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Poush 14, 1420 Safar 24, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 274
www.dhakatribune.com
SECOND EDITION
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400 ARRESTED
not coming out for tomorrows Dhaka March, another section got charged up sensing that the government might keep her confined at home. Hours after Dhaka Metropolitan Police denied permission to the opposition alliance for holding a rally at Nayapaltan in the capital tomorrow, the opposition chief released a one and a half minute
An army van patrols in front of the Baitul Mukarram Mosque in the city during Juma prayers yesterday
Barisal
the transport owners and workers had declared to halt operations of the Dhaka-bound buses until further notice.
Bus communication between Dhaka and Barisal have been suspended since yesterday. Aftab Hossain, president of city Sramik League and Barisal Bus Owners Association, said operation of Dhaka-bound passenger buses from Barisal and other parts of the region has been stopped from 11:30am yesterday. Fearing loss of properties and lives,
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RAILWAY SABOTAGE
Saidur Rahman Rintu, AL leader and vice president of the Launch Owners Association said: After getting the view of the central committee of the association in Dhaka, we would decide whether to suspend the operation of the Dhaka-bound launches or not.
PAGE 2 COLUMN 3
Locals thought BGB would come to their rescue as BGB camps surrounds the area. But as BGB personnel did not come forward Jamaat-Shibir vandals wreaked havoc
Sumon Gazi, a tea stall owner of Patgram Upazila, said some people were arrested only for eyewash. Main culprits got away scot-free doing their regular business. Contacted Habibur Rahman, police super of Lalmonirhat, told the Dhaka Tribune that they had taken all necessary steps to maintain calm. About Jamaat-Shibir men he said following police raids they went into hiding in corn fields. However, this correspondent did not find any corn field in the area that could possibly be used as a hiding place. Locals said they had just planted seeds that would grow five to six feet high after a couple of months later. It is impossible to hide in those fields now as they are now only five to six inches long.
PAGE 2 COLUMN 4
Awami League lawmaker from Coxs Bazar 4 constituency Abdur Rahman Bodis annual income has witnessed a significant rise during the last five years, increasing by 512 times compared to his income in 2008. According to the affidavit he had submitted to the Election Commission, his annual income stands at Tk15.46 crore which was only Tk3.01 lakh in 2008. His income from house rent has
PAGE 2 COLUMN 1
INSIDE
News
Comming Soon
2013
3 BNP Jamaat activists intending to join the March for Democracy programme in Dhaka on December 29 are now desperately in need of a smooth train service on which they themselves wreaked havoc in a recent spate of violence.
2013
News
5 With the arrival of a cold wave, sale of winter clothes, including second-hand ones, has reached at its peak at different markets in the port city over the last couple of days. of customers.
Op-Ed
11 The High Court, in a verdict in May 2005, ordered the disclosure of eight-point particulars including the wealth of each candidate contesting in the parliamentary election. The HC also directed the Election Commission to make these points public.
Entertainment
12 James, a living legend of Bangladeshi rock music, will perform today evening at Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Gulshan along with his band Nagar Baul.
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400 arrested in capital, nine districts
n Kailash Sarkar
Police and Rab have launched a crackdown on opposition leaders and activists ahead of the December 29 Dhaka march programme. At least 400 individuals were arrested on charges of arson, vandalism, subversion, killing and possession of illegal arms, during separate drives carried out by the joint-forces of Rab and police in the capital Dhaka and nine other districts in the early hours on Friday. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in a press conference on December 24 announced the march, asking people and party members to march towards Dhaka for the sake of democracy. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has denied permission for a rally on that date in front of the BNPs Nayapaltan headquarters. In their second drive in the capital, the joint forces comprising of police, Rab and BGB picked up 152 people from various parts of Mirpur. Meer Nasir Ali, younger brother of detained war crimes accused Meer Quashem Ali, was among those arrested, sources said. Arrests were also made across the country. Of them, 52 people were arrested in Jessore, 55 in Bogra, 25 in Sirajganj, 14 in Joypurhat, 11 in Chandpur, 12 in Jhenidah, 15 in Feni, 3 in Satkhira and 13 in Chittagong while 32 were arrested in a separate drive by the Rapid Action Battalion in Rajshahi, 14 in Joypurhat, two in Feni,
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
four each in Sitakunda, and Jhenidah. DMP has wrapped the capital in a multi-tier security blanket, setting up check-posts at all bus, train and launch terminals and all entry-points of the capital. We have intelligence that the criminals, who have been carrying out subversive activities around the country, are trying to come to the capital, said Joint Commissioner Monirul Islam, a DMP spokesperson. Almost all passengers of Dhaka-bound buses, lunches and trains were frisked yesterday at the check-posts set up at various terminals. A huge number of personnel from law enforcement agencies have been keeping a close watch on the entry-points to the city for a number of days. On Wednesday night, the joint forces, in their first drive in the capital, picked up 32 people from Jatrabari, Demra and Kadamtali. In addition to those picked up in the joint forces drives, police and Rab in a crackdown raided the houses of a number of leaders and activists of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami around the country including the capital. In Dhaka, houses of city unit BNP Joint Convener Bazlul Basit Anju, city unit Jubo Dal President Hasan Mamun, former ward councilor Shamim Parvej, and many others were raided Thursday night. On Thursday night, Rab arrested 32 leaders and activists of BNP and Jamaat from Rajshahi, Joypurhat, Sitakunda, Feni and Jhenidah. l
Police checking a pedestrians bag as the outlawed political organisation Hizb-ut Tahrir declared to hold a rally at Paltans Muktangon yesterday RAJIB DHAR
However, she owned property worth Tk60, 000 in 2008 as was shown in the affidavit prepared five years ago. Apparently, the ministers wife now possesses 2255 times more wealth since her husband got elected from Chittagong-6 constituency in 2008. Comparing the affidavits submitted in 2008 and 2013, it was found that alongside the cash, Nuran possesses 50 tolas of gold which she claimed to have received at the time of her wedding. However, in the affidavit submitted by Hasan in 2008, there was no mention of the gold in her possession. Before the ninth parliamentary polls, the couple had movable and immovable property worth Tk38 lakh and 17 thousand and 2katha (approximate-
risen to Tk2.08 crore from Tk1.76 lakh registering 118 times rise. The document states that he earns Tk53 lakh from businesses but in 2008, he was not engaged in any sort of investments. From shares and bank interests, the lawmaker earned less than Tk1 lakh in 2008 which has shot up to over Tk8 crore now, a 883 times rise. The affidavit reveals that he has Tk50 lakh as cash-in-hand, which was only around Tk2 lakh in 2008 while his wifes cash-in-hand almost doubled to
around Tk16 lakh from Tk8.26 lakh in 2008. Previously, the couple had Tk1.32 lakh in deposits with banks and other financial institutions. However, it has shot up to Tk8.35 lakh, according to the affidavit. The lawmaker currently owns an SUV worth Tk66.73 lakh and his wife uses a Toyota car worth Tk26.90 lakh. The AL leader earlier said he had an unserviceable Land Rover having a value of Tk2.30 lakh. But after five years, he mentioned its value to be Tk3.30 lakh. In 2008, Bodi had a Tk58,590-shot-
gun in possession. Currently, apart from the shotgun, he has a revolver worth Tk25,000. As immovable property, the couple currently has agricultural lands valued Tk91.53 lakh. It was Tk11.52 lakh in 2008, according to the affidavit. Bodi and his wife now own non-agricultural land of Tk34.68 lakh, which was Tk5.68lakh in 2008. Now they jointly own an apartment worth Tk26.83 lakh whereas the lawmaker previously had a semi-pakka house worth Tk6.83 lakh. l
ly 0.0134 hectare) of non-agricultural land, 25% of which Hasan claimed to have possessed through inheritance. Nuran had no property by inheritance, according to the 2008 affidavit. In 2008, Hasan declared in the affidavit that he had movable property worth Tk20.68lakh while his wife had a bank deposit of Tk60,000. According to the latest affidavit, the couple owns cash and property worth over Tk15crore alongside 55 tolas of gold, three katha (approximately 0.0201 hectare) land, building on 5.06 katha (approximately 0.0338 hactare) land and 31,032 decimal (approximately 125 hectare) agricultural lands. Although in 2008, the minister and his wife had no share in any listed or
unlisted companies, the present wealth statement says Hasan has bonds and shares worth Tk9.60lakh while his wife Nuran owns shares of companies worth Tk92.65crore. Hasan was appointed the state minister for foreign affairs after winning from Chittagong-6 constituency in 2008 and later he was made the forest and environment minister. In the upcoming election he is contesting from Chittagong-7 constituency. In the section under fulfilling in electoral promises in the last election, Hasan claimed that he had fulfilled almost 100 percent of the promises made before the last election. The section, however, did not elaborate on his achievements. l
stating that the law of 1973 permits a trial against the soldiers. Asked whether diplomatic relations with Pakistan would be affected, she said: We are bringing criminals to trial, not diplomats. If Pakistan wanted, they themselves could bring them to trial on the basis of the Geneva Conventions. Perhaps they were unwilling or unable to do so. But, after committing such heinous crimes, such as mass-murder, rape and looting, they walk free and do not feel any remorse. This is totally unacceptable. This trial is important to counter the notion that they have no accountability. Regarding evidence against the soldiers, Tureen said: This case also has specific event eyewitnesses, policy witnesses and documentary witnesses. Already, there have been some autobi-
ographies by Pakistani soldiers describing the issues relating to the crimes and how the operations were carried out, from those who gave the orders. Primarily, we will submit case file against those for whom there is strong evidence. Even the Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report [a commission on Pakistani military involvement in East Pakistan set up by the government of Pakistan in 1972] documented crimes committed by the Pakistani soldiers. Although the committee said that appalling crimes had been committed, they also said there might not have been as many rapes or killings. But we are not playing with numbers here. We are saying, if there was a single rape, a single murder of a civilian due to an operation, and if there was a single woman or an elder or a child who was victimised by a military operation: that
is a war crime. And it must be brought to trial. She said although the research had already started, the investigation process would be documented soon. After completing the investigation, a report would be submitted to the tribunal, after which the state would formally submit the charges to the tribunal. According to sources, the aim is to submit the report by March or April next year. The chief of the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal, M Sanaul Haq, said: All along, while working on the [Bangladeshi] cases, we gathered evidence against the 195 soldiers, and shared it with the prosecutors. This evidence has been kept specifically in case of a situation like this. This trial should be done, because there are no legal obstacles to it. l
Asked about BGB role, van driver Farid, said the paramilitary force personnel played the role of onlookers when Jamaat-Shibir goons resorted to vandalism at Bawra Bazar. Farid said he was present at the time of incident. As two BGB members tried to move forward to stop the violence, a BGB official shouted at them: Why do you have so much interest? Mohammad Junad Ali, camp incharge of Patgram BGB, told the Dhaka Tribune that they only take action after the local administration or their headquarters ask them to do so. Rab and police handled the situation on the day, he added. Many in the area alleged that police would not arrest the Jamaat-Shibir vandals as there had been an underhand dealing of a huge amount of money. Mrinal Ghosh, a resident of Mastarbari area, said: As it is a profitable business for police officials they would not take action against the perpetrators. SP Habibur Rahman, however, said police had arrested a number of people involved in the violence. The situation was now under their control and they were trying to arrest the other culprits, he asserted. l
the group, too has no house or apartment, the couple declared in the affidavit placed at the Election Commission for the 10th parliamentary polls. The Haque familys annual income was Tk50 lakh, coming from agriculture, real estate business, house rent and service, according to the affidavit. According to the wealth statement in the affidavit, the MP and his wife have movable and immovable wealth worth around Tk16 crore 30 lakh. The groups official website, however, lists Enamul Haque and his wife Tahura Haque as the two share-holder directors of Ena Group that has four members in the board, including the couple. Meanwhile, the Ena Property has housing projects in Dhakas posh areas, where even the medium-sized apartments are reportedly worth taka one crore a piece. The company also advertised of having fascinating projects for the rich buyers in Dhaka. The officials of the National Board of Revenue, however, said submitting false or partial wealth information was a punishable offence. Enamul Haque came under media spotlight as the city development authority awarded him the contract for the construction of apartments in Uttara for the middle income people, vio-
lating the rule that an existing MP cannot do business with the government for conflict of interests. According to the affidavit, Enamul Haque has agricultural land worth Tk1 crore 54 lakh while his wife owns similar type of land valued at only Tk1.5 lakh. The value of the couples non-agricultural land stands at Tk5.5 lakh. They own buildings worth Tk67 lakh. They have Tk 15 lakh cash in hand while their bank deposit stands at over Tk 10 lakh. Tahura Haque has almost double shares of the companies listed or unlisted with the capital market. She has shares worth over Tk8 crore and 2 lakh while her husband owns shares of over Tk4 crore 86 lakh. The Ena Group concerns other than the Ena Properties are, Ena Global, a company dedicated to building houses overseas, Northern Power, Ena Building Products Limited, Ena Tex (a company to make wooden products), Saleha Emarat Cold Storage Limited, Saleha Emarat Agricultural Industries Limited, Saleha Emarat Foundation and Ena Dongah. Amader Rajshahi, another sister concern, is a Bangla newspaper based in northern divisional city of Rashahi. Enamul Haque has been re-elected MP of the Rajshahi-5 constituency unopposed. l
We have restored democracy in the country in the past and will bring it back again. Inshallah, those days are not very far. Victory is imminent, she said. Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner of DMP, said they had decided not to allow the rally on security grounds. In an emergency press conference at the National Press Club later in the evening, BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan said: The march for democracy is aimed at protecting not only the process of multi-party democracy, but also to uphold the spirit of 1971 Liberation War. A major inspiration behind our struggle for freedom was cementing democracy in Bangladesh. We are still hopeful that the government will extend its all-out support to make the programme successful, the former minister said. Mohammad Shahjahan, joint secretary general of BNP, told the Dhaka Tribune: [After seeing Khaleda Zias video message] the dedicated leaders and activists of the party will think that their leader is in trouble and so they should come to Dhaka at any cost. On the other hand, the opportunist ones may lose interest fearing that our leader may not be allowed to come out. Senior BNP leaders believe that making the programme a grand success should not be a problem because only about 30 leaders are now in jail. The remaining members of the 486-strong central committee are all free although almost all of them are facing cases. On December 24, hours after Khaleda Zia had announced tomorrows March
for Democracy at a press conference, two policemen were killed in an arson attack on a police vehicle in the capital. The next day, the BNP-led 18-party opposition alliance sent a letter to the DMP seeking permission to stage a rally at Nayapaltan following the March for Democracy. On that day, many leaders and activists were barred from entering Khaleda Zias Gulshan office and some leaders, including an incumbent lawmaker, were arrested. In March 2012, a similar situation arose when the opposition men were allegedly barred from entering the capital to attend a rally. Opposition leaders then said the government had restricted all kinds of Dhaka-bound vehicular movement to prevent them from converging. Fearing such predicaments again, opposition activists reportedly started coming to Dhaka soon after their leader announced the march. Media reports suggest that a significant number of opposition leaders and activists made their way to the capital days before the programme. This time as well, opposition leaders have alleged that the government had been barring their men from coming to the capital by ordering transport companies to not bring their vehicles on the roads. However, when asked about the shortage of bus on the highways, a leader of transport workers union told the Dhaka Tribune there had been no such instruction from the government. No bus has been coming to Dhaka because the law enforcers have requisitioned most of our vehicles for election duty, said Osman Ali, general secretary of Bangladesh Bus Paribahan Sramik Federation. l
The decision would be taken considering the safety of the passengers and vessels, he added. Dhaka-bound water transports had pre-reservation system for cabin passengers therefore the passengers were well-informed about the situation, said Rintu, owner of Dhaka-bound triple-decker launch MV Sundarban. However, Barisal district administration and port authorities said they were not directed for restricting movement of Dhaka-bound transports. The respective transport owners associations might decide on the movement of their vehicles, said Md Shahidullah, Barisal port officer. Condemning the move of transport owners, Kamrul Ahsan Shahin, city BNP secretary, said the government had been opposing BNPs blockade programmes so far. Now they are trying to foil our programme to prevent the mass upsurge. However, such moves would not save them from toppling, said the BNP leader. Aminur Rahman and Selina Begum, two Dhaka-bound passengers expressed anxiety over the suspension of Dhaka-bound buses from Barisal. They said thousands of passengers had preparations according to their preplanned schedule. Many had urgent official works on December 29 as it was a Sunday. Now they have to suffer and go through losses.
uled for Dhaka from Jhenaidah returned money to their passengers who arrived at the counters to make the journey. Staffs at the ticket counters said a sub-inspector from the Jhenaidah police station, following order of the higher authority, had advised them to refrain from setting off buses for Dhaka. Jhenaidah Bus-Minibus Owners Association sources said they had been operating coaches.
Thousands of passengers had preparations according to their preplanned schedule. Many had urgent official works on December 29 as it was a Sunday. Now they have to suffer and go through losses
Jhenaidah
Dhaka-bound passenger buses remained on halt for an indefinite period since yesterday afternoon following the Jumma prayer . Twenty-seven buses sched-
Some coach owners said Sub-Inspector Milon had suggested them to shut the counters in the afternoon considering the Dhaka march of the opposition alliance. However, Sub-Inspector Milon denied the acclaim and said he did not make any such order to the coach owners. Superintendent of Police Altaf Hossain said the owners of the buses might stop their operations as per order from the government, however, police was not involved with any such direction, he claimed. Contacted, Jhenaidah Bus-Minibus Owners Association authorities denied talking to this correspondent.
Meherpur
owners, particularly Dhaka-bound passenger couches in Meherpur went on a strike in support to the government since yesterday. Usually 40 passenger couches leave for Dhaka from Meherpur every day, however, no couches left for Dhaka from the district since yesterday late afternoon without any prior notice. As a result, hundreds of passengers remained stranded on the stations. They alleged that they had fallen victims of such unethical and irresponsible decision taken by the authorities. Abdur Rashid of Monoharpur village under sadar upazila purchased four tickets from Meherpur JR counter on Thursday for going to Dhaka yesterday. After reaching the counter with family members including woman and children amid the chilling cold, he got to know that departure of all the Dhaka-bound coaches had been cancelled. Azizul Islam, counter manager of Meherpur Delux said during the early hours yesterday Dhaka Motor Sramik Okya Porishad instructed them to halt Dhaka-bound couches until further instruction. Golam Rasul, president of upazila AL unit and general secretary of Meherpur Bus-Minibus Owners Association, said for the sake of security of the passengers they decided not to run the vehicles. AKM Nahidul Islam said police did not intervene in their decision regarding suspension of the vehicles and it was completely an internal affair. Masud Arun, former BNP law maker blamed the government for hatching a conspiracy for foiling the March for Democracy programme.
Sylhet
All kinds of long-route Dhaka-bound buses from Sylhet remained at a halt since yesterday. Sources said local leaders of Proshashon O Bangladesh Sorok Poribohon Malik Sromik Union had imposed the temporary suspension fearing vandalism on the occasion of opposition enforced Dhaka March programme. City BNP President MA Haque said leaders of the 18-party alliance willing to participate in the March, were facing trouble. Leaders could not reserve any bus. But they would participate in the programme overcoming all hurdles, he added. Additional Deputy Police Commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police Mohammad Aiyub said: Police has not given any such orders. No written or unwritten orders were issued to suspend the long-route buses. However, Secretary of Dhaka-Sylhet Luxury Coach Road Sromik Union Md Tera Mia said: We received an oral instruction in this regard. Police had been deployed in the central bus terminal in Dakshin Surma upazila since yesterday morning. The ticket sellers were instructed for not selling eight to 10 tickets at a time, he added. He alleged that different petrol pumps were closed down since yesterday afternoon. General Secretary of Sylhet-Moulovibazar Bus Minibus Sromik Union Md Abdur Rahim said: The in-charge of Dakshin Surma police outpost ordered us not to run buses on long-route without approval. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
RAILWAY SABOTAGE
As transport owners in many parts have declined to run buses on security ground it forced the desperate opposition activists to turn to the trains to reach Dhaka
People are looking for trains; there will be a mad rush tomorr ow (Saturday). But I am not sure when the train (Lalmoni Express that runs between Dhaka and northern town Lalmonirhat) will start from here, Mostafizur Rahman, the divisional traffic superintendent in Lalmonirhat, said on Friday. The Lalmoni Express is supposed to start for Dhaka at 10:40am. Md Khalilur Rahman, an additional
Wife of former Rajshahi ward 19 councillor and BNP leader Moniruzzaman Sharif breaks down at the sight of the vandalised condition of her residence yesterday. Police raided the house, along with several others, at the dead of night on Tuesday following the death of a police official in a petrol bomb attack in the city that day DHAKA TRIBUNE
A passenger jumps off a bus as activists of Hizb-ut Tahrir vandalise it during a procession at the capitals Paltan yesterday
NASHIRUL ISLAM
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
Police personnel pass lazy time in front of the office of BNP chairperson in Gulshan yesterday
NASHIRUL ISLAM
Thick fog disrupts ferry services, delays domestic flights n Tribune Report
Ferry services on Mawa-Kawrakandi and Paturia-Daulatdia river routes and some domestic flights across the country were disrupted by thick fog, officials said yesterday. They said the services were disrupted for hours because of poor visibility caused by dense fog. Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporations Dhaka Control Room officials said ferry services on Mawa-Kawrakandi route was halted from 2:30am to 9am am and Paturia-Daulatdia were stopped for three hours from 6am to 9am that resulted in a long traffic tailback at the ferry and launch terminals. The disruption to ferry services led to a four-five kilometre tailback in Paturia ghat area in Manikganj. Five ferries namely Kopoti, Shah Ali, Barkat, Amanat Shah and Hamidur Rahman remained stranded in the middle of the river Padma. Mohiuddin Rasel, manager, BIWTC Aricha Terminal, said they kept ferry services and water vessels suspended from about 6am because of poor visibility. Three flights of Novo, Regent and United Airways were scheduled to reach Chittagong airport from Dhaka by 8:30am, but due to fog none could fly, said the Airport Manager Noor-EAlam. l
CMP strengthens patrolling Ministers violated constitution: Sujan n ahead of Dhaka rally
Abu Bakar Siddique
to inform police in case of suspicious movement of passengers. Meanwhile, police detained two persons from Chittagong Railway Station in the morning when they were going to the capital city to participate the December 29 rally in Dhaka, said Syed Yiasin Faruk, officer-in-charge of the GRP Outpost in Chittagong Railway Station. Banaz, however, said the duo was detained as police had information that they had a plan to carry out sabotage. The sources in the city unit of the BNP in Chittagong said about 20 thousand BNP leaders and activists would go to the capital to join the programme. Abu Sufian, senior vicepresident of the city unit of the BNP, claimed that the government with the assistance of administration is trying to bar opposition activists from joining the Dhaka rally. But we will join the rally at any cost, he vowed. l
Most of the ministers of the last cabinet violated the constitutionby holding profitable positions in addition to their jobs, which increased their income and wealth irrationally during the period of the 9th parliament, constitution expert and lawyer Shahdeen Malik said yesterday. Sedition charges would be filed against them, he said, while addressing a press briefing on the analysis of the wealth statements of the 10th national elections candidates. Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan) organised the programme at the citys Dhaka Reporters Unity hall. According to Sujan, the income of 48 persons involved in the different important positions in the government and contesting in the upcoming parliament election has increased by 582% on average. Whip Noor-E Alam Chowdhury tops this list. On an average, ministers incomes
increased by 243% while state ministers incomes increased by 464%. Sujans analysis also showed that the income of Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali had increased by 4,435% while former Deputy Leader of the parliament Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury and Chief Whip Abdus Shahidhad saw their income increased by 3,071%. Although Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas income had increased by 136% in five years, her net wealth fell by 90%. Sujan made the statement by comparing wealth statements submitted by these people in 2008 and 2013 to the Election Commission, said Badiul Alam Majumder, the secretary of Sujan. We analysed their provided information on income, expenditure, wealth, debt and income tax, he said. The information of many of these persons surprised us as they made this wealth while in government positions, although it is prohibited, he added. In contrast, the incomes of Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Golam Muham-
mad Kader, Mujibur Rahman Fakir and ASM Firoz have declined in the same period. Ministers whose wealth increased by more than one crore are: Matia Chowdhury, Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Raziuddin Ahmed, Abul Kalam Azad, Nurul Islam Nahid, Shahjahan Khan, Md Mujibul Haq, Meher Afroz, Dipankar Talukdar, Shamsul Haque Tuku, Kamrul Islam, Promod Mankin and Shawkat Ali. The constitution prohibits persons appointed to or acting in certain public offices to hold any office, post or position of profit or emolument or take any part whatsoever in the management or conduct of any company, association or body having profit or gain as its object. Such positions include the president, the prime minister, speaker and deputy speaker, ministers, state ministers or deputy ministers, judges of the Supreme Court, comptroller and auditor general, election commissioners and members of the Public Service Commission. l
WEATHER
Members of Jege Otho Bangladesh bring out a procession in front of the Central Shaheed Minar in the city yesterday. They stand for democracy and development and protest violence and terrorism MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU
PRAYER TIMES
Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha 5:19am 6:39am 12:00am 3:44pm 5:20pm 6:41pm
Source: IslamicFinder.org
DHAKA TRIBUNE
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Labourers cut a eucalyptus tree in front of the administrative building of Rajshahi University yesterday
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Garment workers bring out a procession in the city yesterday, demanding arrest and punishment of the owner of Tazreen Fashions
RAJIB DHAR
6
LITTLE BANGLADESH: TORONTO
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Feature
written in Bangla. While walking along the street, I felt a kind of comfort that cannot be explained. On both sides of Danforth Avenue, there are several community newspapers, bookshops and audio-video stores, as well as cultural and social organisation offices. You can hear loud Bangla music while walking along the street, and see Bangla posters taped to the glass doors. We went to a Bangladeshi grocery store, where most of the products were directly imported from Bangladesh. It was a weekend, so there were many Bangladeshis coming from all parts of Toronto and nearby towns. They were there to buy halal meat and deshi fish and vegetables. On their way out, almost all of them were taking a copy of a free Bangla newspaper from the stand kept at the exit of the store. We went to a restaurant named Ghoroa and had some chola muri and tea. Many people there were talking about what was happening in Bangladesh. It felt so good. Restaurants are extremely busy in the evenings, serving traditional Bangladeshi snacks and meals. In summertime, the parking lot of Ghoroa restaurant looks just like a typical Dhaka tea-stall, with people gathered for a cup of tea, and raising a storm over political issues. Syed Alam, the owner of Ghoroa,
lets the parking lot be used as a venue for different Bangladeshi national and cultural events. Every year, historically important days like February 21, March 26 and December 16, are celebrated with solemnity at this small premises. Members of various social and cultural organizations gather here and pay tribute to their national heroes at the makeshift memorial. The Bangla New Year rally has been organized from there for the past three years. The newspaper offices are another favourite destination for the senior members and cultural activists of the community. This is where they talk about poetry, music, movie, sports and politics. Mak Azad, a realtor and poet, has been living in Toronto for nine years. Its a must for him to come to the Weekly Aajkal office after work everyday. We gather here almost every evening. We read newspapers, watch news and cultural programmes and live cricket on Bangla TV channels and chat about what is happening back home. The community is growing fast. Over the last five years, the number of Bangladeshis has increased dramatically, and most live on Danforth Avenue between Main and Victoria Park intersections. With it, the number Bangladeshi community businesses and other organizations have also increased.
Now there are as many as nine grocery stores, five restaurants, eight money exchange offices, eleven tax and mortgage consultation offices, seven real estate business offices, five afterschool tutorial homes, three salons, two furniture stores and many other businesses owned by Bangladeshis. The Bangladesh Centre and Community Services near the Main intersection is home to most cultural events. Almost every weekend, some event or another takes place at the centre, drawing a sizeable audience. Ahmed Hossain, a popular recitation artist and founder of a theatre group called Onno Theatre, said: We
are very busy during the summer. Our group has been holding shows on a regular basis. The most important thing is that our kids are learning Bangla music and theatre now. When asked why Danforth is so special to Bangladeshis, Hossain replied: Danforth is not just commercially important to the community, but it bears something more for us. Look around. You see Bangla signboards. You smell Bangali cuisine. Thats what we want deep down in our hearts. We all find our home here. l Sharif Rakib Hasan is the editor of social and cultural Affairs of the Weekly Aajkal, a community newspaper based in Toronto.
COURTESY
At Ghoroa Restaurant, local Bangadeshis hold a rally against 1971 war criminals
COURTESY
The author (2nd right) at a photography exhibition at the Bangladesh Centre and Community Services COURTESY
COURTESY
n Ishrat Jahan
We Bangalis take our gastronomic affairs very seriously. And one local food shop is showing the world what it means to eat like a Bangladeshi. For nearly five decades, Fakruddin has been one of Dhakas favourite purveyors of kacchi biriyani, synonymous with weddings and grand celebrations. Their chefs were even flown to Jordan to cater the royal wedding of the daughter of Prince Hassan bin Talal and his Bangali wife Princess Sarvath al-Hassan.
and spices will transport you right back to Dhaka. Everything about the place can make you feel like its a [piece] of home away from home. The waiters here, mostly [fellow] Bangalis, come up and talk to you, giving you a special treatment, said Madiha Mohsen, a Bangladeshi university student in Bloomsbury, London. In 2009, Fakruddin opened its first franchise in Stratford, London, followed by the opening of three more outlets in Australia, Singapore and UAE. They plan to open two more stores in the US and Malaysia. But launching a Bangladeshi company on the global platform has been full of challenges for the company. A major drawback, the owners said, is the lack of assistance from the government. In a country such as ours, entrepreneurs fit into the definition of self-made men and women. While companies in other countries receive government assistance, most Bangladeshi businesses that are not in the RMG sector are left to fend for themselves, said Abdul Khaleque, the current managing director, and grandson of founder Md Fakruddin Munshi.
Md Fakruddon Munshi, the founder and original chef Fakruddin exhibited a natural flair for the culinary arts, and quickly learned the techniques of dum cooking and other nawabi delicacies. After he left, Fakruddin took this knowledge to the canteen of Viqurannesa Noon School and College, and the kacchi biriyani became Fakruddins signature dish. In 1966, amid the blur of the crowds of Moghbazar, Fakruddin laid the foundations of his very first shop. Our method of promotion was simple. We gave our customers the best. We believe in unconditional hard work and quality. In order to give the best you need three things: quality, commitment and honesty, Abdul Khaleque said.
COURTESY
Fakruddin chef with Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, when they catered his daughters wedding COURTESY ward to: a Fakruddin restaurant in New York, and frozen biriyani. We plan to launch our frozen biriyani in the US market, since the potential in that particular region remains the highest. Then well introduce it elsewhere, said Abdul Khaleque. We also have plans to give our cuisine an international spin by introducing different Arabian biriyani. Our future goal is to keep on growing, within Bangladesh, and all over the world. l
Royal ingredients
When you step into one of Fakruddins international outposts be it in London, Sydney, Singapore or Dubai the heady aromatic blend of basmati, meat
The late Md Fakruddin Munshi learned his craft directly from the source. Muslim Miah, a chef for of the Nawab of Murshidabad, chose him for apprenticeship in the nawabs kitchen.
Kacchi on ice
Homesick Bangladeshis living in the US have two exciting prospects to look for-
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Prescription
People are likely to stay under sunlight to get pleasant warmth in winter. But are the people aware of the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun? Sweet sunrays are not sweet to your skin And dont forget the ears, neck, and n Dr Sajol Ashfaq the skin around the eyes.
QUICK TIPS
The sun produces two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays UVA and UVB. UVA rays, which account for up to 95% of UV rays that reach the Earths surface, penetrate deeper into skin, causing wrinkles and have been associated with melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer. In winter the damaging effect of UV rays is more and susceptibility to UV damage is high, particularly for those exposed more times under sunrays.
Due to cloudless sky in winter,UV rays can directly touch our skin without facing any filtering effect. Usually clouds and humidity act as filters, weakens the UV rays when they come down to the ground. Cloudless sky and less humid environment lets the UV rays with stronger level reach the ground. UV
rays always damage the skin, darken its tone and makes the skin aged earlier. UVA rays are almost equally intense during all daylight hours throughout the year; they can penetrate clouds and glass. In fact, in some winter conditions people have to be aware of the potential UV damage from participating in outdoor winter sports. Cooler temperatures dont mean that its time to put
away your UV protection. Shielding the eyes from the sun in winter is just as important as doing it at any other time of year. Overexposure to UV radiation can lead to cataracts and macular degeneration, two of the leading causes of vision loss among older people.
UV protection
they should limit winter UV exposure by wearing appropriate UV protection. More than 90% of all skin cancers are associated with sun exposure. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30+ or higher. Apply 20 to 30 minutes before going outside. Apply sunscreen to all areas of exposed skin. Use at least a teaspoon on the face.
If youre participating in winter sport or picnic, its a good idea to use a sunscreen with moisturiser. Winter weather can be tough on the skin. Use a lip balm with a 15+ SPF. Additionally, sun damage is clearly associated with facial aging. Without sun protection, just a few minutes of exposure each day over the years can cause noticeable changes to the skin. Freckles, age spots, spider veins on the face, rough and leathery skin, fine wrinkles that disappear when stretched, loose skin, a blotchy complexion, and actinic keratoses (thick wart-like, rough, reddish patches of skin) can all be traced to sun exposure. Also known as photo aging, this aging caused by repeated sun exposure makes the skin lose its ability to repair itself by breaking down the skins collagen and impairing the synthesis of new collagen. The sun also attacks the skins elastin, weakening the skin from springing back, and causing loose, wrinkled and leathery skin due to the unprotected exposure to sunlight. Winter is a great time to repair the skin after a long summer of sun damage. It is recommended that you get a great cleansing and exfoliating facial at the start of the season to get rid of the flaky skin that builds up. It is also the perfect time to address pigment damage that has occurred due to sun exposure. l
FOOD THERAPY
Broccolis sparkle
The popular vegetable broccoli is now grown in our country. It is available in superstores and even street vendors. Due to its highvitamin C, antioxidant anddietary fiber with potent anti-cancerproperties, broccoli has created its position as a miracle food.
Due to less metabolic rate of the body, older people feel colder in winter. So, an older person needs supplements to warm up the body. To keep your hands and feet warm during winter, you need to improve your circulation. An herbal product like ginko biloba stimulates the flow of blood more efficiently to the extremities, i.e. fingers and toes. Look for a product containing a standardised extract of the herb ginko biloba and take according to the manufacturers instructions. Essential fatty acids (found in fish oil and flaxseed) also support the health of blood vessels. Omega 3 fish oil and cod liver oil products have already been used for this purpose. These products are available in pharmacies. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
BIGSTOCK
When you place some plastic food containers in the microwave, depending on the amount of time you are heating your food and at what temperature, chemicals used to produce the plastic may leak into your food
newspaper, as the print may contaminate food and never put foil in the microwave as it will spark, making it a fire hazard. The damage caused by plastic food containers has been studied in animals. In these studies, high doses of toxic chemicals from plastics have led to reproductive illnesses, cancer and other health issues. It is believed, however, that the leaking of the chemicals in plastic in very small amounts is not a health hazard in humans. l
An earache from a cold is common in children. Sometimes it can be a sharp, dull, or burning pain that can range from mild to very painful. Winter causes runny nose which sometimes trap fluid in the middle ear, causing pressure on the eardrum. With an earache from cold, you or your child may have difficulty in sleeping, run a fever, mild deafness and have mucus in the nose. An ear infection is usually treatable, and permanent damage to the ear or to the hearing is much less common today with proper treatment. Before seeing a doctor, you can give your kids acetaminophen or ibuprofen, anti histamine and oxymetazoline nasal drop which can help relieve an earache and nasal congestion. l
BIGSTOCK
form. Researchers compared boiled, microwaved and steamed broccoli, and found that steaming broccoli for up to five minutes was the best way to retain its myrosinase. Boiling and microwaving broccoli for one minute or less destroyed the majority of the enzyme, according to a researcher at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. l
Broccoli can provide you with some special cholesterol-lowering benefits if you will cook it by steaming. The fiber-related components in broccoli do a better job of binding together with
bile acids in your digestive tract when theyve been steamed. When this binding process takes place, its easier for bile acids to be excreted, and the result is a lowering of your cholesterol levels. Thus broccoli is becoming the topic of increasing interest with respect to heart disease. Broccoli is a particularly rich source of a flavonoid called kaempferol. Recent research has shown the ability of kaempferol to lessen the impact of allergy-related substances on our body. l
Ripe bananas protect your body against cancer and heart diseases. Whenbanana is ripe with dark spots on skin, the starch content changes to simple sugars that are easier to digest and thatraise your blood glucose levels
The darker the patches are, the higher will be its capacity to prevent the tumour. Hence, the riper the bananas
are, the better the anti-cancer quality. Dark spots on yellow skinned banana are 8 times more potent to prevent tumour. It is a fact that nutrient content of fruits change slightly as they ripen.
As a banana ripens and turns yellow, its levels of antioxidants increase. These antioxidants in ripe bananas protect your body against cancer and heart diseases. When banana is ripe with dark spots on skin, the starch
content changes to simple sugars that are easier to digest and thatraise your blood glucose levels. Make sure you are eating them in the final stage of this picture above - sweet, spotty and ripe. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
International
n Agencies
A Turkish public prosecutor has said that he was prevented from doing his job hours after he was removed from an extensive corruption investigation targeting business and government circles. Muammer Akkas was removed from the investigation by Oktay Erdogan, Istanbul deputy chief public prosecutor, on the grounds that Akkas violated the confidentiality of the investigation, Turkish media reports said. In a statement he made right after he was removed on Thursday, the prosecutor alleged that the probe has been blocked by Turkish police forces and Istanbuls chief prosecutor through not implementing court verdicts and putting pressure on the judiciary. According to Akkas, these actions have stymied further arrests in the investigation, which has already netted several high-profile political and business figures suspected of bribery and corruption.
Firemen douse a burning vehicle following a car bomb explosion that rocked central Beirut
AFP
There was glass everywhere and the acrid smell of explosives filled the air
Sources at the explosion site said Chatah was on his way to attend a meeting at Hariris headquarters when the explosion tore through his car. Hariri himself has stayed away from Lebanon for more than two years, fearing for his safety. A Reuters witness at the scene said his car was totally destroyed, it is a wreck. Chatahs identity card, torn and charred, was found inside his car. Iran, which backs Hezbollah, came under attack in Beirut last month. On Nov. 19, two suicide bombings rocked the embassy compound in Lebanon, killing at least 25 people including an Iranian cultural attache and hurling bodies and burning wreckage across a
debris-strewn street. A Lebanon-based al Qaeda-linked group, the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, claimed responsibility and threatened further attacks unless Iran withdraws forces from Syria, where they have backed Assads 2-1/2-year-old war against rebels. The sound of Fridays blast was heard across the city at around 9:40 a.m. (0740 GMT) and a plume of black smoke was seen rising in the downtown business and hotel district. It shattered glass in nearby apartment blocks and damaged restaurants, coffee shops and offices in the chic district of downtown Beirut. I heard a huge explosion and saw a ball of fire and palls of black smoke. We run out of our offices to the streets, said Hassan Akkawi, who works in a finance company nearby. The explosion caught motorists driving in the morning rush hour here. There was terror and panic among residents. There was a big ball of fire and panic everywhere and then we learned that Chatah was the target, saidAdel-Raouf Kneio. Minutes after the blast ambulances were seen taking victims from the area. A restaurant and a coffee shop were destroyed in the blast, and several cars were on fire, the witness said. There was glass everywhere and the acrid smell of explosives filled the air. Much of Beirut went into lockdown following the explosion, with police blocking off roads across the city. l
Former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi cused of taking part in pro-Muslim Brotherhood rallies, possession of the groups literature, or supporting the group verbally or in writing could be sentenced to five years in prison, the Interior Ministry said. US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed concern on Thursday over Egypts intensi ied pursuit of the Muslim Brotherhood in a phone call with his counterpart in Cairo Nabil Fahmy. Kerry condemned a suicide bombing in Mansoura on Tuesday and
AFP
Thursdays bus bombing in Cairo, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. The top American diplomat also expressed concern about the interim Egyptian governments December 25 terrorist designation of the Muslim Brotherhood, and recent detentions and arrests, Psaki said. The Brotherhood still organises almost daily protests demanding Morsis return, nearly six months after he was overthrown following widespread popular protests. l
Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy is trapped in thick Antarctic ice 1,500 nautical miles south of Hobart, Australia, yesterday
AP
DHAKA TRIBUNE
International
Thailands army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, right, speaks during a news conference at army headquarters in Bangkok to drag the military into the conflict, onto the anti-government side. The military has staged or attempted 18 coups over the past 80 years - including the ousting of Thaksin in 2006 - and it is again likely to play a crucial role in the latest round of a crisis that has dragged on for eight years. Surapong also reiterated that the government had no intention of delaying the vote despite the Election Commissions request. Yingluck, who has spent most of the past week outside Bangkok shoring up support in the north, has tried to avoid confrontation, fearing her opponents would stir chaos deliberately to trigger an intervention, either by the military or the judiciary. The weeks of protests had been largely peaceful, even though as many as 200,000 people have been on the streets. A hardcore of about 500 protesters, some carrying knives and slingshots, were behind Thursdays violence. On Friday, the Public Health Ministry said one protester had died from injuries suffered the previous say. A policeman was killed by an unidentified gunman on Thursday. The ministry said 153 people were wounded, 39 of them police. The crisis is starting to drag on the economy. The Thai baht plumbed close to four-year lows this week and Thai
AP
The Futenma base has been a lightning rod for criticism because of its location in a densely populated area
The Futenma base has been a lightning rod for criticism because of its location in a densely populated area. Activists living in tents have been staging a protest near the site of the proposed Henoko base for almost 10 years and have promised demonstrations if Nakaima approves construction. An election for the mayor of Nago next month could prove problematic if incumbent Susumu Inamine - who opposes the plan - is re-elected, while the central government could face a dilemma if demonstrators try to block construction. l
stocks fell two percent after Thursdays violence. The Finance Ministry cut its growth forecast for 2013 on Thursday, due in part to the political unrest, and 2014 forecasts are also in jeopardy. The first two years of Yinglucks government had been relatively smooth until her party miscalculated in November and tried to push through an amnesty bill. The bill would have allowed Thaksin to return a free man and the miscalculation sparked the latest round of protests. Thaksin fled into exile in 2008 shortly before he was sentenced to jail on graft charges he says were politically motivated. l
Thai army chief China media condemns Japan American abducted in Pakistan calls for US help urges calm, doesnt n AP, Islamabad PM for honouring devils rule out coup A 72-year-old American development dermined the stability of the region. worker who was kidnapped in Pakistan n AP, Bangkok n Reuters, Beijing Chinese Foreign Ministry spokes- by al-Qaida more than two years ago
Thailands army chief on Friday urged both sides in the countrys bitter political dispute to show restraint, but did not explicitly rule out the possibility of a coup. Thailand has been wracked by two months of political tensions and occasionally violent street protests pitting the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra against protesters seeking to oust her. The army has staged 11 successful coups in the countrys history, so its intentions are being watched carefully. That door is neither open nor closed, the army chief, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, said in response to questions from reporters as to whether a military intervention was likely. He also reiterated a request that people stop asking the army to take sides in the dispute. Please dont bring the army into the center of this conflict, Prayuth said. On Thursday, protesters seeking to disrupt elections scheduled for Feb. 2 battled with police in clashes that left two people dead. At the same time, Thailands election commission called for a delay in the polls, a blow to Yingluck, who expects to win them handily thanks to her overwhelming support in the countrys north and northeast. Prayuth said the army had shown red traffic lights to both sides, so things will calm down, and called for an end to street violence. You ask, Who wins? Who wins? No one, he said. Police have made no move to arrest the protest movements ringleader, Suthep Thaugsuban, who is demanding the country be led by an unelected council until reforms can be implemented. Hes vowed that the protesters will thwart the polls through civil disobedience. Authorities have to tread carefully, as a crackdown would likely provoke greater violence and chaos. The current tensions date back to 2006, when Yinglucks brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was toppled in a military coup. The protesters accuse Yingluck of being a proxy for Thaksin, who lives in self-imposed exile to avoid jail time for a corruption conviction but still wields influence in the country. Thaksin or his allies have won every election since 2001. His supporters say he is disliked by Bangkoks elite because he has shifted power away from the traditional ruling class, which is represented in the current protest movement. l Chinese newspapers denounced Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday, describing his visit to the Yasukuni Shrine for Japans war dead as paying homage to devils and warning that China could crush provocative militarism. On Thursday, Abe visited the shrine in Tokyo where Japanese leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal after World War Two are honored along with those who died in battle. The visit infuriated China and South Korea, both of which were occupied by Japanese forces until the end of the war, and prompted concern from the United States about deteriorating ties between the North Asian neighbors. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement Abes visit to the shrine was not conducive to lowering tensions in the region or to improving relations with Japans neighbours. In an editorial headlined Abes paying homage to the devils makes people outraged, the Chinese militarys Peoples Liberation Army Daily said Abes action had seriously unwoman Hua Chunying said Abes visit to the shrine has already attracted the Chinese peoples ire and denunciation. In a separate commentary published under the pen name Zhong Sheng, or Voice of China, the Communist Partys Peoples Daily said: History tells us that if people do not correctly understand the evils of the fascist war, cannot reflect on war crimes, a country can never (achieve) true rejuvenation. The Global Times, an influential nationalistic tabloid owned by the Peoples Daily, urged China to shut its door to Abe and other Japanese officials who have visited the shrine this year. In the eyes of China, Abe, behaving like a political villain, is much like the terrorists and fascists on the commonly seen blacklists. A survey on Chinas Sina Weibo micro blogging site on Thursday showed that almost 70% of respondents would support a boycott of Japanese goods, with many users expressing outrage at the shrine visit. The survey was later removed. l appealed to President Obama in a video to negotiate his release, saying he feels totally abandoned and forgotten. The video of Warren Weinstein was the first since two videos released in September 2012. Weinstein, the country director in Pakistan for J.E. Austin Associates, a US-based firm that advises a range of Pakistani business and government sectors, was abducted from his house in the eastern city of Lahore in August 2011. In the video, sent Thursday to reporters in Pakistan including The Associated Press, Weinstein asked the US government to negotiate his release. Nine years ago I came to Pakistan to help my government, and I did so at a time when most Americans would not come here, and now when I need my government it seems that I have been totally abandoned and forgotten, Weinstein said during the 13-minute video. It was impossible to tell how much of Weinsteins statement, made under the duress of captivity, was scripted by his captors. A phone message left with
Warren Weinstein, a 72-year-old American who was kidnapped in Pakistan Weinsteins family Thursday was not returned. The video and an accompanying letter purported to be from Weinstein was emailed anonymously to reporters in Pakistan. The video was labelled As-Sahab, which is al-Qaidas media wing, but its authenticity could not be independently verified. The letter was dated Oct. 3, 2013 and in the video Weinstein said he had been in captivity for two years. In the video, Weinstein wore a grey track suit jacket and what appeared to
AP
be a black knit hat on his head. His face was partially covered with a beard. Al-Qaida has said Weinstein would be released if the US halted airstrikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen and also demanded the release of all al-Qaida and Taliban suspects around the world. The White House has called for Weinsteins immediate release but has said it wont negotiate with al-Qaida. The videos last year showed Weinstein appealing for help from the Jewish community and Israels prime minister. l
n Agencies
At least 29 people have died and four were badly injured after a bus plunged into a deep ravine in northeastern Thailand, police say. The accident occurred around midnight on Friday in the Lom Sak district of Phetchabun province, with the bus en route to the northern province of Chiang Rai.
plies famous brands like Gap, Nike and H&M. The government announced earlier this week that the monthly minimum wage for garment workers would be increased from $80 to $95 starting from April next year. The workers are demanding a minimum wage of $160 per month in 2014. l
We suspect the bus driver fell asleep, Major General Sukit Samana, police commander of Phetchabun province, told the AFP news agency. We found 28 bodies in the ravine, which is about 30 metres deep. And one died at the hospital. Four others were in critical condition. Samana said an eyewitness reported seeing the bus driving very fast before it plunged into the ravine. l
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www.dhakatribune.com
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Editorial
LETTER OF THE DAY
Letters to
the Editor
December 25 One-third of our cultivable land is gone every year due to massive urbanisation, new roads, and industrialisation. Also ancestral land is distributed among members of the concerned families who then build new homes in an unplanned way. We have 9.2 million hectares of farmland according to the agriculture census conducted in 1983 84 and 8.2 million hectares in 1996. I ask government organisations as well as non-government organisations (NGOs) to take on the initiative to build multi-storied buildings in remote areas across the country and save cultivable land. Md Tofazzel Hossain Kushtia
The Election Commission should actively investigate any appearance of financial impropriety or untoward influence that is revealed by MP wealth statements
December 24 Tell me something I dont know. This continual reiteration of the same thing is quite annoying. Nonsensical Nonsenso
December 22 He will stay alive in our soul. His body has gone for good but his memory will remain in us forever. EAS
Be Heard
Write to us at: Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email us at: letters@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion@dhakatribune.com Visit our website: www.dhakatribune.com Come join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune
December 22 We havent learnt anything from history, have we? If a non-Muslim like Nelson Mandela can forgive his fiercest rivals and try and attain peace in his country, then why cant we Muslims do the same?? Its Sunna of our beloved prophet (SM) to forgive. Have we forgotten everything Islam taught us? Shame, shame, and shame. Ashfak
The four brands who have agreed to contribute have taken a proactive approach to alleviate hardship, which others should be encouraged to follow
PEANUTS
CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1 Faucets (4) 4 Jewelled head ornament (5) 8 Predominating (6) 9 Thunder god (4) 11 Fruit (5) 12 Monkeys (4) 14 First woman (3) 15 Customer (6) 19 Story in parts (6) 21 Liable (3) 22 Molten rock (4) 24 Sacrificial table (5) 27 Flower (4) 29 Complete agreement (6) 30 Flowed back (5) 31 Incites (4) DOWN 1 Small child (3) 2 Suitable (6) 3 Certain (4) 4 Helpful hint (3) 5 Unsuitable (5) 6 Turkish commander (3) 7 Away (6) 10 Possess (4) 13 Mineral spring (3) 14 Landed property (6) 16 Everyone (3) 17 Uttering wildly (6) 18 Gem (4) 20 Silly (5) 23 Drug yielding plant (4) 25 Bath (3) 26 Disencumber (3) 28 Word of acceptance (3)
SUDOKU
YESTERDAYS SOLUTIONS
Crossword
How to solve Sudoku: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no numberrepeating.
Code-Cracker
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Op-Ed
11
il war began. This introduced violence in the political culture of independent Bangladesh just as it did in the remaining Pakistan. However, the fact remains that the civil war was triggered when the military was sent in to crush the demands for political autonomy and preventing the victorious Awami League from forming a government as was its right under the constitution. Apart from the protests of a few, the majority remained silent in the face of this outrage: A silence eerily similar to the present one as the Taliban reject the constitution as well as the values which underlie it. The collective apprehension of these core values constitute nationhood and at the same define the relationship between state and society as argued by Jacques Rousseau in discussing the concept of the social contract in his Geneva Manuscripts. Failure to abide by the values and norms that underpin the formal rules of an institutional structure induces instability in the state, and undermines the fabric of society. The complicity contained in silence amidst acts of inhumanity scars the very soul of a nation. Some of the ghosts of the terrible events of the 1970-73 period are returning to haunt us today. When the Supreme Court of Bangladesh upheld the conviction of Abdul Quader Molla (one of the leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami), for war crimes during 1971, the response of some of Pakistans political parties again manifested indifference to the terrible human toll of the events of 1971. The Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islami moved a resolution in the National Assembly against the hanging of Quader Molla. This resolution was supported by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. It may be pertinent to give the gist of the statement of Momena Begum, before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh on February 5, 2013. According to Momena Begum, on March 26, 1971, Abdul Quader Molla and his companions forced their way into her family home. Molla first shot Momenas pregnant mother then slaughtered her with a machete. Momena and her sister Amena hid under a cot. She saw Molla and his companions kill her two-year-old brother Babu by repeatedly smashing him against the floor. When Momena could not resist crying out, she was discovered by the attackers, pulled out from under the cot and then violated till she was senseless. The moral depravity of Abdul Quader Molla is apparent just as it is in the case of the Taliban groups who stalk this land.
Healing a nation
n Akmal Hussain
he monstrous brutality of the militant extremists is apparent as they indoctrinate teenaged suicide bombers to hate and make shrapnel of their own bodies and thereby kill and maim other human beings, as they massacre innocents in their places of worship, as they behead soldiers, as they shoot girls going to school, as they kill health workers who try to administer polio drops to infants and kidnap young men for ransom.
Some of the ghosts of the terrible events of the 1970 73 period are returning to haunt us today
Wealth statements say it all
BIGSTOCK
T
n MH Bari
he High Court, in a verdict in May 2005, ordered the disclosure of eight-point particulars including the wealth of each candidate contesting in the parliamentary election. The HC also directed the Election Commission to make these points public. These points were: A copy of their educational record, whether they were accused or not in any criminal offence, past criminal records (if any), description of their profession, probable sources of income, statement of property or debt (own or dependants), promises made during past polls and their status, and loan amount received jointly or solely or by dependants. According to the apex courts verdict, the Representation of the People Order (RPO) was amended before the 2008 polls, incorporating a provision making it mandatory for every individual willing to contest the parliamentary election to submit their particulars in affidavits along with applications seeking candidacies. As such all the candidates in the 10th parliamentary election have submitted their wealth statements, including their family members, to the Election Commission. Some of our print media collected these statements of some ruling party contestants from the EC website and found that all of them have become richer over the last five years, some rather incredibly. These statements
were published in some dailies, and sparked a discussion amongst the general public as well as civil society members and the opposition. Even many grassroots leaders of the ruling Awami League were embarrassed by this sharp rise in the wealth of some party lawmakers and ministers. Sensing public wrath, a delegation of the ruling party met the EC last Sunday and asked the it to stop the publication of wealth statements submitted
investigation into the amassed wealth of ruling party stalwarts, and shall make the report public. The AL in its election manifesto promised before the 2008 polls, they would make public every year the wealth statements and sources of income of the prime minister, ministers, MPs, and their family members. But the AL in the last five years did not keep its promise. Citizens could not know about their wealth and assets.
The EC should not, under any circumstances, entertain the ruling partys plea to withhold candidates wealth information from the public
by their party for the upcoming election. This request is tantamount to the landmark verdict of the highest court. Empowering voters right to know cannot be slowed down by political whims. The EC should not, under any circumstances, entertain the ruling partys plea to withhold candidates wealth information from the public, as it is their legal obligation. According to a published report, some ministers and lawmakers increased their wealth hundredfold. There is information published from their wealth statements, and we can easily imagine that these are part of their wealth as shown in their income tax return. Our Anti Corruption Commission will immediately launch an Now, people are being informed about the candidates. Our prime minister almost every day castigates past regimes for corruption. Now what will she say about her own party colleagues? The people of Bangladesh have fought for independence, and sacrificed a lot. It was their general expectation that they would be able to lead a better political and economic life in an independent country. The movement for Bangladesh was carried forward in the name of establishing Shonar Bangla. But the successive political and civil military bureaucratic leaderships that ruled Bangladesh in the last four decades have measurably failed to demonstrate their commitment to
this vision through their policies and performances. Politicians as well as political parties, particularly in advanced democratic countries, generally try to outwit their opponents in political campaigns through rational argument. The situation in Bangladesh, needless to say, is totally different. Here we see political vendetta. The meaning of politics to many of them has devolved to the grabbing of political power through strength of muscle. During the last 40 years, we hardly ever witnessed any real peaceful political environment. The negatives of our political leadership are well reflected in politicising the bureaucracy and engaging what the media call thugs and gangsters as party cadres. They are also involved in trade unions, patronising of loan defaulters, and other dubious deals. So, politics and money-making are inseparable these days. Once, politics was a selfless vocation, entirely dedicated to the cause of the land and its people. There was a time when individuals from well to do families came to politics for protecting the public interest. Today, there is a little scope for honest people to do politics. Perhaps, no honest business can match the rate of accumulation of material possession by politicians. It seems that politics has become a lucrative money-making machine now. l MH Bari works in the global marketing of seafood from Bangladesh.
n Mohammad N Miraly
ou cant be a humanist if youre a feminist. You cant take sides. All humans are equal. Even
men. But Bombays new public service video Dekh Le tries to perpetuate the myth that men are perverts. Leaving aside the videos serious context of the December 16 rape, as well as its clever message that public shaming is a good punishment, the premise here is that men who look at women as sexual beings should be
a carnival prize? Shes doing what shes told: Showing skin to make people think about sex. Thats the message were being sold. Its tough to admit to ourselves that weve been hoodwinked into thinking that the only way to be attractive is if you look or dress a certain way. No one wants to admit that theyre the victim of a consumerist machine. But pop cultures all about consumerism, and, to quote the motto of our times: Sex sells. Sure sex sells women. It commodifies half the human population.
Why do we just wanna look pretty? Why cant we just feel good about ourselves because were thoughtful?
And in a capitalist society, where the bottom dollar means more than the bottom percent of humankind, were taught that women only have worth as sexual objects.So, how can you blame men for looking at women? Especially the women in the video. Theyve clearly gone through a lot of effort to attract attention. Its obviously really important to their self-esteem. It would be inhumane to ignore them. They bear the classic markers of contemporary female sexuality the highcut-offs, the low top, the tramp-stamp,
ashamed of themselves. But, why should anyone be ashamed of looking at pretty girls? Arent we all taught that sex is lifes paramount prize? Recall our guru Chers timeless advice in Clueless: Sometimes you have to show a little skin. This reminds boys of being naked, and then they think of sex. What is Beyonce that paragon of modern female empowerment doing when shes dancing like a stripper telling men she doesnt need them but they should put a ring on her like shes
the heavy makeup. To be fair, these arent the markers of elegant sexuality. This isnt the understated beauty where you wonder admiringly about whats beyond the majestic facade. No, these are the sorts of things fathers fume about. These are the universally accepted markers of the sexually invitational. Sure, we can expect the classic open-mouthed Im offended refrain here. But they choose to dress in a way that gives a certain impression. Thats their choice. And God bless em for showing what God gave em. So we gotta celebrate them, baby. We gotta praise them like we should. And, anyway, sometimes girls just wanna look pretty, right? But, heres where it gets deep why do we just wanna look pretty? Why cant we just feel good about ourselves because were good at riding a motorbike, or because were having fun with our friends, or because were thoughtful or intelligent? Because we gave ourselves up to a world that sold out. We created a society that diminished the value of individual thought so we could be manipulated more easily into buying things. Our societys a bastard. Its caught between a traditional sense of communitarian morality, and a modern obsession with individualism fostered by a morally unfettered capitalism. So, we allow it to tell us empowerment comes from outside ourselves. We allow it to tell us that feeling good
on the inside is all about looking good on the outside. And, the insidious part is we allow ourselves to be 1984-ed into liking it. We allow it to tell us that thats okay. But its not okay to aspire to get attention because of the way you look. Its not okay to want attention for the way you look, then get annoyed for not getting attention for the way you think. Its not okay to say I have the freedom to dress however I want, but you dont have the freedom to look. Its not okay to perpetuate that double standard. But its so easy, isnt it, to get attention for the way we look. Remember good ol Mary Wollstonecrafts admonition that men will never respect women for their minds if women spend more time in front of mirrors than books? Female empowerment cant be about doing your own little thing in the club dancing dirty with lots of guys. No matter what the single ladies say. Power comes from the mind. Thats what makes us human. Thats human empowerment. We should all aspire to be looked upon with lust for our human parts our minds, rather than our animal parts our hind legs. Lets stop hiding behind low tops and high bottoms. Lets take sexy back from the male gaze. l Mohammad N Miraly holds a PhD from McGill University in Religion, Ethics, and Public Policy.
Such inhumanity usually elicits outrage from a nation that is conscious of the values that define it, for outrage occurs, as Barrington Moore Jr argues, when the values that a community holds dear have been violated. Yet in our case, there are strata in the political community who sympathise with the militant extremists, indeed wish to bring them into their fold. When Hakimullah Mehsud, a leader of the organisation that is waging war on the state and people of Pakistan was killed, he was declared a martyr by one of the leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami, a mainstream right wing political party. The overwhelming majority of the people may be opposed to such tendencies, but they are silenced by fear and ideological confusion. Reason and compassion are being marginalised from Pakistans political discourse and public action. It is a nation that is in danger of losing its moral bearings. These moral bearings are drawn from the great intellectual tradition of the Sufis who showed that Islam is rooted in the universal values of love, truth, justice, and nurturing the sense of beauty. It is through loving care of the Other that the Self is enhanced. Tain milliaan maindey taazgi wo In meeting you I am rejuvenated, says Shah Hussain, the 18th century Punjabi Sufi poet. The Other in this tradition is not simply to be tolerated but constitutes an essential fertilising force in the growth of the Self. Thus meeting the Other, whether an individual, another identity or another religion, initiates the dynamics of love through which the Self is experienced afresh within a broader frame of reference, and is thereby enhanced. The provinces that constituted Pakistan in 1947 had different languages and cultures, and hence provided the possibility of an enriching interplay. A unity that is woven from diversity is vibrant. When multiple identities are balanced within the whole, it becomes dynamic and powerful, just as a river flows stronger when it is fed by many tributaries. Pakistans national integrity would have been strengthened if its identity had been nurtured by the thoughts of the great Bengali poet, Rabindranath Tagore, of the Pakhtun Sufi poet Rehman Baba, of the Sindhi Sufi saint Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, of the Baloch Sufi poet Mast Taukali. The national identity could have been sustained by the flowering of diverse cultures of the communities in various provinces. Instead, the institutional structures of education, politics, and governance began to induce a deadly narrowing of identity and associated tendencies of hatred and violence towards the Other. The centralised form of governance under the one unit framework in the Ayub regime led to a denial of regional identities and culture. Thus the forms of governance and political culture began to deny diversity instead of nurturing it. One of the turning points of this process of going astray was the launching of Operation Searchlight in 1971 by a military dictator, instead of implementing the 1970 electoral verdict under the Constitution. This military operation involved the systematic and large scale killing of our own citizens in East Pakistan in 1971, which later emerged as the independent state of Bangladesh. There is no doubt that there were atrocities from both sides once the civ-
The National Assembly ought to have offered an apology on behalf of Pakistan to the people of Bangladesh
The National Assembly ought to have offered an apology on behalf of the people of Pakistan to the people of Bangladesh for the military action of 1971. Instead, a resolution was passed in support of Abdul Quader Molla. This once again indicates that our political representatives in their choices sometimes fail to bring to bear the norms of compassion, justice, and truth. Fortunately, the government through the foreign of ice took an appropriate position: Pakistan considered the judgment by a Bangladeshi court against a Bangladeshi citizen an internal matter of a sovereign state. This commendable rectitude by our foreign office ought to be followed by a process of healing the scars of 1971. Let us form a Pakistan-Bangladesh bilateral commission that can be called the Mandela Commission. Let us seek the truth about those terrible events and forgive each other. Let not our common future be marred by the wounds of the past. Let truth and compassion be a balm for the people of Pakistan and Bangladesh. l AkmalHussain is Distinguished Professor of Economics, Forman Christian College University, and a member of the governing board, South Asia Centre for Policy Studies.
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Entertainment
He has also released musical albums such as Tufan, Kaal Jomuna, Station Road, Jail Theke Bolchhi, Nagar Baul, Lais Fita Lais, Dushtu Chheler Dol, Palabe Kothai, Dukkhini Dukkho Korona, Thik Achhe Bondhu, Ami Tomader E Lok, Jonota Express and few more. James has also made his mark in Bollywood with the song Bheegi Bheegi inspired from the song Prithibi by Moheener Ghoraguli in the movie Gangster released in 2005. The song was a raging hit and remained at the top of Bollywood Hit List for more than a month. He then sang few more Hindi songs for Bollywood such as Chal Chalein, Rishtey, Alvida and Bebasi. At present Nagar Baul performs with the line-up of Sabbir on bass guitar, Rana on lead guitar, Khayam on keyboard, Zimi on drums and James on lead guitar and vocal. l
Shironamhin
Shironamhins self-titled album Shironamhin released on this year was a big gift to the rock music lovers. The fifth album of the alternative-rock band was launched by a series of programmes titled Meet and Greet through which the fans got opportunity to interact with the band in person.
ON TV
DRAMA
7:30pm Zee Cinema
Nayak
8:00pm Sony
Aadalat
Atol Joler Gaan is the first album of folk-fusion band Joler Gaan. In composition they have used a lot of folk tunes from various countries and blended it with our local style of folk music. With the use of some innovative and unique instruments and great number of live performances, Joler Gaan has been one of the most-talked bands in the town.
COMEDY
1:30pm Star World
Last Man Standing Outsourced
Ichchhe Hoy
MIXED
1:30pm Discovery
Gold Rush Arefin Shuvo and Mahia Mahi in a scene of Agnee
Fahmida Nabis 12th solo album Ichchhe Hoy is composed by two great musician brothers Naquib Khan and Shahbaz Khan Pilu. The album has released under the banner of Laser Vision and has pleased the fans of Adhunik Gaan.
Montobyo Nishproyojon
Arbovirus second album Montobyo Nishproyojon, made a huge wave for the rock music fans in the country. Arbovirus is one of the most acclaimed Bangladeshi rock bands with its vivid and flamboyant lyrics and powerful music. The album has been released under the banner of LiveSquare Music.
Rangmistree
Shohojia bands debut album Rangmistree was released on November 25. The album Rangmistree consists of nine tracks and has been recorded under the banner of studio Sound Machine, and Tapos worked on the musical arrangement of the album.
Chhutir Banshi
Salman turns 48
n Entertainment Desk
Superstar Salman Khan, who turned 48 today, threw a birthday bash for family and friends at his Panvel farmhouse, where a host of Bollywood A-listers joined the party.
TODAY IN DHAKA
Exhibition
Shilpacharya and his Outer World of Art Time: 5pm (inauguration) Bengal Shilpalaya, House 42, Road 16 (New) / 27 (old), City of Rhythm Second phase of Kazi Salahuddin Ahmed Time: 12 8pm Shilpangan, House 7 Road 13 (New), Dhanmondi
Eminent Rabindra Sangeet singer Rezwana Chowdhury Bonna released her solo album titled Chhutir Banshi, under the banner of Impress Audio Vision. She is undoubtedly one of the most loved Tagore singers to the listeners of Bangladesh as well as West Bengal.
Film
Music
Bangladesher Gaan By BRAC University Cultural Club BUCuC Time: 5pm to 8pm EMK Center, House: 5, Road- 27(old), Dhanmondi
Pacific Rim in 3D Escape Plan The Conjuring The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Star Cineplex, Level 8 Bashundhara City 13/3 Ka, Panthopath Ki Prem Dekhaile Udhao Balaka Cineworld
Nazrul singer Ferdous Ara releases solo album Dao Shourjo, Dao Dhoirjo . The album has been produced by Impress Audio Vision Ferdous Ara has earned reputation in the field of music on account of her imaginative excellence.
Shunyo Dia
n Entertainment Desk
Beyonce Knowles latest album, Beyonce, is spending its second week on the top slot of Billboard 200. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the singers fifth record has sold an additional 374,000 copies. With its release on December 13, the 14-song and 17-music video set sold 617,000 copies in its first three days. It subsequently opened at No. 1 on the chart and gave the former Destinys Child member her best sales week. After selling a total of 991,000 copies in only 10 days, Beyonce is currently at No. 12 on the list of biggest-selling albums of 2013. With one more tracking week left, the follow-up to 2011s 4 will likely join the lists top 10.
Also retaining its position is Garth Brooks Blame It All on My Roots. The country superstars newest box set stays at No. 2 with 199,000. One Directions Midnight Memories, meanwhile, ascends to No. 3 with 166,000. The Robertsons Duck the Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas rises to No. 4 with 132,000 while Kelly Clarksons Wrapped in Red falls to No. 5 with 124,000. Going up from last weeks No. 8, Eminems MMLP2 rounds out the top 5 with 115,000. Also jumping two rungs, Katy Perrys Prism and the sound track of Disney animated movie Frozen (2013) sit at No. 7 and No.8 with 99,000 and 81,000, respectively. l
Porobashi bands debut album Shunyo Dia has been released under the banner of Bengal Foundation and was appreciated by the folk-fusion music lovers. Porobashis line-up consists of singer-songwriter Sumel Chowdhury and guitarist-composer Victor Das, who have been performing together since 2001.
360
ME Label has released 360 by Various Artists which is a collaboration album comprising of songs from Bengali (Bangladeshi and Indian) musicians all over the world. It includes singers from Bangladesh, USA, Kolkata, Australia and Canada.
Sport
DHAKA TRIBUNE
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0 7 8
DAYS TO GO
14 Liverpool toppled at Man Citys citadel 15 England bowlers choke Aussies after drawing blood
Sheikh Russell forward Mithun Chowdhury scores his second goal against Uttar Baridhara at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday
MUMIT M
Mithun netted two goals in the opening half and added another after the change of ends to complete his third hat-trick in the league
dead ball piece found Mithun inside the penalty area, who tapped the ball home from a goal mouth melee. Baridhara had their first chance in the 40th minute when Khalekurs left footer from the top of the box went just wide. Mithun scored his second of the evening on the stroke of half-time. Mithun broke into the penalty area after
receiving a square pass from winger Sobuj Kumar Biswas, rounded off the onrushing goalkeeper Osman Goni and placed the ball in the far post. Russell extended their lead to 3-0 through Jamaican midfielder Ricardo Cousins six minutes into the second half. Mithuns through pass found Cousines at the top of the box and the Jamaican sent the ball into the near post with a low shot. Mithun completed the rout in the 63rd minute after snatching the ball from Nigerian midfielder Kosoko, skipping by his marker and sending the ball into the net for a third time. Uttar Baridhara tried to pull one back in the remaining times but their maneuvers lacked a finishing touch. Nigerian forward Akindele unleashed a powerful strike in the 75th minute from outside the box but Russell goalie Biplob fisted the ball away for a corner. Sheikh Jamal DC will take on Chittagong Abahani at the same venue at 5pm today. l
Participants flex their muscles in the Victory Day Body Building at the Zahir Raihan Cultural Center yesterday
COURTESY
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Sport
Manchester City's Belgian defender Vincent Kompany (2R) celebrates scoring during their English Premier League match against Liverpool at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on Thursday AFP
POINTS TABLE
Team Arsenal Man City Chelsea Liverpool Everton Newcastle Man Utd Tottenham Southampton Stoke Swansea Hull City Aston Villa Norwich West Brom Cardiff Crystal Palace Fulham West Ham Sunderland P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 W 12 12 11 4 11 9 10 9 9 7 5 5 5 5 5 3 4 5 5 3 3 D 3 2 3 7 3 4 4 6 6 5 5 4 4 8 5 1 1 5 4 L 3 4 3 4 2 5 5 5 5 7 8 8 9 9 7 9 12 12 10 11 Pts 39 38 37 36 34 33 31 31 27 21 20 20 19 19 17 17 16 16 14 13
It looks like a thigh strain, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger said. For me, I dont know how serious the thigh strain is but the Christmas period is certainly over for him. It was his birthday today. I dont know how long it will be. We will have to see tomorrow morning. He knew straight away, but we have to see. Theo Walcotts brace and a strike from the returning Lukas Podolski saw Arsenal recover from Carlton Coles goal against the run of play to take the points in east London. The result meant Arsenal went top of the Premier League ahead of Liverpools trip to Manchester City.l
FIXTURES
West Ham Aston Villa Hull City Man City Norwich City Cardiff City v v v v v v West Brom Swansea City Fulham Crystal Palace Man United Sunderland
A statement on the Cardiff website read: The Board of Directors at Cardiff City Football Club have today relieved Malky Mackay of his duties. Tans email had included a list of grievances with the former Watford manager, and Mackay said he had been left deeply upset by its content. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Sport
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SCORECARD, DAY 2
ENGLAND 1ST INNINGS (226 for 6 overnight) Kevin Pietersen b Johnson Tim Bresnan c Bailey b Johnson Stuart Broad lbw Johnson James Anderson not out Monty Panesar b Lyon Extras (b10, lb7, w1, nb1) Total (all out; 100 overs) 71 1 11 11 2 19 255
Bowling Harris 24 8 47 2, Johnson 24 4 63 5 (1w), Siddle 23 7 50 1 (1nb), Lyon 22.23 67 1, Watson 6.4 2 11 1 AUSTRALIA 1ST INNINGS Chris Rogers c Pietersen b Bresnan 61 David Warner c Bairstow b Anderson 9 Shane Watson c Bairstow b Stokes 10 Michael Clarke b Anderson 10 Steve Smith c Bell b Broad 19 George Bailey c Bairstow b Anderson 0 Brad Haddin not out 43 Johnson c Anderson b Bresnan 2 Ryan Harris c Root b Broad 6 Peter Siddle c Bresnan b Broad 0 Nathan Lyon not out 0 Extras (lb4) 4 Total (9 wickets; 73.3 overs) 164 Bowling Anderson 16 4 50 3, Broad 16.3 5 303, Stokes 14 4 38 1, Bresnan 18 6 24 2, Panesar 9 2 18 0
England's James Anderson appeals for a successful wicket of Australia's George Bailey during the second day of their fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne cricket ground yesterday REUTERS
QUICK BYTES
SCORECARD, DAY 2
INDIA, FIRST INNINGS (overnight 181 1) M. Vijay c De Villiers b Steyn 97 C. Pujara c De Villiers b Steyn 70 V. Kohli c De Villiers b Morkel 46 R. Sharma b Steyn 0 A. Rahane not out 51 M. Dhoni c Smith b Steyn 24 R. Jadeja c Kallis b Duminy 0 Zaheer Khan c De Villiers b Steyn 0 I. Sharma c De Villiers b Steyn 4 Mohammed Shami c Smith b Morkel 1 Extras (lb7, nb1, w4) 12 Total (111.3 overs) 334 Bowling Steyn 30 9 100 6 (2w), Philander 216 56 0 (1nb, 1w), Morkel 23.3 6 50 3 (1w), Kallis 11 1 36 0, Peterson 22 2 750, Duminy 4 0 10 1 SOUTH AFRICA, FIRST INNINGS G. Smith not out 35 A. Petersen not out 46 Extras (lb1) 1 Total (0 wkts, 20 overs) 82
Wayne Harrison, who once signed for Liverpool for 250,000 (299,000 euros), making him the worlds most expensive teenage footballer before his career spiralled into decline, has died at the age of 46. Harrison, who retired in 1991, had suffered from pancreatic problems and died in hospital. Harrison was tipped for stardom when he moved to Liverpool from Oldham in 1985 at just 17 having made only five first-team appearances. He was on the verge of appearing for the Anfield giants for the first time when he fell through a greenhouse. At the time the local ambulance service was on strike and he came close to death through loss of blood before army medics managed to get him to hospital. He went on to fall through his loft before, at the age of just 22, he suffered a career-ending cruciate knee ligament in the last minute of a reserve game. AFP
Tennis world number 2 Victoria Azarenka (L) gives a food offering to Buddhist monks at Hua Hin beach, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, Thailand yesterday AFP
Murray back to winning Withdrawals leave Hopman Cup open n ways in Abu Dhabi
AFP, Perth
DAYS WATCH
Sony Six NBA 2013 14 6:30AM New York v Toronto 9:00AM Sacramento v Miami 12:00PM Boston v Cleveland Ten Cricket 2:00PM South Africa v India 2nd Test, Day 3 Star Sports 1 5:30AM (Sunday) Australia v England 4th Test, Day 4 Star Sports 2 2:00PM Big Bash T20 Brisbane v Hobart Star Sports 4 Barclays Premier League 6:45PM West Ham v West Brom 9:00PM Norwich City v Man United 11:30PM Cardiff City v Sunderland
Andy Murray chalked up his first win since returning to action after a threemonth injury lay-off by defeating Switzerlands Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3, 6-4 in Abu Dhabi on Friday. The 26-year-old Wimbledon champion had back surgery in September and did not play again until he lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarter-finals of the Mudabala World Tennis Championship exhibition tournament on Thursday. Wawrinka lost to David Ferrer aon the same day and the match between him and Murray was to decide who would finish fifth in the unofficial
three-day tournament that sees the worlds top two players - Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic joining in at the semi-final stage. Murray looked much sharper against Ferrer than he had looked in the second set against Tsonga and had little difficulty in seeing off the challenge of world number eight Wawrinka. The world number four got the better of three successive breaks to take the first set and then forged ahead again with a break for 4-3 in the second. Wawrinka saved a match point on his own serve with a forehand winner, but Murray confidently served out the victory. l
The late withdrawals of Polands rising star Jerzy Janowicz and Spanish veteran Tommy Robredo have thrown wide open Perths Hopman Cup which starts Saturday. The Polish pairing of Janowicz and Agnieszka Radwanska were the top seeds for the Aus$1 million (US$890,000) mixed teams tournament, but the world number 21 withdrew with a foot injury. He has been replaced by little known countryman Grzegorz Panfil, ranked 288th in the world, in the opening event of the Australian summer. The Hopman Cup has rarely been predictable in its 25-year history and the absence of Janowicz is a major blow to Radwanskas hopes of getting her
hands on one of the unique diamondencrusted tennis balls presented to the winners as Poland make their debut in the tournament. The world number five is likely to need to win all her singles matches in the group ties, which will not be easy against the likes of Italian Flavia Pennetta, Australias Samantha Stosur and promising Canadian Eugenie Bouchard. The towering Isner, best remembered for playing the longest ever Grand Slam match against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010, is ranked 14th in the world and is also a past winner at the Hopman, having teamed with Bethanie MattekSands to take the title in 2011. Isner teamed with Venus Williams in Perth earlier this year, but was forced out of the tournament by a knee injury. Third seeds are the French pair-
ing of Alize Cornet and world number 10 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, both of whom boast Hopman Cup experience. Tsonga is the highest-ranked man in the event, but will still be playing in Abu Dhabi when the tournament kicks off, with Frances first tie against the Czech Republic on Monday. Big-serving Milos Raonic, ranked one place below the Frenchman at 11, teams with Bouchard for Canada, while the host nation is represented by Stosur and the enigmatic Bernard Tomic, who beat Novak Djokovic in this event at the start of the year. Group A features Poland, Canada, Italy and Australia, while Group B is the United States, France, Czech Republic and Spain, with the top two teams after the group matches meeting in the final on January 4. l
SQUAD
Faf du Plessis (captain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Henry Davids, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Colin Ingram, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, Rusty Theron, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Dane Vilas, Hardus Viljoen, David Wiese.
Winners of the Victory Day Gymnastics pose for a photo along with BOA secretary general Syed Shahed Reza at the NSC gymnasium yesterday COURTESY
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DHAKA TRIBUNE
Back Page
Police arrest some activists of banned Islamist outfit Hizb-ut Tahrir from the citys Paltan area after Jum a prayers yesterday
NASHIRUL ISLAM
The BTRC had given Ollo permission to deploy the LTE, a fourth generation network, before even awarding the licence
The GSMA sent the letter to Post and Telecommunications Secretary Md Abubakar Siddique last week and sent copies to Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Telecommunications Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Executive Chairman of the Board of Investment Dr Syed Abdus Samad and BTRC Chairman Sunil Kanti Bose. The Dhaka Tribune obtained a copy of the letter. When contacted, Secretary Abubakar Siddique declined to reply any questions and said: It is an issue of spectrum allocation, so please ask the BTRC about it. The GSMA also expressed concerns as
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