SECOND EDITION THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 | Ashar 30, 1423, Shawwal 8, 1437 | Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 78 | www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages | Price: Tk10 Maoists, opposition join forces against Nepal PM Nepal’s former Maoist rebels joined forces with the largest opposition party to lodge a motion of no-confidence in the prime minister. PAGE 8 Indigenous people still in panic, want safety People who came back to their homes at Betchhara of Bandarban are living in fear. They have urged authorities to arrange adequate security. PAGE 7 Security increased in KPIs in Bangladesh Security has been beefed up in key point installations (KPIs) and public spaces in Bangladesh in response to terrorist at- tacks at Gulshan and Sholakia. PAGE 3 Activists denounce Rampal deal The proposed coal-fired power plant at Rampal would bring no good for the country, rather incur irreplaceable loss to the Sundarbans. PAGE 32 INSIDE ‘Gulshan cafe attack kingpin identified’ n Tribune Desk Investigators dealing with the dreadful Gulshan terror attack claimed to have identified the mas- termind, saying he fled the country at least seven months ago after fi- nalising the operation plan and is now hiding in West Bengal of India. They said that it was a combined operation by the members of three outlawed militant groups – Ja- ma’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Hizb ut-Tahrir and Ansarul- lah Bangla Team. The attackers made preparations for the last sev- en months. Investigators have learnt about the plans after detaining other mem- bers of the gang from different parts of the country including Ni- keton in Dhaka. But they refuted to disclose the name of the kingpin. International militant group Is- lamic State claimed responsibility for the Gulshan attack that killed 22 people, mostly foreigners, on July 1. Five attackers were killed in a commando operation the next morning. Police earlier said that the mem- bers of JMB and Ansarullah had been involved in the attack. Mean- while, a Hizb ut-Tahrir member was arrested in Madaripur for hacking a Hindu college teacher. All these groups have vowed to establish Is- lamic rule in the country. The mastermind designated two teams for Dhaka and Tangail to carry out reconnaissance be- fore conducting two operations, sources said, but could not clarify if the teams comprised the attack- ers. The Tangail team later went to Kishoreganj and launched an attack on the police near Sholakia Eidgah on Eid day killing three persons. A well-placed source said that the law enforcers had information about a massive attack as planned by the top leaders of the banned groups, now detained at Kashim- pur jail. To implement the plan, a senior JMB leader came from abroad through India and is still staying in the country. This version corroborates with the claim by the DB police made last year saying that the top mili- tant leaders had agreed to work to- gether at a meeting inside the jail in late 2014 as their aim was the same – establishing Islamic rule in the country by ousting the incumbent government. After the Gulshan attack, those militant leaders were kept in sep- arate cells and brought under 24- hour surveillance, said a senior official at the jail headquarters. No visitors are allowed to meet them except for their family members. Recently, a drive was conducted in Niketon area from where some of their associates were detained. But the most-wanted JMB leader fled and has remained traceless. Additional Deputy Commission- er of Counter-Terrorism and Trans- national Crimes unit Sanowar Hos- sain said that they had made much progress in the case. “We are now analysing the information gleaned PAGE 2 COLUMN 5 PM fears more terror attacks in Bangladesh n Tribune Desk Expecting more terror attacks like the ones at Gulshan and Sholakia, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged all to be more alert and careful. "We have intelligence reports that the terrorists have planned to launch more attacks," she said at a videoconference on Wednesday with people in various districts of Chittagong, Sylhet, Barisal and Khulna divisions from her official residence Ganabhaban as part of her programme to create aware- ness against terrorism and militan- cy, reported UNB. “Everyone needs to keep in mind that terrorists will not stop here and they have various plans. We are receiving information from different local and international in- telligence agencies in this regard,” she said. She asked the law enforcement and intelligence agencies to share the information they gathered to prevent possible future attacks. Referring to the atrocities and arson attacks by BNP-Jamaat ac- tivists, she warned all authorities concerned, particularly police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Bor- der Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and other agencies to remain vigilant as the culprits would not stop their destructive activities. "They [BNP-Jamaat activists] will work along with the militants. PAGE 2 COLUMN 1 Cops playing hide and seek with two ‘suspects’ n Tribune Desk Confusion prevails over two people detained by police over Gulshan terror attack, who were undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Police are yet to clearly identify the two men or say whether they are suspected to be involved in the terror attack. The two – Lazarus Saren, 50, and Jakirul Islam, 22 – had been un- dergoing treatment at ward 102 of DMCH as of yesterday evening be- fore the Detective Branch of police officials took them to DB office for interrogation around 6pm. They were under police surveil- lance and no one was allowed to visit or talk with them at the hos- pital. Lazarus was injured in his left leg while the condition of Jakirul, who had an injury on his chest, was critical, sources said. Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) said at a press briefing on July 2 that one suspect- ed terrorist had been held during the drive, but they did not disclose the identity. However, Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crimes (CTTC) unit sources confirmed that the suspected terrorist mentioned in the ISPR statement was Jakirul Islam. On July 4, Inspector General Shahidul Haque said two suspects in the Gulshan attack were in the hospital and would be interrogated after treatment. But neither Lazarus nor Jakirul are mentioned either as hostages or suspects in the case filed on July 4 with Gulshan police station on the attack. Jakirul Islam, from Bogra, took his job at the O’ Kitchen Restaurant, adjacent to Holey Artisan Bakery, a month before the deadly terror at- tack in Gulshan. PAGE 2 COLUMN 1 Police frisk a student and also check the bags of his classmates near Old Dhaka’s Bahadur Shah Park yesterday. Such vigilance is seen recently throughout the country following the Gulshan and Sholakia terror attacks DHAKA TRIBUNE After the attack, the top militant leaders are kept in separate cells and brought under surveillance
Transcript
SECOND EDITION
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 | Ashar 30, 1423, Shawwal 8, 1437 | Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 78 | www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages | Price: Tk10
Maoists, opposition join forces against Nepal PMNepal’s former Maoist rebels joined forces with the largest opposition party to lodge a motion of no-con� dence in the prime minister. PAGE 8
Indigenous people still in panic, want safety People who came back to their homes at Betchhara of Bandarban are living in fear. They have urged authorities to arrange adequate security. PAGE 7
Security increased in KPIs in BangladeshSecurity has been beefed up in key point installations (KPIs) and public spaces in Bangladesh in response to terrorist at-tacks at Gulshan and Sholakia. PAGE 3
Activists denounce Rampal dealThe proposed coal-� red power plant at Rampal would bring no good for the country, rather incur irreplaceable loss to the Sundarbans. PAGE 32
Investigators dealing with the dreadful Gulshan terror attack claimed to have identi� ed the mas-termind, saying he � ed the country at least seven months ago after � -nalising the operation plan and is now hiding in West Bengal of India.
They said that it was a combined operation by the members of three outlawed militant groups – Ja-ma’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Hizb ut-Tahrir and Ansarul-lah Bangla Team. The attackers made preparations for the last sev-en months.
Investigators have learnt about the plans after detaining other mem-bers of the gang from di� erent parts of the country including Ni-keton in Dhaka. But they refuted to disclose the name of the kingpin.
International militant group Is-lamic State claimed responsibility for the Gulshan attack that killed 22 people, mostly foreigners, on July 1. Five attackers were killed in a commando operation the next morning.
Police earlier said that the mem-bers of JMB and Ansarullah had been involved in the attack. Mean-while, a Hizb ut-Tahrir member was arrested in Madaripur for hacking a Hindu college teacher. All these groups have vowed to establish Is-lamic rule in the country.
The mastermind designated two teams for Dhaka and Tangail to carry out reconnaissance be-fore conducting two operations, sources said, but could not clarify if the teams comprised the attack-ers. The Tangail team later went to Kishoreganj and launched an attack on the police near Sholakia Eidgah on Eid day killing three persons.
A well-placed source said that the law enforcers had information about a massive attack as planned by the top leaders of the banned groups, now detained at Kashim-pur jail. To implement the plan, a senior JMB leader came from abroad through India and is still staying in the country.
This version corroborates with the claim by the DB police made last year saying that the top mili-tant leaders had agreed to work to-gether at a meeting inside the jail in late 2014 as their aim was the same – establishing Islamic rule in the country by ousting the incumbent government.
After the Gulshan attack, those militant leaders were kept in sep-arate cells and brought under 24-hour surveillance, said a senior o� cial at the jail headquarters. No visitors are allowed to meet them except for their family members.
Recently, a drive was conducted in Niketon area from where some of their associates were detained. But the most-wanted JMB leader � ed and has remained traceless.
Additional Deputy Commission-er of Counter-Terrorism and Trans-national Crimes unit Sanowar Hos-sain said that they had made much progress in the case. “We are now analysing the information gleaned
PAGE 2 COLUMN 5
PM fears more terror attacks in Bangladeshn Tribune Desk
Expecting more terror attacks like the ones at Gulshan and Sholakia, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged all to be more alert and careful.
"We have intelligence reports that the terrorists have planned to launch more attacks," she said at a videoconference on Wednesday with people in various districts of Chittagong, Sylhet, Barisal and Khulna divisions from her o� cial residence Ganabhaban as part of her programme to create aware-ness against terrorism and militan-cy, reported UNB.
“Everyone needs to keep in mind that terrorists will not stop here and they have various plans. We are receiving information from di� erent local and international in-telligence agencies in this regard,” she said.
She asked the law enforcement and intelligence agencies to share the information they gathered to prevent possible future attacks.
Referring to the atrocities and arson attacks by BNP-Jamaat ac-tivists, she warned all authorities concerned, particularly police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Bor-der Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and other agencies to remain vigilant as the culprits would not stop their destructive activities.
"They [BNP-Jamaat activists] will work along with the militants. PAGE 2 COLUMN 1
Cops playing hide and seek with two ‘suspects’n Tribune Desk
Confusion prevails over two people detained by police over Gulshan terror attack, who were undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Police are yet to clearly identify the two men or say whether they are suspected to be involved in the terror attack.
The two – Lazarus Saren, 50, and Jakirul Islam, 22 – had been un-dergoing treatment at ward 102 of DMCH as of yesterday evening be-fore the Detective Branch of police o� cials took them to DB o� ce for interrogation around 6pm.
They were under police surveil-lance and no one was allowed to visit or talk with them at the hos-pital.
Lazarus was injured in his left leg while the condition of Jakirul, who had an injury on his chest, was critical, sources said.
Inter Services Public Relations
Directorate (ISPR) said at a press brie� ng on July 2 that one suspect-ed terrorist had been held during the drive, but they did not disclose the identity.
However, Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crimes (CTTC) unit sources con� rmed that the suspected terrorist mentioned in the ISPR statement was Jakirul Islam.
On July 4, Inspector General Shahidul Haque said two suspects in the Gulshan attack were in the hospital and would be interrogated after treatment.
But neither Lazarus nor Jakirul are mentioned either as hostages or suspects in the case � led on July 4 with Gulshan police station on the attack.
Jakirul Islam, from Bogra, took his job at the O’ Kitchen Restaurant, adjacent to Holey Artisan Bakery, a month before the deadly terror at-tack in Gulshan.
PAGE 2 COLUMN 1
Police frisk a student and also check the bags of his classmates near Old Dhaka’s Bahadur Shah Park yesterday. Such vigilance is seen recently throughout the country following the Gulshan and Sholakia terror attacks DHAKA TRIBUNE
After the attack, the top militant leaders are kept in separate cells and brought under surveillance
News2DTTHURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Embassies in Dhaka seek 24-hour security arrangementsn Mohammad Jamil Khan
Di� erent embassies in Dhaka have asked the Home Ministry to en-sure around-the-clock security for them following the recent militant attacks in Gulshan and Sholakia, Kishoreganj.
According to sources, 13 embas-sies have so far requested for height-ened security arrangements. Among them are the embassies of Germany, Japan, Denmark, Pakistan, Sri Lan-ka, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Af-ghanistan, Taiwan and Thailand.
However, ministry sources said the embassies enlisted under the European Union and the US em-bassy had requested for addition-al security arrangements around 2 months before the terrorist attacks.
Con� rming the matter, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Ka-mal said: “Several embassies in the wake of the terror attacks have sought increased security. We have already deployed specialised Armed Police Battalion (APBn) to assist the police stationed at the diplomatic buildings.”
Meanwhile, according to a re-port of the New York Times, the
State Department of United States has authorised the voluntary de-parture of family members of US government personnel working at the US Embassy in Bangladesh.
A department o� cial told the New York Times that the embassy recommended this step to ensure that people are not caught in po-tential outbreaks of violence.
Home Ministry sources further said the countries which have busi-ness relations with Bangladesh have also sought special security measures for the teams visiting Bangladesh. In response, the Bang-ladesh government has asked to keep these visiting nationals to-gether in a selected residence and make them commute together so that it became easier to ensure se-curity, a high o� cial of the ministry said requesting not to be named.
In this regard, Deputy Commis-sioner of DMP (chancery division) Md Jashimuddin said they have al-ready increased security at embas-sies and foreigners residences in the diplomatic zone as per demands, right after the Gulshan terror attack.
On the other hand, the DMP has sent a letter to the Home Ministry
asking for an additional 2,000 An-sar members to ensure security at the diplomatic zone and other important areas. According to the DMP, there is not enough law en-forcers to give proper security.
A source said the ministry has already instructed the Ansar and VDP authorities to take initiatives regarding the issue.
Security has also been stepped up for all foreigners working at var-ious factories in Sitakunda of Chit-tagong, reports our Chittagong cor-respondent FM Mizanur Rahman.
The local administration of Si-takunda upazila has also directed all companies who have foreign workers at their o� ce and mills to tighten their internal security.
UNO Nazmul Islam Bhuiyan told the Dhaka Tribune: “After the arrest of the ABT men, the factories and mills authorities have been asked to submit a list of their foreign em-ployees.” “As per list till yesterday [Wednesday], around 205 foreigners mostly Indian, Italian and Chinese are working at six companies and mills in Sitakunda upazila,” the UNO said adding that the police have been asked to keep vigil over the area. l
Zakir Naik to speak to media today
n Tribune Desk
Controversial Islamic televangelist preacher Zakir Naik will address the media via Skype today.
In a statement Naik said that his press conference "will also be ad-dressed by some eminent person-alities from various � elds", reports Times of India.
"It will include some Bollywood members, lawyers and members of NGOs," he said.
The preacher is currently in Medina, Saudi Arabia and there is still no word on when Naik intends to return to India.
Earlier his spokesperson had said Naik postponed his return by 2-3 weeks as he was headed to South Africa to attend conferences.
Naik is facing a probe by central and state agencies which are stud-ying his speeches and writings to assess if there are grounds for pros-ecution for hate speech and incite-ment of violence against people of other faiths.
Through his spokesperson, Naik reiterated on Tuesday that no agency had approached him for clari� cations on allegedly inspiring some of the perpetrators of the July 1 Dhaka massacre through his puri-tanical Sala� st speeches.
Senior criminal lawyer and NCP member Majeed Memon, who had backed Naik's � ght to get the UK ban revoked in 2010, said he had not been approached by Naik's supporters to be part of today's press conference.
However, Memon criticised Ma-jlise Ittihadul Muslimeen legislator Imtiaz Jaleel's statement giving Naik a clean chit.
"If there are allegations, let Naik explain them and come out clean." l
‘Gulshan attack kingpin identi� ed’from the suspects and conducting raids to arrest the culprits.”
Meanwhile, the CTTC unit has sent a letter to Dhaka Medical Col-lege Hospital’s forensic department to assess if any kind of drugs was present in the blood of the attack-ers as they killed the victims, main-ly the women, brutally.
Assistant Professor Sohel Mahmud of the DMCH said that they had already collected liver, kidney, stomach and food from their stomachs as samples for vis-cera test. He hopes to get the report next week.
He said that the autopsy reports on the attackers would be � nalised within two days.
In response to another question, Mahmud said that eight of the 20 slain hostages had been shot and later hacked to ensure death. Oth-ers were hacked to death. All of them were killed before midnight, he added.
He said that they also collected samples to examine if the female victims had been raped.
One of the attackers had lost a wrist while one hand of an attack-er and the face of another were deformed. “The three others were shot dead during the commando operation,” he added. l
PM fears more terror attacks in BangladeshThey have plans to carry out more arson attacks and vandalism,” Hasi-na said, adding that the authorities concerned have to monitor key es-tablishments in the country.
As a number of war criminals have already been executed, mem-bers of their families are not sitting idle and they are conspiring to launch more devastating attacks, she further said.
“Many of them are living at home and abroad. They have no scarcity of wealth as they have con-nections with terrorists at home and abroad. They are patronising militants and terrorists.”
The prime minister said it was possible for them to launch syn-chronised attacks in seven or eight districts, di� erent important plac-
es or installations. “They may also attack people of di� erent profes-sions and classes.”
Speaking of students from renowned schools, colleges and universities who are participating in heinous and barbaric acts of terrorism, Hasina regretted that the children of well-o� families were moving towards extremism.
The government would not tol-erate any act that threatens the peace and security of people, she warned.
“We have to ensure peace and security in the country. Killing of Muslims by Muslims will only ma-lign Islam… this religion is a reli-gion of peace. We won’t tolerate if anyone wants to malign this reli-gion,” she said.
She urged all, irrespective of their professions, to build awareness to resist militancy and terrorism on Bangladeshi soil. “Those who un-leash killings during namaz (prayers) never believe in Islam, these people will earn hatred only, nothing else.”
Mentioning that her govern-ment always wants to maintain peace in the country, she said Awami League, after forming gov-ernment, took stern measurers in this regard. “We will never allow any terrorism and militancy to take place in Bangladesh.”
At a time when the country’s image is getting better across the world, such terror attacks will just tarnish the country’s impression, she said. “The intention of these attacks was to turnish Bangladesh’s
image, obstruct the country’s ad-vancement and push it towards darkness.”
Elected representatives, gov-ernment o� cials, businessmen, teachers, social workers, imams of mosque, Islamic scholars and other professionals took part in the dis-cussions through videoconference from di� erent districts under the four divisions.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Home Minister Asaduzzam-an Khan, Prime Minister’s Advisers HT Imam and Dr Toi� que-e Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister Biren Sikdar and Imam of Sholakia Eid Jamaat were present during the videoconference. Principal Secre-tary Abul Kalam Azad moderated the programme. l
Cops playing hide and seek with two ‘suspects’Two of the � ve Gulshan terror at-tackers – Sha� qul Islam Ujjal and Khairul Islam Payel – were also from Bogra. The district is known as a stronghold for extremist and terrorist out� ts such as Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh.
The other man under police sur-veillance at DMCH, Lazarus Saren, is a Christian.
Although DMCH has him reg-istered under the name Nazarus Saren, the restaurant’s o� cials con� rmed that he was their em-
ployee Lazarus Saren.Police sources said Lazarus was
held at the Natun Bazar check post while � eeing the scene of the terror attack just after army commandos stormed the restaurant on July 2.
“He � ed the scene dodging the eye of law enforcers, although he was supposed to come and seek help as he was injured. Rather he was caught at a police check post while � eeing in a CNG,” a competent source told the Dhaka Tribune.
He has been kept under police
surveillance due to this suspicious act, the source added.
Asked why the two men had not been interrogated yet, the source said so far the suspects had not been in any physical condition to be questioned.
Responding to a query, CTTC’s acting deputy commissioner Saiful Islam said they were keeping all av-enues of investigation open.
Sanwar Hossain, additional dep-uty commissioner of CTTC, said in-vestigators had already questioned
a number of people while the in-volvement of some others were yet unclear.
“Who is involved or what hap-pened in the attack can only be disclosed after interrogation,” he added.
Meanwhile, families say two hostages from the terror attack – Tahmid Hasib Khan and Hasnat R Karim – were yet to return home, even though law enforcers have claimed that they had been re-leased on the night of July 8. l
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016News 3
DT
Over 200 reported missing since Gulshan attackn Mohammad Jamil Khan
With more and more parents con-tinuing to � le police reports say-ing that their children have been missing for months, the number of new unaccounted young men and women have now crossed 200 in the last two weeks.
A high-level o� cial from a law enforcement agency con� rmed the number to the Dhaka Tribune, say-ing all these men and women were aged similar to the Gulshan and Sholakia attackers.
Seeking anonymity, the o� cial added that authorities were now working to � nd out if these missing people had any possible militant links.
The number of missing person reports started to climb when the police – in the aftermath of the Gul-shan attack – requested families to notify law enforcers about any young sons or daughters who have been missing for some time.
The general diaries (GD) that have been � led since then show that most of the newly reported missing people have been untrace-able for a time period spanning from three months to four years.
Another law enforcement source told the Dhaka Tribune that some of the reports suggested that the miss-ing persons had been picked up by someone. Reports like this would be veri� ed and separated from the oth-er ones where there might be some militant link, the source added.
The Police Headquarters has al-ready formed a special cell to coor-dinate veri� cations of these missing person reports, the o� cial said.
He added that a list would be � -nalised after checking with medical centres and police stations about whether any bodies matching the description of the missing persons had been found in recent times.
Of the recent missing person re-ports, 59 were � led in Dhaka divi-sion, 22 in Sylhet, 52 in Bogra, 15 in Barisal, 27 in Rajshahi, 18 in Khulna and 25 were � led in Chittagong.
Some of the missing people also include young women who have stopped all communication with their families. This may be a cause of concern as recently three female members of banned militant out� t Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) were arrested in Tangail.
Police said the women’s families were unaware about their militant activities and had no contact with them for the last couple of months.
Meanwhile, sources said the po-lice would seek help from Interpol if any of the missing persons found to have militant connections were staying abroad. A list on this regard is set to be � nalised soon. l
Security strengthened in KPIs fearing possible attacksn Tribune Desk
Security has been beefed up in key point installations (KPIs) and public spaces in Bangladesh in re-sponse to terrorist attacks at Gul-shan and Sholakia, said law en-forcement agencies.
Based on information received from local and international intel-ligence agencies, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina feared further attack attempts and urged all to be alert in a video-conference broadcast na-tionally from the Gano Bhaban last Tuesday.
Law enforcement agencies and Home Ministry sources said that security measures, especially at KPIs, are being implemented in coordination with each other and additional check-posts have been set up in cities.
ParliamentAuthorities concerned, such as par-liament secretary and Segreant at Arms, have been asked to strength-en security at Jatiya Sangsad by Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah
in a press release. Miah also directed authorities
to provide bulletproof jackets and helmets for security personnel and to disallow unapproved vehicles and persons from entering parlia-ment premises.
AirportSecurity has been reinforced at in-ternational airports - Hazrat Shah-jalal, Shah Amanat and Osmani In-ternational Airport.
Armed Police Battalion (APBn) has deployed increased members and Crisis Response Teams (CRTs) at all international airports, said Tanzina Akhter, senior assistant superintendent of police of Dhaka Airport APBn.
Members of police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have also stepped up patrol at airports.
Precautionary measures include 24-hour CCTV surveillance, 24-hour CRT patrols, checking each vehicle, diligent passenger frisk-ing, luggage scanning and disal-lowing outsiders to enter airport vicinities without identi� cation
and justi� cation. “In the country’s interest, I urge
passengers to cooperate so that se-curity can be implemented at all air-ports,” said Civil Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon after a meet-ing with the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) last Tuesday.
JailA senior jail o� cial in Dhaka said that jail authorities have taken special measures in all 68 pris-ons, especially in Dhaka Central Jail, Kashimpur Jail-1 and 2 and in the high-security Prison Cell in Kashimpur, to prevent jailbreaks or attempts of terrorists to extract associates.
Railway Mohammad Samsuddin, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Bangla-desh Railway Police, said that vigi-lance has been increased at stations countrywide and policemen have been deployed at each station.
CourtSupreme Court (SC) authorities
have asked courts countrywide to tighten security, after a meeting with senior police o� cials yester-day.
It was decided that only the main gate will be used for lawyers and civilians, lawyers and assis-tants must carry identi� cation, belongings will be scanned, CCTV cameras will be increased, rick-shaws will be banned from enter-ing premises, no cars will enter except for those bearing stickers of the Supreme Court adminstration and Bar association and such cars which will also be searched.
This call is likely in response to allegations of courts having insuf-� cient security such as damaged or stolen CCTV cameras, insu� cient street-lights, inadequate police-men and security for witnesses and suspicious movements of goons during lower court trials.
An o� cial of Dhaka chief judi-cial magistrate’s (CJM) court said requests for additional security have been sent to DMP commis-sioner and law ministry, but in vain. l
Members of Armed Police Battalion check the trunk of a private car at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday as part of their increased security measures following the recent terror attacks DHAKA TRIBUNE
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
4DT News
Appeal hearing in Gazipur court attack beginsn Ashif Islam Shaon
A High Court bench yesterday started the hearing on death references and appeals of convicts in connection with the 2005 suicide bomb attack inside Gazipur Bar Association o� ce by JMB that killed eight people.
The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice JBM Hassan will continue the hearing today.
The state counsels read out the case documents, charge sheet and witness accounts from the 1,166-page paper book on the � rst day, said Deputy Attorney General
Sheikh AKM Moniruzzaman Kabir.On June 20 in 2013, the Fourth
Speedy Trial Tribunal sentenced to death 10 JMB men for the attack. After the convicts’ death references reached the High Court, they � led separate appeals challenging the sentences.
The convicts are Enayet Ullah Walid, Arifur Rahman, Moshidul Islam Masud, Saidur Munshi, Abdullah Al Sohaien, Nizam Uddin Reza, Taibur Rahman Hassan, Ashraful Islam, Md Sha� ullah Tarek and Adnan Sami Jahangir. All of them have been in jail since their arrest in 2005 and 2006.
According to the case, JMB mem-ber Md Nazir Hossain carried a bomb with his body and detonated it inside of the lawyers’ o� ce at the Bhawal Rajbari Court in the morn-ing on November 29, 2005.
The suicide attacker and two others died on the spot. The six others died being under treatment at hospitals. Of the eight dead victims, four were lawyers and four justice seekers.
The grenade attack was part of the JMB’s series of suicide attacks on the country’s judiciary at that time.
Police � led a case against JMB
leader Shayakh Abdur Rahman and others; the charges were pressed against 15 JMB men on July 4, 2007. The names of three JMB leaders were dropped from the charge sheet as they had already been hanged while two other names were dropped as they had died.
During the trial procedure, the trial court heard deposition of 70 prosecution witnesses and three defence witnesses.
On May 5 this years, after the paper book was ready, the chief justice sent the death references, appeals and jail appeals for hearing to the High Court bench. l
PM � ies to Mongolia todayn Sheikh Shahariar Zaman
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to leave today for Mongolia to at-tend the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) Summit.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali at a press conference yesterday said: “The subject of terrorism will be discussed heavily at Asem.”
Japanese Prime Minister Shin-zio Abe will host an anti-terrorism meeting and has invited Hasina to attend their co-chair which she ac-cepted, Mahmood said.
About taking assistance from other countries in Gulshan terror attack probe, he said considering Bangladesh’s national interest and needs, the government would re-ceive help from its foreign friends. “We want technology and training from countries that are friendly with us,” he said.
On the sidelines of the Asem Summit, Hasina will have a num-ber of meetings with heads of states and diplomats. l
20 party irked as Khaleda’s call rejectedn Mohammad Al Masum Molla
The BNP-led 20-party alliance has strongly criticised the ruling alliance for turning down BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s call for national unity to curb militancy terming it irresponsible.
“Some ruling party leaders and their alliance partners have showed their irresponsibility denouncing the call for national unity to uproot militancy from the country,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters after a meeting of the alliance at Khaleda’s Gulshan o� ce last night.
He observed that the ruling par-ty leaders were dividing the nation and pushing the country towards a deeper crisis by making such irre-sponsible remarks. They had urged the ruling party leaders to respond to the call positively for the sake of the people’s interest.
After the alliance meeting, Khaleda sat with the party’s Stand-ing Committee members and the vice-chairmen to evaluate the cur-rent situation of the country and to devise future programmes.
Khaleda, a three-time former premier, will sit with the intellec-tuals, journalists and eminent cit-izens of the country today to take their suggestions to form a national unity to prevent extremist attacks.
The alliance has also planned to hold rallies in 19 districts including Dhaka to raise awareness against militancy. The programme would be � nalised after Khaleda’s meeting with the distinguished citizens. l
Editors’ Council calls for unity against terrorismn Tribune Desk
An organisation of newspaper editors has called for concerted e� orts to � ght terrorism in the aftermath of the Gulshan cafe attack and Sholakia bombing.
The editors noted that these acts of terror were perpetrated by a reactionary communal force to destabilise Bangladesh.
They want to sent a wrong message to the world by creating an anarchic situation through the brutal killing of innocent persons, the Editors’ Council said in a media statement on Wednesday.
A terror attack at an upscale restaurant, popular with expats, in the heart of Dhaka’s diplomatic zone on July 1 left 22 people dead, including 17 foreigners. Barely a week later, two policemen and a woman were killed in a militant attack on a police checkpost near the Shokalia Eid ground.
Earlier in the day, the prime min-ister urged everyone to be more alert, saying the government had received intelligence reports that the terrorists planned more such attacks.
In the statement, the editors said: “We all must unite against
these ill forces.”The editors held a meeting at The
Daily Star headquarters on Wednes-day, presided over by the council’s President Golam Sarwar. It’s General Secretary and The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, Prothom Alo Editor Motiur Rahman and Dhaka Tribune Editor Zafar Sobhan, among others, attended the meeting.
They advocated raising aware-ness apart from stern measures by the law enforcement agencies to get out of the situation.
“We need a concerted e� ort to tackle the current crisis,” the state-ment added. l
SSF getting pager system upgraden Asif Showkat Kallol
The government has cleared a pro-posal for an emergency upgrade of the pager communication system used by the elite Special Security Force (SSF), responsible for the se-curity of the prime minister.
Yesterday’s meeting of the Cab-inet Committee on Economic Af-fairs, chaired by Finance Minister AMA Muhith, nodded procurement of a new pager system.
Additional Secretary Musta� -zur Rahman told reporters that the committee approved the SSF pro-posal to procure the upgraded sys-tem from a single source. l
Sultana Kamal, convener of National Committee to Protect the Sundarbans, speaks during a press conference yesterday organised by the committee protesting the signing of Rampal Coal Power Plant agreement. Story on Back Page DHAKA TRIBUNE
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016News 5
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PRAYERTIMES
Cox’s Bazar 29 25Dhaka 34 27 Chittagong 32 27 Rajshahi 34 27 Rangpur 31 26 Khulna 31 26 Barisal 33 27 Sylhet 30 24T E M P E R AT U R E F O R E C A S T F O R TO DAY
Source: Accuweather/UNB
D H A K ATODAY TOMORROW
SUN SETS 6:49PM SUN RISES 5:20AM
YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW35.5ºC 24.5ºC
Rangpur SandwipTHURSDAY, JULY 14Source: Islamic Foundation
Govt cancels plots allotted to war criminalsn Shohel Mamun
The government yesterday decided to take back plots and � ats allotted to war criminals, Housing and Pub-lic Works Minister Mosharraf Hos-sain said.
“We will take necessary steps to stop the sale of such properties, plots and � ats by the allottees,” he said during a deal signing pro-
gramme between Standard Bank and Rajuk yesterday.
For those � ats and plots already sold by the allottees, he said, they would be taken back as per the law.
“Besides, if any war criminal and building developers jointly con-struct a building, the developers will get their share and the government will con� scate the rest,” he added.
Minister Mosharraf, however,
did not disclose how many � ats and plots had been allotted to such people since 1975, after the assas-sination of Bangladesh’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mu-jibur Rahman.
The BNP-led government had allotted a plot to the executed war criminal and Jamaat chief Moti-ur Rahman Nizami in 2006 for his “services to the country.” l
Brainwashing from madrasa to private universityn Udisa Islam
Terrorist in� ltration in North South University and several other pri-vate universities became the talk of the town after the Gulshan Holey Bakery attack. Suspicion arose also after it was revealed that the terror-ist killed in Sholakia attack was also an NSU student.
The question on everyone’s mind is that whether terrorism has also seduced wealthy private uni-versity students when the estab-lished notion is that madrasas are the breeding ground for militants.
Analysts say terrorists wanted to in� ltrate the elite group and picked private universities as good targets.
On March 30, 2015, radical Isla-mists hacked to death blogger Md Oyasiqur Rahman Babu in Tejgaon, Dhaka. Locals accosted assailants Zikrullah and Ariful Islam. It later emerged that they were madrasa students.
The charge sheet said the at-tackers planned to kill him for his supposedly anti-Islamic writing in blogs and Facebook. Abdullah ali-
as Hasib ordered the killing. Eight people took part in the planning, but four carried it out.
In Gulshan, terrorists held hos-tage patrons of Holey Artisan Bakery and killed 22 people, mostly for-eigners. Youths from a� uent back-grounds were among the killers.
Maj Gen (retd) Abdur Rashid said there was no reason to think that while madrasas had been identi-� ed as militant breeding ground, the same process was underway at private universities.
“They are working simultane-ously and di� erent units are work-ing at di� erent places … The brain-washing is similar,” he said.
Journalist Tasnim Khalil said it should not be surprising that young
men from wealthy backgrounds were getting into organisations like the IS.
“We have to remember that in-stitutions like the NSU, Brac or IUB were strongholds of Hizb ut-Tahrir – that Islamist group’s recruitment went on unimpeded in the private
universities until the government banned them,” he added.
Khalil asserted that Tahrir and IS were connected to each other. “I see it like this: the type of young people who wanted to establish a Khilafat under Tahrir are now try-ing to do so under IS.”
International Crimes Strate-gy Forum’s Dr Omar Shehab told the Bangla Tribune: “It’s true that both madrasa and private univer-
sity students are among terrorists. What this means is that the recruit-ers are working hard.
“But we don’t know what per-cent of them come from madrasas and what percent from private uni-versities. We don’t know how this ratio is changing with time.”
Twenty-two persons died after youths armed with ri� es, pistols and explosives stormed Holey Ar-tisan Bakery in Gulshan 2 on July 1. Two police o� cials died from grenade charge. Twenty hostages, mostly foreigners, were slaugh-tered inside the restaurant, before commandos managed to rescue the other hostages the next morning.
They killed six people including � ve terrorists.
On July 7, the day of Eid-ul Fitr, terrorists trying to enter Bangla-desh’s largest Eid congregation at Sholakia in Kishoreganj attacked a police check post, killing two po-licemen. A woman and one terror-ist were also killed in a gun battle that ensued. The killed terrorist was identi� ed as Abir Rahman, an NSU student. l
5,200 killed or injured in IS attacks during Ramadann Tribune Desk
From Orlando to Bangladesh, inter-national militant group Islamic State has claimed that some 5,200 people were killed or injured in “military operations” perpetrated in the last one month by their members.
In Dhaka, at least 22 people in-cluding 17 foreigners were shot and slaughtered while 40 other police-men injured in the country’s dead-liest militant attack on a Gulshan eatery on July 1. Five of the mili-tants were killed in a commando operation the next morning.
Before this attack, the IS mem-bers killed three Hindu priests and a Buddhist monk in Jhenaidah, Pabna and Bandarban during Ramadan.
In an infographic, IS lists 14 terror attacks across the world, in-cluding in Syria, Iraq, the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa, boasted the group’s weekly maga-zine al-Naba on Tuesday.
IS claimed their � rst attack in Bangladesh after the murder of an Italian aid worker at Dhaka’s Gul-shan on September 28 last year. The latest attack on Gulshan’s Holey Artisan Bakery and O’ Kitch-en building was its 25th attack. l
New Thai Ambassador Panpimon Suwannapogse (left) and new Russian Ambassador Alexander Ignoatov meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Prime Minister’s O� ce in Dhaka yesterday BSS
‘We have to remember that institutions like the NSU, Brac or IUB were strongholds of Hizb ut-Tahrir – that Islamist group’s recruitment went on unimpeded in the private universities until the government banned them’
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
6DT News
Most eateries in Jessore remain closed over payment of sta� n Tauhid-Uz-Zaman,
Jessore
Workers of 28 hotels and res-taurants in Jessore are su� er-ing as the eateries have been closed without paying their salary.
According to local sourc-es, the workers of the hotels and restaurants have been continuing their movement since 2009 under the banner of Bangladesh Hotel Restau-rants Sweetmeat and Bakery Workers’ Union demanding the salary according to na-tional gazette.
Taijel Islam, the union acting secretary, said a dis-cussion was held on June 30 in the deputy commissioner’s meeting room presided by Additional District Magistrate Shohel Hasan where the res-taurants’ owners and leaders were present.
The meeting had decided that the workers would get ID card and all kinds of festival bo-nus including Tk300 for house rent, Tk200 for transport cost with their regular salary.
He said the restaurants owners violated the deci-sion which they took in a meeting held at the o� ce of deputy commissioner. They made force to the workers in the morning before the Eid day for signature on a false document which would say that the workers had got everything including 45 per-cent Eid bonus of their basic salary.
The agitated workers did not sign the paper and pro-tested the proposal.
At one stage, the 14 restau-rants’ owner closed the eater-ies on the day without paying the salary and bonus.
On July 11, the union act-ing secretary met the deputy commissioner in his room and informed the incident to him. Maximum hotel owners and leaders were also present at the moment.
The DC ordered the hotel owners for giving the pay-ment to the workers andfollow the decision which was taken in the meetingearlier.
But on July 12, 14 more restaurants had been closed forcefully, said the union leader.
Meanwhile, the workers have submitted a memoran-dum to the DC protesting the incident.
The workers of the hotels and restaurants said they were facing acute � nancial crisis due to the illegal deci-sion.
On the other hand, the owners of the eateries al-leged that they were bound to close the hotels as the work-ers were not regular at their working place.
The union General Secre-tary Mukul Hasan said they had arranged a meeting yes-terday protesting decision of the hotel owners.
He said they would contin-ue their movement until the workers get their rights.
It is mentionable, around 14,000 workers are working in 64 hotel and restaurants in the district. Of them, only six restaurants’ workers have got their salary this year. l
Rakhain temple monk hacked over land dispute n Tribune Desk
A monk of a Rakhain temple was hacked allegedly by an-other monk over a land-relat-ed dispute at Maillapar in the district town early hours of yesterday.
The injured monk was identi� ed as Open Bita, 75.
O� cer-in-charge (Investi-
gation) of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model police station Bakhtiar Uddin Chowdhury said Mo Ian, a monk who was ear-lier attached to the temple of Open Bita, had been in a dispute with him over the ownership of a piece of land, report UNB.
As a sequel to this, Ma Ian snuck into the temple around
5:30am and hacked Open Bita indiscriminately, leaving him severely injured.
On information, police rushed in and sent the injured monk to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.
Additional police person-nel have been deployed in and around the temple to ward o� any further trouble, the OC added. l
bKash agent shot, Tk3 lakh snatched n Md Raihanul Islam
Akand, Gazipur
Muggers shot a bKash agent leaving him critical-ly injured in Kanthaltala area in the district yester-day and snatched away Tk3 lakh.
The victim was Selim Munshi, 32, son of Mohi-uddin Munshi of Katiadi area in Barisal.
Sub-Inspector Har-un-or-Rashid of Chakra-barti police camp in
Joydebpur, said Selim was going to a bank in Kona-bari in the afternoon after collecting the money.
Then, four muggers riding on two motorbikes reached the area and shot Selim leaving him critical-ly injured. They snatched away the money keeping in a bag and � ed the scene.
Selim is now undergo-ing treatment at Dhaka Medical College and Hos-pital as his condition dete-riorated. l
Bus-truck collision kills 3 in Comillan Tribune Desk
Three people were killed and 10 others injured in a head-on col-lision between a bus and a truck at East Batabaria in Monoharganj upazila yesterday.
The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately.
Police said a Noakhali-bound bus from Comilla collided head on with the truck coming from the op-posite direction, leaving three pas-sengers of the bus dead on the spot and 10 others injured. The injured were rushed to a hospital. l
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016News 7
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Indigenous people still in panic, want safety n Basu Das, Bandarban
People who have returned back to their residences at Betchhara in Rowangchhari upazila of Bandar-ban are living in fear. They urged authorities concerned to arrange adequate security for them so that they can live their ancestral houses without any fear.
The indigenous people also de-manded set up of an Army camp at the locality.
On July 8, at least 50 families left their dwellings in face of vi-olence and threats from the local terrorist groups.
On July 5, two local armed groups locked in � ghting over the extortion money. Police, later, ar-rested Bimal Chakma from the scene with � rearms.
Following the arrest, the ter-rorist groups attacked and ran rampage in Talukderpara under Tarachha union in Rowangchhari blaming the locals for providing in-formations to police.
Angered at the police interven-tion, the terrorists also threatened locals of killing.
Fearing retaliation, over 70 peo-ple out of around 130 people took shelter at a local hotel in Bandar-ban town, where eight to ten peo-ple had to live in each of those two-seated rooms.
With assurance of district ad-ministration, 30 out of 50 families returned backed to their houses on Tuesday.
During a visit to the area yester-day, this correspondent found that a four-member police team was patrolling Betchhara. A makeshift Army camp has been set up at a school.
About 70 families live at Betchhara which is located seven
kilometres away o� district headquarters. As the village is located in remote part of the district, terrorist groups often stay at the houses of local residents making them hostage at gunpoint, said local sources.
The terrorists also forcibly take money from farmers which they get selling their crops, if they do not want to give the share of mon-ey, the gangsters torture the indig-enous indiscriminately, the sourc-es added.
Seventy-year-old Usra Ching
Marma, who is now living with her family locking door from outside told the Dhaka Tribune that she could not � ee with other people as she was sick on the day.
“But on those days, I had to live with grave anxiety,” she said breaking down into tears. She also explained that she had locked her house from outside so that terror-ists thought that nobody was living at the house.
Mong Gila Marma, another resi-dent of the area, said: “We came to our dwellings following adminis-
tration's assurance. If we do not get su� cient safety, we have to leave our houses, But we want to live at our ancestral residences where we have been living for long.”
Chha Thoai Ching Marma al-leged that members of the Parbat-ya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti had been torturing locals for log.
“They [members of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti] have made us their target, we pass night in fear as they can kill us any-time,” he added.
Superintendent of police Mija-
nur Rahman told the Dhaka Trib-une that they were giving priority on the security of locals.
After the signing of Chittagong Hill Tract treaty on December 2, 1997, the government has reduced the number of Army camps at the CHT. Taking the advantage, terror-ist groups have established reign of terror there, said the sources.
Deputy Commissioner Dilip Kumar said they would take decision over setting up Army camp after talking with government's high-ups. l
RU TEACHER KILLING
Another accused placed on remand n Abdullah Al Dulala, Rajshahi
A Rajshahi court yesterday placed another accused of Rajshahi Uni-versity teacher Prof AFM Rezaul Karim Siddiquee killing on a three-day remand.
Judge of Metropolitan Magis-trate court Khaled Hossain Khan passed the order following a peti-tion � led by investigation o� cer of the case Rejaus Sadik.
Earlier, a team of Detective Branch of police arrested Munta-sirul Alam Anindya, a student of English department of the univer-sity, from his residence located in Kaderganj area, Rajshahi city on
June 2. On July 3, police produced him before the court seeking 10-day remand.
Professor Rezaul Karim Sid-dique was hacked to death by as-sailants in the city's Shalbagan area on April 23.
At least 12 people have been arrested in connection with the killing so far. Main accused of the case Maskawath Hasan Sakib, a leader of the banned Islamic out-� t Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen of Ban-galdesh, gave confessional state-ment before the court.
Another accused of the case Ha� zur Rahman has been killed in a cross� re recently. l
GULSHAN CAFÉ ATTACK
Families of alleged militants Payel, Ujjal waiting for bodies n Md Nazmul Huda Nasim,
Bogra
Families of Khairul Islam Payel and Sha� qul Islam Ujjal, two among � ve suspected attackers of Gulshan café, have been waiting for their sons’ bod-ies to perform their proper burials.
The parents of Payel, a resident of Bri Kushtia Dakhhinpara vil-lage in Shajahanpur upazila, and father of Ujjal, hailing from Bania-jan Chalishpara village in Dhunot upazila, along with his another son Asadul Islam were brought to Dha-ka by Bogra police for interrogation about their sons and collecting blood samples from their bodies to identify the alleged dead mili-
tants on July 5. But, they were not allowed to see the bodies of their sons, they said. Badi-uz-Zaman, father of Ujjal, said, “The police told me they would return Ujjal’s body to us for a burial. So still we are waiting.”
Hosney Ara, sister of Payel, said, “Whatever crime Payel committed we want his body for a proper burial.”
Around six youths stormed into Holey Artisan Bakery at Gulshan in Dhaka armed with guns, bombs and swords and killed Twenty two innocent lives on July 1. After a 12-hour holdup, commando forces rescued thirteen hostages, killing � ve suspected attackers.
Three of them--Nibras Islam,
Rohan Imtiaz and Meer Saameh Mubasheer—went to English-medi-um schools, while Payel was a ma-drasa student and Ujjal was a grad-uate and a kindergarten teacher.
Parents of Payel--Abul Hossain and Peara Begum—said after com-pleting his education from a local madrasa, Payel, their youngest son, went to Dhaka for getting admitted to Jagannath University College with his classmate Abdul Hakim, son of Abdur Rahman of neighbouring Kamarpara village. His last visit to home was in December last year, said Abul. Ujjal last came home in December, 2015 from Dhaka and left home telling his family that he was going to Tablig Jamaat, said Badi-uz-Zaman. l
An ingenious family sitting with anxiety in their home at Betchhara in Rowangchhari of Bandarban after threats from the local terrorist groups DHAKA TRIBUNE
8DTTHURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
SOUTH ASIA
Pakistan militants accuse India of genocide in KashmirMilitants in Pakistan-administered Kashmir accused New Delhi of genocide Wednesday, after days of clashes left 32 people dead and hun-dreds wounded on the Indian side of the heavily-militarised frontier. Up to 3,000 people gathered at a ral-ly in the Pakistani Kashmir capital Muza� arabad, where militant lead-ers vowed to launch a civil disobedi-ence campaign on the Indian side of the contested territory. -AFP
INDIA
India’s top court rules blow to Modi’s ambitionsIndia’s Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the government’s imposition of direct rule in Arun-achal state was illegal, and the dislodged opposition Congress party should return to power immediately. The court’s order for the reinstate-ment of Congress rule in the state is a blow to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambition of expanding the in� uence of his BJP in the underde-veloped northeast. -REUTERS
CHINA
China could declare air zone over S China Sea China warned other countries Wednesday against threatening its security in the South China Sea after an international tribunal handed the Philippines a victory by saying Beijing had no legal basis for its expansive claims there. Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said Beijing could declare an air defense identi� cation zone over the waters if it felt threatened. -AP
ASIA PACIFIC
South Korea, US con� rm anti-missile system site An advanced US missile defense system will be deployed in a rural farming town in southeastern South Korea. As words of the location for the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) spread thousands of residents in the town of Seongju rallied and demanded the govern-ment cancel its decision. -AP
MIDDLE EAST
Air strikes kill 24 in rebel-held Syrian townsAt least 12 people were killed in air strikes on the rebel-held western Syrian town of Rastan on Wednes-day despite a government-declared nationwide temporary truce. The British-based monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, also said another 12 people were killed in rebel-controlled Ariha, north of Rastan, including three children. -REUTERS
WorldINSIGHT
Maoists, opposition join forces to try to unseat Nepal prime ministerMotion of no-con� dence moved against the PM in parliament
n Tribune International Desk
Nepal’s former Maoist rebels joined forces with the largest op-position party on Wednesday to lodge a motion of no-con� dence in the prime minister, but the im-poverished Himalayan country’s increasingly isolated leader vowed to � ght on.
Nepal has been plagued by po-litical turmoil for years and the bid by the Maoists and the Nepali Con-gress Party to unseat Prime Minis-ter KP Oli and form a new govern-ment has ushered in another phase of uncertainty.
Oli, who came to power in Oc-tober, is accused by the one-time insurgents of reneging on promis-es and on Tuesday they withdrew their support in parliament for his fragile coalition.
“We have registered a vote of no-con� dence against the prime minister,” Pampha Bhusal, spokes-woman for the Maoist party, said.
“With our party withdrawing support for the Oli government it is in a minority and must resign.”
A Nepali Congress spokesman con� rmed that his party had giv-en the Maoists its backing so a no-con� dence motion could be formally registered. The motion will be tabled in parliament next week before a vote is held.
Neighbours India and China compete for in� uence in Nepal and are both likely to be concerned by the prospect of more instability in a country struggling to rebuild after a devastating earthquake last year.
Oli is Nepal’s seventh prime minister since it abolished its 239-year old monarchy in 2008. The Maoists abandoned a bid to unseat him in May after they said he had agreed to work for a national con-sensus and address their concerns.
Oli’s press adviser said the prime minister would remain leader and face the no-con� dence vote.
“The prime minister will not re-sign,” the adviser, Pramod Dahal, told Reuters.
Slim chance?With the Maoists and Congress joining forces, Oli’s coalition in the 595-member parliament needs the support of other smaller parties to survive.
Analysts said the arithmetic was against Oli, particularly if the motion was tabled in coming days
before he had time to convince other parties to back him.
“I really don’t see a chance for his survival. He has faced this challenge for a long time, only now does it look successful,” said Bipin Adhikari, a constitutional expert at Kathmandu University.
However, ideological di� erenc-es between the centrist Congress and the Maoists made their pact far from secure, Adhikari said.
Maoist leader Prachanda, who goes by the nom-de-guerre he used in the insurgency, which means “Fierce”, is the favourite to replace 64-year-old Oli if he loses the vote.
The Maoists accuse Oli of failing to resolve anger in the south of the country over a new constitution, and of failing to rebuild homes and roads destroyed in last year’s earthquake.
Nepal adopted a new consti-tution in September. Its passing looked like a rare moment of po-litical consensus but protests soon followed.
Minority Madhesis, who live mostly in Nepal’s lowlands near India, imposed a four-month bor-der blockade to protest against a proposal to carve Nepal into sev-en federal states, which they say would divide their homeland and
deprive them of a fair say.More than 50 people were killed
in clashes before protesters called o� the blockade in February.
Nepal has seen 23 governments since 1990 when parliamentary democracy was introduced.
Gentleman’s agreementIt is said that when PM Oli was about to be toppled by the Nepali Con-gress with the help of the Maoists and a part of the Madhesi group for a “unity government” under Maoist Chief Dahal, he had no choice but to surrender to the Maoists. A nine-point agreement was thus signed between the two parties- the UML and the CPN (Maoist).
It was also widely reported that Oli had also agreed to step down soon after the budget is passed and let the Maoist Chief Dahal to take over and form the so called “unity government.”
The budget was presented on May 29 and so Dahal was waiting for a call from Oli to take over as per their “Gentleman’s Agree-ment.” Meanwhile Dahal had also strengthened himself by getting most of the splinter Maoist par-ties under his chairmanship with a new name as Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre.
Oli not only refused to step
down but denied of having en-tered into any such agreement. Da-hal on the other hand claimed that the deal was indeed reached.
In my view there is nothing like Gentleman’ agreement in politics. Even if Oli had agreed orally di-rectly or indirectly to step down, he does not have to do so.
Dahal clari� ed that he was not really interested in becoming Prime Minister and that his only aim was to form a national gov-ernment to ensure that the peace process is taken to its logical end.
It is good that Dahal who is a master in shifting goal posts was himself given a dose of his medi-cine and no one would believe that he was not interested in becoming the prime minister.
It is not clear how the Nepali Congress would bene� t by get-ting Dahal in place of Oli as prime minister. They should not forget that most of the problems inherit-ed by Oli was from the days when the Nepali Congress was in power. They were the ones who excluded and marginalised both the Mad-hesi groups and the Janajathis in rushing through the new consti-tution. KP Situala and company should share the blame for the Madhesi agitation where innocent lives were lost unnecessarily. l
Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, known as Prachanda, centre, leaves the Parliament Building in Kathmandu on Wednesday AP
5 things to know about UK handoverThe followings are � ve interesting facts one needs to know Wednesday’s formal handover of prime ministerial power in Britain from David Cameron to Theresa May.
Lucky 13?Queen Eliz-abeth II sees them come, and sees them go. As Brit-ain’s monarch ascended to
the throne in 1952, Winston Churchill was already the prime minister. Since then, the queen has given her royal seal of approval to a dozen prime min-isters atop 16 governments. When May arrives at Buckingham Palace, she will become the 13th leader to receive Eliza-beth’s royal assent in a private ceremo-ny that marks the moment when May succeeds Cameron as leader of Britain’s year-old Conservative government.
David’s demiseFirst the queen bids a formal fare-well to Cam-eron, Britain’s leader since
2010, who as part of his o� ce has held weekly “private audiences” with Eliza-beth. On Wednesday, he arrives to the palace as a leader, and leaves merely a lawmaker. Cameron has represent-ed the Oxfordshire district of Witney, west of London, in the House of Com-mons since 2001. Now he’s forecast to join those Conservative lawmakers lacking ministerial posts known as “backbenchers” who typically bray their approval of the prime ministers’ remarks from the background. But Cameron’s career is hardly over; he’s only 49 and can expect to make a kill-ing on the global speaker’s circuit. For now, Witney gains a more full-time MP for the � rst time since 2005, when Cameron rose to the national stage as Conservative Party leader. He has already relinquished that post to May.
Voters MayTheresa May b e c o m e s prime minis-ter thanks to support from a strong ma-jority of the
330 Conservative lawmakers in the House of Commons. Nobody else had a vote on the matter, because in par-
liamentary systems the leader of the ruling party gains a preferential right to lead the nation. Given that British parliamentary terms last � ve years and Cameron’s second government was formed only last year, May and her Conservatives don’t need to face re-election until 2020. However the prime minister also wields the power to call an early election should May judge that to be in her party’s or na-tion’s best interest.
Moving dayPrime min-isters nor-mally reside at 10 Down-ing Street, a Georgian res-idence with
approximately 100 rooms just a few minutes’ walk from Parliament. But while Cameron regularly holds press conferences outside the iconic num-ber 10 door, he and his family actually live next door in number 11. Whereas the US presidential system allows de-parting leaders more than two months to extricate themselves from the White House, Cameron, wife Saman-tha and their three children, ages 5 to 12, have had barely a day to clear out
their home of the past six years. The same company that moved the Cam-erons into Downing Street in 2010 ar-rived Tuesday to take them out again. Simply Removals says they contained the Camerons’ Downing Street pos-sessions in 330 boxes, 30 rolls of tape and three rolls of bubble wrap.
Larry may stayOne family member is staying behind on Downing Street by mu-tual agree-ment: Larry
the Cat. The 9-year-old tabby is the government’s o� cial Chief Mouser to the Cabinet O� ce, a tradition with its claws in the 16th century court of Henry VIII. After TV crews repeatedly spotted mice sprinting across Cameron’s door-step in 2011, the premier took his family to a south London animal shelter and picked Larry. The Mays and Camerons have decided that Larry should con-tinue to keep ravaging the rodents of Downing Street. Larry spent much of Wednesday keeping watch on the press pack instead. l
Source: AP
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THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016World
USAUS challenges China over raw materials at WTOThe US challenged China at the World Trade Organisation on Wednesday over Beijing’s export duties on 9 raw materials, alleging they give an unfair competitive advantage to Chinese companies. The US envoy announced the WTO � ling, noting that when China joined the WTO in 2001, it agreed to eliminate the export duties on these products but had failed to follow through on the commitment. -AFP
THE AMERICASVenezuela army assigned to combat food shortagesVenezuela’s military is getting a major promotion as the so-cialist-run country struggles to combat severe shortages and stave o� food riots. President Nicolas Maduro on Monday created a new government initiative to boost pro-duction and guarantee the smooth distribution of food supplies in the face of what he called economic sabotage by his opponents. -AP
UKGermany eyes EU defence union without BritainGermany and France want to forge closer defence cooperation in the EU following the departure of Britain, which has paralysed such initiatives in the past, German De-fence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday. Presenting a report on German security policy, von der Leyen said Germany and France would lead talks with other countries to assess their appetite for common projects. -REUTERS
EUROPEFrance has identi� ed leader of Paris attacksFrench authorities say they have identi� ed the commander of the No-vember 13 Islamist militant attacks on Paris and know that Abdelhamid Abaaoud, cornered and killed days later by police, played a lesser role. Newly published o� cial documents cite testimony by Bernard Bajolet, France’s head of external security, to a closed-door parliamentary inquiry into France’s anti-terrorism activities held on May 24. -REUTERS
AFRICASouth Sudan’s vice president leaves JubaSouth Sudan’s vice president has withdrawn with his troops to outside of Juba but is not planning for war as a cease� re that ended heavy � ghting with the president’s forces entered its 3rd day. Forces loyal to longtime rivals Vice President Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir fought street battles in the capital during a � ve-day period until a cease� re was reached on Monday. -REUTERS
Trump demands US Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg’s resignation n Tribune International Desk
Donald Trump called Wednes-day for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Gins-burg to resign for
saying publicly that she feels he is un� t to be president. Lashing out, Trump said the 83-year-old jus-tice’s “mind is shot.”
“Justice Ginsburg of the US Supreme Court has embarrassed all by making very dumb political statements about me,” he wrote in an early morning tweet on @realDonaldTrump. “Her mind is shot - resign!”
Ginsburg said in an interview with the Associated Press last week that she didn’t want to think about the possibility that Trump would be president and predicted that Democrat Hillary Clinton will win and have a few appointments to make to the Supreme Court.
It is highly unusual for a sitting justice to weigh in so publicly on a political campaign, though Gins-burg is known for speaking her mind on other issues and is cele-brated as a liberal icon known to fans as Notorious RBG.
In a subsequent interview with The New York Times, she joked about moving to New Zealand if
Trump is elected. She escalated her criticism on Tuesday, telling CNN that Trump is a “faker” and questioning how he has “gotten away with not turning over his tax returns.”
“He has no consistency about him,” she said.
A Supreme Court spokeswom-an did not immediately respond Wednesday to a reporter’s request for comment on Trump’s criticism.
House Speaker Paul Ryan told CNN Tuesday that Ginsburg’s comments “shows bias to me.”
Former Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, who on Tuesday endorsed Clinton, said Wednesday he agrees with Ginsburg’s remarks.
The Vermont senator declined to say whether it is appropriate for a sit-ting Supreme Court justice to openly criticise a White House contender. But he told ABC’s “Good Morning America” that he agrees Trump is a “total opportunist” and said “the record clear is quite clear that he lies just a whole lot of the time.”
Ginsburg was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton in 1993, and is the senior member of the court’s liberal wing of justices.
One of the high court’s most conservative justices, Antonin Scalia, died in February and the vacancy has yet to be � lled. l
US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg shows the many di� erent collars (jabots) she wears with her robes, in her chambers, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, DC REUTERS
INSIGHT
A year later, Iran nuke deal is holding but fragile n Tribune International Desk
The Iran nuclear accord is fragile at its one-year anniversary.
Upcoming elections in the US and Iran could yield new leaders determined to derail the deal. The Mideast’s wars pit US and Iranian proxies in con� ict, with risks of es-calation. Iran’s ballistic missiles are threatening the Middle East, rais-ing pressure on the US to respond forcefully.
But for now, the seven-nation nuclear pact is holding. Washington and Tehran are expanding cooper-ation beyond any level imaginable back when the Iranians were edging closer to nuclear weapons capabil-ity. And Boeing’s recent announce-ment of a multibillion-dollar plane deal with Iran Air suggests some of the agreement’s early problems may be working out.
“It really wasn’t long ago that we saw a rapidly expanding nuclear program in Iran, only months away from having enough weapons-grade uranium to build 10 to 12 nuclear weapons, and we were on the cusp of confrontation,” Secretary of State John Kerry said recently.
‘We have changed the strategic equation’A year ago, on July 14, 2015, the US, six other world powers and Iran � -nalised almost two years of negoti-ations on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The pact outlined what Tehran had to do to pull back its nuclear program from the brink of weapons-making capacity. It spelled out the West’s obligation to end many of the � nancial, trade and oil sanctions that had battered Iran’s economy.
Iran has lived up to its end of the deal. It shut down thousands of centrifuges for enriching ura-nium and exported almost its en-tire stockpile of the bomb-making material. It disabled a heavy water plant that would have produced plutonium usable in a weapon. It opened up its supply chain to far greater scrutiny. An underground enrichment facility near Fordo op-erates under strict limits.
If Iran were to race now toward an atomic weapon, the Obama ad-ministration and most independent experts say it would need at least a year. The US and its partners — Brit-ain, China, France, Germany and Russia — say that is enough time to discover the e� ort and intervene. Before the deal was struck, the time-frame for Iran to “break out” toward a bomb was a couple of months.
Iran’s compliance and the ex-panded breathing room have elim-inated for now the threat of a mili-tary confrontation.
In the presidential campaign, discussion about the Iran deal fo-
cuses largely on the implications of the agreement and today’s lim-ited US-Iranian cooperation, no longer on whether to attack Iran. Presumptive Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton backs the deal; GOP rival Donald Trump says he’ll “re-negotiate.”
The situation is uneasy in Iran. An election next year means Pres-ident Hassan Rouhani and his pro-deal government could be replaced. Even if he wins — no Iranian presi-dent has lost a re-election bid since the 1979 Islamic Revolution — he could face a backlash from hard-liners who seek confrontation with the US. Like in the US, a signi� cant part of Iran’s establishment oppos-es the nuclear pact.
Rouhani is under pressure to show his people the bene� ts of the agreement.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, has said his coun-try “will set � re to the deal,” if the US breaks it � rst.
After announcing in January that it would buy more than 100 planes from France-based Airbus, Iran has struggled to attract big investments. Many multinational banks and companies are fearful of US prosecution or � nes.
June’s Boeing announcement, in-volving dozens of planes and worth as much as $25bn, could open the � oodgates — if it survives challenges from many of the same Republicans and Democrats who opposed last year’s nuclear deal. Last week, the House passed two measures that would block the sale. The Senate hasn’t acted yet; if it does, Obama would likely veto the bill.
The nuclear accord freed up $100bn in Iranian assets that were frozen overseas. About half has cov-ered long-standing debts to countries such as China, US o� cials believe. Iran kept much of the rest abroad to pay for imports, avoid in� ation and other reasons; it has brought home less than $20bn, they say.
But Iranian threats to renege on the deal have the Obama admin-istration on the defensive. It sees Rouhani’s success as critical to the accord’s survival. To that end, Ker-ry has lobbied European banks to make greater investments in Iran and US o� cials even have explored softening � nancial restrictions on Iran. Such considerations haven’t gone over well with Republican critics.
Obama’s Iran outreach is “a text-book example of the failure of ap-peasement,” House Speaker Paul Ryan, wrote in a 23-page nation-al security agenda published last month. He proposed tougher sanc-tions on Iran and a return to Ameri-ca’s pre-deal posture of keeping “all options on the table — including military force — to stop Iran from
obtaining a nuclear weapon.”
Ballistic missiles pose another testThe US bragged after the deal that it secured two last-minute conces-sions: Prolonging a UN ban on Ira-nian missile development by eight years. Tehran quickly � aunted the restriction, testing missiles capable of reaching Tel Aviv and bearing “Death to Israel” lettering. It has su� ered few repercussions.
During nuclear negotiations,
diplomats took great pains to keep the missile issue, terrorism and the region’s con� icts separate. But ten-sions on any of these fronts make it harder for Kerry to lobby or for the US to approve the Boeing deal. It also could interfere with the rou-tine work of US and Iranian o� cials to hash out nuclear di� erences as they arise.
Administration o� cials say the pressures on the nuclear deal make it that much more valuable. Irani-
an ballistic missiles would be more worrisome if carrying nuclear war-heads, the argument goes. Syria’s bloody quagmire would be even harder to end if a nuclear-armed Iran were added to the equation.
The nuclear deal’s future is “highly uncertain,” said Ariel Levite at the Carnegie Endowment for In-ternational Peace.
“The clock is steadily ticking — one year down, seven more to go,” Levite added. l
Slash the number of uranium centrifuges fromabout 19,000 to5,060 for 10 years
Stockpile of low-enriched uranium to be reducedfrom 10,000 kg to 300 kgfor 15 years
Historic agreement designed to block Tehran’s pathway to a nuclear weapon
Closer inspections, under the Additional Protocol, including potentially of military basesIAEA surveillance equipment to be installed in mines and nuclear facilities
To be the only enrichmentsite
IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL
Gashin
FORDOTo retain 1,044 centrifuges,not to be used for uraniumenrichment
Anarak
Karaj
Bushehr
Isfahan
Reactor to be redesignedto prevent production ofweapons-grade plutonium
ARAK
Parchin
TEHRAN
CASPIANSEA
NATANZ
Ardakan
Sagand
Nuclearwaste disposal
Yellowcakeproduction plant
Holds some enrichment equipment
Military base
Main nuclearresearch center
Research reactors,uranium conversion
1,000 MWepressurisedwater reactor
SAUDIARABIA
IRAQ
AFGHANISTAN
PAKISTAN
Nuclear energy is produced fromU235, which makes up just 0.7% of naturally-occurring uranium, the rest being U238
The enrichment process increases the proportion of U235 by separating it from U238
Gas slightlydepleted in U235is recycled toearlier stage
7
U235 enrichedgas collectednear center andwithdrawn
5 Fed into next stage for furtherconcentration
6Gas centrifugeEnrichment
Under the deal
Gaseous uranium goes into a centrifuge
1
3 Heavier U238 is pushed to the outer edge
2 Moleculesseparate bycentrifugalforce
4Lighter U235 stays nearcentre
Military use: uraniumenriched to at least 90%of U235 to producenuclear weapons
Civil use: the proportionof U235 is increased 4-5%to produce fuel for powerstations
Nuclear site Reactor Uranium mineMajor facilities (approximate locations)
Reported uranium reserves: 4,400 tonnes
11D
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THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016World
Japan emperor expresses intent to abdicate n Reuters, Tokyo
Japanese Emperor Akihito, who has spent much of his time on the throne trying to heal the wounds of World War II, in-tends to abdicate in a few years, the country’s public broadcast-er NHK said on Wednesday, a step that would be unprece-dented in modern Japan.
The 82-year-old monarch, who has had heart surgery and been treated for prostate can-cer in recent years, expressed his intention to the Imperial Household Agency, NHK said.
It did not cite a reason and o� cials at the agency could not immediately be reached for comment. Akihito has been cutting back on his o� cial duties, handing over some of the burden to his heir, Crown Prince Naruhito, 56.
Born in 1933, Akihito was heir to Emperor Hirohito, in whose name Japan fought World War II.
The soft-spoken Akihito marked the 70th anniversary of World War II’s end last year with an expression of “deep remorse”, a departure from his previous remarks seen by some as an e� ort to cement a legacy of paci� sm under threat from conservative Jap-anese nationalists.
While Akihito’s father was a controversial � gure, Akihito “was the � rst post-war em-peror to embrace the (paci� st)
constitution and his role as a symbol of national unity”, said Koichi Nakano, a political sci-ence professor at Sophia Uni-versity in Tokyo.
Akihito has sought to deep-en Japan’s ties with the world through visits abroad. In 1992 he became the � rst Japanese monarch in living memory to visit China, where bitter mem-ories of Japan’s past military aggression run deep.
Emperor Kokaku, who gave up the throne in 1817, was the last Japanese emperor to abdi-cate, NHK said.
Miiko Kodama, a professor emeritus at Musashi Univer-sity, said the Imperial House-hold Law would need to be amended to allow Akihito to step down, a process that could take time and debate in parliament.
A scientist by avocation, Akihito is the � rst royal heir to have married a commoner, Mi-chiko Shoda, the daughter of a wealthy industrialist.
Under the US-drafted, post-war constitution, Japan’s em-peror is “the symbol of the State and of the unity of the People”, with no political power.
Akihito’s e� orts to draw the imperial family closer to the peo-ple in image, if not in fact, have played into a carefully crafted picture of a “middle-class mon-archy” that has helped shield it from the harsh criticism su� ered by � ashier royals abroad. l
European Union proposes new asylum rules n Reuters, Brussels
The European Commission pro-posed more uni� ed EU asylum rules on Wednesday, in a bid to stop people waiting for refugee status moving around the bloc and dis-rupting its passport-free zone.
In an unprecedented wave of
migration last year, 1.3m people reached the EU and most ignored legal restrictions, trekking from the Mediterranean coast to apply for asy-lum in wealthy Germany, prompting some EU countries to suspend the Schengen system that allows free passage between most EU states.
The proposal would standardise
refugee reception facilities across the bloc and unify the level of state support they can get, setting com-mon rules on residence permits, travel papers, access to jobs, schools, social welfare and healthcare.
It would grant prospective ref-ugees swifter rights to work but also put more obligations on them,
meaning if they do not e� ectively cooperate with the authorities or head to an EU state of their choice rather than staying put, their asylum application could be jeopardised.
The 5-year waiting period after which refugees are eligible for long-term residence would be restarted if they move from their designated
country, the Commission said.The plan, which will now be re-
viewed by national governments and the European Parliament, comes after the Commission proposed in May a system for distributing asylum seekers around the bloc, an idea that angered eastern EU states which re-fuse to take in refugees. l
Japan’s Crown Prince Akihito, left, and Crown Princess Michiko parade through the streets on their wedding day in Tokyo, Japan, in this photo taken April 10, 1959 REUTERS/KYODO
12DT Business
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
Capital market snapshot: WednesdayDSE
Broad Index 4,538.1 -0.1% ▼
Index 1,115.5 -0.1% ▼
30 Index 1,776.5 0.2% ▲
Turnover in Mn Tk 3,868.7 -1.8% ▼
Turnover in Mn Vol 109.3 -14.7% ▼
CSEAll Share Index 13,925.8 0.1% ▲
30 Index 12,870.1 0.0% ▼
Selected Index 8,471.5 0.1% ▲
Turnover in Mn Tk 300.1 36.2% ▲
Turnover in Mn Vol 7.4 -22.6% ▼
TOP STORIES
Garment exports post over 10% growth in FY2016Bangladesh garment industry has generated $28.09bn exports in the � scal year 2015-16 with a 10.21% growth from the previous year, according to Export Promotion Bureau data. PAGE 13
IEA: Huge stocks overhang threatens oil price recoveryThe global glut in oil is refusing to ease and acts as a major dampen-er on crude prices despite robust demand growth and steep declines in non-OPEC production, the International Energy Agency said yesterday. PAGE 14
Tech deal reboot exempli� es valuation disconnectOverpriced Silicon Valley unicorns aren’t the only technology-sec-tor valuation oddities. Polycom, a struggling videoconferencing company, and Canadian rival Mitel Networks just created one by scrap-ping their merger deal. PAGE 15
The government has decided to charge Robi Axiata Ltd a total of Tk607 crore as merger and spec-trum fees as the operator is set to be merged with Airtel.
The decision was taken at a meeting yesterday attended by Finance Minister AMA Muhith, State Minister for Posts and Tele-communication Tarana Halim and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood.
The amount includes Tk507 crore as spectrum charge and Tk100 crore merger fee.
“The � gure is reasonable. Hope this will be satisfactory to the oper-ators,” BTRC Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood told the Dhaka Tribune. He, however, declined to make any further comments.
Earlier, the BTRC proposed the
Robi to pay Tk700 crore for us-ing Airtel’s existing spectrum and Tk200 crore as merger and other fees.
In 2005, Airtel paid Tk380 crore for 15MHz spectrum in the 1800 band for 15 years.
The companies were expected to get an approval on the deal by June, but as of today they didn’t get � nal approval to merger.
Industry insiders said if the gov-ernment delays further in making a � nal decision on the matter, it may create a negative impression among foreign investors.
The merger is said to strengthen the industry’s infrastructure, com-
petitiveness and more importantly, bring greater bene� ts to customers in terms of network quality and coverage and an improved o� ering of data products and services.
Axiata is one of the largest Asian telecommunication companies.
Earlier, BTRC held a public hear-ing on merger agreement between mobile phone operators, Robi and Airtel, where most opinions came out in favour of the deal.
The regulatory body also formed a two-member expert committee to make a market analysis report.
On January 29, Robi and Airtel signed a merger agreement in Kuala Lumpur to venture into a joint busi-
ness operation in Bangladesh. The joint venture will be named Robi.
Upon completion, Axiata will hold 68.3% controlling stake in the combined entity while Bharti will hold 25%. The remaining 6.7% will be held by the existing sharehold-er, NTT DOCOMO of Japan.
It has controlling interests in mobile operators in Malaysia, In-donesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Cambodia with signi� cant strate-gic stakes in India and Singapore.
The group, including its subsidi-aries and associates, has over 260m mobile subscribers in Asia. The group revenue for 2014 was 18.7bn Malaysian ringgit.
Bharti Airtel Ltd is a leading global telecommunications com-pany with operations in 20 coun-tries across Asia and Africa.
The company had over 346m customers across its operations at the end of November 2015. l
Top clothing retailers to keep sourcing products despite attacks in Dhaka
n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi
The deadly terrorist attack in Dhaka would not deter global top clothing retailers giants includ-ing Target Corporation, JC Penney Company Inc, VF Corporation, Wal-Mart Stores and the Children’s Place from sourcing clothing prod-ucts from Bangladesh.
Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety – a platform for North Amer-ican global retailer – working on safety improvement in Bangladesh in RMG industry came up with the remark at a media brie� ng yesterday.
The brie� ng aimed at providing quarterly progress update on factory remediation and worker empower-ment initiatives.
“Despite these unspeakable trag-edies, the Alliance and our member companies will continue to stay the course because improving safety for the millions of men and women who make a living in Bangladesh’s gar-ment sector is a moral imperative,” James Moriarty, country director for the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety, told the conference yesterday.
“I am not aware of brands with-drawing or cancelling contracts.”
“On behalf of the Alliance, our member companies and our sta� , I am heartened and humbled by the strength of the Bangladeshi people, and I am con� dent their resilience
will see them through these chal-lenging times,” he said.
According to the second quarterly report of the Alliance as of yesterday, 28 RMG factories have completed their Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) and across all factories, more than one-third of the issues, most criti-cal to life safety, has already been addressed, two years ahead of the deadline.
“As we review and update our policies to help keep our sta� and contractors safe, our work to im-prove safety in Bangladesh’s gar-ment factories will continue at full speed,” said the former ambassador to Bangladesh.
Since the end of � rst quarter, an additional six factories have been suspended for failure to make ade-quate remediation progress—bring-ing the total number of factories sus-pended to 83.
On the topic of worker empow-erment, Moriarty said: “Our worker training and helpline programs con-tinue to bring positive change in the lives of workers and the safety of their workplaces.”
The Alliance also provided train-ing to more than 22,000 security guards in all Alliance factories that would allow them to play a leadership role in the event of � re or earthquake.
The retailers platform also pro-vided � nancial compensation to
nearly 7,000 workers displaced by remediation, ful� lling 100% of re-quests from factory owners, and helping workers provide for them-selves and their families despite the temporary closure of those factories.
The Alliance has also completed training for democratically elected worker safety committees in 34 fac-tories, including the initial pilot pro-gramme of 16 factories, and it is go-ing to launch the training for 60 plus factories in the next few months.
More than 1.1 million workers in over 770 factories now have access to the Alliance’s con� dential 24-hour worker helpline, which allows them to safely and anonymously report concerns, safety or otherwise within their factories.
The Alliance of mostly North American companies was set up in
2013 to improve safety in Bangla-deshi factories after the collapse of Rana Plaza complex in which more than 1,100 people died.
Members of the Alliance are Arie-la and Associates International LLC, Bon Worth, Canadian Tire Corpora-tion, Limited Carter’s Inc, The Chil-dren’s Place Retail Stores Inc, Costco Wholesale Corporation, Fruit of the Loom, Inc, Gap Inc, Giant Tiger Hud-son’s Bay Company, IFG Corp, Intra-deco Apparel, JC Penney Company Inc, Jordache Enterprises, Inc, The Just Group, Kate Spade & Company, Kohl’s Department Stores, LL Bean Inc, M Hidary & Company Inc, Ma-cy’s Nine West Holdings, Inc, Nord-strom Inc, Public Clothing Company, Sears Holdings Corporation, Target Corporation, VF Corporation, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc and YM Inc. l
The � gure is reasonable. Hope this will be satisfactory to the operators
Robi to pick new CEO in Novembern Ishtiaq Husain
Robi Axiata Limited has announced that it will appoint a new Chief Ex-ecutive O� cer (CEO) as part of its ongoing e� orts towards developing and promoting talents from within.
Accordingly, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed is the � rst Bangladeshi tak-ing over as the Chief Executive Of-� cer (CEO) and Managing Director of Robi in Bangladesh, replacing Supun Weerasinghe, to be e� ective from 1 November 2016, said Robi in a statement on Wednesday.
Currently, Mahtab is on a spe-cial assignment for Axiata Group. He will return to Robi’s Leadership team from September 1, 2016 as the deputy chief executive o� cer, lead-ing up to the completion of succes-sion as CEO by November 1, 2016.
Supun Weerasinghe will re-turn to Dialog Axiata Plc (Dialog), Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, as the successor to the incumbent Group CEO, Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, to be e� ective from January 1, 2017. l
Garment exports post over 10% growth in FY2016n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi
Bangladesh garment industry has generated $28.09bn exports in the � scal year 2015-16 with a 10.21% growth from the previous year, according to Export Promotion Bu-reau data.
The growth has been attributed by exporters and analysts to po-litical calmness during the year, increased productivity, entrepre-neurs’ resilience and improvement of workers’ safety standards in fac-tories.
The data o� cially released yes-terday showed that the earnings also exceeded the target of $27.37bn set for the year.
Of the total � gure, the knitwear constituted $13.35bn and woven products $14.74bn.
“Even though pro� t margin de-clined, the manufacturers didn’t stop taking work orders. So I will give the credit to them (manufac-turers) for seeing an even better export growth in the country’s gar-ment sector,” Siddiqur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Asso-ciation, told the Dhaka Tribune.
He added that the start of man-ufacturing of high-end products by some entrepreneurs and the in-crease of workers’ productivity also contributed to achieve healthy ex-port earnings.
Shahidullah Azim, managing di-rector of Classic Fashion, said val-ue addition of products was a ma-jor factor behind the growth while better prices for some products also helped.
Referring to the recent terrorist attacks, he laid stress on improv-ing security so the foreign buyers feel safe while visiting Bangladesh for negotiation. “If the security re-mains lax, buyers will not come,
and we will lose work orders.”“If all these negative issues
are addressed, we will be able to achieve 12% export growth and successfully reach $50bn RMG ex-port target by 2021,” Shahidullah Azim said.
Khondaker Golam Moazzem, additional research director of Cen-tre for Policy Dialogue, emphasised exploring new markets and diver-si� cation of products to maintain
growth. He said buyers con� dence was
restored after improvement in safety standards of workers in fac-tories.
Bangladesh earned over $34bn from exports in the � scal year 2015-16 which just ended, registering around 10% growth from the pre-vious year. The � gure also exceed-ed export target set for the year by $743m. l
Business 13D
TTHURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
19.08
2011-122012-13
2013-142014-15
2015-16
6.56
12.71 13.83
4.08
10.21
21.5124.49 25.49
28.09
EXPORT VALUE IN $BN
RMG EXPORT TREND EXPORT GROWTH IN%
BB raises forex limit for overseas programme participantsn Tribune Business Desk
Bangladesh Bank has enhanced for-eign exchange limit to private sector participants attending seminars, conference, workshops etc. abroad to $350 per diem from existing $200.
Authorised dealers may release foreign exchange to private sector participants for the above men-tioned purposes up to $350 per diem for SAARC member countries or Myanmar, said a circular Bangla-desh Bank issued yesterday.
The foreign exchange limit for other countries has been enhanced to $400 per diem from $250, ac-cording to the circular.
Foreign exchange may be released only for the actual period of pro-grammes on the basis of invitation letters received in the names of appli-cants or their employer institutions.
Photocopy of the invitation let-ter and all other related documents should be kept in record by the authorised dealers for Post Facto scrutiny by the inspection o� cials of Bangladesh Bank.l
Report: Bangladesh among 10 countries set to become new drivers of global growthn Kayes Sohel
Bangladesh has been named one of 10 emerging markets that are set become new drivers of global economic growth over the next 10 years.
BMI Research report says the economy is heading for impressive growth, lifted by the apparel and construction sectors.
The report released last month by the US-based research � rm of the Fitch Group has identi� ed Bangladesh, Philippines, Indone-sia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Paki-stan as “10 emerging markets of the future.”
The countries will add about $4.3tn to the global gross domestic product by 2025, providing signif-icant opportunities for investors and roughly the equivalent of Ja-pan’s current economy, the report said.
“Bangladesh’s export-oriented industrial sector already accounts for more than a quarter of GDP and will continue to develop as a global manufacturing hub in the coming years,” according to the report.
In general, manufacturing and construction are the sectors that will drive the economies.
BMI reports that new manufac-turing hubs are set to emerge in Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Paki-stan, and that these countries will see particularly strong growth in ex-porting manufacturing industries.
And construction growth is go-ing to be widespread throughout all the countries — partly to facili-
tate increases in urban populations and partly to help develop the manufacturing sector, it said.
On the other hand, extractive industries — like mining, oil, and gas — are going to play a far small-
er role in driving growth than they have in the past 15 years.
While it might provide bright spots for some countries, the re-port stated: “The ubiquitous com-modity-driven growth model that was derailed by the 2012-15 col-lapse in commodity prices is not coming back.”
“In order to shortlist the coun-tries, we considered those with per capita income of about $3,500 and
below, that enjoy strong enough economic and political institutions to enact reforms, are set to enjoy rapid economic growth, boast a potentially large domestic market and have an infrastructure de� cit that will lead to productivity-en-hancing investment,” it explained.
BMI said a large domestic mar-ket implies strong growth opportu-nities for consumer industries.
“Moreover, large populations will provide signi� cant opportu-nities for infrastructure and con-struction as urbanization rates rise,” it said.
Stronger institutions are typi-cally associated with better policy-making, the protection of property rights and reform, which help to underpin growth, it added.
The think tank said the coun-tries that experience strong eco-nomic growth will provide strong investment opportunities and re-turns. l
Mahtab Uddin Ahmed
Bangladesh’s export-oriented industrial sector already accounts for more than a quarter of GDP and will continue to develop as a global manufacturing hub in the coming years
Business14DT
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
Germany issues 10-year bond at negative interest raten AFP, Frankfurt
Germany issued a 10-year bond at a negative interest for the � rst time yesterday, as fears about Brexit and economic worries cause investors to rush to the safety of German debt.
The German central bank or Bundesbank announced that it sold more than 4bn euros ($4.5bn) of a new 10-year bond with a yield of mi-nus 0.05%.
In all, a total 4.783bn in bids were received for the zero-interest rate bonds. And some 4.038bn euros
were allotted, the Bundesbank said.The 10-year German government
bond or “Bund” acts as a benchmark on the debt markets and regarded as one of the safest investments.
It is the � rst time that investors have accepted negative returns in the � rst issue of a bond, meaning they will pay for the privilege of owning rock-solid German bonds amid fears about the consequences of the British vote to quit the Euro-pean union and economic worries.
While borrowers traditionally pay interest on the money they are
loaned, in the face of heightened political and economic uncertain-ty, those interest rates have come down to record lows recently as in-vestors � ock to safe havens to park their cash.
By accepting negative yields, in-vestors are e� ectively ditching any hope of a return on their investment in what seems a reasonable price to pay to escape the uncertainties of falling stock markets or volatile commodities and currencies.
Interest rates on sovereign debt have been low for some time as
central banks snap up government bonds from investors in an e� ort to boost economic growth through in-creased liquidity.
The European Central Bank has slashed its key interest rates to zero and launched a massive bond-buy-ing programme known as quantita-tive easing (QE) in a bid to get the eurozone economy back on its feet and push in� ation higher.
Germany is just one of three countries in the euro area and six in the European Union to enjoy a top-notch triple-A rating on its sov-
ereign debt.Germany’s own � nances have
bene� tted from its safe-haven sta-tus in recent years, because with in-vestors favouring German sovereign debt, borrowing rates in Europe’s biggest economy have come down.
The government has seen its an-nual interest payments fall from more than 40bn euros per year in 2008 to 21bn euros in 2015.
The reduced debt servicing costs enabled Germany to balance its budget in 2014 for the � rst time since 1969 and a year ahead of target. l
IEA: Huge stocks overhang threatens oil price recoveryn Reuters, London
The global glut in oil is refusing to ease and acts as a major dampener on crude prices despite robust de-mand growth and steep declines in non-OPEC production, the Interna-tional Energy Agency said yesterday.
The IEA, which coordinates the energy policies of industrial nations, said it had revised up its forecasts of 2016 and 2017 global oil demand growth by 0.1 million barrels per day from last month to 1.4 million and 1.3 million bpd re-spectively.
It said demand was growing thanks to good consumption in India, China and, surprisingly, Eu-rope.
“This (European demand growth) is unlikely to last, though, with the ongoing precariousness of the European economies now deal-ing with added uncertainty follow-ing the result of the UK referendum on membership of the European Union,” it added.
Oil prices LCOc1 slumped to their lowest in over a decade at $27 a barrel earlier this year from as high as $115 in 2014 after OPEC raised production to � ght for mar-ket share against higher-cost pro-ducers such as the United States.
The slump forced many producers outside the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to curb output and prices recovered to around $50 in recent months, also supported by production out-ages in countries such as Nigeria and Canada.
But it was not enough to reduce the glut that had accumulated over the past two years. Commercial in-ventories in industrialized nations rose by 13.5 million barrels in May
to a record high of 3.074 billion, the Paris-based IEA said.
Inventories kept building in June, pushing oil in � oating storage - one of the most expensive meth-ods of stockpiling - to its highest levels since 2009, the IEA said.
“Although market balance is
upon us, the existence of very high oil stocks is a threat to the recent stability of oil prices,” the IEA said.
“Although stocks are close to topping out, they are at such ele-vated levels, especially for prod-ucts for which demand growth is slackening, that they remain a ma-jor dampener on oil prices”.
Middle East Gains Market ShareThe IEA also said recent data sug-gested growth could be slowing in some key consuming nations.
In China, data for May suggested that year-on-year demand growth was only 130,000 bpd. In the United States, estimated gasoline deliveries in April were up just 75,000 bpd year-on-year, some 410,000 bpd below the IEA’s expectations.
On the supply side, after a steep drop by 0.9 million bpd in non-
OPEC production in 2016 to 56.5 million bpd, output is expected to recover modestly by 0.2 million bpd in 2017.
Meanwhile, OPEC crude output stood in June at an eight-year high of 33.21 million bpd with Saudi Ara-bia pumping at near-record rates of 10.45 million bpd and Nigerian � ows partially recovering from re-bel attacks.
Iranian output rose to 3.66 mil-lion bpd in June, up 50,000 bpd on May and 750,000 bpd since the easing of Western sanctions at the start of the year.
“As such, the Middle East’s mar-ket share of global oil supplies rose to 35%, the highest since the late 1970s and an eloquent reminder that even when US shale produc-tion does resume its growth, older producers will remain essential for oil markets,” the IEA said. l
Low-tax Irish economy grows 26.3% in a yearn AFP, Dublin
Ireland’s economy grew by a bare-ly believable 26.3% last year, ac-cording to o� cial data published recently which was largely skewed by companies relocating to Ireland for tax purposes.
The Central Statistics O� ce (CSO) said the country’s gross do-mestic product had increased “sig-ni� cantly” in 2015 as it drastically upgraded a previous estimate of 7.8% growth.
The boost in gross domestic product comes chie� y from com-panies moving to Ireland which shift their capital stocks onto the country’s balance sheet.
Ireland has a corporate tax rate of just 12.5% - a point of bitter con-tention with other EU member states - and hosts the European headquarters of US tech giants in-cluding Google and Facebook.
The economy has in any case performed well in recent years. Ire-land has recovered from the global � nancial crisis and the economy was already by far the fastest grow-ing in the eurozone.
The CSO said the result was largely due to “an increase in the number of new aircraft imports into Ireland for international leas-ing activities” and the “reclassi� -cations of entire balance sheets”.
Jack Allen from Capital Eco-nomics consultancy said: “Looking through the massive distortions in the Irish GDP data, today’s Q1 re-lease suggests that the economy has continued to perform well”.
He pointed to strong 2.1 percent growth in household consumption in the � rst quarter, saying this was “immune” from the statistical dis-tortions.
Allen said it was also “possible” the Irish economy could also stand to bene� t if companies relocate from neighbouring Britain as it with-draws from the European Union. l
A view of an oil re� nery o� the coast of Singapore REUTERS
Although stocks are close to topping out, they are at such elevated levels, especially for products for which demand growth is slackening, that they remain a major dampener on oil prices
Business 15D
TTHURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
CORPORATE NEWS
National Bank Limited has recently organised a workshop on prevention of money laundering and combating � nancing of terrorism, said a press release. The bank’s additional managing director, Md Badiul Alam inaugurated the workshop as chief guest.
New deputy managing director of Jamuna BankMd Habibur Rahman has recently joined National Credit and Commerce Bank Ltd as deputy managing director, said a press release. Prior to his joining, he was the deputy managing director of Jamuna Bank Ltd. Rahman started his career with Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd in 1989 as a probationary o� cer. l
Tech deal reboot exempli� es valuation disconnectn Jeffrey Goldfarb
Overpriced Silicon Valley unicorns aren’t the only technology-sector valuation oddities. Polycom, a struggling videoconferencing company, and Canadian rival Mitel Networks just created one by scrapping their merger deal.
Paul Singer’s Elliott Management originally played matchmaker. Last October, the activist hedge fund bought stakes in Polycom and Mitel and urged them to unite. With Polycom as buyer, Elliott reckoned the stock would more than double in a couple of years. About six months later, the idea came to fruition, albeit with the smaller Mitel acquiring Polycom for $2bn.
The cash-and-stock deal o� ered a 22% premium to Polycom shareholders, who also would have owned three-� fths of the enlarged entity. An anticipated $160m of annual synergies, worth some $1.3bn once taxed and capitalized, should have foretold plenty of upside.
Even so, as often happens with technology companies generating little or no growth, investors were unimpressed. Polycom’s revenue had tumbled 10% and its operating income by a third since 2011. Mitel lost money in each of the last three years. Both
are under threat from larger competitors such as Cisco as well as from new workplace communication tools o� ered by the likes of Facebook and Slack.
With the deal worth 20% less than when it was struck, Polycom last week decided to abandon it in favor of an all-cash o� er from private-equity � rm Siris Capital. The price is 9% lower per share than the original Mitel bid, and Siris will keep all the bene� ts of any savings. Yet shares of both public companies rose on the news. Though part of that was down to investors who bet on deal prospects unwinding their positions, the episode exempli� es the strange prism through which investors see tech opportunities.
In addition to the riches heaped on fast-growing start-ups like Uber, Microsoft can pay a 50% premium to buy a weakening but hyped Linke-dIn for $26bn, promise no syn-ergies and still receive a warm reception from the market. A company like Polycom, with dubious prospects, is reward-ed more generously for facing its struggles in private than embarking on a money-saving merger with another public company. The same logic used to build tech products doesn’t always get applied when valu-ing them. l
IMF: Fed should hold on rates if Brexit vote hits growthn AFP, Washington
The IMF said that the Federal Reserve should hold o� on raising interest rates if Britain’s vote to break with the European Union results in slower US growth.
In its annual report on the US economy, the International Monetary Fund said it only expects a small Brexit
impact on US growth, which it forecasts at a sluggish 2.2% this year and picking up in 2017.
“But because of uncertainty about the economic fallout, risks to the outlook appear now as skewed to the downside,” the report said.
“Should downside risks materialize, interest rate increases should be delayed in line with a data-dependent
approach.”Nigel Chalk, the IMF Western
Hemisphere Department deputy director, said the Fund was generally optimistic about the US economy in the near term.
However, he told reporters, “There’s some drag from slower global growth and slower UK growth. There’s still an incredible amount of uncertainty.” l
16DT
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016Writing
n Features Desk
A willing earOther non-writer friends will soon lose interest in the story of your umpteenth � ght with your parents, but start talking to your writing friend, and watch his/her face light up. This is because while you’re unburdening your soul and engaging in free therapy, your writer friend is already mining your life for the his/her next story. Win-win!
Info bankA committed writer is a voracious reader, and one side-e� ect of reading extensively is that you end up learning and knowing a lot. If you need a source of random trivia, in a pinch, you can ask your writer friend, and chances are, you’ll � nd what you’re looking for. They’re also the ones most likely to be able to answer those questions that start with “why?”
Getting the bluesJust got dumped? Didn’t get that job you had your heart set on? Your internship supervisor trashed
your thesis proposal? Your other friends don’t “get” you? Never fear, talk to a writer. Anyone who has had to face criticism for a piece s/he has laboured over, had to endure multiple re-writes, and still got no love from publishers knows what rejection feels like, and will de� nitely be a lot more tolerant with you.
Beautiful expressionWhether it’s that birthday note you want to save in case they make a movie about you, or the perfectly penned excuse note so that your teacher doesn’t punish you for missing homework yet again, having a talented wordsmith amongst your friends is a gift that just keeps on giving.
Save the drama for yo’ mamaYou don’t need to fête your writer friend for him/her to have a good time. Nor would you have to deal with scheduling gymnastics in order to spend some quality time. They’re low-maintenance, and usually have a � exible schedule, so even a low-key hangout is just � ne by them. l
5 reasons why writers make awesome friendsThey might not make much bank, but they have a lot going for them
pick of the week
Tidsoptimism
At present I’m going to meet yesterday
Except, he’s postponed our meeting to tomorrow
They say life is � eeting, too short for a proper greeting
Which is why I like to try to laugh at sorrow
These split seconds are mine to borrow
- Abrar Zaman
Got a story to share? Poetry in your soul? Send your � ction and poetry to [email protected]
17D
T
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016Feature
n Noor-E-Shahrin
A recent GPS report has provided solid proof of the fact that we have known since forever: The Indian Subcontinent is sitting on a brewing and boiling Mega Quake ready for destruction anytime. No research until now can predict when this monster will be unleashed upon us. But when it does, Dhaka city, being one of the most densely populated capitals of the world, will be the hardest hit. For obvious reasons; the cramped up neighborhoods, commercial market places, weak infrastructure. The citizens of Dhaka, along with the other danger prone areas, must be prepared for this 9 Richter Scale earthquake on an individual level.
Here’s all you need to know about how to survive a Mega Quake, and save your family in the process.
Before the EarthquakeThe first step is to organise your disaster emergency kit. Don’t be under the impression that natural disaster is going to give you a head start when you will pack your essentials and walk out. Use a backpack carefully put in all the necessary basic supplies in it and place it somewhere quickly accessible. The necessary supplies include food, three gallons of water per person, medication, a flash light, a whistle to call for rescue, cash, blankets, paper and pen, batteries and a first aid kit. If you have a pet, take its necessary supplies as well.
Know how to turn off gas and electricity supply. Most importantly, create a mental map highlighting the spots in your house, your office or classroom where you are likely to be safer. Choose spots where there is no chance of heavy objects falling on you.
Next, teach the younger ones how to use emergency contact numbers; have family meetings and hold earthquake drills every now and then.
During an earthquakeThe shakes have started, and it’s now or never. Don’t panic. What you do during the quake depends on where you are at that moment.
If you’re indoors it’s best if you use the drop-cover-hold technique under some wooden
furniture like beds or dining tables. Definitely stay away from windows. Taking shelter under a doorway isn’t as safe as you might think, so let’s not take chances. Do not get out of the building until you know it’s safe. It’s also very helpful if you can save your head with a pillow. If you are at home, don’t leave that emergency kit you packed previously.
If you are in a car and there is no traffic, slowly drive to a relatively empty area, where
no buildings, bridges or electric poles fall on your car. If you are not inside any vehicles, just run to a park or any such clear locations and drop to the ground.
After the earthquakeFirst thing first, spot your family members and neighbours and stay united.Don’t put down your shield after the shaking stops. You must be prepared for the aftershocks; just repeat the previous tactics.
If your building is one of those
strong fighters that still stands among ruins, stay in and try fixing and repairing what has been broken. But don’t turn on gas supply or electricity supply until the companies assure that it’s safe.
Avoid being electrocuted by hanging wires. Electrocution and fire are potential hazards after the quake.
Try to contact emergency lines for life-threatening situations. Always keep your ears and eyes open for news updates.
If anyone can come to your rescue, it’s you. Don’t be dependent on someone else. Be alert, look sideways, look above you, look at what’s under you feet. First, attend to your wounds and then help others. Remember, it’s you family and neighbours and friends; be a responsible citizen and learn what you are up against. Be safe, people in the seismic-excited places. l
Photo: Bigstock
How to survive a mega quake
n Fariha Afroz
Trolls are people on the internet who like to disrupt and destroy. They are a nuisance and people try in vain to avoid them. Here is a list of the types of Facebook trolls you are most likely to meet on the internet and how to tackle them.
The DictionaryWhat they do: These are annoying people who will go about correcting every grammatical mistake you make. It was a typo? You were in a hurry? They do not care, they will correct you. They lurk on the Internet trying to � nd mistakes and pounce when they spot one. This is probably because it makes them feel superior to others and more learned.
How to tackle them: Ignore them. Unless you really do have terrible grammar, then you learn from them.
The AngryWhat they do: They are always angry about everything. Anything and everything they see on the internet will somehow manage to piss them o� . And, they will not fume in private, they will let everyone know. The Angry ones always have some pent up anger they like to release over the most silly things.
How to tackle them: If you do not want your day to be a� ected by their constant outbursts, unfollow them. Do not unfriend them because that might cause them to rant some more, just unfollow and live your life in peace.
The Political ExpertWhat they do: Anything remotely related to politics will draw these people out, like sharks smelling blood. They think of themselves to be political experts and are in fact extremely annoying know-it-all’s. Starting a � ght about which political party is better or how the present government is conspiring to destroy the county is right up their alley.
How to tackle them: Bear with them. Unless you want your own name to become part of a conspiracy theory, there is absolutely nothing you can do.
The CommentatorWhat they do: Observing the world around them and commenting on everything is their passion. They like to constantly update their status or send out a tweet about current a� airs. Anything that is going on will inspire them to comment to let the world know
what they think. This is probably a result of increased self worth because of which they think their opinion matters.
How to tackle them: Read what they post. Even if you do not like their opinion, it is a quick way to learn about the things going on around. If you like to stay informed but do not like going through the news or newspaper, this is a neat little trick.
The HilariousWhat they do: Crack jokes, that is all they do. You will � nd them always cracking a joke, mostly inappropriate at the most awkward times. They are funny but lose control control once they have started. They probably do this to entertain themselves but sometimes go overboard and manage to anger people in the process.
How to tackle them: You can react in two ways. Laugh with them if their joke is funny or laugh at them if the joke is on them. Either way, you enjoy.
The Over sharingWhat they do: Somehow they seem to think people are interested in their lives. They share everything that they are supposed to along
with everything they are not. You will � nd yourself reading about everyhing from their child’s potty routine to their wife’s favourite earring. These people do not know when to stop and end up putting their lives up on the internet for the world to scrutinise.
How to tackle them: Unfollowing is the best course of action. However, if they are a friend, you can have a chat with them and try talking them into sharing a little less. Be sure to mention you will miss seeing their updates every ten minutes or you risk losing them as friends.
The SpoilerWhat they do: These are probably the most disliked people on the internet. No one likes to invest in a show, book or movie and then get it spoiled by some monster. But, this is exactly what The Spoiler does. They keep track of everything that is trendy and what everyone is watching or reading. As the � rst one to � nish the newest episode of Game of Thrones, they really don’t know how to hold back. Next thing you know, spoilers are out, your movie/book ruined forever. No one can fathom why they do this. Maybe they just want everyone to
be miserable. Spoilers are sad and vile humans.
How to tackle them: Unfriend them not only from social media, but from your life too. You do not want this kind of negativity in your life. You have got 99 problems, getting spoilers won’t be one of them.
Trolls are always hated on but, the truth is without them the internet would be empty. They provide the necessary entertainment and some more. So, even when they get on your nerves, you can’t help but accept them as part and parcel of the world of Facebook. l
18DT
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016Teen
7 kinds of trolls you see on Facebook
Laugh with them if their joke is funny or laugh at them if the joke is on them. Either way, you enjoy
PHOTO: BIGSTOCK
19D
T
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
Green curry fried rice at Absolute Thai
IUB inter school debate tournament
Online purchase facility on WE Smart Solutions
| food |
| debate | | tech |
Biz Info
Absolute Thai’s all new Green Curry Fried Rice is guaranteed to be a favourite for anyone who likes green curry � avours. It’s made to taste much like green curry, starting with a good quality curry paste and coconut milk and then letting the other ingredients simmer in this fragrant sauce.
Thai cuisine is a combination of diverse � avor, sweetness and hotness all on one plate; and this dish is a perfect representation of the Thai palate. The wonderful thing about green curry fried rice is that the rice actually soaks up all of this sauce so that every bite you take is infused with rich, spicy green curry.
For reservations dial: 01610-500022.l
The Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) organised a three day long Inter School Debate Tournament titled “Ascension 16” from July 21 to 23, 2016. The tournament will be held at the IUB Campus in Bashundhara, Dhaka. Both English and Bengali medium schools from and outside Dhaka will be participating in this national level inter school debate tournament. So far, 30 schools have registered to participate while the registration will remain on till Friday, July 15 2016. More than one team can participate from each school while Tk1,500 will be required for registration for each team. Interested schools want to participate in this national level debate tournament are requested to contact http://bit.ly/IUBAscension or at the Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), Plot 16, Block B, Bashundhara R/A, Dhaka.l
WE, the latest Bangladeshi smartphone brand, has recently launched a new e-commerce site on June 25, to enable its customers to buy WE smartphones online. Customers can avail this service at anytime with just one-click to www.shop.we.net.bd.The demand of e-commerce is on the rise now, because of the bene� ts of getting all the information all together with just one click. This unique service help customers to buy products and solutions at their own convenience.
Customers have the option to choose from di� erent payment methods including cash on delivery (COD), credit card, debit car and mobile banking. All transactions are processed in Bangladeshi Taka and all credit/debit card details will remain con� dential and private.
The website interface is user friendly and customers can select an item category and browse the available models. To see detailed information about any product, customers have to click the
“Details” or “Description” button. To buy any product, all they have to do is to click the “Add to Cart” button after logging in to their user accounts. After clicking “Add to Cart” button, the product will be taken to their virtual shopping carts from where they can make the purchase using convenient payment method. Once they click the “Checkout” button, they will be directed to a page which requires them to � ll up their address details.
After con� rming the order, they need to select and click “Aamra epay” as their payment
gateway in the online store and enter their payment information to make an online payment. After entering the card details, the payment gateway will give the customers a con� rmation message stating that the purchase has been successful. WE is also o� ering free delivery for customers in Dhaka.
The prices listed for all items are � nal and all-inclusive. There are no hidden charges when one makes a purchase from the e-store. On completion of all required steps as stated above, customers will receive an invoice at their given email addresses. l
TODAY
The statements made by the health minister and the industries minister in the wake of the recent terrorist strikes on Bangladesh are profoundly regrettable, and we hope very much that they do not represent o� cial government thinking or policy.
For the health minister to forthrightly point the � nger at a speci� c educational institution is the worst kind of scape-goating at a time like this.
Even though two of the terrorists involved in the recent horri� c acts in Gulshan and Sholakia may have been students at one university, to tar the entire institution and hurl blanket accusations, as the good minister did, is unfair and unacceptable.
There is no evidence that the university itself was involved or complicit in the radicalisation of these two young men, and to suggest otherwise even before any kind of inquiry has been conducted is the height of irresponsibility. We expect better from a sitting cabinet minister.
Nor is the statement made by the industries minister, that the government intends to shut down all unauthorised restaurants, hospitals, and educational institutions, at all helpful in the current crisis.
This has been a long-standing (and misguided) priority of the government, and we are shocked and saddened that anyone would try to use the recent tragedies to shoehorn in questionable policy that would do nothing to make us safer.
The problem is not that various institutions are operating in residential areas. This has absolutely zero bearing on their safety, and shutting them down will do nothing to make the city safer.
The good minister is, in e� ect, using the tragedy in order to advance a completely di� erent policy agenda that has nothing whatsoever to do with � ghting terrorism.
The PM got it right yesterday when she spoke of the enormity of the terror threat facing the country and the need for us all to treat the matter with utmost seriousness.
Sadly, it seems that these two ministers didn’t get the memo.Playing the blame game with divisive rhetoric and using the tragedy to push for policies
that are neither here nor there in the � ght against terror are unhelpful in the extreme.
Playing the blame game with divisive rhetoric and using the tragedy to push for policies that are neither here nor there in the � ght against terror are unhelpful in the extreme
The views expressed in Opinion articles are those of the authors
alone. They do not purport to be the o� cial view of Dhaka
Tribune or its publisher.
BIGSTOCK
EditorialTHURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
DT 20
Please support Bangladesh, we need it nowJapan and the EU should pro-actively support and help develop Bangladesh’s economy that would lay the foundation for economic prosperity as an important counterweight to the growth of radicalism
The rise of terrorismAn alarming possibility is that terrorists are not going to stop soon. They can simply destabilise the country -- its social, economic, and political structure
From hopeto despairBangladesh was not born with the sacri� ces of tens of thousands of lives, sweat, and blood of a people to become a place where people would be afraid to go out to eat
Opinion 21D
TTHURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
n GM Quader
Extremist politics generally originates from frustration in society. When people feel deeply aggrieved
for any reason, consider they are being deprived, discriminated against, neglected, and oppressed; � nd no scope to vent those -- even if expressed there is no redress -- be convinced that the establishment of social justice is not possible in a normal way, radicalism becomes the only option to remedy their problems.
Those angry people tend to achieve desired change by use of coercion. Terrorism or violent extremism is chosen as a means, like a weapon of the weak. Radicals follow speci� c ideology-based political philosophy and pursue the ultra left or ultra right.
Ultra left politics was visible in Bangladesh just after independence. It could not survive. Extremists here are now following religion-based ultra right beliefs. A distorted version of Islam is considered the basis of their political ideology.
Presently, Islamic militancy has become a concern internationally due to the serious nature of the damage it is in� icting in di� erent countries. Militancy has spread considerably.
Arms, ammunition, even trained soldiers move from one country to another to support their activities there.
Another dangerous aspect is suicide attacks. Militants use it frequently. E� orts are seen to downgrade al-Qaeda or ISIS militants operating in Bangladesh as homegrown. McDonald’s burgers made here with American franchises do not make those homegrown, or less tasty.
For sustaining and developing, terrorists need new recruits and patronisation. The support base in society is important. The bigger the number of sympathisers among the population, the more e� ective they become.
Supporters of terrorists are not necessarily followers of their ideology. Similarity lies in deep-rooted frustration and hatred against a common enemy.
Activities of terrorists create embarrassment for the authorities. That makes the aggrieved people happy, and they support terrorists in conducting their activities.
Mr Taj Hashmi (teaches security studies, and is a published author), wrote: “In sum, terrorism isn’t a problem of law and order to be resolved by law enforcers.
Terrorism is more than 90% political, social, economic, and psychological; only a small portion may be motivated by deviant religious ideology or practices.”
It is agreed by most that the rise of militancy in Muslim-majority counties like Iraq, Syria, Libya, etc, is due to de� ciency of democracy. The government is run without proper accountability.
Widespread corruption, discrimination, deprivation, oppression, and injustice are prevalent in society. People are frustrated, and live in uncertainty. Large numbers of militant supporter are created in such environments.
Bangladesh is also a Muslim-majority country where elements of social evils are common. It is a fertile land for militancy.
Ambassador William B Milam (who worked in Bangladesh and is now a senior policy scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington) wrote: “The recent string of vicious killings in Bangladesh is less a terrorism issue than a governance issue; it is the ruling Awami League’s onslaught against its political opponents, which began in earnest after the
last election in January 2014, that has unleashed extremists in Bangladesh.”
He � nished the writing with: “Responding to this wave of attacks as though it were principally a security issue, rather than a governance problem, would only make matters worse.”
It may be concluded that a “distorted version of Islamic ideology” does not contribute signi� cantly to the rise of militancy.
Militants, unlike ordinary criminals, possess ideology and support-bases in society. They are not created due to “law and order sluggishness,” and cannot be tackled accordingly. Governance is to be considered a major cause for
militancy here. Ignoring this aspect, it is being
judged principally as a security issue. E� orts are concentrated in eliminating militancy by use of force. Use of haphazard and excessive force as reported is being considered harassment and oppression. This could end up counterproductive by helping further rise of militancy.
An alarming possibility is that terrorists are not going to stop soon. They can simply destabilise the country -- its social, economic, and political structure. They may not even need to kill too many people.
Has that not been learned in recent several incidents of hacking and killing, including the Gulshan
massacre?The principal issue is
governance, through which frustration and desperation are to be diverted into hope and enthusiasm. Proper practice of democracy guarantees accountability at all stages, and ensures good governance.
The government should convene meetings of all important political parties to reach a consensus on relevant issues.
The idea is to take up a concerted e� ort for safeguarding the people’s welfare, leaving behind ant personal or party interests. l
GM Quader is a former Minister of Commerce, Bangladesh.
An alarming possibility is that terrorists are not going to stop soon. They can simply destabilise the country -- its social, economic, and political structure. They may not even need to kill too many people. Has that not been learned in recent several incidents?
The rise of terrorismWhat caused it, and what are the remedies?
Militants can’t be treated the same way as ordinary criminals BIGSTOCK
Opinion22DT
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
n Habibul Haque Khondker
Let us go back to Holey Artisan Bakery on Road 79 at Gulshan, Dhaka at 8pm, July 1. A fashionable,
up-market eatery for the young elite of Dhaka, the favourite co� ee place for expatriate Bangladeshis, a place also frequented by sojourners and foreigners who are seen in Bangladesh more commonly these days than at any time in the past.
The three young friends, Faraaz, Abinta, Tarishi, the former two undergrads from Emory University, Atlanta on holiday, and the latter an Indian student from the University of California, Berkeley are having a co� ee or a meal together.
The Italian businesswomen and men are discussing some business deals with their Bangladeshi counterparts or friends, consolidating the integration of Bangladesh into the global economy.
Japanese consultants to the newly launched metro rail project, a step into progress, are checking out this eatery as they always do when in a new city.
The clientele, the ambience, and the mood were clearly cosmopolitan, be� tting the new century.
The eatery, ensconced by the lake on a bucolic road in a posh residential area, was a cosmopolitan space. The eatery could be in Paris, Madrid, or New York, a public space -- surely, not for everyone -- but a public space, nevertheless.
The space also provided a peep into the 21st century, a taste of the future to come. In fact, the future was already there. Bangladesh has silently sneaked into a new century, with young men and women speaking con� dently, dressing smartly, chatting away, sharing their dreams in a cosmopolitan space of hope.
The transition has been silent, yet to be announced to the world, because the news presenters of the CNN coverage of a terror attack that followed, kept introducing Bangladesh as one of the poorest countries in the world; one reporter even doubted whether Bangladesh police, who may not have been paid regularly, are up to the task of handling the crisis.
I am sure many of these reporters and news presenters need some education on Bangladesh and the region, but that is a separate matter.
One of the expert commentators, a former US ambassador from one of the Middle Eastern countries used a new phrase, (new to me, for sure) while discussing terrorism; he
used the phrase “the greater Middle East,” conferring a new geographical identity to Bangladesh.
Has Bangladesh in a space of few hours been transported from South Asia to the Middle East, a term that was coined by an American Naval O� cer, Captain Alfred T Mahan in 1902 as a space of geo-strategic interest to the US?
Maybe the former American diplomat was not thinking of geography, but of geopolitics, or a deadly ideological battle that is spreading in Bangladesh. Suddenly international media began to mention Bangladesh alongside Syria, Iraq, Istanbul, and other cities of Europe that came under terror attacks recently.
Not that Bangladesh was a
stranger to terror attacks -- in recent years, individual writers, thinkers, religious leaders of other faiths have been assassinated in targeted attacks.
But the attack at 8:45 pm on July 1 was qualitatively di� erent. It was not a hit and run. It was a suicide mission. Those who came to kill apparently did not make any attempt to escape. In a matter of hours, as they carried out their terror, slaughtering nearly 20 men and women, they transported Bangladesh back several centuries. It was a dramatic u-turn from her tryst with destiny. July 1 is going to be remembered as a watershed in Bangladesh’s history. It is not the number of casualties but the big picture that matters.
As some number crunchers would tell us, more people died in US in road accidents in a typical year in the 1970s than the total US deaths in the Vietnam War. Last time I checked, the war toll was something like 58,000. That does not diminish the historical importance of the Vietnam War.
What happened on July 1 was the death of an idea; the idea of Bangladesh as conceived by the founders of this nation and the Bangladesh that Faraaz and Abanti dreamed of.
Maybe the handsome young lad was discussing his future, maybe Abanti was outlining her dreams and the dreams of her generation, casting their lot with the new Bangladesh -- a dream Bangladesh that they thought was achievable.
They are part of a new generation who look at their motherland in a di� erent light. Bangladesh was not born with the sacri� ces of tens of thousands of lives, sweat, and blood of a people to become a place where people would be afraid to go out to eat.
I am sure people will still go out to eat, shop, and live their normal lives, albeit under greater protection of security. Securitisation will follow; it will be the new normal in Bangladesh.
One of my friends, a prominent civil society activist is optimistic. In a Facebook status, she expressed hope, and she talked about resilience. I only wish she is right. July 1 was not a cyclone or � ooding, which Bangladeshis now face with great resilience.
In a span of few hours, a space of hope has been unmistakably transformed in to a space of despair. l
Habibul Haque Khondker is a sociologist and part-time columnist.
Bangladesh was not born with the sacri� ces of tens of thousands of lives, sweat, and blood of a people to become a place where people would be afraid to go out to eat
From hope to despairWithin a few hours, everything changed
Ideas may not be as bullet-proof as we were led to believe BIGSTOCK
Opinion 23D
TTHURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
n Ifty Islam and Ahsan Mansur
Bangladesh remains in shock following the terrorist attack on Holey Bakery on July 1, that saw
20 hostages including nine Italians and seven Japanese being brutally murdered.
A country that has been perceived internationally, and also domestically, as a moderate and secular Muslim country, has been confronted with the reality and savagery of radical Islam.
Beyond the human tragedy, the broader rami� cations and shockwaves for the economy and the country’s future development are yet to be felt.
After an initial, and misleading, report in the Wall Street Journal that JICA was considering withdrawing from Bangladesh, the Japanese government re-con� rmed their commitment to Bangladesh’s development.
This is encouraging given that all countries that have been a� ected by terrorism in Bangladesh, Istanbul, Paris, Brussels, and most recently the 200+ lives lost in Iraq, should work together to tackle this global menace.
So how should Bangladesh, and its key development partners such as Japan, move forward positively?
Firstly, we need to recognise that these innocent lives were taken with no purpose or logic. As we watched the plane land at Narita airport on NHK Global with the seven co� ns on Tuesday morning met by Japan’s foreign minister, we shared the grief of a nation at the senseless loss of the lives of those who dedicated themselves to support Bangladesh’s economic development.
Watching each of the victims -- the youngest of whom was a 27 year old lady -- being pro� led was heartbreaking. But disengagement is not in the interests of either country. Japan has been a long-term friend of Bangladesh, and as we have written almost exactly two years ago in an article, Japan’s proposed “Big B Economic Growth Corridor” o� ers the potential for the transformation of the Bangladesh economy in terms of infrastructure development and export growth (refer to the article “Look East and prosper” published in Dhaka Tribune).
Work on the Matarbari 1400MW power plant, deep sea ports and Japanese economic zone are proceeding ahead of expectations.
Bangladesh is also receiving
support from Japan in its metro rail and other large-scale infrastructure projects (indeed, the greater tragedy is that all the Japanese killed on July 1 were engaged in infrastructure development in Bangladesh).
It is also important to emphasise that development co-operation is in the interest of both Bangladesh and its partners. In the case of the Japanese economy, there are immediate bene� ts for Japanese construction and power sector companies from the “Big B” initiative.
But more broadly, Japanese companies establishing operations in countries such as Bangladesh can establish competitive re-export hubs to the rest of Asia, utilising Bangladesh’s cheap labour force.
Moreover, the domestic market of 160 million is also attractive. But there are also broader geo-political considerations with Japan’s development success via JICA counter-balancing the rise of China in the region which is pursuing its own “New Silk Route” and “One Belt, One Road” policies.
More fundamentally, the contrast between Japan’s successful foreign policy based on trade and economic development via JICA contrasts sharply with US foreign policy of invasion or military interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and elsewhere, which has, in large part, fuelled/provided fertile ground for the growth of ISIS.
It is important than Japan does not lose this core foreign policy focus that has underpinned the a� ection Bangladesh and other countries have for Japan and its people. Looking at the longer term challenges for Japan’s economy, Abenomics is still struggling with a huge budget de� cit and a rapidly aging population. A more global Japan is the key to its economic future, not a more isolationist one.
Japan, which lost seven of it’s citizens, and the EU that lost nine, should pro-actively support and help develop Bangladesh’s economy that would lay the foundation for economic
prosperity as an important counterweight to the growth of radicalism. This would be a � tting tribute to the 20 innocent people who lost their lives in the attack on Holey Artisan Bakery.
Validating or rewarding the terrorists’ strategy by punishing 160 million people in Bangladesh by withdrawing economic co-operation would, by contrast, not honour the dead. Rather, it would encourage and embolden ISIS and similar terrorist organisations to target foreigners in other countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, as was reported on Tuesday in the press.
The � ght against ISIS is global not local -- the solution is for deeper international co-operation, not less. It is important in this moment of profound grief and introspection in Bangladesh, Japan, Italy, Turkey, and Iraq that we remember that. In this context, the call between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Italian counterpart Matteo Renzi following the Holey attack, where they pledged to collaborate in counter-terrorism activities was most welcome.
The two leaders also agreed that counter-terrorism would be taken up at the Asia-Europe Summit to be held in Mongolia on July 15-16, as well as being made a priority for
the G8 group of leading countries where Japan holds the chair.
It is also understandable that Japan and the EU, who lost their citizens, and the broader international community whose citizens are living in Bangladesh would like to be assured by our government that it has a clear strategy for averting similar incidences in Bangladesh.
The immediate response of our prime minister through televised national address, announcement of two-day national mourning, and the expression of national sympathy and ceremonial support for the families of victims at the Army Stadium were most appropriate. However, the real task of restoring the shattered image of Bangladesh starts from here.
The tragedy has clearly demonstrated that the perpetrators are not the usual suspects as portrayed by the government. The killers are not Jamaat/Shibir or other religious extremists, as usually alleged. They are from middle or upper middle income backgrounds, with college/university education, just like our own children. They were missing from their families for months, and sometimes for more than one year.
We also understand that many other youths are similarly
missing across Bangladesh. Our terrorism e� orts thus need to be better targeted and informed by international support and experience, including identi� cation of sources of � nancing and the organisers providing local-level support.
We also need to � ght terrorism through social awareness and political inclusiveness. The old-fashioned British-era tactics of mass arrest by the police and politicising the events by pointing � ngers to the opposition parties for domestic political purpose have not worked and will not work. Only by acknowledging the problem, Bangladesh will be able to adopt the appropriate strategy to � ght against this kind of terrorism and assure the international community about its sincere e� orts in tackling the problem.
This will be important in maintaining the con� dence of global buyers, and thereby, the growth in our RMG sector, which accounts for 80% of exports. In addition, ensuring support in development initiatives such as Japan’s “Big B” economic growth corridor, will have potential to transform our economy, and increase trade and investment with all the major economic powers in the region.
Continued economic prosperity will be key to generating large-scale and high quality employment for our youth, which in turn can be an important element in providing a less fertile ground for the growth in extremism for the next generation of Bangladeshis. l
Ifty Islam and Ahsan Mansur work at PRI.
Japan, which lost seven of it’s citizens, and the EU that lost nine, should pro-actively support and help develop Bangladesh’s economy that would lay the foundation for economic prosperity as an important counterweight to the growth of radicalism
Please support Bangladesh, we need it nowThe friendship of Japan is now more important than ever
Japan and Bangladesh must stand shoulder to shoulder REUTERS
24DT Sport
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
TOP STORIES
Pakistan return to Lord’sPakistan’s Mohammad Amir will hope to put the 2010 spot-� xing scandal behind him once and for all when he returns to the scene of the crime in � rst Test against England. Six years ago Amir and Mohammad Asif deliberately bowled no-balls at Lord’s. PAGE 28
Talented Ishma rising fastFew years ago, Ishma Tanjim once faced a situation where her team needed eight runs to win o� the last two deliveries. A win would earn her team, Rupali Bank, a promotion into the Women’s Premier League. PAGE 25
Giggs signs up for Indian futsal leagueWelsh legend Ryan Giggs will return to the pitch as a player in the inaugural Premier Futsal starting in India this week, the organisers announced yesterday. Ronaldinho and Hernan Crespo have also signed up for the event. PAGE 27
Sunderland con� rm Allardyce in Eng talksSunderland have given permission to the Football Association to speak to manager Sam Allardyce about the vacant England post, the EPL club said yesterday. Allardyce is one of the favourites to succeed Roy Hodgson. PAGE 26
Visa woes delay Fizz’s Sussex debutn Tribune Report
Musta� zur Rahman’s arrival in the UK has been delayed due to visa issues. He couldn’t leave yester-day which means he will miss his scheduled debut for Sussex tomor-row, against Hampshire in the Nat-West Twenty20 Blast.
The visa procedure is set to be completed “any day”, accord-ing to a Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman, upon which he will immediately take his � ight.
But the latest delay means that Musta� zur will now have to target Sussex’s July 21 T20 � xture at Essex.
The delay was caused by the unusually long Eid vacation which meant that he had to wait till after the holidays to apply for the UK visa.
Musta� zur had missed most of Sussex’s T20 and one-day cam-paign through multiple injuries on his right leg following the gruelling Indian Premier League season for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
In March this year, Sussex had announced that Musta� zur would be their second overseas player and participate in the NatWest T20 Blast and the Royal London One-Day Cup. The Bangladesh bowler was set to join Sussex at the end of the IPL but injuries and fatigue denied him from appearing in the UK.l
Siddikur all set to carry Bangladesh � ag n Tribune Report
The country’s iconic golfer Siddi-kur Rahman is most likely to bear Bangladesh’s � ag in the forthcom-ing Olympic Games which will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil next month.
Earlier on Monday, it was o� -cially announced that the 31-year old golfer became the � rst Bangla-deshi to qualify for the Olympics directly.
An executive committee meet-ing of the Bangladesh Olympic Association will take place today where the decision to appoint the � ag-bearer will be � nalised.
And Siddikur is well ahead of the others in the probable list.
The director general of BOA, Brigadier General Fakhruddin Haider also believes Siddikur should get the honour. “It is not yet � nalised as to who will bear Bangladesh’s � ag in the Olym-pics. We will � nalise it in [today’s] meeting. But in all likelihood, Sid-dikur will carry the � ag in Rio. It should be him,” said Fakhruddin
to Dhaka Tribune yesterday.Siddikur, who admitted that
qualifying directly for the Olym-pics is by far the “biggest achieve-ment” of his life, will � y for Brazil on August 2 to get enough time to adapt with the condition and the golf course as he will be travel-ling to a Latin country for the � rst time. The golf event will be held from August 11-14.
The BOA has been in regular touch with Siddikur and stated that they will provide all the nec-essary expenses to the two-time Asian Tour winning golfer.
Bangladesh are yet to claim a single medal in any sporting event
at the Olympics. Therefore, in or-der to inspire the athletes, the BOA this time around has announced cash incentives for the Olympic participants. A gold medal winner will bag Tk one crore, silver win-ner Tk 50 lakhs and bronze winner Tk 25 lakhs.
“There is always expectation but the reality is very di� erent. We have to understand the reality as well. Siddikur is ranked more than 300 in world rankings while he is 56th among the Olympic golf par-ticipants. There will be big golfers of the world. But still we hope for the best. He quali� ed directly, this is already the biggest news for us.”
said Fakhruddin.It will also be the � rst time a
Bangladeshi golfer taking part in the Olympics although golf has not been a part of the Olympics since the St. Louis Games in 1904.
Among the other participants from Bangladesh, swimmers Mah-� zur Rahman Sagor and Sonia Akhtar Tumpa, shooter Abdullah Hel Baki and archer Shyamoli Roy have so far received wild-cards.
Sagor carried the Bangladesh � ag in the London Olympics in 2012 while another swimmer Mohammed Rubel Rana bore the � ag in Beijing in 2008. Com-monwealth Games gold-winning shooter Asif Khan carried the red and green � ag in Athens in 2004.
“This is a great thing that someone from Bangladesh qual-i� ed for the Olympics through direct quali� cation. I’m proud of him and happy at the same time. I hope he will perform well there. I wish him the best,” said Rubel, who clinched seven gold medals in the 2007 Indo-Bangla Games, including six new records.l
Bangladesh’s new Belgian head coach Tom Saint� et shares a light moment with national captain Mamunul Islam during training at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK
Sport 25D
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THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
n Rashad Banna
Few years ago, Ishma Tanjim once faced a situation where her team needed eight runs to win o� the last two deliveries. A win would earn her team, Rupali Bank, a promotion into the Women’s Premier League.
“Our opponents Ansar VDP scored 158 runs in 40 overs. Our opening batters made a decent start but we lost a few quick wick-ets. I was sent in after the fall of the third wicket. When I went in, we needed 30 runs from 30 balls,” said Ishma, barely able to conceal her excitement.
“I was helpless though as we kept losing wickets at regular in-tervals. The advantage provided by our openers had gone. Still, I was determined to take my team to the destination.
“As fate would have it, we needed eight runs from the � nal two deliv-eries. Thankfully, I connected both. I remained unbeaten on 20. Our joy knew no bounds. We became the First Division champions and were promoted to the Premier League,” she added with a broad smile.
Ishma’s cool head in this tight situation belied her age and expe-rience. It has been around six years since Ishma took up a bat and de-cided to pursue a career in cricket, the game she loves passionately. Like many Bangladeshi kids, Ishma started out by playing in the street. Upon receiving the advice of a fam-ily relative, her parents decided to enrol Ishma at the cricket academy in the neighborhood ground.
Her coach Ranjit Roy helped � ne-tune her skills which in turn enabled her to earn a contract with Azad Sporting Club. Ishma’s big-hitting exploits were so evident that her age back then – 13 – did not prove to be a stumbling block.
And since then, she has not looked back as her career � our-ished in leaps and bounds. After
a season with Azad, she featured for Cricket Coaching School, Gul-shan Youth Club, Rupali Bank and Khelaghar.
Her consistent performances with the bat even attracted the at-tention of powerhouse Abahani Limited. But at the moment, she wants to stay put.
In between all the club action, Ishma’s de� ning moment came in 2012 when the national selectors called her up in the 30-member preliminary squad. Fifteen-years old back then, she was the young-est ever Bangladeshi woman to re-ceive a call-up to the national fold.
“It was surreal. I was so young and had experienced cricketers like
Salma Khatun, Jahanara Alam and Panna Ghosh as my teammates. I could barely hide my elation. Even though I didn’t get to play any of-� cials matches, they really helped me and inspired me to keep on working hard. Looking back in time, that national camp showed me what I needed to do to keep up my � tness and performance lev-els,” she said.
Ishma though did go on to ex-press a tinge of disappointment.
“I got an A-minus in my SSC ex-ams. So naturally, I was really seri-ous during my HSC exams earlier this year. Combining both studies and cricket is a bit hard. I missed a few practice sessions and matches.
So, I missed out on the latest na-tional squad,” she said ruefully.
“But I have time on my side. I know I’ll get many more opportu-nities to test myself in the national side. So, I’ll just need to do what I do best; keep on performing.”
Ishma said Mohammad Ashraful and Virat Kohli are her favourite cricketers but when it comes to playing style, she is a huge follower of the English stylist Ian Bell.
“Besides Bell, I respect Shakib al Hasan’s consistency. My jersey number is 75, like Shakib.”
Ishma is the second among three sisters. Her family is her in-spiration and says they provide her relentless support. So far, she has
liked everything she has seen dur-ing the course of her career. With the exception of one thing – the lack of domestic tournament.
“I have no major complaints towards anything. I get paid to play the game that I love dearly. However, there are only two domestic tournaments in a year – the Premier League and the First Division. If there were more competitions, there would be more and more women cricketers taking up the game. In the process, Bangladesh women’s cricket would also bene� t.
“Other than that, I’m totally � ne with everything. After all, I’m liv-ing my dream,” said Ishma. l
Talented Ishma rising fast
Ishma Tanjim (sitting second from left) poses for a photo alongside her Rupali Bank team mates after clinching the Dhaka First Division Women’s Cricket League 2014-15 at Gulshan Youth Club Ground COURTESY
n Tribune Report
Young Bangladesh golfer Afnan Mahmud Mahi became the run-ners-up in the North Florida Jun-ior Amateur which was held in the USA from July 10-12.
Mahi scored two-over-par in the 16-18 years old category at the 7300-yard gold course. The 17-year old golfer, who was invited to the event after � nishing third in the Under-16 group of the Faldo Asian Grand Final in 2015 in Shenzhen, China, will take part in the Hurrican Junior Open in USA this Monday. Mahi is currently participating in a golf clinic in the USA under foreign coaches Tom Bar-nett and Reid Whitakerin.l
Mahi runners up in North Florida Junior Amateur
Young Bangladesh golfer Afnan Mahmud Mahi (L) is all smiles following his second-placed � nish in the North Florida Junior Amateur tournament in USA recently
Celtic crash to Gibraltar part-timers Lincolnn AFP, Paris
Scottish giants Celtic crashed to a 1-0 Champions League defeat to Lincoln Red Imps on Tuesday with the goal scored by Lee Casciaro, a policeman in his day job.
Manager Brendan Rodgers’ � rst competitive match in charge was a humiliating a� air, with 34-year-old Casciaro in� icting the hammer blow in the 48th minute.
“Surreal, it’s what people dream about, beating a big club like Celtic, we’ve done it here,” the match winner told Sky Sports. “Getting the winning
goal is something that will be with me for the rest of my life,” he added.
“Historic result for our club to-night. A brave performance by our lads has delivered a dream result. Well done to all!” Lincoln tweeted.
This was one of 1967 European champions’ Celtic’s worst ever de-feats in the competition, and it left the Hoops counting on turning the second qualifying tie around in the return leg at Parkhead next week.
For Rodgers it was the worst possible start to his Celtic career, the former Liverpool boss having replaced Ronny Deila in May. l
26DT Sport
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
FIVE MOMENTS IN A CRAZY EURO 2016 FINALEDER THE HEROA � nal that appeared to be heading for penalties suddenly swung Portugal’s way thanks to Eder’s tremendous strike in the 109th minute at the Stade de France. The bustling centre-forward had come on in the 79th minute for Renato Sanches and his power and strength was too much for France centre-back Laurent Koscielny to handle. One could hardly have chosen a more dramatic match-winner. After enduring a torrid time at Swansea City, Eder owed winning his place in Fernando Santos’ Portugal squad at the � nals to his form on loan at Ligue 1 club Lille in the second half of last season. And in May he signed a four-year deal at the same club. What kind of reception will he get on the pitches of France next season?
MORE TEARS, OF PAIN AND JOY, FOR RONALDOCristiano Ronaldo was just 19 when he cried tears of despair as Portugal lost the Euro 2004 � nal on home soil. He had stated his wish to be crying with joy this time and the Real Madrid forward was � nally able to celebrate winning a major international trophy for the � rst time. From a personal viewpoint this was not his night. After hurting his left knee in an eighth-minute challenge with Dimitri Payet, Ronaldo tried to carry on but eventually gave up midway through the � rst half. The three-time World Player of the Year slumped to the turf and was inconsolable as he had to be stretchered o� to be replaced by Ricardo Quaresma. The substitution of the biggest star on the � eld took the sting out of the game. It was also eerily similar to the 1998 World Cup � nal at the same ground, when Brazil were undermined by the original Ronaldo’s � tness problems as they lost 3-0 to France. He did not reappear until the end of the 90 minutes but he was there willing his colleagues on from the dugout and has now picked up a Champions League winners’ medal and won the European Championship in less than two months. Could a fourth World Player of the Year award be next?
FRANCE LUCK AS HOSTS RUNS OUTThe last team to win a major international trophy as hosts was France, at the 1998 World Cup, when current coach Didier Deschamps was the captain. In 1984 they won the European Championship as hosts and they were overwhelming favourites to repeat the feat on Sunday. After all France had not lost any of their previous 18 games at home in major competitions, winning 16 and drawing two. They had also won their last 10 matches against Portugal. The Selecao meanwhile, had been the last side to lose a major tournament � nal as hosts when they lost to Greece at Euro 2004. This was their moment at last.
SURGING SISSOKO STANDS OUT IN DEFEATMoussa Sissoko was outstanding for Didier Deschamps’ beaten side. The 26-year-old’s marauding runs from mid� eld were a constant source of danger to the Portuguese and he almost conjured a brilliant winner with a late thunderbolt from 30 yards that was superbly kept out by Rui Patricio. Sissoko was not in Deschamps’ � rst-choice line-up at the start of the competition but impressed in a 0-0 draw against Switzerland in the � nal group game. After being benched against the Republic of Ireland in the last 16 he returned and impressed against Iceland in the quarter-� nals and has kept his place ever since. Sunday’s � nal was a special occasion for the Newcastle United player of Malian origin. He was born in Paris and started out with a club in Aulnay-sous-Bois, just 10 kilometres (six miles) away from the Stade de France before turning professional with Toulouse in Ligue 1. He will surely earn a move away from Newcastle rather than be turning out in England’s second tier next season.
RUI PATRICIO KEEPS PORTUGAL IN ITPortugal would never have won their � rst European title without the heroics of goalkeeper Rui Patricio. He leaped to claw away Antoine Griezmann’s � rst-half header into the top-right corner and in the 86th minute he stopped Sissoko’s powerful drive. In another impressive stop, the Sporting Lisbon ‘keeper denied Olivier Giroud, parrying his shot from Kingsley Coman’s pass. l
Germany’s Loew to stay on despite Euro disappointmentn Reuters, Berlin
Germany’s Joachim Loew said he would stay on to lead the World Cup winners to their title defence in Russia in 2018 despite an initial hes-itation on whether to continue after a disappointing semi-� nal defeat to France last week at the Euro 2016.
Loew, who has coached Germa-ny for 10 years and to � ve straight semi-� nal appearances at World Cups and Euros, said in a statement on Tuesday he planned to contin-ue, ending some speculation that the 56-year-old might step down.
“Despite our disappointment,
the team didn’t disappoint,” said Loew, who was Juergen Klins-mann’s assistant coach for two years before taking over the reins in 2006.
“It was the youngest team in the tournament and I continue to see great potential,” added Loew, re-ferring to his team’s average age of 25.4 years.
“I’m sure that they’ll give us plenty of joy in the future and that’s why I remain enthusiastic about continuing to work with these players and accompany their developments going to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.”l
Sunderland con� rm manager Allardyce in England talksn Reuters
Sunderland have given permission to the Football Association (FA) to speak to manager Sam Allardyce about the vacant England post, the Premier League club said yesterday.
Allardyce, 61, is one of the fa-vourites to succeed Roy Hodgson, who resigned last month after England’s humiliating exit from the European Championship at the hands of Iceland.
Sunderland said the ongoing speculation over the future of Allardyce, who, according to British media, has already been interviewed by a three-man FA panel, was “extremely damaging” to the club.
“Sam is very much key to our plans,” the club, which narrowly
escaped relegation last season, said in a statement.
“After what was an extremely challenging season, we are keen to see a period of stability, both on and o� the � eld, and we want him to remain as manager of our foot-ball club.”
Sunderland said it allowed the FA to contact Allardyce at the man-ager’s request but sought a quick end to the uncertainty.
“...we urge the FA to respect the disruption that this process is caus-ing and bring about a swift resolu-tion to the matter,” the club added.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, former England coach Glenn Hoddle, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and United States manager Juergen Klinsmann have also been linked with the post by the local media. l
Sport 27D
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THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
Barcelona sign centre back Umtiti on � ve-year dealBarcelona have signed centre back Samuel Umtiti from Olympique Lyon for 25 million euros ($27.75 million), the La Liga winners said on Tuesday. The 22-year-old, who has signed a � ve-year contract, came through the Lyon youth system and earned his � rst cap for France in the European Championship quarter-� nal against Iceland, which the hosts won 5-2. “FC Barcelona have signed 22-year-old French international defender Samuel Umtiti from Olympique Lyonnais for the next � ve seasons,” the Spanish club said in a statement on its website (www.fcbarcelona.com).
–REUTERS
Brazil mid� elder Ganso close to Sevilla moveMid� elder Paulo Henrique Ganso is close to joining Spanish club Sevilla from Sao Paulo in his native Brazil, according to his current club president Carlos Silva. The 26-year-old, once billed as one of Brazil’s brightest emerging talents until his progress was curtailed by injury, was included in his country’s squad for the Centenary Copa America last month after a series of impressive displays for his club.
–REUTERS
Digne joins Barcelona from PSGFrance international defender Lucas Digne has joined Barcelona on a � ve-year deal from Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint Germain, the Catalan club said yesterday. The 22-year-old left back spent last season on a successful loan deal at Serie A’s Roma and had been expected to move there permanently. But Barcelona have sealed the stylish Lille-trained player’s services in a deal worth 16.5 million euros ($18.26M) with a potential four million add on.
–AFP
Klopp con� rms Balotelli has no futureManager Juergen Klopp has told Mario Balotelli that with so much competition for places up front at Liverpool he should look for another club. Balotelli has returned for pre-season training following an unsuccessful loan spell at AC Milan but is well down the pecking order at Liverpool, who also have Daniel Sturridge, Christian Benteke, Divock Origi and Danny Ings on the books. “I have spoken to him about this,” the manager told reporters. “He’s not at the stage of his career where he should be battling with four or � ve other players for one or two positions... so it’s clear we need a solution.”
–REUTERS
West Ham pin 50 million price tag on PayetDimitri Payet is worth not a penny less that 50 million pounds ($65.3 million), West Ham United co-chairman David Gold has said, but even that might not be enough to prise the France mid� elder away from the London club. Payet, who joined West Ham from Marseille in June last year, scored 12 goals in all competitions in his debut season in England and was instrumental in helping France reach the European Championship � nal, scoring three times. His performances for club and country have prompted speculation about a possible move to Chelsea, Manchester City or Paris St Germain, but Gold said West Ham would be reluctant sellers even if someone matched the huge fee.
–REUTERS
Willian signs new four-year contract at ChelseaBrazilian playmaker Willian has agreed a new four-year contract with Chelsea, the Premier League club said on Tuesday. The 27-year-old, voted the London club’s Player of the Year last season by fans and team mates, said it was “a dream to continue”. “Over the next four years I will try to help the team win more trophies,” he added. Willian joined Chelsea in 2013 and was the standout performer last season in what turned out to be a wretched campaign for the defending champions. He has scored 19 goals in 140 appearances.
–REUTERS
QUICK BYTES
DAY’S WATCHFOOTBALL
SONY SIX6:30PM
Premier Futsal LeagueChennai v Mumbai
Goa v Kolkata
CRICKET STAR SPORTS 1
4:00PMPakistan Tour of England
1st Test, Day 1
Giggs signs up for Indian futsal leaguen AFP, New Delhi
Welsh football legend Ryan Giggs will return to the pitch as a player in the inaugural Premier Futsal starting in India this week, the organisers an-nounced yesterday.
Brazilian star Ronaldinho and for-mer AC Milan striker Hernan Crespo
have also signed up for the event be-ginning in Chennai tomorrow. Giggs, 42, recently left his assistant manager’s role at Old Tra� ord following the arrival of former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
“History waiting to be written! Ryan Giggs, Ronaldinho and Crespo are now part of the Premier Futsal family!” the organisers tweeted yesterday.
The tournament, which is the lat-est franchise-based sporting compe-tition in India, will see six teams with � ve players each lock horns in the in-door competition. Each team will be led by a marquee player with Giggs helming Mumbai and England great Paul Scholes, who was signed up last month, leading Bangalore. l
28DT Sport
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
Mohammad Amir practises during a training session at Lord’s yesterday REUTERS
All eyes on Amir as Pakistan return to Lord’sn AFP, London
Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir will hope to put the 2010 spot-� xing scandal behind him once and for all when he returns to the scene of the crime in today’s � rst Test against England at Lord’s.
Six years ago, during a Lord’s Test against England, Amir and Pakistan new-ball partner Mo-hammad Asif deliberately bowled no-balls on the instructions of cap-tain Salman Butt as part of a sting operation carried out by a tabloid newspaper.
All three received � ve-year bans from cricket and, together with sports agent Mazhar Majeed, jail terms.
Such was the impact of the con-troversy, the fact teenage sensation Amir took six for 84 in the � rst innings of that match has largely been forgotten.
For all his time out of cricket, the 24-year-old retains the ability to swing the ball late at sharp pace, as he showed with a � rst-innings haul of three for 36 in Pakistan’s tour opener against Somerset.
It means an England side missing
all-time leading injured wicket-tak-er James Anderson and sidelined all-rounder Ben Stokes, should not have things all their own way as they did in the preceding 2-0 home series win over Sri Lanka.
While the likes of former Paki-stan batsman Ramiz Raja have ex-pressed doubts about the wisdom of letting Amir back into interna-tional cricket, players on both sides have accepted the situation.
“We could talk or moan about it and have our opinions but the fact is it is not going to change him opening the bowling at us on Thursday or playing against us throughout this (four-match) se-ries,” said England batsman Root.
Amir is far from the only threat in a Pakistan bowling line-up also featuring fellow left-armer Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan and leg-spinner Yasir Shah.
The key to the series could lie with both teams’ top-order bats-men.
England were repeatedly bailed out of early collapses against Sri Lanka by in-form middle-order batsman Jonny Bairstow.
Pakistan have a strong middle
order in skipper Misbah-ul-Haq fel-low veteran Younis Khan and the in-form Asad Sha� q.
But doubts persist over open-ers Mohammad Hafeez and Shan Masood, just as there are concerns as to whether Alex Hales, yet to score a Test hundred, is the right man to partner skipper Alastair Cook at the top of England’s order.
The match will also mark the return to Test cricket of England batsman Gary Ballance after he was dropped last year.
But an unconcerned Riaz said: “We are not worried about what England has picked or they haven’t picked.
For Riaz, and many Pakistanis, there is more riding on this match than just the raw result.
“Under the captaincy of Misbah this team is much more united,” he said. Being without Anderson is blow for England.
However, when he was ruled out of last year’s fourth Test, fellow quick Stuart Broad took eight for 15 on his Trent Bridge home ground, as Australia were skittled out for 60, to set up an Ashes-clinching win. l
Riaz insists no one ‘ruder’ than a Pakistanin AFP, London
Wahab Riaz has warned any England cricketers who “sledge” or verbally abuse their Pakistani opponents during the upcoming Test series may get more than they bargained for.
Today sees England and Pakistan meet at Lord’s for the opening Test in a four-match series.
It will be Pakistan’s � rst series in England since their infamous 2010 tour.
Riaz, recalling the incident, told reporters at Lord’s on Tuesday.
“He was a bit rude and when it comes to being rude you can never beat the Pakistanis on it. We are the most rude when it comes to it.
“We are nice but if somebody is rude we won’t spare it.”
The fast bowler added: “He was a bit rude, he was angry, he was not scoring runs, he was getting out early in the ODIs - he was doing well in the Tests.
Riaz insisted Amir would rise to the occasion and that the Pakistan squad were fully behind his fellow left-arm quick. Pressed on the is-sue once more, Riaz told an English journalist: “It’s gone now buddy, live in the present.”l
Tendulkar calls for more help from pitches for bowlersn Reuters, London
Cricket pitches need to be more bowler-friendly if the rising imbal-ance between bat and ball is to be addressed, Indian batting great Sa-chin Tendulkar has said.
The Marylebone Cricket Club world cricket committee on Tues-day recommended limitations on the thickness and depth of bats amid concerns that the sport has tilted heavily in favour of the bats-men in recent years.
A report commissioned by the MCC, the guardian of the game’s laws, in 2014 found the thickness of bats had marginally increased in the last century and that edges had broadened by 300 percent, mean-ing even mistimed shots could still � nd the boundary.
Tendulkar, who quit interna-tional cricket in 2013 as the game’s most proli� c batsman both in Tests and the 50-over format, demand-ed more assistance for the bowlers from the playing surface.
“The wickets need to change; they need to be more helpful for
bowlers,” Tendulkar said.“In T20s, the greatest of bowl-
ers are being reverse-swept. Three-hundred is no longer com-petitive in ODIs.
“So there should be at least one format where bowlers have a bet-ter chance of executing their skills and making it more interesting for spectators.
“I don’t think it’s got much to do with bats, but I’m sure people on the (relevant) panel will be able to look into it.”
Tendulkar’s views echoed the sentiments of Australian opener David Warner who said last week that � at pitches rather than bats with thicker edges are the reason batsmen have the upper hand in Test cricket. Tendulkar was part of the panel that recommended Anil Kumble for the India coach’s job and he expects the team to bene-� t from the vast experience of the former leg-spinner. Kumble, who came out to bowl with a bandaged jaw in a 2002 Antigua Test, can also teach the players how to handle ad-versity, said Tendulkar.l
England’s captain Alastair Cook batting in the nets during a practice session at Lord’s cricket ground in London yesterday
AFP
Downtime
CALVIN AND HOBBES
PEANUTS
DILBERT
How to solve: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeating.
CODE-CRACKER
CROSSWORD
SUDOKU
YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS
CODE-CRACKER
How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a di� erent letter of the alphabet. For example, today 3 represents V so � ll V every time the � gure 3 appears.You have two letters in the control grid to start you o� . Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares.Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.As you get the letters, � ll in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check o� the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
CROSSWORD
ACROSS1 Interior decoration (5)4 Attic (4)7 Boast basin for small craft (6)8 Imply (5)10 Tumbled (4)11 Unsuitable (5)12 Make brown (3)14 Slender support (4)17 Hurried (4)19 Metal-bearing rock (3)20 Frequently (5)23 Tidy (4)25 Musical drama (5)26 Reluctant (6)27 Ran away (4)28 Sanity (5)
DOWN1 Goes aimlessly (6)2 Augury (4)3 Uncommon (4)4 Elevates (5)5 Number (3)6 Waver (6)9 Sunny (4)13 Call for aid (6)15 Vocal sound (4)16 Threaten (6)18 Was weakly a� ectionate (5)21 Throw (4)22 Fencing weapon (4)24 Hail! (3)
SUDOKU
29D
TTHURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
30DT
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016Showtime
n Showtime Desk
In yesterday’s paper, we printed a list of what we can expect from the remaining half of 2016 and into the future on TV. Excellent TV shows have been renewed, while many others saw the sharp end of the axe, so what stays and what goes? Here’s the remaining list.
ABC (RENEWED)How to Get Away With Murder: This show is probably the most ridiculously gripping thing on TV right now, and we just can’t get enough it. How To Get Away With Murder follows a group of young defence attorneys and their enigmatic teacher, professor Annalise Keating. The show is literally about people getting away with murder, both in and out of the courthouse, and it’s amazing.
Also renewed:Last Man StandingMarvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.The MiddleModern FamilyOnce Upon a TimeQuanticoThe Real O’NealsScandalShark TankSecrets and LiesNashville (Previously cancelled, now moving to CMT & Hulu)Jimmy Kimmel Live!20/20American CrimeAmerica’s Funniest Home VideosThe BachelorBachelor in ParadiseBlack-ishThe CatchDancing with the StarsDr. KenFresh O� the BoatThe GoldbergsGrey’s Anatomy
ABC (CANCELED/OVER)Agent Carter: Okay guys, here’s the deal. None of us wanted Agent
Carter cancelled, but ABC thought otherwise. What can we do about it? Well, you can sign a petition and keep talking about how great of a show it was! Come on ABC, you’re missing a trick!
Also cancelled/over:CastleOf Kings and ProphetsThe MuppetsBlood & OilWicked CityThe FamilyGalavant
Fox (RENEWED)Bob’s BurgersBonesBrooklyn Nine-NineEmpireFamily GuyGothamHell’s KitchenThe Last Man on EarthLuciferMasterChef JuniorNew GirlRosewoodScream QueensThe SimpsonsSleepy Hollow
FOX (CANCELED/OVER)
American Idol: After 14 successful years of churning out pop’s biggest and brightest starlets, only to have them � zzle into nothing has � nally aired its last episode on April 7th. Love it or hate it, there’s a tiny, minuscule part of us that’s sad to see it end.
Also cancelled/over:Knock Knock LiveMinority ReportBordertownCooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving LifeGrandfatheredThe GrinderSecond Chance
HBO (RENEWED)Girls: When Girls was premiered in 2012, creator Lena Dunham was hailed by all for her realistic portrayal of a few characters in their twenties, trying to make it in New York City, without any clue on how to. As the years rolled by, the show seemed to lack a spark and the characters became increasingly unlikeable. Whether this was deliberate or not, is up for debate but despite that, the show has been renewed for another season.
Also renewed:BallersGame of ThronesSilicon ValleyVeepLast Week Tonight with John OliverThe Leftovers (For its third and � nal season)ViceReal Time with Bill Maher
HBO (CANCELED/OVER)VinylTogethernessThe Brink
The CW (RENEWED)Legends of Tomorrow: Time travel, superheroes, secret organisations and power — Legends of Tomorrow has it all! Tied into CW’s Arrowverse, the show was bound to do well, and even though it received “mixed to average reviews,” it was good enough to secure a second season.
Also renewed:The FlashiZombieJane the VirginThe OriginalsPenn & Teller: Fool UsReignSupernaturalThe Vampire DiariesThe 100ArrowCrazy Ex-Girlfriend
The CW (CANCELED/OVER)Beauty and the BeastAmerica’s Next Top ModelContainment
ELSEWHERE/STREAMING (RENEWED)American Horror Story: Well it inevitable that American Horror Story would be renewed, what would the Halloween season be like without it? Season 5’s Hotel starring Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters and Lady Gaga was a roaring success, leaving both critics and fans impressed. The news of Season 6 has already been surfacing, and
we couldn’t be more excited.
Also renewed:The Americans (FX)Animals (HBO)Archer (FX)Ash vs. Evil Dead (Starz)Bates Motel (A&E)Better Call Saul (AMC)Billions (Showtime)Broad City (Comedy Central)Casual (Hulu)Cleverman (Sundance)Di� cult People (Hulu)Drunk History (Comedy Central)Doctor Who (BBC America)Fargo (FX)Fear the Walking Dead (AMC)Hand of God (Amazon)Homeland (Showtime)Inside Amy Schumer (Comedy Central)Into the Badlands (AMC)It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FXX)The Magicians (Syfy)Masters of Sex (Showtime)The Mindy Project (Hulu)Mozart in the Jungle (Amazon)Transparent (Amazon)
12 Monkeys (Syfy)The A� air (Showtime)
Orphan Black (BBC America): One show that seems to get better and better is Orphan Black. We recently binge-watched Season 3 and 4, and both of them were gripped from start to � nish. It is one of the smartest sci-� shows still airing and it totally deserves all the support that it has received.
Also renewed:Outlander (Starz)Shadow Hunters (Freeform)Shameless (Showtime)Suits (USA)Twin Peaks (Showtime)The Path (Hulu)Preacher (AMC)The Walking Dead (AMC)Vikings (History)You’re the Worst (FXX)Younger (TV Land)
So there you go. This is as de� nitive a list as we’re going to get right now, and we’ll keep you updated as we receive any news on your favourite shows. Don’t feel too disheartened about the shows we’ve lost, there’s still a chance that Net� ix might breathe new life into some of these abandoned shows.l
An essential list of cancelled and renewed TV shows for 2016-17Part two of a two-part story
31D
TTHURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
Showtime
Joe Perry falls ill on stage
Asian Cinema Retrospective 2016 set to launch
WHAT TO WATCH
LimitlessHBO, 5:43pmWith the help of a mysterious pill that enables the user to access 100 percent of his brain abilities, a struggling writer becomes a � nancial wizard, but it also puts him in a new world with lots of dangers.Cast: Bradley Cooper, Anna Friel, Abbie Cornish
Never Say Never AgainSony Pix, 6:27pmA SPECTRE agent has stolen two American nuclear warheads, and James Bond must � nd their targets before they are detonated.Cast: Sean Connery, Kim Basinger, Klaus Maria Brandauer
Guardians of the GalaxyStar Movies, 6:56pmA group of intergalactic criminals are forced to work together to stop a fanatical warrior from taking control of the universe.Cast: Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper
World War ZZee Studio, 9:30pmFormer United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments, and threatening to destroy humanity itself.Cast: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz
Changing LanesHBO Hits, 11:02pmThe story of what happens one day in New York when a young lawyer and a businessman share a small automobile accident on F.D.R. Drive and their mutual road rage escalates into a feud.Cast: Ben A� eck, Samuel L. Jackson, Kim Staunton
n Showtime Desk
As the Earth’s largest and most populous continent, Asia is a place of rich history and heritage and diversity in terms of culture. Films in Asia have a long history and is also comparably a� uent in number.
The Moviyana Film Society and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has organised a retrospective of � lms in Asia which aims to screen 65 � lms from 19 countries, over a 17- week period beginning this week. The programme titled, Asian Cinema Retrospective 2016 is set to present discussions on Asian � lms and noted Asian � lm makers, according to a press release.
With the screening of Syed Salahuddin Zaki’s Ghuddi (1980), starring Raisul Islam Asad and Suborna Mustafa in lead roles, the Asian Cinema Retrospective will begin at 3pm on July 16, at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy’s International Digital Cultural Archive Room of National Theatre Hall.
Each week during the event, three � lms will be featured, alongside discussions. The retrospective programme will present � lms from Bangladesh, India, Japan, South Korea, China, Iran, Pakistan, Thailand, Iraq, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and many more. The event is open for all but requires registration. l
n Showtime Desk
Aerosmith’s guitarist Joe Perry, 65, suddenly fell ill while performing live on stage in New York on July 10, last Sunday.
Perry became ill around 9:30pm while performing alongside Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper in his side band, the Hollywood Vampires, at Ford Amphitheater in Brooklyn’s Coney Island.
An administrator at Coney Island Hospital con� rmed that Perry underwent several tests and that his condition was stable.
A video posted by a fan on social media shows Perry sitting down on stage and then walking
o� in the middle of a song.“He sat down during the
song and then walked o� behind the drum set,” Kevin Phalon, a member of the audience told NBC News.
In a Twitter post, Perry thanked his fans for showing concern. Alice Cooper also tweeted his thanks to “everyone asking about our brother @JoePerry.”
The band’s Twitter account said: “Joe Perry is stable and resting. His brother Vampires and fans wish him a speedy recovery.”
The supergroup are in the middle of their US tour and are due to play next in Kettering, Ohio, on 12 July. l
Sources: BBC, hu� ngtonpost
n Showtime Desk
While promoting her new � lm Equals with co-star Nicholas Hoult, the subject turned to James Bond — and Stewart voiced her interest in seeing a woman portray the iconic British M16 spy.
Hoult was asked what he thought about his name being included as a potential successor to Daniel Craig’s 007. “I think I’m a bit too young, to be honest,” the 26-year-old said, noting that Bond is usually in his “30s or 40s.”
“Yeah, but that’s getting a little stale,” Stewart added.
The pair then dismissed critics of casting a black or female actor as Bond. Stewart even imagined how a female version of the character could
be introduced.“You start o� as the Bond
girl and then you think it’s just the girlfriend and then you’re like, ‘She’s actually [Bond],’” she said. “In the trailer, it’s him and then [a] bait and switch.”
Stewart isn’t the � rst actress to speak up about the potential of “Jane” Bond. Gillian Anderson previously responded to a fan campaign that wanted her cast as 007, saying it started an “intriguing conversation” but added, “Will it ever happen in the real world? More than probably not.” Priyanka Chopra has admitted that she’d want to play Bond over being a Bond girl, and Elizabeth Banks also told EW last year that James Bond is a dream role she’d like to play. l
Kristen Stewart would like to see a female James Bond
Back Page32DT
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
SIDDIKUR ALL SET TO CARRY BD FLAG PAGE 24
GOVT FIXES TK607CR AS MERGER FEES PAGE 12
ASIAN CINEMA RETROSPECTIVE 2016 SET TO LAUNCH PAGE 31
Mobile subscribers face new hassle for faulty systemn Hitler A Halim
The national telecom regulator has recently been causing confusion among mobile subscribers by mass-sending an SMS with instructions for turning o� “unwanted SIM-RUIM.”
“Contact the customer care [centre] concerned to switch o� unwanted SIM-RUIM that has been registered under your name,” the SMS from Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) reads.
The confusion arises as the text does not explain how SIM-RUIMs could be registered under someone’s name when the entire process was done by
recording � ngerprints that are unique to each subscriber.
Many users have also been getting a di� erent SMS that provides informa-tion on the number of SIMs registered against those subscribers’ national identi� cation number.
On condition of anonymity, several well-placed sources have said the BTRC took the initiative after quite a few cases of biometric registration fraud came into light.
The telecom regulator’s plan is to encourage all subscribers to go the customer care centres and � nd out for themselves whether their NID number has been used to register other unau-
thorised SIMs as well.Asked about the matter, BTRC Sec-
retary Sarwar Alam said it was to create awareness among the subscribers. All departments concerned are working sincerely on this issue, he added.
He also advised all subscribers to head to the nearest customer care centre to check out whether anyone else had registered any SIM under their name.
The authorities concerned, how-ever, blame the incidents of fraud on the retail SIM-RUIM sellers who had assisted in the biometric SIM registra-tion process. The retailers allegedly took advantage of lax monitoring and lack of accountability to register unau-
thorised SIMs. Inadequate training and indiscriminately handing out biometric registration devices are other reasons behind the current situation.
TIM Nurul Kabir, secretary general of Association of Mobile Telecom Oper-ators of Bangladesh, said the BTRC had asked all operators to send this SMS to create awareness.
If the subscribers � nd out that someone else has registered SIMs under their name, they would be able to lodge a complaint. If an unauthorised person responds on a SIM that has been registered under someone else’s name, that SIM will be blocked, he said.
However, some subscribers alleged
that they had not received any solution for unauthorised SIM registration even when they went to the customer care centre.
Zahirul Islam Shishir, who works in the private sector, said he went to the customer care centre after receiving the SMS only to check whether his NID had been cloned. But instead of assisting in blocking the unauthorised SIMs, the customer care representatives told him to contact with the Election Commission for a solution, Shishir said.
Tech entrepreneur Sarwar Mahmud Khan said the BTRC should have clearly explained how one should identify unauthorised SIMs. l
Activists denounce Rampal deal
n Tribune Desk
The proposed 1320MW coal-� red power plant at Rampal of Bagerhat would bring no good for the coun-try, rather incur irreplaceable loss to the Sundarbans mangrove forest as well as to the country’s econo-my, say experts.
They mentioned that di� erent local and foreign surveys have al-ready revealed that the project is risky and unusually costly. They also wonder why the government is moving ahead with the project when it is not implementable con-sidering the economical, environ-mental and social aspects.
An agreement was signed with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), India on Tuesday to build the power plant near the forest, a Un-esco World Heritage site. The $1.49
billion plant is likely to start produc-ing electricity in 2019. It would be � nanced by Indian Exim Bank.
The National Committee to Pro-tect the Sundarbans, a platform demanding cancellation of the pro-ject, announced Tuesday a black day from a press conference yester-day. They said that only India would be bene� ted from the project.
On the other hand, Bangladesh would face economic and environ-mental disasters since India would not take responsibilities for any loss.
Committee Convener Sultana Ka-mal said that the government would not have signed the agreement had it been a pro-liberation one.
“This project is totally against the spirit of liberation. The govern-ment has discussed the project with the stakeholders several times, but has signed the agreement ignoring
their suggestions.”She said that the plant would
release poisonous gases and chem-ical wastes that would destroy the greenery, lives and biodiversity in the forest, and a� ect over 20 mil-lion people depended on the for-est’s resources for livelihood.
Sultana Kamal hoped that both the countries would consider the facts and stop building the project, or at least shift it to a safer distance from the Sundarbans.
Economist Prof MM Akash said that the decision of setting up the plant would not be economically viable for the country.
Talking to the Dhaka Tribune last evening, he said that they had sev-eral times urged the government to stop the project, but to no avail.
“We have heard that India’s Exim Bank will � nance the project.
But they will only � nance the pro-ject if it bene� ts India’s export, im-port and trade. But the Bangladesh government is yet to inform the countrymen whether the plant will use Indian coal or not. If not, this bank will not � nance the project,” said the Dhaka University teacher.
Iftekharuzzaman, executive di-rector of TIB, mentioned that the Indian high commissioner had thanked Bangladesh after the sign-ing of the agreement. “This grati-tude has raised question whether the deal was inked to serve the in-terests of India.”
National Committee member Sharif Jamil said that the govern-ment had earlier assured that they would use high quality coal in the plant. But now they are also con-sidering import of low-grade coal of India. l
Rich in biodiversity, the Sundarbans mangrove forest is a house to a number of rare and endangered species. Green activists fear that with the implementation of the proposed coal power plant at Rampal, the Unesco World Heritage site will be a� ected adversely mainly due to air and water pollution SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN
Theresa May vows to be ‘one nation’ prime ministern BBC
The UK’s new Prime Minister The-resa May has vowed to lead a “one nation” government that works for all not just the “privileged few.”
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street after being appointed by the Queen, she said it would be her mission to “build a better Britain.”
She promised to give people who were “just managing” and “working around the clock” more control over their lives.
May is the UK’s second female prime minister, after Margaret Thatcher. Her husband Philip was standing behind her as she made her � rst public speech in the role, highlighting the “precious bond” between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and between “every one of us.”
“That means � ghting against the burning injustice that if you’re born poor you will die on average nine years earlier than others,” she said. For an “ordinary working class family,” she added, “life is much harder than many people in Westminster realise.”
Speaking directly to people who were “just managing,” she said: “The government I lead will be driven, not by the interests of the privileged few, but by yours. We will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives.
“When we take the big calls, we’ll think not of the powerful, but you ...
She also paid tribute to her predecessor, David Cameron, say-ing he had been a “great, modern prime minister.” l
Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial O� ce: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207. Phone: 9132093-94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: [email protected], [email protected], Website: www.dhakatribune.com
