Himu's Window

Process on to modernise BDR, raise its strength BDR chief says at Rajshahi flag awarding ceremony   Director General of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed yesterday said initiatives are underway to modernise the paramilitary force and increase its strength within a short time. A 'quick reaction force' is being raised in every BDR sector to face emergencies while each battalion will be equipped with an anti-tank platoon, he said. Armored Personal Carriers (a kind of vehicle) were already sent to some sectors to raise the special force, he said. Maj Gen Shakil was addressing 10 BDR Battalion's prestigious colour-flag awarding ceremony at Rajshahi BDR compound. The BDR chief also called upon the troops to dedicate themselves for the cause of the country with utmost honesty. He lauded the success of BDR-run 'Dal-Bhat Operation' and 'Fair Price Shops' in controlling prices of essentials. "You have done this beyond your duty of patr

Natya Manchayan Parshad organised a condolence meeting in memory of Selim Al Deen, a legendary drama icon of the country, at Padma Manch in Rajshahi city yesterday. Litterateur Hasan Azizul Haque, theatre personality Nasiruddin Yusuf and Prof Moloy Kumar Bhowmik attended the meeting. Photo: STAR   Homage to Selim Al Deen A playwright who developed new drama form   Selim Al Deen, the legendary drama icon of the country, was remembered at a citizens' condolence meeting at Padma Mancha in Rajshahi city yesterday (Sunday). Speakers at the meeting said the death of Al Deen brings to an end the illustrious career of a man who made significant contributions to literature and theatre of Bangladesh. They said he is the only playwright in Bangla literature who developed a 'new drama form' based on the narratives of traditional indigenous theatre. Shakuntala, Kittonkhola, Keramat Mongol, Hat Hadai, Chaka, Joiboti Koinnar Mon, Horgoj, Bonopangshul, Nimojjon and man

Bird flu spreads in 9 more districts BDR put on alert to check illegal poultry entry Since the outbreak of bird flu in nine more districts in the country this month, 41,620 poultry were culled so far, while the government beefed up its awareness raising campaign and tightened the bio-security measures in border areas. At a news briefing in Bangladesh Secretariat in the capital yesterday Special Assistant to Chief Adviser Manik Lal Samaddar, who is in charge of the fisheries and livestock ministry, said there are 11 points in the border areas where disinfectant is being sprayed regularly to contain the spread of the H5N1virus. Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) was directed to check illegal entry of poultry and eggs from India as in West Bengal the outbreak is currently at a severe level, he added. The already infected farms in the country are under continuous monitoring and the city corporations were directed to improve their waste management to contain the spread of the virus, M

War Criminals Sector commanders for probe commission with int'l jurists Sector Commanders' Forum, a platform of sector commanders of the Liberation War, yesterday demanded the government initiate trial of war criminals immediately forming an enquiry commission, with the participation of international jurists, and a tribunal under existing laws. "We want the government to form a tribunal under International Crimes Act 1973 and Article 47 (3) of the constitution to try war criminals," said Sector Commanders' Forum Member Secretary Dr MA Hasan. Hasan was briefing reporters at Rajshahi Parjatan Motel with four sector commanders led by deputy chief of Liberation War Forces and Sector Commanders' Forum Chairman Air Vice-Marshal (retd) AK Khandakar. Sector Commanders' Forum leaders went to Rajshahi on the second leg of their visit to six divisions of the country to mobilise public opinion for its March 15 national convention and against war criminals. They visite