LALGARH BECAME REALY LAL(The Red) Flashing of weapons & beating of drams all over Junglemohal
Last road link to Lalgarh dug up,Tribals force police to free 6
Jhargram, 10 November : Rebel tribals today forced police to free six youths and snapped the last road connecting Lalgarh to the rest of the West Bengal.
Around 6am, about 300 tribal youths with bows and arrows marched from Dahijuri in Binpur block to Betkundri and started digging up the metalled state highway connecting Midnapore town with Purulia’s Bandwan. Around 8.30, a police contingent arrived at Betkundri, about 5km from Jhargram town and told the tribals, affiliated to the youth wing of Bharat Jakat Majhi Marwa, an outfit of village elders, to stop digging.
The villagers refused, following which the police arrested six youths on the charge of unlawful assembly and seized their weapons and drums. They were taken to Jhargram.
As news of the arrest spread, over 2,000 men and women, bows and arrows in hand, gathered at Dahijuri, about 8km from Jhargram town, and obstructed the highway demanding immediate release of the six. “The police torture us at the slightest pretext. The government thinks all Santhals are Maoists. Whenever there is a Maoist attack, the Santhals are picked up,” said protester Priya Tudu.
The angry, slogan-shouting villagers circled the contingent and hurled abuses. Some women pushed the policemen but the force did not react.
Realising that tension was mounting in the area, the police released the six tribals and took them back to Dahijuri.
“We arrested the six under a bailable section. We released them on a personal bond,” said West Midnapore superintendent of police Rajesh Kumar Singh.
Later in the morning, around 1,000 tribals dug up a road at Brindabanpur that connects Lalgarh to Jhargram and Midnapore towns. The tribals also demands that SP R.K.Singh would have to do “sit-ups holding his ears” and all policemen of Lalgarh would have to “crawl” from Dalilpur to Chhotopelia village, if they want normality to return.
Around 6am, about 300 tribal youths with bows and arrows marched from Dahijuri in Binpur block to Betkundri and started digging up the metalled state highway connecting Midnapore town with Purulia’s Bandwan. Around 8.30, a police contingent arrived at Betkundri, about 5km from Jhargram town and told the tribals, affiliated to the youth wing of Bharat Jakat Majhi Marwa, an outfit of village elders, to stop digging.
The villagers refused, following which the police arrested six youths on the charge of unlawful assembly and seized their weapons and drums. They were taken to Jhargram.
As news of the arrest spread, over 2,000 men and women, bows and arrows in hand, gathered at Dahijuri, about 8km from Jhargram town, and obstructed the highway demanding immediate release of the six. “The police torture us at the slightest pretext. The government thinks all Santhals are Maoists. Whenever there is a Maoist attack, the Santhals are picked up,” said protester Priya Tudu.
The angry, slogan-shouting villagers circled the contingent and hurled abuses. Some women pushed the policemen but the force did not react.
Realising that tension was mounting in the area, the police released the six tribals and took them back to Dahijuri.
“We arrested the six under a bailable section. We released them on a personal bond,” said West Midnapore superintendent of police Rajesh Kumar Singh.
Later in the morning, around 1,000 tribals dug up a road at Brindabanpur that connects Lalgarh to Jhargram and Midnapore towns. The tribals also demands that SP R.K.Singh would have to do “sit-ups holding his ears” and all policemen of Lalgarh would have to “crawl” from Dalilpur to Chhotopelia village, if they want normality to return.
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Tripura sends 30 police personnel for special training
Agartala, 10 November : With the threat perception from Jihadi elements and subsequent advice from the Union Home Ministry, the Tripura government has decided to send a group of senior police officers for a three-month special training.
Official sources here today said the training would be conducted by the Army in the Northeast Police Academy campus at Barapani in Meghalaya, Hyderabad and New Delhi where about 30 officers would be imparted training to tackle the latest modules of terrorism.
Besides training, the state police had already procured sophisticated gadgets and enhanced the intelligence network to tackle the threats while deciding to deploy trained manpower in all sub-divisions, officials said.
Official sources here today said the training would be conducted by the Army in the Northeast Police Academy campus at Barapani in Meghalaya, Hyderabad and New Delhi where about 30 officers would be imparted training to tackle the latest modules of terrorism.
Besides training, the state police had already procured sophisticated gadgets and enhanced the intelligence network to tackle the threats while deciding to deploy trained manpower in all sub-divisions, officials said.
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Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) chief visits Myanmar border as tension easesDhaka, 10 November : Local administration has said that the situation at Naikkhongchhari in Bandera bordering Myanmar remained normal since Monday morning.
Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) director general Major general Shakil Ahmed visited different border areas.Like Chakdhala of Naikkhongchhari and Lembuchhari border area. As tension ran high in the border over the exploration of oil and gas by Myanmar in disputed waters of Bay of Bengal and intrusion of its vessels, both countries increased force along the frontier. As a counter measure to Myanmar's deployment of border security force Nasaka and troops in the bordering Arakan state, BDR issued special alert at the border and also increased force there.
Army was also deployed at Ramu to face any eventuality.
In the face of serious protest from Dhaka, Myanmar removed patrol ships from disputed waters on Sunday. Besides, Korean company Daewoo engaged in exploration of oil and gas in the area also removed their equipment.
BDR officials quoting general Ahmed said if Myanmar tried to show force in the border, BDR would also reinforce force.
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Bangladesh court send Jamaat-e-Islami chief to jail
Dhaka, 10 November : Bangladesh special graft court on Monday ordered the two top leaders of fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and the former finance minister in Khaleda Zia's government to jail to face trial in a graft case under the tough emergency power rules.
Jamat chief Motiur Rahman Nizami, secretary general Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujahid and senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader and ex-finance minister Saifur Rahman were brought to Dhaka Central Jail under heavy security escorts as judge Amar Kumar Roy rejected their bail prayers after their personal appearance at the makeshift court at parliament complex.
The three high-profile politicians earlier appeared before the High Court with their bail prayers but a bench there ordered them to surrender to the trial court in connection with the Barapukria coalmine case, in which Zia too is an accused.
Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case on 26 February this year accusing 16 people including Zia of causing a loss of taka 159 crore to the state exchequer by awarding a contract for operating the coalmine to a Chinese company through abuse of power.
Zia and several other co-accused earlier obtained bail in the case from the Supreme Court.
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Bengal's unique flavour Darjeeling Tea at risk
GJM stir forces out tea research unit
Kurseong / Kolkata, 10 November : The unique flavour of India’s best-known export, Darjeeling tea, may now be at risk. The relentless GJM agitation in the Hills has hit research work at the Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre (DTRDC) in Kurseong. Concerned at the developments, the Centre has decided to temporarily shift the unit out of the Hills to Siliguri.
Research is essential to sustain the quality of the world famous brew that matches the status of champagne and Scotch as a registered Geographical Indication (GI) product. Just as champagne is indigenous to the Champagne district of France and Scotch to Scotland, so is Darjeeling tea to Darjeeling. It cannot be grown or manufactured anywhere else in the world.
GJM had been asked repeatedly to keep the research centre out of the purview of its agitation programme, but to no avail. “While GJM has allowed the tea gardens to function normally, it has stalled work at the research unit simply because it is a central government organization,” an official with the research centre told Bengal News from Darjeeling.
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Will Maradona visit Nandigram ?
Bengal's unique flavour Darjeeling Tea at riskGJM stir forces out tea research unit
Kurseong / Kolkata, 10 November : The unique flavour of India’s best-known export, Darjeeling tea, may now be at risk. The relentless GJM agitation in the Hills has hit research work at the Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre (DTRDC) in Kurseong. Concerned at the developments, the Centre has decided to temporarily shift the unit out of the Hills to Siliguri.
Research is essential to sustain the quality of the world famous brew that matches the status of champagne and Scotch as a registered Geographical Indication (GI) product. Just as champagne is indigenous to the Champagne district of France and Scotch to Scotland, so is Darjeeling tea to Darjeeling. It cannot be grown or manufactured anywhere else in the world.
GJM had been asked repeatedly to keep the research centre out of the purview of its agitation programme, but to no avail. “While GJM has allowed the tea gardens to function normally, it has stalled work at the research unit simply because it is a central government organization,” an official with the research centre told Bengal News from Darjeeling.
>Will Maradona visit Nandigram ?
Nandigram, 9 November : The people of Nandigram may meet Diego Maradona, if West Bengal's sports minister Subhas Chakraborty keeps his word.
At a DYFI rally in Nandigram today, Subhas said: “I shall try to bring Maradona to Nandigram by a helicopter.” The soccer star will arrive in Kolkata on 6 December. Nandigram will vote in an Assembly bypoll at the end of the year.
Haldia's CPM MP Lakshman Seth, who was present, said: “ We will build the chemical hub in Nayachar. If any one tries to prevent it, the people of Haldia will break their legs.”
In response to Seth’s warning, Trinamul Congress’s MLA from Contai (south), Subhendu Adhikary, tonight lodged a complaint against Seth in Nandigram police station.
At a DYFI rally in Nandigram today, Subhas said: “I shall try to bring Maradona to Nandigram by a helicopter.” The soccer star will arrive in Kolkata on 6 December. Nandigram will vote in an Assembly bypoll at the end of the year.
Haldia's CPM MP Lakshman Seth, who was present, said: “ We will build the chemical hub in Nayachar. If any one tries to prevent it, the people of Haldia will break their legs.”
In response to Seth’s warning, Trinamul Congress’s MLA from Contai (south), Subhendu Adhikary, tonight lodged a complaint against Seth in Nandigram police station.
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Bangladesh Rifles on alert on Myanmar border
Dhaka, 8 November : Bangladesh Rifles have been put on alert on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border at Teknaf and Bandarban, after reports that Yangon is strengthening its border security troops in the wake of a recent dispute over Myanmar's oil-gas exploration in the Bay, say Bangladesh officials. Foreign adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury told Bengal News on Saturday, meanwhile: "Daewoo has said it would start removing its installations from the disputed waters from late night of 7November. The withdrawal will take several days, they said."
Myanmar employed South Korea's Daewoo to undertake its oil-gas activities, that came to light just over a week ago. "Our ships will remain there until Myanmar withdraws its vessels," said the foreign adviser. He said Bangladesh was observing the situation "very closely".
Meanwhile, BDR numbers have been reinforced at different border outposts and border patrols have been intensified in response to Nasaka activity, BDR and local authorities said Saturday.
BDR has imposed an alert along the 105 kilometre border of Naikkhongchhari upazila in Bandarban, said Naikkhongchhari zone BDR commander Lt Col Abu Nayeem.
Local Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nabab Aslam Habib told Bengal News "Both BDR and Myanmar border security force Nasaka have deployed additional force and intensified security and patrol at the border." Though locals said an exchange of fire took place on Friday night, officials denied it. Locals also said three Myanmar ships were seen inside Bangladesh waters, about 90 kilometres south-west of St Martins on Friday evening.
"More than 200 tourists in two ships, the Keari Sindabad and LCT Kutubdia, went to St Martins from Teknaf Saturday morning. They returned by the same ships in the evening. There was no problem."
Cox's Bazar deputy commissioner Monzur Alam Bhuiyan said BDR is in normal positions at border. He said he does not know about any alert.
Myanmar employed South Korea's Daewoo to undertake its oil-gas activities, that came to light just over a week ago. "Our ships will remain there until Myanmar withdraws its vessels," said the foreign adviser. He said Bangladesh was observing the situation "very closely".
Meanwhile, BDR numbers have been reinforced at different border outposts and border patrols have been intensified in response to Nasaka activity, BDR and local authorities said Saturday.
BDR has imposed an alert along the 105 kilometre border of Naikkhongchhari upazila in Bandarban, said Naikkhongchhari zone BDR commander Lt Col Abu Nayeem.
Local Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nabab Aslam Habib told Bengal News "Both BDR and Myanmar border security force Nasaka have deployed additional force and intensified security and patrol at the border." Though locals said an exchange of fire took place on Friday night, officials denied it. Locals also said three Myanmar ships were seen inside Bangladesh waters, about 90 kilometres south-west of St Martins on Friday evening.
"More than 200 tourists in two ships, the Keari Sindabad and LCT Kutubdia, went to St Martins from Teknaf Saturday morning. They returned by the same ships in the evening. There was no problem."
Cox's Bazar deputy commissioner Monzur Alam Bhuiyan said BDR is in normal positions at border. He said he does not know about any alert.
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Cricket Association of Bengal decided to honour Sourav
Kolkata, 8 November : The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has decided to honour Sourav Ganguly at Eden Gardens on 7 December. It has been under fire from all quarters for going unrepresented during the BCCI-organised felicitation in Nagpur on Thursday.
“We had waited till the last minute and hoped that Sourav would reconsider his decision to retire from international cricket. But during the function in Nagpur on Thursday, we saw that he had firmed up his mind. We fully respect his decision and CAB would felicitate him in a befitting manner,” CAB President Jagmohan Dalmiya said.
“This felicitation,” Dalmiya said, “is not only an acknowledgement of a glittering international career, but is also an appreciation of Sourav’s contribution to Indian and Bengal cricket for over a decade and a half.”
It was learnt that since the invitation for the Nagpur function came from the Vidarbha Cricket Association, the CAB decided against sending a representative. “Had the invitation come from the BCCI, we would certainly have considered sending someone,” a top CAB official said.
CAB Secretary Arun Mitra, however, was at a loss to explain why no one had represented CAB in Sourav’s last Test. Asked why the felicitation was being organised almost a month after his retirement, Mitra said: “It’s being done on a grand scale. We need time to prepare and invite guests. Hence…”
Cricket Association of Bengal decided to honour Sourav
Kolkata, 8 November : The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has decided to honour Sourav Ganguly at Eden Gardens on 7 December. It has been under fire from all quarters for going unrepresented during the BCCI-organised felicitation in Nagpur on Thursday.
“We had waited till the last minute and hoped that Sourav would reconsider his decision to retire from international cricket. But during the function in Nagpur on Thursday, we saw that he had firmed up his mind. We fully respect his decision and CAB would felicitate him in a befitting manner,” CAB President Jagmohan Dalmiya said.
“This felicitation,” Dalmiya said, “is not only an acknowledgement of a glittering international career, but is also an appreciation of Sourav’s contribution to Indian and Bengal cricket for over a decade and a half.”
It was learnt that since the invitation for the Nagpur function came from the Vidarbha Cricket Association, the CAB decided against sending a representative. “Had the invitation come from the BCCI, we would certainly have considered sending someone,” a top CAB official said.
CAB Secretary Arun Mitra, however, was at a loss to explain why no one had represented CAB in Sourav’s last Test. Asked why the felicitation was being organised almost a month after his retirement, Mitra said: “It’s being done on a grand scale. We need time to prepare and invite guests. Hence…”
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BANGLADESH VOTE :
Learn to accept election results: Bangladesh EC
Gazipur, 8 November : Learn to accept the results of elections, look to other countries to see how, was the message from the Bangladesh EC as commissioner M Sakhawat Hussain addressed potential candidates in Gazipur today.
He also stressed that no unfair bias was being shown to any party in the run-up to elections, in response to recent claims by BNP that the Election Commission was 'not neutral'. "We have no bias for or against any party," he said, at a views exchange meeting with aspiring candidates for the 9th Jatiya Sangsad and third upazila elections.
"Learn to accept the results of elections," Sakhawat said, aiming his comment at the crowd of potential runners. He requested those present to abide by the election code of conduct.
Gazipur, 8 November : Learn to accept the results of elections, look to other countries to see how, was the message from the Bangladesh EC as commissioner M Sakhawat Hussain addressed potential candidates in Gazipur today.
He also stressed that no unfair bias was being shown to any party in the run-up to elections, in response to recent claims by BNP that the Election Commission was 'not neutral'. "We have no bias for or against any party," he said, at a views exchange meeting with aspiring candidates for the 9th Jatiya Sangsad and third upazila elections.
"Learn to accept the results of elections," Sakhawat said, aiming his comment at the crowd of potential runners. He requested those present to abide by the election code of conduct.
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Meet demands, BNP will go to polls : Khaleda
Mass rights snatched in last two years : Khaleda
Chittagong, 7 November : BNP will go to the polls if authorities meet the seven-point charter of demands, Khaleda Zia said at a rally on Friday, without ruling out her party joining the 18 December general election.
"We want to go to polls but a congenial atmosphere has not yet been created. An environment congenial for a fair election would be created if the seven-point demands are met."
"They say they have accepted all demands but there is no sign of implementaiton," she told a huge public rally in Chittagong today organised by local BNP at Laldighi ground.
The speech sounded to be one of election canvassing as she pledged a raft of measures if elected to office for a third term.
She softened her stance on the resignation of the Election Commission hierarchy, saying the present commission was not neutral. She accused the caretaker government of trampling the people's political rights. "I have come here to reclaim the people's rights snatched in last two years. She said a level playing field has not been created. "Forty leaders of BNP are still in detention. Does this mean a level playing field has been created?" Criticising the caretaker government, she said, "They have turned the country into a bigger jail. People are being intimidated and false cases filed against them."
This is Khaleda's first visit to Chittagong since the current military-installed interim government took power and her release on bail from detention on a slew of graft charges.
Chittagong, 7 November : BNP will go to the polls if authorities meet the seven-point charter of demands, Khaleda Zia said at a rally on Friday, without ruling out her party joining the 18 December general election.
"We want to go to polls but a congenial atmosphere has not yet been created. An environment congenial for a fair election would be created if the seven-point demands are met."
"They say they have accepted all demands but there is no sign of implementaiton," she told a huge public rally in Chittagong today organised by local BNP at Laldighi ground.
The speech sounded to be one of election canvassing as she pledged a raft of measures if elected to office for a third term.
She softened her stance on the resignation of the Election Commission hierarchy, saying the present commission was not neutral. She accused the caretaker government of trampling the people's political rights. "I have come here to reclaim the people's rights snatched in last two years. She said a level playing field has not been created. "Forty leaders of BNP are still in detention. Does this mean a level playing field has been created?" Criticising the caretaker government, she said, "They have turned the country into a bigger jail. People are being intimidated and false cases filed against them."
This is Khaleda's first visit to Chittagong since the current military-installed interim government took power and her release on bail from detention on a slew of graft charges.
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BANGLADESH VOTE :
Mobile phones will be shut on polls day : EC
Dhaka, 7 November : Mobile phone networks across the Bangladesh will be shut on the general election day to make the polls free, fair and beyond "influence", an election commissioner says.
"The mobile phone network will be closed from morning to evening to bar anyone with wrong intentions during voting on the day," M Sakhawat Hossain told journalists in Dhaka.
Dhaka, 7 November : Mobile phone networks across the Bangladesh will be shut on the general election day to make the polls free, fair and beyond "influence", an election commissioner says.
"The mobile phone network will be closed from morning to evening to bar anyone with wrong intentions during voting on the day," M Sakhawat Hossain told journalists in Dhaka.
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Threat letter to Rizwanur death case judge
Koplkata, 6 November : The magistrate who issued non-bailable arrest warrants against the Todis was threatened on Thursday to quash the case or “face the consequences”.
The office of the seventh metropolitan magistrate, Bibhash Chatterjee, received the handwritten, unsigned threat letter on a day the Todis moved the Supreme Court questioning the legality of the arrest warrants.
The letter, written in English, came by post around 4pm. It warned Chatterjee that he would “face consequences soon” if he did not quash the Rizwanur Rahman case, in which the brothers were accused, and grant them bail.
“Chatterjee immediately handed over the letter to chief metropolitan magistrate S.S. Anand, who got in touch with us,” said an officer of Hare Street police station.
The cops soon arranged for the magistrate’s security and posted a team in front of his Serampore residence.
“Additional arrangements will be made outside his chamber in the metropolitan magistrate’s court. An investigation is on to track down the person who sent the letter,” said Jawed Shamim, the deputy commissioner of Kolkat police, detective department.
The Todis and their relative Anil Saraogi have been missing since Chatterjee issued the arrest warrants against them on October 28 for not appearing in court in person.
Koplkata, 6 November : The magistrate who issued non-bailable arrest warrants against the Todis was threatened on Thursday to quash the case or “face the consequences”.
The office of the seventh metropolitan magistrate, Bibhash Chatterjee, received the handwritten, unsigned threat letter on a day the Todis moved the Supreme Court questioning the legality of the arrest warrants.
The letter, written in English, came by post around 4pm. It warned Chatterjee that he would “face consequences soon” if he did not quash the Rizwanur Rahman case, in which the brothers were accused, and grant them bail.
“Chatterjee immediately handed over the letter to chief metropolitan magistrate S.S. Anand, who got in touch with us,” said an officer of Hare Street police station.
The cops soon arranged for the magistrate’s security and posted a team in front of his Serampore residence.
“Additional arrangements will be made outside his chamber in the metropolitan magistrate’s court. An investigation is on to track down the person who sent the letter,” said Jawed Shamim, the deputy commissioner of Kolkat police, detective department.
The Todis and their relative Anil Saraogi have been missing since Chatterjee issued the arrest warrants against them on October 28 for not appearing in court in person.
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Bangladesh former PM Hasina returns home
Declares to form electoral grand alliance
Dhaka, 6 Nevember : Sheikh Hasina says elections should be held on schedule Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has returned home to lead her party in the general elections due next month.
On her arrival at the airport, Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina this morning declared that they will form a grand alliance to contest in the December 18 parliamentary polls.
"The grand alliance will be formed in the interest of the people. The alliance will not be isolated from the countrymen," the former prime minister said replying to a question by reporters at the airport. She said the schedule for the 18 December polls must not be deferred in any way. "The election must be held on the schedule. It cannot be foiled or deferred by any conspiracy," Hasina told reporters at the airport's VIP lounge. "It will not matter which party takes part in the election or not.
Asked if she will sit in much-talked-about dialogue with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Hasina said, "We will do everything possible for the sake of the country."
If the AL is voted to power, the prices of essential commodities would be brought down to the reach of the common people. Terming the poverty a great enemy, Hasina called upon all to work jointly to alleviate it.
Hasina congratulates the people of all walks of life including teachers, doctors, engineers, lawyers, journalist as she has been able to return to the country.
Dhaka, 6 Nevember : Sheikh Hasina says elections should be held on schedule Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has returned home to lead her party in the general elections due next month.
On her arrival at the airport, Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina this morning declared that they will form a grand alliance to contest in the December 18 parliamentary polls.
"The grand alliance will be formed in the interest of the people. The alliance will not be isolated from the countrymen," the former prime minister said replying to a question by reporters at the airport. She said the schedule for the 18 December polls must not be deferred in any way. "The election must be held on the schedule. It cannot be foiled or deferred by any conspiracy," Hasina told reporters at the airport's VIP lounge. "It will not matter which party takes part in the election or not.
Asked if she will sit in much-talked-about dialogue with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Hasina said, "We will do everything possible for the sake of the country."
If the AL is voted to power, the prices of essential commodities would be brought down to the reach of the common people. Terming the poverty a great enemy, Hasina called upon all to work jointly to alleviate it.
Hasina congratulates the people of all walks of life including teachers, doctors, engineers, lawyers, journalist as she has been able to return to the country.
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Shibpur "BESU" classrooms turn battlefield
Campus shut, Students asked to vacate hostels
Howrah, 6 November : Campus violence hit a shocking low at the prestigious Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU) on Thursday when clashes broke out in classrooms , unprecedented even on the volatile BESU campus. Undergraduate classes have been suspended indefinitely and boarders told to vacate the hostels.
It was also the first time that police and RAF had to enter classrooms in BESU, making it one of the worst days in the university's history since 2006, when clashes between SFI and Independents Consolidation (IC) had ended in the death of a boarder. The two groups were involved in Thursday's violence also.
Howrah, 6 November : Campus violence hit a shocking low at the prestigious Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU) on Thursday when clashes broke out in classrooms , unprecedented even on the volatile BESU campus. Undergraduate classes have been suspended indefinitely and boarders told to vacate the hostels.
It was also the first time that police and RAF had to enter classrooms in BESU, making it one of the worst days in the university's history since 2006, when clashes between SFI and Independents Consolidation (IC) had ended in the death of a boarder. The two groups were involved in Thursday's violence also.
:: For Details Reports > CLICK
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Bangla-Burma talks over Bay of Bengal gas row
Dhaka, 6 Nevember : A three-member Bangladeshi team is in Burma to hold talks on a territorial dispute between the two nations in the Bay of Bengal. The two countries have deployed naval vessels following Burmese attempts to explore for gas in a disputed stretch of the sea. Bangladesh insists that the area lies well within its waters and has already formally protested over the issue. But a senior Burmese official said the exploration was inside their territory.
"We will try to solve this peacefully, but we are also ready to protect our country if needed... we will not tolerate being insulted, although we do want good will. We will continue with exploration," a senior official from the Burmese military junta government told AFP news agency.
Bangladesh warning
The war of words has escalated with senior Bangladeshi officials warning of possible military action, if Burma continued with its exploration work.
"Our intention has always been peaceful. But we have to let them know that Bangladesh will defend her territorial sovereignty in every way possible," the Bangladesh foreign minister, Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said.
According to Bangladeshi sources, the dispute is taking place about 50 nautical miles south-west of an island called St Martin's.
The Bay of Bengal is believed to have abundant reserves of oil and gas, with both sides looking to foreign companies to exploit the reserves. The two countries held a series of meetings in the past year aimed at resolving the dispute over their maritime boundary but without much success.
"We will try to solve this peacefully, but we are also ready to protect our country if needed... we will not tolerate being insulted, although we do want good will. We will continue with exploration," a senior official from the Burmese military junta government told AFP news agency.
Bangladesh warning
The war of words has escalated with senior Bangladeshi officials warning of possible military action, if Burma continued with its exploration work.
"Our intention has always been peaceful. But we have to let them know that Bangladesh will defend her territorial sovereignty in every way possible," the Bangladesh foreign minister, Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said.
According to Bangladeshi sources, the dispute is taking place about 50 nautical miles south-west of an island called St Martin's.
The Bay of Bengal is believed to have abundant reserves of oil and gas, with both sides looking to foreign companies to exploit the reserves. The two countries held a series of meetings in the past year aimed at resolving the dispute over their maritime boundary but without much success.
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Suspected 'Maoists' kill CPM leader & wife
Nakashipara (Nadia) ,6 November : A CPM leader and his wife were hacked and then shot dead by unidentified goons late on Tuesday night at Nakashipara, Nadia. Police suspect Maoists to be behind the incident. Angry CPM supporters blocked National Highway-34 for three hours on Wednesday morning in protest against the murders.
Police said that Mrinal Kanti Sarkar, CPM's Nakashipara panchayat samity member and zonal secretary of Krishak sabha and his wife Namita, a CPM member, were killed in their sleep at their Patikabari village home.
It was around 12.30 in the morning when a 10-member armed gang entered the house. The couple's son Anup was sleeping in another room and a gang member locked it from outside. They then entered Mrinal and Namita's bedroom and attacked the couple with daggers. Minutes later two of the gang fired at Mrinal and Namita.
Local CPM leaders claimed that there was a political motive behind the murders.
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Boycott unfair polls: Khaleda
Dhaka, 5 November : In what appears to be a call for boycott, BNP chief Khaleda Zia has appealed to all to avoid what she termed was an unacceptable election. "I appeal to all to avoid the path to an unacceptable election," she told
reporters at her Gulshan office on Wednesday evening. The former Bangaladesh prime minister read out a statement to the media at around 8:30pm prior to a meeting with her four-party allies.
"An unacceptable election could worsen the (current political) crisis in the country.
The general elections are due on the 18 December, for which nominations close in just eight days.
"The present crisis has to be overcome through a free and fair election.
"The government and the Election Commission and all concerned have to be gracious and open (to negotiations), burying past mistakes."
Khaleda's statement appears to snub to the Bangaladesh government's recent attempts at reaching accord with BNP.
The other major party, Awami League, has said it is all for the parliamentary polls, with party chief Sheikh Hasina, on her way to Dhaka, urging "unity for elections".
Hasina boarded a Dhaka-bound flight Wednesday around 9pm Bangladesh time.
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Financial crisis cut 1000 jobs in east
Kolkata, 5 November : As the bear hug suffocates stock markets and the global economy stays paralyzed, the demon of retrenchment has started to haunt the financial services sector in India's east. More than 1,000 people, industry insiders said, have lost their jobs in Kolkata and other big cities in the region over the past couple of months.
The city got its first feeler of the finance crunch in October by way of Jet Airways' 'fire-and-hire' drama. Naresh Goyal, the airline's chief, decided to take back all employees after a public outcry.
According to sources, some of the big firms that have already downsized their workforce in the region are Sharekhan, India Infoline, Motilal Oswal, Karvy, Indiabulls and Angel Stock Broking.
Some firms, though, have stopped short of wielding the axe, but have slashed pay packets by 20-30% and, in some cases, even 50%. Besides, employees of some top insurance companies in the city have been informed of a cut in variable salary components like conveyance allowance. More than 14,000 people are employed in the financial sector in the east.
It's the mid-sized players, though, that have thrown up horror stories. Sources said a number of relatively low-profile firms have sacked dozens of employees. Some broking outfits have already shut branches and are planning to close down a few more.
Nakashipara (Nadia) ,6 November : A CPM leader and his wife were hacked and then shot dead by unidentified goons late on Tuesday night at Nakashipara, Nadia. Police suspect Maoists to be behind the incident. Angry CPM supporters blocked National Highway-34 for three hours on Wednesday morning in protest against the murders.
Police said that Mrinal Kanti Sarkar, CPM's Nakashipara panchayat samity member and zonal secretary of Krishak sabha and his wife Namita, a CPM member, were killed in their sleep at their Patikabari village home.
It was around 12.30 in the morning when a 10-member armed gang entered the house. The couple's son Anup was sleeping in another room and a gang member locked it from outside. They then entered Mrinal and Namita's bedroom and attacked the couple with daggers. Minutes later two of the gang fired at Mrinal and Namita.
Local CPM leaders claimed that there was a political motive behind the murders.
>Boycott unfair polls: Khaleda
Dhaka, 5 November : In what appears to be a call for boycott, BNP chief Khaleda Zia has appealed to all to avoid what she termed was an unacceptable election. "I appeal to all to avoid the path to an unacceptable election," she told
reporters at her Gulshan office on Wednesday evening. The former Bangaladesh prime minister read out a statement to the media at around 8:30pm prior to a meeting with her four-party allies.
"An unacceptable election could worsen the (current political) crisis in the country.
The general elections are due on the 18 December, for which nominations close in just eight days.
"The present crisis has to be overcome through a free and fair election.
"The government and the Election Commission and all concerned have to be gracious and open (to negotiations), burying past mistakes."
Khaleda's statement appears to snub to the Bangaladesh government's recent attempts at reaching accord with BNP.
The other major party, Awami League, has said it is all for the parliamentary polls, with party chief Sheikh Hasina, on her way to Dhaka, urging "unity for elections".
Hasina boarded a Dhaka-bound flight Wednesday around 9pm Bangladesh time.
>
Financial crisis cut 1000 jobs in east
Kolkata, 5 November : As the bear hug suffocates stock markets and the global economy stays paralyzed, the demon of retrenchment has started to haunt the financial services sector in India's east. More than 1,000 people, industry insiders said, have lost their jobs in Kolkata and other big cities in the region over the past couple of months.
The city got its first feeler of the finance crunch in October by way of Jet Airways' 'fire-and-hire' drama. Naresh Goyal, the airline's chief, decided to take back all employees after a public outcry.
According to sources, some of the big firms that have already downsized their workforce in the region are Sharekhan, India Infoline, Motilal Oswal, Karvy, Indiabulls and Angel Stock Broking.
Some firms, though, have stopped short of wielding the axe, but have slashed pay packets by 20-30% and, in some cases, even 50%. Besides, employees of some top insurance companies in the city have been informed of a cut in variable salary components like conveyance allowance. More than 14,000 people are employed in the financial sector in the east.
It's the mid-sized players, though, that have thrown up horror stories. Sources said a number of relatively low-profile firms have sacked dozens of employees. Some broking outfits have already shut branches and are planning to close down a few more.
> BANGLADESH VOTE :
Resist war criminals in polls, War veterans urge voters
Dhaka, 5 November : Independence war veterans on Tuesday called on the people to resist the war criminals wherever they contest in the 18 December general elections and vowed to try them in the soil of Bangladesh. Freedom fighters from across the country joined them in a conference in Dhaka also urging the voters to cast their votes in the ninth parliamentary polls for the pro-liberation forces so that they could ask the next government to bring the war criminals to justice.
They also castigated the military-controlled interim administration for being 'sympathised' to the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, a religion-based party that had opposed Bangladesh and fought against those wanting Bangladesh during the country's war of independence in 1971. The senior leaders of the party are accused in war crimes.
Presided over by the deputy chief of Bangladesh's liberation war forces, AK Khandaker, the conference was addressed, among others, by sector commanders KM Shahfiullah, CR Dutta, Kazi Nuruzzman, Abu Osman Chowdhury, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote leader Nasir Uddin Yusuf Bachhu, Dhaka University Teachers' Association general secretary Anwar Hossain and Bangladesh Mahila Samity president Ayesa Khanam.
Former army chief Harun-Ur Rashid, the coordinator of the forum, gave an overview on the forum's campaign against the war criminals. He demanded publication of official list of the 1971 war criminals. Also, calling upon the people to resist the fundamentalists' attempt to contest the polls, he said the forum took the initiative to make the people aware of the fundamentalist forces and bring the war criminals to justice.
CR Dutta regretted that the nation had failed to try the war criminals in more than three and a half decades. 'It is because of the disunity of the freedom fighters and different viewpoints of the successive governments.' He called upon the freedom fighters to forget their differences and raise the demand for trial of the war criminals.Dutta also demanded reinstatement of the 1972 constitution and repealing of 'Islam as state religion'.
>
Jamaat chief Nizami ordered to surrender in coalmine case
Dhaka, 4 November : The Bangladesh High Court has ordered Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami to surrender to the trial court by 4 November in the Barapukuria coalmine graft case.
The bench of justices Md. Mojammel Hossain and Afzal Hossain Ahmed gave the order after hearing Nizami's petition for bail and quashing the case on Tuesday.
It set 11 November for a follow-up hearing.
The court will give an order on Wednesday on similar petitions by Jamaat leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and BNP leader Saifur Rahman.
The ACC filed the Barapukuria case on 26 February, accusing the immediate past BNP-led government of causing Tk 158.71 crore in losses to the state through irregularities in management of the coalmine.
ACC deputy director Abul Kashem Fakir pressed charges on 5 October against 16 people, including former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
>
BANGLADESH VOTE :
Bikalpadhara, Awami League talk seat sharing
Dhaka, 4 November : Bikalpadhara president AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury said his party discussed seat sharing with Awami League ahead of nominations for parliamentary elections, though the party has yet to decide whether to join the AL-led 'grand alliance'. "It will be decided through discussion and we also have to consider the interests of other parties in the Awami League-led alliance," he said, briefing reporters at his party's central office at Topkhana in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Asked how many seats he would demand of the AL-led alliance, B Chowdhury said: "Bikalpadhara has local organisations and leaders in more than half of the 300 constituencies."
He said his party was not sure if they would join hands with the 'grand alliance', but "we are in regular contact," he added. He rejected any idea of joining the four-party alliance, saying: "It embodies anti-liberation forces and we have ideological conflicts with them."
>
Traditional Katyani festival begins in Magura today
Magura, 4 November : All are set to celebrate five-day-long traditional Katyani festival that starts in the Magura district from today.
The festival, held every year after about a month of Durga Puja, the greatest festival of the Bangladeshi Hindus, Katyani Puja has emerged as the most celebrated festival for the community in the district.
Shatish Chandra, a rich man of Parnanduali village in Magura Sadar upazila, first introduced Katyani Puja 56 years ago at the courtyard of his residence. Over the past several years, the puja has gained immense popularity and this time it is going to be celebrated at 56 mandaps in Magura, organisers said.
Every year thousands of people irrespective of religion, even from abroad including India and Nepal, assemble here to celebrate the festival.
A month-long fair has also been arranged on the occasion.
> BANGLADESH VOTE :
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Nizami ordered to surrender in coalmine case
Dhaka, 4 November : The Bangladesh High Court has ordered Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami to surrender to the trial court by 4 November in the Barapukuria coalmine graft case.
The bench of justices Md. Mojammel Hossain and Afzal Hossain Ahmed gave the order after hearing Nizami's petition for bail and quashing the case on Tuesday.
It set 11 November for a follow-up hearing.
The court will give an order on Wednesday on similar petitions by Jamaat leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and BNP leader Saifur Rahman.
The ACC filed the Barapukuria case on 26 February, accusing the immediate past BNP-led government of causing Tk 158.71 crore in losses to the state through irregularities in management of the coalmine.
ACC deputy director Abul Kashem Fakir pressed charges on 5 October against 16 people, including former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
>
Bangladesh government revoked Emergency Powers Rules
Media & campaign restrictions remove
Dhaka, 3 November : The Bangladesh government has revoked clauses 5 and 6 of Emergency Powers Rules 2007, removing media restrictions and barriers to campaign rallies and processions, an announcement said Monday
Parliamentary and Upazila candidates will now be able to assemble supporters and organise rallies in accordance with the Representation of the People Order 1972 and the 2008 Upazila law, a home ministry circular said.
Clause 5 had imposed restrictions on the media, with clear instructions not to publish or broadcast reports on assemblies, public meetings, rallies, processions and statements.
It also banned "provocative news stories, editorials and post-editorials, cartoons and talk shows."
Clause 6 barred criticism of the government and its activities.
The relaxation comes nearly 22 months after the Rules were put in force last year.
President Iajuddin Ahmed declared the state of emergency on 11January, last year, with an army-installed civilian caretaker government taking over and giving itself a two-year term until a general election, now slated for 18 December.
> Troops being withdrawn, Bangladesh president gives nod
Dhaka, 3 November : Troops are being withdrawn from the Bangladesh streets after President Iajuddin Ahmed approved a proposal on the pullout on Monday.
A high official at the Bangabhaban, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to brief the media, confirmed the development.
Earlier in the Secretariat, home adviser MA Matin told reporters about the army withdrawal.
Military rolled into the streets on 19January, 2007 to assist civil administration after the emergency declared was declared on 11January, that year.
>
Salboni blast was an attempt to kill Buddhadeb : CITU
Kolkata, 3 November : The CITU has claimed that the blast at Salboni was an attempt to kill West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee as part of a design to stall industrial and development activities in the state.
Referring to the suspected Maoist attack on a convoy minutes after the chief minister had driven through the area in West Midnapore district on Sunday, CITU state General Secretary Kali Ghose said, "this is a sinister gameplan of anti-left and reactionary forces who have combined to stall all industrial and development activities in the state."
>
Bangladesh EC announced Poll schedule
JS poll on 18 Dec. and UZ poll on 28 Dec.
Dhaka, 2 November : The Bangladesh chief election commissioner in a televised speech on Sunday announced the schedule for the ninth parliament and third Upazila elections.
In an address to the nation over Bangladesh Television and Betar, ATM Shamsul Huda announced the parliamentary election will be held on 18 December. as announced earlier but Upazila polls taking place in one go on 28 December. instead of on 24 and 28 December. The last date for submission of nomination papers for the parliamentary polls is 13 November.
Scrutiny of the nomination papers will be carried out on 16 and 17 November.
The last date for withdrawal of the candidature is 24 November.
Huda urged all officials involved with conducting the Jatiya Sangsad and Upazila elections to discharge their responsibilities with full neutrality and efficiency.
On the registration of the political parties, the CEC said one of the most import topics of legal reform is the registration of the political parties.
Huda said until October,2008 a total of 8, 11, 30,973 voters have been registered across the country. However, the number was 9, 24, 41,868 in 2006.
Apparently, 1, 13, 10,895 excess voters were registered in 2006 which has been corrected this year.
The CEC expressed the hope that with the sincere effort and participation of the political parties, intellectuals, journalists, students and people in general, the ninth parliamentary election and the third Upazila election would be held peacefully on 18 28 December respectively.
>
West Bengal CM escapes landmine blast, 6 cops injured
Salboni, 2 November : At least six policemen were injured, three of them critically, in a landmine blast that had targeted the convoy of West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Indian steel minister Ram Vilas Paswan in West Midnapore district of West Bengal on Sunday.
Police said the blast took place near Bhadutala in West Midnapore district when the two leaders along with other top level ministers & officials were returning after the foundation stone laying ceremony of a 10 million tonne steel plant.
"Six policemen were injured in the landmine blast. The blast took place just after the VVIP's convoy passed through that place. There are no reports of any deaths," state Inspector General of Police (Western Range) Kuldeep Singh told Bengal News.
Witnesses said the last pilot car of the convoy was hit by the explosion. The injured were taken to a district health care centre.
A bomb disposal squad and a contingent of police led by Singh reached the spot. They cordoned off the entire area and launched a search operation in the district.
>
Homage paid to prominent dramatist Prof. Zia Haidar
Pabna, 1 November : Pabna Ekushey Book Fair Celebration Committee paid homage to prominent dramatist and educationalist Prof Zia Haidar at a memorial meeting held here Saturday night.
Held at Pabna Press Club auditorium, the meeting was chaired by president of the committee, Sultan Ahmed.
Terming him as a proud son of Pabna, speakers said Zia Haidar did not bent down his head before autocrats.
>
Global fiscal meltdown:Jindal steel plan takes a U-turn
Kolkata, 1 November : The global financial meltdown has cast its shadow on upcoming steel projects in West Bengal. Days before chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee flags off the state’s much-hyped project, JSW has made a last-minute change in its grand plan: it will not manufacture steel for the time being.
For the moment, JSW Steel has altered its plans (for a 10-million tonne steel plant) and has decided to set up only a pellet and beneficiating plant at Salboni in West Midnapore. The steel manufacturing bit for a proposed 10-million tonne manufacturing won’t happen until 2012.
This means that when the WB chief minister inaugurates the much-hyped project on Sunday, he will only be flagging off a pellet and beneficiating unit coming up on 4,800 acres of land. The investment would hover around Rs 4,000 crore — not Rs 10,000 crore as has been proclaimed by the WB government and JSW Steel all this time.
The steel major has informed the state government that it won’t be able to stick to its earlier plans of manufacturing hot roll coils or steel bars or steel in general because the global turnaround has created an ebb in the steel market. And that it would, for now, concentrate only on pellet and beneficiating jobs to start the project.
>
B'Desh EC hears 'proof of war crimes', Jamaat absent
Dhaka, 1November : The Bangladesh Election Commission heard statements of objection on Saturday against the registration of Jamaat-e-Islami as a party, including "proof of war crimes" from the War Crimes Facts Finding Committee.
Jamaat did not appear at the hearing, fearing "unpleasantness" and having earlier asked for a five-day deferral of the hearing to prepare its own statement in answer to the objectors.
Chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda, and fellow election commissioners M Sakhawat Hussain and Muhammad Sohul Hussain, concluded the two-hour hearing at the EC Secretariat around 2pm.
Other groups who spoke against the party were the Sector Commanders Forum, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, Supreme Court Bar Association, Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, Amra Muktijoddhar Santan and Ain O Salish Kendro.
After the hearing, WCFFC convener MA Hassan said: "We have present proof of involvement in war crimes of top Jamaat leaders Motiur Rahman Nizami, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid, M Kamaruzzaman and ATM Azharul Islam."
He said an appeal has been made to the United Nations to try the war criminals in an international tribunal.
"Jamaat-e-Islami has implemented a religion-based agenda in this country backed by foreign forces," he added.
"Jamaat cannot be registered if the rule of law truly exists in the country. Even if they get registered, they will be thwarted," said Bangladesh Ghatok-Dalal Nirmul Committee member, Muntasir Mamun.
Jamaat said it did not think it compulsory and did not wish to participate in the hearing at the same time with the organisations which raised the objections, fearing "an unpleasant situation"!!
Asked what decision has been taken regarding Jamaat's appeal, the CEC said "no decision has yet been taken".
Resist war criminals in polls, War veterans urge voters
Dhaka, 5 November : Independence war veterans on Tuesday called on the people to resist the war criminals wherever they contest in the 18 December general elections and vowed to try them in the soil of Bangladesh. Freedom fighters from across the country joined them in a conference in Dhaka also urging the voters to cast their votes in the ninth parliamentary polls for the pro-liberation forces so that they could ask the next government to bring the war criminals to justice.
They also castigated the military-controlled interim administration for being 'sympathised' to the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, a religion-based party that had opposed Bangladesh and fought against those wanting Bangladesh during the country's war of independence in 1971. The senior leaders of the party are accused in war crimes.
Presided over by the deputy chief of Bangladesh's liberation war forces, AK Khandaker, the conference was addressed, among others, by sector commanders KM Shahfiullah, CR Dutta, Kazi Nuruzzman, Abu Osman Chowdhury, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote leader Nasir Uddin Yusuf Bachhu, Dhaka University Teachers' Association general secretary Anwar Hossain and Bangladesh Mahila Samity president Ayesa Khanam.
Former army chief Harun-Ur Rashid, the coordinator of the forum, gave an overview on the forum's campaign against the war criminals. He demanded publication of official list of the 1971 war criminals. Also, calling upon the people to resist the fundamentalists' attempt to contest the polls, he said the forum took the initiative to make the people aware of the fundamentalist forces and bring the war criminals to justice.
CR Dutta regretted that the nation had failed to try the war criminals in more than three and a half decades. 'It is because of the disunity of the freedom fighters and different viewpoints of the successive governments.' He called upon the freedom fighters to forget their differences and raise the demand for trial of the war criminals.Dutta also demanded reinstatement of the 1972 constitution and repealing of 'Islam as state religion'.
>
Jamaat chief Nizami ordered to surrender in coalmine case
Dhaka, 4 November : The Bangladesh High Court has ordered Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami to surrender to the trial court by 4 November in the Barapukuria coalmine graft case.
The bench of justices Md. Mojammel Hossain and Afzal Hossain Ahmed gave the order after hearing Nizami's petition for bail and quashing the case on Tuesday.
It set 11 November for a follow-up hearing.
The court will give an order on Wednesday on similar petitions by Jamaat leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and BNP leader Saifur Rahman.
The ACC filed the Barapukuria case on 26 February, accusing the immediate past BNP-led government of causing Tk 158.71 crore in losses to the state through irregularities in management of the coalmine.
ACC deputy director Abul Kashem Fakir pressed charges on 5 October against 16 people, including former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
>
BANGLADESH VOTE :
Bikalpadhara, Awami League talk seat sharing
Dhaka, 4 November : Bikalpadhara president AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury said his party discussed seat sharing with Awami League ahead of nominations for parliamentary elections, though the party has yet to decide whether to join the AL-led 'grand alliance'. "It will be decided through discussion and we also have to consider the interests of other parties in the Awami League-led alliance," he said, briefing reporters at his party's central office at Topkhana in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Asked how many seats he would demand of the AL-led alliance, B Chowdhury said: "Bikalpadhara has local organisations and leaders in more than half of the 300 constituencies."
He said his party was not sure if they would join hands with the 'grand alliance', but "we are in regular contact," he added. He rejected any idea of joining the four-party alliance, saying: "It embodies anti-liberation forces and we have ideological conflicts with them."
>Traditional Katyani festival begins in Magura today
Magura, 4 November : All are set to celebrate five-day-long traditional Katyani festival that starts in the Magura district from today.
The festival, held every year after about a month of Durga Puja, the greatest festival of the Bangladeshi Hindus, Katyani Puja has emerged as the most celebrated festival for the community in the district.
Shatish Chandra, a rich man of Parnanduali village in Magura Sadar upazila, first introduced Katyani Puja 56 years ago at the courtyard of his residence. Over the past several years, the puja has gained immense popularity and this time it is going to be celebrated at 56 mandaps in Magura, organisers said.
Every year thousands of people irrespective of religion, even from abroad including India and Nepal, assemble here to celebrate the festival.
A month-long fair has also been arranged on the occasion.
> BANGLADESH VOTE :
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Nizami ordered to surrender in coalmine case
Dhaka, 4 November : The Bangladesh High Court has ordered Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami to surrender to the trial court by 4 November in the Barapukuria coalmine graft case.
The bench of justices Md. Mojammel Hossain and Afzal Hossain Ahmed gave the order after hearing Nizami's petition for bail and quashing the case on Tuesday.
It set 11 November for a follow-up hearing.
The court will give an order on Wednesday on similar petitions by Jamaat leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and BNP leader Saifur Rahman.
The ACC filed the Barapukuria case on 26 February, accusing the immediate past BNP-led government of causing Tk 158.71 crore in losses to the state through irregularities in management of the coalmine.
ACC deputy director Abul Kashem Fakir pressed charges on 5 October against 16 people, including former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
>
Bangladesh government revoked Emergency Powers Rules
Media & campaign restrictions remove
Dhaka, 3 November : The Bangladesh government has revoked clauses 5 and 6 of Emergency Powers Rules 2007, removing media restrictions and barriers to campaign rallies and processions, an announcement said Monday
Parliamentary and Upazila candidates will now be able to assemble supporters and organise rallies in accordance with the Representation of the People Order 1972 and the 2008 Upazila law, a home ministry circular said.
Clause 5 had imposed restrictions on the media, with clear instructions not to publish or broadcast reports on assemblies, public meetings, rallies, processions and statements.
It also banned "provocative news stories, editorials and post-editorials, cartoons and talk shows."
Clause 6 barred criticism of the government and its activities.
The relaxation comes nearly 22 months after the Rules were put in force last year.
President Iajuddin Ahmed declared the state of emergency on 11January, last year, with an army-installed civilian caretaker government taking over and giving itself a two-year term until a general election, now slated for 18 December.
> Troops being withdrawn, Bangladesh president gives nod
Dhaka, 3 November : Troops are being withdrawn from the Bangladesh streets after President Iajuddin Ahmed approved a proposal on the pullout on Monday.
A high official at the Bangabhaban, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to brief the media, confirmed the development.
Earlier in the Secretariat, home adviser MA Matin told reporters about the army withdrawal.
Military rolled into the streets on 19January, 2007 to assist civil administration after the emergency declared was declared on 11January, that year.
>
Salboni blast was an attempt to kill Buddhadeb : CITUKolkata, 3 November : The CITU has claimed that the blast at Salboni was an attempt to kill West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee as part of a design to stall industrial and development activities in the state.
Referring to the suspected Maoist attack on a convoy minutes after the chief minister had driven through the area in West Midnapore district on Sunday, CITU state General Secretary Kali Ghose said, "this is a sinister gameplan of anti-left and reactionary forces who have combined to stall all industrial and development activities in the state."
>
Bangladesh EC announced Poll schedule
JS poll on 18 Dec. and UZ poll on 28 Dec.
Dhaka, 2 November : The Bangladesh chief election commissioner in a televised speech on Sunday announced the schedule for the ninth parliament and third Upazila elections.
In an address to the nation over Bangladesh Television and Betar, ATM Shamsul Huda announced the parliamentary election will be held on 18 December. as announced earlier but Upazila polls taking place in one go on 28 December. instead of on 24 and 28 December. The last date for submission of nomination papers for the parliamentary polls is 13 November.
Scrutiny of the nomination papers will be carried out on 16 and 17 November.
The last date for withdrawal of the candidature is 24 November.
Huda urged all officials involved with conducting the Jatiya Sangsad and Upazila elections to discharge their responsibilities with full neutrality and efficiency.
On the registration of the political parties, the CEC said one of the most import topics of legal reform is the registration of the political parties.
Huda said until October,2008 a total of 8, 11, 30,973 voters have been registered across the country. However, the number was 9, 24, 41,868 in 2006.
Apparently, 1, 13, 10,895 excess voters were registered in 2006 which has been corrected this year.
The CEC expressed the hope that with the sincere effort and participation of the political parties, intellectuals, journalists, students and people in general, the ninth parliamentary election and the third Upazila election would be held peacefully on 18 28 December respectively.
>
West Bengal CM escapes landmine blast, 6 cops injured
Salboni, 2 November : At least six policemen were injured, three of them critically, in a landmine blast that had targeted the convoy of West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Indian steel minister Ram Vilas Paswan in West Midnapore district of West Bengal on Sunday.
Police said the blast took place near Bhadutala in West Midnapore district when the two leaders along with other top level ministers & officials were returning after the foundation stone laying ceremony of a 10 million tonne steel plant.
"Six policemen were injured in the landmine blast. The blast took place just after the VVIP's convoy passed through that place. There are no reports of any deaths," state Inspector General of Police (Western Range) Kuldeep Singh told Bengal News.
Witnesses said the last pilot car of the convoy was hit by the explosion. The injured were taken to a district health care centre.
A bomb disposal squad and a contingent of police led by Singh reached the spot. They cordoned off the entire area and launched a search operation in the district.
>
Homage paid to prominent dramatist Prof. Zia Haidar
Pabna, 1 November : Pabna Ekushey Book Fair Celebration Committee paid homage to prominent dramatist and educationalist Prof Zia Haidar at a memorial meeting held here Saturday night.
Held at Pabna Press Club auditorium, the meeting was chaired by president of the committee, Sultan Ahmed.
Terming him as a proud son of Pabna, speakers said Zia Haidar did not bent down his head before autocrats.
>
Global fiscal meltdown:Jindal steel plan takes a U-turn
Kolkata, 1 November : The global financial meltdown has cast its shadow on upcoming steel projects in West Bengal. Days before chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee flags off the state’s much-hyped project, JSW has made a last-minute change in its grand plan: it will not manufacture steel for the time being.For the moment, JSW Steel has altered its plans (for a 10-million tonne steel plant) and has decided to set up only a pellet and beneficiating plant at Salboni in West Midnapore. The steel manufacturing bit for a proposed 10-million tonne manufacturing won’t happen until 2012.
This means that when the WB chief minister inaugurates the much-hyped project on Sunday, he will only be flagging off a pellet and beneficiating unit coming up on 4,800 acres of land. The investment would hover around Rs 4,000 crore — not Rs 10,000 crore as has been proclaimed by the WB government and JSW Steel all this time.
The steel major has informed the state government that it won’t be able to stick to its earlier plans of manufacturing hot roll coils or steel bars or steel in general because the global turnaround has created an ebb in the steel market. And that it would, for now, concentrate only on pellet and beneficiating jobs to start the project.
>
B'Desh EC hears 'proof of war crimes', Jamaat absent
Dhaka, 1November : The Bangladesh Election Commission heard statements of objection on Saturday against the registration of Jamaat-e-Islami as a party, including "proof of war crimes" from the War Crimes Facts Finding Committee.
Jamaat did not appear at the hearing, fearing "unpleasantness" and having earlier asked for a five-day deferral of the hearing to prepare its own statement in answer to the objectors.
Chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda, and fellow election commissioners M Sakhawat Hussain and Muhammad Sohul Hussain, concluded the two-hour hearing at the EC Secretariat around 2pm.
Other groups who spoke against the party were the Sector Commanders Forum, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, Supreme Court Bar Association, Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, Amra Muktijoddhar Santan and Ain O Salish Kendro.
After the hearing, WCFFC convener MA Hassan said: "We have present proof of involvement in war crimes of top Jamaat leaders Motiur Rahman Nizami, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid, M Kamaruzzaman and ATM Azharul Islam."
He said an appeal has been made to the United Nations to try the war criminals in an international tribunal.
"Jamaat-e-Islami has implemented a religion-based agenda in this country backed by foreign forces," he added.
"Jamaat cannot be registered if the rule of law truly exists in the country. Even if they get registered, they will be thwarted," said Bangladesh Ghatok-Dalal Nirmul Committee member, Muntasir Mamun.
Jamaat said it did not think it compulsory and did not wish to participate in the hearing at the same time with the organisations which raised the objections, fearing "an unpleasant situation"!!
Asked what decision has been taken regarding Jamaat's appeal, the CEC said "no decision has yet been taken".
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