UNB, Dhaka, 25 February : Wreaths were placed on behalf of President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a memorial at the Banani army graveyard Thursday morning to show respect to the martyred army officers killed during the BDR mutiny last year.
On this day, 57 brilliant army officers, who were deputed to the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles as commanders, were killed by rebel BDR jawans at the Bangladesh Rifles headquarters at Pilkhana on 25-26 February, 2009. Of the 57 martyred army officers, 48 were buried at the Banani army graveyard. Assistant Military Secretary to the President Lt Col Zakir Hossain and Military Secretary to the Prime Minister Brig Gen Salahuddin Miaji placed the wreaths. Home Minister Sahara Khatun, State Minister for Home Shamsul Huq Tuku and chiefs of the 3 services also placed wreaths at the memorial, observed one-minute silence. Family members of the martyred army officers also visited the graveyard.
A heart-rending scene was created at that time as some family members burst into tears remembering the tragic deaths of their kiths and kin. Some prayed to almighty Allah for the punishment of the killers. န Photos : Nashirul Islam
A heart-rending scene was created at that time as some family members burst into tears remembering the tragic deaths of their kiths and kin. Some prayed to almighty Allah for the punishment of the killers. န Photos : Nashirul Islam
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No 'peace talks' with ULFA leaders in jail : Mithinga Daimary
PTI, Guwahati, 25 February : ULFA 'publicity secretary' Mithinga Daimary, who was released from jail today after getting bail by the TADA court on 23 February, said peace talks cannot take place with the group's top leaders in jail.
"All our top leaders, including 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa, are in jail and it is not possible to hold talks unless they are released," Daimary told reporters outside Guwahati Central Jail. He hoped the government realises the hopes and aspirations of the people of Assam and do not delay the release of "our leaders so that talks can be held at the earliest".Before leaving for his home at Nirjuli in lower Assam's Baksa district, an emotional Daimary said, "I am returning empty-handed to an empty home." Daimary's mother, elder brother, sister-in-law and younger sister were gunned down by unknown killers in 1998. န Photos : Chinmoy Roy
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GJM wants early tripartite talks on separate "Gorkhaland"
PTI, Kolkata, 25 February : The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) today said it wants the next round of tripartite talks on the Gorkhaland issue to be held at the earliest.At the last tripartite meeting held in Darjeeling on 21 December, the GJM had sought that the next round of talks should be held within 45 days. "Many days have elapsed since then. We want the Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) and Union Home Minister (P Chidambaram) to see to it that the tripartite meeting at the political level be held without further delay," GJM general secretary Roshan Giri told PTI.
He charged the West Bengal government with trying to derail the talks by 'instigating' CPI(M) cadres to indulge in violence and blame the GJM for that. "The GJM is not indulging in violence like burning police stations.
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Economic Survey warns of inflation, Optimistic on growth
PTI, New Delhi, 25 February : Enthused by reforms and the strong fundamentals, the Economic Survey today predicted that India would bounce back to a high nine per cent growth in 2011-12 on the way to becoming world's fastest growing economy in four years.The document, which assesses the state of the economy, warned that high food prices would rise further over next few months and criticised the food management policies that have led to "unacceptably" high prices of items like sugar. Food inflation is at present hovering close to 18 %.
The pre-budget Survey (2009-10), presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in Parliament, also recommended a "gradual rollback" of stimulus measures after assessing the impact on each sector.
Projecting the economic growth to touch up to 8.75% in 2010-11 and 9 % in the next year, the Survey said: "It is entirely possible for India to move into the rarefied domain of double digit growth and even attempt to don the mantle" of the fastest growing economy in the world within the next four years. န Photo : AP
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Police inspector killed by Maoists at Sarenga in Bankura
Bankura, 25 February : Blood continues to be spilt in West Bengal amid ceasefire offers and counteroffers by the Centre and Maoists. Rabilochan Mitra, Inspector-in-Charge of Sarenga Police Station in Bankura, was shot dead by Maoists on Wednesday night.This is the first instance of a police officer of the rank of inspector being killed by Maoists in West Bengal after Centre-State combined forces were pressed into service in the state on 18 June, 2009. The clash ensued after Maoists attacked the residence of Tarashankar Patra, a local CPI(M) leader. Patra was shot in the leg. The Sarenga police station is close to Patra's residence. After getting a phone call about the attack Mitra reached Patra's residence and engaged the Maoists in a fight. Initially, the Maoists retreated. But they retaliated and a bullet hit Mitra in his chest.
Police claim to have gunned down a Maoist called Jannath Duley. One Maoist is injured and has been admitted to the hospital.
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1000 solar rickshaw to ferry Commonwealth Game athletes
Durgapur, New Delhi, 25 February : At least 1,000 Durgapur's CMERI made solar rickshaws will be deployed to ferry over 7,000 athletes and their delegates during the Commonwealth Games later this year.
A joint project between Delhi government and the central government-run Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), these zero carbon vehicles will help players commute inside the Games villages and reach sporting venues from Metro stations. 'Its a unique initiative, where both innovation and concern for environment will be on display,' Rajesh Kumar, a senior scientist at CSIR, told Bengal Newz. These vehicles were developed by CSIR's Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute based in Durgapur.Over 7,000 players and delegates from over 70 countries will reach New Delhi to be a part of the Commonwealth Games 3-14 October in the national capital. န Photos : Niraj Modi
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Govt allows 3private operators for 3G service in most circles
PTI, New Delhi, 25 February : Indian government today invited applications from mobile operators to participate in the auction of 3G spectrum and allowed three private players in most of the circles while four in five states including Punjab and Bihar.
According to the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for 3G spectrum auction in 22 circles, most of the circles including four metros - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai - would have three private players. Only five states of Punjab, West Bengal, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir would accommodate four private operators.
PTI, New Delhi, 25 February : Indian government today invited applications from mobile operators to participate in the auction of 3G spectrum and allowed three private players in most of the circles while four in five states including Punjab and Bihar.
According to the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for 3G spectrum auction in 22 circles, most of the circles including four metros - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai - would have three private players. Only five states of Punjab, West Bengal, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir would accommodate four private operators.
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Road, waterway blockade in Rangamati - Khagrachhari
Rangamati, 25 February : Parbatya Bangalee Chhatra Parishad on Thursday enforced a daylong road and waterway blockade programme in Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts in protest against the attack on Bangalee settlers by a section of indigenous people.Clashes and arson attacks left at least three people dead in Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts in six-day violence following a land dispute between Bangalee settlers and indigenous people. Meanwhile, joint forces members in a raid arrested seven more people - 4 indigenous and 3 Bangalee settlers - from Khagrachhari district town and its adjacent areas from Wednesday evening to early Thursday in connection with Tuesday’s violence that left a Bangalee settler dead.
Tuesday night, the joint forces arrested 70 people - 42 indigenous and 28 Bangalee settlers - in this regard. န File Photo
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BD President Zillur Rahman admitted to Singapore hospital
BBS, Dhaka, 25 February : President Zillur Rahman was admitted to the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore for his medical checkup Thursday morning.The president, who left Dhaka Wednesday night, arrived in Singapore at about 6:00am by a regular Singapore Airlines flight, a message received from Singapore said. Singapore High Commissioner to Bangladesh Verghese Mathews and Bangladesh High Commissioner to Singapore Kamrul Ahsan received the president at Singapore international airport.
Family members and high officials at Bangabhaban including his personal physician are accompanying him. President Zillur Rahman is expected to return home on 4 March. In April last year, Zillur Rahman underwent medical check up at the same hospital.
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