BANGLADESH

BNP says Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman has been made an accused in Aug 21, 2004 grenade attack case as Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami's Bangladesh operations chief Mufti Hannan named him on 'receiving death threats'.

"The supplementary charge sheet of the case is false," Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a press call on Wednesday.

The opposition party's acing secretary-general showed an application of Hannan where he appealed to withdraw his deposition given in the case and demanded release of those arrested on being named in the supplementary charge-sheet.

"Mufti Hannan's appeal to withdraw his deposition proves that Tarique Rahman and other politicians accused in the case had no ties to the attack. The government named him (in the supplementary charge-sheet) to wreak political vengeance on," he said.

"It's clear by this that the government is not interested in identifying the main brains behind the attack," Fakhrul added.

HuJ) chief Hannan on Tuesday appealed to Dhaka's Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 to withdraw his affidavit given under Section 164 of the Bangladesh Penal Code.

Fakhrul further alleged that Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) threatened Hannan that he would be killed if he did not name Tarique.

Citing Hannan's application, the BNP leader said, "Fazlul Karim and Abdul Kahhar Akhand (investigation officers of the case) often took me (Hannan) to RAB blindfolded. My eyesight has been affected by torture. My right hand and left leg have also been paralysed."

Fakhrul added that the HuJI chief had been remanded altogether for 410 days.

At least 24 people had been killed and over 100 injured in the grenade attack on an Awami League rally at Bangabandhu Avenue on Aug 21. Then the opposition leader Sheikh Hasina had been injured in the deadly blasts.

Police later submitted two charge-sheets, one for the murder and another for explosives use, in the cases.

On further investigation, supplementary charge-sheets in the cases were submitted on July 3 naming senior vice-chairman Tarique and 30 others, including Jamaat-e-Islami secretary-general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed.

The charge-sheeted accused in the twin cases are now 52.

BNP has been saying that Tarique was named in the charge sheets as part of a plan to bar him from running in the next general election while Awami League alleged that he masterminded the attack that killed incumbent president Zillur Rahman's wife Ivy Rahman.

It's the incident of Sept 21 when police arrested two people from the Dhaka judge court premises while providing mobile phones in shoes to Mohammad Hossain and Abdul Malek – two suspected militants of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

The men are also accused in the August 21 grenade attack case.

Lawyers and other court people have expressed their concern over the lapsed security management on the court premises.

The JMB incident has created panic among the people involved in court activities.

The police on June 28 arrested one Hafez Abdul Gafur who was chanting slogans – 'Everything is false, the truth will win– standing at the veranda during the hearing of a case filed against Mufti Hannan, a top leader of banned Islamist terror outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI), in Dhaka Sessions Judge's Court.

In September last year, Mufti Hannan threatened a public prosecutor inside the courtroom. Thus the militant leaders often threaten and advise the judges in different ways standing in the dock.

On Sept 6 last year, email was sent to the law ministry demanding immediate release of Jamaat-e-Islami chief Matiur Rahman Nizami, secretary-general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and its central executive council member Delwar Hossain Sayedee who face charges of crimes against humanity during 1971 independence war.

Asif Imran, an accused in journalist Gautam Das murder case, fled the court custody of Dhaka's First Speedy Trial Tribunal on Apr 21 the same year.

The people concerned alleged that no proper step had been taken to strengthen security in Dhaka court premises despite such incidents.

They said a tight patrolling and monitoring of the law enforcement agencies were in place at the gates of Dhaka court following the unprecedented series bomb blasts across the country on Aug 17, 2005.

Special public prosecutor of Dhaka Divisional Special Judge's Court Shaheen Ahmed Khan told bdnews24.com: "We, the public prosecutors and judges, are concerned over a lack of security on the court premises. Especially, we are to remain in fear of attacks of the hidden militant outfits which aim to establish Islamic rule in the country."

Dhaka's Fourth Speedy Trial Tribunal's special public prosecutor Mohammad Rafiqul Islam said: "Policemen were not found despite calling them when these accused create untoward situation in the courtroom."

The lawyers also remain in fear of criminals apart from the militant outfits. The incident of attacking the chambers of different lawyers nearby the court area is common.

The followers of the self-exiled top terror Dakat Shahid fired several rounds entering the chamber of lawyer Zakir Hossain at Koilash Ghosh Lane on Aug 3, 2009. Hossain had suffered serious bullet injuries in the attack.

Hossain said: "Dhaka Lawyers Association had decided not to conduct any case for those who attacked me. But some lawyers later conducted the case of the identified criminals and they were released on bail."

Several lawyers of Kalta Bazaar, Karkunbari Lane, Nasiruddin Sarder Lane and Rajardeuri Lane, seeking anonymity, said that they need to pay tolls to local criminals, otherwise, they assault them.

A Dhaka court lawyer Syed Ahmed Gazi told bdnews24.com that many of the victim lawyers do not want to say anything about it out of fear.

A number of murders have been committed over the last 10 years in the court area in Old Dhaka.

One Morshed, son of a lawyer of Mohammadpur area of the city, Juba League leader (Murgi) Milan who came to appear before the court, witness of a case Dhaka's Mirpur unit Juba League leader Abul Kalam Azad, BNP leaders Anwar Hossain Anu and Nazrul Islam were killed in the court premises.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman Mizanur Rahman has threatened to move to the High Court against the prison chief for 'violating law' as he has also demanded his removal.

Mizanur made the statement when authorities of the Sylhet Central Jail on Thursday prevented him from entering the jail in line with an order of the inspector general (IG) of prison.

"The commission will move the High Court against the IG of prison for not following constitutional law, if necessary," Mizanur told reporters around 11:30am.

Mizanur, who teaches law at Dhaka University, said he tried to enter the jail for around one and a half hours from 9am, but failed to get through.

The IG prison did not even pay heed to the local administration's calls to allow him, the NHRC chief said.

He wanted to visit the jail to see if human rights of the inmates are intact and to forward some proposals to the government for reforms.

"How has he considered himself so powerful?" asked Mizanur, adding the post should be held by someone who understands law.

Despite the opposition's threats of movement, Awami League maintains that the caretaker government system will not return.

A scornful Awami League general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam, from a press conference on Wednesday at the party's Dhanmondi office, urged political parties to prepare for the upcoming polls which 'the Election Commission (EC) will organise under Awami League government' and expressed hope that all parties would participate.

"The elections will be held under an independent Election Commission. If anyone thinks they can stop the war crimes trial by not attending the polls, they are daydreaming," he added.

A day before, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia warned, "No polls would be allowed under a party rule, without a caretaker government. The government is thinking of teaming up with (H M) Ershad and holding the polls under a party government. Their dream will not come true."

The opposition chief also remarked that the Awami League government had abolished the caretaker government system "because they know very well that they will not be re-elected".

AL SUPPORTS SEARCH COMMITTEE

Ashraf said the government agreed with Khaleda's call for an all-party discussion before EC reforms.

"Our working committee wholeheartedly agreed with the idea of a search committee," he said. "We will bring it up as a law in the upcoming parliament session," he said.

"We've agreed with most of the changes that the Election Commission has put forth, but laws can only be amended in parliament," he added.

'NO BOMBS LANDED IN BNP RALLY'

Ashraf dismissed all the allegations made in the opposition leader's speech — law and order situation, high prices of essentials, transport problems and no increase in power production — as false.

"No bombs landed in BNP's Tuesday rally in front of their party office," the Awami League spokesperson said. "But in Aug 2004, grenades were hurled at the Awami League rally in front of its office."

He also brought up the Aug 2005 series bomb attacks, former finance minister Shah A M S Kibria and ex-MPAhsanullah Master murders, Operation Clean Heart and other incidents, saying, "These things did not happen during the current government's tenure. We're fighting crime successfully."


"It is embarrassing for the country that the sons of a former prime minister have been proven corrupt," he said.

Ashraf drew attention to the fact that US secretary of state Hillary Clinton had called the Indian election commission a 'gold-standard election commission'.

"Why can't we make a gold-standard election commission in our country?" he said.

JAGANNATH UNIVERSITY

Ashraf, also the local government minister, said the law that Jagannath University students were protesting against had been introduced in BNP government's tenure.

"I'm surprised that they did not protest back then. What's happening now is the work of some criminals," he remarked.

JnU students have been protesting since their semester fees grew five times, in accordance with a law that the university will have to self-finance its operations. The Jagannath College, founded in 1884, was turned into a university in 2005. Two days of violent street demonstrations and vandalism at the campus ensued before JnU was shut down indefinitely on Wednesday.

"The law will be cancelled if necessary," Ashraf said. "We've already released the detained students because we think they are ignorant."

LIVE TELECAST

Ashraf looked up at the reporters of ntv, ETV, Bangla Vision and Islamic Television in the conference before making his speech.

"I'm glad that you're here. Your channels telecast the BNP rally live. It's a good sign for democracy," he said.

"I hope you will also telecast this conference live, because we'll provide answers to the rally's statements here," he added.

"If you don't, people may think you are working for one political party."

BCB Green led by 170 runs with four wickets remaining going into the final day of their four-day practice game against BCB Red.

By stumps at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday, BCB Green were 174 for six in their second innings. Raqubul Hasan was batting on 48 and Elias Sunny on five not out.

BCB Red, who resumed on 215-7, took their first innings total to 285 with Nasir Hossain unbeaten on 93. BCB Green made 281 in their first innings.

BCB Green got off to reasonable start in their second innings with the opening pair putting 70 runs.

They slumped to 107-5 before making a slight recovery when the sixth-wicket pair of Raqibul Hasan and Junaed Siddique added 57 runs.

Opener Shahriar Nafees was the next best BCB Green scorer with 46.

Mahmudullah and Suhrawadi Shuvo both claimed two wickets.

Violence-ridden Jagannath University was ordered closed from Thursday until Oct 6 in a decision advancing Durga Puja holidays, the vice-chancellor announced on Wednesday.

The authorities simply brought forward the five-day Puja holidays to halt the four-day-old violent protests by students in the Old Dhaka campus of the university.

Mesbahuddin Ahmed, the vice chancellor, made the announcement at a press briefing after a meeting with department heads.

Earlier, a meeting between the authorities and the students protesting fees hike failed to produce results.

The protests entered the fourth day on Wednesday amid boycott of classes as the students marched every now and then through the campus and demonstrated demanding that authorities repeal a provision that the university should generate its own income to run its activities.

The students began their protests on Sunday, triggering clashes with police.

According to the Article 27 (4) of the Jagannath University Act- 2005, the university will have to fund its operations on its own. Jagannath College, founded in 1884, was amended to a university in 2005.

The protest was halted on Monday for the time being following assurance from the ruling party that the matter would be resolved after discussions with the government.

However, the agitation resumed on Tuesday with the students locking the university vice-chancellor's office and the administrative building, and setting fire to the finance minister's effigy.

The students say the university increased their semester fees from Tk 3,500 to Tk 20,000 to raise its internal revenue. Their other demands include recovery of university dormitories, setting up of a library and increasing transport facilities.

The students of JnU have long been demanding the rule be repealed with support from the teachers.

The university's proctor, Ashok Kumar Saha, had earlier said that they were in touch with the government to repeal this clause as its implementation would hike tuition fees and there would be little difference between JnU and other private colleges.

At least five people have been killed and two others injured after a train has ploughed through a car at a railway level crossing at Barabkunda in Sitakunda.

All the deceased are the officials of the state-owned vehicle-assembling company Pragoti Industries.

"The collision took place between Chandpur-bound Karnaphuli Express and the jeep owned by Progati Industries around 11am on Wednesday," Mohammed Arifur Rahman, sub-inspector of Kumira highway police camp, told bdnews24.com.

He said that all the victims were from the car.

All of them--Progati accounts officer Tofayel Ahmed, assistant marketing officer Saleh Ahmed, security officer Ahsan Ullah, driver 'Morshed'and official Badal Barua—died at the scene.

One of the injured was identified as the company's security officer Abdul Barek.

The locals halted the train to move on after the accident. The police had to intervene to free the train.

Arifur added that the gate of the crossing was open on the side the car was coming from.

The gate at the other side was closed. The train dragged the car a few hundred yards before it stopped, he said.

The Barubkunda plant of the company is located very close to the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. The level-crossing is on the path joining the company and the highway.

"The jeep was going to a bank in Sitakunda for some official work," the company's accounts officer Shafiqur Rahman told.

At least eight people including seven children were killed and 15 went missing after a trawler capsized in Surma river at Jamalganj upazila in Sunamganj district.

Upazila chairman Yousuf Al Azad told that the Sajna-bound motorboat, packed with passengers beyond its capacity, from Sunamganj Sadar upazila sank midway in Durlavpur area on Wednesday around 4:15pm.

Azad said that the passengers were returning by the trawler after enjoying a wrestling competition at Durlavpur Bazaar. The trawler was also carrying several sacks of potatoes.

Seven of the deceased were identified as 'Moshahid', 1, son of Azad Mian of Sreepur village under Bimkhali union council of Jamalganj upazila; 'Jesmin', 5, and 'Jannat', 3, daughters of Babul Mia of Kamlabagh village under Jamalganj Sadar union council; Puja Dutta, 3, daughter of Shankar Dutta of South Sreepur village of Taherpur upazila; Ritu Dutta, 3, daughter of Satyaranjan Dutta of Jhanjail village of the same upazila; Nioti Paul, 12, daughter of Mohadev Paul of Lakkhansree village of the Sadar upazila; and Ria Dash, 2, daughter of Akshay Dash of the same village.

However, the identity of a women aged around 35 could not be established immediately.

Officer in charge of Jamalganj Police Station Jane Alam told bdnews24.com that they had recovered eight bodies until 7pm. At least 20 passengers injured in the accident were given first aid at the Jamajganj Upazila Health Complex.

He said that the police and fire brigade teams were carrying out the rescue operation in the river with the help of locals.

"Over 15 passengers are still missing. The rescue operation will also be conducted on Thursday morning," the police official added.

Dhaka Stock Exchange has agreed to a proposal of sponsors and directors buying their own company shares at a fixed price to stop market slide.

Following a meeting of the DSE executive board Wednesday evening, senior vice-president Ahsanul Alam Tito told reporters, "DSE has agreed to the proposal of sponsors and directors buying their shares."

"Now the proposal will be sent to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for approval," he added.

The proposal was put forth by the Bangladesh Association of Publicly Listed Companies (BAPLC), saying that the ailing capital market could be revamped if the sponsors and directors were allowed to buy the shares of their own companies. It also urged SEC to amend the relevant law.

BAPLC president Salman F Rahman, a DSE director, had said the proposal was an effort to stall the freefall of prices.

"Shareholders and the companies both suffer losses when share prices fall," he had said.

He emphasised however, that the proposal was not that of a 'buy-back'.

The meeting over, Rahman told reporters: "Several decisions have been made at the meeting. We are trying to give investors a bailout in margin loans."

He said the decisions will hopefully be unveiled at a news conference at FBCCI headquarters on Thursday at 1pm.

Investors who took margin loans from merchant banks and bought shares faced a crisis when the prices fell drastically. They are unable to sell the shares even as their interest rates grow, while merchant banks cannot recover their assets, leading to a gridlock in the market.

The BAPLC has proposed a separate board for dealing Z category, overvalued stocks and stocks with small paid-up capitals.

Tito said these proposals would be discussed in the next meeting of DSE.

DSE president Shakil Rizvi, FBCCI president A K Azad and members of the executive board were present at the meeting.