From New Age
The UK secretary of state for international development, Andrew Mitchell, on Monday urged the government of Bangladesh to focus its attention on ‘ensuring a healthy democracy’ and boosting the private sector, according to a British High Commission press release.
He stressed that constructive dialogue and strong, independent and accountable institutions ‘are crucial’ to
achieve sustainable democracy and development, particularly in the run up to the next national elections.
For free and fair elections dialogue between the government and the political parties is crucial, he told a news conference at the British High Commission’s club at Baridhara.
Mitchell leaves Dhaka, on way to Kathmandu, Tuesday morning, ending a three-day official visit to Bangladesh beginning Saturday.
He described president Zillur Rahman’s attempt to consult major political parties as a ‘welcome move’ and said that ‘any agreement’ among the parties would help holding credible elections in Bangladesh.
Strong, independent and accountable institutions are crucial to achieve sustainable democracy and development, Mitchell said.
Re-affirming his country’s commitment to Bangladesh’s development, Mitchell said that Britain planned to a significant scale up its aid programme to Dhaka over the next three years, but it would depend on the ‘robust delivery of results.’
He also said that for scaling up the aid package, his country would emphsasise on ‘value for money and accountability for every British pound spent’.
Mitchell said that the British government had zero tolerance to corruption.
He said that his country would also expect Bangladesh government to focus its attention on boosting the private sector to let it play its role in development to generate growth, trade and jobs.
Mitchell said he raised the issue of Grameen Bank and its former managing director Mohammad Yunus with foreign minister Dipu Moni.
He described Grameen Bank as a stunning example in the world on lifting people out of poverty.
He said that foreign minister Dipu Moni agreed with him about the huge contribution of the founder of Grameen Bank.
He said that Moni told him that the government had to follow the law and the regulations on the issue of Grameen Bank.
Asked about the British government’s decisions getting tough with migrant workers and foreign workers, Mitchell said, ‘We must make sure that our visa system is effective.’
British High Commissioner Robert Gibson and Department for International Development country representative Gwen Hines were present at the news conference.
During his visits to UK-funded projects run by BRAC and UCEP, Mitchell emphasised the need for finding new solutions to reach the poorest to lift them out of the cycle of poverty.
Mitchell met prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia, finance minister AMA Muhith, foreign minister Dipu Moni and representatives of the private sector and NGOs.
Prosecution asked to submit charges against Alim by March 15
From New Age
The International Crimes Tribunal on Monday asked the prosecution to submit by March 15 formal charges against Abdul Alim, former BNP lawmaker and minister.
The ICT issued the order after the prosecution informed it that the war crimes investigation agency had submitted its report against Alim in the morning
Also known as war crimes tribunal, the ICT was instituted for prosecuting the
1971 war crimes suspects.
The prosecution sought time for examining the investigation report and other documents submitted by the investigation agency for preparing the formal charges against Alim
The tribunal of Justice Nizamul Huq, Justice ATM Fazle Kabir and judge AKM Zahir Ahmed also extended the period of the conditional bail, it had granted to Alim on March 31, 2011, and asked Alim to appear before the tribunal on March 15.
The investigation agency submitted the report Monday morning in compliance with the order the tribunal had issued on October 18, 2011.
The investigation report found Alim’s involvement in 17 incidents of crimes against humanity in Jaipurhat during the War of Independence in 1971, including three rapes, murder of 684 people, dumping bodies of a number of them in mass graves, arson, abduction, torture, robbery and forced deportation of a number of people, the investors said.
Alim appeared before the tribunal seated in a wheelchair.
Arrested at Jaipurhat on March 27, 2011, Alim was released, on conditional bail, from Dhaka Central Jail on April 1, 2011.
He was arrested about nine hours after the tribunal had issued a warrant sought by the prosecution on war crimes charges.
On March 31, the tribunal granted him the conditional bail.
Among the war crimes accused, so far, the tribunal granted bail to Alim alone.
The International Crimes Tribunal on Monday asked the prosecution to submit by March 15 formal charges against Abdul Alim, former BNP lawmaker and minister.
The ICT issued the order after the prosecution informed it that the war crimes investigation agency had submitted its report against Alim in the morning
Also known as war crimes tribunal, the ICT was instituted for prosecuting the
1971 war crimes suspects.
The prosecution sought time for examining the investigation report and other documents submitted by the investigation agency for preparing the formal charges against Alim
The tribunal of Justice Nizamul Huq, Justice ATM Fazle Kabir and judge AKM Zahir Ahmed also extended the period of the conditional bail, it had granted to Alim on March 31, 2011, and asked Alim to appear before the tribunal on March 15.
The investigation agency submitted the report Monday morning in compliance with the order the tribunal had issued on October 18, 2011.
The investigation report found Alim’s involvement in 17 incidents of crimes against humanity in Jaipurhat during the War of Independence in 1971, including three rapes, murder of 684 people, dumping bodies of a number of them in mass graves, arson, abduction, torture, robbery and forced deportation of a number of people, the investors said.
Alim appeared before the tribunal seated in a wheelchair.
Arrested at Jaipurhat on March 27, 2011, Alim was released, on conditional bail, from Dhaka Central Jail on April 1, 2011.
He was arrested about nine hours after the tribunal had issued a warrant sought by the prosecution on war crimes charges.
On March 31, the tribunal granted him the conditional bail.
Among the war crimes accused, so far, the tribunal granted bail to Alim alone.
67-year-old man wants justice
From New Age
A 67-year man on Monday sought justice from International Crimes Tribunal against the detained Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami nayeb-e-amir Delwar Hossain Sayedee for abduction and rape of his three sisters in 1971.
The 13th prosecution witness, who had a grocery shop at Parerhat in Pirojpur in 1971, broke down in tears while making his deposition before the tribunal, also known as war crimes tribunal, instiuted for trial of war
crimes committed during the 1971 war of independence.
‘I have been bearing the pain in my heart for the last 40 years seeking justice,’ he said.
In his deposition, the witness said Sayedee, along with his Razakar Bahini, attacked and robbed his house on a day in 1971 and abducted his three younger sisters.
Sayedee and the attackers handed the three sisters over to the Pakistani occupation army camp in Pirojpur, where they were raped for three days.
The three sisters came back home after three days, when they were freed from the army camp, and described to their mother the molestation they had to face at the camp of the occupation army.
The tribunal asked all, who were in the courtroom, not to disclose the identity of the victims.
The man, belonging to Hindu community, also stated that Sayedee had forced all the members of his family, along with about 100-150 Hindus of the locality, including Narayan Saha, Nikhil Paul, Sunil Paul, Haran Bhowmick and Gouranga Paul, to be converted into Islam and to say prayers at mosque.
Sayedee had named the man ‘Abdul Gani’ after converting him into Islam.
The man said he was reconverted into Hinduism after the independence of the country.
He also mentioned that all of his family but himself went to India to escape the shame and never came back. His father and mother had died in India.
Some of the Hindus, who were forced to be converted into Islam by Sayedee, had died and some of them went to India.
In the cross-examination by Sayedee’s defence counsel Mizanul Islam, the witness said the Razakars had robbed his shop along with other shops and houses of Hindus at Parerhat before the Pakistani occupation army reached there.
In reply to the defence counsel’s queries, the witness said he knew the 12 prosecution witnesses who had made their depositions before the tribunal in the case.
He said he could not recollect whether he had seen them during the war of independence, as most of the people, including him, had to remain in hiding most of the times in those days.
He also said that he could not say whether those prosecution witnesses, excepting Mahbub Alam, knew about the abduction and rape of his sisters.
He, however, said that Mahbub might come to know about the incident.
A 67-year man on Monday sought justice from International Crimes Tribunal against the detained Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami nayeb-e-amir Delwar Hossain Sayedee for abduction and rape of his three sisters in 1971.
The 13th prosecution witness, who had a grocery shop at Parerhat in Pirojpur in 1971, broke down in tears while making his deposition before the tribunal, also known as war crimes tribunal, instiuted for trial of war
crimes committed during the 1971 war of independence.
‘I have been bearing the pain in my heart for the last 40 years seeking justice,’ he said.
In his deposition, the witness said Sayedee, along with his Razakar Bahini, attacked and robbed his house on a day in 1971 and abducted his three younger sisters.
Sayedee and the attackers handed the three sisters over to the Pakistani occupation army camp in Pirojpur, where they were raped for three days.
The three sisters came back home after three days, when they were freed from the army camp, and described to their mother the molestation they had to face at the camp of the occupation army.
The tribunal asked all, who were in the courtroom, not to disclose the identity of the victims.
The man, belonging to Hindu community, also stated that Sayedee had forced all the members of his family, along with about 100-150 Hindus of the locality, including Narayan Saha, Nikhil Paul, Sunil Paul, Haran Bhowmick and Gouranga Paul, to be converted into Islam and to say prayers at mosque.
Sayedee had named the man ‘Abdul Gani’ after converting him into Islam.
The man said he was reconverted into Hinduism after the independence of the country.
He also mentioned that all of his family but himself went to India to escape the shame and never came back. His father and mother had died in India.
Some of the Hindus, who were forced to be converted into Islam by Sayedee, had died and some of them went to India.
In the cross-examination by Sayedee’s defence counsel Mizanul Islam, the witness said the Razakars had robbed his shop along with other shops and houses of Hindus at Parerhat before the Pakistani occupation army reached there.
In reply to the defence counsel’s queries, the witness said he knew the 12 prosecution witnesses who had made their depositions before the tribunal in the case.
He said he could not recollect whether he had seen them during the war of independence, as most of the people, including him, had to remain in hiding most of the times in those days.
He also said that he could not say whether those prosecution witnesses, excepting Mahbub Alam, knew about the abduction and rape of his sisters.
He, however, said that Mahbub might come to know about the incident.
Ghulam Azam to be brought back to jail after discharge by hospital: IG prisons
From New Age
Ghulam Azam would brought back to Dhaka Central Jail after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital discharges him, the inspector general of prisons said on Monday.
‘We will bring him back to jail after getting a release letter from the hospital authorities,’ IG prisons Brigadier General Mohammad Ashraful Islam Khan told a media briefing at his office.
Azam is under treatment at the BSMMU Hospital.
‘An x-ray, recommended by the physicians, had been done on his waist on Monday’, BSMMU Hospital director brigadier general Abdul Majid Bhuiyan told New Age.
The doctors on Sunday advised Azam’s MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and X-ray after he complained of back pain.
Bhuiyan said the MRI could not be conducted as he had it done a few days back.
‘We are trying to bring the report from his home,’ he said.
‘If the report serves the purpose no fresh MRI test will be needed,’ he added.
On Saturday, the BSMMU authorities told the jail authorities in a letter that Azam needed no treatment in a hospital, after a medical board had given its report on his health.
But, on Sunday the medical board advised for shifting him to orthopaedics department following waist pain.
Azam, charged with 62 counts of war crimes, including crimes against humanity, was shifted to BSMMU Hospital from Dhaka central Jail.
His medical board comprises professor of cardiology Sajal Kumar Banarjee and associate professor of nephrology Habibur Rahman Dulal.
Ghulam Azam would brought back to Dhaka Central Jail after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital discharges him, the inspector general of prisons said on Monday.
‘We will bring him back to jail after getting a release letter from the hospital authorities,’ IG prisons Brigadier General Mohammad Ashraful Islam Khan told a media briefing at his office.
Azam is under treatment at the BSMMU Hospital.
‘An x-ray, recommended by the physicians, had been done on his waist on Monday’, BSMMU Hospital director brigadier general Abdul Majid Bhuiyan told New Age.
The doctors on Sunday advised Azam’s MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and X-ray after he complained of back pain.
Bhuiyan said the MRI could not be conducted as he had it done a few days back.
‘We are trying to bring the report from his home,’ he said.
‘If the report serves the purpose no fresh MRI test will be needed,’ he added.
On Saturday, the BSMMU authorities told the jail authorities in a letter that Azam needed no treatment in a hospital, after a medical board had given its report on his health.
But, on Sunday the medical board advised for shifting him to orthopaedics department following waist pain.
Azam, charged with 62 counts of war crimes, including crimes against humanity, was shifted to BSMMU Hospital from Dhaka central Jail.
His medical board comprises professor of cardiology Sajal Kumar Banarjee and associate professor of nephrology Habibur Rahman Dulal.
Farmers worried about cold injury on seedling beds
From New Age
Boro cultivation began across the country with farmers in many places expressing their worry that the seedling beds could suffer from cold injuries.
Farmers in the districts in northern Rangpur division as well as Jhinaidah and Manikganj said a good number of seedbeds in their areas had become yellowish due to fog and severe cold weather. The young plants aged below two weeks were the worst affected, they said.
However, officials of the department of agriculture extension in Dhaka said they were yet to receive any information about cold injury on seedling beds.
‘We have targeted to bring 47.8 lakh hectares of land under Boro cultivation and it would need 2.5 lakh hectares of seedling beds,’ DAE field service wing director Md Eunus Ali told New Age.
He said that the department was not at all worried about seedling beds as the target of 2.5 lakh hectares had already crossed and the government ensured supply of quality seeds.
DAE field level officials have been asked to advise farmers what to do in case of foggy weather and cold, he added.
‘Like most of the farmers in our area, all my seedling beds have been damaged in fog and cold injury… all the seedlings turned yellowish and gradually died,’ Md Jamat Ali, a farmer in Shibalay upazila in Manikganj said.
Md Mamun-ur-Rashid, deputy director of Manikganj DAE, claimed the affected seedbeds were very few and they had been trying to recover from the situation by advising the farmers what to do to tackle the situation.
Md Solaiman, a farmer of Ajitmari upazila in Lalmonirhat, said seedling bed damage will increase the cost of his boro production as he will have to buy seedlings from the market.
DAE officials in Dhaka said they have been advising the farmers to cover the seedling beds with polythene, pouring water in the bed in the evening and releasing it in the morning, applying muriate of potash (MOP) fertilizer or a mixture of water and cow-dung in the seedling beds to save the young plants.
DAE has set the target to produce 187 lakh tonnes of rice in the ongoing Boro season. Earlier, farmers got three consecutive bumper productions – 178 lakh tonnes in 2009, 183 lakh tonnes in 2010 and around 186 lakh tonnes in 2011.
New Age correspondent in Rangpur reported that farmers of eight districts in Rangpur division feared a reduction in boro output in the current season due to delayed transplantation for repeated cold wave coupled with dense fog that damaged a large portion of seedbeds.
The seedlings meant for transplantation have been turning yellowish due to the hostile weather, they said, adding that spraying pesticides did not help them much.
‘I managed to procure quality boro seeds at high prices and prepared seedbeds on 30 decimal of lands, but repeated cold wave and dense fog damaged the seedbeds. So, I have to take alternative ways to make up the damage that will cost me more time and additional investment, said farmer Alam Miah under Pirgacha upazilla in Rangpur.
Rangpur regional DAE officials said about 25 per cent of 38,706 hectares of seedling beds were affected by cold injury in eight districts of Rangpur division in the current season.
Kali Das Devnath, additional director of Rangpur regional DAE, said cold wave usually hits the northern region in mid-January when the plants become matured enough to resist the attack but this year the chilly weather hit earlier and caused damage to tender plants.
The farmers of the region prefer BRRI dhan-28 and 29 for boro farming which do not have cold tolerant characteristics and so the seedbeds have been damaged, Devnath added.
Boro cultivation began across the country with farmers in many places expressing their worry that the seedling beds could suffer from cold injuries.
Farmers in the districts in northern Rangpur division as well as Jhinaidah and Manikganj said a good number of seedbeds in their areas had become yellowish due to fog and severe cold weather. The young plants aged below two weeks were the worst affected, they said.
However, officials of the department of agriculture extension in Dhaka said they were yet to receive any information about cold injury on seedling beds.
‘We have targeted to bring 47.8 lakh hectares of land under Boro cultivation and it would need 2.5 lakh hectares of seedling beds,’ DAE field service wing director Md Eunus Ali told New Age.
He said that the department was not at all worried about seedling beds as the target of 2.5 lakh hectares had already crossed and the government ensured supply of quality seeds.
DAE field level officials have been asked to advise farmers what to do in case of foggy weather and cold, he added.
‘Like most of the farmers in our area, all my seedling beds have been damaged in fog and cold injury… all the seedlings turned yellowish and gradually died,’ Md Jamat Ali, a farmer in Shibalay upazila in Manikganj said.
Md Mamun-ur-Rashid, deputy director of Manikganj DAE, claimed the affected seedbeds were very few and they had been trying to recover from the situation by advising the farmers what to do to tackle the situation.
Md Solaiman, a farmer of Ajitmari upazila in Lalmonirhat, said seedling bed damage will increase the cost of his boro production as he will have to buy seedlings from the market.
DAE officials in Dhaka said they have been advising the farmers to cover the seedling beds with polythene, pouring water in the bed in the evening and releasing it in the morning, applying muriate of potash (MOP) fertilizer or a mixture of water and cow-dung in the seedling beds to save the young plants.
DAE has set the target to produce 187 lakh tonnes of rice in the ongoing Boro season. Earlier, farmers got three consecutive bumper productions – 178 lakh tonnes in 2009, 183 lakh tonnes in 2010 and around 186 lakh tonnes in 2011.
New Age correspondent in Rangpur reported that farmers of eight districts in Rangpur division feared a reduction in boro output in the current season due to delayed transplantation for repeated cold wave coupled with dense fog that damaged a large portion of seedbeds.
The seedlings meant for transplantation have been turning yellowish due to the hostile weather, they said, adding that spraying pesticides did not help them much.
‘I managed to procure quality boro seeds at high prices and prepared seedbeds on 30 decimal of lands, but repeated cold wave and dense fog damaged the seedbeds. So, I have to take alternative ways to make up the damage that will cost me more time and additional investment, said farmer Alam Miah under Pirgacha upazilla in Rangpur.
Rangpur regional DAE officials said about 25 per cent of 38,706 hectares of seedling beds were affected by cold injury in eight districts of Rangpur division in the current season.
Kali Das Devnath, additional director of Rangpur regional DAE, said cold wave usually hits the northern region in mid-January when the plants become matured enough to resist the attack but this year the chilly weather hit earlier and caused damage to tender plants.
The farmers of the region prefer BRRI dhan-28 and 29 for boro farming which do not have cold tolerant characteristics and so the seedbeds have been damaged, Devnath added.
Five hurt in BCL-JCD clash at Azizul Haque College
From New Age
Five students were injured as BCL and JCD engaged in a clash on Govt Azizul Haque University College campus on Monday.
Witnesses said Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal brought out a procession on the campus, led by Shafiqul Islam Shafique, convener of the college unit JCD, as part of their central programme, at 12 noon.
Bangladesh Chhatra League brought out a separate procession on the campus at the same time demanding trial and punishment to war criminals, which also paraded different points on the campus.
At one stage, the two processions came face to face, sparking hot exchanges between the processionists which led to a clash, leaving five injured on both sides.
BCL college committee convener Mahamudunnabi Russel alleged that JCD activists attacked their procession leaving Chemistry 1st year student Sohag Hossain severely injured, a charge denied by JCD college unit secretary Shahabul Alam Piplu who claimed that it was BCL who attacked first leaving four JCD activists injured.
As tension prevailed between the two student organisations the police were deployed on the campus.
Five students were injured as BCL and JCD engaged in a clash on Govt Azizul Haque University College campus on Monday.
Witnesses said Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal brought out a procession on the campus, led by Shafiqul Islam Shafique, convener of the college unit JCD, as part of their central programme, at 12 noon.
Bangladesh Chhatra League brought out a separate procession on the campus at the same time demanding trial and punishment to war criminals, which also paraded different points on the campus.
At one stage, the two processions came face to face, sparking hot exchanges between the processionists which led to a clash, leaving five injured on both sides.
BCL college committee convener Mahamudunnabi Russel alleged that JCD activists attacked their procession leaving Chemistry 1st year student Sohag Hossain severely injured, a charge denied by JCD college unit secretary Shahabul Alam Piplu who claimed that it was BCL who attacked first leaving four JCD activists injured.
As tension prevailed between the two student organisations the police were deployed on the campus.
Bangladesh PM says EC to be reorganised as per president’s suggestions
From New Age
The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has said her government will reorganise the Election Commission as per the suggestions of the president.
‘The government has taken initiatives to strengthen further the EC to ensure the voting rights of the people and we would accept the suggestions of the president to this end,’ she said.
The prime minister categorically said her government had no intention to remain in power by snatching the voting rights of the people.
‘We believe in people’s empowerment and they (people) would decide who would go to power who wouldn’t,’ she said when the Canadian high commissioner to Bangladesh, Heather Cruden, called on her at her official Ganabhaban residence in Dhaka Monday evening.
After the meeting, the deputy press secretary to the prime minister, M Nazrul Islam, briefed reporters.
Hasina highlighted the bitter experience of the caretaker government and said the last interim government overstayed in power illegally for two years instead of three months.
She said all elections under the present government were held in a free, fair and transparent manner and the government did not make any interference in the polls. ‘Many opposition candidates won these elections,’ she said.
The prime minister listed the government’s successes in the fields of agriculture, education, women empowerment and health.
She said the government had undertaken ‘Vision 2021’ programme to turn Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021.
The prime minister sought more Canadian assistance in different sectors of the country.
The Canadian envoy praised the government’s successes in different fields including education, health, agriculture, women empowerment and food security.
She also lauded the election manifesto of the present government terming it well-planned.
Ambassador-at-large M Ziauddin and special assistant to the prime minister Abdus Sobhan Golap were present on the occasion.
The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has said her government will reorganise the Election Commission as per the suggestions of the president.
‘The government has taken initiatives to strengthen further the EC to ensure the voting rights of the people and we would accept the suggestions of the president to this end,’ she said.
The prime minister categorically said her government had no intention to remain in power by snatching the voting rights of the people.
‘We believe in people’s empowerment and they (people) would decide who would go to power who wouldn’t,’ she said when the Canadian high commissioner to Bangladesh, Heather Cruden, called on her at her official Ganabhaban residence in Dhaka Monday evening.
After the meeting, the deputy press secretary to the prime minister, M Nazrul Islam, briefed reporters.
Hasina highlighted the bitter experience of the caretaker government and said the last interim government overstayed in power illegally for two years instead of three months.
She said all elections under the present government were held in a free, fair and transparent manner and the government did not make any interference in the polls. ‘Many opposition candidates won these elections,’ she said.
The prime minister listed the government’s successes in the fields of agriculture, education, women empowerment and health.
She said the government had undertaken ‘Vision 2021’ programme to turn Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021.
The prime minister sought more Canadian assistance in different sectors of the country.
The Canadian envoy praised the government’s successes in different fields including education, health, agriculture, women empowerment and food security.
She also lauded the election manifesto of the present government terming it well-planned.
Ambassador-at-large M Ziauddin and special assistant to the prime minister Abdus Sobhan Golap were present on the occasion.
Dhaka-Ctg Highway blocked in Munshiganj
From New Age
Hundreds of people blocked Dhaka-Chittagong Highway at Baushia in Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj on Monday in protest against an attack on a UP chairman.
Gazaria thana officer Md Shahidul Islam said Baushia UP chairman Abdul Mannan Dewan Mona came under attack by supporters of his rival and defeated chairman candidate Nasir Uddin at Bhaberchar village in the upazila on Sunday evening.
Angered by the attack several hundred supporters of Mona brought out a protest procession and blocked the highway by placing barricade on it at 12:40pm Monday.
However, the road blockade was withdrawn after police intervention at 1:00pm.
Hundreds of people blocked Dhaka-Chittagong Highway at Baushia in Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj on Monday in protest against an attack on a UP chairman.
Gazaria thana officer Md Shahidul Islam said Baushia UP chairman Abdul Mannan Dewan Mona came under attack by supporters of his rival and defeated chairman candidate Nasir Uddin at Bhaberchar village in the upazila on Sunday evening.
Angered by the attack several hundred supporters of Mona brought out a protest procession and blocked the highway by placing barricade on it at 12:40pm Monday.
However, the road blockade was withdrawn after police intervention at 1:00pm.
FIR accused Tarek, Mayeen and Kabir Sarkar granted bail
From New Age
Narsingdi District and Session Judge on Monday granted bail to three people accused in FIR in mayor Lokman Hossain murder case, including accused Tarek Ahmed.
Lawyers defending Tarek Ahmed told the court that their client was an international businessman, Managing Director of T Hossain and Company and a land owners.
Moving the bail petition, they said Tarek had gone to Saudi Arab to perform Hajj on October
30 before the killing of mayor Lokman Hossain and as such he was not involved in the murder of Lokman.
Public Prosecutor opposed the bail petition.
District and Session Judge Dr. Shahjahan after hearing arguments fromboth sides granted Tarek Ahmed bail.
The judge also granted bail to two other FIR
accused in Lokman Hossain murder case —Mayeen and Kabir Sarkar.
Narsingdi District and Session Judge on Monday granted bail to three people accused in FIR in mayor Lokman Hossain murder case, including accused Tarek Ahmed.
Lawyers defending Tarek Ahmed told the court that their client was an international businessman, Managing Director of T Hossain and Company and a land owners.
Moving the bail petition, they said Tarek had gone to Saudi Arab to perform Hajj on October
30 before the killing of mayor Lokman Hossain and as such he was not involved in the murder of Lokman.
Public Prosecutor opposed the bail petition.
District and Session Judge Dr. Shahjahan after hearing arguments fromboth sides granted Tarek Ahmed bail.
The judge also granted bail to two other FIR
accused in Lokman Hossain murder case —Mayeen and Kabir Sarkar.
DCs replaced in 10 dists
From New Age
Deputy commissioners have been replaced in 10 districts across the country.
The districts are Pirojpur, Bhola, Gazipur, Natore, Sherpur, Satkhira, Bandarban, Jhenaidah, Bogra and Chapainawabganj. 6 of former DCs have been transferred.
Deputy commissioners have been replaced in 10 districts across the country.
The districts are Pirojpur, Bhola, Gazipur, Natore, Sherpur, Satkhira, Bandarban, Jhenaidah, Bogra and Chapainawabganj. 6 of former DCs have been transferred.
Santa tracker launches again with smart phone app, volunteers ready
From The Christian Science Monitor
The volunteer Santa trackers at the North American Aerospace Defense Command are bracing for tens of thousands of calls and emails when their operations center goes live on Christmas Eve.
The military base has been telling anxious children about Santa's whereabouts every year since 1955. That was the year a Colorado Springs newspaper ad invited kids to call Santa on a hotline, but the number had a mistake, and dozens of kids wound up talking to the Continental Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD's predecessor.
The officers on duty played along and began sharing reports on Santa's progress. It's now a deep-rooted tradition at NORAD, a joint U.S.-Canada command that monitors the North American skies and seas…(full story)
Ohio State brings home Urban Meyer to rebuild program
From USA Today
Urban Meyer says he was convinced a year ago he was through with coaching. He didn't like the sordid state of college football. He wanted to spend more time with his family, watch his three kids play sports and get a handle on his health issues.
A year after resigning from Florida, after promising his children he would find balance between football and family, after saying his health was fantastic and resolving not to try to solve all of college football ills, Meyer says he's back where he belongs.
Ohio State athletics director Gene Smith welcomed Meyer home when he introduced the Ohio native as the Buckeyes' new coach Monday. But the program Meyer comes home to is one that has come to symbolize what's wrong with big-time college sports…(full story)
Barney Frank, a Top Liberal, Won't Seek Re-election
From New York Times
Simply put, Barney Frank has had enough.
Speaking from his district office here on Monday after announcing his plan to retire from the House of Representatives, Mr. Frank said he was tired of the scorching partisan battles that did not exist when he first won office three decades ago, tired of campaigning, which he detests, and, at 71, just plain tired.
“By the end of next year, I will have been doing this for 45 years with one six-month sabbatical,” Mr. Frank said in an interview, referring to his career in politics, which started as an aide to former Mayor Kevin White of Boston. “It’s been a privilege to fight for the quality of people’s lives, but I’m ready to put a little more quality into my own life.”
Earlier in the day, Mr. Frank announced at a news conference that he had decided to retire at the end of next year after his Massachusetts district was recently redrawn and it became clear that he would have to fight harder than he wanted for re-election.
Mr. Frank said he had intended to serve one more term but that after seeing his redrawn district, which would give him more than 300,000 new constituents and would not include blue-collar New Bedford, one of his strongholds, he changed his mind.
In the interview at his office, the wry and often cantankerous Mr. Frank — who has been among the nation’s most prominent gay elected officials, as well as a frequent target for conservatives in Congress — was relaxed and full of one-liners as he discussed the mood on Capitol Hill and his reasons for leaving. When he arrived in the House in 1981, he said, “you had Tip O’Neill and Ronald Reagan talking about how they were friends after 5 o’clock — although if you knew Reagan’s work habits it was really, like, after about 2:30.”
Now, Mr. Frank said, the notion that wrangling between Democrats and Republicans is “a competition between people of good will with different views on public policy” has vanished. For that, he blames Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker and current Republican presidential candidate with whom he has a tense history...(full story)
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