Himu's Window

Anwar Ali, Rajshahi With announcement of the schedule for Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) polls on Friday, all probable candidates for the post of mayor and councillors have beefed up electioneering. Probable candidates from the Awami League and BNP-Jamaat coalition too passing busy days meeting people as part of their election campaign even though the major parties are still dragging feet from taking part in the elections. Several of them, speaking in return for anonymity, said, their parties would soon understand the necessity of taking part in the elections, otherwise, they would join the polls independently. At least 17 probable candidates from seven political parties, including two newly formed ones, have already informed newsmen that they are keen to take part in the fray. Workers' Party's politburo member Fazle Hossain Badsha is seen to be enjoying advantageous position in the present situation. "One can call it electioneering, but I am meeting pe...

    Divisions within the major political parties including Awami League (AL) and BNP seem growing with the local ranks vying for nominations to contest the August 4 polls to four city corporations and nine municipalities. Alongside intra-party disputes, rivalry between prospective candidates within alliances too is obvious. In four divisional headquarters, AL and BNP leaders seeking nomination for mayoral elections brace themselves for challenges coming from components of the 14-party and four-party alliances. In Rajshahi, dispute between the Workers Party politburo member Fazle Hossain Badsha and city AL General Secretary AHM Khairuzzaman Liton for mayor nomination has already grown intense. As many as eight candidates in BNP have begun informal election campaign for the mayoral post. Of them, party insiders said, Central Office Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi who has long been working for the mayoral fray has a better chance. In Rajshahi, Sylhet and Barisal, Jama...

A truck opts for the adjoining lane to avert the jerks on the main road of Dhaka-Rajshahi Highway in Tarash union in Sirajganj district...STAR Five years into opening, the country's first and longest 'toll road' connecting Natore and Sirajganj on Rajshahi-Dhaka Highway has become risky for thousands of commuters due to substandard construction and poor maintenance. Pitch and carpeting on the 55-km road started to be dislocated and large craters appeared within one year of its inauguration in May 2003, locals and Roads and Highways Department (RHD) officials said, adding that some 27km of the highway is now hard for vehicles to ply. In five years, the road authorities earned over Tk 12.70 crore as toll with around Tk 71,000 daily average collection from movement of 2000 vehicles. But the road with large potholes, craters and ditches is now causing one-hour sufferings to passengers from and to the Capital. In the rainy seasons, the situation turns worse as rainwater remains s...

  Intelligence agencies fear that militancy might rear its head again as the 12 decisions the government took to step up its campaign against the menace about a year ago remain unimplemented. There is a strong possibility that the militants still at large might mount fresh attacks. Their leaders behind bars might pass them instructions to that end, taking advantage of slow trial of the cases against them, observed intelligence officials. Besides, they added, absence of motivational and reorientation programmes for over 500 detained militants, mostly operatives of banned Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Harkat-ul-Jihad al Islami (Huji), keeps alive the threat of militancy even though it has been on the wane for some time. "Since there are no motivational programmes for the militants in jails, they might become sucked into militancy again on return to society after serving out terms. Not only that, they might try to brainwash the other inmates to join the...

  Published On: 2008-06-21   Eminent jurist and Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday called for national unity to build a terrorism-free country and face national challenges. "Unity is the answer to all questions. If we want democracy, student politics without terrorism, an accountable government, rule of law and equal rights for all, unity among citizens is a must", said Dr Kamal, also convener of Jatiay Oikya Mancha (JOM), while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion at a local restaurant in Rajshahi. "People of the country have never tolerated anarchy. They sacrificed their lives for a honourable life. Although we drove out colonial rulers long ago, we are yet to be freed from disparity," he said. In history, no party could always remain at top. Muslim League was a major political party but it suffered huge defeat in the elections in 1954, Dr Kamal said. "Those who go to the parliament should keep in mind that people are the ...

A Rajshahi court yesterday sentenced six militants of Jama'atul Mujahideen, Bangladesh (JMB) to life terms in jail for the murder of a rickshaw-puller during the serial blasts of August 17, 2005 in Chapainawabganj district. Rajshahi speedy trial tribunal Judge ATM Mesbauddoula convicted them for murder and sedition charges under Sections 302 and 120 (B) of Bangladesh Penal Code. The judge also fined each convict Tk 10,000, in default of which they are to spend one more year of imprisonment. Convicted Shahidullah Faruk Selim, Abul Kashem Tufan, Shakhawat Hossain Ziad and Hafez Ali Akbor Riaz were produced present on the court dock during the delivery of the verdict. The other two convicts, Shafiullah Shahid and Hafijur Rahman Dalim, are absconding. JMB militants orchestrated around 500 synchronised blasts across in all districts of the country but one, with a call for an Islamists' Jihad on August 17 of 2005. In Chapainawabganj, the blasts rocked Biswaroad crossing...

Around 40 top tier leaders of different outlawed outfits from 10 southwestern districts are still at large despite all-out efforts to trap them in last several years. Sources say these outlaws are still active and involved in various crimes, mostly extortion and murder, in the 10 districts. They say the leaders are also trying to reorganise their own outfits and gangs to increase strength before the local government and national elections. The outlaw leaders are also trying to recruit new cadres and allegedly maintaining close contact with some top political leaders including former lawmakers. The sources say these political leaders had earlier used outlaws to manipulate polls and establish supremacy in the districts of Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jhenidah, Magura, Jessore, Narail, Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira. Of the top criminals, all are from outlawed parties except four gang leaders. The outlawed parties are four factions of Purba Banglar Communist Party -- (PBCP-ML...

Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) is constructing a bridge on the Shibu River at Tanore upazila, Rajshahi at a cost of about Tk 4 crore without building any approach road on either side. LGED officials said the 210-metre bridge was designed during the BNP-Jamaat rule as the then prime minister pledged the construction of a 10-km road between Soipara of Mohonpur upazila and Gollapara of Tanore upazila. The Daily Star conducted a spot visit recently when columns of the under-construction bridge were seen in the middle of the 1.5-km-wide river. The bridge has no road link between Gollapara Bazar, one km from the bridge, and the road to Soipara which is 1.5-km away. Also the LGED does not own land around the bridge to be able to construct approach road. "The bridge is urgently needed for boosting local business and other convenience but without proper roads it will be nothing but waste of money," said Sukumar Roy, a local fish trader who was seen crossing the river o...

Abdur Rashid Malitha alias Tapan alias Dada Tapan, founder of outlawed Janajuddha, was killed in a 'shootout' with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in the early hours yesterday. A woman reportedly from the 'women wing' of the outfit also died during the 'shootout'. The Rab recovered huge arms and ammunition including one AK47, books and leaflets of the banned outfit and also arrested Tapan's elder brother Akash. Operatives of the outlawed communist outfits see the death as another blow to their two-decade underground "armed struggle" in the south and northern regions to establish socialism after the death of Mofakkar Hossain, founder of Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP-ML), in 2004. Mofakkar was killed in 'crossfire' when Rab members came under attack in Kushtia on December 17, 2004. Read the report from Amanur Aman in The Daily Star

Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi Welcoming the proposed budget, business community and economists in Rajshahi have urged the government to formulate a separate plan for industrial growth of the northern part of the country. They also urged for setting up of a vocational training institute for overseas-job seekers, food storage and processing establishments, and special agricultural loan on minimum interests, something they demanded earlier during a pre-budget meeting with the finance adviser in Rajshahi. The proposed budget does not have any specific plan for industrial growth of the region, they said Wednesday. How to ensure a balanced inter regional distribution of resources was not made clear in the budget speech, said Professor of Economics at Rajshahi University Prof Dr Rafiqul Islam, who was also the former vice chancellor of Islamic University. Manjur Faruk Chowdhury, president of National Association of Small and Cottage Industries in Bangladesh (NASCIB), said tax ...

Rajshahi Mango Fair These mangoes were on display at a mango fair at Rajshahi Loknath High School field...

"River of sand"         The Padma appears to be a "river of sand" with water receding since September last. Experts blame the drying up of the river on the Farakka Barrage upstream in India. The photo was taken yesterday at Srirampur, Rajshahi. Photo: STAR     http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=41112

Top outlaw killed in 'shootout' Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi A regional leader of outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) was killed during a "shootout" between his accomplices and police at Akna Banshbaria village under Raninagar upazila of Naogaon district early yesterday. The dead was identified as Abdul Majid alias Picchi Majid, son of Nur Mohammad of Bhatkoi village under the upazila. Acting on a tip-off, a police team from Raninagar Police Station raided an area near Banshbaria Bridge at around 2.45am where Majid and his accomplices were holding a secret meeting. Sensing the presence of the policemen, the outlaws opened fire, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate. Police sources said Majid received bullets during the shootout and died on way to Raninagar Upazila Health Complex, while his cohorts managed to flee. The body ...

Mango fair & Gambhira festival begins in Rajshahi Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi   A three-day Mango Fair and Gambhira Festival began in Rajshahi yesterday with a call for establishing sustainable industries based on huge mangoes produced in the region. Different local varieties of mangoes were put on display at 12 stalls set up by different government and private horticulture centres, nurseries and individuals of Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj on Loknath High School premises. Different cultural organisations from the two districts rendered Gambhira, a popular folksong and dance of the region, in the afternoon. Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner M Hafizur Rahman Bhuiyan attended the inaugural ceremony as chief guest while Abdul Matin Khan, president of Amra Rajshahi Basi, chaired the event. Banglalink, a major mobile network operator in the country, has sponsored it. President of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hasan Ali, Dr Tosikul Islam, vice-principal ...

8 bandits beaten to death in Natore One shot dead during Rab-robber gunfight Staff Correspondent, from Natore Villagers beat eight robbers to death while another was shot dead during a gun battle with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) personnel at Bias Adimpur of Shingra upazila in Natore early yesterday. All nine of them were in their 20's and seven of them were identified. They are: Al Amin of Bias, Yunus of Durgapur, Helal of Sukash in Shingra upazila, Saiful and Vaina of Paota village, Yadul of Langolmara and Abdul Barik of Dighoria in Tarash upazila of Sirajganj. Rab quoting locals said the gang was engaged in criminal activities including robberies and killings. The incident occurred around 1:30am when the gang of at least 13 gathered on Adimpur Primary School ground prior to launching an attack on the village, 90km from divisional headquarters of Rajshahi. But more than 100 villagers were lying in wait for them around the field with the gang oblivious, witnesse...

42 rescued while being trafficked to India BSF sends back 211 others Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) rescued a group of 42 people, including 24 children, as they were being trafficked into India through Char Majhardiar border point on the outskirts of Rajshahi city on Wednesday night. With this the total number of people rescued since May 13, rose to 112. None of the traffickers were however arrested. The rescued people all come from Sidr-hit Khulna and Narail districts. They were being taken to India with promises of jobs there. The BDR Battalion of no 37, acting on a tip-off, challenged the large group at Char Majhardiar, a few yards off the Indian border at around 11:00 pm. The group then confessed that they were being taken to India but that they did not have any legal travel documents. They told BDR that they had paid the traffickers Tk 3000 each for the promised jobs in India. Badrul Sheikh and Nazma Begum, two of the people rescued, told ...

Newly appointed British HC takes over June 23 Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi The newly appointed British High Commissioner (HC) Stephen Nicholas Evans will take over his charges on June 23. Simon Lever, first secretary (political) to the British HC, during his two-day visit to Rajshahi said this while talking to the local media yesterday evening. Evans succeeds Anwar Choudhury who has been appointed to a critical senior diplomatic position at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. Evans, a highly experienced and accomplished diplomat with in-depth experience of South Asia, has previously served as British ambassador to Afghanistan and British high commissioner to Sri Lanka. Simon Lever was accompanied by Ejazur Rahman, a political analyst of the high commission. He had talks with Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Hafijur Rahman Bhuiyan, BNP acting office secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and newsmen on the first day. He is likely to meet the officials of the joint for...

Alarming rise in trafficking thru' Rajshahi border 71 rescued in 4 drives in 3 weeks Anwar Ali, Rajshahi Law enforcement agencies rescued 71 people from traffickers on Rajshahi borders only in four drives in three weeks, sending a warning that trafficking has increased alarmingly in north-western frontiers. Organised international traffickers have built a strong network in the region taking advantage of people's poverty, sources in BDR and police said. Law enforcers have increased vigilance on the border and areas nearby. Police on June 4 rescued 16 people including five women and seven children from Seroil bus stand area in Rajshahi city as they were about to be trafficked to India through Barakuthi ghat in Padma river. Two days back, BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) rescued 21 people of six families, including 11 children, from near Godagari border in Rajshahi. Police rescued five teenaged girls from Shiroil bus stand on May 27. On May 13, BDR rescued 28 people ...

Published On: 2008-06-07 Metropolitan Mosquito menace continues to cause sufferings to Rajshahi residents Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi Mosquito menace continues to cause sufferings to people of Rajshahi city. There was no drive against mosquito in the city due to shortage of fund in last one and a half years. Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) authorities said they were unable to contain mosquito menace as their limited resources are being used in other areas. "Our mosquito control activities are now restricted to areas where government establishments are located," said RCC Chief Executive Officer Korban Ali. "We have already stopped using fogger machines for public places for fund constraint although spraying mosquito larvicides is still going on in certain areas, said Dr Rizvi Sultan, RCC chief health officer. This year only Tk 7.20 lakh has been earmarked from revenue budget for controlling mosquito menace. "The amount is inadequate, and the s...

Published On: 2008-06-06 Front Page Menon warns about perils of constitutional review Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi Workers Party (WP) President Rashed Khan Menon yesterday warned about the dangers that would result if an unelected government does a review of the constitution. "Our constitution is based on our independence. Only an elected government can review it. If it is reviewed by an unelected government, a dangerous situation will be created," Menon said at a press conference in Rajshahi. "If a review of the constitution is opened up, Jammat-e Islami can claim for establishment of Islamic rule, for example, or some other can say that the liberation of the country was a wrong thing," Menon said illustrating his point. The press conference was held at a city hotel prior to a WP city and district level workers' conference. Gono Forum leaders on June 2 proposed a review of the constitution and post-election national unity government. On ...

Published On: 2008-06-03 Metropolitan Tk 162.32cr RCC budget announced Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi Acting mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Rezaunnabi Dudu yesterday announced a Tk 162.32 crore budget for 2008-09 fiscal year proposing new taxes on holding and water. "In fact, the holding tax will be adjusted as it had not been reassessed since 2003 during which many new houses were built and developed," he said. "We have decided to raise an amount of Tk 1 crore from holding tax and another Tk 1 crore from water tax, " said Abdul Hamid Sarker, ward commissioner and acting chairman of the finance committee. Explaining the increase in water tax, he said the RCC is spending Tk 3.50 crore every year in water sector, but getting a return of less than Tk 1 crore in revenue. "Our power bills have been remaining outstanding for long and we could not pay a single power bill of current fiscal, " he added. The acting mayor said the city ...

Published On: 2008-06-03  Front Page   Outlaw killed in 'crossfire' Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi A member of outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) was killed yesterday in crossfire between Rab and his accomplices at Namkan village of Bagmara upazila. The dead was identified as Abdur Rashid alias Sagor, 28, son of Ishaq Ali of Jhikra Joanbhagpara village. In a press release, Rab said when the law enforcers conducted a drive at Namkan village at about 2:30am, a gang of terrorists opened fire on them prompting the Rab members to retaliate. Rashid sustained bullet injuries during the shootout while his cohorts managed to escape the scene. He was rushed to a local health complex where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. Rab said Rashid was accused in a number of cases on different charges including murder, extortion and robbery. The law enforcers recovered a shutter gun, a bullet, an empty cartridge, two machetes and two knives from the scene. ...

Published On: 2008-06-02  Metropolitan   Two students crushed under wheels of train Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi Two motorbike riders were run over by a local train yesterday while they were crossing a railway track in Laxmipur Bhatapara area. The victims, identified as Miko, 30, of Chhotobongram housing area and student of Rajshahi University, and Robin, 25, of Shibganj upazila in Chapainawabganj and student of Bangabandhu Degree College. The riders were hit by the Rohonpur-bound local train while they were crossing a narrow cattle crossing. They died on the spot. The train movement on Rajshahi-Chapainawabganj route remained suspended for three hours since 1:30pm as the damaged motorcycle blocked up at the train's engine bumper. Local people said the crossing is being used for many years for the convenience of the locals. The railway authorities have never closed the crossing nor they posted any guard to maintain security in the area. When contacte...

Published On: 2008-06-01   Front Page   Sudden crackdown on political leaders, workers Star Report Over 200 people including 33 district and upazila level top leaders of Awami League, BNP and their front organisations, municipality and union parishad chairmen and transport leaders were arrested as of yesterday during a sudden crackdown by the joint forces starting Friday midnight. ...    ...   ...   Our staff correspondent in Rajshahi adds: Joint forces held four persons including two grassroots politicians and a Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) militant at Godagari upazila in Rajshahi yesterday. District Krishak League Vice President and former panel chairman of Godagari municipality Wayej Uddin Biswas was arrested from his Sarengpur residence while ex-president of Awami League Gogram union Subhas Chandra Murari was detained at a market. JMB member Minarul Islam was arrested at Machhmara in Godagari while suspected...

Published On: 2008-05-31 Front Page Bamboo poles being used to supply power Anwar Ali, Rajshahi     Bamboos are being used on the Rajshahi city protection embankment to supply power to houses violating Power Development Board rules. Photo: STAR     The Power Development Board (PDB) is using bamboo poles for supplying electricity to different areas in Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) violating existing rules. As per the rules, the PDB can give electricity connection from a standard pole to households at a maximum distance of 100 feet and the electricity cables have to be at least seven metres above the ground. But the rules are being violated in many RCC areas including Bulonpur, Keshabpur, and Mirzapur. Electricity is being supplied using bamboo poles to about 400 houses at Keshabpur several hundred feet away from a standard pole on the protection dam at Bulonpur. Moreover, many bamboo poles used for supplying electricity were found in a ba...