Himu's Window

Sunday, July 19, 2009   The four top leaders of the new JMB splinter Islam O Muslim claim they along with the mainline outfit have "supporters and well-wishers" in the administration in three districts in Rajshahi Division. Senior police officials who interrogated the four till Friday say the militants have patrons in the administration from top to bottom levels. The militants used to get different types of support, especially in legal matters, in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Naogaon where they already have a stronghold, the officials add. "We are looking into the matter since the militants revealed the information," said Nazrul Islam, superintendent of police of Chapainawabganj. The police are now looking for evidence which would substantiate the claims of the militants, the district police boss added. The law enforcers handed over Selim alias Saifullah, military commander of the JMB offshoot, to the court on Friday on completion of five-day a

Saturday, July 18, 2009   Street urchins are now being used to abduct children in Rajshahi city, revealed the police yesterday. The fact came to light after locals rescued on Thursday night two children at Rajshahi Railway Station and caught a street urchin assigned by a gang of child traffickers to abduct kids. They handed over street urchin Rabbi, 12, who sells children to human traffickers in Dhaka for Tk 200 each, to the police. Rescued Shamsher, 8, and Quamrul Hasan, 10, told the police that Rabbi was taking them to the capital to sell them to a woman for Tk 200 each. The two kids are now kept under safe custody of Association for Community Development, a Rajshahi-based non-governmental organisation. Police said Rabbi admitted that he sold another boy Mohibul, 8, missing for two and a half months, to a woman in the capital for Tk 200. A police team took Rabbi to Dhaka yesterday to rescue Muhibul and arrest the gang members. http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesi

Friday, July 10, 2009 The top leaders of banned JMB's splinter Islam O Muslim Abdur Rahim alias Shahadat and Selim alias Saifullah designated each other as the chief of the offshoot organisation during remand, police said yesterday. Police said Shahadat, Selim and two others--Sajedur Rahman alias Hanif and Jalal Uddin--had already given important information but the police now need to put them face to face for interrogation. M Abdul Kuddus Chowdhury, additional superintendent of police in Rajshahi, said, "A face to face interrogation has now become crucial as Shahadat and Selim are pointing at each other as the chief of the new group." At the end of a five-day remand yesterday, Shahadat, Sajedur and Jalal were produced before the third court of judicial magistrate in Rajshahi in the afternoon. Police sought a seven-day fresh remand against them. The court of Asaf-ud-Doula granted only three day's fresh remand, said M Hedayetul Islam, acting court inspector of Rajshahi

Thursday, July 9, 2009 Rab personnel yesterday recovered six firearms and 10 bullets from Chapainawabganj and arrested four JMB militants, including two ehsars (fulltime members), in three districts. Based on arrested Selim alias Saifullah's statement, a team of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab)-5 raided Selim's father-in-law's house around 3:00am yesterday. Director of Rab-5 Lt Col Israt Hossain said the team recovered six local one-shot guns and ammunition digging around Selim's father-in-law Quamruzzaman's house. None was arrested during the operation, he added. Selim, chief military commander of JMB offshoot Islam O Muslim, was taken to Rajshahi Rab headquarters and was interrogated overnight after his arrest on Tuesday. They recovered a foreign 9mm pistol, nine bullets and two empty magazines from his possession. Meanwhile, Rab arrested another active member of JMB Delwar Hossain, 22, at his house in Jagadishpur under Gaibandha district following con

Wednesday, July 8, 2009 The government has taken initiatives to reopen two silk factories -- one in Rajshahi and the other in Thakurgaon under public-private partnership (PPP) by January next. The Tk27 crore loss-burdened Rajshahi Silk Factory was shut down in 2002, forcing 359 employees out of job. At that time, Thakurgaon Silk Factory was also closed. As per the prime minister's directive to the Ministry of Jute and Textile ministry to take immediate steps to reopen the factories, a high profile parliamentary body visited Rajshahi on Friday and Thakurgaon on Sunday to examine the feasibility of the move. The three-member team completed an inventory of the factory machineries and exchanged views with experts, businessmen, growers and officials of the Bangladesh Sericulture Board. "Local businessmen showed interest in running the factories under PPP," Kazi Abdul Wadud Dara, the committee chief and a lawmaker from Rajshahi-5 constituency, told The Daily St

Wednesday, July 8, 2009 Barrister Aminul Haque, one of the powerful ministers of the four-party government, was finally sent to jail yesterday in connection with a graft case in which he was earlier jailed for 10 years in absentia. Aminul, a key patron of banned Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in Rajshahi region during 2004-2005, was also sentenced to 31 years and six months' rigorous imprisonment for aiding and abetting militants. Judge Tanjina Ismail of the Special Judge-6 passed the order sending Aminul to jail after he along with his lawyers appeared before the court to seek bail. The defence submitted three petitions -- one for surrender to send him in jail, another for giving him first-class division in jail and the other for allowing him to go to jail on an ambulance. The prosecution did not oppose the petition for allowing the fugitive convict Aminul to go to jail on ambulance. After hearing both sides, the judge ordered to send Aminul to jail directing the jail a

Wednesday, July 8, 2009 A joint team of Rab and BDR yesterday arrested Selim alias Saifullah, second-in-command and military affairs commander of JMB's new offshoot Islam O Muslim, at Belpara in Chapainawabganj. Selim was arrested after an exchange of gunshots with the forces and he sustained a bullet wound in his leg, said Rab sources. They also recovered a pistol, nine bullets, three bullet shells and two empty magazines from the scene and his possession. Immediately after the arrest of Islam O Muslim chief Abdur Rahman alias Shahadat, Selim fled to India. An intelligence agency finding out that he was back in Bangladesh informed Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) that he was hiding at his father-in-law's in Belpara, Shibganj. Rab and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) team surrounded the house of Selim's in-laws around 1:00pm. Selim fired three shots at the team in a bid to avoid arrest and the team retaliated with five shots. In a press conference last night, Director of Rab-5 Lt Col

Saturday, July 4, 2009 Law enforcers yesterday transferred three organisers of "Islam and Muslim", an offshoot of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), to Rajshahi from Dhaka and produced them before a court seeking a seven-day remand for each. The Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court of Rajshahi sent the three to jail and set tomorrow for holding hearing on the remand prayers after they were implicated in a case filed under the Arms Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009. The three are: chief of the outfit Abdur Rahim alias Shahadat of Gomastapur in Chapainawabganj, regional commander Sajedur Rahman alias Hanif of Jhikra of Bagmara upazila in Rajshahi and Jalaluddin of Naogaon. A Special Branch of Police team from Dhaka had arrested Jalaluddin in Rajshahi and seized a single-shot gun from his possession. The other two were arrested in Gazipur. They were taken to Dhaka for primary interrogation, police said. Police implicated them in the case for their involvement in reor

English in Schools (EIS), a joint initiative by The Daily Star and AKTEL, is a very positive and timely initiative; it will open up a new horizon for English learners, said educationists yesterday. This will help students know the world better and face the present global challenges, they observed at an EIS orientation session for schoolteachers. At least 250 teachers from 118 secondary schools in Rajshahi from eight districts - Joypurhat, Bogra, Pabna, Sirajganj, Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Natore and Rajshahi participated in the event at Nanking Darbar Hall in the city yesterday. Under the EIS, around 1,000 schools across the country will get three copies of The Daily Star each five days a week for free. The distribution already began in 479 schools in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Comilla and Rajshahi zones. More schools in Barishal zone will be brought under the programme on July 4. The Daily Star will bring out an extra page featuring helpful materials and discussions every week to help student

Saturday, June 20, 2009 Editorial Eviction of indigenous people There must be zero tolerance for this kind of action The news out of Khatirpur at Porsha in Naogaon, where over 50 indigenous families have been attacked and forcibly evicted from their land, shocks us all. We unequivocally condemn this barbarous act, and strongly urge the government to take remedial action. The victimisation of Bangladesh's indigenous populations is, unfortunately, not a new phenomenon. We feel that the government has a special responsibility to protect the country's minority communities and to ensure that none of their rights are violated. It is because of their being in a minority, being out of the mainstream of society that land-grabbers and other criminal elements feel emboldened to cheat them or deny them of their rights. Powerful members of the majority community calculate that no one will lift a finger to help such marginalised people, and that they can thus be targeted with impunity. The

A government probe team detected that former agriculture minister Matiur Rahman Nizami was behind misuse, waste and misappropriation of at least Tk 35 crore of Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) during the four-party alliance rule. The team also found that Tk 81.27 crore more of BMDA was wasted, misused or embezzled during that period. In response, Nizami, who heads Jamaat-e-Islami, a partner of the four-party alliance, told The Daily Star, "I am surprised hearing about the probe report. I am in no way involved in the alleged corruption and misuse, waste and misappropriation of BMDA money. This is a politically-motivated move against me with an intention to defame me." He said he never interfered in BMDA operations when he was a minister from 2001 to May 2003. The BMDA had been run by successive governments and it had no direct link with the minister, he claimed. Headed by Omar Faruk Chowdhury, lawmaker from Rajshahi-1 constituency, the seven-member government t

Published On: 2009-06-01 Even though this mango trade centre at Baneswar in Rajshahi seems full of mangoes and traders, the hustle and bustle of the place is much less than that of previous years.Photo: STAR 50pc drop in mango output Climate change blamed Mango growers fear 50 percent drop in production this year in Rajshahi region due to irregular weather pattern. Horticulturists attributed the sharp slump in mango production to abnormal variations to the climate that has an adverse affect on the Mother Nature. "Mango yield might drop to around 2.14 lakh tonnes from last year's average 4.28 lakh tonnes", said M Abul Bashar, Rajshahi regional additional director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE). The annual average mango production is about five lakh tonnes from over 45,000 hectares of land in eight districts including the mango capital Chapainwabganj where mango grows on the highest 22,000 hectares of land while it is about 8500 hectares in Rajshahi. The

RCC defies rules to favour AL lawmaker Tuesday, May 19, 2009 Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) plans to let an Awami League (AL) lawmaker's real-estate company implement two multi-storeyed commercial building projects worth Tk 150 crore on corporation land. The RCC does not have any rules or regulations that allow private real-estate companies to make commercial developments on RCC land, according to officials concerned. The RCC rules also do not allow it to follow instances or rules of other city corporations under any circumstances, they said. However, RCC Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton has already publicly spoken about awarding the projects to Ena Properties, owned by AL lawmaker Enamul Haque of Rajshahi-4 (Bagmara) constituency, way before any tender in this regard was floated. Ena Properties has been short-listed for the projects during the pre-qualification process. The final tender is yet to be floated. The RCC decided to sign contract with the "tender winni

Monday, May 18, 2009 Rajshahi Theatre has come up with yet another unique production, "The Flag", a short film based on the Liberation War and war crimes. The second screening of the film was held at the Padma Ranga Mancha last Friday. Ahsan Kabir Liton, a promising young playwright and member of Rajshahi Theatre, came up with the concept and directed the 34-minute thought provoking film. The film stands out for no use of dialogue. Background score has been done by Bappa Majumder. Another highlight is that the film does not show the faces of the actors. Actions are denoted by lower parts of the body, especially legs, and hands, and shadows. A few years ago, Rajshahi Theatre drew much acclaim at home and in India for staging its play "Aronney" on a tree. Eminent litterateur Hasan Azizul Haque attended the film screening ceremony as the chief guest. Renowned dramatist and teacher Malay Kumar Bhowmik and Dr. Syed Shafikul Alam, general secretary of Rajshahi Sammilito S

Published On: 2009-05-16 An Awami League (AL) leader was stabbed to death at Balia under Bagmara upazila yesterday afternoon. Bagmara upazila acting president of AL Mokbul Hossain Mridha blamed armed cadres of Jamaat-e-Islami for the murder. The deceased was identified as Shahadat Ali, 45, a teacher of Jatrapukur Dakhil Madrasa. He was the convener of AL's election conducting committee of Balia during the December 29 polls, Mokbul added. The attackers numbering over 15 waylaid Shahadat at around 4:00pm when he was going to Bhawaniganj bazar with his son Emdadul by a motorcycle, locals and police said. The attackers also clashed with locals who rushed out of their houses to his rescue leaving 20 villagers injured, said locals. Ahad Ali, the victim's elder brother, was also injured in the attack. Later, the angry mob torched the houses of Seher Amin and his sons Shamsul Islam, Amjad, Amser and Ashaful blaming them for the murder. Police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) members ru

Sunday, May 17, 2009 Speakers at BBC Bangladesh Sanglap (dialogue) in Rajshahi yesterday said the government should not delay in starting trial of the war criminals to avert political disasters in future. They observed that those who opposed the country's liberation in 1971 are engaged in militancy and other subversive activities in the country. The speakers called on the government to ensure employment of underprivileged people in the northern districts and take action against manpower recruiting agencies those are cheating with the job seekers. They also called upon all political parties to be united for combating militancy in the country. The programme on contemporary issues was recorded at Rajshahi Medical College auditorium in the city last evening. It will be aired on BBC Bangla service today after its news bulletin Probaha at 8:00pm and will also be telecasted at Channel i at 8:00pm tomorrow. Panelists at the dialogue were Fazle Hossain Badsha MP, Mizanur Rah

Sunday, May 17, 2009 Prof Dr M Saidur Rahman Khan, the newly appointed Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, was accorded a reception at Rajshahi Metropolitan Press Club (RMPC) on Friday. Bulbul Chowdhury, president of the club, chaired the reception while Hasan Millat, president of Rajshahi Union of Journalists (RUJ) moderated the function. Rajshahi University Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Muhammad Nurullah, columnist and teacher Moloy Kumar Bhowmik, former RMPC president Dr Dayem Uddin and RU teacher Hasibul Alam Pradhan attended the function as the special guests. Journalists Shafikul Islam and Anisuzzaman also spoke on the occasion. Dr Saidur, also former vice-chancellor of Rajshahi University, in his speech said his new job is very challenging. "I will do my best for brightening the image of our country alongside protecting the interest of expatriates in London", he said. He recalled his days in prison over the campus violence of August 2007,

Published On: 2009-05-10   The government must hold the trial of war criminals as the anti-liberation forces are still active hatching conspiracy against the country. This was stated by Shahriar Kabir, president of Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, a forum for Secular Bangladesh and Trial of War Criminals, in Chapainawabganj yesterday. "Evaluate sincerity, skill and pro-liberation ideology over the political identity while engaging lawyers and investigators for the trial which should begin without any delay," he urged the government. "If the trial is delayed, the conspiracies will be uncontrollable," he cautioned. Shahriar was addressing a public meeting at Bir Shrestha Capt Mohiuddin Jahangir Mancha in Chapainawabganj town demanding speedy trial of war criminals. He said the present government has come to power promising the trial of war criminals, so it has no scope to avoid it. Shahriar called upon people to boycott Jamaat-e-Islami and the i

Saturday, May 9, 2009 The government is facing conspiracies mainly for its election pledges that include trial of war criminals, steps against militancy and restoration of the spirit of the Liberation War in the constitution. This was stated by Shahriar Kabir, president of Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, a forum for Secular Bangladesh and Trial of War Criminals, yesterday. He was addressing a public meeting at Bhubon Mohon Park in Rajshahi demanding speedy trial of the war criminals. "We are concerned as the government's move to try the war criminals is being hindered. If the trial is not held, the existence of the nation would be at stake," said Kabir. He called upon all to stay alert on streets to help bring the war criminals to book. Dr Sujit Sarker, vice-president of the district unit of Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, chaired the meeting. Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Dr Sayed Shafikul Islam, Zihad Ali Mamun, Mostafizur R

Thursday, May 7, 2009 M Manik, a torture victim of Bangla Bhai-led outlawed organisation, of Bagmara upazila yesterday filed a case with a Rajshahi court against 34 people including Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) adviser Lutfar Rahman. The accused include Mahtab Khamaru, Bipul Ahmed, Mofazzal and Aynal Darji, close associates of the executed JMB leader Siddikul Islam Bangla Bhai. Other accused include alleged JMB militants Kalimuddin, Siddik, Aynul, Razzak, Jalil, Abdul Majid, Zaidul and Sayeedur. The third Rajshahi court of judicial magistrate Asafuddoula recorded the case and directed the officer-in-charge of Bagmara Police Station to investigate into the matter and take legal actions, said Manik's lawyer Shamsunnahar Mukti. The plaintiff in his case alleged that the accused people abducted him from his house in Jhikra on April 6, 2004. He was just an SSC candidate then. They tortured him for several days at the JMB camp set up at Ramzan Kaya's h

Thursday, April 30, 2009 A torture victim of Islamist militants filed a case against about 70 people including two former BNP ministers and a lawmaker yesterday with the Rajshahi court in Bagmara upazila in 2004. The accused include former post and telecommunication minister Aminul Haque, former deputy minister Ruhul Kuddus Talukhdar Dulu and former BNP lawmaker Nadim Mostafa. Abed Ali, an UP member of Mirjapur village, lodged the complaint against them for abetting militants who maimed him as he denied paying them extortion. They have already been accused in several cases for abetting Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) led by Bangla Bhai. Aminul has been on the run since he was sentenced 31-and-a-half years in jail. After the case was lodged, the third court of judicial magistrate in Rajshahi ordered police in Bagmara to investigate it and take legal actions, said Babul Hossain, lawyer of the complainant. Other accused include Rajshahi district BNP General Sec

Thursday, April 30, 2009 A syndicate of contractors in collaboration with some corrupt officials of Western Zone of Bangladesh Railway reportedly managed a tender proceeding at Rajshahi Rail Bhaban yesterday for construction of a foot over bridge at Bonarpara Railway Station in Lalmonirhat. On the last day of dropping schedules yesterday, only five schedules were dropped against some 300 schedules that were sold since the authorities floated the tender in the first week of April, said BR officials. Many of the contractors who bought schedules preferring anonymity alleged that they did not dare to submit their schedules as the syndicate threatened them. They added that the syndicate negotiated with most of the contractors and gave them Tk 1500 each against the price of schedule Tk 1000. Later, the negotiators filled their papers together at a city hotel and dropped as per plan. Two senior railway officials were also seen at the hotel during negotiations and filling up o

Sunday, April 26, 2009 The scorching heat coupled with erratic power supply has crippled the life in Rajshahi and its surrounding districts. Besides, acute water scarcity and mosquito menace have added to the suffering of the common people. The heatwave has also been hampering the harvest of Irri paddy as farmers as well as labourers are unable to stay in the paddy fields for longer time under the blazing sun. The farmers are complaining of huge load-shedding against the power authorities' claim for rationing power in urban areas for smooth power supply to irrigation sector. The northern districts are facing average 300 megawatt (MW) of load shedding against the daily demand for 750 MW now. PDB officials said with a local generation of around 266 MW, the PDB is to manage the demand with only 466 MW supply in the last few days. Acute water crisis in many areas compounded sufferings. Out of the demand for 226 lakh gallons of water, Rajshahi City Corporation s