UNB, Benapole, 22 February : Trading through the land port came to a halt on Saturday due to political turmoil on West Bengal side while its activities remained suspended on Sunday because of public holiday.Benapole Customs Cargo officer Dilip Sarker said the trade resumed at 10am (BDST). Seventy truckloads of goods entered the land port from India while 40 truckloads of goods were exported to the country till 2pm, he said. Petrapole C&F Association official Kartik Chandra Dey informed that rival groups of workers belonging to Congress Party and Trinamul Congress clashed for political control on the port leading to the suspension of activities on Saturday.
The workers joined their work after fruitful meetings with customs, Bangaon police and administrative officials.
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Bangladesh cabinet okays draft of 'Climate Change Fund'
Dhaka, 22 February : Bangladesh cabinet on Monday approved in principle the draft of Climate Change Trust Fund Act, 2010 and the drafts of two others laws.
The drafts were approved at a regular cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at the cabinet division of Bangladesh Secretariat. The two other laws are Domestic Violence (Resistance and Protection) Act, 2010 and Slaughtering of Cattle and Controlling the Quality of Meat Act, 2010.
Ministers, state ministers and secretaries to different ministries and divisions were present at the meeting.
Dhaka, 22 February : Bangladesh cabinet on Monday approved in principle the draft of Climate Change Trust Fund Act, 2010 and the drafts of two others laws.The drafts were approved at a regular cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at the cabinet division of Bangladesh Secretariat. The two other laws are Domestic Violence (Resistance and Protection) Act, 2010 and Slaughtering of Cattle and Controlling the Quality of Meat Act, 2010.
Ministers, state ministers and secretaries to different ministries and divisions were present at the meeting.
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Shah Rukh calls off Kolkata Knight Riders - Lux Cozi deal
PTI, Mumbai, 22 February : Shah Rukh Khan, who owns the Indian Premium League team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has decided to avoid controversy and pulled out from the deal with the promoters of Lux Cozi innerwear, owned by Ashok Todi, accused in the Rizwanur Rahman suicide case. SRK was the brand ambassador of Lux Hosiery and it had been understood that the company will sponsor the team's uniforms. But after facing public ire, SRK has called off the deal. However, Lux will be part of KKR's off field apparel merchandise.SRK drew a lot of flak for tying up with Lux Cozi as its owner Ashok Todi had been accused of abetting the suicide of his daughter Priyanka's husband Rizwanur Rehman.
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EFR's Benoy Chakraborty asked to explain masked presser
Kolkata, 22 February : Eastern Frontier Rifle (EFR) special Inspector General Benoy Chakraborty who lambasted the authorities at a press meet after 24 troopers were killed in a Maoist attack in West Midnapore district has been asked to explain his conduct but no action has been taken against him yet, an official said Monday.
Director General of armed forces Partha Bhattacharya said that special IG Benoy Chakraborty has been asked to explain his action of criticising the authorities at a press meet Saturday where he had his face covered. "As of now, we have not taken any action against him. I have sought an explanation. Let me receive a report from him. Then I will see," Bhattacharya told reporters here.
Kolkata, 22 February : Eastern Frontier Rifle (EFR) special Inspector General Benoy Chakraborty who lambasted the authorities at a press meet after 24 troopers were killed in a Maoist attack in West Midnapore district has been asked to explain his conduct but no action has been taken against him yet, an official said Monday.
Director General of armed forces Partha Bhattacharya said that special IG Benoy Chakraborty has been asked to explain his action of criticising the authorities at a press meet Saturday where he had his face covered. "As of now, we have not taken any action against him. I have sought an explanation. Let me receive a report from him. Then I will see," Bhattacharya told reporters here.
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Indian President Pratibha Patil talks tough on Maoism in LS
PTI, New Delhi, 22 February : Terming the recent Maoist strike on a paramilitary camp in West Bengal as a "cowardly" act, Indian President Pratibha Patil today made it clear that such "senseless violence" would strengthen the government's resolve to tackle it with "added vigour".Addressing both Houses of Parliament on the first day of the Budget session, she said Maoist extremists are continuing to indulge in violence. "Maoists continue to indulge in senseless violence, as seen in their recent attacks in West Bengal where a large number of innocent lives have been lost. These cowardly acts strengthen our resolve to meet with added vigour the challenge posed by such violence," Patil said.
She said the government has given an offer to Maoist groups to abjure violence and come for talks.
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B'desh Govt to restore spirit of ‘72 constitution : Shafique A
Dhaka, 22 February : Bangladesh Law Minister Shafique Ahmed on Monday said the government would take steps to restore the spirit of original constitution of 1972 after getting copy of the Supreme Court judgment over the fifth amendment to the constitution.
“After receiving the copy of the judgment, we will send the matter to the law commission for its opinion and then take necessary steps as per its recommendations,” the minister said. He was talking to newsmen at his secretariat office after receiving a handwritten constitution of 1972 from the director general of Bangladesh Foundation For Development Research.
Dhaka, 22 February : Bangladesh Law Minister Shafique Ahmed on Monday said the government would take steps to restore the spirit of original constitution of 1972 after getting copy of the Supreme Court judgment over the fifth amendment to the constitution.
“After receiving the copy of the judgment, we will send the matter to the law commission for its opinion and then take necessary steps as per its recommendations,” the minister said. He was talking to newsmen at his secretariat office after receiving a handwritten constitution of 1972 from the director general of Bangladesh Foundation For Development Research.
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2 CPIM activists shot dead in Purulia district early Monday
Purulia, 22 February : Two CPI(M) activists were shot dead by suspected Maoists in Purulia district early Monday, police said.
The incident took place at Dulukti village when a group of Maoists abducted the duo Baleswar Singh Sardar and Karali Mahato from their homes and shot them dead in a nearby forest area. Some Maoist posters, which said that Sardar and Mahato used to act as police informers, were also recovered from the spot.
Purulia, 22 February : Two CPI(M) activists were shot dead by suspected Maoists in Purulia district early Monday, police said.
The incident took place at Dulukti village when a group of Maoists abducted the duo Baleswar Singh Sardar and Karali Mahato from their homes and shot them dead in a nearby forest area. Some Maoist posters, which said that Sardar and Mahato used to act as police informers, were also recovered from the spot.
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BNP blames troop withdrawal for Chittagong hills 'unrest'
Dhaka, 22 February : Bangladesh's main opposition party BNP has blamed the army pullout for a renewed ethnic strife in the southeastern Chittagong hills, terming the decision to withdraw the forces as a "blunder".Attacking the government on the violence between ethnic tribesmen and Bengali-speaking settlers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), the Bangladesh Nationalist Party demanded a re-evaluation of the 1997 peace treaty inked during the ruling Awami League's 1996-2001 tenure.
The opposition comments came as tension mounted in the region after ethnic clashes left at least two tribesmen dead, and a dozen villages torched. The Army was called in to control the situation amid claims that seven persons had died. န File Photos
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B'desh JS probe into Rangamati killings, Arson demanded
Dhaka, 22 February : Several thousand indigenous people brought out a procession protesting Saturday's killing of their community people and arson attacks on their houses in the remote Baghaihat area of Rangamati and demanding parliamentary inquiry into the incidents.
Meanwhile, Parbatya Bhikkhu Sangha Bangladesh submitted a memorandum to the prime minister through the deputy commissioner of Rangamati in this regard. Around 7,000 indigenous people from across the district, led by Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS), also brought out the procession at that arrived in front of the DC office, after parading the main thoroughfares of the town.
Dhaka, 22 February : Several thousand indigenous people brought out a procession protesting Saturday's killing of their community people and arson attacks on their houses in the remote Baghaihat area of Rangamati and demanding parliamentary inquiry into the incidents.
Meanwhile, Parbatya Bhikkhu Sangha Bangladesh submitted a memorandum to the prime minister through the deputy commissioner of Rangamati in this regard. Around 7,000 indigenous people from across the district, led by Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS), also brought out the procession at that arrived in front of the DC office, after parading the main thoroughfares of the town.
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Top Pakistan journalist Mir says Islamabad should be sorry
Dhaka, 22 February : Pakistan journalist Hamid Mir has said Islamabad should be ashamed of its "past deeds" against Dhaka during the 1952 Language Movement and seek forgiveness from the Bangladeshi people.
Mir, a very famous columnist, editor and TV anchor, was speaking at a discussion meeting organised by the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad on Sunday to mark Amar Ekushey, or 21 February, the high commission said in a statement.
Dhaka, 22 February : Pakistan journalist Hamid Mir has said Islamabad should be ashamed of its "past deeds" against Dhaka during the 1952 Language Movement and seek forgiveness from the Bangladeshi people.
Mir, a very famous columnist, editor and TV anchor, was speaking at a discussion meeting organised by the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad on Sunday to mark Amar Ekushey, or 21 February, the high commission said in a statement.
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