Roads in disrepair, DCC carefree
News Report
The roads in the capital city of Dhaka are in a state of dilapidation. The poor condition of the city streets beggars description as they have become unfit for vehicular movement. Repair work had not been done during the last four/five years for reasons best known to the city fathers. If there is even a little rain, the roads become muddy and slippery and movement of traffic becomes next to impossible.Except a few VIP roads, almost all the roads, lanes and bylanes are potholed. During the rains water stagnates in some areas and the roads look like pool of water. There is every possibility of accident when the vehicles ply on these roads.To the plight of the city dwellers the authorities in charge of repair choose the rainy season for road digging. Vehicular traffic becomes difficult then. Mud and dust mixed with litters make the environment polluted much to the health hazards.The roads have become the biggest casualty of the city corporation''s utter neglect. Taxes are realized, but spending for road repair in suspended. The gullible city dwellers very often ask when their situation will come to an end.
Six triple murder suspects arrested
News Report
Godfathers still at largeDB (Detective Branch) investigators made a great headway by arresting Saturday six culprits allegedly involved in the sensational triple murder at Karwanbazar in the city. They also recovered the microbus bearing number Dhaka Metro-Cha 13-3075 used in carrying the gangsters.The arrested were identified as Rakib Ahmed Sohel, Imdadul Haq Babul, Shakib Miah, Rakibul Islam Babu, Saiful Islam Ripon and Mamun. The arrested confessed to their involvement in the brutal killings to DB police. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Shahidul Haq while briefing the journalists on Saturday said that a total of 30 criminals of whom nine armed wielding were directly involved in the gruesome murders. In exchange of a big sum of money, the hired goons under patronization of six godfathers took part in the operation, the commissioner said adding that extortion of huge toll money from the wholesale market was the reason behind the killings. But for the sake of proper investigation, the DMP top police official did not disclose names of the godfathers. In the preliminary investigation, the investigators, however, did not find the involvement of the four FIR-name accused. Soon after the incident, four local BNP leaders were charged with the triple murder. Mobarak Hossain, brother of Faruq Molla, one of the three deceased, filed the case with Tejgaon Police Station on Friday night accusing local BNP leaders L Rahman, Nabi Solaiman and Sayeed, Nurul Islam in this connection. Another seven unidentified people were also sued. According to the case statement, the four BNP leaders with whom Faruq Molla allegedly had a conflict of business interests had hired gunmen to kill him. Unidentified gunmen on Friday shot and killed three men in the biggest kitchen market of the capital. Faruq Molla, Mohammed Ashraf Mia, were killed on the spot while Nuruddin Sarker Jewel, bodyguard of Faruq succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).Most of the killers remain still at large. Several teams of the police, RAB and DB are now on a massive hunt in different parts of the capital city of Dhaka and elsewhere the country for the killers. Alongside police, members of different intelligent branches are also trying to trace the culprits, police said. After the triple-murder a week ago, police vigilance has increased in and around the Kawranbazar, yet extortion is still rampant. Police, however, claim the situation has improved after they stepped up activities. More intelligence and plainclothes police officers are now working to check crimes in the area. But wholesalers said police watch on the market is nothing new. But it hardly works, as many of the law enforcers deployed become a part of the crime syndicate, it is alleged. UNB adds: Detectives detected extortion and rivalry for supremacy over the business hub as the main causes of the June 26 Karwanbazar triple murders as they arrested 12 suspects in connection with the killings.Nine of the attackers used 10 firearms in the shooting incident that left Faruk Hossain Mullah, president of Karwanbazar Adarsha Fal Babsayee Malik Samity, and his two associates--Ashraf Hossain and Jewel--dead inside the samity office at the DIT market in the Karwanbazar area."Preliminary investigations revealed that extortion and supremacy over the area were main reasons behind the killings," the city police chief said.Replying to a question, the DMP Commissioner said they found out all the 30 names, including six of godfathers, "directly and indirectly involved in the incident".Five teams of the Detective Branch started the hunt for killers shortly after the killings and arrested driver of the getaway microbus Imdadul Haq alias Babul from Mirpur and then held another driver, Shakib, on June 30. Later, the investigators launched simultaneous drives and arrested Rakibul Islam Babu, Saiful Islam Ripon, Mamun, Rakib Ahmed Sohel, Hemayet Uddin, Imran Hossain Babu, Taher Ali, Azmal Khan Pappu, Rajib Ahmed and Tanvir Ahmed Jony from different hideouts in Dhaka, Mymensingh and Kishoreganj districts.Talking to the reporters at the DB office, one of the suspects, Sohel, said he alone had used two firearms in the shooting incident.
Serving poisonous food to Hasina
BNP demands probe
BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain Saturday demanded a fair investigation into the allegation of serving poisonous food to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when she was in special sub-jail during the last caretaker government, reports UNB."Mentioning anyone''s name without investigation is motivated," he said replying to questions from reporters at the party central office in the afternoon over the allegation of serving poison-laced food to Hasina.He alleged that attempts are being made to shift the charge of serving poison-mixed food to others to hide the real culprit like that of the BDR headquarters carnage. Delwar said if the incident of serving poison-mixed food to Sheikh Hasina had taken place that should be investigated transparently to punish those involved in it. On Friday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina''s Health Adviser Prof Dr Modasser Ali at a function alleged that poison was mixed with the food served to Hasina while imprisoned in a sub-jail during the immediate-past caretaker government.Dr Modasser suspected the involvement of a number of persons, including former Advisers to the last caretaker government. Addressing a programme a few days back, Deputy Leader of the House and Awami League presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury first voiced that poisonous food were served to imprisoned Hasina during the caretaker regime.About Tipaimukh dam, the BNP secretary general said as per proposal of the Prime Minister they agreed to send a separate team along with experts and hoped that the government would accept their proposal. He said water experts should be sent to Tipaimukh dam site to assess its possible impact on Bangladesh.Referring to movements launched also in some Indian states against the Tipaimukh dam like in Bangladesh, Delwar said experts from both Bangladesh and India can visit together to assess what impact might be on the two countries if the dam is constructed.
JS session resumes today
The current Parliament session resumes today at 4 pm after a four-day break following the passage of the national budget, reports UNB.After the House of Parliament passed the Tk 113,819 crore budget for the new 2009-10 fiscal year on June 30--amid continued boycott of the session by the main opposition BNP--the session was adjourned until Sunday. The Awami League government''s maiden budget outlines Tk 189,960 crore as gross expenditure, including revenue and development spending, and Tk 113,819 crore as net expenditure for the year that started on the first of July.Food and Disaster Management Ministry has received the maximum allocation of Tk 12,946 crore in aggregate allocation for development and non-development sectors.The Ministry of Defence received the second-highest allocation of Tk 8,199 crore followed by the Local Government Division with an allocation of Tk 7,934 crore.Education Ministry received Tk 7,415 crore, Health Ministry Tk 7,000 crore, Primary and Mass Education Ministry Tk 6,617 crore, Home Ministry Tk 5,879 crore and the Power Division Tk 3,578 crore.Earlier on June 29, Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina and Finance Minister AMA Muhith gave concluding speeches on the budget.The finance bill ratifying the taxes and tariffs levied in the budget was also passed in the House that day, with revision of tax proposals for the mobile phone, newsprint, car and some other items. The budget for FY10 has been formulated mainly in the light of the Awami League''s election manifesto. Safety net, measures for facing aftermath of recession and attracting investment have been focused in the budget.
''Poor admn, energy crisis bar to growth''
Finance Minister AMA Muhith Saturday said country''s development has virtually stalled for poor administrative function for a lack of quality manpower and the prevailing energy crisis, reports UNB."Our progress, if I say frankly, got stuck up for unskilled administration and energy crisis. Administrative reforms and a hunt for alternative (sources of) energy are a must to ensure expected economic development," he told Bangladeshi expatriates at a function.The finance minister of the new government that introduced public-private partnership in the just-passed budget aiming to unlock the growth potential pointed out the two stumbling-blocks while addressing the closing ceremony of a three-day NRB conference as chief guest at the Sheraton Hotel.Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahmna addressed the function as special guest while BAIRA President Golam Mostafa delivered welcome address at the function with North South University Vice-chancellor Hafiz G A Siddiqui in the chair.Admitting poor performance of the administration for lack of competent manpower, Muhith said administrative structure should be changed for the expected growth.Responding to a number of recommendations placed by the Scholars Bangladesh forum in the three-day conference he said the government would give policy support for setting up an NRB bank in Bangladesh and the NRBs (Non-resident Bangladeshis) will be the owners of the bank.The finance minister said there is surely energy crisis in the country and there is no alternative but to go for using coal to address the growing energy crisis.He noted though the flow of remittance is steady enough, it is not being invested in the productive sectors in many cases.He directed the BB governor present on the podium to take steps for setting up the NRB bank so that investment of remittances in productive sector can be ensured.Unveiling government plan to honor the NRBs he said the government would set up airport service centers at Dhaka, Sylhet and Chittagong airports so that each NRB can get warm reception when they come home.Muhith made it clear that the government would no more walk the way of setting up any EPZ rather emphasize setting up special economic zone."Special economic zone for SME, agriculture and industrial sectors will be set up in the country instead of EPZ," said the finance minister.He assured that all the problems facing the NRBs would be removed. "The government will take step for the returnee workers for their welfare."Recognizing the significant contributions of NRBs he said they could come forward to help Bangladesh in overcoming the crisis in the energy sector.
Flood situation ''likely to worsen''
Flooding in Bangladesh''s northern and north-eastern districts is likely to worsen due to continuing torrential rains in the country and in neighbouring India, said officials on Saturday, reports bdnews24.com. Meteorological departments of both countries forecast more downpours over next 24 hours. Bangladesh''s Flood Forecast and Warning Centre said rainfall in the 24 hours up to 6am on Saturday was recorded at 88mm in Sylhet, 60mm in Lorergarh, 62mm in Noakhali and 57mm in Comilla. The met department said the 24 hours from 6pm on Saturday would see light to moderate rainfall in all six divisions of Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna and Barisal while some places may experience heavy to moderate rainfall. Meanwhile, heavy rains in Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura in India over the past few days have already been causing rivers downstream in Bangladesh to swell. The FFWC said flood situation was likely to get more serious. Water levels rose at 40 points of 73 measured in different rivers countrywide, declining at 22 points. The Surma river in Sunamganj was flowing 46cm above the danger mark on Saturday while Kangsha river in the same district was flowing 32cm above the red level, according to the Water Development Board. Water levels continued to rise in Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Padma-Meghna basins, though they were still below the danger mark for the time, said officials. Already flooded Lowlands in Feni, Sunamganj and Kurigram among other places were flooded on Friday, stranding thousands, according to local authorities. In Kurigram, water was rising in 16 rivers that flooded over 25 villages, with some 10,000 people are already marooned, said local officials. The Water Development Board recorded 13cm water rise in the Dhorala, 17cm in the Dudhkumor and 32 cm in the Bramhaputra. In Sunamganj, rivers flooded lowlands in five upazilas, marooning ''thousands'', said local reports. Waters of the Surma was flowing 48cm over the danger mark on Friday noon at Shologhar point and 85mm rainfall was recorded in the previous 24 hours. In Nilphamari, the Teesta, flowing 15cm over the danger level, flooded seven villages in three unions and left 1,500 people stranded. In Feni, eight villages of Phulgazi and Porshuram upazilas were flooded as water of the Muhuri was flowing more than 80cm over the usual mark. In Lalmonirhat, the flood situation in Hatibandha and Kaliganj upazilas worsened. Thousands of acres of land were flooded and 6,000 people were marooned, by local estimates.
Poet Azad dead
Renowned novelist and poet Dr Alauddin Al Azad died at his Uttara residence in the city Friday midnight. He was 77, reports UNB.Family sources said he had been suffering from various old-age ailments for the last one year.He left behind his wife, one grandson, one granddaughter and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. His only son died barely one year back.Dr Azad’s namaj-e-janaza will be held after Asar prayers today (Saturday) and then be buried at Mirpur Intellectuals Graveyard. Born in 1932 in Raipura uapzila of Narsingdi district, Alauddin Al Azad was a very good student of Bangla Literature and also a professor. Prof Azad wrote short stories, novels, poems, literary criticism. He also taught Bangla and served as Educational Counsellor at the Bangladesh Embassy in Moscow.His literary works were also included in the curricula of secondary, higher secondary and graduation levels.President Zillur Rahman expressed profound shock at his death. ”Dr Alauddin Al Azad was a talented littérateur. He talked about mass people of the country in his poems and writings,” the President said in a message. He said, “Dr Azad also had contributions to our great language movement. We’ve lost a patriotic, talented person at the death of Dr Azad.”The President conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members and prayed for salvation of the departed soul.
Obama seeks support for his domestic initiatives
WASHINGTON, Jul 4: President Barack Obama sought to rally support for his domestic initiatives, while Sen. John McCain called for Americans to support millions of Iranian election protesters. The onetime presidential rivals both cited the spirit of the nation''s founders in their U.S. Independence Day radio and Internet addresses Saturday, reports AP.Obama said an "unyielding spirit is what defines us as Americans" and led people during the nation''s history to explore the West, persevere during the Depression and build a robust industrial economy."That is the spirit we are called to show once more," Obama said. "We are facing an array of challenges on a scale unseen in our time. We are waging two wars. We are battling a deep recession. And our economy - and our nation itself - are endangered by festering problems we have kicked down the road for far too long: spiraling health care costs; inadequate schools; and a dependence on foreign oil."He said the same spirit will be needed to deal with problems "we cannot defer any longer," citing several areas: -Revamping the education system, demand more from teachers, parents and students and "build schools that prepare every child in America to outcompete any worker in the world."-Overhauling the health care system "that is imposing crushing costs on families, businesses, large and small, and state and federal budgets."-Making clean energy "the profitable kind of energy so that we can end our dependence on foreign oil and reclaim America''s future."The House narrowly passed Obama''s energy bill, and Congress is developing legislation to overhaul the health care system, making care more affordable and providing coverage for millions of the uninsured.McCain, an Arizona Republican, says the United States has a moral obligation to publicly denounce the Iranian government and support Iranians who feel cheated by the election."Today, we stand with the millions of Iranians who brave batons, imprisonment and gunfire to have their voices heard and their votes counted," McCain said. "They do not ask us to arm them or come to their assistance with anything other than public declarations of solidarity, and public denunciations of the tyrants who oppress them. We have a moral obligation to do so." After quashing huge street demonstrations, Iran''s leadership has been trying to erase any lingering doubts about the legitimacy of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by portraying the unrest as sparked by foreign meddling, not by public anger over the June 12 election, which the protesters said was fraudulent.Obama has tried to balance being supportive of the protesters without giving the Iranian government more cause to crack down. Republican lawmakers have pushed Obama to more forcefully denounce Iran''s leadership. More than two weeks ago, the president issued his strongest statement against the actions of the Iranian regime. "No iron fist is strong enough to shut off the world from bearing witness to the peaceful pursuit of justice," Obama said at a news conference. He expressed doubt about the legitimacy of the national election.While McCain on Saturday pushed for a more forceful international voice, Obama rallied support for his domestic programs. Obama said some critics of his programs "would have us try what has already failed; who would defend the status quo." But he said those critics need to remember history. "They forget that we, as a people, did not get here by standing pat in a time of change," he said. "We did not get here by doing what was easy. That is not how a cluster of 13 colonies became the United States of America.""We are not a people who fear the future. We are a people who make it," Obama said. "And on this July Fourth, we need to summon that spirit once more."
Hossain Zillur for fair probe against ex-advisers
Former adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman has called for fair and transparent investigation into charges against members of the past caretaker government, reports bdnews24.com.Questioned by reporters after a seminar on Saturday, Hossain Zillur, who was education and commerce adviser during the interim administration, said, "I will reply to your questions as there is no reason to flee from the past." "Many discussions and reviews on the caretaker government are taking place now and will continue to be debated." Former law adviser Mainul Hosein and former home adviser MA Matin both face probes by parliamentary bodies over corruption charges. In the past few days, allegations have even surfaced against the two in connection with claims by the ruling and opposition parties that prime minister Sheikh Hasina and leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia may have been fed poison during their terms in special jail from 2007-08. Since an elected government, led by Hasina''s Awami League, came to power in January, many on both sides of the political divide have also called for the two-year emergency interim rulers to be put on trial for constitutional violations. Zillur, when pressed by reporters on Saturday about the charges against Moinul and Matin in particular, said, "I won''t comment on the specific points that you ask." "Responsible persons will find the answers to the questions raised. A transparent process can solve this," he said. "During our period we tried to do our best knowingly and being honest in our duties," he added. He also said a common trend had been established in Bangladesh, calling it a "culture of revenge" against the past. Zillur Rahman, who was speaking after an Internet entrepreneurship seminar at the CIRDAP auditorium, urged all to focus on national identity at the end of all discussions. "We want to see a unified nation. There may be political rivalry, but everything should be out in the open." "Unity is the most important thing," said the former adviser.
Two more swine flu cases detected
Two more cases of swine flu have been detected in Bangladesh, bringing the number of confirmed infections in the country to 18, IEDCR director Mahmudur Rahman said Saturday, reports bdnews24.com.Rahman told bdnews24.com ten of the cases identified by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research had been contracted overseas, while the remaining eight had become infected within the country. "The two newly identified cases were probably infected by relatives, who had recently returned from abroad," said Rahman The new cases are a young man and woman, aged between 20 to 22, currently residing in Dhaka, he said. Rahman said ten of the victims were yet to fully recover and remain under the supervision of the health directorate in their homes, although they are isolated from other family members. He said treatment in hospital was unnecessary as all the patients had presented with slight symptoms. "Everyone is improving," he said, adding that if they developed any problems they would be taken to hospital immediately for treatment. WHO declared a global swine flu pandemic on June 1, while the health ministry confirmed the first case in Bangladesh on June 19. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 89,000 cases have so far been detected in 125 countries worldwide, with 382 fatalities on record. Incoming passengers are being screened for symptoms at Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet airports, Chittagong and Mongla seaports and 11 land ports as a protection measure, say officials. Symptoms of the virus include fever with high temperature and respiratory problems. The IEDCR advises schools and offices to grant leave to anyone who displays symptoms of the virus. It also advises people to refrain from spitting and to practice regular hand washing to curb spread of the virus.
4 BCL activists expelled from JU
SAVAR, July 4: Four BCL activists of Jahangirnagar University were today expelled on charge of disrupting academic activities on the campus, reports UNB.Those expelled are Zahid Parvez Khan Pulok of English Department, Mahfuzur Rahman Mahfuz of History Department and Mohammad Abdul Hadi Bhuyian alias Sharif of Archaeology Department.Another BCL leader, Monoj Mondol Joy, of Botany department was given same punishment and his studentship in postgraduate diploma in CIT was also suspended.A notice issued by the Registrar said they have vitiated the academic atmosphere and also involved in clashes. They are barred from entering, staying or passing through the campus, said the notice.
Two Dutch ministers due in city
The Minister for Development Cooperation, Bert Koenders and the Vice Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, Mrs. Tineke Huizinga of the Netherlands will arrive in Dhaka on a two-day official visit to Bangladesh today (Sunday) and tomorrow (Monday), says a press release. During their stay, both the ministers will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Minister for Finance A.M.A. Muhit, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Dipu Moni and Minister for Water Resources Ramesh Chandra Sen.The ministers will also meet with members of parliament, academics, development experts as well as with representatives of NGOs and the business community. Both the ministers will also visit Dutch government funded education and water sector projects in Khulna district in order to gain first hand experience of the progress made in the fight against poverty in Bangladesh.The Netherlands and Bangladesh have longstanding relations. The Netherlands was among the first countries to recognise Bangladesh''s independence in 1972 and started providing support for Bangladesh''s development as early as 1975. Since that year Bangladesh has received over 1 billion dollars from the Dutch, mostly in grants. Nowadays the Dutch government provides development aid worth 60 million Euro annually to Bangladesh through government and non-government channels for the improvement of water management, land reclamation, combating climate change, health, education and good governance. Special attention is given to strengthening women''s rights and combating violence against women.
Debt burdened
Poor couple commit suicide
NAOGAON, July 4: A poor rickshaw van peddler and his wife overburdened by debt committed suicide by hanging in their house at Niamatpur on Friday night, reports UNB.Police on Saturday rescued the body of Abdus Samad, 55, and his wife Zarina ,47, and sent the bodies to hospital for autopsy.According to the villagers, Samad and Zarina failing to maintain the large family compelled to borrow money at different times from Grameen Bank, Asha, BRAC and some other NGOs that piled up to Tk one lakh with compound interest.Finding no means of repaying the huge loan and failing to withstand the tremendous pressure from the money lenders they committed suicide hanging side by side with rope from the ceiling of the house at dead of night.
Hitler got things done!
LONDON, Jul 4: Formula One commercial rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone, on Saturday stoked up controversy by praising Adolf Hitler for being a man who "was able to get things done", reports AFP. In an interview with ''The Times'' newspaper, Ecclestone praised strong leadership and said that he preferred totalitarian regimes to democracies. Ecclestone said: "In a lot of ways, terrible to say this I suppose, but apart from the fact that Hitler got taken away and persuaded to do things that I have no idea whether he wanted to do or not, he was in the way that he could command a lot of people, able to get things done. "In the end he got lost, so he wasn''t a very good dictator because either he had all these things and knew what was going on and insisted, or he just went along with it ... so either way he wasn''t a dictator." Saying he liked "strong leaders" like Margaret Thatcher, Ecclestone suggested that FIA president Max Mosley would make a good Prime Minister. "I don''t think his background would be a problem," said Ecclestone of Mosley, the son of Sir Oswald Mosley, leader of the British Union of Fascists. He added: "I prefer strong leaders. Margaret Thatcher made decisions on the run and got the job done. She was the one who built this country up slowly. We''ve let it go down again. All these guys, Gordon (Brown) and Tony (Blair) are trying to please everybody all the time ... Max would do a super job, he''s a good leader." "Politicians are too worried about elections. We did a terrible thing when we supported the idea of getting rid of Saddam Hussein, he was the only one who could control the country. It was the same (with the Taliban.)," added Ecclestone, who in 1997 donated 1million pounds to the Labour Government. A spokesman for the board of Deputies of British Jews said: "Mr Ecclestone''s comments regarding Hitler, female, black and Jewish racing drivers are quite bizarre. He says ''Politics are not for me'' and we are inclined to agree." Ecclestone previously stirred controversy when he suggested in 2008 that racist comments on a website about British driver Lewis Hamilton had "started as just a joke".
Allegation of food poisoning
Mainul for high-level probe body
Barrister Mainul Hosein, the former Law Adviser of the past caretaker government, Saturday said the Prime Minister must form a high-level neutral inquiry committee with experts to investigate the allegation of attempt to killing her through poisoning food if she got any plausible reason to believe it, reports UNB.In a statement Barrister Hosein referred to the interview of PM''s health adviser Dr Syed Mudasser Ali with Daily Jugantor on July 4 wherein he raised the allegation of mixing poison with food to ''kill'' Sheikh Hasina in the prison during the rule of immediate-past interim regime.He said Syed Mudasser raised this allegation at different places and in the media and blamed two advisers of the caretaker government and former IG and the DIG prisons for such alleged doping misdeed.The Barrister quoted the doctor as having said: ''We were not allowed to meet with Sheikh Hasina when we raised this doubt at that time.''He said Syed Mudasser in his interview did not furnish any information to substantiate his doubt. "Syed Mudasser mysteriously implicated me as Law Adviser without involving any persons who were in charge of Home Ministry for not allowing him to meet with Sheikh Hasina."Barrister Mainul made a point that 4 or 5 months ahead of becoming Prime Minister Hasina had gone to the United States for treatment of her ears and she had been under treatment of "big doctors" over there.At that time this allegation of using arsenic poison was not heard. Sheikh Hasina''s personal physician, Dr Mudasser Ali, did not say anything about it.Barrister Mainul said Dr Mudasser would have to explain as to why he raised this allegation six months after the formation of the present government."I firmly believe that Sheikh Hasina herself will not believe that I may have any link with the so-called heinous conspiracy to kill her," he said.Barrister Mainul further said: "Our government was a combined government formed with cooperation of the armed forces and the matter will have to be seen in that angle."In his elaborate reaction to the serious allegation he observed everyone knows that Adviser Dr Mudasser Ali is an eye specialist and for that matter he is not supposed to have knowledge about discovering food poisoning.Mainul said he was adviser for the first one year, and after his departure, Hasina had been in jail 5/6 months. As the Law Adviser he had tried his best to transfer power to the elected representatives through an acceptable election.The Barrister strongly protested what he dismissed as baseless and motivated allegations.He hoped that the Prime Minister would enquire into the matter and ensure justice. "It must also be looked into whether Dr Mudasser is trying to cover up his failure as personal physician of the Prime Minister," he said.Barrister Mainul said though Dr Mudasser Ali has been made Adviser, he has not got the "licence for engrossing all his sense of responsibility and decency"."Unfortunately, he is my relative and he made biased statement about the problems of Daily Ittefaq," he said, adding, "It should be investigated his reason for personal anger and motives against me."
Honduras now in collision course
TEGUCIGALPA, (Honduras), July 4: Honduras’ refusal to restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya despite an appeal by the top envoy for the Americas has put the impoverished nation on a collision course with the world community that could lead to its isolation, reports AP.Honduras said it would no longer recognize the Organization of American States charter, claiming the diplomatic body attempted to impose “unilateral and indignant resolutions” on the new government, which took power a week ago in a military-backed coup and forced Zelaya into exile.OAS chief Jose Miguel Insulza had demanded Zelaya be restored to office, and on Saturday the organization was to discuss suspending the Central American nation’s membership. But Honduras’ interim president, Roberto Micheletti, said “the OAS is a political organization, not a court, and it can’t judge us,” according to a note to Insulza read on Honduras’ television Friday night.The move means Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the Americas, will leave the OAS and will not face sanctions by the organization, though it would not prevent other groups and countries from suspending aid and loans.Nations around the world have promised to shun Micheletti. Neighboring countries have imposed trade blockades, the United States has halted joint military operations and European Union ambassadors have abandoned the Honduran capital. The World Bank already has suspended $200 million in financing, and the Inter-American Development Bank has put $450 million on hold.Insulza, who was in Tegulcigalpa on Friday, met with the country’s Supreme Court, attorney general and other political figures.“We wanted to ask that this situation be reversed,” Insulza told reporters after the meeting. “Unfortunately, one must say that there appears to be no willingness to do this.”Honduras’ Supreme Court, which had authorized the coup, said it would not agree to reinstate the toppled leftist leader.Micheletti’s interim government — which has blamed Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for stoking the crisis — appeared ready to settle in for the long haul.“If Honduras is out of the OAS, well, we will be isolated ... little by little we will regain the confidence of other nations, because we are a valiant people who have said ‘enough’ to Chavez,” said Micheletti’s assistant foreign minister, Martha Lorena Alvarado.“We will not retreat,” she said, “and Zelaya’s return is not negotiable.”Insulza said Honduran officials gave him documents showing that charges are pending or have been brought against Zelaya, charges they say justify the coup.The OAS diplomat also met with the two main candidates in Honduras’ Nov. 29 elections, as well with the Popular Block umbrella group of farm, labor and student groups that largely supports Zelaya.But Insulza said he would not see Micheletti, whom Congress named president after Zelaya’s ouster, in order to avoid legitimizing the government.Zelaya, meanwhile, was traveling in Central America and planned to return to Honduras on Sunday, according to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. Zelaya had said he would be traveling with Insulza and the presidents of Argentina and Ecuador. Honduran officials have vowed to arrest the ousted leader if he returns home.Micheletti led a raucous chant of “Democracy!” before a giant crowd Friday waving blue-and-white Honduran flags in front of the palace he has occupied since Zelaya was seized by soldiers on June 28 and flown into exile.“I am the president of all Hondurans,” he proclaimed, as police helicopters circled over the heavily guarded palace.A rival rally by thousands of Zelaya backers marched to the OAS offices carrying a banner that read: “Mel, our friend, the people are with you!” Micheletti’s supporters say the army was justified in ousting Zelaya — on orders of Congress and the Supreme Court — because he had called a referendum which they claim he intended to use to extend his rule. Zelaya denies that and has said he will no longer press for constitutional changes. The U.S. Embassy issued a statement Friday expressing “deep concern over restrictions imposed on certain fundamental rights” by Micheletti’s government, including a curfew and “reports of intimidation and censorship against certain individuals and media outlets.”
Tornado lashes two villages in Jhalakati
JHALAKATI, July 4: At least 20 houses and mosques were damaged as a tornado swept over two villages in Rajapur upazila of the district Saturday morning, reports UNB.Locals said the tornado lashed Putiakhali and Uttar Charail under Galua Union at about 6am and lasted for a minute.A good number of trees were also uprooted during the storm.UNO M Jasimuddin confirmed the incident. He assured the affected people of possible govt help.
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