Dhaka, 13 April : The High Court on Tuesday declared Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council Act, 1998 illegal but ruled that the peace accord was legal.The HC bench of Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury passed the order upon two writ petitions filed by Badiuzzaman, a Bangalee settler in CHT, and Tajul Islam, a lawyer. The court said the law contradicted the constitution of the country. Badiuzzaman filed the petition in 2000 and Tajul Islam in 2007 challenging the legality of Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord and its provisions.
Following the petitions, the HC had earlier issued separate rules asking the government to explain why the peace deal and its provisions should not be declared illegal and unconstitutional.
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CBI all set to reopen sensational 'Purulia arms drop case'
Kolkata, 13 April : The Cenral Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is all set to reopen the sensational Purulia arms drop case, as the key accused Kim Davy was arrested in Denmark.
The case will be heard at the designated CBI court at Bankshall Court. Davy alis Niels Holcks could be brought to India for trial. Kim Davy, a Dutch citizen had disappeared from Sahar international airport in Mumbai after the aircraft involved in Purulia arms drop was grounded. He was arrested in Denmark last Sunday. The main accused in this case, Peter Bleach, was released on the UK government’s request. Other Latvian crew members were also released later.
The case will be heard at the designated CBI court at Bankshall Court. Davy alis Niels Holcks could be brought to India for trial. Kim Davy, a Dutch citizen had disappeared from Sahar international airport in Mumbai after the aircraft involved in Purulia arms drop was grounded. He was arrested in Denmark last Sunday. The main accused in this case, Peter Bleach, was released on the UK government’s request. Other Latvian crew members were also released later.
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New Delhi police abort plan to take Ghandy to WB mid-way
New Delhi, 13 April : Maoist leader Kobad Ghandy, who was being taken by Delhi Police to West Bengal for a court hearing, was brought back to Tihar Jail from Allahabad following a tip-off that the Maoists "planned" to attack the train and free him.
Police had to abort mid-way their plan to take him to a court in Bengal in connection with the Maoist attack on the convoy route of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and then Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan in 2008. Sources said they received an intelligence tip-off on Sunday while on transit that Maoists may attack the train and free Ghandy.
New Delhi, 13 April : Maoist leader Kobad Ghandy, who was being taken by Delhi Police to West Bengal for a court hearing, was brought back to Tihar Jail from Allahabad following a tip-off that the Maoists "planned" to attack the train and free him.
Police had to abort mid-way their plan to take him to a court in Bengal in connection with the Maoist attack on the convoy route of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and then Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan in 2008. Sources said they received an intelligence tip-off on Sunday while on transit that Maoists may attack the train and free Ghandy.
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More autonomy assured for tribals' councilsAgartala, 13 April : The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government is keen to give more autonomy to the autonomous district councils in northeast India for the development of the tribals, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V. Narayanasamy said Tuesday.
'Congress governments, both at the centre and states, are always sincere for the development of tribals and to grant more autonomy to the backward tribals,' he told reporters here.
In the northeast, there are 16 tribal autonomous district councils (ADCs) - constitutional autonomous bodies to facilitate the socio-economic development of tribals, who constitute 26.93 percent of the northeast's total population of 38,857,769 (2001 census). Of the 16 ADCs, six are in Manipur, three each in Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram and one in Tripura.
'Congress governments, both at the centre and states, are always sincere for the development of tribals and to grant more autonomy to the backward tribals,' he told reporters here.
In the northeast, there are 16 tribal autonomous district councils (ADCs) - constitutional autonomous bodies to facilitate the socio-economic development of tribals, who constitute 26.93 percent of the northeast's total population of 38,857,769 (2001 census). Of the 16 ADCs, six are in Manipur, three each in Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram and one in Tripura.
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Toxin warning as Bangladesh eases ship-breaking rules
BBC News, 13 April : Environmental campaigners in Bangladesh have condemned a decision by the government to ease restrictions on ship-breaking in the country.
Ship-owners now no longer need to prove their vessels are free of toxic substances. Ship-breakers says the move will benefit the Bangladeshi economy. But environmentalists warned that tens of thousands of shipyard workers and people living on the coast were now at risk of exposure to toxic substances....READ FULL STORY
Ship-owners now no longer need to prove their vessels are free of toxic substances. Ship-breakers says the move will benefit the Bangladeshi economy. But environmentalists warned that tens of thousands of shipyard workers and people living on the coast were now at risk of exposure to toxic substances....READ FULL STORY
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Ransacked hospital after it refuses to admit injured people
Kolkata, 13 April : Peerless Hospital's alleged refusal to admit some persons injured in a road accident that left six dead at EM Bye pass in 24 South Parganas district on Tuesday morning enraged locals, who set afire furniture, medical equipment and vehicles leading police to fire in the air to quell the mob.
A matador carrying 30 persons from Lakshmikantapur, collided head-on with a lorry at Patuli area, killing six persons and leaving nine others injured. Soon after the mishap, a mob of about 200 persons gate crashed the hospital with the injured and insisted that they be immediately admitted. They went on the rampage after the hospital authorities refused to do so, police said. The mob then set fire to furniture, medical equipment, including stretchers, and ransacked the restaurant inside the hospital. The mob also set fire to some vehicles present near the hospital obstructing the fire tenders from approaching the spot. They also damaged the fire tenders, police said.The injured were then rushed to state-run M R Bangur Hospital. West Bengal Sunderban Affairs Development Minister Kanti Ganguly went to the spot to persuade the mob, which fought a pitched battle with the police. Reinforcements were rushed and the situation was now under control, police said.
While the locals alleged that the hospital turned down their plea to offer emergency first-aid to the injured, the hospital authorities were not available for comment. န Photos : Avijit Mondal
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Hijbut Tahrir warns against excess over Pahela Baishakh
UNB, Dhaka, 13 April : Militants of the banned Islamist outfit Hijbut Tahrir has threatened to blow up “Pahela Baishakh” functions if there are excesses over the celebrations, intelligence agencies said.
“Don’t do excesses over the celebrations. We’ll blow up,” the threat came through leaflets distributed in a school at Uttara in the city on Monday. The intelligence agents collected one such leaflet issued in the name of Hijbut Tahrir. “There is nothing to worry… We’ve full preparations to face any situation,” a senior intelligence officer told UNB Tuesday evening.
“Don’t do excesses over the celebrations. We’ll blow up,” the threat came through leaflets distributed in a school at Uttara in the city on Monday. The intelligence agents collected one such leaflet issued in the name of Hijbut Tahrir. “There is nothing to worry… We’ve full preparations to face any situation,” a senior intelligence officer told UNB Tuesday evening.
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Bangladesh ok's nuclear power plant deal with Russia
Reuters, Dhaka, 13 April : The government in energy-starved Bangladesh has given approval for a deal with Russia to build a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant, officials said on Tuesday.
"The approval was accorded at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina late on Monday," Hasina's press secretary Abul Kalam Azad, told Reuters. READ FULL STORY
Reuters, Dhaka, 13 April : The government in energy-starved Bangladesh has given approval for a deal with Russia to build a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant, officials said on Tuesday.
"The approval was accorded at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina late on Monday," Hasina's press secretary Abul Kalam Azad, told Reuters. READ FULL STORY
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Kolkata High Court upholds ban on 15-year-old vehicles
Kolkata, 13 April : The Kolkata High Court today upheld legislation by the West Bengal government banning 15-year-old commercial vehicles from running in the metropolis.A division bench comprising Justice K J Sengupta and Justice M A Ghani ordered that the legislation and subsequent notification of 24 May, 2005 banning 15-year-old public vehicles was valid, turning down a single bench order that had set aside the ban. But the court directed that it would be applicable to vehicles registered after 24 May, 2005 and not those registered before that date as long as they conformed to pollution rules. The court also clarified that the ban would not be applicable to vehicles holding national permits.
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Power plant case against PM Sheikh Hasina quashed
Dhaka, 13 April : The High Court on Tuesday quashed all proceedings against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a corruption case involving barge-mounted power plant.
The HC bench of Justice Md Shamsul Huda and Justice Abu Bakar Siddiquee passed the order. The Anti-corruption Commission filed the case with Tejgaon Police Station on September 2, 2007, against Hasina and six others on charges of corruption in setting up of barge-mounted power plant in Khulna. The court had earlier stayed the proceedings against Hasina in the case upon a petition filed on 7 July in 2008.
Dhaka, 13 April : The High Court on Tuesday quashed all proceedings against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a corruption case involving barge-mounted power plant.
The HC bench of Justice Md Shamsul Huda and Justice Abu Bakar Siddiquee passed the order. The Anti-corruption Commission filed the case with Tejgaon Police Station on September 2, 2007, against Hasina and six others on charges of corruption in setting up of barge-mounted power plant in Khulna. The court had earlier stayed the proceedings against Hasina in the case upon a petition filed on 7 July in 2008.
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Israel govt agrees to extend 'cooperation' to West Bengal
Kolkata, 13 April : Israel today agreed to extend cooperation to West Bengal in varied areas such as IT, solar power, agriculture, medical equipment and water management as part of its efforts to further strengthen trade ties between the two countries. After nearly an hour-long meeting with Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee here, Ambassador of Israel, Mark Sofer, said his country was ready for cooperation in areas like agriculture, IT, solar power, drip irrigation, food processing, medical equipment and water management.Describing his meeting with Bhattacharjee as ''cordial'', Sofer said, "We discussed how public sector and private sector companies of the two countries can work together and how it can be done through Public-Private-Partnership." He pointed out that he also discussed the subject elaborately with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and various chambers of commerce in India.
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Lane for cycling demanded by B'desh Paribesh Andolan
Dhaka, 13 April : Speakers at a rally yesterday demanded a separate lane on all the roads for cycling.
They also demanded stand for cycles be constructed and cycles be provided to students in a low price with a view to keeping the city clean. Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (Bapa) and Dhaka Cycling Club jointly organised the rally that started from the Central Shaheed Minar and ended at the National Press Club.
Dhaka, 13 April : Speakers at a rally yesterday demanded a separate lane on all the roads for cycling.
They also demanded stand for cycles be constructed and cycles be provided to students in a low price with a view to keeping the city clean. Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (Bapa) and Dhaka Cycling Club jointly organised the rally that started from the Central Shaheed Minar and ended at the National Press Club.
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Gas crunch hampers power generation : Finance Minister
Dhaka, 13 April : Bangladesh Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Tuesday said 500 megawatts more electricity could be generated if there had been enough supply of gas.
At a seminar organised by the International Chamber of Commerce-Bangladesh at a city hotel, Muhith said that power crisis hit the country's industries hard. “We are searching for new gas and coal fields to overcome the situation,” a private television reports quoting the minister as saying.
Dhaka, 13 April : Bangladesh Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Tuesday said 500 megawatts more electricity could be generated if there had been enough supply of gas.
At a seminar organised by the International Chamber of Commerce-Bangladesh at a city hotel, Muhith said that power crisis hit the country's industries hard. “We are searching for new gas and coal fields to overcome the situation,” a private television reports quoting the minister as saying.
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PCPA calls off indefinite strike in three Maoist-hit districts
Midnapore, 13 April : The People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) today called off its indefinite strike in three Maoist-hit districts of West Bengal in view of two regional festivals.
"The indefinite strike in West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia has been withdrawn in view of Charak festival tomorrow and Bengali New Year's day the day after," PCPA central committee member, Manoj Mahato said.
Midnapore, 13 April : The People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) today called off its indefinite strike in three Maoist-hit districts of West Bengal in view of two regional festivals.
"The indefinite strike in West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia has been withdrawn in view of Charak festival tomorrow and Bengali New Year's day the day after," PCPA central committee member, Manoj Mahato said.
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US Sec of State Hillary sends greeting on Pohela Boishakh
Dhaka, 13 April : US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of Pohela Boishakh, Bangla New Year.In a message on Tuesday, Hillary on behalf of President Barack Obama and the American people said, "I congratulate all Bengalis as you celebrate Pohela Boishakh and welcome a new year of promise and possibility. “This holiday, which unites people of common heritage across religious and national lines, is an opportunity to honor Bengali culture with music, drama and traditional foods,” she said. Hillary Clinton stated that many Bengalis in the United States would gather with friends and family to share the festivities and celebrate the many accomplishments of the Bengali people.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of the great poet Rabindranath Tagore, whose writing has enriched our common humanity and brought pride to Bengali people around the world, she added. "I send my warmest greetings to all those celebrating on this special day. Shubho Nobo Borsho!" the US secretary of state said.
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Bangladesh Navy gets 16defender boats from UnitedStates
Dhaka, 13 April : The United States on Tuesday donated sixteen 25-foot (eight meter) Defender Class Boats to Bangladesh Navy aiming to enhance counter-terrorism abilities.
According to the US embassy in Dhaka, the US government provided the boats at Bangladesh's request to improve the ability of Bangladesh Navy and the Coast Guard to disrupt criminal organizations and transnational terrorist groups seeking to exploit Bangladesh’s maritime borders. The US government would also donate five additional boats to Bangladesh Coast Guard, said a press release of the embassy. This donation is the largest delivery of U.S. Coast Guard boats to any nation.
Dhaka, 13 April : The United States on Tuesday donated sixteen 25-foot (eight meter) Defender Class Boats to Bangladesh Navy aiming to enhance counter-terrorism abilities.
According to the US embassy in Dhaka, the US government provided the boats at Bangladesh's request to improve the ability of Bangladesh Navy and the Coast Guard to disrupt criminal organizations and transnational terrorist groups seeking to exploit Bangladesh’s maritime borders. The US government would also donate five additional boats to Bangladesh Coast Guard, said a press release of the embassy. This donation is the largest delivery of U.S. Coast Guard boats to any nation.
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Tight security for 'Pahela Baishakh'Dhaka, 13 April : The traditional celebration of Pahela Baishakh, the first day in Bangla calendar, will be heavily policed. Around 12,000 officials will be on patrol in and outside the capital to ensure a trouble-free carnival on Wednesday.
Apart from the regular police forces, RAB will deploy a total of 2,220 forces in the capital and 3,000 elsewhere in the country while DMP will deploy over 6,500 forces in and around Ramna Park, Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka University and Dhanmondi Lake areas. At a press briefing held at Ramna Park on the Pahela Baishakh security issue, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner AKM Shahidul Hoque said, “All measures to ensure fool-proof security have been taken.""Excesses will not be encouraged in the name of security, ” he added.The DMP commissioner said although they have no information on any terrorist attack on Pahela Baishakh, this is for the first time that an evacuation team and a post-incident management team will be entrusted with tackling any eventuality. Shahidul Hoque said special weapons and tactics (SWAT), bomb disposal unit, dog squad, CCTV, rooftop police, plainclothes women police teams will be deployed and metal detector archways would be placed at all major celebration venues.
Nine DMP teams will be on duty to check mugging at the celebration venues. Besides, intelligence surveillance will be in place. RAB officials said they would set up 47 check posts and 38 CCTVs to monitor the areas. န Photos : Syed Ashraful Alom
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