UNB, New York, 25 September : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday formally raised the issue of trial of war criminals at the United Nations, saying the International Crimes Tribunal has been set up to try persons responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Bangladesh’s war of liberation in 1971.
“This action is in accord with the rule of law as reflected in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which we have ratified and which aims at bringing to justice the perpetrators of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity,” she said in her speech at the world body. Hasina said: “I believe that only justice can heal the unforgivable, deadly wrongs of the past.” She also recalled the evil act of terror on 15 August 1975 that took the life of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and 18 members of her family.She said Bangladesh has been extending support to the UN’s efforts in establishing democracy, human rights, peace and security also by taking effective steps in combating terrorism and external threats worldwide. န Photo : AFP, Reuters
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Protect, improve traditional knowledge of N-E India : Patil
Agartala, 25 September : President of India Pratibha Patil here Saturday made a fervent appeal for everyone to properly document, conserve and perfect the traditional knowledge of the northeast region of India.
“The northeastern states are known for their reservoirs of traditional knowledge in many areas. Efforts should be made to identify this knowledge, document it, conserve it and improve it,” Patil said here at the eighth convocation of the Tripura University. Appreciating the best traditional techniques in northeast handicrafts, she said: “The universities and others (concerned) across the region can think of new manufacturing methods, design, product development to help artisans.” The president was the chief guest at the convocation, which was attended by Tripura governor, chief minister and University Grants Commission chairman, among others.Patil said: “The (Indian) government has launched a National Skill Development Mission (NSDM) to create 500 million skilled people by the year 2022.” The president said: “Despite different cultural heritage of different communities and tribes in Tripura, through multifaceted interface they have mingled into a single whole, giving birth to a unique cultural genre, helping to forge a strong nation.” န Photos : Parthajit Dutta
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Withdraw joint forces from Lalgarh soon: Mamata to Centre
Singur, 25 September : Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee at a meeting in Singur said the party will give the Centre a few days’ time to withdraw the joint-forces from Lalgarh.
“We have decided to give the government 2-3 days’ time to withdraw forces from Lalgarh as the CPI(M) cadres are taking advantage of their presence to kill our workers and recapture Jungle Mahal which I will not allow to happen,” she said while addressing a rally. Banerjee said if the Centre fails to take any prompt action, then Trinamool MPs will start a movement in the Parliament demanding withdrawal of the CRPF.“The Central forces are used to assist the CPI(M), not to flush out Maoists. They have planned to recapture Lalgarh and hold a victory rally in Lalgarh on 2 October. But we will not sit silent. We will also come on the road and will observe “black day” in the state protesting against the CPI(M) operations,” she said. န Photos : Sanjay Bhaduri
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CPI(M) welcomes Kashmir package, seeks AFSPA review
PTI, New Delhi, 25 September : Welcoming the government’s eight-point initiative on Jammu and Kashmir, the CPI(M) on Saturday said a review of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) should be positively considered by the Unified Command in the State.
“It is good that the government has taken these decisions, particularly on the release of the youths, review of cases of detainees under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and compensation,” party Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury told PTI here.
PTI, New Delhi, 25 September : Welcoming the government’s eight-point initiative on Jammu and Kashmir, the CPI(M) on Saturday said a review of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) should be positively considered by the Unified Command in the State.
“It is good that the government has taken these decisions, particularly on the release of the youths, review of cases of detainees under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and compensation,” party Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury told PTI here.
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Export-import through Benapole Port halted due to "strik"
Benapole, 25 September : Export and import activities Between India and Bangladesh through Benapole land port remained suspended from noon Saturday due to strike by Indian truck drivers.
Kartik Chandra, general secretary of Petrapole C & Agent Welfare Trust, said BSF members assaulted Indian truck driver Ranjan Karmakar when he along with a goods-laden truck was coming to Bangladesh in the morning. Indian truck drivers halted import and export activities through the port at noon protesting the incident.
Benapole, 25 September : Export and import activities Between India and Bangladesh through Benapole land port remained suspended from noon Saturday due to strike by Indian truck drivers.
Kartik Chandra, general secretary of Petrapole C & Agent Welfare Trust, said BSF members assaulted Indian truck driver Ranjan Karmakar when he along with a goods-laden truck was coming to Bangladesh in the morning. Indian truck drivers halted import and export activities through the port at noon protesting the incident.
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Kolkata 'mesmerises' Kashmiri youths on peace mission
Kolkata, 25 September : Altogther 25 youths from Jammu and Kashmir on a goodwill mission 'Project Sadbhavana' arrived here on a week-long tour. The mission, being organsied by the Indian Army is aimed at exposing the Kashmiri youths to culture and traditions of West Bengal and neighbouring regions.The defence sources today said the visit of the youths from Rajouri and Reasi districts, was also intended to instill a sense of awareness and national integration amongst the people of these areas. ''The youths have shown keen interests to know more about Kolkata after visiting its main landmarks like Vidya Sagar Setu, Victorial Memorial, St Pauls Cathedral, Dakshineshwar Temple, Science City, Nakhoda Masjid, Zoological Gardens and rode on the century old tram cars, a legacy of erstwhile British India,'' he said. Apart from these, they also visited various army establishments in the city.
The youths would visit Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Gangtok for the remaining part of their tour.
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CRPF man, Maoist killed in encounter; woman shot dead
PTI, Jhargram, Midnapore, 25 September : A CRPF personnel and a Maoist were killed in an encounter, an elderly woman was shot dead by the ultras while the joint forces arrested two rebels and seized a huge quantity of gelatin sticks and detonators during raids in West Midnapore district.
The encounter took place near Jhargram town after the joint forces surrounded Bandarboni, Cheraboni and Tetuldanga areas last night following a tip-off that Maoists had taken shelter there, police sources said. The Maoists fired on the joint forces who retaliated, the sources said. The bullet-ridden body of a CRPF personnel and a Maoist were found from Bandarboni during a search today, the sources said. Arms were also seized from the spot.
PTI, Jhargram, Midnapore, 25 September : A CRPF personnel and a Maoist were killed in an encounter, an elderly woman was shot dead by the ultras while the joint forces arrested two rebels and seized a huge quantity of gelatin sticks and detonators during raids in West Midnapore district.
The encounter took place near Jhargram town after the joint forces surrounded Bandarboni, Cheraboni and Tetuldanga areas last night following a tip-off that Maoists had taken shelter there, police sources said. The Maoists fired on the joint forces who retaliated, the sources said. The bullet-ridden body of a CRPF personnel and a Maoist were found from Bandarboni during a search today, the sources said. Arms were also seized from the spot.
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FK urges Singapore to import more Bangladeshi products
UNB, Singapore, 25 September : Expressing satisfaction over the existing trade relations with Singapore, Bangladesh Commerce Minister Faruk Khan on Saturday said Singapore could import more products from Bangladesh including apparels and agro-products.
He made the remarks while talking to Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang at his office. The Commerce Minister is on a two-day visit to Singapore on his way back to Dhaka after attending the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China. During the meeting, the Commerce Minister expressed happiness at the current state of trade relations between the two countries and appreciated the development of Singapore.
UNB, Singapore, 25 September : Expressing satisfaction over the existing trade relations with Singapore, Bangladesh Commerce Minister Faruk Khan on Saturday said Singapore could import more products from Bangladesh including apparels and agro-products.
He made the remarks while talking to Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang at his office. The Commerce Minister is on a two-day visit to Singapore on his way back to Dhaka after attending the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China. During the meeting, the Commerce Minister expressed happiness at the current state of trade relations between the two countries and appreciated the development of Singapore.
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GJM makes sure Mamata's maiden visit a "success"
IBNS, Darjeeling, 25 September : Indian Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee's proposed maiden visit has evoked much enthusiasm in the Queen of the Hills as roads are being spruced up and welcome arches being erected as the main political party- Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM)- planned to make her stay a memorable one on Sunday.
Banerjee will lay a foundation stone for a multi-functional complex in the historical station of Darjeeling Heritage Railway (DHR) here, and flag off a new "toy train" between Ghoom and Darjeeling town, said Northeast Frontier Railway's chief public relations officer S Hajong. A new coat of paints gave a new look to old brick-colored century-old DHR office, a legacy of erstwhile British rule.He said the railway ministry has procured a two-coached toy train to popularise loco-motive traveling in the hills since traffic of DHR between New Jalpaiguri station and Kurseong has been suspended for many months now due to landslides at Paglajhora uprooting mini gauge line.
Besides attending the official functions, Banerjee is expected to meet a 25-member GJM delegation led by general secretary Roshan Giri.
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Dipu discusses with Indian FM Krishna Indo-Bangla issue
UNB, Dhaka, 25 September : Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni held a bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna in New York last Thursday discussing follow-up actions on the decisions reached between the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India.
She expressed her satisfaction over the Indian government’s measures to facilitate electrification to Dohogram and Angorpota enclaves, according to a message received here Saturday. Dipu requested Krishna to ensure speedy construction of the proposed over-bridge on the Teenbigha corridor to be used by the Indians thereby facilitating unfettered access of Bangladesh citizens to the two enclaves.
UNB, Dhaka, 25 September : Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni held a bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna in New York last Thursday discussing follow-up actions on the decisions reached between the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India.
She expressed her satisfaction over the Indian government’s measures to facilitate electrification to Dohogram and Angorpota enclaves, according to a message received here Saturday. Dipu requested Krishna to ensure speedy construction of the proposed over-bridge on the Teenbigha corridor to be used by the Indians thereby facilitating unfettered access of Bangladesh citizens to the two enclaves.
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UK Minister Alistair Burt calls on FM Dipu Moni in New York
UNB, Dhaka, 25 September : British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Alistair Burt called on Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni last Thursday in New York and discussed matters of mutual interests.
Dipu praised British DFID development assistance in development processes in Bangladesh, particularly in the education, health and sanitation and in restructuring development sectors and climate change.
UNB, Dhaka, 25 September : British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Alistair Burt called on Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni last Thursday in New York and discussed matters of mutual interests.
Dipu praised British DFID development assistance in development processes in Bangladesh, particularly in the education, health and sanitation and in restructuring development sectors and climate change.
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