangements must be in place to raise a buffer stock good enough to meet the nation's need through two-three years. We'll do it through increasing food production." She said, due to the changing climate, agriculture dependent Bangladesh has of late been recurrently ravaged by cyclones, floods, storm surges and other natural disasters. To tide over such losses, she urged the scientists to carry out research on organic manure, hybrid crops etc under changing climate conditions. Prime minister Hasina also stressed raising green belts all across the country and especially along the coasts. "We all must plant trees and nurture green belts to protect our people and resources against natural disasters such as the recurrent cyclonic storms and tidal surges." On the other hand, she pointed out, there is scarcity of water in the capital and other arid zones such as the north-western regions. "We happen to have a lot of rainfall across the country, which means we can harvest huge volumes of fresh water and use it for all necessary and productive purposes including agriculture." She emphasised the need for appropriate researches into innovating and developing newer species and breeds of crops suiting the gradually changing climate regimes in different regions of the country. "Our scientists must work in unison to find ways and modes in helping the nation cope with the changing climes, survive and uplift quality of life simultaneously." She urged all concerned to find ways of practising agriculture shunning chemicals—pesticides and manures—and highlight their negative impacts. "Along with extensive use of chemicals in farming, unplanned industrialisation and untreated waste dumping in the open water have resulted in grievous deterioration of the health of our rivers around Dhaka and other major metropolitan townships." Steps to make all the environment-polluting industries environmentally friendly are being taken by the government and any lack of cooperation here will be seriously dealt with, she warned. The prime minister handed out environment medals awarded to recipients in four branches—environment conservation, environmental pollution control, environmental research and technology innovation, and environmental education and campaign. The Daily Star received 'National Environment Award 2009' for environmental education and campaign. Contractor Md Goher Ali, Square Knit Fabrics Limited and Bangladesh Rice Research Institute were awarded for environment conservation, environment pollution control and invention of research and technology categories, respectively. "This incentive has been introduced to raise environmental awareness among people and to encourage them to undertake environment friendly actions." She next inaugurated a two-day environment fair organised by the ministry. The message of the World Environment Day 2009 is: Your mother earth wants you to combat and cope with climate change.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
বৃহস্পতিবার থেকে নিয়মিত অফিস করবেন সোহেল তাজ
ঢাকা, জুন ৩ -
পদত্যাগ নয় অসুস্থতার কারণেই কাজ করতে পারেননি স্বরাষ্ট্র প্রতিমন্ত্রী তানজিম আহমেদ সোহেল তাজ।
বৃহস্পতিবার থেকে তিনি নিয়মিত অফিস করবেন।
বুধবার রাত সাড়ে ১০টার দিকে সোহেল তাজের নির্বাচনী এলাকা কাপাসিয়া আওয়ামী লীগের সাধারণ সম্পাদক রুহুল আমিন সাংবাদিকদের এ কথা বলেন।
রুহুল আমিন সোহেল তাজের সঙ্গে কথা বলে তার মুখপাত্র হিসেবে মন্ত্রীর মিন্টো রোডের বাসায় সাংবাদিকদের সঙ্গে কথা বলেন। এ সময় সোহেল তাজের সহকারী ব্যক্তিগত সচিব আবু কাউসার ও কাপাসিয়া আওয়ামী লীগ নেতারা উপস্থিত ছিলেন।
রুহুল আমিন বলেন, 'সোহেল তাজ বলেছেন মাননীয় প্রধানমন্ত্রীর যেকোনও নির্দেশ তিনি বিনয়ের সঙ্গে মেনে নেবেন। আগামীকাল (বৃহস্পতিবার) থেকেই অফিস যাওয়া শুরু করবেন তাজ।"
"অসুস্থ থাকায় তিনি এই কয়দিন অফিসে যাননি। আজকেও তার গায়ে জ্বর রয়েছে। জ্বরের কারণে তিনি এখন নিচে নামতে পারেননি।"
এর আগে সন্ধ্যা ৭টার দিকে এলজিআরডি মন্ত্রী সৈয়দ আশরাফুল ইসলাম ও স্বরাষ্ট্রমন্ত্রী সাহারা খাতুন স্বরাষ্ট্র প্রতিমন্ত্রীকে নিয়ে প্রধানমন্ত্রীর সরকারি বাসভবন যমুনায় যান। রাত প্রায় নয়টায় সোহেল তাজ সৈয়দ আশরাফের গাড়িতে করে যমুনা ত্যাগ করেন।
গত কয়েকদিন ধরে গণমাধ্যমে সোহেল তাজের পদত্যাগের গুঞ্জন শোনা যাচ্ছিল। এর এক পর্যায়ে মঙ্গলবার স্বরাষ্ট্রমন্ত্রী সাহারা খাতুন বলেন, তিনি সোহেল তাজের ৬ থেকে ২৩ জুন পর্যন্ত ছুটির আবেদন অনুমোদন করেছেন।
স্বরাষ্ট্র প্রতিমন্ত্রী যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে অবস্থানরত স্ত্রী ও সন্তানদের দেখতে সেদেশে যেতে চাইছিলেন বলে খবর প্রচারিত হয়েছে।
গত রোববার থেকে সোহেল তাজ অফিস করেননি। সোমবার মন্ত্রীসভার বৈঠকে তিনি অনুপস্থিত ছিলেন। এরপর থেকেই এ নিয়ে গুঞ্জন শুরু হয়।
Pinak: Indian control won't mean water held back
Wed, Jun 3rd, 2009 9:27 pm BdST
Dhaka, June 03 (bdnews24.com) – India will have sole control of the flow of water at the proposed Tipaimukh dam, but will not hold back water, said Indian high commissioner to Dhaka, Pinak Ranjan Chakrabarti, on Wednesday.
The flow of river water and flood control will remain in the hands of India, he told reporters after a courtesy call with communications minister Syed Abul Hossain at the ministry.
But, he said, Tipaimukh dam is a hydro-electric project.
It will generate electricity from the water flow, but will not hold it back, said Chakravarty.
By some accounts, India expects to generate around 1500 megawatts of hydropower from the project.
The hydro-electric project by India concerns many in Bangladesh where three rivers—Surma, Kushiara and the mighty Meghna—lie downstream of the proposed dam across the river Barak in the Indian state Monipur.
Experts in the country say Tipaimukh dam will reduce the natural monsoon flood patterns of the Sylhet region adversely affecting cultivation and livelihoods in the area on a vast scale.
They also fear India could hold up water flow during the dry season.
Transit
Communications minister Syed Abul Hossain, meanwhile, was asked by reporters outright whether Bangladesh was giving India transit facilities by road and rail.
"Why shouldn't we? It is profitable for Bangladesh," said the minister of the much discussed transit question that has also stirred controversy since the new government came to power in January.
Concerns remain that Delhi would benefit more than Dhaka from such a move.
"Don't you want Bangladesh to profit through transit, new roads and rail services?" asked the minister.
"Bangladesh has sought financial and technical assistance from India for the development of railway communications since the Indian railway is a profitable sector," said the minister.
There have been discussions about setting up new roads and rail lines because Bangladesh wants an alternative road for Benapole land port for increasing revenue, he added.
bdnews24.com/mk/dg/rah/2134h
Export industries may face job losses: BB
Wed, Jun 3rd, 2009 10:05 pm BdST
Abdur Rahim Harmachi bdnews24.com senior correspondent Dhaka, Jun 03 (bdnews24.com)—The central bank has predicted that export-focused industries, specially the readymade garment sector, could face job losses faced with the ongoing global recession. The prediction comes in its latest quarterly report (Jun-Mar) published on Bangladesh Bank's official website on Wednesday. It said in view of the likely reduction in trade volume, inflow of workers' remittances, and foreign capital inflows in the coming days due to the economic meltdown, the economy would probably face several challenges in the near to medium term. The central bank's prediction came at a time when finance minister AMA Muhith in the last few months repeatedly said that the coming 2009-10 fiscal would be critical for the Bangladesh economy in the face of the economic meltdown. Over 2.5 million workers are working in the garment industries, according to figure from BGMEA and BKMEA, two leading garment exporters' bodies. The report cited five challenges for the economy in the coming days. It said despite slow growth in the import bill, sharper fall in exports and remittances could lead to depletion in foreign exchange reserves unless compensating flow of overseas development assistant package is arranged. If pressure on the external sector mounts, the exchange rate could depreciate losing par value of taka with some losses of real income and purchasing power. The quarterly predicted due to sagging export performance of the recession-hit world markets and weak outlook of current transfers including inflow of remittances, FDI and other ODAs, the current account as well as overall balance would face increasingly rising pressure turning the accounts into deficit. It also said that a sizable stimulus package on top of the risk of lower tax revenue collection and continuation of ongoing subsidy programmes and the need for widening other social safety network programmes may lead more than expected fiscal deficits. bdnews24.com/arh/khk/bd/2119h.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
10 HC judges return to Bench
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Dhaka, Mar 24 (bdnews24.com)—Ten High Court judges finally returned to the Bench Tuesday after a years-long legal battle. The Supreme Court upheld a ruling earlier this month ordering reinstatement of the ten judges, dropped by the past BNP government. The Appellate Division delivered its five-point verdict on Mar 2 disposing of a leave to appeal by serving judges challenging a High Court order to reinstate the ten judges with seniority. The legal fight began in 2003, as two of the judges originally petitioned the High Court, challenging the legality of the then-BNP government's decision to not award them permanent appointments. bdnews24.com/pc/rah/1810h
War crimes to be tried under 1973 ICT Act
Wed, Mar 25th, 2009 3:46 pm BdST
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Dhaka, Mar 25 (bdnews24.com)—War crimes, committed during Bangladesh's 1971 independence war, will be tried under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act of 1973, said the law minister on Wednesday. "The government has made a final decision for trial of the accused under this Act," Shafiq Ahmed told reporters at the secretariat. He was speaking after an inter-ministerial meeting to examine if war crimes trials would be possible under the existing law. One or more tribunals, of three to four members each, will be formed under the Act for the quickest trial of those accused of 1971 war crimes, said Shafiq. The process of bringing the accused to trial is already under way in many cases, he said. bdnews24.com/pc/rah/1546h
Monday, March 23, 2009
BDR chief heads panel for new border force
Dhaka, March 23 (bdnews24.com)—BDR chief Moinul Islam will head a new committee to reform Bangladesh's border force.
A three-hour meeting, chaired by commerce minister Faruque Khan, coordinator for post-mutiny affairs, decided on Monday that a new frontier force would be formed with a change of name.
Khan told a press conference: "A seven-member committee headed by the BDR chief will be constituted to implement the decision."
The minister said: "There were over 7,000 BDR men at Peelkhana on the day of the massacre."
"Of them, 1,800 members did not report back after the mutiny. Many fled with weapons and ammunition."
"Some 714 suspects have been identified and 482 were arrested. Eighty are being interrogated in remand."
He said that audio tapes of the Darbar Hall incident and video footage of the looting of weapons and stores from CCTV were available.
The minister added: "The frontiers are well protected since officers and jawans in border areas joined their battalions and sector headquarters."
BDR director general Brig Gen Moinul Islam, investigators including heads of probes and other concerned officials were present at Monday's meeting.
bdnews24.com
Saturday, March 21, 2009
14 dead in Tangail, Faridpur crashes
Sat, Mar 21st, 2009 12:58 pm BdST:
Tangail, March 21 (bdnews24.com) – Fourteen people were killed and at least 62 injured in two separate road accidents in Tangail and Faridpur on Saturday, said police. Ten people were killed and at least 35 injured as a bus and truck collided head-on at Basail in Tangail, police said. The crash occurred at around 6am. Tangail superintendent of police Mizanur Rahman told bdnews24.com seven of the dead were identified by midday. They were bus passengers Barrister Sirajul Hauq Lal, 65, Mostafizur Rahman, 22, Amir Ali, 40, and Abdul Salam, 45, Jahangir Alam , 40, Ekabbar Hossain, 35 and truck conductor Rafiqul Islam Shafiq, 35. Thirty-one of the injured were admitted to Tangail General Hospital. Four received first aid at the accident site. The bus was heading to Gopalpur from Dhaka. Four killed in Faridpur bus crash Four people died and 27 were injured in a bus accident on the Dhaka-Barisal highway at Bhanga upazila in Faridpur at around 3:30am. The Patuakhali-bound bus from Dhaka lost control and smashed into a roadside tree, said Bhanga police sub-inspector Nurul Islam. Three people died on the spot and one died at Bhanga Upazila health complex. Of the dead one was identified as Habib, 33, a Subeder of Rapid Action Battalion-8, said Islam. The injured were admitted to Bhanga and Faridpur medical centres. The bodies were kept at Bhanga Police Station. A case is underway in this connection, said the police officer.
BD cricketers get 30% pay hike after exodus to ICL
 The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) raised salaries of players and staff of national cricket team by 30 percent amid concerns more players could ditch their contracts to join the more lucrative Indian Cricket League (ICL), chairman of BCB's cricket operations committee said on Thursday. The decision was taken at a marathon meeting of directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) last night at its Mirpur headquarters. The issue of the pay rise was long overdue as the last payroll expired in November last year. The BCB has decided to increase the salaries to local staff of the national team's management as well as contracted national cricketers, he said. ''We have decided to increase their remuneration including winning bonus, performance bonus, match fees and other allowances proportionately'' said Enayet Hossain, chairman of BCB's cricket operations committee. The BCB was under pressure to raise pay after seven cricketers unilaterally terminated their contracts and joined seven others to play in the ICL. The BCB has 13 contracted cricketers, but Enayet said they would soon increase that number and bring 'A team' players under contract too. In another major move, the BCB will purchase land suitable for cricket stadiums across the country on a priority basis. SNM/ Mar 19 |
Actress Natasha Richardson dies after ski fall
 Actress Natasha Richardson dies after ski fall British actress Natasha Richardson died in hospital after suffering a serious head injury in a skiing accident, according to a family statement. Richardson, wife of actor Liam Neeson, suffered a serious brain injury on Monday in a fall on a ski slope at a Quebec resort of Montreal in Canada. Richardson's family released a statement saying, ''Liam Neeson, his two young sons and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for details.... |
Maximum investment to farming: Muhith
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