Justice for 1971 at last

Agrahayan 29, 1420 Safar 9, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 259

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013

www.dhakatribune.com SECOND EDITION

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First of the war criminals hanged

Butcher of Mirpur receives final justice after dramatic last 48 hours of twists and turns
n Julkar Ali Manik
Ending all speculations after an eleventh hour drama of halting preparation of execution on Tuesday midnight, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader Molla was hanged last night for committing crimes against humanity against the pro-liberation people in 1971. Quader Molla, well-known as Mirpurer Koshai (Butcher of Mirpur) for his heinous crimes, swung from the gallows at 10:01pm at the Dhaka Central Jail amid tight security. Dhakas Deputy Commissioner Shaikh Yusuf Harun, also the district magistrate, told the Dhaka Tribune: It was done at 10:01pm. He was present at the site during the execution. He [Molla] be hanged till death, the Appellate Division had ordered in its verdict on September 17. The verdict was implemented amid beefed up security and apprehension of accelerating violence by activists of Jamaat and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir that got a new momentum on Tuesday night. Earlier, Jamaat-Shibir threatened to wage civil war and burning 56,000 sqkm of the country if he was executed. He was the first ever war criminal of the country since the birth of Bangladesh in 1971 to be executed for committing war crimes 42 years ago during the nine-month-long bloody war of independence. Quader Molla, the assistant secretary general of Jamaat, has been executed only two days before the Martyred Intellectuals Day and four days ahead of the Victory Day. Jamaat and its then student wing Islami Chhatra Shangha were responsible for orchestrated killing of Bangalee intellectuals prior to the birth of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971.
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CHARGES
OFFENCE 1 . Murder of Pallab 2. Killings of Meherun Nesa, her mother and two brothers SC TRIBUNAL VERDICT VERDICT 15 years 15 years Same Same

TRIAL TIMELINE
Jul 13, 2010 Jul 21, 2010 Molla arrested Investigation starts

Dec 18, 2011 Formal charges submitted to ICT 1 Apr 16, 2012 Case transferred to ICT 2 May 28, 2012 Molla indicted on six charges Feb 5, 2013 Life sentence pronounced Govt appeals for capital punishment Appellate Division appoints amici curiae Appeals hearing ends Appellate Division pronounces death sentence Full verdict released Tribunal issues death warrant

3. Murder of Khandakar 15 years Abu Taleb 4. Killings of Osman Gani and Golam Mostafa 5 . Killings of 344 people at Alubdi village 6. Killings of Hazrat Ali and five members of his family; rape Acquittal

Same Life sentence Life sentence Death sentence

Mar 3, 2013

March 4, 2013 Molla appeals seeking acquittal Jun 20, 2013 Jul 23, 2013 Sep 17, 2013 Dec 5, 2013 Dec 8, 2013

Life sentence Life sentence

This is our day, say witnesses

n Udisa Islam
Families of 1971 Liberation War victims and witnesses of war crimes cases were overwhelmed with joy yesterday to know about the execution of war criminal and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader Molla. He is the first war criminal to be hanged since the inception of the International Crimes Tribunal in 2010. They said it was the day when they could express jubilance after the victory on December 16, 1971. They had been holding breath since long as the trials were shelved for long and recently hindered by many quarters including pressure from international groups that favour Quader Molla. Poet Kazi Rozi, who testified at the tribunal in Quader Molla case, said: History never lies. She gave her statement on the murder of poet Meherun
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One witness account that wrote his fate

n Udisa Islam
For his support to the independence struggle of Bangladesh and involvement with the Awami League, tailor Hazrat Ali Lashkar and his family had faced barbarism of Mirpurer Koshai (Butcher of Mirpur) Abdul Quader Molla and his accomplices, who collaborated with the Pakistani occupation forces, on March 26, 1971. The lone survivor of the family, Momena Begum, in her deposition at the International Crimes Tribunal elaborated the events how her father, pregnant mother, two-year-old brother and three sisters had been tortured and killed at their house in Mirpur that evening the day after operation searchlight, carried out by the Pakistani army. Even though the tribunal had sentenced Quader Molla to life-term imprisonment for the murders under charge six, the Appellate Division in its judgement overruled the sentence and awarded the Jamaat-e-Islami leader death penalty. Momena, who had also been tortured that day, testified at the tribunal 2 in camera on July 17 last year in presence of counsels from both sides. Then aged around 12, Momena said the family had lived at Kalapani of Mirpur. My father supported the Awami League and was fond of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. During the Liberation War, my mother was pregnant. Just before sunset on March 26, chased by non-Bangalee Bihari people along with Akter Gunda (criminal) my father was running towards the house and said Quader Molla will kill me.
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Activists of Ganajagaran Mancha bring out a torch procession at Shahbagh yesterday to press home their demand of quick execution of Abdul Quader Molla MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Ershad detained
n Kailash Sarkar
Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) members yesterday detained Jatiya Party chief and former president HM Ershad from his President Park residence in the capitals Baridhara. Immediately after the detention the former president was taken to the Combined Medical Hospital (CMH), said sources in the Rab. However, Lt Col Kismat Hayat, commanding officer of Rab-1, denied the detention of the former president and claimed they just had provided security escort to the former president on his way to hospital after he had fallen sick. Our duty is to provide security to the residents of diplomatic and VIP zone Baridhara. As we saw the president going somewhere our forces escorted him, said Lt Col Kismat Haiyat. As forces of Rab and their vehicles were seen surrounding the area it led to a misunderstanding. The Rab-1 chief said: The former
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The V-sign that led to Quader Molla downfall

n
Kamran Reza Chowdhury and Udisa Islam
Apparently exalted by the life sentence given by a war crimes tribunal on February 5, Abdul Quader Molla, also known as Butcher of Mirpur, may have made the biggest blunder in his political career full of notoriety. He had remained untouchable for 38 years since the murder of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman even after masterminding the murder of hundreds of innocent people. The senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader did show a victory sign with a haughty smile that brought together the people, who were previously thought to be divided over many issues. The people, irrespective of their ages and religious and political identities, protested the lenient life-term and poured onto the streets across the country demanding death sentence for Quader Molla. The V-sign triggered the Shahbagh movement that demanded capital punishment for all war criminals and a ban on the politics of Jamaat and its students wing Islami Chhatra Shibir. The observers then predicted that Quader Molla must die for the V-sign he had showed with a lopsided smile. The experts prediction comes true as the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on September 17 handed down capital punishment to Quader Molla, who had run a concentration camp in Mirpur in the capital and committed massacres. He should have cried and feigned to have not got justice, to earn peoples sympathy. Instead, he was seen happy and was smiling. This made people extremely angry, said a Jamaat-leaning
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Nerve-racking 38 hours for SC clearance

n
Julkar Ali Manik and Nazmus Sakib
After around 38 hours of gripping situation since the dramatic halt of Abdul Quader Mollas execution on Tuesday night, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court yesterday rejected his review petitions clearing all legal bars to carry out the capital punishment. There is no legal bar to implement the apex court verdict, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told reporters after pronouncement of the verdict around 12:10pm. There was pin-drop silence, as if, everyone in the packed courtroom held their breath while Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain was pronouncing the decision in a single sentence: Both the review petitions are dismissed. One petition was filed on Wednesday morning to review the death penalty while the other challenged conviction in five other charges. The five-member bench of the Appellate Division rejected the petitions unanimously after two days of hearing. The bench comprises the chief justice, Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah, Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik. Supreme Court Registrar AKM Shamsul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune that they had sent the copy of the order to the jail authorities around 3:20pm and also served the copy to the International Crimes Tribunal 2, the home ministry, the Attorney Generals Office and the defence counsels. In line with the International Crimes (tribunals) Act 1973, the government ordered to execute Quader Molla, wellknown as Mirpurer Koshai (Butcher
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Jamaat warns of dire consequences n Manik Miazee

In immediate reaction to the execution of Abdul Quader Molla for crimes against humanity he had committed during the Liberation War, his party Jamaat-e-Islami last night threatened that everyone involved with the trial and the execution process would have to face dire consequences. The party announced a series of programmes including a dawn-to-dusk hartal for Sunday protesting what the party said planned political killing of Quader Molla, a Jamaat assistant secretary general. Acting chief Mokbul Ahmed announced the programme in a statement after the execution carried out at the Dhaka Central Jail at 10:01pm. Key ally of the BNP-led 18-party alliance, Jamaat will also hold Gayebana Janaza in the city, district and upazila headquarters today, and offer special prayers tomorrow.
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Mollas wife wears frustrated look n Udisa Islam
It all changed in just two days. On Tuesday, wife of war criminal Abdul Quader Molla flashed the V-sign on her way to meet the death row convict at Dhaka Central Jail; but yesterday she looked frustrated while coming out of the jail. Quader Molla instructed his family members to stay calm because he was going to be a martyr. He told his children not to seek revenge as he believed Allah will take revenge against those for whom he is going to die. The family members reached the jail at 6:25pm after the Appellate Division had rejected two review petitions of the convict earlier in the day. The members include wife Sanowar Jahan, son Hasan Jamil, daughters Amatullah Sharmeen and Amatullah Nazneen. They were inside the jail until 7:07pm. Asked about his mothers condition, Jamil told the Dhaka Tribune: She is fine as she talked to father. He told her that she had done a lot for him and that he could never give her solvency. He wished Allah send her to him soon. To his political fellows, Quader Molla reportedly said: After my death, you have to use my blood to establish Islam with more patience and tolerance. Jamil said the family members were mentally strong. Quader Molla told them to strictly stay in the way of truth and Halal. l
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DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, December 13, 2013

First of the war criminals hanged

During the war, Jamaat, Chhatra Sangha and few other communal organisations had collaborated with the Pakistani occupation army that killed around 30 lakh people and violated more than 2.5 lakh women and children. The government implemented the Supreme Court verdict of executing the war criminal about eight hours after the apex court decision that rejected Quader Mollas pleas to review his conviction and sentences. The Supreme Court sentenced him to death in one of the six war crimes charges, though the apex court convicted him in all the six charges for killing more than 350 Bangalees and violating a girl. A prison official wishing not to be named told the Dhaka Tribune that well-known imprisoned executioner Md Shahjahan Ali Bhuiyan was assigned as the main hangman to implement the historic execution. Shahjahan along with his some other imprisoned hangmen brought the convict from condemned cell to the gallows about 10 minutes before the execution. Before bringing him to the gallows, the prison authorities completed some processes including health check-up and rituals such performing Tawbah (repentance) in front of a Maulana. According to the source, Quader Molla was wearing condemned prisoners uniform and his head was covered

by a black sack called Jom Tupi in Bangla when he was being taking to the gallows on foot. When he was standing on the gallows, the executioner put the noose around his neck. The prison officials call the noose as Manila Rope as it is imported from Manila, capital of the Philippines. When the time of execution came, a Dhaka central jail official dropped a white handkerchief on the floor a signal to Shahjahan to hang the convict. The executioner pulled the lever of the gallows that removed the floor on which Quader Molla was standing and his body hanging on the noose. A group of armed prison guards were around the gallows. The district magistrate and also deputy commissioner of Dhaka district, the chief metropolitan magistrate of Dhaka, the district civil surgeon, top prison officials, representatives from different security agencies and Imam of the Dhaka central jail mosque were present at the time of execution. The prison authorities kept Quader Mollas body hanging for about half an hour and after that the prison doctors examined the body and confirmed his death. After an autopsy, an ambulance escorted by police carried the body to Quader Mollas village home in Faridpur from Dhaka central jail around midnight. The prison official said Shahjahan was an experienced hangman who executed many such convicts in different

prisons of the country in the past including the much-talked about killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Islamist militants. Shahjahan is a convicted prisoner. He was from Isakhali village under Palash of Narsingdi. He has been convicted in two criminal cases. In one case, he was awarded 12 years jail in 1992 and in an arms case, awarded life term (30 years) imprisonment in 1995, said a prison official. The official said: According to the rule, 60 days jail term will be waived if a convict prisoner implements one execution. This official, however, could not confirm how many executions hangman Shahjahan had implemented so far. After the Supreme Court rejected the review petitions, people in every corner were curiously waiting to know when he would be executed. Information was pouring from different sources that there was discussion at the top of the government last evening to fix a day and time of hanging Quader Molla. Though on Tuesday two state ministers and the prison officials announced time of execution officially before the press, yesterday the government refrained from doing so, apparently because of severe criticism for their acts on Tuesday. But when the prison authorities allowed Quader Mollas family members again to meet him at the Dhaka Central Jail early yesterday evening, the specu-

lation of execution got the momentum. Later, different sources said the government directed the prison authorities to execute the condemned war criminal last night. In protest against the execution, Jamaat last night announced a countrywide shutdown for Sunday. In a statement, the 18-party opposition ally also warned that those involved with the trial and the execution would have to face dire consequences.

Birth of Shahbagh movement

The tribunal verdict had given birth to the never-seen-before congregation of people of all strata mainly the youths at Shahbagh movement that demanded maximum punishment for all war criminals and a ban on Jamaat-Shibir politics. The movement prompted the government to amend the ICT Act, 1973 to ensure equal right for the government and the defence to appeal against a tribunal verdict. Before the amendment on February 17, the government could appeal only against an acquittal. Both the parties appealed for against the tribunal verdict in March. The movement, spearheaded by bloggers and online activists, put Jamaat in a serious crisis of existence as thousands of protesters joined the gathering in the following days demanding a ban on this anti-liberation political party and with a call to boycott the business organisations affiliated

with the party. Jamaat, with the help of main opposition BNP and radical Islamist organisation Hefazat-e Islam, came down hard on the Shahbagh protestors, labelling them atheists. Hundreds of people started to gather at the Shahbagh intersection since Tuesday evening when they came to know about the decision of executing Quader Molla to celebrate the long-cherished moment. But they were frustrated over the stay order put by the chamber judge at the last moment. They announced to continue sit-in at the place until the war criminal was hanged. There was jubilation in Shahbagh last night. Many commoners expressed their emotion as their demand of trying the 1971 war criminals finally began to be met. Many broke into tears of joy at Shahbagh and many other places across the country. There are more than a dozen war criminals either accused or have already been convicted by the two tribunals for their involvement in crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes committed during the Liberation War. Most convicted war criminals have been awarded death sentence by the tribunals, but they appealed with the apex court. On the other hand, the government appealed to award Ghulam Azam and Abdul Alim death sentence as the tribunals gave them jail considering age and health. l

One witness account that wrote his fate

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This is our day

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Nerve-racking 38 hours for SC clearence

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He entered the house and closed the door. My mother, brother and three sisters all were present at the house that time. I along with my sister Amena hid under a bed as my father asked us to do so. The Biharis along with Quader Molla came and [someone said] you bastard, open the door or I will throw bomb. After some time, mother opened the door with a knife in her hand. But they shot her just after opening the door. As my father went to hold my mother, Quader Molla pulled his collar saying, Suorer bachcha, will you support Awami League again? Will you want to go with Bangabandhu? Momena said even though Hazrat Ali apologised, they killed her mother and sisters Khodeja and Taslima. They killed my two-year-old brother Babu by throwing him on the floor. As Amena shouted hearing Babu crying, they dragged Amena from under the bed, tore partly her dress and tortured her physically. Then they started searching the house by stabbing the walls and furniture to see whether there was anybody else hiding in the room or not. At one point, a stab hit my left leg injuring me critically. Then they pulled me out. I cannot say anything as I fainted. And when I regained conscious, it

was mid night. I was not able to walk for the pain in my abdomen while my pants were wet and ragged. Then I went to house of a neighbour and asked to open the door for help. They treated my leg and gave me a dress. They looked after me the next day too and arranged some medicine. After giving me primary treatment, they informed my father-in-law who later came and took me with him. They [in-laws family] also arranged my treatment and my mother-in-law kept me in her arms. I was mad for my parents, she told the tribunal. After the independence, Momena said she had failed to find the bodies of her parents and siblings. I could not find anybody at the house except for bad smell, very bad smell. The witness said she later heard from Kamal Khan, who used to serve freedom fighters with tea, and her uncle Akkas Molla that all the family members had been murdered. Momena told the tribunal: My parents, brother and sisters were killed in front of my eyes. How can I forget? I was almost mad. [Now] although I am alive, it feels like I am dead. Identifying Quader Molla in the dock, she said he had been younger at that time and used to wear panjabi. Momena then told the tribunal: I want to ask him where my father is. l

Ershad detained
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president fell sick after the evening. He is a diabetic patient. His blood glucose level went high along with his swollen feet. The Jatiya Party chief has been admitted to the CMH. Rab personnel escorted him to the hospital and he has been undergoing treatment there, said Rab-1 Commanding Officer Lt Col Kismat Haiyat. Asked, the Rab-1 chief ruled out the allegation of picking up Ershad in the vehicle of Rab-1. However, sources in police and witnesses said before the detention of Ershad, a large number of Rab-1 personnel cordoned off Ershads President Park residence for over two hours. Later they picked Ershad up from his residence forcibly and took him to the

CMH by a blue-coloured microbus of Rab-1. When Ershad was being whisked away a huge number of leaders and activists tried to resist the Rab men. They also had a scuffle with Rab men, said a witness on condition of anonymity. The witness also said when Rab-1 men were taking Ershad he was very quiet while his followers were shouting at the Rab men. At one stage, the former president was taken to the CMH through Jahangir Gate, said the witness. However, Sunil Shubho Roy, Ershads press and political secretary, said he went to the CMH but he could not see his boss anywhere in the hospital. When asked, Jatiya Party presidium member Kazi Firoz Rashid said Ershad had been arrested. l

nesa during the Liberation War. We, the people, have been waiting for many years for justice. And now we win our war. She, however, questioned the rationality of the stay order. We are not sure what will be their [Jamaat] next conspiracy. I also cannot think about the next days after the execution. They can make our life hell. But by watching the execution, I am the happiest woman of the world. About the killing she had witnesses, Rozi said: Everyone knows what Molla did. I can recall after the murder of Meherunnesa, criminals hanged her head from the ceiling fan while Molla helped them. Quoting from a poem of Mahbubul Alam Chowdhury, Rozi said: I have not come here to cry, I am here to demand execution [of the accused]. Now I have no anger inside me, there is only hatred. Around 1pm yesterday, Nusrat Rabbee, daughter of martyred intellectual Dr Fazle Rabbee, phoned the Dhaka Tribune from California, USA. She could not stop crying; obviously, out of joy. She said: The victims of the war and the martyred families got relief after 42 years. I was scared enough as international pressure groups were against capital punishment. It is a good sign that we can ignore that. I do not know if it will be possible to send the accused to gallows who killed my father, but every war criminal is our enemy. So the news made my day, said Nusrat, who testified at the tribunal against al-Badr leaders Chowdhury Mueen Uddin and Ashrafuzzaman Khan. The witness visited Bangladesh in the middle of this year only for three days to give deposition in the case. When she heard the final order of rejecting review petition of Quader Molla, Nusrat said she was excited. An unknown fear gripped us since the date of the stay order on execution. Jamaat is hatching conspiracy at every step. You never know how far they can harm you. Safiuddin Molla, another witness against war criminal Quader Molla, said it was good news not only for him, but for everyone. He said: We are very happy that at last he [convict] is hanged. I am an eye witness who saw rifle in Quader Mollas hand. He killed more than 300 people including my uncle. Today when that man faces death penalty, we feel relieved as justice is ensured in my lifetime, said the witness. l

of Mirpur) on Tuesday night for the heinous crimes against humanity he had committed during the 1971 Liberation War. As per the government directives, the prison authorities were all set to implement the verdict and gallows was ready to hang him at 12:01am at that night. Prison authorities had also arranged family members last meeting with the condemned war criminal at Dhaka Central Jail on Tuesday evening. Against that backdrop, Mollas counsels led by Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Abdur Razzak went to the residence of the chamber judge, Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, to seek a stay order on the execution. The chamber judge had stayed the execution until 10:30am on Wednesday. When people were waiting for the execution and watching every moments developments on Tuesday night, the stay order came as a relief for Quader Molla, his family members, party followers and sympathisers. On February 5, the International Crimes Tribunal 2 gave him life-term imprisonment in one charge and sentenced to different terms in the five other charges. Following appeals hearing, the five-member top court bench by majority awarded Quader Molla death sentence on September 17 overruling the life-term. Of the five judges, Justice Wahhab had awarded the war criminal life imprisonment in the sixth charge that deals with the killing of tailor Hazrat Ali and five other members of his family in Mirpur. He acquitted Quader Molla in the five other charges. However, the remaining four judges gave the war criminal death sentence for the sixth charge and imprisonment of different terms for the others. Full text of the Appellate Division verdict was released on December 5. On receiving copy of the full text, the tribunal on Sunday issued death warrant to execute the capital punishment.

Arguments at the court

All eyes were on the apex court since Wednesday morning when it began hearing on a petition of Quader Molla to extend the stay order. Razzak, chief counsel for the convict, wanted to begin hearing of the review petition in January, after the winter vacation of the court. The vacation starts today. But after the judges repeated re-

quests, Razzak agreed to begin the hearing that day which continued until 11:47am yesterday with both the sides placing their arguments. On the first day, both sides argued whether Quader Mollas review petition was maintainable or not. The attorney general argued that it was not maintainable while the defence sought for accepting the petition. The second days hearing on the review petitions started around 9:15am. In the beginning of the hearing, Razzak wanted to proceed by placing arguments in favour of maintainability of the review petitions. But the court asked him to contend why he had challenged the verdict. Razzak replied that he had no preparation to argue on the issue. As the court insisted, he said the testimony of Momena Begum in charge six on which the top court gave the death penalty was not reliable since she had given three different statements to Zalladkhana, the investigation officer and at the tribunal in the case. At that time, Justice Sinha said: We punished Quader Molla since we find Momenas testimony credible. Razzak said there was error in the judgement for which Justice Wahhab had given different verdict life-term imprisonment. Justice Wahhab then told Razzak: The death sentence was given by four other judges. So, please do not refer me. If you do so, I feel embarrassed. The defence counsel said the death warrant issued by the tribunal 2 had not been legal. As per the jail code, the court that passed the death sentence has to issue the warrant, Razzak claimed. Justice Sinha said the Appellate Division had asked the tribunal to communicate with the concerned authorities. Razzak argued that for an execution, the jail code was a must. At this point, Justice Wahhab drew the attention of the defence counsel citing section 20 (3) of the tribunal law which states: The sentence awarded under this Act shall be carried out in accordance with the orders of the government. The chief justice asked Razzak to read section 20(3) with section 26 that say: The tribunal law shall prevail over other laws. Then Razzak said the tribunal law did not say about the process of hanging a convict.

In reply, the chief justice said: Our judgement clearly says how to execute. The full text of the verdict said Quader Molla be hanged until death. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told the court: The constitution does not curtail the apex courts power to review rather it bars the war crimes convicts to move the Supreme Court. The court can review the verdict if it wishes to, but not on a petition of a person convicted for crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes as the constitution does not give that right to such a convict. The judges adjourned the proceedings at 11:47am for 15 minutes and left the bench saying they would come back to deliver the verdict. It was a nerve-racking 15 minutes for the lawyers of both sides, other observers and journalists present at the court, and the people across the country waiting eagerly to know about the final verdict. The chief justices dismissal order made the justice seekers smile after 42 years of independence; though, naturally, it was a huge disappointment for the defence. Agitated by the order, pro-BNP Jamaat lawyers brought out a procession in front of the bar association building. They chanted slogans: Dont worry Quader Molla as we did not leave streets, Every house will be burnt, if anything happens to Quader Molla, Lawyers action, direct action. They also chanted slogans against the government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asking her to step down right away. In the meantime, another group of lawyers including pro-Awami League groups who were happy with the decision also chanted slogans and brought out a procession at the same place. There was tension for a while on the court premises centring the two groups procession at the same time. A scuffle also took place between several rival lawyers. The law enforcement agencies yesterday were on tight vigil in the court area as they deployed more than 500 members of different forces. But violence sparked outside the capital as Jamaat and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir men attacked police, vehicles and installations, and vandalised or torched those, leaving several people hilled and a number of people injured. l

Jamaat warns
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The party earlier enforced shutdowns with violence on every single day when the two tribunals pronounced sentences against Jamaat leaders who had masterminded crimes against humanity in collaboration with the Pakistani occupation forces against the people who supported the birth of Bangladesh. In another statement released in the evening, Jamaat threatened the ruling Awami League with dire consequences for executing Quader Molla. The Awami League and the government would have to pay the price for every drop of Quader Mollas blood if he was killed, Mokbul said. The Awami League will have to face the court in future [for executing Quader Molla]. Also, the government will have to confront mass court for killing him through unlawful and

unconstitutional means in a planned way. Criticising the rejection of the review petitions, Jamaat, however, urged the party supporters to build resistance against the governments conspiracy in a democratic and peaceful way. A day before Quader Molla was sentenced life-term imprisonment on February 5, Jamaat issued a warning of waging civil war if the trial had not been stopped and the leader released. Abdul Latif Nezami, chief of a faction of opposition ally Islami Oikya Jote, said the execution was carried out by a war crimes tribunal which had been questioned since its inception. What else I can say about it! he told the Dhaka Tribune. Asked for reaction, Junaid Babunagari, secretary general of radical Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam, declined to comment on the issue. l

The V-sign that led to Quader

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journalist. Opposing the Shahbagh movement, the Islamist parties buried their internal political differences and accelerated the Hefazat-e-Islam to counter the Shahbagh activists, say observers. Gradually, Hefazat has become a major political issue in Bangladesh. Quader Molla, assistant secretary general of Jamaat, was born in Amirabad village under Sadarpur of Faridpur in 1948. After passing HSC examination, he attended a Quran Tafsir and joined the Islami Chhatra Sangha, then student wing of Jamaat. He passed BSc in 1968 from Faridpur Rajendra College. In 1970, Molla took admission in Dhaka University to complete his Masters degree in physics. Shortly, he became the president of the university unit of Chhatra Sangha. After the independence, Quader

Molla was arrested in 1972 for his anti-liberation role. But Gen Ziaur Rahman released him from prison in 1975. He completed a masters degree on educational administration in 1977 and joined Udayan High School in Dhaka as a part-time teacher. Quader Molla joined Jamaat in May 1977 and was appointed as the private secretary to then the party chief, Ghulam Azam, the following year. He joined Bangladesh Rifles Public School and College as a senior teacher in 1978 and started writing columns in Jamaats mouthpiece the daily Sangram. In 1981, he joined the newspaper as its executive editor and became the vice-president of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists. He was elected ameer (chief) of Dhaka city unit of Jamaat in 1985 and the partys central publicity secretary in

1991. The next year, he was picked up as secretary of Jamaats Dhaka city unit and then ameer of the unit. In 2000, he was appointed as the assistant secretary general of Jamaat central committee. As the Awami League government initiated the trial of the war criminals in 2010, he was arrested on July 13 the same year on charges of killing 345 people during the War of Independence in 1971. On May 28 last year, the International Crimes Tribunal framed six charges against Quader Molla for his involvement in murders and mass killings. According to the charges, he actively participated in the killings of at least 381 unarmed people in Dhakas Mirpur and Keraniganj areas in six different incidents. He also aided the Pakistani occupation army to kill and rape civilians. The tribunal, set up in line with

the International Crimes Tribunal Act, 1973, referred in the judgement that Quader Molla was found guilty of the offences of crimes against humanity enumerated in section 3(2) of the Act in five charges brought by the state. The tribunal awarded him life sentence and 15 years in jail for the war crimes. He was found not guilty in one charge. The government later amended the ICT Act and inserted a provision to give the prosecution scope to appeal against the tribunal verdicts. Earlier, only the defence could do so. Later, the government filed appeals with the Appellate Division seeking capital punishment as the prosecution could prove three charges beyond reasonable doubt. The Appellate Division in its judgement overruled the sentence and awarded the Jamaat-e-Islami leader death penalty. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, December 13, 2013

3
Jamaat-Shibir violence kills one
n Tribune Report
Jamaat-Shibir men resorted to vandalism and arson attacks on cops in different places of the country leaving at least one dead soon after the Supreme Court cleared the way for executing war criminal Abdul Quader Molla yesterday. At Bipulshar under Monoharganj upazila in Comilla clashes between Jamaat-Shibir and police left Shibir activist Anwar Hossain, 20, dead. At least 38 activists and three policemen were injured in the incident. Witnesses said police barred a procession, which triggered the clash around 7pm. Police brought the situation under control after two hours by firing shotguns and teargas shells. In Bogra, miscreants torched the residence of Bogra 1 Awami League lawmaker Abdul Manan around 7pm. Jamaat-Shibir men set three vehicles on fire in Chittagong and Sitakunda. Witnesses said the Jamaat-Shibir men swooped on a procession brought out by Awami League in Anderkilla area in the afternoon. Later, activists of Ganajagaran Mancha joined the Awami League men to resist the attackers. The Jamaat-Shibir men torched an ambulance and vandalised a number of roadside buildings, said Mohammad Nezam Uddin, inspector of Kotwali police station. Three policemen had sustained splinter injuries during the clash. Jamaat-Shibir men also torched two covered vans at Fowzdarhat of Sitakunda upazila, blasted a few crude bombs at Dewanhat and vandalised an ambulance carrying a patient at Joldhaka. In Noakhali Jamaat-Shibir activsts hacked Awami League leader AKM Shamsuddin around 1pm at Rashidkhali. Police arrested seven activists in Coxs Bazar. l

Clockwise from top left: A Shibir activist holds a petrol bomb while the pro-islamist party activists go on the rampage, protesting the Supreme Court verdict against war crimes convict Quader Molla at Talaimari of Rajshahi yesterday ASI Kamal is being attacked by activists of Jamaat-Shibir in front of a shop in Sylhets Baghbari point area The Jamaat-Shibir activists beat up ASI Kamal mercilessly A few photographers carry ASI Kamal to hospital

Six killed in blockade violence

n Tribune Report
At least five people were shot dead and many sustained injuries when Rab members opened fire on the opposition men in Lakshmipur during sporadic clashes on the sixth and last day of the countrywide blockade yesterday. In another incident, a covered van driver Mahbubul Alam, 30, of Amtoli upazila in Barguna who was injured in an attack by blockaders in Feni succumbed to injuries at Chittagong Medical College Hospital early yesterday. In the Lakshmipur incident, 12 activists were injured. The clash ensued when a Rab team conducted a raid on the house of district BNP General Secretary Sahabuddin Sabu around 6am. The law enforcers shot at Sabus leg and picked up his younger brother Azizul Karim. Hearing the news, the activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal brought out a procession and locked into a clash with the Rab personnel in Chalkbazar. The whole town turned into a battle field shortly when activists of the BNP and its alliances joined the face-off. Protesting the killing, they cordoned off Rab members in the local police lines area since noon. A helicopter from Dhaka rescued some of the elite force members around 3pm. Later, Rab and police dispersed the agitating men from the area. Inspector (investigation) of Lakshmipur Sadar police station Lokman Hossain said the opposition men clashed with lawmen in diferent places and tried to torch the Sadar branch of Sonali Bank. The deceased are Iqbal Mahmud Jewel, Shihab Hossain, Sumon, Mahbubur Rahman and an unidentified youth aged around 30. The body of is still missing, family members claimed. The opposition called a dawn-todusk hartal in the district for tomorrow. The incidents of agitations and setting fire to houses, organisations offices were also reported from the towns outskirts. The home ministry in a press statement said four people were killed in the incident when Rab opened fire to save their lives. On the other hand, in a press statement the BNP claimed that nine people died and more 775 sustained injuries since Wednesday. More than 580 opposition men were arrested across the country. Some miscreants during the ongoing political vandalism cut the fiber optical cable connected with India in Chuadanga district border area early yesterday. Apart from these incidents, in Sylhet city, three policemen including a sub-inspector sustained injuries as activists of Jamaat and its student wing Shibir clashed with the lawmen. More than 15 Jamaat-Shibr men were injured during the clash. The Shibir men also set fire to two banks and vandalised a number of vehicles. In another incident, a joint team of police and Border Guard Bangladesh nabbed a Shibir man from Lalahazrai area of South Surma upazila with a gun and 56 rounds of bullets. Meanwhile, miscreants hurled a petrol bomb and four crude bombs at the village home of Justice ATM Fazle Kabir, chief of International Crimes Tribunal 1, in Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila early yesterday. None was reported hurt in the attack. Golam Kabir, younger brother of the justice, said the criminals hurled a petrol bomb and four homemade bombs at the single-storey concrete building at Chamargram around 1am. The bombs went off around 1am and left a windowpane of a room where a team of police, who were deployed to ensure security of the house, were present. The miscreants also hurled petrol bombs aiming at a police team who were guarding Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inus Golapnagar house in Kustia around 2am. No one was hurt. In Satkhira, police opened fire on ma-

DHAKA TRIBUNE

rauding Shibir men leaving five Shibir men injured. At least six activists were injured as BGB and police opened fire at Bandor to disperse a gathering of thousands of people while they were trying to march towards Meherpur town. In the capital, several hundred transport workers brought out a procession from Banani to lay siege to the residence of opposition leader Khaleda Zia around 12:30pm in an attempt to press home their demand of stopping the continuous blockades considering their sufferings, but police stopped the procession when it reached Gulshan 2. Meanwhile, blockaders torched a parked bus in Syedabad bus terminal area and vandalised more than 20 vehicles in the capital. They also clashed with police and blasted bombs indiscriminately at Mughda, Rampura, Lalbagh, Doyaganj, Hatirjheel, Chawkbazar, Rayerbagh, Badda, Azimpur, Khilkhet, Demra. l

Jamaats plea to get back registration n Nazmus Sakib

Jamaat-e-Islami yesterday lodged an appeal with the Appellate Division, seeking an overturn of the High Court verdict that scrapped its registration. Jamaat lawyer Belayet Hossain told reporters that a hearing on the appeal would be held next month as the court goes into winter vacation today. In response to a petition filed in 2009, the High Court on August 1 annulled Jamaats registration as its charter was contrary to the constitution and the representation of People Order (RPO). On August 5, Chamber Judge AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik rejected Jamaats plea to stay the verdict. The full text of the judgement was released on November 2. But we got certified copy on November 16, Belayet said adding that the last date of lodging the appeal was December 15. l

Mollas burial at Mollas son, 10 relatives detained and freed family graveyard n Kailash Sarkar and Udisa Islam
n Our Correspondent, Faridpur
War criminal and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islamis assistant secretary general Abdul Quader Molla, was set for burial at his family graveyard in Amirabad under Sadarpur, Faridpur following his execution yesterday evening for crimes against humanity during the War of Liberation in 1971. With his body on the way we took adequate security measures, Faridpur Deputy Commissioner Abu Hena Morshed Zaman told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. More than 100 Police and Rab personnel were deployed in Amirabad area, he said. Meanwhile, a small number of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir activists vandalised several vehicles protesting the execution of their party leader. However, they left the streets as the administration beefed up security. l Law enforcers yesterday picked up executed war criminal Abdul Quader Mollas younger son and 10 other relatives from their Moghbazar residence within an hour of the execution, but freed them one hour later. But police gave contradictory information on the detention. Ramna division Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Maruf Hasan said: The son and some people were picked up, but I am not yet sure of the matter in details. Let me look into it. Dhaka Metropolitan Police DC (Media) Masudur Rahman, however, ruled outthe detention, saying: The information on the detention of Quader Mollas son and any other of his family members is not true. Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, family members claimed that police had picked up Mollas younger son Hasan

Moudud and 10 other relatives from the ground floor of their Moghbazar residence and taken them to Ramna police station but freed them later. Mollas elder son Hasan Jamil said: Police picked up my younger brother, Hasan Moudud, and 10 of our relatives. The law enforcers took them to Ramna police station. Later, police freed them after my uncle Meer Rajibul Islam [a brother-in-law of Molla], and sister had gone to Ramna police station. l

Khaleda urges India to respect majority

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia expressed hope that the ruling Awami League would move forward along the path of compromise leaving obstinacy and urged India to respect the aspiration of the majority people in Bangladesh. In a statement yesterday, she thanked UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon for his initiative to resolve the crisis and the US, European Union, UK, Canada, Australia, China and Japan for their concerns. I urge the government and people of our influential neighbour India to respect the feelings, sentiments and the demand of a huge majority of [Bangladeshi] people and express solidarity with the stance the international community has adopted, said Khaleda. Blaming the government for the current political situation, the BNP chief called for widening the path of compromise. She laid down some preconditions for a dialogue to take place: suspension of the election schedule, release of the detained leaders and activists, and stopping repression. Khaleda said a new hope had been created as the ruling party had agreed to sit in a discussion under the mediation of UN chiefs special envoy. I hope they will take into consideration the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh and will move forward along the path of compromise leaving obstinacy, Khaleda said. She said the people and the economy had been suffering; trade and commerce had come to a standstill; but the government had remained rigid. Although everyone has realised the abnormal situation in the country, the government is saying everything is normal. It could not be a sound and healthy attitude, she said. Khaleda asked party leaders and activists to remain cautious so innocent citizens were not victimised. The government has to take the responsibility for heinous killing and attack on innocent people. She said she had repeatedly talked about dialogues for a peaceful settlement of the prevailing political stalemate. l

Pakistan Jamaat: Quader Molla our martyr

n Tribune Report
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan has said it has got one more Shaheed (martyr) as Abdul Quader Molla was hanged in Bangladesh. It made the statement in a post on its official facebook page. Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan on its Facebook page provoked angry reaction over Quader Mollas execution. On its cover page it posted a picture that termed December 16 the fall of Dhaka while the profile picture is adorned with a photo of Quader Molla. It also said the execution of Quader Molla was an acid test of faith. One post asks the Pakistan government to seek an explanation from Bangladesh and instigates it to launch an attack on Bangladesh. According to

another post, the cruel silence of Pakistan army on the execution is a crime. At 8:50pm, they posted a statement quoting Mollas wife: I am proud that I am the wife of a Jamaat cleric. Earlier, when the verdict against Ghulam Azam was handed down, Pakistan Jamaat propagated him as the chief of the organisations Bangladesh wing. l

16th witness testifies against Khokon

n Udisa Islam
Still haunted by the killing of his family members, a prosecution witness yesterday described how fugitive war crimes accused MA Zahid Hossain Khokon alias Khokon Razakar shot his entire family dead except one sister. At the time of placing his deposition, 16th prosecution witness Kalom Sheikh, 65, was not comfortable recalling the incident. After his deposition, the International Crimes Tribunal 1 set December 23 for further witness. Kalom told the tribunal that Khokon, along with other razakars and Pakistani soldiers, had gone to their village Ishwardi of Nagarkanda upazila in Faridpur on May 30, 1971. When he had seen the razakars and the soldiers advancing towards their house, he hid himself in a nearby bush. His mother Boru Khatun, brother Salam Sheikh and sisters Sreemoti and Phulmati ran to a jute field adjacent to their house. Kalom broke down in tears several times. Tapped his forehead, he murmured: Oh mother, oh mother! When my family members tried to hide in the jute field, the razakars and the Pakistani soldiers went after them and opened fire. I saw Khokon shooting at my mother, he narrated. After they had left, Kalom found their bodies on the field. He also found that one of his sisters was shot in the hip. Kalom then took her to a doctor. After the deposition, defence counsel Abuds Shukur Khan grilled Kalom. When Shukur suggested that Khokon had not shot his family members, Kalom turned excited and said: I saw Khokon shooting at my mother. He also fired a question back to the defence counsel: Who was there? Was it I or you? verdict in the case against Salauddin. Fakhrul was served a contempt notice on December 30 last year, after he had raised a question about the tribunal. He, however, has already sought unconditional apology regarding this. Prosecutor Zead Al Malum told the tribunal yesterday that there was no need to hear Fakhrul as he had sought unconditional apology. Now the matter was up to the tribunal whether he would be charged or not. Zead claimed that there had been many examples where a court charged someone with contempt even after that person sought unconditional apology. Tribunal 1, headed by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir, asked Zead to present at least two such instances. l

Contempt hearing against Fakhrul

The tribunal yesterday deferred the hearing of contempt charges against Fakhrul Islam, counsel for convicted war criminal Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, until January 12. The tribunal gave the order as Fakhrul was in custody and wished to defend himself. He was arrested on November 20 and was in police custody for his alleged involvement in leaking a part of the draft

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, December 13, 2013

Wounded freedom fighters get ease on land line charges

BTCL not to charge them more than Tk600, effective from this month

n Muhammad Zahidul Islam

The government has decided not to charge war-wounded freedom fighters and families of martyred freedom fighters for up to Tk600 of usage on state-owned BTCL land lines, a BTCL high-up confirmed yesterday. The government giving its consent has already sent a letter to the BTCL. The decision may come in effect as early as this month. We have received a letter regarding an offer for the freedom fighters this week, and it would be effective immediately, SOM Kalim Ullah, managing director of BTCL told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. As we do not have any idea about how many war-wounded freedom fighters or family of martyred freedom fighters are there thus we need to fix some criteria or need to seek help from the ministry of Liberation war affairs in this regard, he said. According to the letter, wounded

freedom fighters or the family of martyred freedom fighters who are subscribing to BTCLs land phones can enjoy this service. Source at the BTCL, however, said they can only enjoy voice calls, not internet or other services. To obtain the service, freedom fighters or their family members were advised to contract the BTCL immediately. Statistics till June 2013 show BTCL has 903,299 subscribers. Call rate per minute from BTCL to BTCL between 8AM and 8PM was Tk0.30 while from 8PM to 8AM it costs only Tk0.10. In comparison, calls from BTCL to other operators costs Tk0.80 per minute. It has a monthly line rent as well. For Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna multiexchange it costs Tk160 and for in district and upazila level Tk120 and Tk80 each month respectively. Earlier, state-owned mobile phone operator Teletalk presented the wounded freedom fighters with special SIM cards on the eve of Independence Day this year. l

Activists of Ganajagaran Mancha express their joy by showing victory signs after the review petition of Quader Mollas death penalty was rejected yesterday morning

RAJIB DHAR

Satkhira SI withdrawn from post

n Our Correspondent, Satkhira

Satkhira Police Superintendent Molla Jahangir Hossain was withdrawn from his post yesterday for allegedly failing to maintain the law and order situation in the district since joining five months ago. On Wednesday, members of Satkhira Press Club submitted a memorandum to the prime minister, foreign minister, information minister and the chief election commissioner demanding Janahgirs resignation. They alleged that since his joining, at least 15 leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League were reportedly killed by Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir activists, 22 journalists were attacked and many houses were vandalised and torched within the locality. However, Jahangir remained inactive in tackling the atrocities, they said. Earlier on November 21, Jamaat-Shibir men hacked up Abu Raihan, a journalist, to death in front of hundreds. They also hacked at Yarab Hossain, joint-general secretary of Satkhira Press club, on November 30 leaving him severely injured. Many of the victims became crippled afterwards. Recently, locals brought out a procession demanding Jahangirs resignation. Hossain handed over his charges to Satkhira Additional Police Superintendent Joydeb Chowdhury yesterday morning. Moniruzzaman, deputy inspector general of Khulna said a letter had been issued to him through fax summoning him to report to the police headquarters at the earliest. The police headquarters was yet to nominate his replacement, said the DIG. l

Security to be beefed up for Xmas and 31st Dec

n Rabiul Islam
The government has planned to take adequate measures to provide security on the eve of Christmas Day and 31st night so that people can celebrate the occasions peacefully. The intelligence agencies have stepped up their surveillance to crack down on any kind of violence. We have asked the lawmen to beef up security on the church premises across all divisions, districts and upazilas so that the Christians can celebrate the Xmas peacefully, State Minister for Home Shamsul Hoque Tuku told reporters after a meeting with the law enforcement agencies at the Home Ministry yesterday. He said Border Guard Bangladesh, Police, Rab and Ansar members would jointly work to rein in subversion and ensure full-proof security. In reply to a question on rejection of review petition against the verdict on war criminal Quader Molla who was sentenced to death, the state minister declined to make any comment on the matter terming it irrelevant to the meeting. Shamsul Hoque Tuku said time was very limited as the parliamentary election would be held on January 5 and measures would be taken accordingly to ensure security. He called upon all including different political parties to cooperate with the lawmen to maintain law and order on Christmas Day and 31st December. Asked about the arson attack on the ancestral home of Supreme Court Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, the state minister mentioned that the mastermind behind the attack had been detained. On the volatile law and order situation in Satkhira, the state minister said steps were underway to restore order. The Christian Association President and State Minister for Social Welfare Promod Mankin asked the political parties to refrain from any political programmes on December 24 and 25 as Christians of all denominations would go to Church for prayer. The meeting also said security had been beefed up in the diplomatic zones. The High-ups from the ministry and law enforcement agencies were present at the meeting. l

ACC questions 6 Sonali Bank officials as witnesses in Tk372 crore scam

Hall-Mark chairman Jasmine sued for not submitting wealth statement

n Syed Samiul Basher Anik

The Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday filed a case against Jasmine Islam, chairman of the Hall-Mark Group for non-submission of her wealth statement within due time. The anti-graft body also took statements from six Sonali Bank officials as witnesses in the Tk372 crore loan embezzlement case involving the HallMark Group. The ACC on November 13 sent a notice to Jasmine Islam asking her to submit a wealth statement, including all her properties and sources of income, within seven working days. Later on November 24, her lawyer requested more time for submitting the wealth statement. The commission extended the deadline by seven more days, which expired on December 4, according to the case statement. Since the Hall-Mark Group chairman has not submitted her wealth statement till date, the commission has filed a case with Ramna Model Po-

lice Station for non-submission of the statement within due time under section 26 (2) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2004, ACC deputy director Mir Md Zainul Abedin Shebly told the Dhaka Tribune. Jasmine was released on bail on August 4 on the condition that she would pay back Tk100 crore to Sonali Bank every month. Meanwhile, a seven-member probe team, led by Zainul Abedin Shebly, questioned six Sonali Bank officials as witnesses at the ACC headquarters in the capital yesterday. The witnesses included the banks general manager M Mustafizur Rahman, branch inspector M Rafiqul Islam Khan, deputy general manager MHS Abu Zafar, senior executive officer M Anisuzzaman, executive officer ASM Abdul Latif, and deputy general manager of Comilla corporate branch M Shawkat Ali. Violating Bangladesh Bank rules, some Sonali Bank of icials and ive business entities of the Hall-Mark

Group embezzled Tk372 crore taken as loans between October 2011 and May 2012 from the banks Ruposhi Bangla (formerly Hotel Sheraton) branch. The five companies are _ T & Brothers Ltd, Paragon Knit Composite Ltd, Nakshi Knit Composite Ltd, Khan Jahan Ali Sweaters Ltd and DN Sports Limited. In January this year, the anti-corruption watchdog filed as many as 26 cases against 18 senior executives of the five companies and 17 officials of Sonali Bank for their alleged involvement in misappropriating the stateowned banks money. On the basis of several petitions filed by the ACC, a Dhaka court on June 26 ordered the freezing of all 260 bank accounts of the various Hall-Mark businesses. On October 7, the ACC submitted charge-sheets in 11 cases against 25 people _ including officials of the HallMark Group and Sonali Bank _ for their involvement in the scam. l

Information minister seeks security from EC

n Mohammad Zakaria
Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu has sought security from the Election Commission for him and his family members in Dhaka and Kushtia, prior to the national parliamentary elections. Inu, also the president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, yesterday met with the Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad. After meeting the CEC, Inu told reporters that Jatiya Party would contest in the 10th parliamentary elections. Tomorrow is the last date for withdrawing nominations. Everybody will have to wait until then to witness the last segment of drama. Tomorrow it will become evident who would contest in the polls and who would not. Usually such dramas take place during elections, he said. Recently, some unidentified miscreants hurled four crude bombs on Information Minister Hasaul Haque Inu near his residence in the capitals Dar-us-Salam area on December 2, the third day of the ongoing countrywide blockade. However, the minister remained unhurt. The letter states the previous attacks on the minister. On September 9, unidentified miscreants assaulted the minister at the London studio of private satellite television channel ATN Bangla. He went there to take part in a live talk show. Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said main opposition party BNP and its key ally Jamaat-e-Islami were behind the assault on him during London visit. Earlier four cocktails were thrown at his residence on June 9. The minister was not at home at the time and no one else was injured. On June 9, Inus son Ashfaqul Haque filed the case with Darus Salam police station under explosive act. l

WEATHER

Dry weather likely n UNB

Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country until 6pm today. Night temperature might fall by 1-2 degree Celsius and day temperature might remain nearly unchanged over the country, Met Office said. The sun sets in the capital at 5:13pm today and rises at 6:32am tomorrow. Countrys highest temperature 29.2 degree Celsius was recorded at Teknaf and lowest 11.2 degrees at Srimangal yesterday. Highest and lowest temperatures recorded in some major cities yesterday were: City Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Coxs Bazar High 26.5 26.6 25.8 25.5 27.0 26.7 27.5 31.0 Low 16.6 17.0 11.3 13.6 15.0 14.6 15.2 21.7

War crimes convict Quader Mollas defence counsel Abdur Razzaq talks to reporters at the Supreme Court yesterday
MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

JU teachers give 48-hour ultimatum

n JU Correspondent
The teachers of the anti-VC movement of Jahangirnagar University yesterday gave a 48-hour ultimatum to the university authorities to carry out the chancellors directives and realise their six-point demand. They met with the acting Vice-Chancellor Prof M A Matin and Pro-VC (Administration) Md Afsar Ahmed in the afternoon and submitted a letter mentioning their demands, sources said. The demands are, ensuring removal or resignation of the VC, holding the VC panel election immediately with the present senate, executing the alleged for attacking teachers on October 9, forming a judicial probe committee to investigate into the bomb attack incident at the residence of the president of the JU Teachers Association (JUTA) and execute the perpetrator, suspending all administrative activities and recruitments until appointment of a new VC. On November 6, President Abdul Hamid, also the chancellor of the university had asked VC Prof Anwar Hossain to hold senate polls immediately and select a VC panel through the senate in line with the JU act for resolving the ongoing crisis. Under the banner of JU TeachersStudents and Officers-Employees United Forum, the teachers threatened to force the authorities to realise their demands at a press briefing at the social science faculty building yesterday. The United Forums Secretary Member Prof Kamrul Ahsan said: We have given a 48-hour ultimatum to the authorities till Saturday 12am to meet our demands, otherwise we would go hard-line. For last 12 days, the agitating teachers have kept the administrative office sealed bringing all the administrative activities of the university to a halt. Refusing to realise the demands, Prof M A Matin told the Dhaka Tribune: Their demands are irrational. They are forcing to remove VC Prof Anwar Hossain which is not in our authority by any mean. Only government can do that. Only VC Prof Anwar Hossain can make decisions regarding their demands and I cannot as I am the acting VC, he added. A section of pro-Awami League teachers backed by ousted VC Prof Shariff Enamul Kabir and pro-BNP teachers under the banner of united forum, have been agitating over nine months now in order to remove Prof Anwar Hossain from his post bringing some 18 allegations against him. On December 9, the forum members announced Prof Anwar Hossain prohibited on campus and sealed his residence. Prof Anwar is on leave until December 20 while Pro-VC Prof M A Matin (education) is assuming the duties of the acting VC. l

PRAYER TIMES
Fajar Sunrise Jumma Asr Magrib Esha 5:12am 6:31am 11:53am 3:37pm 5:13pm 6:33pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, December 13, 2013

Government eyes Malaysia deal to build another power plant

The deals are likely to be signed on December 18 The deals are likely to be signed on n Aminur Rahman Rasel December 18.
A high-powered team of the Power Division is scheduled to leave Dhaka for Malaysia on December 16 to sign two separate deals to set up yet another 1320MW coal-fired power plant in a joint-venture (equal share) basis at Moheshkhali in Coxs Bazar. We are going on a three-day visit to Malaysia for signing two separate deals a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a power sector cooperation deal, Power Division Secretary Monowar Islam told the Dhaka tribune. He said the Power Development Board (PDB) Chairman Md Abduhu Ruhullah will sign the MoU on behalf of the PDB with Malaysian Consortium of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and Powertek Berhad (PB) to set up the 1320MW coal-fired power plant. Meanwhile, the Power Division Secretary Monowar Islam will sign the power sector cooperation deal on behalf of Bangladesh. The terms and conditions of the proposed MoU with TNB would be similar to that signed with the National Thermal Power Company (NTPC) of India to install a 1320MW power plant at Rampal in Bagerhat, he said. The Power Division secretary said under the power sector master plan, the government would require to produce 24,000MW of electricity by 2021 and 40,000MW by 2030. The government has targeted producing around 20,000MW of electricity by 2030 from coal-based power plants. The power secretary will lead the team, which would be accompanied by Director General at the Prime Ministers Office Neelufar Ahmed, PDB Chairman Md Abduhu Ruhullah, Power Division Joint-secretary Md Anwar Hossain, PDB Assistant Chief Engineer Mahbubur Rahman and PDB Director (IPP Cell-1) Golam Kibria. l

Transport workers bring out a coffin procession in the capitals Gulshan area yesterday afternoon, demanding a stop to the killings of drivers and passengers in arson attacks during blockades. The procession was marched towards BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zias Gulshan residence NASHIRUL ISLAM

Drug trafficking families on the rise in Chittagong Removal of Khagrachhari n returning officer demanded
Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong
The war against narcotics has taken on a new dimension in Chittagong as police nabbed two families of drug-peddlers in the past two weeks, suggesting a new trend in the business of drugs and organised crime. It has been learnt that a growing number of drug dealers and peddlers are using family members, including children and parents, to rendezvous with addicts and sell drugs in the belief that doing so will strengthen their network and increase reliability. Sources at the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) said the number of such families in the district was not known yet but that it would be pretty large, as a number of drug-peddlers arrested in recent months had confessed to involving their families in their businesses. Officials at the detective branch of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) arrested a member of one such family with 40 litres of contraband liquor on Sunday. Achia Begum, the arrestee, had been conducting her business with the help of her two sons for the last 10 years, said Babul Akhter, an additional deputy commissioner with the branch. The 56-year-old woman was accused in 11 drug-related cases, while her two sons were accused in several others.

We arrested them several times before, but they managed to come out of jail every time by securing bail, each time they reverted to their old ways
Police, on 25 November, arrested a couple Manik, 38, and Aklima, 30 who had been selling cannabis for the past two years. According to their confession, they would often use members of their family to create and strengthen their network and boost profits. We arrested them several times before, but they managed to come out of jail every time by securing bail, each time they reverted to their old ways, said Babul. He also said costs related to court

appearances had led some of the arrestees to resume their operations and be arrested again subsequently. Achia was arrested a total of five times; she came out of jail after 5-6 days on every occasion. She has to appear before court 10 to 12 times a month and needs Tk1,000-1,500 for each appearance. Likewise, Aklima, who was arrested on 25 November, was arrested again within a week of her release from jail. The situation was further complicated by a loophole in the existing anti-narcotics law which allows prosecution of only the individuals found in possession of contraband drugs and liquor, allowing safe passage for those behind them. Experts say such leniency only serves to lift the morale of drug ringleaders. Banaz Kumar Majumder, additional commissioner for the crimes and operation division at the CMP, told the Dhaka Tribune that most of the drug-peddlers came from low-income family backgrounds and used their close relatives in the manner. There is the temptation of easy money but there are

dangers too. So they need people they can trust. According to sources, most of the peddlers make their dens at: The Barisal Colony near Chittagong Railway Station, New Shahid Lane at Ispahani Circle, Kadamtali, Madarbari, Bakalia, Kotwali and the Scrap Colony of Panchlaish. There are also many shanties used as sales points for drugs. The drug business has reportedly boomed in the port city because of a lack of vigilance on the part of the law enforcement agencies, and a prevalence of drug consumption in recent times. Dr Anupam Sen, vice-chancellor of Premier University and a social scientist, said drug-peddling was different from other illegal businesses. All members of a family can become involved with the business, if they want. They are mostly illiterate and unaware of the consequences that their actions might cause. He stressed the need for increased awareness among the people about the adverse effects of drug abuse and trades. l

n Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari

Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghity Samity demanded immediate removal of Returning Officer for the upcoming national election to Khagrachhari Md Masud Karim. Activists and leaders of the party said the returning officer should resign from his post without any delay as he had unjustly cancelled the candidature of independent candidate Sudha Sindhu Khisa. Manabendra Larma fraction of the organisation came up with the demand of removal at a press conference at Khagrachhari Press Club yesterday morning. President of the fraction and independent candidate Sudha Sindhu Khisa read out a written statement at the press conference. Pointing me as public servant as I am a regional council member of Chittagong Hill Tracts Md Masud Karim cancelled my candidature as per section 50 of CHT Regional council act-1998 and section 12(1)(Ga) of the representation of the people order (RPO)-1972 which is not justified. But how my candidature remains

Live grenade recovered at Mogholhat border n Our Correspondent, Lalmonirhat

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has recovered an abandoned grenade near the Mogholhat border in Lalmonirhat sadar upazila, yesterday afternoon. BGB sources said the Indian-made grenade was found near the Mogholhat BGB camp and it would be destroyed by a team of experts. Confirming the incident, the BGB Camp Commander Nayek Subedar Abdul Hamid said, after receiving information from the locals, a team of BGB men went to the spot and recovered the grenade from Dharla River Bank which is some 500 metre from the BGB camp. l

okay for Rangamati constituency and how does the candidature of CHT Regional council member Ushaton Talukder remains okay for the same constituency and KS Mongs candidature for Bandarban constituency, he said. The returning officer did not cancelled candidature of Jatiya Party (Ershad) candidate Solaiman Alam Seth, although he is loan defaulter, he added. Sudha Sindhu Khisa advised Masud Karim to study the letter issued by the then Senior Assistant Secretary Md Abdul Baten on December 04, 2008 where it was clearly mentioned that CHT regional council member can contest in national election without resigns from their posts. Free, fair and credible election would not hold under this the returning officer as he is not impartial, he added. Central Vice President of PCJSS (MN Larma) Rupayon Talukder, its Youth Affairs Secretary Subash Kanti Chakma, its Organising Secretary Mrinal Kanti Tripura, its Students Affairs Secretary Sudhakor Tripura and Khagrachhai district PCJSS President Biburanjan Chakma were present at the press conference. l

Butterfly fair at JU to celebrate winged wonders

n Mahadi Al Hasnat
Nature lovers of Jahangirnagar University are set to celebrate the winged wonders of butterflies as they are prepare to organise a Butterfly Fair on the universitys Jahir Raihan premises today. The institution with a campus sprawled over almost three kilometres is known for its rich greenery of grass and trees, providing a natural sanctuary to birds and flying insects, and hosts such festivals every winter. Last week, students of the university ceremonially welcomed the migratory birds coming in from the colder regions of the world. This time, the entomology branch of zoology department has taken the initiative to organise the fair in a bid to promote an understanding of the insects known for their colourful wings and dainty features. Thousands of butterflies would unite in flapping their wings on the campus after 9.30am, when the fair begins. Acting vice-chancellor of JU Prof MA Matin will inaugurate the daylong event as the chief guest, while Pro-VC Prof Afsar Ahmed (administration), Treasurer Prof Abul Khayer and others will also be present on the occasion. Dr Mohammad Monwar Hossain, a professor of zoology and convener of the fair, said several thousands of butterflies of different species would be released at the fair. The programme will also feature an exhibition of framed

An ambulance in flames after activists of Jamaat-Shibir torched the vehicle in Chittagongs Anandakilla area yesterday protesting the review rejection of Quader Mollas death penalty FOCUS BANGLA

A revolution that changes peoples lives silently

n Our Correspondent, Gaibandha
Nayabandar, a remote village in Gaibandha, where more than 50,000 people, including 20,000 technicians and workers are engaged in hosiery factories as the industry has grown up there and gives people the chance to have a dream of living a decent life. A revolution on hosiery industry has taken place at Nayabandar and its surrounding areas under Cochashahar union of Gobindaganj upazila in recent years that has created employment opportunities for the skilled, un-skilled, educated and un-educated persons of the districts. More than 2000 small, medium and big factories have been set up at different villages such as Pepulia, Bhagbari, Shaktipur, Dharma, Baichpur, Mukundapur, Sudhardhap, Ratanpur, Choygharia, Dharaikandi, Nayarhat, Kumirdanga, Ulipur, Puntair, Jagadishpur, Bongram, Pathanpara, Mirpur, Arzisahapur, Balua, Malancha, Sonarpara, Khiligram and Mohimaganj of the upazila. The socio-economic conditions of the entrepreneurs, traders, technicians and workers have been changed radically as they have got a way of earning money on a regular basis. Different types of warm clothes such as sweaters, cardigans, socks, childrens clothes and caps worth Tk200 crore is being produced in the factories yearly. Traders are coming from different cities including Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Tangail, Rajshahi, Khulna, Comilla to purchase warm clothes from the factories every day. Nurjahan Begum, a worker of Nazma Sweater Factory at Nayarhat, said she is earning Tk9,000 per month as her salary and the money helped her to improve the quality of her life. Like Nurjahan, almost every worker is earning a satisfactory amount every month, and the technicians, who had to manage the machines, are earning Tk15,000-20,000 per month. Though the entrepreneurs have been continuing their hosiery business in the villages for a long time, they had been going through economic troubles as they are not getting loan from banks. Sirajul Islam, an owner of a factory at Nayarhat, urged the government to take necessary measures to disburse required loans to them to run the factories smoothly, and set up more factories to expand the business in other areas of the district to help solve the unemployment problem. Some local entrepreneurs started a few hosiery factories with small investments at Cochashahar in 1973. But now the number of factories are more than 2000, and the factories are equipped with machines imported from China. Owners of the hosiery factories believe that if they could get financial support from the government and from banks, the industry would be able to boost its production enormously and could contribute more in the countrys economy. l

HOSIERY INDUSTRY IN GAIBANDHA

butterflies of approximately 150 species as well as announce the names of two recently discovered ones. Butterflies are an inseparable part of JU and the whole country. They are very important for the ecological balance, and as pollinators, they can help increase the production of flowers, fruits and crops. Our intention through this programme is to promote their usefulness and improve peoples understanding of the importance of their safety. Beside the exhibition and release of butterflies, the fair will also feature a painting competition for children, photography competition, screening of a documentary and an opportunity for the participants to have a hands-on experience with the winged insects both at the fair venue and at the universitys botanical garden. A book on butterfly will also be unveiled at the programme, organisers said, adding there would be a university bus at the Shahbagh area around 8am today to carry the guests and aspiring spectators. The theme of this years butterfly fair is Urley Akashe Projapoti, Prokriti Pay Natun Goti (flying butterflies give nature a new life). l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Friday, December 13, 2013

No work, no meal for day labourers

Most construction sites are inactive because vehicles carrying raw materials fail to deliver at sites for blockades if such a situation prevailed, construc- ing money from my savings to feed my n Our Correspondent, Gazipur family but that to will soon exhaust. tion workers would starve to death.
The ongoing political unrest, continuous hartals and blockade programmes are talking a toll on the day labourers, especially the ones who work at construction sites, as it becomes difficult to find work during hartals and blockades. Most construction sites are inactive during such political programmes because vehicles carrying the raw materials fail to deliver at the sites. When asked, a construction worker, Abul Hossain, said since there was no work, many construction workers failed to manage meals for their family. My family has been skipping meals for the last four days. My three sons, two daughters and a daughter-in-law have been living on puffed rice, rice flakes and water. Abul, who was sitting idle with a spade at Maona intersection of Sreepur upazila in Gazipur, said he was unable to find work for the last four days and He came from Mymensinghs Fulbaria upazila to Gazipur in search of work about three years ago and has been bearing family expenses since then by working as a construction worker. Salma Akhter, 45, has been working as a construction labour since the day she came from Netrokona. She said: Our daily wage has decreased because of the political programmes for last few days. Previously, we used to get Tk300 but now the wage was Tk200. I could not find any work since December 7, Salma added. Rahima Begum, 35, a day labourer at MC Bazar area of the upazila said: We have been passing days without eating any proper meal. Shop owners do not want to give any goods without money and I already have payments due in many shops. Abdus Sobhan, another construction worker, said: I have been spendMostofa Kamal, proprietor of MS Faysal Enterprise, said: We could not resume construction work for last 15 days. He said: I have received the construction work of two roads Maona Bazar road to Dhaka-Mymensingh link road and Kaoraid-Joinabazar Road to Dhamrai Road from Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) but the construction work is halted as stones could not be brought from Sylhet during the blockades. So, labours are also not get any work, he added. Masud Rana, another raw materials shop owner at Sreepur Bus stand area, said his shop has been empty since the last week of November. He said if the blockades were stopped the buyers could get the materials and resume halted construction which would also give the day labours work. l

Some construction labourers are waiting for work at Mauna intersection in Gazipur

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Migratory birds start arriving in northern districts

n Tribune Desk
The migratory guest birds have started arriving to the water bodies, beels, haors and major rivers in northern districts from the Himalayan and Siberian regions in the beginning of this winter season. According to local people and experts, migratory birds had been arriving to the northern districts in large numbers even a decade back. But, their number continues to reduce following adverse climate change impacts due to rise in the global temperature, reports BSS. Agriculture and Environment Coordinator of Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service Bangladesh Mamunur Rashid said the average temperature continues rising in the Himalayan, Siberian, Nepal, Xinxian and Mongolian regions in recent years making those places almost habitable for birds even during the winters. As a result, the number of arriving migratory birds continues to decrease with possibilities of further declination in the future unless proper steps are taken by the global communities to reduce the extent of degrading the climatic condition, he said. Elderly people Nazim Uddin, 75, Khoka Miah, 72, and Borhan Uddin, 82, said a fewer number of Bali Ducks, Samukals, Brights, Rose Kings, Bali Lenjas, Chitys, Sorails, Boikals, Nilshirs, Piyangs, Pankouris, Rangamuris, Pintails, Pantamukhis, Chokhachokhis and Khonjonas are now seen flocking to the northern districts. We find only a fewer number of migratory birds now in Noonkhawa, Madarganj, Narayanpur, Jatrapur, Begumganj, Hatia, Kodalkati, Ostomirchar, Noyarhat, Mohanganj and Tajerhat in the Brahmaputra, Teesta, Dudhkumar and Dharla river basins, they said. Horticulture Specialist of the Department of Agriculture Extension Khandker Md Mesbahul Islam said the guest birds are now living on small fishes, insects, small snails and watery plants after arriving from the colder regions. Associate Director Agriculture of BRAC International (South Asia and Africa) Dr MA Mazid said migratory birds are no longer being seen coming in uncountable numbers due to reduction of water bodies and depletion of many species of sweet water fishes from the marshes. The adverse climate change impacts have created threats to bio-diversity, agriculture, ecology and environment reducing number of many species of fishes, insects, birds and some animals causing grave concern to the earths natural balance. As a result, the number of arriving migratory birds continues reducing and their duration of stay shortens in the water bodies as the same are being dried up much earlier before the end of the winter season, he added. Professor Nazmul Huda, journalist Nurul Amin Sarker and elderly citizens Abdul Jalil, 76, and Monirul Islam, 73, of Chilmari said the number of migratory birds reduced alarmingly in recent years in the Brahmaputra basin. The experts and common people asked the concerned authorities for strictly applying the prevailing laws to totally stop indiscriminate poaching, catching and selling of the migratory birds to make their travel and stay safer in the northern districts. l

Extortionist handed over to police after mass beating n Our Correspondent, Magura
Local people handed over an alleged extortionist to police after beating him up while he was trying to realise money from a businessman at Jaria village under Sripur upazila in Magura on Wednesday night. Faruq Hossen demanded Tk4,00,000 as extortion money from Gonesh Biswas a few days ago, which the trader refused to pay, said Biplob Nath, officer-in- charge of Sripur police station. On that night, Faruq along with two of his accomplices went to Goneshs house to realise the money again around 9pm. While Faruq was intimidating Gonesh for the money, the victim raised his voice for help, which resulted in his neighbours coming out to aid him. Eventually, Faruq was handed over to police after being beaten. However, his accomplices managed to flee the scene. A case has been filed in this regard. l

Production of Rangpur Sugar Mills uncertain

n Our Correspondent, Gaibandha
Production of Rangpur Sugar Mills Limited (RSML) in Gaibandhas Gobindaganj upazila became uncertain as the authorities could not start crushing on scheduled date because of countrywide blockade programme enforced by the BNP led 18-party alliance. Sources said authorities earlier decided to start the mills tomorrow but it was not possible to launch the crushing of sugarcane in the mills because of the ongoing blockade programme. With this, the mills authorities have now shifted the dates twice as the RSML was supposed to start crushing on December 6. Managing Director of the mills Abdul Khaleque said the connecting roads from the mill gate to sugarcane purchasing centres were not safe for carrying sugarcane through tractors, adding that miscreants could attack the tractor drivers anytime. As a result, the authorities could not make the decision to start the mill amid such unrest, he also said. Asked when the mills would go to production, Abdul Khaleque failed to give any specific date, but informed that they had to wait until situations became normal. The RSML has set a target to produce 4,550 tonnes of sugar worth around Tk23 crore by crushing 70,000 tonnes of sugarcane during the current season.

Authorities could not start crushing on scheduled date because of countrywide blockade programme enforced by the BNP led 18-party alliance
To reach the goal, a total of 2828 hectares of land had been brought under sugarcane farming during this season, said General Manager (Agriculture) Aleek Shom. Earlier, loans and subsidies were distributed among the growers of the mill zone areas to help them encourage sugarcane farming without any financial trouble and make the production target a grand success, he added. l

1.50 lakh women become self-reliant through vegetables gardening

n Tribune Report
Homestead vegetables gardening has brought fortunes to about 150,000 lakh distressed and landless women living in the remote and hardly reachable char areas on the Brahmaputra basin during the past nine years. The charwomen have achieved the success through cultivating vegetables on their tiny homesteads along with other income generating activities driving away monga to begin new life under assistances of the Char Livelihoods Programme (CLP). Over 150,000 lakh extremely poor families living in char areas of Kurigram, Bogra, Gaibandha, Sirajganj, Jamalpur, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Pabna and Tangail have achieved the success to overcome poverty comprehensively so far. Talking to BSS, CLP beneficiaries Maksuda, Shahera, Lalbanu, Halima, Rahela, Ayesha, Delwara and Suborna of different char villages narrated about their unthinkable success achieved through vegetables farming on tiny homesteads. Chilmari upazila Chairman Shawkat Ali Sarker, Bir Bikram, said the poor char people have been improving livelihoods through homesteads vegetables cultivation, animal husbandry and other income generation activities. Taramon Bibi, Bir Pratik of Rajibur and Professor Nazmul Huda Parvez of Chilmari said the charwomen achieved success in vegetables farming and income generations after escaping floods following raising plinths in recent years with CLP assistances. Before taking up vegetables farming as the means of their subsistence, most of the women were in abject poverty in the erosion-and poverty-prone sandy chars on the Brahmaputra, Teesta and Dharla basins, they said. Now they are leading a changed life and their children are going to schools and dreaming for a better life in the desired middle income Bangladesh, said Head of Programme Coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Monjusree Saha. With the Char Livelihoods Programme assistances, huge quantities of vegetables are being produced in over 42 char villages of the Teesta basin under Gangachara, Pirgachha and Kawnia upazilas in Rangpur alone, changing life of over 1,100 families so far. We are mostly cultivating pumpkin, sweet gourd, `Korola, `Chichinga, `Borboti, `patol, `Kakrol, `Jhinga, `Shosha, `Lomba Lau, brinjal, cauliflower, chilly, Palong and Lal sak, garlic, water melon etc, charwomen Afroza, Bilkis and Jahanara said. Under the comprehensive CLP activities, the poor char families are being assisted to escape floods through raising plinths and make them self-reliant through various income generations including homesteads gardening under adverse situations. According to CLP officials, plinths of 90,600 households were raised under phase-I during 2004-2010 and some 60,000 households so far under phaseII aiming at raising 85,000 households on plinths by 2016 to improve livelihoods of 1,900,000 lakh extreme poor in char areas. The UKaid through the Department for International Development (DFID) and Australian Government through Australian Agency for International Development (Aus AID) have been funding CLP implementation. l

NEWS IN BRIEF Cotton warehouse gutted in Chittagong

A fire gutted a cotton warehouse in the port citys City gate area yesterday morning. Fire service and Civil defence sources said the fire had originated from machineries because of overheat and soon engulfed the entire warehouse around 10am. Being informed, two firefighter units rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire after one hour. The losses of fire were estimated at Tk100,00, fire fighters sources said. CU Correspondent

12 Shibir men held in Sherpur

Police in a drive arrested 12 activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir, student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, raiding a mess in Gouripur area of the district town on Wednesday. On secret information that Shibir activists were gathering at the mess Karim Villa in Gouripur area to work out a subversion plan following the announcement of execution of Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Mollah, police raided the mess and arrested the 12. Law enforcers also recovered a large number of books on Jihad (Islamic uprising) from the mess. UNB

Blockaders take position on a road with lethal weapons to halt communication in Meherpur yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Civil society members stress on primary education, healthcare for the poor
n Tribune Desk
Speakers stressed for ensuring rights to primary education and healthcare services to the poor and underprivileged communities for improving their living condition, at a consultation meeting yesterday. Highlighting as fundamental rights they said there was no alternative for the betterment of the communities. Besides, restoring of good governance in the state level primary education and health sectors had become an urgent need for betterment of the public in general, they observed. Local unit of Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), a national network of grassroots NGOs in Bangladesh, organised the meeting on findings of the social audit-2013 at a restaurant in the town. Two reports on primary education and health were presented at the session, reports BSS. With CGG local unit President Akbarul Hassan Millat in the chair, Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Azizul Islam and Assistant District Primary Education Officer Nur Akter Jannatul Ferdous addressed the meeting as guests of honour. The speakers said the present government was committed to ensure the basic rights of people accurately, however, lack of field level monitoring was hindering the progress. They underscored the need for making officials of the two concerned sectors more transparent and accountable. They said the need for political commitment and introduction of health and education insurance was urgent in this regard. The discussants observed that the two sectors had become highly commercial and gradually turning into profit-making businesses by some opportunists, which was detrimental to the common people. However, they urged the government to take the responsibility of ensuring education and healthcare privileges for the disadvantaged people. CGG National Committee Chairman Mustafizur Rahman Khan, Additional Chief Medical Officer of Rajshahi University Dr FMA Zaheed, Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan) city unit President Jaituna Khatun also spoke. l

15 injured in Sylhet clash

At least 15 people, including a policeman, were injured in a clash between Jamaat-Shibir activists and police in Osmani Medical College Road area of the city during the daylong hartal yesterday. Local unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir called the hartal protesting the attack on the Shibir city office by police on Tuesday. Police and witnesses said a group of Shibir activists blocked the Osmani Medical College Road by placing logs at about 8am. The clash ensued as police chased them to foil the blockade. At one stage, Shibir activists threw brick chips and crude bombs targeting police. UNB

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Heritage

Friday, December 13, 2013

Rediscovering Buddha
A new history of Buddhism in Bangladesh may emerge after the latest discovery in Nepal

Opportunities like this, to reopen received wisdoms, are rare in the heritage world, but when they open, they can be more easily seized, and used to reflect previously ignored and unpublicised realities

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

n Tim Steel
hundred years here, a hundred years there, as Senator Everett Dirksen might have said, and soon we are talking real history. Much of the history of the development of social, economic and cultural history of south Asia, remains somewhat obscured by the mists of time. However, slowly, more substantial evidence, facts, emerge, and, as a consequence, it becomes necessary to rewrite the history. And every rewrite can bring with it not simply new insights, but also new opportunities to encourage and inform exploration by those who are interested.

Such a reappraisal could well be a unique opportunity for Bangladesh to assert its own role in the evolution and dissemination of the faith group comprising, worldwide, nearly half a billion adherents
The news that excavation work at Maya Devi Temple at Lumbini in Nepal has revealed wooden remains believed of Buddhist origin, carbon dated earlier than 550 BCE, and will force reappraisal of the dateline of Buddhist development is a fascinating revelation. And it is a revelation that potentially opens another door of opportunity for the development of high quality, international inbound tourism into Bangladesh. The potential of a quality tourism market sector, that of better educated, more sophisticated tourists for whom heritage, cuisine and shopping are the three main attractions in determining destination, is enormous. This sector of international tourism that is capable of being worth up to $10bn dollars of foreign exchange, and creating 4 million skilled jobs all across the country, is one that, alone in south Asia, Bangladesh has failed to attract. Those Bangladeshis who seem to enjoy, even almost relish, the common world view of their country that there is nothing to see and no history worth mentioning are revealing an astonishing ignorance, and subverting the enormous economic potential of the country that could match the achievements in the sector of neighbours such as Nepal, Bhutan, India, Myanmar and Thailand. For all these countries, heritage tourism especially represents a large sector of their inbound tourism, and certainly the most valuable. Amongst the unique heritage at-

tractions of Bangladesh is its extraordinary, and largely unappreciated, Buddhist history, with an estimated 400 or so Vihara and Temples for visitors to explore. The revelations in Lumbini, by UNESCO archaeologists led by Professor Robin Coningham, Pro Vice Chancellor of Durham University, one of the UKs oldest and most famous academic foundations, offer the opportunity to force a reappraisal of received wisdom about Buddhist heritage across Asia. And such a reappraisal could well, whilst attention is focussed on the history, be a unique opportunity for Bangladesh to assert its own role in the evolution and dissemination of the faith group comprising, worldwide, nearly half a billion adherents, and many more very interested parties. That much of the interest is located in well-established markets from where the heritage group originate such as Japan, Singapore, and China offers particularly promising opportunity because of ease of access and proximity to Bangladesh. Across a wider world, such groups as Yoga practitioners (and what middle class woman has never been one?) also offer real prospects for the country where it almost certainly originated, before being taken to Tibet. Until now, it has been accepted that the Prince Gautama, who became The Enlightened One, was born about 550 BCE. It seems inherently unlikely that a place of pilgrimage like Maya Devi Temple, believed to be the site of his birth, would have developed simultaneously with his birth. The timber structure revealed has been carbon dated to the middle of the sixth century BCE, and, as Professor Coningham says: What we have for the first time is something that puts a date on the beginning of the cult of Buddhism. Until now, there have been estimates and speculations, but a substantive date of a place of pilgrimage suggests that perhaps Prince Gautamas birth may have been at least 50 years earlier than the foundation of the Temple. This, of course, does not necessarily change the view that the Magadha King, Bimbisara, was the first influential convert to the faith group, but might suggest a late-in-life conversion of the monarch who ruled over the Kingdom, based on Patna, close to where The Buddha is said to have found enlightenment beneath a banyan tree. It has long been suggested that, under Bimbisaras patronage, The Buddha was free to travel his realms, which are believed to have extended to, at least, the banks of the Old Brahmaputra River, half way across the lands that are now Bangladesh.

The Emperor Ashoka, in the 4th century, famously became a convert, too, and dedicated much of his later life to supporting propagation of the beliefs. His Empire, also based on Patna, probably spread even further eastward that Bimbisaras, reaching, possibly, deep into Arakanese territory. There are, unquestionably, at least three respects in which the history of Buddhism is inextricably linked with Bangladesh. First, that the development and propagation required financial and human resources, not least in the construction of the substantial Vihara and temples that abound across the Buddhist world. We know that the Ganges delta, especially, was a flourishing centre of manufacturing and trade from before the time of the Buddha, and the wealth generated there must have played a part in financing the development, whilst the trade routes through the delta will certainly have been the means of propagation. Propagation along the great trade routes that converged on the delta lands from across north India, from the lands of the Himalayas; from ancient China down the Brahmaputra River; from the countries of southeast Asia, and from Arabia and the countries of the Mediterranean. Second, Buddhism became the first of such groups in the age of writing. Writing, especially the development of Sanskrit, so closely associated with both Hindu and Buddhist groups, certainly evolved in north east India. We can probably be more definite in suggesting the development derived as much from commercial interests as from philosophical ones.

Malaysian, Dr Mahatir, has pointed out clearly suggested knowledge for the sake of knowledge, but it is not, it seems, an injunction taken seriously in Bangladesh. In fact, with clear evidence of the history of the Ganges delta as one of the worlds greatest and earliest trading centres, certainly generating the wealth that attracted, from the 4th century BCE onwards, such would-be predators as Alexander the Great, it is one of the few places in the world, such as ancient Egypt, where civilisations would develop both wealth and philosophies.

contributions by the lands that are now Bangladesh, to the health, and probably the wealth, of worldwide Buddhism. Sharing this history with both devotees, and the interested and curious, requires well-informed and experienced guides, as well as internationally experienced tourism and hospitality service providers. The fact that not even comparative religions are taught in Bangladeshi schools will certainly prove a difficulty in delivering informed and educated services to such visitors. But this is not an insuperable difficulty.

Mahasthangarh in Bogra is one of the earliest site discovered in Bangladesh That evidence is reflected in the enormous number of Buddhist sites, of which the UNESCO site at Paharpur is just one of four hundred or more. It is also reflected in the development of such Buddhist Schools, as those of Mahayana as Vajrayana, with evidence

WIKIMEDIA

This sector of international tourism that is capable of being worth up to $10bn dollars of foreign exchange, and creating 4 million skilled jobs all across the country, is one that, alone in south Asia, Bangladesh has failed to attract

Philosophy can be taught, verbally; business transaction require recording. It seems probable, therefore, that writing developed in major centres of trade, of which the Ganges delta was certainly the largest east of the Mediterranean. Third is the history and archaeology, of which Bangladesh, a largely Islamic nation, seems embarrassed. The Holy Prophet may have injuncted his followers, Seek ye knowledge, even unto China, which, as the great

of a unique geopolitical environment that probably fostered these two schools of Buddhist philosophy. Finally, of course, it is said of the 12th century, Bangladesh born Buddhist monk, Atish Dipankar, became known as The Second Buddha for his work in leaving his Vikrampur Vihara, and travelling to Tibet to restore the Buddhism there which had fallen into disrepair. These facts, of course, represent myriad other, less significant

On-line research into the history of Buddhism reveals remarkable amounts of speculation, rather than fact, and often some contradictions. What, as a result of this Lumbini revelation, we can expect is a move to rewrite at least some of that history. And that may be a rare window of opportunity for the academic world of Bangladesh to stand by a real history of their lands, and ensure that the reality of Bangladesh as having had at least a significant role, but more probably a leading role, in nurturing and propagating this great faith group in its cradle here in the lands that are now Bangladesh. What a prospect, for a Muslim academic in Bangladesh to undertake the work required to assist in rewriting a history of Buddhism! Opportunities like this, to reopen received wisdoms, are rare in the heritage world, but when they open, they can be more easily seized, and used to reflect previously ignored and unpublicised realities. If only tourism and culture in Bangladesh were as closely linked in management, and practice, as they need to be to realise the opportunities that stand at the door of the country. l Tim Steel is a communications, marketing and tourism consultant.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Friday, December 13, 2013

Iran, Saudi among 30 countries invited to Syria talks

n AFP, Beirut
Iran and Saudi Arabia, which back opposite sides in Syrias war, are among more than 30 countries slated to attend a peace conference next month, diplomats said. The so-called Geneva 2 conference, a follow-up to a 2012 meeting, is aimed at mapping out a political transition to end nearly three years of fighting that has killed more than 120,000 people and displaced millions. But the January 22 meeting will actually be held at the lakeside Swiss city of Montreux because of a shortage of hotel rooms in Geneva, which will be hosting a luxury watch fair, a Western diplomat told AFP. At the moment there are 32 countries invited, but that number may increase because everyone wants to come, an Arab diplomat told AFP. In addition to the five permanent members of the Security Council (the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China), there are the neighbouring countries, as well as Saudi Arabia and Iran, and also Germany and Italy and others. Shiite Iran is a key ally of President Bashar al-Assads regime, while Saudi Arabia has strongly backed the Sunni-led rebels. Most countries will be represented by their top diplomats and each minister can speak for five minutes, the Arab diplomat said. Afterwards, many of the foreign ministers will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, which runs from January 22 to 25. The regime and the opposition will each send delegations to the meeting, and will hold bilateral talks hosted by UN Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi on January 24 in Geneva. Each delegation will be composed of nine members and both the regime and the opposition should present their lists to the UN by December 27, but it is not certain they will respect this date, the Arab diplomat said. Composing the list could prove a daunting task for Syrias opposition, which is riddled with internal divisions and increasingly at odds with powerful rebel groups fighting on the ground, many of which have rejected the conference. Saudi Arabias intelligence chief Bandar bin Sultan told Russian President Vladimir Putin this month that Riyadh would send a delegation to the meeting, but only on the condition the opposition is represented by the National Coalition, an umbrella group backed by Western and Arab nations, according to a third diplomat who did not wish to be identified. Various other parties, including tolerated opposition groups inside Syria which are closer to regime ally Russia and do not support the rebellion, have reportedly expressed interest in attending the conference. Putin has not, for the moment, responded to the request, he said. The Coalition has said it is going to the conference to discuss the removal of Assad from power, while the regime has said it will attend the negotiations without preconditions. Diplomats said they expected the atmosphere at the talks to be tense, and a European diplomat at the United Nations said UN officials would meet with the delegates ahead of the conference to explain the rules of the game. l

Iranian general criticises Rouhani government n Agencies

The commander of Irans Revolutionary Guard forces has said that his country has been influenced by the West, in an apparent criticism of the government of Hassan Rouhani, the countrys recently elected moderate president. Major General Mohammad Jafaris comments are some of the sharpest to be made by a senior official in public since Rouhani took office in August, pledging to improve Irans relations with regional countries and the West. The military, systems and procedures governing the administrative system of the country are the same as before, [but it] has been slightly modified and unfortunately infected by Western doctrine, and a fundamental change must occur, Irans Fars news agency quoted Jafari as saying on Tuesday. The main threat to the revolution is in the political arena and the Guards cannot remain silent in the face of that, he said. The governments diplomatic initiative led to an agreement with six world powers last month under which Iran is to curb its disputed nuclear programme in return for limited relief from sanctions that have squeezed its economy. The interim accord has been widely welcomed by Iranians but hardliners are irked by the foreign policy shift and apprehensive that they are losing influence over Irans most powerful man, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Rouhanis policies have so far mostly gained the endorsement of Khamenei, who has the final say in Irans foreign and security policies, and who has long criticised Western countries policies in the Middle East and their motives regarding Irans nuclear programme. l

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ministerial leaders gather for the 34th summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at Bayan Royal Palace in Kuwait City AFP

GCC cautious but positive on new Iran ties

n Agencies
Iran has topped the final communique of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) summit in Kuwait, with delegates paying particular attention to Tehrans recent landmark nuclear agreement with world powers as they wrapped up the final day of the meeting. The GCC, which includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and other Gulf Arab countries, praised Irans new rapprochement efforts towards the Gulfs monarchies, but also expressed concern over reports of intention of new nuclear reactor projects in the country. The higher council expressed concern over reports about plans to build more nuclear reactors along the Gulf coast, Abdellatif al-Zayani, the GCC general-secretary, said at the end of the two-day summit hosted in Kuwait, reading the councils final communique. The communique hailed the agreement as a first step towards a comprehensive and permanent agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme, ending the international and regional tensions towards it. The 34th GCC summit comes shortly after Irans historic preliminary deal with the P5+1 countries (the US, Russia, Britain, France, China and Germany) to cap its controversial nuclear activity in exchange for the easing of economic and trade sanctions on the country. The agreement is seen as a step towards concluding a final deal over Irans nuclear programme. The council welcomes the new orientations of the Iranian leadership towards the GCC, and wishes that these orientations to be followed by tangible steps that reflect positively on peace, security and stability, Zayani said. Assad committing mass homicide A week ago, Mahmoud Javed Zarif, the Iranian foreign minister, visited Doha, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Muscat, keeping Riyadh and Manama out of his route. l

Syria opposition in fuel appeal as two children die of cold

n AFP, Beirut

Yemen attack fears close UN offices

n AFP, Sanaa
The United Nations closed its offices in the Yemeni capital on Thursday over fears of possible car bomb attacks but Western embassies remained open. Most shops in Sanaa were shuttered and little traffic ventured out onto the streets as rumours swirled among the citys residents of the risk of an imminent attack. The American and Turkish schools were also closed. Security forces have been on high alert in the capital since a brazen daylight attack on the defence ministrys sprawling headquarters on December 5 killed 56 people, among them expatriate medical staff. Information gleaned during the investigation into that attack, which was claimed by Al-Qaeda, led to the discovery of two cars packed with explosives and a massive search for five more suspected to be still inside Sanaa. A UN source said Wednesday that a warning from Yemeni authorities of a possible attack in Hada, the south Sanaa neighbourhood where UN offices are located, had triggered the closure order. Staff of the UN mission and UN agencies have received instructions not to turn up for work on Thursday, the source said. The source said it was a precautionary measure following advice from Yemeni security authorities. The guidance warned of the risk of possible acts of terrorism in certain places, particularly in Hada. But a senior Yemeni security official said no warning had been issued through authorised channels and dismissed the alleged guidance given to the UN as part of a campaign of rumours aimed at spreading fear in the country. Western embassy security chiefs met with Yemeni officials on Wednesday and no attack warnings were issued, the official told AFP, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The US embassy said it remained open and referred all questions about security to the Yemeni government. l

Failed grenade attack on British tourists in Kenya: police

n AFP, Nairobi
Attackers hurled a grenade Thursday at British tourists in Kenya but it failed to explode, police said, a rare attack specifically targeting foreign visitors who are key to the economy. The tourists were attacked while travelling by road from the Indian Ocean coastal resort of Diani to Kenyas main port of Mombasa, a mainly Muslim region whose white-sand beaches are popular with tourist but which is also troubled by extremist groups and religious tensions. The grenade has been detonated safely by experts, said Robert Kitur, police chief for the Mombasa, where the attack took place. We are investigating the incident and looking for the man who threw the grenade at the tourists and fled. The tourists continued on their way to a wildlife safari at one of Kenyas world famous national parks. Tourism is a key multi-million earner of foreign currency for Kenya. The British High Commission in Kenya said they had heard the reports and are investigating, but gave no further details. The attack comes as Kenya celebrates its 50 years of independence from former colonial rulers Britain. Since Kenya invaded southern Somalia in October 2011 to help oust AlQaeda-linked Shebab insurgents, it has seen a wave of grenade attacks. Home grown groups including the Islamist Al-Hijra group, a radical organisation formerly known as the Muslim Youth Center, operate on Kenyas coast and have been linked to the Shebab. Several radical Muslim preachers have been assassinated in Mombasa sparking riots by their supporters, who have accused the police of carrying out the killings, claims they strongly deny. Grenades have been hurled into restaurants in Mombasa and crowded areas in the capital Nairobi, as well as a string of attacks in the remote northeast region bordering Somalia. The Shebab also claimed the brutal September assault on Nairobis upmarket Westgate mall in which at least 67 people died in a four-day seige, a centre popular with foreigners. l

Saudi top cleric calls suicide bombers criminals

n AFP, Riyadh

The Syrian opposition appealed Thursday for emergency fuel deliveries to rebel-held areas, saying two children had died of cold as a winter storm gripped the region. The opposition National Coalition said that parents were unable to keep children warm in bombed out buildings as temperatures plummeted and snow carpeted many of Syrias main battlegrounds. Hussein Tawil, a six-month-old baby, died of cold yesterday (Wednesday) in Aleppo, Syrias second city which has been a key battleground since July last year, Coalition spokesman Soner Ahmad told AFP. He was probably living in a house that had been damaged, Ahmad said. Another child died from the cold in Rastan, a rebel-held town in the central province of Homs, he added. Video footage posted online by activists showed the lifeless body of a small child that the unidentified cameraman said had died of cold in Rastan. AFP could not verify its authenticity. l

Saudi Arabias grand mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh branded suicide bombers as criminals who will go to hell, Al-Hayat daily reported Thursday. Suicide bombings are great crimes and bombers are criminals who rush themselves to hell by their actions, Sheikh said during a lecture in Riyadh a few days ago, according to Al-Hayat. Sheikh described suicide bombers as robbed of their minds... who have been used (as tools) to destroy themselves and societies. In February 2010, Sheikh denounced terrorism as un-Islamic and condemned the killing of civilians, saying such attacks have nothing to do with the Muslim religion. His latest remarks come after a preliminary inquiry into a December 5 suicide car bombing and assault on a Yemen defence ministry complex found that most assailants were Saudis. Fifty-six people were killed in the attack. l

Interpreter at Mandela event: I was hallucinating

n AP, Johannesburg
The man accused of faking signinterpretationwhile standing alongside world leaders like US President Barack Obama at NelsonMandelasmemorial service said Thursday he hallucinated that angels were entering the stadium, suffers from schizophrenia and has been violent in the past. Thamsanqa Jantjie said in a 45-minute interview with The Associated Press that his hallucinations began while he wasinterpreting and that he tried not to panic because there were armed policemen around me. He added that he was once hospitalised in a mental health facility for more than one year. A South African deputy Cabinet minister, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, later held a news conference to announce that a mistake happened in the hiring of Jantjie. Government officials have tried to track down the company that provided Thamsanqa Jantjie but the owners have vanished into thin air, said Deputy Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu. She apologised to deaf people offended around the world for Jantjies incomprehensible signing, and said an investigation is under way to determine how Jantjie was hired and what vetting process, if any, he underwent for his security clearance. The deputy minister said the translation

Spurned by president, EU embraces Ukraine protest

n AP, Brussels
Two weeks ago, the European Unions foreign policy chief was at a summit in Lithuania, wooing Ukraines president with offers of preferential dealings with the worlds largest trade bloc. This week, she stood in Kievs Independence Square with protesters bent on ousting the same man. The EU is seeking to bounce back afterUkrainerejected a deal with Europe in favor of a rival alliance with Russia. What had been a policy of courting President Viktor Yanukovych has become a more nuanced campaign to work both sides of the escalating dispute. The images of Catherine Ashton clinging to the arm of Ukrainian opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk were a stark illustration of how the EU sees a fresh opportunity in the demonstrations that have divided the former Soviet republic. l

World Watch
Woman gets new face in Polands 2nd transplant
A 26-year-old woman disfigured by a tumor has received a new face in Polands second such transplant. The woman, identified only as Joanna, had great difficulty chewing, swallowing and talking. Dr. Adam Maciejewski, who led the 23-hour surgery last week, said Thursday he hopes the transplant of some 80 percent of the skin on the womans face will give her back those functions. She is in serious but stable condition. In May, Maciejewski and doctors at the Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology in Gliwice, performed Polands first face transplant on a man whose face was torn off by a stone masons machine. His recovery is progressing.

Mother of Indian hit-and-run driver in Australia defends son

company offered sub-standard services, the rate they paid the translator was far below the normal levels and that in order to maintain theinterpretersconcentration level,interpretersmust be switched every 20 minutes. Jantjie was on the stage for the entire service that lasted more than three hours. She declined to say who in South Africas government was responsible for contracting the company that provided the translator, or how those rules could be flouted. Its an interdepartmental responsibility, she said. We are trying to establish what happened. Jantjie, who stood gesticulating three-feet (1 meter) from Obama and others who spoke at Tuesdays ceremony that was broadcast around the world, insisted in the AP interview that he was doing proper sign-language interpretationof the speeches of world leaders. But he also apologised for his performance that has been dismissed by many sign-language experts as gibberish. l

Ukraine protesters hold firm as US mulls sanctions

n AFP, Kiev
Ukrainian demonstrators celebrated holding three weeks of protests Thursday over the governments decision to reject a historic EU deal, as the United States threatened sanctions after a failed police raid on the protest barricades. Tensions in the capital eased after a showdown in the early hours of Wednesday, when riot police tried to drive the protest camp out of the iconic Independence Square in the ex-Soviet countrys deepest political crisis in a decade. President Viktor Yanukovych whose refusal to sign an integration deal with the EU sparked the first protests on November 21 promised at talks with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton he would sign the pact, she said. But Yanukovych remained under immense pressure after riot police Wednesday failed to shift thousands of demonstrators from Independence Square in a raid that drew international condemnation. Protesters fortified their positions overnight by filling plastic bags with snow which they used as sandbags as well as pouring water over the barricades in sub-zero temperatures. l

UK warns of Christmas surge in parents abducting children

The mother of an Indian who fled Australia after killing a teenager in a traffic accident five years ago defended her son on Thursday, saying accidents happen all the time. She was speaking to AFP outside a court in New Delhi where her son Puneet Puneet, 24, made a brief appearance as authorities seek his extradition back to Australia to face charges over the hit-and-run incident. Puneet was a 19-year-old learner driver when he hit two students, aged 19 and 20, as they walked across a Melbourne road in 2008. One of the students died at the scene. He was charged with culpable driving and negligently causing serious injury, then bailed on strict conditions including the surrender of his passport. But he later fled using a fellow Indians passport.

Two children are abducted by a parent and taken out of Britain every day, authorities said Thursday, as they sought to raise awareness of the problem ahead of an expected spike in cases after Christmas. The number of parental child abduction and international custody cases involving the Foreign Office has more than doubled in the last decade, from 272 in 2003 2004 to 580 in the past year. Contrary to the belief that fathers are most often to blame, mothers are responsible for 70 percent of the abductions, the Foreign Office said. Officials also stressed that the problem was not specific to any faith or country, although it is more likely in families which have links to more than one country.

Australian PM admits smacking his kids

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott admitted Thursday he smacked his children when they were young and warned against bans that could take political correctness to extremes. Abbott was commenting after the issue was raised in the first report submitted to parliament by the newly established National Childrens Commissioner. It highlights the United Nations concern that corporal punishment in the home and in some schools and alternative care settings remains lawful in Australia. The UN Committee of the Rights of the Child document recommends that corporal punishment be explicitly prohibited.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Friday, December 13, 2013

Thai protesters cut off power to PMs offices

n AP, Bangkok
Protesters cut off electricity to the prime ministers office compound on Thursday and demanded that police abandon the premises, piling fresh pressure on Thailands government in a political crisis that has dragged on for weeks. The protesters, seeking to force the replacement of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatras government before Feb. 2 elections, have threatened to force their way in if police dont leave. Police attempts to negotiate were rebuffed, but they did not withdraw immediately. An Associated Press photographer inside one of the buildings said electricity had been shut off to the press office. Police confirmed that power had been cut to some buildings in the compound, collectively called Government House. Yingluck was not in her offices at the time and shortly afterward gave a televised address from an unidentified location in which she announced a meeting Sunday of representatives of all sections of society to try to find a solution to the crisis. The protest leadership has demanded a meeting with senior military and police officials, a call which has so far been rejected, at least publicly. Protest leaders did meet at a hotel with business leaders in what was billed as an effort to explain their goals. In a previous confrontation, police withdrew from the prime ministers compound to allow the demonstrators in without a fight. That withdrawal

Ex-Thai PM Abhisit indicted for murder

n AFP, Bangkok
Former Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was indicted for murder Thursday in connection with a deadly military crackdown on mass opposition protests in Bangkok three years ago, prosecutors said. The move comes as fresh political turmoil rocks the Thai capital, with protesters backed by Abhisits opposition party seeking to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and rid the kingdom of the influence of her brother, deposed former leader Thaksin. Some observers doubt British-born Abhisit will go to prison given his links to the Thai elite, and see the case as part of the countrys political brinksmanship. Abhisit denied the charges and was freed after posting bail of 1.8 million baht ($56,000), his lawyer Bandit Siripan said after the closed-door hearing. The pre-trial hearing is expected on March 24 next year, he said. Under Abhisits government, more than 90 people died and nearly 1,900 were wounded in street clashes in the capital in 2010 between mostly unarmed pro-Thaksin Red Shirt demonstrators and security forces firing live rounds. A small group of Red Shirts shouted Murderer! as the Democrat Party leader arrived at court, without speaking to waiting media. There were about 10 Abhisit supporters outside the building, some holding bunches of flowers. Thailand has seen several bouts of political turmoil since Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006, with rival protests sometimes resulting in bloody unrest. Prosecutors have accused Abhisit and his former deputy Suthep Thaugsuban of issuing orders that resulted in murder and attempted murder by the security forces. Oxford-educated Abhisit who was formally charged in December insists he is innocent and has described the accusations against him as politically motivated. Suthep, who did not attend Thursdays hearing, also faces a murder charge but had asked the court to postpone his hearing. The former deputy premier is now spearheading the mass opposition protests against Yingluck, for which he faces an arrest warrant for insurrection. Yingluck has called an early election set for February 2 to try to calm the political turmoil. But Suthep has rejected the move, demanding the government step aside in favour of an unelected peoples council. On Thursday, opposition protesters cut the electricity and water supplies to the government headquarters in Bangkok to try to force security officials to abandon the besieged premises. They have cut power and water at many points at Government House, Lieutenant General Kamronwit Thoopkrajan, commander of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau, told AFP. No officials, including Yingluck, were inside the compound at the time, police said. Hundreds of protesters massed outside Yinglucks offices Thursday, threatening to force their way into the compound if police do not abandon their positions. l

Anti-government protesters remove barbed wire at the prime ministers office, known as Government House in Bangkok came after two days of increasingly violent standoffs. Since the latest unrest began last month, five people have died and nearly 300 were injured. Looking for a way out of the crisis, Yingluck dissolved the lower house of Parliament on Monday and called for early elections. Her foes, however, insist she step aside to make way for an interim appointed government, an action that cannot be taken under the countrys constitution. They claim that Thai politics are hopelessly corrupt under the influence of Yinglucks billionaire brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup after being accused of corruption,

AP

abuse of power and disrespect for the countrys constitutional monarch. To carry out reforms, the protesters want to institute a peoples council that would appoint a prime minister. Thaksins supporters say he is disliked because he has shifted power away from Thailands traditional ruling class. l

Australian court rejects law allowing gay marriage

n AP, Sydney
Australias highest court struck down a landmark law on Thursday that had begun allowing the countrys first gay marriages, shattering the dreams of more than two dozen same-sex newlyweds whose marriages will now be annulled less than a week after their weddings. The federal government had challenged the validity of the Australian Capital Territorys law that had allowed gay marriages in the nations capital and its surrounding area starting last Saturday. For Ivan Hinton, who married his partner Chris Teoh on Saturday, the result was heartbreaking. The couple just received their marriage certificate on Wednesday and immediately applied to change their surnames to Hinton-Teoh. Still, Hinton said he doesnt regret going through with the wedding, and will always consider Teoh his husband. This was an unprecedented and historic opportunity, he said. I wouldnt have missed it for the world. The federal governments lawyer had argued that having different marriage laws in various Australian states and territories would create confusion. The ACT, which passed the law in October, said it should stand because it governs couples outside the federal definition of marriage as being between members of the opposite sex. The High Court unanimously ruled that the ACTs law could not operate concurrently with the federal Marriage Act, which was amended in 2004 to define marriage as between a man and a woman. l

India government may review anti-gay sex law

n AP, New Delhi
Indiaslaw minister said Thursday that the government has not abandoned efforts to make homosexuality legal, saying the country must take swift action to challenge a Supreme Court decision banning same-sex relations. The minister, Kapil Sibal, said he was for decriminalizing homosexuality, hinting that the government could seek a judicial review of Wednesdays Supreme Court decision or that Parliament could enact a new law. We need to take quick and firm action, he told reporters, noting that millions of people inIndiado not want homosexuality to be a criminal offense. The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that only lawmakers could change a colonial-era law that bans same-sex relations and makes them punishable by up to a decade in prison. The ruling dealt a blow to gay activists who have fought for years for the chance to live openly inIndiasdeeply conservative society. Sonia Gandhi, the governing Congress party chief, also lent support to the activists and expressed her disappointment with the court order. I hope Parliament will address this issue and uphold the constitutional guarantee of life and liberty to all citizens ofIndia, including those directly affected by this judgment, she said in a statement. Indias lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community reacted to the decision with defiance. We cannot be forced back into the closet, said Gautam Bhan, an activist who had petitioned the court. We are not backing off from our fight against discrimination. l

Singapore bans drinking in Little India riot zone n AFP, Singapore

Singapore on Thursday banned alcohol sales and consumption this weekend in a district where South Asian workers staged the city-states first riot in more than 40 years. Banning vendors from selling alcohol in a district known as Little India from Saturday morning to early Monday, the Singapore Police Force declared the zone a proclaimed area under the Public Order Preservation Act. The provision allows law enforcers to take action against anyone who consumes alcohol in the district, where some 400 South Asian workers went on a rampage that left 39 persons including police officers injured and 25 vehicles damaged or burnt last Sunday. Local residents, shopkeepers and government ministers have said that alcohol may have been a contributory factor that triggered the riot. The suspension of alcohol sales and consumption is necessary to calm and stabilise the situation at Little India following last Sundays riot and to prevent further public order incidents from occurring, the police said in a statement. Thirty-one Indian nationals have so far been charged with rioting for their involvement and face up to seven years in jail and caning. The riot erupted after an Indian construction worker was struck and killed by a private bus in the district, where migrant workers from South Asia usually congregate on Sunday by the tens of thousands to shop, dine and drink. Activists have urged authorities to investigate whether the violence on Sunday was an indication of wider discontent among low-wage migrant workers. l

Disabled children found at Australian incest farm

n AFP, Sydney
A dozen filthy, neglected children, some with deformities or disabilities due to generations of inbreeding, have been found on a rural Australian settlement in an incest case that has shocked the nation. The 12 children, aged between five and 15, were removed by social workers who responded in July 2012 to complaints that they were failing to attend school and when they did show, were thin, dirty and suffering a lack of even basic hygiene. When police and child protection workers visited the farm compound where they were living with some 30 adults multiple generations of the same family they found what legal documents described as very dirty and hazardous conditions. Over four generations uncles and aunts and brothers and sisters had sex with each other, raising younger generations that also went on to create further inbred offspring together. Genetic testing revealed that 11 of the 12 children had parents that were related five closely related and they had a range of disabilities including deafness and blindness. l

Gay rights activists wave rainbow coloured flags during a protest meeting after the top Indian court ruled that a colonial-era law criminalizing homosexuality will remain in effect in India in New Delhi, India AP

Afghan president arrives in India

n AFP, New Delhi

Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived in India Thursday for a four-day visit, with Washington hoping New Delhi can persuade him to sign a deal allowing US troops to stay on post-2014. Karzai is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid in the capital during the trip, which will also see him hold talks with business leaders and students in western Pune city. The Afghan president, a frequent visitor to India, landed in New Delhi for the start of the four-day trip, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said, tweeting a photo of Karzai. The presidents office said he would discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations and cooperation with India in the build-up to the departure of some 75,000 NATO troops from Afghanistan. l

India imposes polio restriction for Pakistani travellers

n AFP, Islamabad
Pakistanis travelling to India will require mandatory polio vaccination, the Indian embassy said, tightening cross-border travel rules with a new policy which also affects other nations impacted by the crippling disease. Pakistan, one of only three countries where polio remains endemic, has struggled to combat the disease after the Pakistani Taliban banned polio immunisation following a fake CIA vaccination programme meant to help track Al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden. The ban last year has led to a surge in polio cases in Pakistan that threatens worldwide efforts to eradicate the infectious disease. All persons adults and children travelling to India fromPakistanafter January 30, 2014 are required to obtain Oral Polio Vaccination (OPV) at least six week prior to their departure to India, the Indian high commission in Islamabad said in a statement on Wednesday. The step is being taken to safeguard Indias polio-free status attained after sustained efforts and investment, it said, adding that evidence of polio vaccination will be requested for entry into India. The statement said the new policy is applicable to travellers not just fromPakistanbut all countries where polio is endemic. The new measure will potentially make cross-border travel harder for Pakistanis hundreds of thousands of whom have families in India separated in the 1947 partition. l

Bomb kills paramilitary soldier in Pakistan

n AFP, Karachi

Pakistans new chief justice sworn in

n AFP, Islamabad
Pakistans new chief justice took his oath of office on Thursday after his outspoken predecessor retired, ending an eight-year turbulent and at times controversial era. Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain swore in Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani after Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry stepped down a day earlier. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chaudhry and other top government officials including ministers attended the ceremony. Chaudhry, originally appointed in 2005 during the military rule of Pervez Musharraf and who came to be one of the architects of the former generals downfall, has divided opinion. Some have praised him for fearlessly taking on politicians and security agencies, while others have criticised him for exceeding the proper authority of the chief justice and interfering in political matters. In June last year he chaired a Supreme Court bench that sacked the then-prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani after convicting him of contempt of court. The move, likened by some observers to a judicial coup, marked the culmination of a long-running tussle between the judiciary and the government led by thePakistanPeoples Party over corruption allegations against the then-president Asif Ali Zardari. l

A bomb explosion killed at least one paramilitary ranger and wounded six others in Pakistans southern port city of Karachi on Thursday, officials said. The incident took place in the citys eastern neighbourhood of Landhi, close to Gulshan-e-Buner area, which is said to be a hideout for militants. A roadside remote controlled bomb planted on a motorbike went off near a vehicle carrying 10 ranger officials, wounding seven of them, senior local police official Faisal Noor told AFP. He said the condition of two of the injured was critical. One of the critically injured soldiers later died at the state-run Jinnah Post Graduate Medical College (JPMC), Dr Seemi Jamali, the head of the hospital said. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial
LETTER OF THE DAY

Friday, December 13, 2013

Letters to

the Editor

Expiating our original sin

Who pays the price?

December 6 Everyone points out the obvious; what we need are solutions. Bo

What is your opinion about Combined admission test?

December 6 Education is a basic human right. Admission tests have created barriers for admission to universities. The barriers must be taken off to attract weak students as well, and more universities and technical education learning zones must be built to keep the nation ahead. Barriers have made education an expensive affair and have made coaching centres an alternative. Moshahed Hossain

ur failure to bring to justice those who were guilty of war crimes against the Bangladeshi people in 1971 was always our original sin as a nation. The fact that those who had committed such wrongs should have been able to walk free with impunity and rise to the heights of power in independent Bangladesh was a national disgrace. It has taken 42 years for this wrong to be righted, but at 10:01pm on December 12, 2013, with the hanging of the infamous Butcher of Mirpur, Quader Molla, the dead of 1971 finally received a measure of justice. The damage done to our national psyche that has come out of our failure to fully come to terms with the Can a nation in which Liberation War has been imwar criminals can mense. Can a nation in which hold their heads war criminals can hold their up high, arrogant heads up high, arrogant and and unbowed, ever unbowed, ever move forward move forward and and face the future with confidence and assurance? face the future with It is a question of simple confidence and justice. The message that assurance? was transmitted through our failure to hold the guilty accountable was as simple as it was chilling.If not even crimes of the magnitude of murder and rape and running death squads merited punishment, then what did this say to the common man and woman in Bangladesh? If those who had committed acts of unbelievable cruelty and brutality during the course of opposing our independence could not only escape punishment for their crimes, but be given pride of place in independent Bangladesh, then what did this say about the country we had built? At long last, we have finally begun to honour the memory of the dead by holding to account those who were guilty of war crimes in 1971.

Rethinking who our heroes are

December 5 Adnan Great piece. Especially, the observation that many so-called elites (wealthy, educated, urban people) are seen mistreating lesser beings seems spot on. One other facet that seems pertinent one that often precedes social recognition of working class heroes is the status of law enforcement, safety, and government personnel. It probably takes a substantial, educated, urban middle-class to recognise the everyday contributions of salt-ofthe-earth people, and that is a middle-class thats not immersed in hyper-reality and completely cut-off from the suburbs and villages. an observer You are quite accurate in your assessment of Dhakas elites. Have you noticed since Hay Festival came to town that the elites have caught a new bug called literary snobbery? Dhaka elites are a close-knit group and anyone who is not in the circle is considered an outsider. Most are possessed with huge egos and think only they have an elevating and enlightening experience that marks them as superheroes of the art and culture world. I find such elitist philanthropy to be counterproductive in a country where the majority of the people have no exposure to the arts and literature. During the recent Hay Festival, our so called literary geniuses failed to make a real contribution in any literary debate. The foreign personalities stole the show. Another point I would like to make is that Dhaka elites are not morally or socially better for reading Tolstoy and other great books. They consider themselves better than others because it gives them a chance to disregard the opinions of those who are below them. They get away by giving the impression that deep reading took them to some place where no ordinary person had gone before. It is silly that their elitism is based on snobbery instead of real intellect. Adnan an observer: To add a couple of thoughts: Elites everywhere are close-knit groups. Theyre members-only clubs that offer exclusivity and, by extension, bragging-rights. Thats almost the very definition of elite. Your statement that during the recent Hay Festival ... foreign personalities stole the show unfortunately reeks of resentment and bitterness. Many people came together to create a great environment of learning and exchange. It wasnt a T20 match that had to be won by Bangladeshis. Even if the festival was indeed attended by elitist people, thats no reason to deny the cultural gateway it has opened up. Farzana Nawaz Adnan: Its true that elites everywhere are a small group and they are a big part of the governance problem that many countries around the world now face. The particular problem of Bangladesh is two-fold the size of this group in relation to the population (even of Dhaka) and the level of difficulty of outsiders in entering this group. If we take the example of the United States, another country that has a substantial problem of elite-capture (Christopher Hayes has done some wonderful writing on this), even there it was possible for someone like Barack Obama to rise through the ranks (via elite institutions like Harvard) and become president. While he doesnt come from the working class, he wasnt part of the traditional elite network either. Would something like this be possible in Bangladesh? I am doubtful. Again, elite capture is not a problem thats unique to Bangladesh and thats not the argument that I was making. Rather, the fact that it might be particularly acute here and it fuels a lot of the dysfunction that we see everywhere in our society.

Mandela dies
December 6 RIP Madiba. The world has lost one of its brightest stars and the star will live on in the hearts of people to enlighten them forever. Mahmudul Islam

Crude bombs set off in front of Dhaka Tribune office

December 6 In order to save the public lives and property, the military should enforce state of emergency, along with army deployment. It is needed urgently now. Lutfor Rahman

Follow court order on Kalpana Chakma

t is now nearly a year since a court order instructed the police to conduct a further investigation into the abduction and disappearance of Pahari activist, Kalpana Chakma, in 1996. The 23- year -old was organising secretary of the Hill Womens Federation (HWF) and had reportedly been campaigning for an election candidate when she was taken from her home village in Rangamati Hill District. Although various allegations have been made, her kidnappers remain unidenIt should be an utmost tified and she is presumed priority for the police dead, having not been seen since. to complete their In January 2013, the court investigation into rejected a Final Report subKalpana Chakmas mitted by the police on their disappearance investigation into Kalpana Chakmas disappearance. Subsequently, the police superintendent of Rangamati Hill District was instructed to conduct a further and fuller investigation. This was first supposed to be submitted by March 20 but the deadline was extended to May after administrative delays. The police superintendent is reported to be stating that it remains difficult to complete investigations and, to date, no new investigation report has been submitted. In light of the more recent human rights concerns raised by members of the HWF, it should be an utmost priority for the police to complete their investigation into Kalpana Chakmas disappearance. The government should provide more resources as required to bring long overdue progress to this investigation.

Nelson Mandela represented the best in us

December 7 Leaders here praise him, but do not heed his example. Very sad. Malcolm Arnold

Khaleda mourns Mandelas death

December 6 How about mourning some peoples recent deaths a little closer to home? Mehran H Chowdhury

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Op-Ed

Friday, December 13, 2013

11

A foreign policy collision course?

knowhow, willingness and capacity to manipulate it, and for them the stake is too high to lose. And rightfully, the main opposition parties have boycotted the election asking for a caretaker government which was the norm in Bangladeshi politics over the last 20 years. So, the opposition led by BNP has called for countrywide blockades and resorted to violence upon people by derailing trains and hurling bombs on the innocent civil population across the country. The government has also put virtually every senior opposition leader other than Khaleda Zia in jail. Already, countrywide violence has taken more than 100 lives through police fire or vandalism. Economic activities of the whole country have come to a halt due to the relentless violence of the opposition. Everyone in Bangladesh realises that if this election is carried out, Bangladesh will fall into a permanent trap of violence and self-destruction. In this backdrop, Sujata Singh visited Bangladesh and shuttled from door to door to make a case for the AL and to have an election under them. Though she, and India, have all the reasons for supporting Indian interests, the sad part is that they have dispensed with all diplomatic decency in achieving that. She visited ex-presidentErshadand she was quotedas saying: If Ershads party does not join the upcoming election, Jamaat-e-Islami may rise. The people of Bangladesh have every reason to ask why Singh would intervene in what is absolutely an issue for Bangladeshi people to decide on. Jamaat-e-Islami is a party similar in nature to BJP, a radical fundamentalist group. It has blood on its hands due to its participation in the genocide during the Liberation War, butthe question is, can India intervene in Bangladeshi politics to such a degree? Are Bangladeshi diplomats allowed to go and meet Indian leaders and ask them not to join in an alliance with theBJP, which is also a radical fundamentalist party? India as a nation is entitled to look after its own interest in regional politics, but how befitting is it for an Indian diplomat to say to Ershad: Sheikh Hasina is doing a great job (so you must stand beside her and join her plans)? Can any state say it is free after such open intervention in politics by its regional big brother who has treated her with contempt, apathy and total disregard and never tried to build a relationship based on equal opportunity, mutual benefit and respect? In truth, the lack of diplomatic behaviour is not solely the fault of Indian diplomats. Ill-trained and unprofessional Bangladeshi media professionals have also been found overenthusiastic to ask questions to diplomats that force them to give answers that will be beyond diplomatic decency.

People are genuinely concerned over Indias open interference, which is hindering our ability to choose our own destiny free from foreign influence

Do we need an Indian prescription?

DHAKA TRIBUNE

n Zia Hassan

ike the light bulb jokes,there are quite a fewjokes on what a diplomat says and what a diplomat means. A diplomat has to be diplomatic in stating what he thinks, as one slip of the tongue and one loose word may cause havoc in the relationship between two nations. But when a diplomat stops being diplomatic and openly expresses his mind on contentiousissues, and clearly takes sides on highly sensitive political matters, you would consider that the relationship between the two countries is not running on standard mode. A few days back, the foreign secretaryof India, Sujata Singh, visited Bangladesh. Her activities during her visit raisequestions about the relationship between India and Bangladesh. The manner in which the Indian diplomats have dispensed with their basic diplomatic courtesy, and are openly promoting the agenda of the Awami League, raises the question as

to whether the Bengali people living in Bangladeshhave completely lost their sense of national pride to allow such intervention in their political affairs. The great nation of India has helped Bangladesh get liberated from Pakistani rule. Many Indian soldiers lost their lives in the war of 1971 to save Bengali people from genocide.And Bangladesh has to be forever indebted to India for helping us to be free from the brutal Pakistani regime.

the government-faithful, the release of cold-blooded murderers through the presidents special order, complete obliviousness to peoples sufferings, actively dividing people into pro and anti-liberation categories to gain electoral advantage, and a few other issues have caused Sheikh Hasinas popularity to plummet. The loss of her popularity was apparent when the heavyweights of her party were handed heavy defeats inall

Are Bangladeshi diplomats allowed to go and meet Indian leaders and ask them not to join in an alliance with theBJP, which is also a radical fundamentalist party?
Nobody can blame India for supporting the AL regime. Sheikh Hasinas government has obliged to everything India has ever wished from Bangladesh. But the will of the Bangladeshi people is generally pointing towards a different direction. Systematic corruption, nepotism, share market scams by the city corporation elections in the last two years. Her government failed to win a single important local election in two years.Even when the opposition boycotted,each of her candidates lost to rebels of her own party. Secondly, Bangladeshi people have never re-elected the same government twice in a row. This is due to the fact

that both the main parties of Bangladesh, the AL and BNP, are so institutionally corrupt, that for people, the only way to create some checks and balances is to uproot one government in the ballot every five years so that the next government takes time to create its own corruption structure. By now, the AL has created the most dominant party in the history of the country. The party controls each and every institution including bureaucracy, police, military, judiciary, andmainstream mediathrough party-faithful people in key positions. They have now formed a strong syndicate thatsystemicallyplunders wealth generated by peoples economic activity in both government and in non-government sectors. Non-partisan people are intimidated and seriously concerned about a second term of the AL, although they dont think BNP is a viable option either. In this backdrop, the AL has planned an election under its own power structure which even a street dog in Bangladesh knows will not be held freely as the government has the

Bangladesh is a nation of 160 million hard working people who just want to have a decent living wage and respect as humans and a nation. Bangladesh and Bangladeshi people are by design non-aggressive.It is a nation that is historically a part of the great Indian identity. But very few people in the world and even India know how Bangladesh is at the receiving end of Indian policiesthathave created droughts in half of the country, and killed the livelihood of millions due to withdrawal of water from 123 rivers violating international rules, and how poor cattle traders are killed and abused by BSF in trade that earns foreigncurrency for the Indian economy. Similarly, very few people know how many Indian workers work in Bangladesh without proper visas and very few people in India appreciate how our consumption of Indian goods helps the economy of eastern India to thrive. Bangladeshi people are genuinely concerned over Indias open interference in our internal politics and strategies, which is hindering our ability to choose our own destiny free from foreign influence. Bangladesh does not pose any threat to India, but constant intervention in Bangladeshi local politics to promote Indian interesthas put Indian foreign policy in a conflicting course with Bangladeshi peoples will. Such short term strategies will definitely harm Indias long term regional ambitionthrough declining moral authority and hardened anti-India feelings across the population, at least in Bangladesh. l Zia Hassan is a blogger. This article was published in CNNs iReport.

Shame on me

If politics were a game of cricket

n Ekram Kabir

he first time I was ashamed of myself was when my dad was trying to save my mom and his two sons from the atrocities of a foreign army in action. He started from Jhenaidah and was taking us through a rough terrain between Kushtia and Pabna. When we arrived in Kushtia, the Muktijoddhas lent him a bicycle to make his mission easier. My mom, and I were walking with him, but my brother (three years of age) was sitting on the carrier at the back of the bicycle. Walking on hot sand, I was sweating under an April sun. I asked dad to take me on the bicycle as well. Father, angry, clenched his jaws and said: Arent you man enough to walk? That was it. I was so ashamed that I didnt utter a single word after that. Dads powerful voice was enough to keep me going even though I felt like crying. The second time I was ashamed of myself was when we killed the founder of our country. Because after the war of independence, I (a nineyear-old) came to understand what a country means to a man, even to a boy. Our elders used to chant stories of that time in history, full of iconic personalities across the world. Bangladesh wasnt an exception in producing a global hero. He was murdered before our eyes and the entire nation seemed nonchalant. As soon as I was trying to recover from my guilty psyche of killing him, the next head of state, who broadcast the war of independence on his behalf, was slain, again by his countrymen, his own soldiers. The teenager (man in my dads eyes) in me had another shock of his life, during his entrance examination,

that a dictator, a non-leader, had grabbed the state power and declared authoritarianism. Regular politics was destroyed, politicians were polluted, bureaucrats were corrupted, education (the backbone of a nation, we learnt as children in the 70s) was ruined, students were forced to become gunslingers and drug abusers, democracy was sent to the back bench, and the upholders of democracy were bulldozed, thereby, the spirit was wiped off. The teenager was a graduate by then, and it was time for a relief from his shameful existence as a citizen of Bangladesh. The inheritors of two slain leaders (who were operative during the authoritarianism) showed courage and guided us to a Bangladeshi spring.

I felt ashamed again by helplessly watching countless Bangladeshis killed. There are very few examples in the world where people die because of their leaders egos

We had a Bangladeshi spring and we started dreaming again. Polls were held under a consensus government, but we didnt realise that that consensus would be the root of all discord, and become the apparent tool for staying in power. Our upholders of democracy started behaving like autocrats. All their actions were focused on how to prevent others from coming to power rather than making the process of upholding democracy acceptable to the people. Their ego and power-mongering actions have successfully divided the country over the past two decades, seemingly for good. I felt ashamed again by helpless-

ly watching countless Bangladeshis killed. There are very few examples in the world where people die because of their leaders egos. At the same time, I felt humiliated by the concentration of the international community on our country. They started lecturing us on how to run the country, how to evolve a system in order to hold the polls, how to redeem ourselves from our egos, and start talking about the future. To them, the phrase political impasse became synonymous with Bangladesh. They sent a Commonwealth envoy in 1994, they convinced our own Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and Abdul Jalil to sit for dialogue in 2006, but with no effect. We miserably failed to come to an acceptable consensus. Why did we fail? Simple. None of us was willing to give room to others. We lack in our attitudes to compromise. All of us. It has become the national reality at the moment. No matter how many times we sit for negotiations, no matter how logical a consensus theory looks, no matter how much the people want us to find a common ground that helps the country, were destined to remain rigid. Here we are again, experiencing another bout of ego display to be fixed by the international community. I wish persons like my dad once again told our generation: Arent you man enough to solve your own problems? That would have given us some impetus to start walking on our own. But for now, our only hope is a Charles Dickens quote: Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. l Ekram Kabir is Executive Editor of Natunbarta.com.

n Muhammad Eusha

he concept of neutral umpiring in cricket was introduced by Imran Khan in 1986. For the home series between the West Indies and Pakistan, the great all-rounder influenced the choice of a set of umpires who belonged to neither of the playing sides. Before this inspirational incident took place, the impartiality of umpiring had long been in question. Khans example was soon followed by others in the cricketing world and as we witness today, in the ongoing Ashes series encounter between England and Australia, the umpires presiding over the proceedings are neither Englishmen nor Aussies. Kumar Dharmasena from Sri Lanka and Marais Erasmus of South Africa have been assigned the responsibility of such a tremendously competitive encounter between the forceful cricketing nations. What is the outcome of this extraordinary change? It is that everyone seems to be happy now. Kumar Sangakkara was given out wrongly on 192 in Hobart the last time Sri Lanka visited Australia but even the veteran wicketkeeper batsman knows that it was only a case of an umpiring mistake and not a designed effort by the umpire of depriving him of a glorious double hundred. For a person like me who is such an avid follower of the game of cricket, it is not unusual that I would be able to detect analogies between the present political situation and the phenomenon of selection of neutral umpires in a sport. There is a game to be played in the political arena of Bangladesh and one of the players, quite surprisingly, is insisting that it will be playing and umpiring at the same time! I will use the example of the notorious Stuart Broad incident that

took place the last Ashes summer. He nicked it to the keeper and yet refused to walk off because he was erroneously given not out by the umpire. So if Stuart Broad himself was the umpire, would he have declared himself out? Very unlikely indeed! Consider the innumerable cases of a bowler appealing, knowing very well that the batsman was not out. Acting plays a principal part these days in convincing umpires. You appeal in a way that the umpire starts to doubt his own sanity and judges it out.

If Stuart Broad himself was the umpire, would he have declared himself out? Very unlikely indeed!
So in the sport of cricket, if one of the competing parties insists that it is so abnormally righteous that it should play the game, and umpire too, from a cricketing perspective, one can hardly be impressed with the suggestion. Firstly, it is completely unfair to the opposition and secondly, we all know

that we are human beings and not angels free from perverse sentiments of favouritism. What about other countries though? How do they do it? In many countries in the world the concept of a transient neutral authority is not considered a necessary one. Those are the lucky countries in which political parties have enough belief in one another. Unfortunately, we cannot compare Bangladesh to those states, since our situation is radically different from theirs. Trust is a very rare element in not only politics, but everywhere in Bangladesh. That is probably why we are so disunited. If the trust is not there, is it not embarrassing to keep claiming you are trustworthy? Why am I saying all this? I am sure that the reader is not a champion in asininity. In todays Bangladesh, being dogmatic is a dangerous thing, and I would shun the glamour of having opinions. I am but a watcher, watching a farce, a farce by the people, for the people, and of the people. l MuhammadEushais an HVAC specialist and a DT columnist.

AFP

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment
n Entertainment Desk
extremely difficult for Katniss, since her true love is Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth), who now works in the 12th districts mines. Thats not the only thing difficult for Katniss. Shes haunted by all the people she was forced to kill in the Games and its hard for her to hide this. All you have to do is look in her eyes and you know this is one pissed off lady. Its especially obvious to President Snow, who pays Katniss a visit in her new home. He lets Katniss know that hes watching her - and she better not screw up. This translates to, if you dont go along with the program, Ill kill everyone youve ever loved. Lucky for Katniss, Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) and Effie Trinket, (Elizabeth Banks) are by her side as she and Peeta set out to visit all of the districts. Along the way, Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering and so does President Snow, who blames this on Ms Everdeen and decides she must die. The question is how to do this without upsetting Ms Everdeens many, many fans. Thanks to Snows new Games director, Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman), they come up with a brilliant idea. The Quarter Quell, aka The 75th Annual Hunger Games, where all the past Victors have to fight for their life once more. l

Friday, December 13, 2013

Hunger Games sequel hits the theatres today

n Entertainment Desk
The box office blockbuster movie Hunger Games: Catching Fire is running on Star Cineplex from today. Keeping the movie lovers in mind, once again Star Cineplex has brought a newly released movie only 20 days after its global release to Bangladesh. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is directed by Francis. The film is filled with surprises, excitement and great performances by the supporting cast. Simon Beaufoy and Michael deBruyn wrote the screenplay based on the novel Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. Once more, the movie opens with the 12th district in the dystopian world of Panem, ruled by the super evil President Snow (Donald Sutherland). After winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), along with her best friend and fake soul man Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), is about to go out on a victors tour. Life is good for both Katniss and Peeta. They live in comfortable houses, have all the food they could possibly want, nice clothing and are the darlings of Panem. Of course, there is a price for all of these goodies. They have to keep up the charade of being madly in love with one another. This proves

First Bangladeshi Idol to be named today

The grand finale of the popular Global franchise TV programme Bangladeshi Idol will air on SATV tonight at 8pm. The programme has gained rapid fame since it started to air in Bangladesh and recently it named the three finalists: Monti, Arif and Mong. Monti is from Moulvibazar, Sylhet. He is a BBS student of Komolgonj Government College. His first guru was his aunt Shadhona Singha, and then he learned classical from Guru Krishna Dhon Singha. He was also a student of Manipuri Lalitakala Academy. Arif is from Dhaka and a student of the Open University. He admires Manna Dey as his Guru and idol. He has a band named Prisoners which was formed in 2006. Mong is from Bandarban and is a student in Bandarban Government College. He is the vocalist of a band named Chikkhhok. He is the first person from Chittagong hill tracts to be a finalist of such a reality show in Bangladesh. The much awaited winner, the first Bangladeshi Idol will be declared on todays episode and will be awarded with the prize money of taka1 crore. Celebrated singers Ferdousy Rahman, Ayub Bachchu, Andrew Kishore and Mehrin are

the judges of the programme. Hillol and Samia Afrin are the anchors of the reality show. This reality show gave the aspiring singers of Bangladesh a big platform to be in the same row as all the Idols globally. The show has been creating waves around the globe for quite some time. l

An architectural exhibition To Live is to Be Slowly Born by Kashef Chowdhury will be opened today at the Bengal Art Lounge at 6 pm. The exhibition will continue till 13 January 2014 and will be open daily from 12 to 8pm. The photo shows the architect talking about his large-scale wood models, which will be displayed in the exhibition, at a press conference yesterday SADIA MARIUM

TODAY IN DHAKA
Film
Pacific Rim in 3D Purno dhorgho prem kahini Riddick, The Conjuring Titanic (3D) Level 8, Bashundhara City Panthapath

Pradip Kumar Nandi performs at IGCC today

n Entertainment Desk
An Evening of Nazrul Sangeet being organised by Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, Gulshan at 6:30pm today. Pradip Kumar Nandi is todays performing artist and the programme is arranged with support from Asian Paints, IRCON and Marico Bangladesh. The show is open for all and requires no ticket. Pradip Kumar Nandi was trained in music from his early childhood by his grandmother Monohora Nandi, and encouraged to pursue his musical talent by his parents, Gopal Krishna Nandi and Kanan Bala Nandi. His devotion and love for Nazrul songs enabled him to complete his Masters degree in music with specialisation in Nazrul Sangeet from the department of music, University of Dhaka with distinction (first class first) in 2000. He has completed a four-year certificate course in Nazrul Sangeet from Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA). He has also been a student of Chhayanaut. Nandi has also completed his PhD on Nazrul-er Gaan:Shurokar Proshongo from Rajshahi University. He was the gold medalist in classical music category in the National Education Week in the years 1997 and 1998. He has trained in music under the prominent singers from Bangladesh and abroad such as Sudhin Das, Nilufar Yasmin, Khairul Anam Shakil, Khalid Hossain and Shri Biman Mukhopadhyay. Nandi is a regular performer and enlisted artist of Bangladesh TV and radio, and also performs for private television channels. He has released two solo albums and two books on Nazrul, the first being Mridubhashini by Laser Vision, Dhaka. l The Million Pound Note, directed by Ronald Neame, starring Gregory Peck will be screened at 6pm at the screening room of International Digital Film Archive of BSA. It is based on Mark Twains short story, The Million Pound Bank Note

Exhibition

Solo Painting Exhibition By Nurun Naher Supti Time: 3pm 9pm Alliance Francaise de Dhaka 26 Mirpur Road Dhanmondi Quest for Reality Rafiqun Nabi Time: 12pm-8pm Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts House No 42, Road No 16 Sheik Kamal Sarani Dhanmondi

ON TV
DRAMA
5:30pm Star Plus
Veera

I am not getting married to anyone: Katrina Kaif

n Entertainment Desk
I am not getting married or engaged to anyone soon. You can lock it. Its final. I am not getting married to anyone. I dont know if my marriage will happen in ten or twenty years or so, Katrina stated. On being asked who Ranbir should get married to if not to her, the glamorous star said that he should tie the knot with the woman of his choice. When probed whether she would like to dance at Ranbirs wedding, Katrina said she would love to do so. She even suggested a track from the Ranbirs latest movie Besharam as the apt one to tango. Though Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranbirs cousin, had called Katrina her sister-inlaw on Koffee with Karan recently and added that she would love to dance on Katrinas songs at their wedding. Ranbir and Katrina have tried all possible ways to keep their relationship under the wraps. But as they say, theres no smoke without fire, the intimacy was revealed when intimate pictures of them holidaying in Spain surfaced. But now it seems that all is over, at least for now. l

7:30pm Colors Sanskaar

COMEDY
2:00pm Z Cafe
The Big Bang Theory

10:30pm Star World

The Crazy Ones

MIXED
Bhinno Shadher Shondhane, a show that explores the cuisines of Bangladesh will air on Channel 9 at 6:45pm

10:00am FTV
F Men

9:30 AXN
Top Gear

CELEBRITIES WHO EMBRACED MOTHERHOOD IN 2013

KATE WINSLET
The Oscar winner welcomed a son, her first child with husband Ned Rocknroll and her third overall, on December 7 in England

KIM KARDASHIAN
Kim Kardashian gave birth to baby girl North West in October 27 in the all-new episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians

JESSICA SIMPSON
Jessica Simpson and fianc Eric Johnson welcomed their second child, a baby boy named Ace Knute Johnson, who was born in Los Angeles via scheduled C-section on June 30

PENELOPE CRUZ
The 39-year-old Oscarwinning actress gave birth to her second child with hubby Javier Bardem on Monday, July 22, in Madrid, Spain

SHAKIRA
The birth of Milan Piqu Mebarak, son of Shakira Mebarak and Gerard Piqu was born in January 22 at Barcelona, Spain

HALLE BERRY
Halle gave birth her baby boy on October 5. Maceo Robert Martinez, the name is very special to the couple, they chose it because it means gift from God

Did you know?

Cook and Clarke will be the 3rd instance of multiple players featuring in a 100th Test together today, first time captains have done so

Sport
Muktis coach Shafiqul Islam Manik Before the season kicked off, our target was to be in the top three in any tournament. Now we have the opportunity to finish 1st or 2nd in the Federation Cup. My team is prepared and I want my boys to perform their best tomorrow (today) and we also need luck. It will be a lively final and I hope we become the champions They (Sheikh Jamal) are the strongest team in the country with a very good back-up, coach, coaching panels and trainers. It will be a tough test for us to beat them. If we play our best and all eleven players play as a unit, we have a chance

Friday, December 13, 2013

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

0 9 3
DAYS TO GO
14 Dortmund leave it late, Milan through 15 Cook says team hungry as ever

ALL SET FOR FINAL

Nasir stars as A team take series

n Mazhar Uddin
Nasir Hossains all round performance helped Bangladesh A team win the second match of the the Twenty20 Challenge Series over the national side by six wickets, as the A team took a 2-0 lead at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday. A team skipper Nasir won the toss and opted to field first. The national teams opening batsman Shamsur Rahman, who scored 48 in the first match was rested, yesterday while Anamul Haque followed a quick fire 30 in the first match with another impressive performance in partnership with Soumya Sarkar at the top of the order. Soumya was run out after scoring 13 (two fours) but Anamul continued to dominate the bowling. He eventually holed out after leaving his crease and trying to hit Sabbir Rahman for a six, only to be caught at long on for an 18ball 39 (six fours, one six). Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim came to bat at number three and looked to be in touch, while Naeem Islam was run out after scoring three. Mushfiq and vice-captain Mahmudullah however, scored freely before Nasir removed his counterpart for a 24-ball 34 (four fours, one six). Next man in Ziaur Rahman blasted 21 from 16 balls but following his departure, no other batsman could get going. Mahmudullah remained not out on 38 off 30 balls (two fours, one six) as the national teams innings finished at 167/9 in 20 overs. Skipper and off spinner Nasir Hossain claimed two wickets, as did left arm spinner Arafat Sunny, for the bowling side. Chasing the target of 168, both A team openers Imrul Kayes (16) and Jahurul Islam (6) - were removed by paceman Rubel Hossain. Mithun Ali, who replaced Marshal Ayub, however, looked impressive and struck consecutive sixes of off spinner Mahmudullah. Mominul Haque was also positive in his approach before being brilliantly caught and bowled by Mashrafe Mortaza after scoring 24 from18 balls. The required rate was climbing as Nasir Hossain and youngster Sabbir Rahman settled in, but the skipper accelerated at just the right time and the pair took 22 runs from the 16th over, which was bowled by Sohag Gazi, to turn the match. Man-of-the-match Nasir went on to reach his half-century in just 25 balls and eventually finished unbeaten on 58 off 30 balls (six fours, three sixes), while Sabbir was not out 15 as the A team reached their target for the loss of four wickets and with nine balls to spare. The last match of the series will take place on December 14 at the Sher-eBangla National Stadium. l

Sheikh Jamal coach Joseph Afusi We are ready. Last season, we reached the final, but finished runners-up. So we set a goal and target for ourselves for this season that anything less than championship is not enough. We are happy to be where we are today. I believe tomorrow (today) we will do our best I believe the mentality of the players and tactically everything in the team is ok at the moment. Again we need luck on our side to win the championship and we believe everything is possible He (Manik) is a very good coach, he is intelligent and he understands football. I have played against him last season and every time I found it difficult. I know tactically he is very good. So tomorrow it will not be easy for us playing against a coach like Manik and the team he has

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS

ABOUT THE TEAM FOR FINAL

PROBABLE SQUADS

ABOUT SONY NORDE

I believe all of my eleven players are key factors as well as the seven players on the bench. If I put only Sony Norde against Muktijoddha tomorrow then Sheikh Jamal will lose 100 0. So in that case, its eleven versus eleven

Sony is obviously a very good player. In a team where there are many good players, one is bound to click and Sony Norde is that player. But Sheikh Jamal is a team full of quality players so our concentration will not only be on only Sony, but the whole team

Zia, Linkon, Yasin, Nasir, Raihan, Alli, Mamunul, Sohel Rana, Wedson, Sony Norde, Darlington

Liton, Uttam, Bipul, Gerard Ledoux, Agbulu Inal Egwu, Maruf, Jahed Parvez, Enamul, Biplob, Elita, Nkowcha

Jamal look to forwards in final

n Shishir Hoque
For a club that believes anything less than the championship is failure, it will generally be considered a must win game for the star-studded Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, while their oppoents Muktijoddha SKC, who have not claimed a trophy for eight years, will be ravenous for victory in the Walton Federation Cup title in the much-awaited final which starts at 5pm today - at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. Sheikh Jamal are used to the situation. They have reached the final of every Federation Cup final since entering the scene three years ago, but only managed to win in 2011-12, when they beat Team BJMC in the final. Muktijoddha last reached the final in 2005-06 season, but were beaten by Brothers Union. They clinched their last title of any kind in the same season in the Independence Cup and since then, have not as little as reached a tournament final. Nonetheless, they have won the Federation Cup six times, the last time being in 2003. Sheikh Jamal are clear favourites going into todays match. They have a very strong attacking line-up spearheaded by arguably the best forward in Bangladesh Sony Norde. They also have Emeka Darlington, Wedson, Mamunul Islam and Sohel Rana all in good form and beat two of the most popular clubs in the country in Mohammedan and Abahani on their way to final. On the other hand, Muktijoddha faced relatively weaker opposition in the knockout stages and toiled to beat BJMC in the last four. The All Reds will be without the service of experienced former national goalkeeper Aminul Islam, who has been ruled out for three months with a knee injury. The star in Muktis semi-final victory was Rasel Mahmud Liton who will take Aminuls place today. Midfielder Maruf is also unlikely to be able to start for the Muktis. Jamal coach Joseph Afusi was full of praise for Muktis coach Shafiqul Islam Manik, who is known for his tactical acumen and how the Muktis coach sets his defence agains the likes of Sony Norde, Mamunul and Darlington should prove interesting. Manik earlier hinted at a change in the Muktis defense line with the introduction of Egyptian defender Mohamed Elgilani Mahmoud Nagi to partner Nigerian Eleta Benjamin Junior in the back four. Manik for his part, acknowledged the power and ability of his opponents and knows his to be at their best if they are to win. All the attention, however, will be on Sony Norde. The Haitian international striker has been in terrific form and has already scored seven goals in his debut tournament with Jamal. Muktijoddhas Nigerian striker Eleta Kingsley just as well steal the show as his partnership with Nkwocha Kingsley could make the difference be-

Sheikh Jamal captain Mamunul Islam and Muktjoddha skipper Maruf Ahmed pose with the Federation Cup trophy at the BFF House yesterday COURTESY

tween two sides. Having a player like Sony Norde gives us the advantage. If two opponent players are busy in holding one player, it gives other strikers space to move openly. Darlington and Wedson are also in good form, said Jamal skipper Mamunul yesterday. Team spirit is very high. Players are mentally strong. There is nothing lacking in the team. Our bench is strong enough to cover the first eleven. We rectified our previous mistakes and we are improving day by day, he added. It will be first final for Muktijoddha skipper Maruf Ahmed. We have to work hard, keep our concentration and give our best then hopefully, we will be the champions, said the midfielder. l

VICTORY DAY SPORTS

V Day hockey begins today

n Raihan Mahmood

The Walton Smartphone Victory Day Hockey comprising seven teams commences at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium today. Title contenders Usha Krira Chakra and Abahani Ltd are pitted in separate groups and are expected to meet in the finals if they dont fall victim of any upsets. Abahani is in Group A alongside Bangladesh Army and Ajax while Usha will play their Group B matches

against Bangladesh Air Force, Azad SC, Bangladesh Police. The top two of each group will move to the semis. In a press conference held at the BOA auditorium yesterday, Anvir Adil Khan Babu said After a long time the ball rolls onto the hockey field, we hope to see good hockey in the warm-up tournament. FM Zahid Hasan, the executive director of Walton, Iqbal bin Anwar Dawn, the additional director and Waltons Sports Ambassador Zobera Rahman Linu were also present on the occasion. l

Hemanta impresses Dutch club n Tribune Sports Desk

Dutch professional football club FC Twente coaching staffs are impressed with Bangladesh U-19 skipper Hemanta Vincent Biswas and Nepal U-16 skipper Bimal Gharti Magar, said national team assistant coach Rene Koster at a press conference on his arrival in Nepal yesterday. The Dutch coach and Hemanta are expected to arrive in Dhaka today. Quoted by goalnepal.com, Koster said, I talked to the head coach last night (Wednesday) and he said he was largely impressed. He said he would contact me after few days. l

Blazer BD V Day Table Tennis

The Blazer BD Victory Day Open Table Tennis starts at the Shahid Tajuddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium, Paltan Ground today. The two-day meet comprises of five events. The events are mens singles and doubles, womens singles, Cadet U 16 and U 18 singles. Zobera Rahman Linu, the newly appointed general secretary of the table tennis federation said they decided to hold

Walton Victory Day Volleyball

The Walton Victory Day Volleyball tournament gets underway today at the Volleyball Stadium with eight teams, split into two groups, fighting for the title. The four-day meet will conclude on Monday. Holders Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Air Force, Boarder Guard Bangladesh and Bangladesh Fire Service & Civil Defence

the tournament in a hurry to salute the spirit of the liberation. The top players are not playing in the meet due to their lack of preparations and the political turmoil and mostly the youngsters will be seen playing. Professor Anisuzzaman will inaugurate the meet as the chief guest while BOA treasurer Kazi Raziviuddin Ahmed Chapal will the present as special guest. l

Zia in second place n Shishir Hoque

Bangladeshi Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman defeated International Master Ansell Simon of England in the 5th round to move to joint second at the 5th London Chess Classic FIDE Open at the Olympia Conference Center in Kensington in London on Wednesday. Zia, who has four points after five rounds, will play Russian Grandmaster Boris Grachev in the 6th round. The Bangladeshi GM shares the second position with 18 other players. Earlier, in the fourth round, Zia drew with International Master Houska Jovanka of England. l

BRIEF SCORE
National team 167/9 in 20 over Anamul Haque 39, Mahmudullah 38 not out, Mushfiqur Rahim 36 Nasir Hossain 21/2, Arafat Sunny 42/2 A team 171/4 in 18.3 overs Nasir Hossain 62 not out, Mithun Ali 37 Rubel Hossain 30/2 A team won by four wickets Bangladesh A team all-rounder Nasir Hossain celebrates the wicket of national side batsman Mushfiqur Rahim during the second match of the Twenty20 Challenge Series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday MUMIT M

team were placed in Group A while Group B comprises of last years runners-up Titas Gas, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Police and Bangladesh Power Development Board. The heavy weights Army and BGB are scheduled to meet each other in the very first match of the meet today morning. l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Friday, December 13, 2013

German delight as all four teams progress in Europe

n AFP, Berlin
Bundesliga teams have once again kept the German flag flying in Europe with all four sides progressing to the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time. After Mays first all-German Champions League final in Wembley, holders Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have joined Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke in the knock-out phase of this seasons competition. All four German clubs in the last 16, that has never happened before. Our league can celebrate a historic triumph! wrote German daily Bild. On three occasions three German teams, Dortmund, Schalke and Bayern, have reached the last 16 in 1997-98, 2004-05 and 2012-13, but this is the first time since the Champions League started in 1992 that four German teams have reached the knock-out phase. The Germans have the joint biggest contingent in the knock-out stages alongside English quartet Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, while three Spanish teams, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also through. On Wednesday, Dortmund needed a dramatic late goal from Kevin Grosskreutz to seal a 2-1 win at Marseille to finish as winners of Group F and had been just three minutes from going out of the competition after Napolis 2-0 win at home to Arsenal. Pep Guardiolas Bayern also went through as group winners, despite losing 3-2 at home to Manchester City on Tuesday. Schalke finished second in Group E after a 2-0 win at home to Swiss champions FC Basel, while Bayer Leverkusen were second in Group A behind Manchester United. The draw for the last 16 of the Champions League will be held at 1100GMT in Nyon, Switzerland, on Monday. In total, the German quartet have picked up 93.55 million euros (US$129m) in prize money. l

Napoli's Gonazalo Higuain (2L) is comforted by teammate Lorenzo Insigne at the end of a Champions League match against Arsenal, at the Naples San Paolo stadium, Italy on Wednesday. Higuain scored in the 73rd minute but the San Paolo stadium was soon silenced when word arrived that Dortmund had scored a late goal in a 2 1 win at Marseille to win Group F AP

Dortmund leave it late, Milan through

Relieved Arsenal survive Napolis handbrake turn, Neymar hat-trick as Barca hit six trick, his first Champions League goals, stoppage-time, could not save Rafa cause it was very difficult, said Arsen Reuters, London in a 6-1 romp over Celtic at the Nou Benitezs side from an agonising exit as nal manager Arsene Wenger.
Last seasons runnersup Borussia Dortmund were spared a Champions League exit when a dramatic late goal from Kevin Grosskreutz sent the German side into the last 16 on Wednesday. Dortmund, who beat Olympique Marseille 2-1, Arsenal and Napoli all finished on 12 points with the Bundesliga team topping Group F and the Italians proving the odd side out on head-to-head superiority despite a 2-0 victory over the English Premier League leaders. AC Milan will be Italys only representatives in the knockout stage as Galatasaray, Zenit St Petersburg and Schalke 04 secured the remaining last 16 places in Mondays draw which will feature four representatives each from the Premier League and Bundesliga. Barcelona, who should have Lionel Messi back from injury when the competition resumes in February, signed off from the group phase in style with Brazil striker Neymar scoring a hatCamp. Jose Mourinho can also look forward to the draw as Group E winners Chelsea went through the motions in overcoming Steaua Bucharest 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. Napoli, who drop into the Europa League, are only the second team to be eliminated from the group phase with 12 points from six games after Paris St Germain in 1997-98. In contrast, Russias Zenit finished runners-up in Group G by becoming the first team to qualify for the knockout stages with six points. Injury-hit Dortmund were just minutes away from a trapdoor into Europes second-tier competition when Grosskreutz found the back of the net with a deflected shot three minutes from time against 10-man Marseille. It was great feeling to score and to score such a goal. We deserved it, it was sensational, said the match-winner. Napolis victory, secured with late fforts from Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon, the second deep into Arsenal had to lose by three goals in order to miss out on qualification. We are happy to be through beNaples played very well tonight but we were a little bit on edge for some minutes, it was nervous in the end, but

Ajax fans improving after Milan stabbings

n AFP, Milan
An Ajax fan remained under close observation in hospital following surgery to stab wounds suffered before the Champions League clash between AC Milan and the Dutch side on Wednesday, said reports. A total of six people, five of whom were Ajax fans, were taken to hospital prior to Wednesdays match at the San Siro which finished in a scoreless draw and saw Milan advance to the last 16 of the competition. The most seriously wounded victim, a 24-year-old Dutchman, remains under observation at Niguarda hospital after undergoing surgery to repair his femoral artery but is said to be out of danger, according to doctors. Another Dutchman who suffered multiple stab wounds to the stomach, back and leg and had to have his spleen removed was also improving, at the citys San Carlo hospital. A third fan of Ajax who had been stabbed in the side of the body was remained at the citys San Paolo hospital but was out of danger. l

RESULTS
Schalke 04 Chelsea
Ba 10

20 10 12 20 41 20 00 61

Draxler 50, Matip 57

Basel

Bucharest Dortmund

Marseille

Diawara 14

Lewandowski 4, Grosskreutz 87

Napoli

Higuain 73, Callejon 90+3

Arsenal

Austria Vienna

Hosiner 44, 51, Jun 48, Kienast 90+3

Kerzhakov 35)

Zenit

QUALIFIED TEAMS
WINNERS

Atletico Madrid
Raul Garcia 14, Diego Costa 37

FC Porto

AC Milan FC Barcelona

Ajax
Samaras 88

Pique 7, Pedro Rodriguez 40, Neymar 45, 48, 58, Tello 72

Celtic

GROUP RUNNERS UP Man United (ENG) A Leverkusen (GER) Real Madrid (ESP) B Galatasaray (TUR) PSG (FRA) C Olympiakos (GRE) Bayern Munich (GER) D Man City (ENG) Chelsea (ENG) E Schalke (GER) Dortmund (GER) F Arsenal (ENG) Atletico Madrid (ESP) G Zenit (RUS) Barcelona (ESP) H AC Milan (ITA)

we got through. It was the 14th season in a row that Arsenal, who had captain Mikel Arteta sent off for a second bookable offence in the 75th minute, have reached the last 16. Seven-times European champions AC Milan clung on with 10 men for a point at home against Ajax Amsterdam to finish runners-up behind Barca in Group H and earn some respite in a below-par season. Milan had captain Riccardo Montolivo sent off midway through the first half but Ajax could not take advantage and secure the victory they needed to leapfrog the hosts. Christian Poulsen hit the post for the Dutch side after five minutes and Milan keeper Christian Abbiati was forced into a number of saves. Zenit went through despite a 4-1 humbling at Austria Vienna, finishing a point ahead of Porto who lost 2-0 at Group G table-toppers Atletico Madrid. Schalke beat Basel 2-0 to deny the Swiss side second spot in Group E, helped by a fine goal from Julian Draxler and a clearly offside effort from Joel Matip. l

Uniteds Young aware of diving reputation

n Reuters
Manchester United winger Ashley Young is aware of his reputation as a diver but insists it is up to referees to address the issue. The 28-year-old has recently come under fire for a perceived habit of going to ground easily, including against Crystal Palace in the Premier League and Real Sociedad in the Champions League this term, and says both current United manager David Moyes and I think its one to ask the referees - theyre the ones who are giving freekicks and penalties. I remember getting booked against Palace and then won a penalty. Against Real Sociedad it was another penalty that was given. Referees have got tough decisions to make, they have a tough time out there making decisions, but they have made the right decisions, I think. The England international said he had not been affected by the criticism, despite Ferguson revealing in his autobiography that he had dropped Young for a match against Everton last year over the issue. I dont take notice of the headlines or the debates, he added. Thats obviously for the media to debate and people to have their say on it and everyone is entitled to have their say on it. For me, the referees have made decisions and thats it. Young, who started in Tuesdays Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk, has struggled to win a place in the United line-up under Moyes, but was hopeful of finding form as he seeks a place in the England squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He was expecting a raucous reception as United head to Youngs former club Aston Villa on Sunday, but was mindful of getting back to winning ways with his side having picked up just two league points from their past four matches.l

Suarez credited Lanus lift Copa Sudamericana Raja seal with 15th EPL goal n Reuters, Buenos Aires dramatic win tura championship, their only Argentine league title. n AFP, London Ponte Preta, relegated from the Bra- over Auckland Argentinas Lanus scored two first half Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was cred- goals to beat Ponte Preta of Brazil 2-0 zilian first division last month, fell at the n Reuters ited with his 15th Premier League goal of on Wednesday and win the regional last hurdle after shocking holders Sao
the season on Wednesday following a review of his sides 4-1 win over West Ham. Suarez played a key role in Liverpools fourth goal in last weekends game at Anfield with a long-range strike that took a deflection off West Ham defender Joey OBrien and was recorded as an own goal. However, the Premier Leagues dubious goals panel has now ruled that the goal should be credited to Suarez. l Copa Sudamericana 3-1 on aggregate. Paraguayan defender Victor Ayala put the home side one up in the 24th minute and striker Ismael Blanco, man of the match, increased their lead at the Ciudad de Lanus stadium in the second minute of added time in the first half. It was the third title won by Lanus, a modest club from the Buenos Aires outskirts, after the now defunct Copa Conmebol in 1996 and the 2007 AperPaulo by eliminating them in their semifinal. Ayala began the move that led to the opening goal in midfield and finished it after taking a pass from Blanco inside the box to slot the ball past goalkeeper Roberto. Blanco scored the second from fellow striker Santiago Silvas header into the middle at a corner. The Copa Sudamericana is South Americas second club competition. l

his predecessor Alex Ferguson had spoken to him about it. Of course I understand what youre saying and everyone is going to have their say on it, but Ive spoken to the previous manager and current manager, the referees are giving decisions and that is where I think it lies, he was reported as saying by newspapers in England on Thursday. Its been talked about but thats inhouse. Im not going to comment on whats been said.

Argentina's Lanus players pose with the Copa Sudamericana trophy after defeating Brazil's Ponte Preta in the final match in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday AP

Raja Casablanca, representing host nation Morocco, needed a stoppage-time goal from Abdelilah Hafidi to beat parttimers Auckland City 2-1 in the preliminary round match at the Club World Cup on Wednesday. The game was heading for extra time until Mohamed Oulhajs header was saved by Tamati Williams and fell to the feet of Hafidi who tapped in the rebound to send the Agadir Stadium into delirium. The home team went ahead when Mouhssine Iajour slotted a left-foot shot into the far corner six minutes before halftime. Mohsine Moutaouali curled a shot against the post early in the second half before a defensive blunder allowed Auckland to grab a shock equaliser and silenced the stadium just after the hour. Two Raja defenders collided, leaving Fijian Roy Krishna an easy chance to score the equaliser past Khalid Askri. Hafidi spared Rajas blushes with his last-gasp goal to set up a quarter-final tie against Mexican side Monterrey, the champions of CONCACAF, on Saturday. The winners go on to meet South American champions Atletico Mineiro, who have a bye to the semi-final. European champions Bayern Munich, who also have a bye to the semis, are runaway favourites to win the tournament. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Friday, December 13, 2013

15
SLC to review security situation in Bangladesh
n Agencies
Sri Lanka Cricket will commission an independent security appraisal of the political situation in Bangladesh, ahead of Sri Lankas tour in January and February, SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga has said. The West Indies Under-19 team withdrew from their tour of Bangladesh, on Monday, after a bomb exploded near the team hotel in Chittagong. Sri Lanka are due to travel to Bangladesh on January 24 for two Tests, two Twenty20s and three ODIs, and plan to stay on for the Asia Cup, which runs from February 24 to March 7. We have to monitor the situation for the next few weeks and take a decision on the tour, Ranatunga told Daily Mirror. However, we dont want to make hasty announcements right now as Bangladesh is a fellow Asian country which maintains a very good relationship with us. We have to keep in mind that we had a similar situation not so long ago and all our Asian neighbours were very supportive of us. But we are in talks with the Bangladesh board. We have to be very careful because of the very bad experience we had in Pakistan before.l

QUICK BYTES

Tikolo takes over from Brown as Kenya coach

Former skipper Steve Tikolo has been named as Kenyas interim cricket coach, replacing Robin Brown, who stood down after the sides failure to qualify for next years ICC World Twenty20 championships in Bangladesh. Zimbabwean Brown, who joined the teams coaching staff as director of elite development last year, tendered his resignation on Monday, along with team skipper Collins Obuya and Tikolo was brought in. The 42-year-old Tikolo was recalled from international retirement in October to help boost the teams performances. Obuya has opted to step down as the team captain but will continue to offer his services as a player, Cricket Kenya administrative officer David Pamba told AFP. AFP

Rain ruins third one-dayer

South African Quinton de Kock became the fifth player in one-day international history to score centuries in three consecutive matches, but rain had the final say as the third one-dayer against India was abandoned in Pretoria on Wednesday. The rain arrived at the change of innings, though, and the umpires called off play without a ball being bowled in the Indian reply. South Africa had already claimed the three-match series after winning the first two matches in Johannesburg and Durban. The teams will now switch focus to a two-match test series starting at The Wanderers in Johannesburg on Dec 18. Reuters

(L R) Canadian poker professional Daniel Negreanu, former Ukranian football player Andriy Schevchenko, former Brazilian football player Ronaldo, Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, former Italian skier Alberto Tomba and former Dutch field hockey player Fatima Moreiro de Melo pose for a photograph before attending a celebrity charity poker tournament in Prague, Czech Republic yesterday AP

Cook says team hungry as ever

n AFP, Perth
England captain Alastair Cook insisted Thursday his under-pressure team was as hungry as ever and did not need lifting, despite being crushed in the first two Ashes Tests by Australia. Cook, who like Australian skipper Michael Clarke will play his 100th Test in Perth from Friday, said his side retained the belief that they can prevent Australia winning at the WACA to take an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-Test series. Our confidence has obviously had a hit from the first two Test matches, he told reporters, referring to Brisbane and Adelaide. But as a squad weve made a conscious effort to look forward rather than back. We think weve got our preparations right. England will go into the Test with coach Andy Flower suggesting there will be changes from the team that played in Adelaide, where they opted for two spinners in Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann. Perth is more of a fast-bowlers track and Panesar is expected to miss out, although a team has yet to be announced. We have taken some serious hits but we do have a squad full of people who are determined to turn the ship around, and thats what we must do, Flower said ahead of the game. Cook refused to speculate on who might be in the starting 11. We will try to pick the best team to win the game. We have a lot of experience in the side, but its about making sure we deliver in the middle, he said. We have a lot of options in the squad, theres a good balance. Whatever team we go in with will be the best one to win the game. Cook added that the team, which has struggled under the firepower of Australias Mitchell Johnson-led pace attack, needed to start performing the way he knows they can. We talk a good game, but its about making sure we play a good game, he said. I dont think its anything about lifting the players. That hunger and desire has always been there in this side. Weve got another case to show it this week. The odds are stacked against England who have a sorry record in Perth, where their only win in 12 attempts came in 1978. l

Harris will play in Perth: Clarke

n AFP, Perth
Australian paceman Ryan Harris is battling a sore knee but captain Michael Clarke said Thursday he was confident the 34-year-old will play in the third Ashes Test against England. Harris has been a crucial part of the attack that has fired Australia to a 2-0 lead over their arch-rivals, but he reported stiffness during the second Test in Adelaide. Ryan Harris has had an ongoing knee issue throughout his career which we manage after each Test he plays, a Cricket Australia spokesman said. Reports said he was a doubt for the third Test starting Friday in Perth, in which Australia can take an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. I think one of those three will certainly come in and replace Ryan if hes not fit, Clarke said, referring to James Faulkner, who was 12th man in Brisbane and Adelaide, and Doug Bollinger and Nathan Coulter-Nile who are on standby. But I am very confident that Ryan will be okay, he added. l

Honda set to join AC Milan

Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda is set to join AC Milan early in the New Year, the Italian clubs vice-president Adriano Galliani has said. Galliani broke the news about Honda after the players current club, CSKA Moscow, were eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday. Now we can talk. From the 3rd of January 2014 Keisuke Honda will be a Milan player, Galliani said on the clubs official website. We had already set out a contract but put it to one side. Now we can talk, but it will be difficult as he is a non-EU player, and I dont know if he can already play from the 6th of January against Atalanta. Later he will make his debut away to Sassuolo. AFP

Sabin becomes first female LTA president

Cathie Sabin was on Wednesday confirmed as the first female president of British tenniss governing body, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). The organisations former vice-president, Sabin is stepping up to replace the outgoing Peter Bretherton and was sworn in at the LTAs annual general meeting in London. Cathies qualities, knowhow and experience make her eminently qualified for this role, said Bretherton, who has stepped down after a threeyear term of office. AFP

England's captain Alastair Cook (C) listens to team-mate Matt Prior (L) talk with Stuart Broad as they stand near the pitch at the WACA ground in Perth yesterday REUTERS

Afridi stars in Pakistans Kiwis take command against WI SCORE CARD, DAY 2 T20 win over Sri Lanka n
AFP, Wellington

n AFP, Dubai
Dashing allrounder Shahid Afridi starred in Pakistans exciting threewicket win over Sri Lanka in the first Twenty20 international at Dubai stadium on Wednesday. Afridi scored an unbeaten 20-ball 39, hitting the winning six off the last ball of the final over by paceman Nuwan Kulasekara to give Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. In all Afridi hit three sixes and two boundaries to help Pakistan overcome a tough challenge from world number one Sri Lanka who had taken the match to the final over with Pakistan needing six runs. Set a challenging 146 to get, Pakistan lost Ahmed Shehzad (four) in the third over but Mohammad Hafeez (32) and Sharjeel Khan (34) steadied the innings through their 57-run second wicket stand before they lost three wickets in the space of seven runs. Sharjeel holed out after hitting three

fours off 31 balls while Hafeez, who hit two fours and a six in his 27-ball knock, fell leg-before and Umar Akmal was run out for five.

DAYS WATCH
BTV 5:00PM Federation Cup Final Sk Jamal v Muktijoddha Sony Six NBA 2013 14 7:00AM Brooklyn v LA Clippers 9:30AM Portland vs Houston 10:00PM Pakistan v Sri Lanka Second T20 Star Sports 1 8:30AM Australia v England Third Test, Day 1 Ten Golf 10:30AM Thailand Golf Championship Day 2 4:00PM Nelson Mandela Championship Day 3 Ten Sports Junior Hockey Mens World Cup 4:00PM Semifinal 1 8:00PM Semifinal 2 Ten HD 1:30AM French Ligue 1 2013/14 Montpellier v Saint-Etienne Star Sports 4 1:45AM La Liga Levante v Elche CF Neo Prime 3:00PM (Friday) West Indies Tour of New Zealand Second Test, Day 4

BRIEF SCORE
Sri Lanka 145/5 in 20 overs Mathews 50, Tanvir 2/34 Pakistan 146/7 in 19.1 overs Afridi 39*, Malinga 3/26 Pakistan won by three wickets Man of the match: Shahid Afridi
When on 23, Afridi also became the first player to score 1,000 runs and take 50 wickets in all Twenty20 cricket. In all he has 73 wickets in 69 matches. Afridi said he was delighted to return to his aggressive batting. Sent into bat, Sri Lankan batsmen did not capitalise on the good starts before Mathews (50) and Lahiru Thirimanne (23 not out) added 58 for the fifth wicket stand to take their team to 145-5 in 20 overs. l

New Zealand claimed the upper hand in the second Test on Thursday, restricting the West Indies to 158-4 with key batsmen Darren Bravo and Shivnarine Chanderpaul back in the pavilion. At the end of the rain-abbreviated second day, in which only 63.1 of the scheduled 90 overs were bowled, the West Indies trailed New Zealands first innings total of 441 by 283 runs. Only Kirk Edwards and Marlon Samuels provided any stern resistance with well compiled half centuries. Samuels was not out on 50 and Narsingh Deonarine was on 11. New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson, in only his fourth Test, made the crucial breakthroughs for his team, removing first Test double-centurion Bravo for four and Edwards for 55. Were in a good position, Anderson said. Getting four wickets is obviously nice. (Conceding) a few less runs would have been nice as well, but if we can pick a couple up early tomorrow (Friday) then were on top. West Indies captain Darren Sammy felt his side had lost two more wickets

than was good for them, but he was more critical of the way his bowlers failed to contain the New Zealand batsmen. We didnt bowl well at all. It wasnt consistent enough, especially with the new ball, and it cost us and were in the position we find ourselves now. The West Indies made a positive start to their innings as Edwards and Kieran Powell progressed to 46 with New Zealand new-ball partners Trent Boult and Tim Southee moving the ball around and finding plenty to appeal about, but failing to persuade the umpires. Southee was eventually rewarded with an lbw decision against Powell on 21 while Boult came back in his second spell to remove Chanderpaul. Bravo, unable to reproduce his marathon innings of the first Test, faced 12 balls before he edged Anderson to second slip Peter Fulton. Edwards, who had looked assured on his way to a half century, was undone by a full Anderson delivery which he tried to turn to the leg side but sent a leading edge to Hamish Rutherford at cover. l

New Zealand 1st innings (overnight 307 6) T Southee c Bravo b Sammy I Sodhi c Ramdin b Best N Wagner c Sammy b Best T Boult not out Extras (b16, lb6, nb2) Total: (all out; 115.1)

21 27 0 38 24 441

Bowling Best 21 1 110 4, Gabriel 25.1 5 86 2 , Sammy 25 3 92 2, Shillingford 28 492 1 , Deonarine 16 2 39 1 West Indies 1st innings K Edwards c Rutherford b Anderson 55 K Powell lbw Southee 21 D Bravo c Fulton b Anderson 4 M Samuels not out 50 S Chanderpaul c Anderson b Boult 6 N Deonarine not out 11 Extras (lb6, w1, nb4) 11 Total (four wickets; 37overs) 158 Bowling Boult 9 3 25 0, Southee 9 1 40 1, Wagner 7 1 37 0, Anderson 7 1 20 2, Sodi 3 1 18 0, Williamson 2 0 12 0

BFF, education ministry sign MoU

n Raihan Mahmood
Bangladesh Football Federation and the Ministry of Education signed a memorandum of understanding to start the national school championship sponsored by Islami Bank at the secretariat yesterday. Education minister Nurul Islam Nahid, BFF president Kazi Salahuddin, education secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, DMD of Islami Bank A.K.M. Abdul Malek Chowdhury and BFF vice-president Tabith Awal were present on the occasion. As per the deal, BFF in collaboration with the education ministry, will kickoff the meet at the end of the month with about five thousand schools across the country participating. In the first phase at the upazila 10 schools will be playing on a knock out basis before the tournament moves to the district level, divisional level and the 16 team final round. Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd agreed to remain as the events sponsors for the second year in a row, after penning a deal worth Tk40m with the Bangladesh Football Federation. However, the sponsors who provided a purse of Tk50m last season, added an extra clause for their continued patronage - the introduction of nationwide college football. l

Pakistan axe Jamshed, Amin for Sri Lanka one-days n AFP, Lahore
Pakistan left out opener Nasir Jamshed and middle-order batsman Umar Amin from their 15-man squad for the fivematch one-day series against Sri Lanka starting in Sharjah from Wednesday. Jamshed and Amin were part of the squad which beat South Africa 2-1 away last month Pakistans first-ever win against the Proteas. The 24-year-old Jamshed scored two and 24 in the two matches he played of the series while Umar Amin made 25 in his only appearance. Pakistan will also play three Tests against Sri Lanka for which a squad will be named later. l

Education secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury and BFF president Kazi Salahuddin exchange greetings after signing the MoU of national school football yesterday COURTESY

16
Army kept alert: CEC n Mohammad Zakaria
The Election Commission has asked the Army to remain alert so that they can move any time, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad told reporters yesterday. The CEC said the commission would decide on deploying army in the meeting with returning officers and law enforcement agencies. Army is a part of the electoral process. We would deploy army this year as well following tradition. Army personnel will be deployed depending on the situation. It will be done in the remote areas first, he said. He also said the decision on Jatiya Partys symbol allocation would be made as per the electoral laws. Everything will be clear on Friday as it is the last date for withdrawing candidature. The returning officer will decide on this issue, Rakibuddin told reporters at the EC secretariat. He hoped that the current political deadlock would come to end and the 10th parliamentary elections would be held in a free, fair and peaceful manner. The CEC informed that the commission had already sent invitation to a number of organisations through the foreign ministry about sending observers and had got some responses as well. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

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Friday, December 13, 2013

Shib Narayan Das: The flag redesign was predetermined

In conversation with Shib Narayan Das, designer of the first national flag of Bangladesh

n Punny Kabir
Shib Narayan Das, designer of the national flag, revealed that the design of the second version was discussed at the same meeting where the first version was finalised. The very first flag, created when an independent Bangladesh was still a concept, bore a yellow map of the country on the background of the red circle. The later redesign, usually credited to Quamrul Hassan, omitted the map, reportedly because of the difficulty of reproducing it. Das tells a different story about the map in an exclusive interview with Dhaka Tribune. When we were initiating movements with slogans like Joy Bangla, there was a confusion: Which Bengal? East Bengal, West Bengal, or both Bengals? So, we decided to specify the land of the then East Bengal. And we also discussed that the identification wont be needed after liberation. Das, a humble man who only labels himself as an activist, has hardly ever spoken to the media. He said: I am not here to take any credit. I am telling you the facts. Being the designer of the national flag was not the intention of my political activities. And I cannot take the full credit for designing the flag. It happened collectively. Recalling the story of creating the first flag of Bangladesh, the freedom fighter said: The need of a national flag was felt on the eve of June 7, 1970, when Sheikh

A number of national flags have been displayed in Shahbagh during a Ganajagaran Mancha rally after the Supreme Court rejected Quader Mollas review petition yesterday SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Third round of AL BNP talks today

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla
Front-ranking leaders of the Awami League and BNP are set to meet again today as part of the negotiation process initiated by UN envoy Ocsar Fernandez-Taranco who apparently failed to achieve any progress in the previous two spells of talks. Fernandez-Tarancos move to bring the two arch rival to a negotiation table instilled hope into common people. But Fridays scheduled meeting at a house in Gulshan between the two parties, without presence of any high profile mediator, is unlikely to break the deadlock, say the leaders involved in the process. A great artist is known by what he omits. Perhaps a great diplomat is also distinguished by his skill at omitting things, Mizanur Rahman Shelley, a political watcher, told the Dhaka Tribune. Shelley also said Taranco, in his mission in Bangladesh, did not say what he really achieved. He rather said his success lay in getting the feuding Awami League and BNP to start some sorts of talks to end the political deadlock. Even after he (Taranco) left Dhaka, there was no sign of any light at the end of the tunnel. That is what is disappointing about the Taranco mission, he observed. We hoped for a positive outcome. We cannot stand violence anymore. Every day people are being killed. But the leaders attitudes are simply frustrating, Obinash Sarkar, a private service holder, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. However, diplomatic community in Dhaka is learnt to be hoping against hope to have a peaceful settlement soon. Keeping the dialogue prospect alive, both the parties have already planned to stage muscle flexing on the streets vowing not to leave the street unchallenged. The BNP has already threatened to resist one-sided elections while the ruling Awami League said election would be held within the schedule no matter who is taking part or not. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has already asked her partys senior leaders to be present in the December 15 meeting at Suhrawrdy Udyan from where she is expected to announce the next course of action. On the other hand, on December 4, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina at the Central Working Committee meeting at Ganabhaban asked the party leaders and activists to launch counter strike on the BNP Jamaat men if they tried to attack people and Awami Leaguers to foil the polls. On December 11, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at an informal discussion at Ganabhaban said her party agreed to continue dialogue to end the political crisis but BNP had to withdraw its destructive political programmes before the next round of talks begins. However, AL Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif said election would be held on January 5. It does not matter who will participate in the election and who will not. Mahbubur Rahman, a standing committee member of the BNP, said: The dialogue is going to be meaningless as the electoral process is still going on. l

Mujibur Rahman was scheduled to attend a march at Dhaka Paltan Maidan, as part of his campaign in the Pakistani general elections. A team of student leaders held a meeting in Room 118 at Dhaka Universitys Zohurul Haque Hall (presently Iqbal Hall), and decided to create a flag for him to fly at the occasion. Das said: The colour and design of the flag was decided collectively in that meeting, and I had the opportunity to draw the map with golden colour onto the green and red flag. It was almost 12am when the students went to New Market to collect the colour to draw the map. The nostalgic Das said: The students woke up the shopkeepers in the middle of the night. When they came to know the purpose, they didnt take any money and were elated to help us. There are many interpretations of the flags colours. According to Das, while the green on Pakistans flag represents Islam, ours represents our landscape. The red was meant to be the sun, symbolising a new day, and the end of our oppression. This Victory Day, more than 30,000 people will gather at the Army Parade Ground and attempt to break the record for the Worlds Largest Human Flag. Do you know: Who holds the current record for the Worlds Largest Human Flag? Email your answer to info@dhakatribune.com for a chance to win exclusive passes to the Worlds Largest Human Flag event on December 16, and see history in the making. l

Warsi half-assured of political consensus

Shahariar Zaman and n Sheikh Mohammad Masum Molla
The two top political parties in Bangladesh have agreed to compromise from their part, a foreign envoy in Dhaka said on Thursday. United Kingdoms Senior Foreign Office Minister Baroness Sayeeda Hussain Warsi made the statement in a press conference held in Dhaka. I am assured by both the government and the opposition that there will be further meeting taking place tomorrow (Friday) that provides an opportunity possibly one of the last opportunities to try and reach agreement, she said who arrived in Dhaka for one day. Hopeful Waris said: What I heard from both sides was not so much the things that they would compromise on but they are prepared to compromise. So from that I can take hope. Waris, born in March 1971, enjoyed warm and cordial relationship with both Hasina and Khaleda and had a very incredibly open conversation with them. They both spoke about wanting to compromise. Whether or not there will be a compromise will be determined in the meeting, I think tomorrow (Friday), she said. About the war crimes trial, she said the UK has a very clear position on not using death penalty. We oppose it in every country, we oppose it in all circumstances in the European Union, she said. She, however, said: We believe that people who commit war crimes should face justice that there cannot be a culture of impunity for those who commit those horrendous crimes. Awami League and BNP were in disparity over how the upcoming general and the government of Prime Minister Edward Heath during the War of Liberation in 1971. In another meeting with BNP Chief Khaleda Zia visiting UK Senior Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Baroness Sayeeda Warsi said an inclusive election is necessary in Bangladesh for its stability. The United Kingdom expects that all political parties will participate in the next general election for its stability, Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, vice chairman of the BNP, told journalists quoting Warsi. She held an hour-long meeting with the BNP Chairperson and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan residence. The BNP leader quoting Warsi said the UK hoped that political parties in Bangladesh can reach an understanding over holding a free, fair and acceptable election with the participation of all. Mobin said Warsi, on behalf of the United Kingdom government, expressed deep concern over the uncertainty of the upcoming general election. Mobin also said various issues relating to the mutual interests of Bangladesh and the United Kingdom were discussed in the meeting. BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Chairpersons Advisers Reaz Rahman, Sabihuddin Ahmed and British High Commissioner in Dhaka Robert Gibson were present in the meeting. Warsi also yesterday met Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad. However, she refrained from making any comment after an hour-long meeting. When journalists approached her she said: No comment. l

Mitford Hospital resumes operation

n Moniruzzaman Uzzal
The woes of patients in Salimullah Medical College Hospital had been at their worst yesterday like two other previous days before the infirmary resumed its operation Thursday evening. Dr Md Abu Yousuf, deputy director of the hospital, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday at 7pm that the employees joined their work. Health services in emergency rooms and outdoor ward, surgical treatment, diagnostic tests in laboratory, and admission of new patients to the hospital came to a halt after its Class III and Class IV employees went on abstention from work centring a clash between them and the interns over an inaccurate blood test. Hundreds of patients were deprived of the hospitals outdoor services yesterday as the healthcare facility was declared closed for an indefinite period. Throughout the day yesterday, a tense situation was prevailing on the hospital premises while a group of policemen were stationed out there for security arrangements. Unlike workdays, the indoor wards of the medical institute were still, with only a handful of doctors and nurses doing their job. Before the face-off between interns and blue-collar medical staff, the number of indoor patients was 684 while their number fell to 423 yesterday. Seeking anonymity, an indoor patient said no food and medications were given to them for the past three days. Mohammad Shamsudin, 85, came to hospital from Keraniganj yesterday morning with her daughter to see an ophthalmologist, but to no avail. Today I came here travelling by bus amid blockade and crossing river by boat, but failed to see the doctor even after waiting for hours, he said. Like Shamsuddin, many outdoor patients had to return home disappointed. The academic council of the medical college declared the hospital closed sine die centring clash between interns and lower category of employees. Though the authorities asked all interns to vacate their dormitories, the latter did not comply with the notification considering that it was an insult to them. After a three-day deadlock, the lower category of employees withdrew their abstention from work and joined their duties through the mediation of the Health Directorate high-ups. The 3rd and 4th Class employees were wooed by assuring them of proper investigation into the incident and punitive action against the accused. Prof Dr Khandaker M Sefayetullah, director general of Health Services, Dr Subash Kumar Saha, additional director general, Prof Dr ABM Hannan, director, Medical Education, and Dr Julfikar Lenin, director (Hospital) Prime Ministers Office, were present at the hospital yesterday evening. Dr Dilip Kumar Dhar, principal of the medical college, said the probe team had been awarded three more days to investigate the incident properly. The situation would be normal within a few hours, he hoped. l

Baroness Sayeeda Hussain Warsi addresses a press conference yesterday elections will take place. BNP and its allies, and Jatiya Party refused to take part in polls under Sheikh Hasina. Under such circumstances United Nations Assistant Secretary General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco arrived and got the two parties together to start a dialogue. After a five-day hectic efforts he did not state whether he was successful on his mission, but said he began a process which the two parties now must continue. In course of the events, Baroness Warsi came to Dhaka and had meetings with the two top leaders of Bangladesh. Waris stressed in all her meetings on the importance of free, fair, transparent, and violence free elections. When asked if Britain would accept the polls if BNP does not take part, she said: I think its very early for us to make a judgment. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a meeting with Baroness Sayeeda Warsi yesterday reiterated that the next elections would be held in a free, fair and neutral manner as per the consti-

RAJIB DHAR

tution, reports BSS. She said all the polls held in different tiers during the last five years of the present government were free, fair and neutral and many opposition candidates won those elections. The next elections would also be held in such a manner as per the constitution, Sheikh Hasina said. The prime minister expressed this view when visiting Senior Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom Sayeeda Warsi, MP, called on her at her office here this morning. After the meeting, PMs Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed reporters. During the meeting, they discussed issues relating to bilateral interests. The prime minister expressed happiness at the historic and traditional links and partnership that exist between Bangladesh and the UK. She hoped that the bilateral relations between the two countries would be further strengthened in the years to come. Sheikh Hasina recalled the invaluable support extended by the British people

Jatiya Party to finalise decision over joining polls today

n Manik Miazee
After a series of drama, HM Ershads Jatiya Party is likely to finalise its decision on joining polls today the last day for withdrawing nomination papers. While a section of leaders wants to join the polls, another section, including Chairman Ershad, is determined not to join the elections under the current administration. Ershad has reportedly sent a letter to the Election Commission, asking it not to allocate the plough Jatiya Partys traditional electoral symbol to any other party. However, a group of Jatiya Party leaders had expressed willingness to participate in the polls under the current government, party insiders said. Presidium Members Anisul Islam Mahmud, Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu and SM Faisal Chisti have been reportedly trying to convince Ershads wife Rowshan Ershad for joining the polls, offering her to be the chief. Leaders claimed that the group had government backing. They also said up until now, Rowshan had not been fully convinced with the offer. The government, meanwhile, had offered to give 60 constituencies to Jatiya Party if it decided to contest the elections, sources said. However, Ershads press and political Secretary Sunil Shuvo Roy told the Dhaka Tribune: It is a totally politically biased information. Nothing is accurate about this. Party Secretary General ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader told the Dhaka Tribune: There is no division inside Jatiya Party regarding joining polls. Our chairmans decision is full and final. Presidium member Kazi Firoz Rashid said: Without Ershads presence, no faction carries any value to any party and the people. Just wait one more day. Anisul, Bablu and Chisti reportedly held a number of meetings with Rowshan over joining polls yesterday. Bablu and Mahmud, however, declined to make any comments while Chisti did not respond to phone calls. The Dhaka Tribune has learnt that more than a hundred of Jatiya Party candidates, who submitted nomination papers, are not willing to withdraw those while In addition, several Presidium members were in confusion over the issue, sources said. Presidium member Mojibul Haque Chunnu said: I am confused whether to withdraw nomination papers or not. I may decide on the issue at the last moment. 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

Continue to the Business section...

Business

B2 Stocks drop on
political jitters

B3 Government buys 3

weeks to protect RMG buyers investment

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013

Business
www.dhakatribune.com/business
was set at Tk34,000 crore. He said the NBR revenue target for the current fiscal may need to be revised to Tk125,000 crore from Tk136,000 crore. An tax official projected around Tk120,000 crore could be collected in the fiscal should the situation improved. But the tax collection target was unlikely to be achieved in such a situation, he said. The countrys overall economic growth largely relies on revenue collection. International Monetary Fund recently projected the growth of gross domestic product at 5.5% in the fiscal against the governments target of 7.2%. IMF projected the tax-to-GDP ratio of Bangladesh would remain flat at about 10.50% in the current fiscal year due to slowing economy amid hartal and ongoing backto-back blockades for last couple of months. A slowing economy in hartal-related disruptions and political uncertainly contributed to lower than programmed tax revenue outturns for fiscal year 2012-2013, said IMF report released recently on extended credit facility loans for Bangladesh. The tax revenues will be downward in relation to GDP despite these influences expected to unwind gradually, it added. The government set a target to achieve a tax-GDP ratio of 14.2% of GDP in the current fiscal year despite having the challenges of the political unrest and apparel factory collapse at Savar. In current fiscal budget, expenditure is Tk222,000 crore or 18.7% of the GDP, planning to fetch Tk141,000 crore as tax revenue and Tk26,240 crore as non-tax revenue. The overall budget deficit estimated at Tk55,030 crore or 4.6% of the GDP while the deficit financing met through foreign loans and domestic borrowings. Annual Development Programe (ADP) dropped 9.28% year-on-year in the first four months of the fiscal year owing to slow progress of foreign-aided projects. Moreover, it is for the first time in six years that the ADP implementation dropped from the same period of the previous year. Between July and October, the government spent Tk9,960 crore in ADP, which was only 15% of the total allocation of Tk65,872 crore. The ADP implementation during the same period of fiscal 2012-13 was Tk10,920 crore, which was 20% of the total allocation. The implementation of government-funded projects, however, increased 0.97%, while foreign-aided projects plummeted 28.2%. Besides, overall inflation rose by 0.12 percentage points to 7.03% in November from the previous month on the back of rising both food and non-food prices. In November, food inflation accelerated 0.17 percentage points to 8.55%, which was 8.38% in October. Non-food inflation also saw a rise of 0.06 percentage points to 5.08% in November from Octobers 5.02%. l

Tax collection hit by political unrest

NBR says revenue collection falls short of target in five months from July
n Asif Showkat Kallol
National Board of Revenue is facing disruptions in tax collection due to continuous hartals and blockades across the country enforced by the 18-party opposition. The situation has led to fears that the country may confront the biggest ever shortfall in internal revenue mobilisation, said official sources. Revenue collection is not good now, NBR chairman Ghulam Hussain told the Dhaka Tribune. A senior finance division official said such revenue fall would have impact on the progress of development works and budget deficit. According to him, the widening of budget gap would eventually effect local inflation. Ghulam Hossain said the revenue collection was Tk5,000 crore less than the target during July-November period. The first quarter target of the current fiscal

Banks bear the brunt of political turmoil

Exposed to vulnerability of rising non-performing loans
n Jebun Nesa Alo
The countrys banking business is going through a setback for some days now as loan disbursement and repayment of loans came to almost a halt due to the ongoing political unrest. Bankers have apprehended the extent of non-performing loans (NPLs) might increase by the end of the year, if the situation does not improve. The extent of classified loans already increased to 12.79% of the total outstanding loans in September from 11.91% in June this year. The garments sector that contributes most to make money for the banks has been affected badly during the continuous blockades and countrywide shut downs, they said. Already, the apparel makers have demanded interest waiver as they failed to execute orders, resulting in forced loan being created against the letter of credit. Readymade garment business is affected heavily due to failure of shipments, which will also affect the banks as the apparel sector keeps banking business healthy, Exim Bank Chairman Nazrul Islam Mazumder told Dhaka Tribune. The banks which handled the garment business comprehensively will be affected mostly, but the losses will not be significant, he said. Maximum five to seven banks like National, Exim, Prime, Islami and Shahjalal Islami are comprehensively involved with garment business, said Majumder, who is the president of Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB). How much of the banking business would do better might be cleared this month as some businessmen already facing difficulties in paying loan instalments from the current month. If the political solution does not calm down within this month, Mazumder said the banking business would fall in the next quarter. Many businessmen as we see were trying to pay the instalment, but could not make it, Pubali Bank Managing Director Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said. Banks NPL will increase at the end of the year, as a result. He apprehended keeping the NPL under control would be a big challenge for the banks as transports cannot move and production being hampered due to the political turmoil. Banks move with the countrys business. So if the countrys business does not run well, the banks also suffer. Bank business also does not go well due to political situation, which affects all the supply and production chain, said NCC Bank Managing Director Nurul Amin. He said the political programmes whatever it may be should be given considering the economic consequence. The position or opposition should use their political rights. But if it hampers the economic activities for long term, we will not accept it as banker, The production of garment factories remained shut for 21 days out of last couple of months, compelling us to export at discount, said Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Atiqul Islam. Forced loan have been created against letter of credit due to cancellation of export orders. As a result, the businessmen could not pay the loan instalments. Former BGMEA President Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez said garment production dropped by 10% due to the current political turmoil. Its not possible to sustain the business for a single day with saline. Bangladesh Textile Mills Association President Jahangir Alamin said international buyers are now very cautious to place orders as they are confused whether we will be able to comply with the shipment schedule. So, it has become difficult for the businessmen to pay the bank loan instalments in due time. l

Bapex gets new drilling rig

n Aminur Rahman Rasel
The government has procured a drilling rig having vertical drilling capacity of 4,000 meters.

This government has so far purchased three drilling and workover rigs including the latest one
It would be the sixth in the fleet of the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) in February, 2014. This government has so far purchased three drilling and work-over rigs including the latest one, Hossain Monsur, chairman of Petrobangla, told Dhaka Tribune yesterday. There were only three rigs since independence. Though the latest rig was supposed to be arrived from China by this month, it will be deferred by a couple of months, he said. The rig of 1500 Horse Power has been procured from Chinese Honghua Petroleum Equipment Company Ltd at a cost of Tk211 crore, he added. The government earlier had a plan to bring the new work-over rig named Bijoy-12 in March next, but the schedule has been deferred, a Petrobangla official said. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013

Stocks drop on political jitters

n Tribune Report
Stocks fell with volatility yesterday as investors were worried over a new bout of political uncertainty. The market swung between positive and negative several times in early trading, but from the mid-session it continued to dip till closing. pressed by the mid-session, respectively. Amid the dismal trading, textile sector remained spotlight as it accounted for 25% of the total market turnover. The absence of any major positive clinching catalyst in the political arena has disheartened investors strongly, said Zenith Investments. Since the gathering of major political parties to resolve dispute proved to be futile, investors optimism have somewhat been affected and most of them have been busy to sell their shares and making quick profits, it said. On last day of a turmoil-hit week on political zone, market ended in red dropping weeks gain with mixed market sentiment and uncertainty over peaceful consensus among the political parties, said Lanka Bangla Securities. Key factor driving the correction in market are gloomy outlook in manufacturing sector on account of lowering industrial raw material import and ongoing confrontation over parliamentary election, said the stock broker. Almost all the sectors suffered except life insurance and non-life insurance that gained more than 2% each. Among the major sectors, the top three losers were telecommunications, fuel & power and pharmaceuticals, losing over 1% each. Envoy Textile dominated the top turnover chart with shares worth Tk4 crore changing hands, followed by Delta Life Insurance, Golden Sons, Generation Next Fashion and Delta Spinning Mills. l

Key factor driving the correction in market are gloomy outlook in manufacturing sector on account of lowering industrial raw material import and ongoing confrontation over parliamentary election

The benchmark DSEX ended almost at 4,200, shedding 34 points or 0.8% from the previous session. The blue chip index DS30 lost over 10 points or 0.7% to 1,490. The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Categories Index, CSCX, ended 74 points lower to 8,436. Participation in trading continued to decline as the total DSE turnover was Tk564 crore, a decrease of 21% from the previous sessions value of over Tk700 crore. As new surge of fear of chaos grips the market, it naturally lacked the motivation to stay optimistic and move between stocks, said IDLC Investments. It said the market was stumbling from the beginning of the session and turned de-

Most of the ATM booths in the city have already ran out of cash which resulted in a series of long queue at some of the booths like the one seen in the photo at Mirpur in Dhaka yesterday MUHAMMAD ZAHIDUL ISLAM

Shahjalal Islami Bank opens a new branch in Comilla

Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited (SIBL) opened its 89th branch at Gunabati in Comilla on December 11. In the opening ceremony, SIBL Gunabati Branch Manager Md Jasim Uddin, Feni Branch Manager Mahabubur Rahamn, Gunabati Bazar Bonik Shamity President Shamsul Haque member, Secretary Abdur Razzak Shahin, Gunabati Union Perished Former Chairman Ali Hossain, Social worker Sirazul islam Habilder and local prominent businessmen were present in the occasion. l

Durex gives out contest prizes

The prize giving ceremony of Durex Sperminator Contest was recently held in the head office of Reckitt Benckiser Bangladesh Ltd. The contest was held during the month of November that involved a facebook game app where the top five scorers are being rewarded with prizes. Mashfique Hasan, being the highest point scorer grabbed the coveted Samsung Galaxy S4 mini for 1st prize. The prizes were handed over by Mahbub Baset, Marketing Director, and Shezami Khalil, Brand Manager of Durex. l

Garnet Enterprise holds AGM

Second AGM of Garnet Enterprise (Garnet Book Services) an organisation of the students of Daffodil International University (DIU) to inspire young entrepreneurs was held at DIU Auditorium on December 12. DIU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr M Lutfar Rahman was present in the program as chief guest. Comilla University Science faculty Dean Dr Abu Taher, DIU Director (Permanent campus) Dr Mostafa Kamal and Hypertag Solutions Ltd Managing Director Md Shofiul Alam were present in the meeting as special guests. Presided over by DIU Garnet Enterprise and Young Entrepreneurs Association President Md Mazarul Alam the meeting was also addressed by DIU BBA Program Head Mohammad Masum Iqbal, Department of English Head Umme Kulsum, Department of Journalism and Mass Commutation Head Syed Mizanur Rahman Raju, Department of Law Head Farhana Helal Mehtab, Department of Real State Head Mohammed Sakhawat Hossain, Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management Head Mahbub Parvez, and Garnet Enterprise Convener Mohammad Shibli Shahriar. The program was conducted by DIU Career Development Center Student Associate Nazmun Nahar Rakhi. l

Ogilvy & Mather Bangladesh wins Agency of the year award

Ogilvy & Mather Bangladesh won bronze award titled Agency of the year under the category, Rest of South Asia Creative Agency of the Year. The award was given by Campaign Asia-Pacific, which has recognised Ogilvys excellence in all sectors such as creative ideas, digital marketing, talent management and business growth. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013

Government buys 3 weeks to protect RMG buyers investment

n Tribune Report
Labour and Employment Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain yesterday assured international buyers of readymade garments (RMG) that the present disruption in supply chain would come to an end by next two to three weeks. Ive assured the international buyers that the ongoing political turmoil will be over within two to three weeks, he told a press briefing after a meeting with the global buyers at his office in Dhaka. He termed the crisis as temporary and said developing countries like Bangladesh suffer political turmoil in any election year. The buyers have expressed concern over the security of their investment due to the recent violence, especially the torching of Standard Group garment factory. Ive given them 100% assurance of security of their investment after two to three weeks. Recently, the buyers sent a message to BGMEA expressing concern over vandalism and political unrest and they demanded security of their investment. The meeting was aimed at boosting buyers confidence as they were scared by the recent political deadlock. As we are the poll-time government and have no authority over the administration, we cannot take decision and thats why the buyers have to be a little cautious for the next two to three weeks, he noted. For the upcoming year like the past ones, he said: We will provide 100% security to

Dollar mixed in Asian trade ahead of Fed meeting n AFP, Tokyo

The dollar was mixed in cautious Asian trade yesterday ahead of next weeks US Federal Reserve policy meeting that could see the bank wind down its stimulus programme. The greenback fetched 102.57 yen in Tokyo, up from 102.40 yen in New York Wednesday but still off levels around 103.30 yen earlier this week. The euro strengthened to $1.3791 and 141.47 yen compared with $1.3785 and 141.19 yen. Dealers said there were few fresh factors to drive business with some investors buying the US unit on dips. A series of strong US data recently - including falling unemployment and strong economic growth - have led many analysts to bet the Fed will cut its bond-buying this month. And on Tuesday those expectations were amplified when Democrats and Republicans announced a two-year budget deal which, if passed by Congress, would avert a shutdown crisis such as the one that paralysed Washington in October. Economists said the news had given the Fed - which has expressed concern over Washingtons repeated policy brinksmanship - more ammunition to chip away at its $85bn a month asset purchase programme. Its important to remember that the budget standoff was the main reason for the Fed to delay tapering in September, Benjamin Schroeder, strategist at Commerzbank, told Dow Jones Newswires. The central bank has said it will only start reeling in its stimulus once the worlds biggest economy is on a firm footing. The Feds two-day policy meeting starts on December 17. We expect the solid US retail sales number, if anything, to reinforce market expectations of tapering sooner rather than later, and sentiment will likely remain one of cautiousness ahead of the (Fed meeting) next week, Credit Agricole said. It added that it appears likely that, at the very least, the Fed will use the December meeting to lay the groundwork for a January taper. European Central Bank President Mario Draghi would testify on policy before the EU parliament later yesterday, while eurozone industrial production figures are also due to be released. The euro has enjoyed strong support since the ECB last week held off any new interest rate cuts despite prolonged low inflation. That followed its surprise cut last month of its central refinancing rate by a quarter-point to counter the threat of deflation. The dollar was mixed against other Asia-Pacific currencies. It rose to 32.08 Thai baht against 32.02 baht Wednesday, to Sg$1.2526 from Sg$1.2494, to Tw$29.60 from Tw$29.55, and to 61.61 Indian rupees from 61.36 rupees. The greenback weakened to 11,960 Indonesian rupiah from 11,985 rupiah, to 44.18 Philippine pesos from 44.27 pesos, and to 1,050.99 South Korean won from 1,052.60 won. l

your (buyers) business and investment. The buyers apprised the meeting that they were searching new markets for sourcing RMG products, said BGMEA President Atiqul Islam, who was present at the meeting. It is a great threat for us whether we will lose orders for this season. It would cast shadow on our export. The buyers would leave the country to source RMG products from Cambodia, India, Vietnam and china as they are scared about shipment of goods, he added. Urging the political parties to shun confrontational politics, Islam said: We are losing competiveness in the global market due to the political unrest. Replying to a question, the minister said the price issue of products has not been dis-

cussed at the meeting. The talks dwelt only on ensuring security and safety. Replying to another question on stopping violence, he said it is not their duty to protect the fire others will set. Meanwhile, the ministry has formed a 10-member steering committee to protect the apparel sector and resolve problems instantly. Headed by the minister, the committee is comprised of representatives from buyers, BGMEA, BKMEA and other stakeholders. The meeting was attended by Labour Secretary Mikail Shipper, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturer and Exporters Association (BGMEA) vice president Shahidullah Azim and BKMEA First Vice President Mohammad Hatem. l

DCCI wants more time for paying classified loans

n Tribune Business Desk
DCCI urged Bangladesh Bank to extend time limit for loan classification. Yesterday, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) sent a letter to the central bank governor requesting to give some more time to entrepreneurs for repaying their loans due to the ongoing political unrest. The commerce chamber requested Bangladesh Bank (BB) to instruct scheduled banks not to put force in collecting the repayments of classified loans from businessmen if they fail to repay on time in this regard. The proposal suggested changing the loan classification periods from three to six months and from six to nine months. Businessmen especially, manufacturers, trader, small businessmen, transport owners and workers are the victims who will be further affected financially if the loan repaying time is not extended, said the statement. It said, along with the recent phenomenon of continuous closure of businesses, most entrepreneurs counted heavy losses instead of making a profit. l

Imports rise 7% in November

n Tribune Report
The countrys import expenditure rose by 7.33% to US$2.85bn in November compared to the same month last year thanks to increased capital machinery import. The import of capital machinery rose despite political unrest that influenced the total imports, said a senior executive of Bangladesh Bank. The capital machinery import rose 31% to $157m in November from $120m in October. The import remained sluggish since several months as big entrepreneurs remained reluctant to expand their business ahead of the general election, he said. The November import was 1.52% higher compared to the previous month, according to Bangladesh Bank data released yesterday. In October, import registered 8.17% lower to $2.81bn. Despite the import increasing last month, it would fall in the coming months if the ongoing political unrest does not improve, said a senior executive of a private commercial bank. Import of rice declined to $16m in November from $23.75m in September and $19.54m in October. Wheat import declined sharply by 77% to $26.51m in November from $116.21m in October and $173.38m in September. In November, edible oil (refined) import rose to $37.56m from $32.19m in October while pulses declined to $28.13m from $29.51m. In the last fiscal year, the countrys total imports dropped to $32.35bn from $34.81bn of the previous fiscal. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013

Putin admits Russia has itself to blame for economic woes

n AFP, Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday admitted Russia had only itself to blame for its current economic slowdown, saying the energy-rich country had to find new factors to dynamise its sluggish growth. With the budget now in need of new sources of income, Putin proposed that Russian offshore companies should be obliged to pay taxes into the Russian treasury. In his annual state of the nation address, which came amid an economic slump which the government predicts will see growth of just 1.4% this year, Putin departed from the usual rhetoric of blaming outside cyclical factors for economic trouble. Yes of course, we are experiencing the consequences of the economic crisis. But we need to say frankly that the main consequences for the slowdown in growth are not of external but internal character, he said inside the Kremlin. Analysts have said that Putins failure to reform the economy during his dominance of Russia has left the economy facing low growth in the next few years as it remains reliant on energy exports. On a key indicator like labour productivity, we lag behind leading countries by two or three times. We need to overcome this gap, Putin said. We need to activate new factors of development, he said.

India toughens insider trading rules

n Reuters
Indias financial market regulator unveiled new proposals on Wednesday, broadening the scope of who can be held liable for insider trading violations, as it steps up its fight against securities fraud. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) plans to include company employees, directors and their immediate relatives and other stakeholders such as founders, handling market sensitive information under its purview. Under current rules only senior executives are liable for trading violations. SEBI has long sought greater powers to investigate securities fraud, which many analysts say is undermining confidence in the stock market, particularly among retail investors. In May Indias Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urged SEBI to root out the disease of insider trading from stock markets. Officials with access to sensitive information will also be required to submit planned trades in company shares ahead of time to resolve any potential conflict of interest. The new proposals also mandate that every listed company and market intermediary formulate a code of conduct to regulate, monitor and report trading in securities by its employees or connected persons. Trades by stakeholders, employees, directors and their immediate relatives would need to be disclosed internally to the company. JN Gupta, a former SEBI executive director who now runs proxy advisory firm Stakeholders Empowerment Services, said the new proposals could be effective in curbing insider trading. There was always a problem in defining an insider, which was a loophole people used exploit to go scot-free because they would not come into the narrow definition of insider, he said. SEBIs previous attempts at tackling insider trading have often ended up in long-drawn litigation or have been settled for relatively small fines without yielding any criminal conviction. Earlier this year Indias government extended SEBIs powers, allowing it to monitor investors records of phone calls, but not the calls themselves, and conduct searches at companies suspected of wrongdoing. Last month SEBI said it would empower the countrys exchanges to enforce rules on corporate disclosures at listed companies. As usual the challenge will remain in enforcing those regulations, said Gupta at Stakeholders Empowerment. In that regard SEBIs new powers to track telephone records will help up to a certain extent. l

Russias President Vladimir Putin speaks during his annual state of the nation address at the Kremlin in Moscow yesterday REUTERS Putin complained that according to experts estimates last year $111bn in Russian goods - one fifth of its exports - and half of Russias $50bn of investment abroad had gone through offshores. He said that in the future, companies with Russian owners but registered abroad would have to pay taxes into the Russian budget and the government would have to create a system to implement this. You want to have an offshore, you are welcome. But pay the money here, Putin warned. Russian companies are notorious for their practice of registering abroad and using tax havens like Cyprus to avoid taxes at home. l

Europe no longer the bane of US corporate profits

n Reuters
Europe, long a scapegoat for weak earnings at US multinational companies, is now looking like a more dependable source of profits, and that could make some stocks that have lagged this years rally more enticing to investors. Big players in the technology sector, which has the highest exposure to Europe, are among those best positioned for a boost to the bottom line from the regions gradual recovery. On a price-to-earnings basis, tech as a group is nearly 8% cheaper than the benchmark S&P 500 index, now at its most expensive since late 2008, suggesting some tech stocks may have room to catch up. Tech names with some of the highest exposure to Europe, based on Bank of America Merrill Lynch data, have mostly underperformed this year. IBM is down 8.5% on the year, while Oracle, is up just 3.7%. Both derive at least 32% of their sales from Europe. Meanwhile the S&P 500 is up 25%. Energy, which also has high exposure to Europe, lags the S&P 500s gains as well. The euro zone, a source of weak sales for S&P 500 companies for several quarters, emerged from its recession earlier this year. If its recovery persists, the region could help US earnings get off their own path of lackluster growth. Its important for investors to realize Europe doesnt have to be a hole anymore in earnings, said Joseph Quinlan, managing director and chief market strategist at US Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management in New York. Even a little growth in Europe is going to go a long way to help boost the profitability of US multinationals. To be sure, a rebound in Europe is expected to be slow and spotty, much like the US recovery, and many argue optimism about the improvement is premature. While the European Commission has forecast 1.1% GDP growth in 2014 after a 0.4% contraction this year, the European Central Bank last month surprised investors by cutting interest rates to help spur its tepid growth. Relative enterprise valuation data on companies with the most foreign exposure are trading close to their steepest discount to more domestically oriented names in the last decade, BAML data showed, while its global fund manager survey showed managers are overweight US and US-centric stocks and underweight more foreign-exposed ones. The tech sectors forward PE is 14.1 times expected earnings, among the lowest of the 10 S&P sectors, Thomson Reuters StarMine data shows. The PE for energy, which has the third-largest exposure to Europe after materials, is 13.1, lowest of any sector. Meanwhile, one of the least-exposed sectors to Europe, consumer discretionary, sports a multiple of 18.2. The overall S&P 500 is trading at 15.3 times forward 12-month earnings, the most expensive it has been by that measure since the fourth quarter of 2008. Within tech, IBMs PE is 9.9, and Oracles is 11.7. Hewlett-Packards forward PE is 7.5, expanding from around 4 in January, as its stock is up nearly 90% this year. As a region, Europe accounts for the biggest part of overseas sales for U.S. companies, representing about 10% of S&P 500 company sales, S&P data shows. I would say theres still upside in these global cyclical companies, Quinlan said. Theres room to put money to work still. Results from US companies generating the bulk of sales overseas turned the corner in the third quarter, and fourth-quarter results for that group are expected to improve more, thanks largely to Europe, according to Mizuho Securities USA. l

ANALYSIS

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013

EU nations agree rules on bank bailouts

n AFP, Strasbourg
EU nations agreed new rules for bank bailouts or bail-ins late Wednesday, to save taxpayers from paying for the rescue of ailing financial institutions, an official said. Big step tonight, EU Commissioner Michel Barnier wrote on Twitter. Taxpayers (are) no longer in front line to pay for banks mistakes, he added. Banks will have to put money aside for rainy days. We are learning lessons of crisis, he said after the agreement was reached by representatives of the European Parliament, the European Council - the EUs executive arm - and the 28 member states. The aim is to make European banks stronger so that they can lend to the real economy, he added. This is a fundamental step towards the completion of the Banking Union, Barnier said in a separate statement. The new system will take effect from 2016. The bail-in will primarily require important hits to be taken by shareholders and bond holders of a financial institution in trouble.

We now have a strong bail-in system which sends a clear message that bank shareholders and creditors will be the ones to bear the losses on rainy days, not taxpayers
Small depositors will be explicitly excluded from incurring any costs but depositors with more than 100,000 euros ($137,000) could be affected, though lastly under a pre-defined hierarchy, the European parliament said in a statement. For each member state a fund will be established which will come to the aid of banks in order to help them recover or to wind them down. These funds will be built up through bank contributions and by 2025 should reach the level of one percent of the covered deposits of the banks in that country.

All banks will have to contribute but those contributions will be bigger for the banks that take the bigger risks, said Barnier. However the deal does not exclude the possibility of public money being used in exceptional circumstances, the parliamentary statement said. Welcoming the deal, Gunnar Hoekmark, who steered the legislation through the European parliament, said: We now have a strong bail-in system which sends a clear message that bank shareholders and creditors will be the ones to bear the losses on rainy days, not taxpayers. The deal must still be finalised on a technical level and will then need official approval by the EU member states and parliament. The new directive will eventually dovetail with the EUs Banking Union, which is currently being hammered out but will only apply to countries that use the common euro currency and others that choose to participate. All countries now accept the principle that if banks get into difficulty, then it will not be

the taxpayer but investors and creditors that bear the costs. But differences remain as to how to put that into practice. EU ministerial talks in Brussels on Tuesday focused on a so-called Single Resolution Mechanism (SRM) that would step in to close a bank at risk before it could do too much damage to the wider economy. The SRM would have a pot of cash at its disposal - funded eventually by the banks themselves - to cover the cost involved so the taxpayer does not have to pick up the bill. The SRM would follow an already agreed Single Supervisory Mechanism that the European Central Bank will run to oversee the top 130 or so eurozone banks directly, and thousands more indirectly via national authorities. While all agree in principle, the political issues are fraught since the new system would effectively hand control of national banks to the EU. Those talks will resume at ministerial level next week with hopes for agreement by the end of the month. l

Amount of dirty money leaving developing world jumped 14% in 2011

n Reuters, Washington
Developing countries lost nearly $1tn to fraud, corruption and shady business transactions in 2011, vastly outpacing the foreign aid they received and the pace of dirty money leaving emerging nations is accelerating, a new report found. Illicit finance leaving the 150 developing countries totaled $946.7bn in 2011, up 13.7% from the prior year and the largest amount in a decade, according to Global Financial Integrity, the Washington-based group that exposes financial corruption. This means that for every $1 in economic development assistance going into a developing country, $10 are lost via these illicit outflows. As the world economy sputters along in the wake of the global financial crisis, the illicit underworld is thriving - siphoning more and more money from developing countries each year, said GFI President Raymond Baker. The issue has caught the attention of G20 global leaders, who are struggling to repair their economies after the 2008-2009 recession and face a widening gap between rich and poor citizens. They are cracking down on tax evasion and the corporate structures used to launder money and hide criminal wealth. The Middle East and North Africa saw the most rapid increase in dirty money, which is the proceeds from illicit business, crime and corruption. Illicit outflows rose 31.5% between 2002 and 2011, the decade leading up to the Arab Spring uprisings during which a rallying cry was fighting corruption in the regimes. It was followed by sub-Saharan Africa, up 20.2% in the decade ended 2011, the latest ey, is the most popular method accounting for over 79% of the illicit flows, according to GFIs calculations. The researchers also looked at balance of payments data to analyze how much money flows into a country through portfolio investment, foreign direct investment, aid and loans etcetera, and how that money is used. Abnormally large discrepancies point to illicit capital flight, separate from the trade misinvoicing route. In this regard, Russia has the biggest problem, GFI said. It was the top exporter of illegal capital in 2011, losing $191.14bn, followed by China at $151.35bn and India at $84.93bn. Global policymakers are ramping up their efforts to crack down on money laundering and illicit financial flows. The G20 summit of the worlds leading economies in September for the first time agreed to automatically exchange tax information starting at the end of 2015 as a way to capture tax dodgers and transfer of illegal money. They also are tackling shell companies, a popular tool for money laundering since they allow the true owner of the corporate assets to remain anonymous. The G8, biggest industrial nations, in June agreed anonymous shell companies are an international problem, and Prime Minister David Cameron last month announced the United Kingdom will create a central public registry of the beneficial owners of phantom firms registered there. Meanwhile, a panel of world leaders has recommended that the United Nations make curtailment of illicit financial flows an explicit goal of the anti-poverty agenda when the UN sets new global development targets from 2015 onwards. l

Chinese Yuan bank notes are seen in a vendors cash sack at a market in Beijing period for which data are available. Asia lost the largest amount of money accounting for 40% of the $5.9tn of illicit financial outflows from the developing world in the 10-year period, and the vast bulk of that came from China at $1.08tn, GFI said. But when outflows are measured as a percentage of annual growth, sub-Saharan Africa faces the biggest problem. GFI said 5.7% of its Gross Domestic Product left each year on average over the decade, compared with 4% globally. Nigeria topped the list at $142.3bn, followed by South Africa at $100.7bn. The evidence continues to mount - illicit financial flows have a devastating impact on

REUTERS

economic development and stability in Africa, said Dev Kar, GFIs chief economist. The research tracks illegal money flowing out of 150 developing countries, using trade and balance of payments reports filed with the International Monetary Fund. Illicit flows cannot be precisely measured, since by their nature they are hidden but GFIs data provides an approximation. It updated its methodology this year to include re-exporting through Hong Kong and different types of trade data. Trade misinvoicing, whereby exports and imports are booked at different values to avoid taxes or to hide large transfers of mon-

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10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Share
DSE Gainer Purabi G Insu.-A Apex Foods-A Midas Financing-Z Dulamia CottonZ Envoy Textiles Ltd-N C% 9.84 9.82 9.59 9.52 8.94 A% 8.81 9.27 9.82 9.24 5.27 34.92 57.05

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013

DSEBroadIndex:4299.580.79%,Turnover:5636.54M.Tk21.27%,PE:13.17 Turnover6,337.27MTk.21.69% 12December2013 MarketCap.2,069.18BTk.0.74% CSEAllShareIndex:133490.88%,Turnover:700.73MTk.24.89%,PE:12.97

TO (Value) DSE Index
4500 4450 4400 4350 4300 4250 4200 4150 4100 4050 4000

Combined Turnover Leader Envoy Textiles Ltd-N Delta Life Insu. -A Generation Next Fashions-A Golden Son -A Delta SpinnersA

Vol. 7454240 756200 5765040 3426461 3643000

TO M. Tk. 440.97 212.43 201.30 195.47 145.61

% of TTL 6.96 3.35 3.18 3.08 2.30

Avg. P 59.16 280.91

CP 26.80 105.10 32.00 9.20 60.90

DSE Loser Rahima Food -A Fine Foods-A Kay & Que (BD) -Z Hakkani P& Paper-B Meghna Con. Milk-B

C% -8.97 -8.75 -8.70 -8.29 -7.32

A% -13.18 -7.23 -8.13 -4.19 -4.77

CP 76.10 24.00 18.90 39.80 7.60

1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0

TO (Value) CSE Index

14000 13800 13600 13400 13200 13000 12800 12600 12400 12200

CompanyCode | EPS | BV | Volume Traded (Share) DSE/CSE: ClosePrice / Chn % | Avg.Price | Hi / Lo

17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28

1 2 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12

39.97

17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12

BANK ABBANK | 2.95 | 32.60 | Vol. 673667 D: 26.90 0.37% | 26.96 | 28.00 / 24.70 C: 27.00 1.10% | 27.05 | 27.20 / 26.90 CITYBANK | 1.15 | 25.97 | Vol. 546847 D: 20.70 2.36% | 20.91 | 22.00 / 19.90 C: 20.70 2.36% | 20.73 | 21.00 / 20.50 IFIC | 1.10 | 18.34 | Vol. 1155697 D: 33.60 2.33% | 33.99 | 35.50 / 32.00 C: 33.90 2.02% | 34.14 | 34.70 / 33.70 ISLAMIBANK | 3.78 | 27.16 | Vol. 396104 D: 34.90 0.57% | 35.03 | 35.30 / 32.00 C: 35.30 0.57% | 34.99 | 35.30 / 34.90 NBL | 1.05 | 15.76 | Vol. 1723649 D: 12.10 0.82% | 12.15 | 13.00 / 11.40 C: 12.10 1.63% | 12.15 | 12.30 / 12.10 PUBALIBANK | 1.92 | 21.18 | Vol. 135718 D: 32.40 0.31% | 32.30 | 32.70 / 29.50 C: 32.30 0.00% | 32.21 | 32.80 / 32.00 RUPALIBANK | 6.70 | 64.27 | Vol. 31000 D: 65.70 0.00% | 66.00 | 67.90 / 64.00 C: 65.80 1.79% | 65.87 | 66.50 / 65.50 UCBL | 1.90 | 21.72 | Vol. 2522533 D: 24.80 1.20% | 24.92 | 26.00 / 23.00 C: 24.70 1.59% | 24.86 | 25.20 / 24.70 UTTARABANK | 3.42 | 26.97 | Vol. 321785 D: 31.50 0.94% | 31.73 | 33.00 / 30.00 C: 31.70 0.31% | 31.71 | 31.90 / 31.50 ICBIBANK | -1.60 | -13.03 | Vol. 601000 D: 6.40 3.03% | 6.45 | 6.60 / 6.30 EBL | 3.91 | 28.22 | Vol. 125796 D: 28.50 0.35% | 28.41 | 29.00 / 26.00 ALARABANK | 2.03 | 14.91 | Vol. 1635545 D: 19.60 2.49% | 19.67 | 21.50 / 18.40 C: 19.60 2.97% | 19.68 | 20.20 / 19.50 PRIMEBANK | 2.89 | 22.40 | Vol. 66983 D: 23.60 1.67% | 23.62 | 24.50 / 22.00 C: 23.80 1.65% | 23.78 | 24.00 / 23.60 SOUTHEASTB | 1.89 | 22.66 | Vol. 924474 D: 18.30 0.54% | 18.37 | 19.00 / 17.00 C: 18.30 1.08% | 18.19 | 18.50 / 17.00 DHAKABANK | 1.46 | 18.08 | Vol. 155102 D: 19.00 1.55% | 19.03 | 20.00 / 18.00 C: 19.00 1.04% | 19.02 | 19.20 / 18.00 NCCBANK | 1.90 | 15.88 | Vol. 1040308 D: 13.50 1.46% | 13.63 | 14.00 / 12.50 C: 13.60 1.45% | 13.60 | 13.80 / 13.50 SIBL | 2.05 | 14.47 | Vol. 786368 D: 13.40 0.00% | 13.46 | 13.60 / 12.30 C: 13.40 0.74% | 13.47 | 13.70 / 13.00 DUTCHBANGL | 11.57 | 54.27 | Vol. 71500 D: 98.70 0.90% | 97.96 | 100.9 / 97.00 C: 100.3 6.26% | 100.25 | 100.5 / 100.0 MTBL | 1.17 | 17.27 | Vol. 143968 D: 16.40 1.23% | 16.30 | 16.50 / 15.00 C: 16.10 3.01% | 15.93 | 16.50 / 15.50 STANDBANKL | 2.33 | 14.41 | Vol. 487664 D: 15.00 0.66% | 15.06 | 16.00 / 14.00 C: 15.00 1.32% | 15.05 | 15.20 / 15.00 ONEBANKLTD | 2.35 | 15.34 | Vol. 1132783 D: 16.40 1.20% | 16.49 | 17.00 / 15.00 C: 16.70 0.00% | 16.51 | 16.90 / 15.20 BANKASIA | 1.35 | 20.80 | Vol. 334452 D: 19.40 0.52% | 19.39 | 19.50 / 18.80 C: 19.10 1.04% | 18.97 | 19.20 / 18.80 MERCANBANK | 2.07 | 16.59 | Vol. 2891124 D: 16.40 0.00% | 16.32 | 17.00 / 15.50 C: 16.30 1.21% | 16.35 | 16.60 / 15.00 EXIMBANK | 1.80 | 14.31 | Vol. 644213 D: 12.60 0.79% | 12.63 | 13.20 / 11.50 C: 12.70 0.00% | 12.64 | 12.90 / 12.40 JAMUNABANK | 2.47 | 18.56 | Vol. 118080 D: 16.40 0.61% | 16.45 | 16.60 / 15.00 C: 16.40 0.61% | 16.31 | 16.50 / 16.20 BRACBANK | 1.51 | 24.87 | Vol. 212863 D: 31.30 1.88% | 31.27 | 32.50 / 30.00 C: 31.00 1.59% | 31.04 | 31.40 / 30.90 SHAHJABANK | 2.61 | 14.47 | Vol. 816140 D: 17.10 0.00% | 17.04 | 18.00 / 15.50 C: 17.20 0.00% | 17.08 | 17.30 / 17.00 PREMIERBAN | 1.18 | 13.95 | Vol. 600135 D: 11.60 0.00% | 11.66 | 12.00 / 10.50 C: 11.60 0.85% | 11.57 | 11.70 / 11.40 TRUSTBANK | 0.50 | 18.00 | Vol. 684134 D: 21.60 0.00% | 21.60 | 22.50 / 19.60 C: 21.60 1.37% | 21.51 | 22.00 / 21.10

FIRSTSBANK | 1.85 | 13.89 | Vol. 717259 D: 15.50 1.27% | 15.56 | 16.00 / 14.50 C: 15.50 1.27% | 15.50 | 15.70 / 15.30 NON BANKING F I IDLC | 4.43 | 29.18 | Vol. 136348 D: 61.70 0.64% | 61.42 | 62.50 / 56.00 C: 61.40 1.60% | 61.42 | 62.00 / 61.00 ULC | 1.80 | 14.90 | Vol. 222955 D: 28.80 2.70% | 29.06 | 29.90 / 28.00 UTTARAFIN | 7.16 | 41.54 | Vol. 99656 D: 79.50 2.33% | 80.00 | 82.00 / 76.00 C: 79.50 1.61% | 79.74 | 80.20 / 79.20 MIDASFIN | 0.16 | 10.21 | Vol. 41000 D: 32.00 9.59% | 31.97 | 32.10 / 31.80 C: 31.90 10.00% | 31.88 | 31.90 / 31.80 FLEASEINT | 2.34 | 13.93 | Vol. 1104137 D: 30.80 3.45% | 31.08 | 32.00 / 29.00 C: 31.00 3.43% | 31.08 | 31.90 / 30.60 PLFSL | 1.37 | 17.48 | Vol. 802116 D: 24.20 1.22% | 24.35 | 26.00 / 22.10 C: 24.00 2.04% | 24.18 | 24.70 / 23.80 PRIMEFIN | 0.87 | 17.88 | Vol. 334033 D: 24.90 3.11% | 25.02 | 25.80 / 24.00 C: 25.00 2.34% | 24.89 | 26.30 / 24.60 PREMIERLEA | 0.10 | 11.37 | Vol. 199525 D: 10.20 0.97% | 10.31 | 10.90 / 10.00 C: 10.10 1.94% | 10.24 | 10.40 / 10.10 ISLAMICFIN | 1.03 | 15.48 | Vol. 401624 D: 17.00 1.73% | 17.10 | 17.50 / 16.80 C: 17.00 2.86% | 17.07 | 17.50 / 16.90 LANKABAFIN | 1.61 | 31.07 | Vol. 1232054 D: 59.90 0.99% | 59.38 | 60.50 / 55.00 C: 59.80 1.16% | 59.40 | 60.40 / 58.20 BIFC | 0.15 | 18.58 | Vol. 268000 D: 17.00 4.49% | 17.41 | 18.00 / 16.90 C: 17.60 2.22% | 17.37 | 17.80 / 17.00 IPDC | 1.23 | 19.43 | Vol. 81500 D: 18.80 1.05% | 18.83 | 19.10 / 18.60 C: 18.50 1.60% | 18.48 | 18.60 / 18.40 UNIONCAP | 0.54 | 17.85 | Vol. 153097 D: 29.60 1.72% | 29.22 | 30.20 / 27.00 C: 28.60 3.05% | 29.21 | 29.50 / 28.40 BDFINANCE | 0.57 | 14.77 | Vol. 224380 D: 19.00 2.56% | 19.12 | 19.50 / 18.50 C: 19.10 3.05% | 19.18 | 19.50 / 19.00 ILFSL | 0.35 | 12.19 | Vol. 664095 D: 15.10 3.21% | 15.41 | 15.90 / 15.00 C: 15.20 3.18% | 15.36 | 16.00 / 15.00 PHOENIXFIN | 2.46 | 19.39 | Vol. 327000 D: 33.00 2.65% | 33.21 | 34.10 / 32.80 C: 33.00 2.94% | 33.08 | 33.30 / 33.00 FASFIN | 0.19 | 13.56 | Vol. 1344540 D: 15.30 1.92% | 15.39 | 16.20 / 14.80 C: 15.30 3.16% | 15.32 | 16.20 / 14.70 DBH | 4.47 | 21.27 | Vol. 112526 D: 53.20 3.97% | 53.82 | 55.00 / 50.00 C: 54.10 4.25% | 54.73 | 56.00 / 54.00 NHFIL | 0.57 | 12.70 | Vol. 365000 D: 30.20 1.31% | 30.55 | 31.40 / 30.10 C: 30.30 1.94% | 30.37 | 31.00 / 29.80 BAYLEASING | 0.72 | 25.55 | Vol. 292384 D: 29.40 2.00% | 29.52 | 30.40 / 27.00 C: 29.00 3.33% | 29.20 | 30.00 / 28.90 ICB | 89.23 | 607.74 | Vol. 4475 D: 1528 0.26% | 1527 | 1550 / 1500 C: 1520 1.94% | 1520 | 1520 / 1520 GSPFINANCE | 1.63 | 22.23 | Vol. 554192 D: 28.70 1.71% | 28.63 | 30.40 / 26.50 C: 28.10 2.09% | 28.39 | 29.00 / 26.90 FAREASTFIN | 0.68 | 13.64 | Vol. 6753500 D: 18.20 8.33% | 17.99 | 18.40 / 17.20 C: 18.30 7.65% | 17.87 | 18.50 / 16.40 INVESTMENT 1STICB | 75.63 | 942.30 | Vol. 50 D: 841.0 4.21% | 841.00 | 841.0 / 841.0 2NDICB | 44.10 | 253.11 | Vol. 100 D: 250.1 4.29% | 250.00 | 250.2 / 250.1 4THICB | 29.24 | 229.24 | Vol. 500 D: 190.0 1.88% | 190.00 | 190.0 / 190.0 5THICB | 23.45 | 188.92 | Vol. 200 D: 150.0 1.64% | 150.00 | 150.0 / 150.0 6THICB | 10.99 | 60.14 | Vol. 16100 D: 53.00 0.57% | 52.98 | 53.50 / 51.50 8THICB | 12.47 | 70.07 | Vol. 1500 D: 52.90 0.38% | 52.67 | 53.00 / 52.90

AIMS1STMF | 3.02 | 15.70 | Vol. 1239500 D: 40.90 3.02% | 40.32 | 41.50 / 39.50 C: 41.00 2.76% | 40.31 | 41.80 / 39.50 ICBISLAMIC | 2.21 | 26.81 | Vol. 12000 D: 18.20 0.55% | 18.25 | 18.30 / 18.10 GRAMEEN1 | 6.26 | 33.23 | Vol. 497000 D: 44.60 0.67% | 44.57 | 45.40 / 44.00 C: 44.40 1.77% | 44.24 | 44.80 / 43.80 ICB1STNRB | 4.06 | 35.31 | Vol. 23500 D: 25.30 1.56% | 25.30 | 25.30 / 25.30 ICB2NDNRB | 2.49 | 16.24 | Vol. 143000 D: 9.90 0.00% | 9.92 | 10.00 / 9.80 C: 9.90 1.00% | 9.90 | 9.90 / 9.90 GRAMEENS2 | 2.17 | 16.41 | Vol. 1373600 D: 16.90 1.74% | 17.02 | 17.40 / 16.70 C: 17.00 1.73% | 17.08 | 17.50 / 16.70 1STPRIMFMF | 0.64 | 11.63 | Vol. 1884000 D: 24.60 2.77% | 24.95 | 25.90 / 24.30 C: 24.60 3.53% | 24.71 | 25.30 / 24.20 EBL1STMF | 0.55 | 12.62 | Vol. 227848 D: 7.00 1.41% | 7.10 | 7.20 / 6.40 C: 7.00 1.41% | 7.04 | 7.20 / 7.00 ICBAMCL2ND | 0.60 | 12.12 | Vol. 115000 D: 5.80 1.69% | 5.90 | 6.00 / 5.80 C: 6.00 0.00% | 6.00 | 6.00 / 6.00 ICBEPMF1S1 | 0.52 | 11.32 | Vol. 115500 D: 6.00 1.64% | 6.03 | 6.10 / 6.00 C: 6.10 1.61% | 6.14 | 6.20 / 6.10 TRUSTB1MF | 0.75 | 11.65 | Vol. 348303 D: 7.40 0.00% | 7.43 | 7.50 / 7.40 C: 7.50 1.32% | 7.49 | 7.80 / 7.40 PRIME1ICBA | 0.42 | 11.18 | Vol. 664500 D: 6.10 1.67% | 6.17 | 6.30 / 5.80 C: 6.10 3.39% | 6.04 | 6.10 / 6.00 DBH1STMF | -1.12 | 10.15 | Vol. 135500 D: 5.80 1.69% | 5.83 | 6.00 / 5.80 C: 5.70 5.00% | 5.78 | 5.90 / 5.70 IFIC1STMF | 0.83 | 11.88 | Vol. 749410 D: 6.60 1.49% | 6.61 | 6.80 / 6.60 C: 6.60 1.49% | 6.63 | 6.70 / 6.60 PF1STMF | 0.51 | 11.11 | Vol. 264000 D: 5.70 0.00% | 5.71 | 5.90 / 5.60 C: 5.70 1.72% | 5.70 | 5.70 / 5.70 ICB3RDNRB | 0.00 | 10.60 | Vol. 218500 D: 5.30 1.85% | 5.39 | 5.50 / 5.30 C: 5.40 0.00% | 5.40 | 5.40 / 5.40 1JANATAMF | 0.78 | 10.68 | Vol. 262500 D: 6.10 3.17% | 6.16 | 6.40 / 6.10 C: 6.10 1.61% | 6.15 | 6.30 / 5.90 GREENDELMF | -0.82 | 9.72 | Vol. 210500 D: 5.30 3.64% | 5.40 | 5.50 / 5.30 C: 5.40 1.82% | 5.42 | 5.50 / 5.40 POPULAR1MF | 0.77 | 11.38 | Vol. 335499 D: 6.20 0.00% | 6.19 | 6.30 / 5.80 C: 6.20 0.00% | 6.18 | 6.20 / 6.10 IFILISLMF1 | 0.00 | 10.45 | Vol. 160500 D: 5.80 1.69% | 5.87 | 5.90 / 5.80 C: 5.80 0.00% | 5.80 | 5.80 / 5.80 PHPMF1 | 0.63 | 10.92 | Vol. 610000 D: 5.70 0.00% | 5.71 | 5.80 / 5.60 C: 5.70 1.72% | 5.70 | 5.80 / 5.60 AIBL1STIMF | -0.07 | 9.25 | Vol. 18000 D: 7.10 1.43% | 7.11 | 7.30 / 7.00 MBL1STMF | -0.16 | 9.08 | Vol. 83000 D: 6.20 0.00% | 6.26 | 6.50 / 6.20 C: 6.20 1.59% | 6.20 | 6.20 / 6.20 SEBL1STMF | 0.94 | 11.85 | Vol. 436350 D: 8.10 1.22% | 8.14 | 8.30 / 7.50 C: 8.10 2.41% | 8.08 | 8.20 / 8.00 EBLNRBMF | 1.07 | 10.88 | Vol. 211500 D: 7.80 8.33% | 7.57 | 7.90 / 7.30 RELIANCE1 | 0.95 | 10.33 | Vol. 436500 D: 8.60 1.15% | 8.65 | 8.80 / 8.60 C: 8.80 2.22% | 8.80 | 8.90 / 8.70 LRGLOBMF1 | 0.45 | 10.78 | Vol. 182500 D: 6.80 1.49% | 6.74 | 6.90 / 6.60 ABB1STMF | 0.92 | 10.63 | Vol. 271000 D: 7.20 0.00% | 7.24 | 7.40 / 7.20 C: 7.10 1.39% | 7.10 | 7.10 / 7.10 NLI1STMF | 1.17 | 12.22 | Vol. 758500 D: 9.20 1.08% | 9.31 | 9.50 / 9.20 C: 9.30 0.00% | 9.12 | 9.40 / 9.00 FBFIF | 1.30 | 10.27 | Vol. 6000 D: 9.20 8.24% | 9.17 | 9.30 / 9.10 NCCBLMF1 | 1.16 | 10.48 | Vol. 32500 D: 8.30 1.22% | 8.40 | 8.40 / 8.30 ICBSONALI1 | 0.00 | 10.39 | Vol. 271000 D: 7.90 2.47% | 8.00 | 8.20 / 7.90 C: 8.00 1.23% | 7.98 | 8.20 / 7.90

EXIM1STMF | 0.00 | 10.91 | Vol. 500 D: 7.70 1.28% | 7.70 | 7.70 / 7.70 ENGINEERING AFTABAUTO | 3.60 | 50.81 | Vol. 483096 D: 91.60 1.51% | 92.16 | 93.80 / 89.00 C: 92.00 1.08% | 92.23 | 94.30 / 91.00 AZIZPIPES | 0.39 | -42.04 | Vol. 29700 D: 21.90 0.46% | 22.27 | 23.00 / 21.40 C: 23.50 4.44% | 23.08 | 23.60 / 22.00 OLYMPIC | 5.23 | 14.73 | Vol. 152000 D: 153.3 0.26% | 153.33 | 155.0 / 152.5 C: 153.2 1.16% | 153.33 | 156.4 / 152.5 BDLAMPS | -5.31 | 37.07 | Vol. 15250 D: 130.8 1.51% | 131.62 | 134.0 / 129.1 C: 135.2 1.89% | 133.13 | 136.0 / 132.1 ECABLES | 6.10 | 23.97 | Vol. 39200 D: 93.80 4.38% | 95.11 | 102.0 / 93.00 C: 91.00 0.78% | 90.10 | 96.00 / 85.30 MONNOSTAF | 5.31 | 44.78 | Vol. 3050 D: 307.9 2.50% | 307.87 | 311.9 / 304.0 SINGERBD | 9.99 | 45.74 | Vol. 61025 D: 195.4 0.05% | 195.40 | 196.5 / 194.0 C: 194.2 0.41% | 194.58 | 196.9 / 193.0 ATLASBANG | 9.14 | 222.05 | Vol. 18300 D: 159.5 1.12% | 160.27 | 161.3 / 159.0 BDAUTOCA | -0.43 | 5.68 | Vol. 69550 D: 35.00 4.89% | 35.49 | 37.00 / 34.10 QSMDRYCELL | 1.06 | 52.31 | Vol. 661335 D: 37.90 2.07% | 38.51 | 39.60 / 35.00 C: 37.80 3.32% | 38.26 | 39.00 / 36.00 RENWICKJA | 5.77 | -31.13 | Vol. 7550 D: 143.8 0.96% | 144.24 | 147.3 / 142.1 NTLTUBES | 0.67 | 311.00 | Vol. 38896 D: 74.10 0.80% | 74.10 | 75.40 / 68.00 BDTHAI | 0.43 | 39.35 | Vol. 734363 D: 31.20 4.88% | 31.52 | 33.50 / 30.80 C: 31.60 3.36% | 31.64 | 33.20 / 30.90 ANWARGALV | 0.52 | 8.10 | Vol. 295500 D: 29.40 6.96% | 29.87 | 32.00 / 28.70 C: 30.20 5.03% | 30.09 | 31.30 / 28.70 KAY&QUE | -3.89 | 6.03 | Vol. 47075 D: 18.90 8.70% | 19.09 | 20.70 / 18.70 C: 19.30 8.10% | 19.33 | 19.70 / 19.00 RANFOUNDRY | 2.84 | 18.62 | Vol. 46500 D: 93.80 2.90% | 94.26 | 96.00 / 93.00 SALAMCRST | 3.31 | 20.00 | Vol. 594950 D: 44.90 3.02% | 45.36 | 46.70 / 43.00 C: 45.00 3.23% | 45.05 | 46.00 / 44.00 GOLDENSON | 3.70 | 28.70 | Vol. 3426461 D: 57.00 0.52% | 57.04 | 58.60 / 52.00 C: 57.40 0.52% | 57.19 | 58.70 / 55.70 BSRMSTEEL | 3.06 | 19.53 | Vol. 230824 D: 71.00 1.39% | 71.35 | 72.50 / 68.00 C: 71.00 1.53% | 71.23 | 72.80 / 70.80 NAVANACNG | 4.09 | 27.04 | Vol. 107964 D: 65.90 2.51% | 66.34 | 67.60 / 62.00 C: 66.10 2.65% | 66.18 | 67.50 / 65.60 DESHBANDHU | 0.26 | 10.67 | Vol. 1384434 D: 21.70 6.06% | 22.11 | 23.50 / 20.80 C: 21.80 6.03% | 22.05 | 23.50 / 21.50 GPHISPAT | 2.11 | 15.27 | Vol. 489750 D: 57.30 1.04% | 57.28 | 58.00 / 53.00 C: 56.90 1.90% | 56.82 | 58.30 / 56.00 BENGALWTL | 3.85 | 24.30 | Vol. 1474000 D: 65.00 1.07% | 65.92 | 68.00 / 63.80 C: 64.50 1.98% | 65.81 | 67.80 / 62.10 BDBUILDING | 1.33 | 12.70 | Vol. 989500 D: 73.10 2.79% | 74.01 | 77.90 / 72.80 C: 72.80 3.58% | 73.89 | 76.80 / 72.00 NPOLYMAR | 2.38 | 32.89 | Vol. 127600 D: 58.80 1.67% | 59.37 | 64.80 / 58.50 C: 59.10 1.34% | 59.53 | 62.00 / 58.60 FOOD & ALLIED APEXFOODS | 2.54 | 90.81 | Vol. 276850 D: 105.1 9.82% | 104.27 | 105.2 / 95.10 C: 104.5 9.65% | 103.74 | 104.7 / 100.0 BANGAS | 7.20 | 50.27 | Vol. 45238 D: 469.4 1.69% | 471.56 | 483.9 / 430.0 C: 471.2 1.38% | 475.31 | 496.0 / 468.0 BATBC | 65.69 | 117.22 | Vol. 1400 D: 1623 0.46% | 1623 | 1640 / 1610 GEMINISEA | -15.39 | -5.70 | Vol. 1600 D: 155.4 0.19% | 155.63 | 158.5 / 152.2 NTC | 29.88 | 110.05 | Vol. 650 D: 800.0 0.74% | 800.00 | 800.0 / 800.0

ZEALBANGLA | -28.94 | -221.34 | Vol. 2800 D: 8.20 2.50% | 8.21 | 8.30 / 8.10 AMCL(PRAN) | 6.85 | 57.14 | Vol. 43400 D: 189.1 1.77% | 190.38 | 194.7 / 187.8 C: 192.1 0.16% | 190.73 | 194.7 / 189.4 SHYAMPSUG | -45.77 | -396.49 | Vol. 1700 D: 7.70 2.53% | 7.65 | 8.00 / 7.60 RAHIMAFOOD | 0.52 | 4.45 | Vol. 1439500 D: 76.10 8.97% | 76.33 | 81.80 / 75.30 C: 75.80 9.33% | 76.37 | 82.00 / 75.30 FUWANGFOOD | 0.94 | 12.28 | Vol. 945036 D: 25.50 2.30% | 25.30 | 26.20 / 24.50 C: 25.20 4.18% | 25.20 | 26.00 / 24.60 MEGHNAPET | -0.50 | -1.52 | Vol. 30000 D: 7.10 0.00% | 7.10 | 7.30 / 7.00 MEGCONMILK | -7.48 | -23.70 | Vol. 41000 D: 7.60 7.32% | 7.78 | 8.30 / 7.50 BEACHHATCH | 1.01 | 12.48 | Vol. 3991599 D: 29.50 1.01% | 29.30 | 31.00 / 27.00 C: 29.90 0.99% | 29.59 | 32.30 / 27.90 FINEFOODS | 0.05 | 10.63 | Vol. 886500 D: 24.00 8.75% | 24.38 | 25.90 / 23.70 C: 24.10 7.31% | 24.44 | 25.60 / 23.60 RDFOOD | 0.91 | 16.84 | Vol. 2057608 D: 26.70 3.61% | 26.67 | 27.80 / 25.00 C: 26.80 3.60% | 26.75 | 27.30 / 25.80 GHAIL | 2.31 | 24.36 | Vol. 2102268 D: 47.20 3.48% | 47.57 | 49.50 / 44.50 C: 47.60 3.84% | 47.98 | 49.80 / 46.70 FUEL & POWER LINDEBD | 31.71 | 144.00 | Vol. 3900 D: 623.8 0.95% | 624.10 | 630.0 / 623.0 PADMAOIL | 27.62 | 79.74 | Vol. 142332 D: 312.2 1.08% | 313.83 | 317.0 / 310.0 C: 313.2 0.95% | 313.67 | 316.5 / 311.1 EASTRNLUB | 5.33 | 71.01 | Vol. 2200 D: 312.1 0.22% | 312.73 | 335.0 / 310.1 BDWELDING | 0.33 | 16.82 | Vol. 756570 D: 23.80 4.80% | 24.08 | 25.00 / 23.00 C: 23.90 4.78% | 24.10 | 25.40 / 23.00 SUMITPOWER | 3.17 | 19.26 | Vol. 670298 D: 38.20 1.80% | 38.39 | 40.00 / 35.50 C: 38.20 1.55% | 38.24 | 38.80 / 38.00 DESCO | 2.34 | 31.27 | Vol. 183218 D: 60.20 0.82% | 61.09 | 62.50 / 60.00 C: 61.10 0.33% | 61.02 | 61.60 / 60.20 POWERGRID | 2.19 | 63.69 | Vol. 97830 D: 54.20 0.00% | 54.00 | 55.00 / 51.00 C: 53.50 0.74% | 53.53 | 53.90 / 52.60 JAMUNAOIL | 19.83 | 57.32 | Vol. 235300 D: 199.3 1.58% | 200.48 | 204.0 / 198.2 C: 199.7 1.38% | 200.64 | 204.0 / 199.1 MPETROLEUM | 21.34 | 59.26 | Vol. 229170 D: 216.1 1.64% | 217.03 | 220.0 / 210.0 C: 216.7 0.82% | 217.15 | 218.8 / 216.1 TITASGAS | 9.20 | 46.26 | Vol. 227602 D: 73.40 0.27% | 73.67 | 74.40 / 70.00 C: 73.30 0.68% | 73.51 | 75.00 / 73.10 KPCL | 4.73 | 15.86 | Vol. 299344 D: 48.80 3.56% | 49.31 | 50.80 / 47.00 C: 49.00 2.39% | 49.27 | 50.00 / 49.00 BEDL | 1.48 | 19.43 | Vol. 921064 D: 33.90 1.74% | 33.92 | 35.00 / 31.10 C: 33.80 2.03% | 34.04 | 35.80 / 33.00 MJLBD | 2.73 | 30.24 | Vol. 113333 D: 75.30 1.05% | 76.49 | 77.40 / 70.00 C: 76.00 1.30% | 76.64 | 77.70 / 75.00 GBBPOWER | 1.86 | 22.63 | Vol. 1299921 D: 30.70 1.92% | 30.82 | 33.60 / 28.20 C: 30.50 2.87% | 30.64 | 31.50 / 29.70 SPPCL | 3.81 | 23.34 | Vol. 849480 D: 62.10 1.58% | 62.32 | 64.00 / 58.00 C: 62.10 1.58% | 62.29 | 63.50 / 61.50 JUTE JUTESPINN | -48.14 | -39.89 | Vol. 7850 D: 82.10 2.15% | 82.68 | 85.00 / 82.10 NORTHERN | -9.98 | -18.22 | Vol. 9400 D: 41.80 4.50% | 42.02 | 44.00 / 41.00 TEXTILE AL-HAJTEX | 2.22 | 16.53 | Vol. 65228 D: 75.30 0.26% | 75.55 | 78.00 / 75.10 RAHIMTEXT | 4.65 | 56.68 | Vol. 3550 D: 256.8 0.12% | 256.62 | 259.9 / 256.2

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013

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PROVATIINS | 1.90 | 14.30 | Vol. 55131 D: 29.20 1.39% | 29.42 | 30.50 / 27.00 C: 29.30 0.00% | 29.30 | 29.40 / 29.20 DHAKAINS | 2.84 | 18.02 | Vol. 149000 D: 42.30 2.42% | 42.35 | 43.00 / 41.30 C: 42.50 2.91% | 42.48 | 43.10 / 42.00 LIFE INSURANCE NATLIFEINS | 12.34 | 80.99 | Vol. 120237 D: 300.2 3.66% | 297.71 | 303.8 / 275.0 C: 295.9 7.02% | 296.13 | 300.0 / 294.0 DELTALIFE | 38.53 | 189.40 | Vol. 756200 D: 281.5 3.04% | 280.83 | 288.0 / 270.2 C: 281.6 2.85% | 281.61 | 288.5 / 270.5 SANDHANINS | 2.39 | 28.22 | Vol. 118500 D: 73.70 0.41% | 74.08 | 75.90 / 73.50 C: 72.60 0.68% | 73.37 | 76.90 / 72.00 POPULARLIF | 3.70 | 715.41 | Vol. 30500 D: 220.0 1.96% | 222.26 | 233.9 / 215.0 FAREASTLIF | 9.21 | 60.79 | Vol. 66570 D: 100.4 0.60% | 101.66 | 103.8 / 97.00 C: 101.6 2.32% | 101.58 | 103.8 / 100.5 MEGHNALIFE | 10.82 | 48.87 | Vol. 381880 D: 119.3 4.10% | 118.63 | 123.0 / 115.0 C: 120.5 4.24% | 119.63 | 124.0 / 116.5 PROGRESLIF | 2.30 | 31.45 | Vol. 53040 D: 119.3 2.05% | 121.81 | 126.9 / 115.0 PRAGATILIF | 0.60 | 30.15 | Vol. 41841 D: 164.0 5.13% | 165.13 | 171.6 / 154.0 PRIMELIFE | 5.51 | 27.10 | Vol. 35689 D: 101.2 1.30% | 102.11 | 104.5 / 96.50 C: 100.9 0.90% | 101.03 | 100.9 / 100.8 RUPALILIFE | 3.75 | 31.25 | Vol. 563821 D: 132.6 4.33% | 132.68 | 138.0 / 120.0 C: 135.0 6.30% | 135.27 | 137.5 / 134.0 PADMALIFE | 1.63 | 25.76 | Vol. 452280 D: 68.20 0.29% | 69.23 | 71.40 / 64.00 C: 69.10 2.37% | 70.19 | 71.40 / 68.10 SUNLIFEINS | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 282300 D: 62.00 0.16% | 62.93 | 64.80 / 58.00 C: 62.70 1.13% | 63.01 | 64.70 / 61.80 TELECOM GP | 12.96 | 26.26 | Vol. 331400 D: 202.1 1.08% | 202.77 | 205.0 / 201.6 C: 202.2 1.08% | 202.61 | 204.5 / 201.5 BSCCL | 5.82 | 26.38 | Vol. 352663 D: 170.0 1.22% | 170.76 | 174.0 / 155.0 C: 170.0 1.33% | 171.29 | 173.6 / 169.5 TRAVEL & LEISURE UNITEDAIR | 1.10 | 12.87 | Vol. 6568244 D: 17.20 0.58% | 17.29 | 17.70 / 16.00 C: 17.10 1.72% | 17.26 | 17.60 / 17.00 UNIQUEHRL | 4.02 | 86.29 | Vol. 708030 D: 82.80 0.00% | 82.58 | 83.10 / 75.00 C: 82.60 0.36% | 82.62 | 83.50 / 82.00 MISCELLANEOUS ARAMIT | 16.07 | 99.93 | Vol. 5650 D: 328.4 2.47% | 330.09 | 339.6 / 326.3 BSC | 1.77 | 565.82 | Vol. 64905 D: 435.5 0.17% | 438.36 | 447.0 / 433.0 C: 436.5 0.39% | 439.46 | 446.0 / 433.0 GQBALLPEN | 6.55 | 250.45 | Vol. 50412 D: 146.4 0.48% | 146.89 | 148.0 / 145.6 C: 146.2 0.68% | 146.34 | 150.0 / 145.8 USMANIAGL | 3.45 | 27.20 | Vol. 205282 D: 144.9 1.61% | 143.38 | 146.0 / 135.0 C: 142.7 0.63% | 142.13 | 145.0 / 140.1 SAVAREFR | 0.14 | 10.57 | Vol. 850 D: 62.10 2.05% | 62.35 | 63.00 / 62.00 BEXIMCO | 3.24 | 86.74 | Vol. 2460437 D: 34.70 2.36% | 34.55 | 35.50 / 31.00 C: 34.90 2.65% | 34.73 | 35.50 / 30.60 SINOBANGLA | 1.75 | 21.01 | Vol. 459000 D: 24.30 6.90% | 24.93 | 26.80 / 23.90 C: 24.10 6.23% | 24.49 | 25.70 / 23.90 MIRACLEIND | 0.09 | 14.41 | Vol. 367530 D: 17.90 3.76% | 17.92 | 18.80 / 17.40 C: 17.90 3.76% | 17.87 | 19.40 / 17.50 BOND IBBLPBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 225 D: 985.0 0.05% | 986.67 | 988.0 / 974.0 ACIZCBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 524 D: 890.0 0.11% | 889.31 | 891.0 / 890.0

December 12, 2013 Sectotal Index: BANK: 37,544.85 1.01% NBFI: 21,137.70 1.73% INVS: 4,861.42 0.71% ENGG: 6,526.94 1.57% FOOD: 10,403.36 1.40% F&P: 10,199.18 1.08% TEXT: 3,785.57 1.11% PHAR: 18,281.45 0.86% PAPR: 1,224.08 6.19% SERV: 3,063.07 1.51% LEAT: 5,205.94 3.88% CERA: 547.94 2.24% CMNT: 4,341.09 0.86% INFO: 8,205.13 4.34% GINS: 9,325.63 0.34% LINS: 126,850.10 2.92% TELC: 1,338.57 1.13% MISC: 6,556.72 0.94%
SAIHAMTEX | 2.75 | 29.50 | Vol. 1351600 D: 30.70 2.54% | 30.87 | 32.00 / 29.80 C: 30.70 1.60% | 30.89 | 32.20 / 29.60 MODERNDYE | 0.91 | 10.37 | Vol. 700 D: 98.40 1.20% | 98.57 | 103.0 / 93.50 DSHGARME | 0.88 | 12.12 | Vol. 52400 D: 69.10 4.29% | 70.11 | 72.80 / 68.50 DULAMIACOT | -1.90 | -29.70 | Vol. 31200 D: 9.20 9.52% | 9.10 | 9.20 / 8.70 TALLUSPIN | 1.75 | 16.17 | Vol. 1766369 D: 37.80 2.33% | 38.24 | 39.20 / 36.00 C: 37.90 2.32% | 38.47 | 39.40 / 37.60 APEXSPINN | 2.01 | 49.32 | Vol. 17000 D: 73.20 0.83% | 73.71 | 75.60 / 72.40 MITHUNKNIT | 2.87 | 20.53 | Vol. 116128 D: 78.70 2.24% | 79.94 | 83.80 / 77.30 C: 79.00 2.71% | 79.87 | 81.00 / 78.00 DELTASPINN | 3.06 | 26.84 | Vol. 3643000 D: 40.50 0.75% | 39.96 | 42.50 / 38.00 C: 40.90 2.00% | 40.08 | 42.90 / 37.60 SONARGAON | 0.27 | 34.50 | Vol. 421000 D: 20.40 5.99% | 20.52 | 21.80 / 20.00 C: 20.50 5.53% | 20.63 | 21.30 / 20.00 PRIMETEX | 1.21 | 59.34 | Vol. 387000 D: 27.00 3.57% | 27.18 | 28.70 / 26.50 C: 26.70 5.65% | 26.92 | 27.50 / 26.00 ALLTEX | -1.26 | 8.10 | Vol. 205000 D: 7.50 1.32% | 7.62 | 7.80 / 7.50 C: 7.60 1.30% | 7.74 | 7.90 / 7.50 ANLIMAYARN | 1.36 | 11.99 | Vol. 234500 D: 28.70 4.01% | 29.22 | 30.20 / 28.30 C: 28.80 4.95% | 29.05 | 30.30 / 28.30 HRTEX | 2.08 | 14.92 | Vol. 479000 D: 45.40 1.30% | 45.01 | 46.40 / 43.30 C: 45.30 1.95% | 44.86 | 46.00 / 43.70 CMCKAMAL | 1.37 | 19.31 | Vol. 1706960 D: 33.60 2.33% | 33.75 | 35.00 / 31.00 SAFKOSPINN | 0.95 | 21.78 | Vol. 997585 D: 29.30 3.93% | 29.62 | 30.50 / 28.80 C: 29.40 5.16% | 29.22 | 30.40 / 28.40 SQUARETEXT | 4.32 | 31.82 | Vol. 73111 D: 91.90 0.76% | 92.16 | 93.30 / 89.00 C: 92.50 0.64% | 92.29 | 92.50 / 92.00 METROSPIN | 0.56 | 17.71 | Vol. 1093792 D: 21.80 3.54% | 21.96 | 22.90 / 20.70 C: 21.90 4.37% | 22.53 | 24.30 / 21.50 MAKSONSPIN | 0.16 | 20.55 | Vol. 4052659 D: 21.00 3.23% | 21.10 | 22.00 / 19.60 C: 20.90 4.13% | 21.07 | 22.20 / 20.70 DACCADYE | 0.93 | 25.85 | Vol. 729084 D: 26.30 2.95% | 26.50 | 27.40 / 25.00 C: 26.60 2.21% | 26.53 | 27.30 / 26.00 RNSPIN | 2.80 | 16.58 | Vol. 3257825 D: 36.60 1.08% | 36.80 | 37.40 / 34.00 C: 36.70 1.08% | 36.84 | 37.40 / 36.50 BXSYNTH | 0.93 | 25.42 | Vol. 916551 D: 17.60 0.00% | 17.72 | 18.20 / 16.20 C: 17.70 0.56% | 17.83 | 18.40 / 17.30 MALEKSPIN | 2.81 | 43.48 | Vol. 1507680 D: 28.40 2.07% | 28.79 | 29.40 / 26.50 C: 28.50 3.06% | 28.99 | 29.70 / 28.10 ZAHINTEX | 1.20 | 31.07 | Vol. 743500 D: 29.90 2.92% | 30.30 | 31.60 / 29.40 C: 30.10 2.59% | 30.27 | 31.50 / 29.50 SAIHAMCOT | 1.92 | 23.62 | Vol. 2794750 D: 26.40 2.22% | 26.85 | 28.00 / 26.00 C: 26.60 2.21% | 27.06 | 28.20 / 26.00 GENNEXT | 1.68 | 15.15 | Vol. 5765040 D: 34.70 2.53% | 34.91 | 35.80 / 32.30 C: 34.80 2.25% | 34.94 | 36.00 / 34.40 ENVOYTEX | 3.10 | 37.86 | Vol. 7454240 D: 60.90 8.94% | 59.12 | 61.40 / 50.70 C: 61.30 9.66% | 59.53 | 61.40 / 57.60 ARGONDENIM | 1.89 | 38.86 | Vol. 856880 D: 87.50 0.92% | 86.33 | 89.00 / 79.00 C: 86.40 0.00% | 85.03 | 86.90 / 84.10 FAMILYTEX | 3.72 | 14.68 | Vol. 661000 D: 67.90 0.59% | 69.19 | 72.90 / 65.10 C: 68.00 0.29% | 67.99 | 72.80 / 65.00 PHARMACEUTICAL & CHEMICAL AMBEEPHA | 3.94 | 26.15 | Vol. 5598 D: 270.5 0.07% | 271.18 | 280.0 / 268.2 C: 271.3 0.00% | 263.49 | 271.3 / 271.3 BXPHARMA | 3.77 | 52.55 | Vol. 191852 D: 47.20 0.42% | 47.31 | 48.20 / 45.00 C: 46.80 1.06% | 47.52 | 48.40 / 46.70 GLAXOSMITH | 20.25 | 123.32 | Vol. 400 D: 982.0 2.60% | 982.50 | 988.0 / 980.0
Envoy Textiles Ltd Three Months Graph
450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0
1 2 3 6 7 8 9 10 20 21 22 23 24 27 28 29 30 31 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 1 2 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 12 15 16 17 18 19 22 23 24 25 26 29 30

Turnover Price

53 51 49 47 45

ACI | -5.82 | 126.42 | Vol. 26820 D: 172.5 0.06% | 179.75 | 183.0 / 172.1 C: 173.7 1.40% | 173.65 | 175.0 / 172.3 RENATA | 33.57 | 138.83 | Vol. 8600 D: 730.1 2.24% | 736.05 | 745.0 / 724.0 PHARMAID | 1.39 | 26.19 | Vol. 31950 D: 168.1 0.41% | 168.86 | 172.9 / 167.5 KOHINOOR | 11.46 | 15.99 | Vol. 1050 D: 335.5 2.56% | 335.71 | 336.0 / 330.0 IBNSINA | 3.44 | 34.02 | Vol. 70320 D: 102.2 1.16% | 103.11 | 105.8 / 101.9 C: 102.8 0.19% | 104.03 | 111.0 / 102.5 LIBRAINFU | 4.21 | 1567.59 | Vol. 1200 D: 393.0 6.67% | 393.00 | 394.2 / 390.0 C: 385.0 18.43% | 385.00 | 385.0 / 385.0 ORIONINFU | 1.27 | 7.00 | Vol. 180200 D: 43.20 2.26% | 43.39 | 44.90 / 42.80 C: 42.70 2.95% | 42.93 | 44.00 / 42.30 SQURPHARMA | 6.93 | 37.18 | Vol. 159975 D: 192.9 0.36% | 192.99 | 198.0 / 180.0 C: 192.7 0.41% | 193.02 | 194.9 / 192.0 IMAMBUTTON | -1.51 | 4.16 | Vol. 53000 D: 9.00 3.45% | 9.05 | 9.50 / 8.80 C: 9.20 2.22% | 9.33 | 9.40 / 9.00 KEYACOSMET | 1.55 | 21.54 | Vol. 1905246 D: 28.70 3.37% | 28.92 | 30.40 / 26.90 C: 28.80 3.68% | 28.95 | 30.40 / 28.30 BERGERPBL | 32.46 | 100.20 | Vol. 200 D: 865.0 0.20% | 865.00 | 888.0 / 840.0 ACIFORMULA | 3.33 | 38.08 | Vol. 38100 D: 78.70 1.13% | 78.80 | 81.20 / 77.90 C: 78.00 1.64% | 78.77 | 79.10 / 78.00 MARICO | 27.53 | 62.47 | Vol. 1600 D: 753.1 0.54% | 753.13 | 757.0 / 752.1 BEACONPHAR | 0.04 | 12.01 | Vol. 396875 D: 13.30 0.00% | 13.34 | 13.60 / 13.20 C: 13.20 1.49% | 13.24 | 13.40 / 13.20 ACTIVEFINE | 3.23 | 13.89 | Vol. 299436 D: 86.60 0.92% | 86.39 | 87.90 / 80.00 C: 86.10 1.49% | 86.77 | 88.00 / 85.80 SALVOCHEM | 0.68 | 10.57 | Vol. 1742378 D: 25.50 6.25% | 25.89 | 27.20 / 24.50 C: 25.70 4.81% | 25.93 | 27.40 / 25.00 GHCL | 2.14 | 57.31 | Vol. 475000 D: 61.80 3.89% | 62.54 | 64.80 / 61.60 C: 62.00 3.13% | 62.29 | 64.30 / 60.50 ORIONPHARM | 5.02 | 68.68 | Vol. 1208900 D: 61.50 1.13% | 61.93 | 63.40 / 56.00 C: 61.60 0.96% | 61.91 | 63.50 / 61.20 JMISMDL | 1.12 | 12.83 | Vol. 151500 D: 204.4 0.24% | 207.40 | 213.0 / 203.0 C: 204.4 0.10% | 207.15 | 214.0 / 203.1 CENTRALPHL | 1.62 | 12.24 | Vol. 1952375 D: 48.80 5.97% | 49.55 | 52.00 / 46.80 C: 48.90 5.42% | 49.62 | 51.80 / 48.30 PAPER & PACKAGING HAKKANIPUL | 0.51 | 31.01 | Vol. 72000 D: 39.80 8.29% | 40.68 | 43.50 / 39.20 C: 39.50 8.35% | 39.69 | 41.00 / 38.80 SERVICE SAMORITA | 2.49 | 57.42 | Vol. 48000 D: 94.50 0.43% | 96.63 | 100.0 / 94.00 C: 95.30 1.35% | 95.33 | 95.50 / 95.10 SAPORTL | 1.23 | 38.39 | Vol. 478300 D: 30.50 2.87% | 30.76 | 32.00 / 29.00 C: 30.50 2.87% | 30.79 | 31.30 / 29.00 EHL | 2.81 | 18.44 | Vol. 545365 D: 52.60 1.31% | 52.89 | 53.90 / 52.00 C: 52.60 2.23% | 52.99 | 54.00 / 52.40

LEATHER APEXTANRY | 6.57 | 69.38 | Vol. 115200 D: 126.5 0.24% | 127.77 | 130.5 / 125.1 C: 126.5 1.69% | 132.73 | 135.9 / 126.5 BATASHOE | 49.12 | 135.53 | Vol. 3200 D: 691.6 0.23% | 691.61 | 697.7 / 690.0 C: 681.1 1.86% | 681.10 | 681.1 / 681.1 APEXADELFT | 23.01 | 203.26 | Vol. 66800 D: 391.8 1.31% | 393.96 | 401.0 / 387.0 C: 386.0 7.88% | 386.00 | 386.0 / 386.0 SAMATALETH | 0.22 | 12.93 | Vol. 73500 D: 24.70 2.07% | 25.93 | 26.60 / 24.10 LEGACYFOOT | 0.63 | 17.19 | Vol. 592550 D: 42.30 4.94% | 43.03 | 45.00 / 40.90 C: 42.60 4.48% | 42.76 | 45.00 / 41.00 CERAMIC MONNOCERA | 0.35 | 95.30 | Vol. 68350 D: 35.20 4.86% | 35.49 | 37.20 / 34.90 C: 35.50 4.31% | 35.39 | 36.00 / 35.10 STANCERAM | 1.12 | 15.49 | Vol. 2000 D: 42.50 1.16% | 42.50 | 44.30 / 41.00 FUWANGCER | 0.65 | 12.70 | Vol. 1590965 D: 22.40 3.45% | 22.52 | 23.30 / 22.00 C: 22.40 3.86% | 22.50 | 23.20 / 22.20 SPCERAMICS | 0.62 | 30.92 | Vol. 1580666 D: 19.80 0.00% | 20.05 | 20.60 / 18.00 C: 19.90 0.00% | 20.04 | 20.60 / 19.40 RAKCERAMIC | 1.98 | 16.76 | Vol. 186566 D: 52.60 1.50% | 52.74 | 55.00 / 48.50 C: 52.50 2.42% | 52.63 | 56.00 / 52.00 CEMENT HEIDELBCEM | 22.85 | 111.50 | Vol. 41800 D: 379.2 0.52% | 380.42 | 385.0 / 378.6 C: 378.3 0.71% | 377.87 | 380.0 / 376.1 CONFIDCEM | 6.23 | 90.76 | Vol. 473020 D: 127.4 0.31% | 127.73 | 132.0 / 123.1 C: 128.0 0.87% | 128.43 | 130.8 / 124.3 MEGHNACEM | 6.28 | 33.81 | Vol. 403200 D: 139.3 1.46% | 139.49 | 141.1 / 135.5 C: 140.3 3.01% | 139.57 | 142.0 / 137.0 ARAMITCEM | 3.03 | 14.65 | Vol. 284210 D: 84.00 5.41% | 85.09 | 89.00 / 83.50 C: 85.10 5.44% | 87.01 | 92.00 / 84.20 LAFSURCEML | 1.60 | 7.22 | Vol. 702000 D: 32.30 1.22% | 32.53 | 33.40 / 32.30 C: 32.20 1.83% | 32.51 | 33.00 / 32.20 MICEMENT | 4.48 | 37.67 | Vol. 164652 D: 83.10 1.07% | 83.72 | 85.40 / 76.00 C: 83.00 1.31% | 84.06 | 85.90 / 82.50 PREMIERCEM | 5.00 | 32.60 | Vol. 437600 D: 110.5 0.91% | 111.50 | 113.8 / 109.2 C: 110.6 0.82% | 110.79 | 113.0 / 108.1 IT IINDUSTRIES ISNLTD | 0.28 | 17.31 | Vol. 411050 D: 20.60 4.19% | 21.27 | 22.90 / 19.80 C: 21.00 0.00% | 21.10 | 22.20 / 20.00 BDCOM | 1.40 | 14.41 | Vol. 322800 D: 28.10 4.75% | 28.95 | 30.00 / 27.00 C: 28.00 5.08% | 28.93 | 29.80 / 27.60 INTECH | 0.94 | 10.08 | Vol. 546244 D: 17.20 5.49% | 17.41 | 18.20 / 17.10 C: 17.30 5.46% | 17.37 | 17.80 / 17.00 AGNISYSL | 0.96 | 14.90 | Vol. 635742 D: 23.20 4.92% | 23.78 | 25.00 / 22.40 C: 23.50 3.29% | 23.94 | 24.70 / 23.10 DAFODILCOM | 0.85 | 10.99 | Vol. 1033000 D: 15.40 7.23% | 15.65 | 16.50 / 15.20 C: 15.50 6.63% | 15.68 | 16.10 / 15.10 AAMRATECH | 1.33 | 19.91 | Vol. 1747400 D: 38.30 3.53% | 38.69 | 39.90 / 37.00 C: 38.40 4.24% | 38.97 | 41.60 / 37.50

GENERAL INSURANCE BGIC | 1.65 | 20.33 | Vol. 68066 D: 30.00 1.35% | 30.14 | 31.60 / 26.90 C: 30.40 1.67% | 30.14 | 31.80 / 29.50 GREENDELT | 4.05 | 64.44 | Vol. 68800 D: 87.20 0.69% | 86.98 | 87.90 / 86.10 C: 86.00 2.49% | 85.95 | 86.10 / 85.20 UNITEDINS | 2.47 | 21.04 | Vol. 28908 D: 44.30 0.45% | 44.60 | 45.30 / 42.10 PEOPLESINS | 2.05 | 20.72 | Vol. 90005 D: 35.30 1.44% | 35.54 | 36.50 / 34.50 C: 35.80 1.99% | 35.80 | 36.40 / 35.10 EASTERNINS | 2.22 | 35.88 | Vol. 37664 D: 38.10 0.00% | 38.46 | 40.00 / 35.00 C: 37.60 6.00% | 37.62 | 37.70 / 37.60 JANATAINS | 0.78 | 17.07 | Vol. 220380 D: 28.30 0.00% | 28.78 | 29.20 / 27.50 C: 28.30 0.00% | 29.11 | 29.70 / 28.20 PHENIXINS | 2.70 | 20.96 | Vol. 48769 D: 43.10 0.00% | 43.63 | 44.60 / 40.00 EASTLAND | 4.06 | 23.29 | Vol. 281200 D: 48.50 0.21% | 48.90 | 49.90 / 48.20 C: 47.90 0.83% | 47.91 | 48.00 / 47.90 CENTRALINS | 1.54 | 19.04 | Vol. 48976 D: 30.70 1.99% | 30.77 | 31.70 / 28.00 KARNAPHULI | 1.56 | 19.42 | Vol. 250460 D: 25.50 1.59% | 25.78 | 26.30 / 24.00 RUPALIINS | 2.76 | 23.38 | Vol. 278003 D: 34.70 1.17% | 35.07 | 36.00 / 34.00 C: 34.60 1.47% | 34.93 | 36.00 / 32.30 FEDERALINS | 1.10 | 10.98 | Vol. 805273 D: 25.70 1.98% | 25.90 | 27.00 / 23.80 C: 25.70 2.80% | 26.08 | 26.70 / 24.50 RELIANCINS | 3.93 | 61.52 | Vol. 4347 D: 74.40 0.13% | 74.38 | 74.90 / 73.00 PURABIGEN | 1.05 | 18.71 | Vol. 2284993 D: 26.80 9.84% | 26.43 | 26.80 / 23.00 PRAGATIINS | 2.01 | 50.30 | Vol. 277500 D: 58.40 2.46% | 58.15 | 61.00 / 57.00 C: 57.00 3.39% | 57.00 | 57.00 / 57.00 PRIMEINSUR | 2.14 | 14.14 | Vol. 162278 D: 32.30 0.92% | 32.75 | 34.30 / 30.00 C: 32.30 0.00% | 32.30 | 32.30 / 32.30 PIONEERINS | 3.11 | 23.84 | Vol. 129500 D: 67.00 0.89% | 67.62 | 69.00 / 66.80 MERCINS | 1.53 | 14.50 | Vol. 148823 D: 27.70 0.00% | 27.96 | 28.80 / 26.50 C: 28.20 0.35% | 28.15 | 29.50 / 27.30 AGRANINS | 1.73 | 14.39 | Vol. 92738 D: 28.30 0.71% | 28.46 | 29.40 / 26.00 GLOBALINS | 1.09 | 11.78 | Vol. 80970 D: 29.60 0.34% | 30.26 | 31.00 / 28.00 NITOLINS | 2.59 | 15.41 | Vol. 22163 D: 35.00 1.45% | 35.11 | 35.90 / 33.00 C: 34.10 0.29% | 33.10 | 34.10 / 32.10 ASIAPACINS | 1.84 | 13.76 | Vol. 115000 D: 30.60 0.00% | 30.89 | 31.80 / 30.30 C: 30.70 1.66% | 30.70 | 30.70 / 30.70 SONARBAINS | 1.68 | 13.38 | Vol. 392050 D: 26.20 2.34% | 26.61 | 27.30 / 25.20 C: 26.20 1.16% | 26.30 | 27.00 / 25.70 PARAMOUNT | 1.26 | 13.19 | Vol. 212789 D: 25.80 3.20% | 25.93 | 26.50 / 24.00 C: 26.30 3.14% | 26.30 | 26.50 / 25.50 CITYGENINS | 1.65 | 14.26 | Vol. 175599 D: 28.50 0.35% | 28.92 | 29.60 / 27.00 C: 28.90 1.05% | 28.98 | 30.40 / 28.60 CONTININS | 1.41 | 15.68 | Vol. 267076 D: 30.70 0.65% | 31.33 | 32.10 / 28.60 C: 31.00 0.65% | 31.57 | 33.40 / 30.80 TAKAFULINS | 2.19 | 15.17 | Vol. 675936 D: 41.70 1.96% | 41.94 | 42.60 / 40.00 C: 42.10 3.44% | 42.15 | 43.00 / 41.10 STANDARINS | 2.58 | 13.99 | Vol. 40958 D: 40.50 1.22% | 40.73 | 41.90 / 40.00 C: 39.80 3.38% | 39.93 | 39.80 / 39.80 NORTHRNINS | 1.77 | 11.15 | Vol. 107500 D: 41.70 0.71% | 42.48 | 43.00 / 41.50 C: 43.30 4.59% | 43.30 | 44.40 / 40.00 REPUBLIC | 2.14 | 12.42 | Vol. 660700 D: 45.90 2.68% | 46.09 | 47.10 / 41.00 C: 46.10 4.54% | 46.25 | 47.30 / 44.20 ASIAINS | 1.56 | 17.34 | Vol. 231379 D: 27.90 1.09% | 28.30 | 28.90 / 25.20 C: 28.70 2.50% | 28.72 | 29.50 / 27.90 ISLAMIINS | 1.29 | 11.96 | Vol. 212949 D: 34.90 2.35% | 34.95 | 36.80 / 31.00

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013

2013 tough year for emerging markets

n AFP, Paris
Only recently hailed as the saviours of the world economy, emerging markets had a tough year in 2013, hit by slow growth, market instability and social unrest that have worried investors - though some analysts say the fear is overblown. In November, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the rich worlds number-crunching club, lowered its global growth forecast for 2014 by nearly half a point, to 2.7%, because of the slowdown in emerging-market economies (EMEs). The fate of the whole world economy is now tied to that of the emerging markets, it said. Contrary to the situation in the early phases of the recovery when stimulus in EMEs had positive spillovers on growth in advanced economies, the global environment may now act as an amplifier and a transmission mechanism for negative shocks from EMEs, it said. The European Central Bank warned: Any sharper or more disruptive adjustment in emerging market economies needs to be closely monitored, given the potential for stronger and more persistent euro area impacts. The BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - and other emerging markets had for years been the stars of the world economy, helping pull it through the Great Recession. Their fast growth compensated for the developed worlds stagnation and their currency reserves funded Western debt. The thirst of emerging market consumers for goods helped tide over Western companies, while their low production costs drove global trade. But that ground to a halt in 2013. We were expecting it for a while, but its when it emerged, Jennifer Blanke, chief economist at the World Economic Forum, told AFP. Economic growth dropped sharply in several major emerging markets in 2013. Russias growth fell from 3.4% in 2012 to 1.5%, according to International Monetary Fund data. South Africas fell from 2.5% to 2.0, Mexicos from 3.6% to 1.2 and Thailands from 6.5% to 3.1. Chris Weafer, a partner at consulting firm Macro Advisory in Moscow, said that after becoming complacent, investors had now woken up to the risks posed by emerging markets. It is a necessary change and long overdue, he said. When China sneezes... Most worrying of all is China. Its growth rate fell just 0.1 point in 2013, to 7.6%. But that is down from 9.3% in 2011 and double-digit growth for much of the decade before. Investors had previously assumed China would continue to grow at an annualised eight to nine percent. That is impossible longer term, Weafer said.

Any sharper or more disruptive adjustment in emerging market economies needs to be closely monitored, given the potential for stronger and more persistent euro area impacts
Spanish bank BBVA warned that the possible correction in Chinese growth and that of other emerging economies is a risk factor for the world economy. Many other countries and economies became dependent on Chinese growth, said UBS in a note on investment prospects for 2014. Chinese investment growth fuelled commodity demand and supported many economies as far away as Brazil and Australia, said the bank, warning: There is no China after China. In other words, there will be no superpower growing in double-digit GDP terms now that China is slowing. Many emerging economies were also hit

hard by market instability in 2013. Fear that the US Federal Reserve was about to abruptly end its stimulus measures caused investors to pull out of emerging markets, wreaking havoc on stocks and currencies in several countries. Several major American and European companies suffered big losses because of the resulting exchange-rate fluctuations. More of the pie Violent protests in recent years, such as those that hit the Confederations Cup in Brazil and the South African mining industry in 2012, have also focused attention on the risk posed by social unrest in emerging markets. Weve been seeing (this) recently in Brazil and RSA (South Africa), with people demanding more of the pie, because theyre not seeing the improvement happening as quickly as they like, said Blanke. Social unrest is a huge risk. But emerging markets remain a key driver of the world economy. Just as the excessive exuberance at the end of the last decade lasted too long and kept expectations too high for EM earnings growth, I now believe that the reversal in sentiment has gone too far in the other direction, said Weafer. Nobody doubts that these countries will continue to grow, said Blanke. Its a risk factor, but its also the only chance that we have. l

Cheap money party over, analysts warn as fears rise of asset bubbles
n AFP, Paris
Cash is so cheap these days that investors have been borrowing and ploughing them in assets from artwork to wine to bitcoins, betting that prices would rise. And rise they did, some even setting records, but market watchers are now warning that asset bubbles may be forming and could well burst in 2014. Central banks have been flooding the market with money at record low rates, deploying liquidity to fight crisis after crisis that have set in since 2008. We survived a major fire that was put out with a lot of liquidity, said Bertrand Badre, financial director of the World Bank, during a roundtable at the French market regulator AMF. The Federal Reserve and others are continuing to water the market, but I think that at some point, we have to take stock of the situation, he said. AMF chairman Gerard Rameix told AFP that a risk that everyone agrees is a major one: is the abundance of liquidity, pointing out that one of the factors that sparked the US subprime crisis - the trigger of the 2008 global economic crisis was excess liquidity. In the heady days of early 2000, low interest rates fuelled lending. Even those with poor credit records were allowed to take out home loans, which those in the industry called subprime loans.

If the market doubles while profits are not doing likewise, I would say that there is a bubble ... but today, that is not the case
When property prices began to fall and interest rates rose, a large chunk of the population were caught in a double-squeeze, and many were forced to default on their debt, sparking the subprime crisis. With billions of bad debts on their books, banks cut off lending, choking off the lifeline to companies that required financing to function. To prevent a total meltdown of the global economy, central banks stepped in and released billions in liquidity. But what began as stop gap action later became a move to prop up the world economy, which was sliding into recession. Interest rates have plummeted to record

lows. The European Central Bank in November slashed its key rate to an all-time low of 0.25%, matching the rate the US Federal Reserve has had in place since the end of 2008. It is now so cheap to borrow that investors are leveraging on loans and reinvesting them in assets in the hopes that prices rise. Markets are bubbly Not surprising then that artwork and wine both fetched record prices at auctions while bitcoins broke through $1,000 per unit at the end of November. In a low-rate environment, investors are looking anywhere for some sense of yield. So, youve started to see bubbles develop in different niche sectors like art, wine, farmland or low-rated corporate debt, Tim Adams, director of the Institute of International Finance, which defends banks interests, told AFP. But the White House nominee to succeed Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernanke, Janet Yellen, denied during a Congress hearing that the US easy-money policy, including near-zero interest rates and $85bn a month in bond-buying stimulus, had generated fresh bubbles in property or stock markets. Some analysts also slapped down fears that assets were overvalued.

Eric Turjeman from Amundo said: If the market doubles while profits are not doing likewise, I would say that there is a bubble ... but today, that is not the case. But fund management giant Pimco warned in a tweet: Be careful, though, of red numbers in 2014. All markets are bubbly. Markets have been transfixed for months by the prospect the Fed will begin to reduce the amount of stimulus it injects into the economy. The currencies and exchanges of several emerging markets slumped in the middle of the year as investors quickly pulled out easy money that had been chasing higher yields abroad on bets of a quick end to stimulus. A perverse logic has gripped markets, with indications of a strong recovery in the US economy sending stocks down as traders bet on an early Fed tapering of stimulus, while poor data and the prospect of more easy money has sent Wall Street to record highs. News last week that the US economy grew at a 3.6% pace in the third quarter, much better than earlier estimates and the strongest rate in almost two years, stoked speculation that the Fed could announce a first reduction in its monthly bond-buying at the end of its December 17 18 policy meeting. l