Himu's Window

    http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/07/24/d707240702104.htm     Ancient Bengal treasures finally being flown to Paris for display   Anwar Ali, Rajshahi Finally, the 24 rare ancient Bengal treasures of Barind Research Museum (BRM) under Rajshahi University (RU) are being flown to Paris for display at a museum there for 'a great global exposure' of Bangladesh. The priceless objects of historical interest will be flown in the first week of next month. A team from France's Guimet Museum are already in Bangladesh and it is due to visit BRM soon for packaging the treasures, said BRM Director Mohammad Zakaria. These are scheduled to be taken to Dhaka on August 1 and to be flown for Paris on August 4, he said. Some 120 objects selected from Bangladesh National Museum, Mahasthangarh, Paharpur and Mainamati Archeological Museum and BRM will be put on display at the mMuseum, said sources. France's famous Guimet Museum, dedicated to Asian arts, will s

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/07/23/d70723012214.htm   Aminul Haque, 3 other graft suspects submit wealth report Four more high-profile graft suspects including former telecommunications minister Aminul Haque and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's nephew Shahrin Islam Tuhin submitted wealth statements to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) through representatives yesterday. The other two are ex-communications secretary Ismail Zabiullah and former Awami League (AL) lawmaker from Jessore Ali Reza Raju. Barrister Aminul Haque, who stands accused of aiding and abetting the Islamic militants, turned in his statement through his lawyer Nazmul Alam. According to the statement, he owns a four-storey building on an eight-katha plot in Baridhara, a house on the outskirts of Rajshahi, a plot in Savar, and around 139 decimals of land in different other places. Aminul, his wife and daughters have Tk 30 lakh in 21 bank accounts. Besides, he has gold worth around Tk 1.6 lakh, T

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/07/24/d70724060184.htm   No chance of vote rigging in digitised voter list ECs say in Rajshahi The two election commissioners, who are visiting Rajshahi to see the preparations for the enumeration of the voter list with photographs, yesterday asked for cooperation of all in this regard. Election Commissioners Brig Gen (retd) Shakhawat Hossain and Sahul Hossain also said there would not be any chances of vote rigging after completion of the digitised voter list. In the morning, the election commissioners met with district level officials and newly appointed assistant registration officers at the conference room of Rajshahi deputy commissioner's office. Presided over by Deputy Commissioner Khalilur Rahman, the meeting was also attended by Col Taher of 11 Artillery Division, District Election Officer Sayed Mohammad Musa, senior army and police officials. They said there would be tight biometric security measures under the new voter e

Shahjahan Mia     http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/07/24/d70724011915.htm   Extortion Case Ex-BNP MP in Kansat jailed for 5 years A Chapainawabganj court yesterday sentenced former BNP lawmaker Prof Shahjahan Mia and two others to five years imprisonment in a case filed in connection with extorting Tk 70,000. District and Sessions Judge of Chapainawabganj Hrishikesh Saha also fined them Tk 10,000 yesterday; if unpaid they would remain in prison six more months. The other two convicts are BNP president of Shibganj municipality unit Shafikul Islam and BNP adherent Aynal Haque. All of them were produced before the court during the delivery of the verdict yesterday. After the verdict, Shahjahan screamed out claiming he was innocent. He told his lawyers that he would appeal in higher court. One Panaullah filed the case with Shibganj Police Station on April 23 this year accusing the three of extortion. Panaullah in his complaint alleged that the accused, misusing the

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/07/20/d7072001149.htm     60 get 84-yr in jail in Natore arms loot case A Natore court yesterday sentenced 60 people to 84 years imprisonment in two cases--Gurudaspur Police Station looting and murder of a cop during the incident--in Natore district in 1987. Additional Sessions Judge Jebunnesa pronounced the judgment in a packed courtroom. The judge also fined the convicts Tk 20,000 each in the cases, in default they are to suffer another two years in jail. Of the convicts, 46 were present in the court, six died during trial of the cases and the rest have been absconding. Those present in the dock during delivering of the judgment are Ansar Ali Jasim, Saiful Tota, Aziz, Yunus, Abu Sayeed, Abed, Hatem, Motalib, Shahjahan, Abdul, Lutfar, Jhantu, Majid, Jonika, Rois, Akram, Omar, Laddu, Yunus, Aktar, Manik, Idris, Ismail, Bankes, Salam, Mannan, Reaz, Khoda Bux, Rashid, Mukul, Salam, Golam Rabbani, Jalal, Mojibor Rahman, Altaf, Kader, Am

http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9525315   Lock up your leading ladies Jul 19th 2007 From The Economist print edition http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9525315   A curious democratic roadmap IN MOST countries, ambitious generals and unelected governments have a poor track record of delivering democracy. But this is still the promise to Bangladesh made by the generals who assumed emergency powers in January and the pliable administration they installed. This week the election commission published a roadmap to parliamentary elections to be held before the end of 2008. But the government was silent on when the state of emergency will be lifted. The next day the government reminded people of one reason why their constitutional rights remain suspended. It stepped up its purge of corrupt politicians, officials and businessmen, more than 150 of whom have been arrested since the beginning of the year. The police arre

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/07/17/d7071701022.htm       Commentary This is no way to strengthen democracy Just as "command economy" failed, so will "command politics"   Mahfuz Anam The only reason that the caretaker government has survived six months in power, and the chief advisor acknowledges it every time an occasion arises, is because the general public think of it to be an instrument to strengthen democracy. But now if this very instrument of 'strengthening democracy' becomes a symbol of mindless and arbitrary use of power, then how will the public distinguish it from such previous abusers of power and continue to lend it support? As a newspaper which supported the reform process of this government, we raise the above question in all seriousness. For we think by arresting Sheikh Hasina on charges that can easily be tried without her internment, the government has put at risk all its achievements of the last six months. To us She

  Prominent litterateur Hasan Azizul Haque yesterday termed the AL chief Sheikh Hasina's arrest as misfortune of the nation and said that establishment of democracy would be deferred at the move.   Besides, 131 RU teachers in a joint statement expressed their anxiety and demanded Hasina's release.   "There is no fortune for the nation in her arrest. It will create doubt (Bibhranti) among people", Prof Hasan, also a retired Philosophy professor of Rajshahi University (RU) said talking to a group of newsmen.   "There might be positive or negative impact (in the arrest), she (Hasina) should be judged by an elected government...the more the election is deferred in this way, the nation will be discouraged and democratisation will be delayed", he said.   The joint statement signatories include professors -- Abdus Sobhan, Mohammad Nurullah, Ananda Kumar Saha, Mahbubur Rahman, Fayekuzzaman, Moloy Bhoumik, Sujit Sarker, Dr Mizan Uddin, Moz

Sweets were distributed at among shopkeepers and pedestrians in front of Rajshahi divisional police DIG's (deputy inspector general) office at Bheripara in the city to celebrate Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina'a arrest.   Witnesses said, three Rajshahi City Corporation employees – Rofik, Sadek and Abbas distributed three packets of sweets at around 11.30pm.   The three were distributing sweets and telling that these were gifts on behalf of local ward commissioner for Hasina's arrest as well as for Brazil won the Copa America finale, said a shopkeeper.   Rofik, Sadek and Abbas, talking to reporters present at the scene, said that they are employees of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) and other institutions.   They named Abul Hashem Hasim, commissioner of No. 5 ward of RCC to have employed them in the distribution.   When contacted at the ward commissioner's office, Hashim denied that he employed anyone to distribute sweets.   A few of Hashim

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/07/09/d70709072893.htm     Fertiliser supply adequate in C'nawabganj, says admin There is adequate supply of fertiliaer in Nachole upazila and other areas of Chapainawabganj district and the law and order is normal as farmers are satisfied with the supply, the district administration said yesterday in a press release. The district administration and joint forces have taken joint steps to ensure smooth supply of fertiliser following the July 4 Nachole incident, it said. The press release said no case was filed against farmers. An FIR was recorded with the local police station to take action against the unidentified persons responsible for the incident. The administration is monitoring fertiliser distribution and order has been issued to all concerned not to harass farmers. The administration also urged people not to be worried about the fertiliser.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/07/09/d70709060267.htm     New fertiliser distribution system from next season Agriculture Adviser Dr C S Karim yesterday said the government is to introduce a new fertiliser distribution system from next season stretching the network to union level. " Fertiliser will be distributed directly from unions...and for transparency in fertiliser management, registers would be maintained at dealers' shops and farmers would be given cards," he said while addressing a meeting at the conference room of Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner in the afternoon. "Fresh dealers will be appointed from among the locals at union level so that a dealer can have both the opportunities, to serve his neighbours as well as to have business," he added. Dr Karim, also a nuclear scientist, informed that steps towards introducing the new system are already complete and necessary instructions were given after series of surveys and researches. He

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/07/09/d70709012416.htm     Attack on UNO Office Ministerial body visits Nachole A high-powered four-member ministerial committee last night went to Chapainawabganj from Dhaka to investigate the July 4 Nachole violence that left 10 persons including four government officials injured and government properties damaged. The committee, headed by Anwar Faruk, director general of seed wing under agriculture ministry, is to start investigations today. Two joint secretaries from the same ministry and an additional divisional commissioner of Rajshahi are also on the committee. Meanwhile, the three-member probe committee headed by Mustafizur Rahman, additional district magistrate of Chapainawabganj, submitted its report yesterday recommending punitive measurers against the Nachole Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) whose misconduct triggered the mob violence as well as the ones orchestrated the rampage from behind the scenes. In its report, the co

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/07/07/d7070701085.htm   Nachole Probe Report Today Dishonest dealers, officials create fertiliser crisis     Anwar Ali, Rajshahi The probe team for Wednesday's Nachole riot yesterday said a few dishonest traders are taking advantage of the growing demand for fertiliser and doing illegal marketing allegedly with the help of administrative officials, creating artificial fertiliser crisis in the northern districts. The probe committee headed by Chapainawabganj Additional District Magistrate Mustafizur Rahman reportedly found a top upazila official responsible for the rampage and recommended his punishment. The committee is likely to submit its report today. The other committee members are Additional Superintendent of Police Sazzadur Rahman and Deputy Director of Agriculture Extension Department Asim Kumar Malakar. The probe body had collected hand-written description of the incident from some 50 persons including fertiliser-deal

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/07/06/d70706020127.htm     Editorial Flaws in fertiliser distribution glaring Nachole incident rings with lessons to heed   The violent outbursts of farmers on the heels of an incident centring around collection of fertiliser quota slips from Nachole upazila office has brought to the fore the issue of chronic mismanagement in the distribution of the important input to the agriculturists. In the face of persistent demand for the input, the local administration had arranged to supply authorisation slips to them to collect the stuff from the dealers. As the slips were being distributed by the sub-assistant agriculture officer to the farmers standing in a queue of 3000 persons, the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) allegedly intervened objecting to the handing over of the slips under signature from the agricultural officer. The UNO went furious and slapped the officer concerned when he pleaded for the farmers to get a quota of two bags to th

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/07/06/d7070601085.htm     5,000 farmers sued for attack on govt offices at Nachole   Anwar Ali, from Nachole, C'nawabganj Nachole upazila administration yesterday filed a case against 5,000 unnamed farmers for attacking and damaging government properties on Wednesday. Emdadul Haq, office superintendent of the upazila parishad, filed the case with Nachole Police Station. Farmers in the area fearing arrest have been keeping off their homes. They are also avoiding fertiliser stores and the local agricultural office, locals said. Fewer than a hundred farmers were seen gathered on the office premises of the UNO (Upazila Nirbahi Officer) for fertiliser. Before the Wednesday's violence, thousands of farmers used to line up for fertiliser at the UNO's office every morning during the last several days, the locals added. The farmers demanded open sale of urea and they blamed Monjur Morshed, the UNO of Nachole, for Wednesday'

http://thedailystar.net/2007/07/05/d7070501118.htm       Fresh case against Nadim     Former BNP lawmaker Nadim Mostafa and 11 other of his thugs were sued in a fresh extortion case at Puthia police station of the district on (July 2 ) Monday.   Recording the case, police yesterday arrested 7 accused including former Puthia municipal administrator and local BNP president Abdul Latif Biswas.   Other arrested BNP adherents are – Mohsin, Gaus, Idris, Sohrab, Abul Kashem and Mohidul.   Other accused are – municipal BNP secretary Munsur Rahman, BNP adherents Joynal, Isa Khalipha and Hashem Ali.   Meanwhile, Nadim Mostafa, already accused in total 11 cases including four for helping and abetting JMB militants, is absconding since January. In a cheating case, he was jailed for 5 years and he was acquitted in a relief fund CI sheet misappropriation case.   Rofikul Islam of Paschimbhag village lodged the case and alleged that the accused persons demanded Tk 40,00

Fertiliser hungry farmers ransack UNO office Aggrieved at the scanty supply of fertiliser, farmers vandalised the UNO office at Nachole, set fire to the furniture and documents and injured the UNO (inset) in Chapainawabganj yesterday. PHOTO: Focus Bangla   Fertiliser hungry farmers ransack UNO office Clashes erupt over improper distribution at Nachole; 10 including UNO injured Thousands of fertiliser deprived farmers of Nachole upazila in Chapainawabganj yesterday damaged the upazila parishad office and torched its furniture and documents in a desperate rage against the local authorities' mismanagement in distributing the essential agricultural input. Ten persons including Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Monjur Morshed, Upazila Agriculture Officer Abul Kalam Azad, Upazila Monitoring Officer of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Asaduzzman, and a farmer Abdul Latif were injured during the one-hour wildcat protest. The scene was almost a déjà vu to some o

Trial of 3 JMB patrons: two witnesses quoted militants to have revealing their leaders     A Rajshahi trial court June 25 recorded depositions of two witnesses in the case for aiding and abetting the JMB militants against former BNP stalwarts Barrister Aminul Haq, Ruhul Kuddus Talukhdar Dulu and Nadim Mostafa.   The witnesses -- plaintiff Ayub Ali Pramanik, a victim of brutalities by Jama'atul Mujahidin, Bangladesh (JMB) militants at Bagmara and his neighbour Abbas Ali told the court that militants including Bangla Bhai mentioned the BNP lawmakers as their patrons during their operations.   They claimed, they saw Bangla Bhai, Jalil Amin, Murshid having talks and directions from the BNP bigwigs frequently over cell phones during torture and extortion of Ayub.   Ayub of Polashi village said, armed militants waylaid him near his home and started beating up on April 7 morning in 2004. They demanded Tk 1 lakh toll.   When denied, Jalil Amin talked over mobile

A Chapainawabganj trial court on June 20 sent former BNP lawmaker and villain of Kansat tragedy Shahjahan Mia and two other his cohorts to jail after they surrendered before it over an extortion case.   Two other accused in the extortion case, filed by one Panaullah on April 23 for extorting him of Tk 75,000, are – Aynal Haq and Shafikul Islam.   Tight security measurers were taken in and around the court sensing their surrender.   Shahjahn and his associates went to the court at around 11.30am and they were taken to jail after one hour.   The court directed the district jail authority to arrange Shahjahan's stay in jail in accordance with jail code when his lawyers appealed for his division.   The surrender occurred on the first day of beginning of the trial in the extortion case.   The district and sessions judge Hrishikesh Saha fixed the charge framing date as quickly as today, as trial of the case was included under the emergency power rules of 200