n Mohammad Al-Masum Mollaand Ashif Islam Shaon

Activists and supporters of arch rival BNP and ruling Awami League locked into a series of clashes yesterday cen-tring BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s appearance in a court, turning Bakshi-bazar, Plassey and Chankharpool areas in the capital into battle zones.

At least 40 people on both sides, in-cluding ruling party lawmaker Chhabi Biswas, were injured during the clashes.

The BNP had plans to demonstrate in the area yesterday as Khaleda was set to appear before a special court on Alia Madrasa ground in two corruption cases, which the party terms “false and politically motivated.”

Learning about the BNP’s plans, members of the ruling party’s student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League were in position to foil any demonstration.

Moreover, the law enforcers were si-lent spectators before and in the � rst 20 minutes of the hour-long clash that began around 12:15pm, witnesses said.

Tra� c movement in the areas was suspended during the clashes.

At one point of the clashes, the BNP men, many of who were Chhatra Dal activists, allegedly attacked Netrakona 1 Awami League MP Chhabi Biswas in front of Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s emergency gate while leaving the area. They also set his microbus on � re.

Around 4,500 police personnel were deployed in and around the court area yesterday.

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir later in the day

blamed the ruling party men for the in-cident and announced demonstration programmes for tomorrow at district and divisional headquarters.

Fakhrul on Tuesday threatened of launching movement if the cases, � led by the Anti-Corruption Commission, were not withdrawn.

According to party sources, leaders of the city unit BNP and its front and associate bodies held a series of meet-ings to stage a showdown on the court premises yesterday.

Khaleda started from her Gulshan residence for the court at 11:15am. Sit-uation was calm in the court area un-til noon. She had earlier skipped the case proceedings around 50 times cit-ing di� erent reasons including lack ofreasons.

Before Khaleda’s arrival, members of the BNP and its student wing Chha-tra Dal gathered in Bakshibazar inter-section area. On the other hand, the Chhatra League men were in position in Plassey since morning.

According to witnesses, the clash ensued when a procession of the BNP had been blocked by a group of Chha-tra League activists at Fazle Rabbi Hall intersection at 12:13pm. Chased and brick-hit, the BNP men engaged in counter-chase and set � re to tires on the street.

At that time, the ruling party sup-porters beat up several members of the rival group with sticks and iron rods. The Chhatra Dal men also had bamboo sticks.

Several crude bombs were blasted during the clash.

Eyewitnesses said police had re-mained silent in the � rst 20 minutes and later charged batons on the BNP sup-porters. The law enforcers also lobbed tear gas canisters to disperse them.

As the court proceedings end-ed around 1:15pm and the streets were calm, Chhatra League activists wielding iron rods and bamboo sticks

PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

I WAS THERE, AND I DON’T NEED A DEFENCE

11 | OP-ED

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

Paush 11, 1421Rabiul Awal 2, 1436Regd No DA 6238Vol 2, No 261

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A JOURNEYTO HELL

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NASIR GLOWS, PROBABLY ATTHE RIGHT TIME

12 | SPORT

‘Will beat them like stray dogs’n Tribune Report

Ruling party MP Chhabi Biswas was injured during clashes between the supporters of the BNP and the Chhatra League in Bakshibazar area yesterday noon; later in the evening, Siddique Nazmul Alam, general secretary of the Awami League’s student body, in a Facebook status threatened to beat up the BNP bigwigs like “stray dogs.”

Until � ling of the report at 10:55pm, the status was liked by 2,293 persons and shared 204 times.

As many as 606 persons comment-ed on the post, hailing the move while some of them slammed the Chhatra League leader for such remark terming him a “mad dog” instead.

Nazmul wrote in Bangla: “[We] will PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

Top: A Chhatra League activist opens � re during a clash with BNP supporters in Bakshibazar area of the capital yesterday. Bottom: A group of Chhatra League activists pounces on a BNP supporter at one point of the hour-long clash DHAKA TRIBUNE

No separate pay scale unless state banks reduce default loans n Asif Showkat Kallol

The national pay commission has rec-ommended that the state-owned banks should not get a separate pay scale un-til they pull out of the capital slump because of excessive default loans. The commission also expressed doubts whether the state-owned banks will ever be able to recover.

The recommendation and obser-vation came up in the report that the National Pay and Services Commission (NPSC) submitted to the � nance minis-ter on Sunday proposing pay revision for government employees and pen-sioners.

The NPSC also said the various au-tonomous and semi-autonomous gov-ernment bodies should not get sepa-

rate pay scales until they start making pro� ts.

However, the commission agreed that the Bangladesh Bank needs a sep-arate pay scale considering that its area of operation is global in scope.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ap-proved a separate pay scale for the state-owned banks in November last year, but it could not be implemented

because of legal complications, sources said.

Employees of the state-run banks and � nancial institutions have long been demanding a separate pay struc-ture under banking policies in order to stay competitive in the market along-side the private commercial banks.

The parliamentary watchdog on the Finance Ministry recently recommend-

ed a separate pay scale for the central bank and the state-owned Sonali, Jana-ta, Agrani and Rupali Banks.

In the proposal that the PM had signed last year, there were 11 sala-ry grades; the proposed basic pay for the lowest grade was Tk6,000 and Tk55,000 for the highest grade.

Currently, the state-owned banks PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Be punctual, says new judge in Khaleda casesn Ashif Islam Shaon

A special Dhaka court yesterday asked both defence and prosecution in two corruption cases � led against BNP chief Khaleda Zia and several others to appear before it at scheduled time as the trials have been facing much delay.

On the previous date, December 17, Khaleda did not appear before the Third Special Judge’s Court of Abu Ahmed Jamadar citing security rea-sons; yesterday she came two hours behind schedule.

Trials of the cases involving Zia Or-phanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust have been delayed repeatedly due to absence of Khaleda during the pro-ceedings and � ling of time petitions by the defence, the prosecution says.

The court yesterday was supposed to record testimony of the � rst prose-cution witness and plainti� , Anti-Cor-ruption Commission Deputy Director Harun-or-Rashid. April 11 was set for his deposition by the court on that day of indictment.

Three-time former prime minister Khaleda, her elder son Tarique Rahman and seven others were indicted in the cases on March 19 by the same court set up at Alia Madrasa ground in Bakshiba-zar area.

Earlier, the charge framing hearing was deferred 41 times in the orphanage trust case and 11 times in the other.

The court was set to begin proceed-ings at 10:30am yesterday. Lawyers of the prosecution, the defence and sen-ior BNP leaders including its acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir were present at that time.

However, the judge did not enter the court apparently due to Khaleda’s absence.

Judge Abu Ahmed came to the court-room around 11:20am. At that time, the defence counsels sought more time saying that the key accused, Khaleda, was on her way. The court granted the plea and adjourned the proceedings until Khaleda reached the courtroom.

PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

Political mercury rising againAt least 40 people hurt including a ruling party MP as AL, BNP clash in Old Dhaka

The clash ensued when a procession of the BNP was blocked by a group of Chhatra League men

No separate pay scale unless state banks reduce default loans PAGE 1 COLUMN 5and � nancial institutions get their sal-aries under the existing 20-grade pay scale for government servants.

The NPSC coined a 16-grade pay scale for government employees in the report that it had recently submitted to the government, recommending Tk80,000 as the highest basic pay.

The private commercial banks all have their own salary structures, un-der which, a top o� cial of one of these banks can get up to Tk14 lakh per month.

The government gave Tk4,100 crore to the four state-owned banks in the last � scal year to cover their capital shortages created by loan forgery and corruption.

At the end of September, total de-faults stood at Tk57,290 crore, which is 11.6% of the total outstanding loans, according to the central bank’s statis-tics.

Total loan defaults swelled by Tk16,708 crore in the � rst nine months of this year.

Bangladesh Bank The commission recommended that the board of directors of the Bangla-desh Bank (BB) can implement a sep-arate pay scale by taking permission from the Finance Division. But the number of grades should not be higher or lower than the 16-grade proposed by the commission.

The NPSC report says the sta� s of the central bank need a separate pay scale because their activities are direct-ly related with the movement of the country’s economy and also because they work with global � nancial insti-tutions.

Another reason is that the central bank employees of some of the neigh-bouring countries get more than what

their counterparts here in Bangladesh get, the commission says.

BB and the four state-owned banks have 61,000 sta� s in total. Of them 4,958 work for BB, 23,363 for Sonali Bank, 15,146 for Janata Bank, 13,558 for Agrani and Rupali has 4,293 employees. l

News2 DHAKA TRIBUNE Thursday, December 25, 2014

Be punctual, says new judge in Khaleda cases PAGE 1 COLUMN 6The defence mentioned police check-posts and barricades on the way to the court as reasons for the delay.

The new judge, who replaces Judge Basudev Roy, then introduced himself and sought cooperation of both prose-cution and defence sides to uphold the dignity of the judiciary while trying the cases.

Judge Abu Ahmed said he had been deputed to the Law Ministry before being transferred to the special court. He was also deputed to the Parliament Secretariat in 1991 and served the then speaker for three years as law o� cer. He joined the judiciary in 1984.

Khaleda entered the court around 12:30pm, and without taking a seat she kept waiting for the judge to ar-rive. Three other accused Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal, Sharfuddin Ahmed and Monirul Islam Khan – now on bail – were also waiting for the judge.

Entering the courtroom after � ve minutes, Judge Abu Ahmed asked them to take seats.

He once again introduced himself. Seeking assistance of both sides, the judge said: “I believe in honesty and justice...as a freedom � ghter, I never compromised with honesty.”

He then asked the defence for sub-mission.

The defence counsels yesterday � led two adjournment petitions.

Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, also Khaleda’s adviser, in the � rst petition said the Supreme Court had rejected the leave-to-appeal of the BNP chief � led challenging the indictment order. He said the defence needed time as they would now submit a plea for re-viewing the rejection order.

The other petition said some senior lawyers had been abroad while they also needed time to get acquainted with the new judge.

Khaleda’s counsels also said they

would take part in the future hearing dates regularly.

On the other hand, prosecutor Musharraf Hossain Kajal in his submis-sions against the � rst petition argued that � ling of the review petition with the apex court would not obstruct re-cording deposition of the plainti� , who had been kept standby.

“An ACC o� cial alone handles many cases. If the deposition is deferred fre-quently, it will create problem [for the plainti� ],” he said.

On the second petition, the prosecu-tor said: “Time may be granted for un-derstanding the new judge and build-ing up relations among all the lawyers working here. But the issues of review petition and absence of lawyers are not worthy of consideration.”

After hearing both sides, the judge accepted the pleas.

However, before adjourning the tri-als, he expressed concern about the delay in starting his � rst day’s proceed-ings.

“From now on, the court will be dealing the cases from 10:30am on every scheduled date,” he said while asking the prosecution and the defence counsels again to appear before the court on time.

Khaleda was silent throughout the proceedings; sometime she smiled. During the adjournment order, she was indi� erent.

The court also asked defence lawyer Sanaullah Mia to produce accused Ziaul Islam Munna before the court on the next date. Otherwise, arrest warrant would be issued against him, Judge Abu Ahmed said.

Munna, who is on bail, has been staying abroad without taking permis-sion of the court.

The ACC � led the Zia Orphanage Trust case in 2009 against Khaleda and � ve others alleging embezzlement of over Tk2.1 crore by forming the “fake”

trust in 1991. The other case was � led in 2011 accusing Khaleda and three others of abusing power in setting up the trust in 2001-06.

The BNP has been expressing doubt as to whether the accused would get justice in the two cases, which it terms “false and politically-motivated.” The party also asked the government to withdraw the cases or face movement otherwise.

Members of the BNP and its asso-ciate bodies yesterday noon staged demonstrations in Bakshibazar area, as planned. A clash ensued at that time as the ruling party supporters blocked their procession leaving at least 40 people from both sides injured. It con-tinued until the trial proceedings end-ed around 1:30pm.

To ensure security, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police deployed a total of 4,349 personnel and o� cers in and outside the court area when most of the shops and businesses were closed.

Armoured vehicles and water can-ons were also deployed around the court area. Roads towards the court were kept o� limit for vehicles. Police only allowed some selected lawyers and journalists to enter the courtroom showing identity cards.

On December 18, Judge Basudev Roy was transferred apparently in the face of Khaleda’s repeated request to the High Court expressing “no con� dence” to him. The government, however, said it was a “routine work.” Judge Abu Ahmed took o� ce on December 22.

Following the indictment, Khaleda � led two writ petitions with the High Court – challenging legality of the ap-pointment of Judge Basudev and the charge framing. The High Court reject-ed her petitions while the Appellate Division upheld the High Court orders. Khaleda then sought transfer of the cases to another judge’s court. l

Political mercury rising again PAGE 1 COLUMN 2brought out a procession led by its President Badiuzzaman Sohag.After the clashes, shoes and bricks were found on the empty streets while fume coming out of burnt tires.

MP Chhabi Biswas came under at-tack while going to the DMCH along with his associate Yakub Ali and others for treatment.

Chhabi said: “Seeing the situation, I asked my driver to leave the place quick-ly. But all of a sudden, miscreants at-tacked my car and torched my vehicle.”

The lawmaker wondered why he had not been spared despite having an MP sticker on his vehicle.

Chhabi said one of the attackers hit his head and ear with a stick. Later his fellows took him to the emergency ward of the hospital from where the MP was transferred to a VIP cabin.

Dr Afrin of the DMCH said: “His left ear is fractured due to the attack. But he is out of danger now.”

DMCH police outpost In-Charge In-spector Mozzamel said around 22 peo-ple had taken primary treatment at the hospital. Among the injured, 15 were admitted to the emergency ward but they � ed quickly to evade arrest.

Chawkbazar OC Azizul Huq said po-lice would � le a case. He claimed that the law enforcers had taken action dur-ing the clashes. l

AL: BNP will not be allowed to enter Dhaka in Januaryn Abu Hayat Mahmud

Activists of the BNP-led 20-party al-liance will not be allowed to enter Dhaka city from January 1, with Awa-mi League supporters staying on the streets to resist them, the ruling party has said.

Addressing a rally in the capital yes-terday, Awami League’s Dhaka city unit General Secretary Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya said the ruling party men would take position on the � eld from the start of January.

“The BNP-Jamaat alliance led by Khaleda Zia would not be allowed to come in � eld from January,” he added.

Maya, also the disaster management and relief minister, claimed that sup-porters of Awami League’s Dhaka city unit, Chhatra League, Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League and other associate bodies would keep watch over the city’s streets and take position at every road and neighbourhood to protest BNP’s January 5 agitation pro-

grammes.Terming January 5 the day for pro-

tecting democracy, he said: “If the national polls had not taken place on January 5 last year, the country’s democracy would have fallen into a deep crisis. For this reason we have an-nounced of observing they day as Vic-tory Day of Democracy.”

Calling the BNP-Jamaat alliance “the enemies of democracy,” the minister blamed them for trying to create agita-tion in the country with their January 5 programmes.

Maya urged party leaders and activ-ists to stay alert and resist any BNP-Ja-maat act of anarchy.

“Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir re-cently said they would call hartal if they are not allowed to come on the � eld on January 5. January is not the original issue; they [BNP] had tried to hinder the war crime trials by calling hartals again and again,” he said.

Yesterday’s rally was organised by Bangladesh Muktijoddha Projonmo

League at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital. Chaired by the organisation’s President Fatema Jalil, the rally was also addressed by Dhaka City Awami League Vice-President Fayez Uddin Miah, Organising Secretary Shahe Alam Murad and several others.

Earlier, the Awami League had an-nounced of observing January 5 – the day the 10th national elections were held – as the Victory Day of Democracy.

The BNP-led 20 party alliance, how-ever, termed January 5 as a “Black Day” and also announced several pro-grammes on that day.

On Monday, the alliance also sought permission from the Dhaka Metropol-itan Police to hold public rallies in the capital on January 3 and 5 to mount pressure on the government to hold national election under a non-partisan government.

The BNP and its associated organi-sations’ leaders also vowed that they would come on the � eld in the capital on January 5 at any cost. l

NU decentralises to reduce session jam n Tribune Report

National University (NU) authorities have taken a number of initiatives, which include decentralisation of the administration, to cut down session jam.

NU Vice-chancellor Professor Dr Ha-run-or-Rashid described the steps and the overall development of education at institutions under the NU while ad-dressing a press brie� ng at his o� ce in the capital yesterday.

“We have recently introduced an ac-ademic calendar which shows the entire examination schedules of the four-year bachelor’s courses and three-year de-gree courses. We are also committed to publish the results within three months after the end of exams,” he said.

The NU authorities came up with the strategies amid the operation of an eight-member committee formed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) which is working to implement the gov-ernment’s decision to bring the bache-lor’s and master’s colleges a� liated with the NU under 36 public universities.

The committee started working af-ter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave the directive during her August 31 visit at the Education Ministry.

“The NU is the largest university in the country with 2,154 colleges (275 public and 1,879 private), about 21 lakh students and around 60,000 teachers.

About 100 di� erent sorts of examina-tions are held at the NU annually and it takes six to seven months to publish exam results,” said the NU vice-chan-cellor.

Professor Harun mentioned three reasons that lead to session jam - central-ised administration, traditional adminis-trative direction and exam management policy, and political programmes such as general strike – and said six regional cen-tres in six divisions had been established to resolve the problem.

“A director has been appointed at each of the centres to ensure smooth operations. This is also a part of our de-centralisation e� orts.

“Crash programmes will be intro-duced soon to reduce session jam for old students that lasts between four months and a year.

“Our strategies also include moving to online, where there will also be a da-tabase of teachers, and monitoring pub-lication of results. We are hopeful that these steps will be e� ective in reducing the problem of session jam,” he said.

The NU vice-chancellor also said there has to be an authority which will supervise the whole plan to ensure that those do not contradict the prime min-ister’s directives.

NU Pro Vice-chancellor Profesoor Dr Munaj Ahmad Noor and Treasurer Pro-fessor Noman-ur-Rashid were present at the conference among others. l

Happy’s forensic test submitted to police n Mohammad Jamil Khan

Without revealing any detail about the contents, the Dhaka Medical College forensic department yesterday hand-ed over its forensic report on actress Naznin Akther Happy – who recent-ly stirred controversy by � ling a case against cricketer Rubel Hossain – to the Mirpur police station.

Asked about the outcome of the re-port, Prof Dr Habi buzzaman Chowd-hury, head of the DMC forensic depart-ment, refused to comment, saying the police would be able to clarify on the issue as it was their case.

However, a source in the forensic department said the forensic tests had found no evidence of rape; a di� erent source inside the Mirpur police station also corroborated the claim.

The report, however, would only be able to identify forced sexual in-tercourse and not show any evidence of rape if sexual intercourse had tak-en place consensually, said Bilkis Begum, coordinator of the One Stop Crisis Centre at the DMCH.

Happy’s forensic tests were con-ducted on December 14, a day after she � led a case with the Mirpur police sta-tion against Rubel Hossain.

Investigation o� cer Masud Parvez and Mirpur acting OC Moinul Islam both refused to comment; the former claim-ing to be on leave, while the latter said he was away from o� ce at the time. l

‘Will beat them like stray dogs’ PAGE 1 COLUMN 5take revenge of the attack on Chha-bi Biswas within three days. Doctors asked me to take rest for another few days, but I cannot keep quite as the dogs are barking. [We] will beat up the top BNP leaders as stray dogs.”

When contacted for comments, Nazmul’s phone was found switched o� . Some leaders of the organisation con� rmed that he was currently under-going treatment in Bangkok, Thailand.

In most of the comments, ruling par-ty leaders and activists welcomed his threat saying that they were waiting for such summons to be on the � eld.

Some others who opposed the re-mark, mainly activists from the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, asked Nazmul to face the BNP without police protection.

Fazla Rabbi Shetu, the general sec-retary of Dhaka Medical College unit Chhatra League, wrote: “Back in style, waiting for you leader.”

Mentioning Nazmul in his comment, another central Chhatra League leader Imtiaz Bappy said: “Brother, I think we should have to show the performance of 2010.”

Ruling party supporter Nur Alam Pappu wrote a slogan that says the ac-tivists have not left the streets.

Several persons including anoth-er supporter Sha� qul Reza advocated mob beating for the BNP supporters.

On the contrary, labelling the police as “Police League,” Chhatra Dal sup-porter Furkan Uddin wrote: “Come [to the street] without Police League.”

Toriqul Islam said: “Brother Naz-mul, your days are � nished. The gov-ernment will fall soon and the Awami league will be vanished.”

Some persons asked the Chhatra League general secretary to be polite since he holds an important position in the ruling party. l

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia waves at her supporters after she appeared before a makeshift court in the capital’s Bakshibazar area in connection with the Zia Charitable and Zia Orphanage corruption cases DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business leaders seek reassurance over political violence n Tribune Report

Business leaders yesterday sought as-surance from political parties that there would be no recurrence of violence which took a heavy toll on the country’s trade as well as economy in the past.

They came up with the call at a meet-ing organised by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) where the trade body presented its course of action to boost trade. The meeting was held at the DCCI o� ce in the capital.

“We do not want to see the return of political unrest and violence such as gen-eral strike and blockade as these hinder economic growth,” said Hossain Khaled who is the newly elected DCCI president.

“Private investment has been slow

in 2014 as investors were repelled by political unrest and instability, the lack of infrastructural development, bu-reaucracy tangle, and unavailability of gas and electricity,” he said.

According to Khaled, the biggest challenge in 2015 will be enhancing investment in productive and service sectors. He said the non-friendly busi-ness policy of the government has been an obstacle to achieving the desired economic growth.

The DCCI president urged the gov-ernment to attract foreign direct in-vestment (FDI) as well as wooing local investors by ensuring an environment conducive to business in order to reach the targets. “The GDP growth of the country is hovering around 6% but it

should about 10%. The � ow of the FDI is also slow, which was $1 billion this year whereas a violence-torn country like Pakistan enjoys around $7 billion in FDI annually,” said Khaled.

He said the DCCI would continue hav-ing dialogue with political parties with the aim of putting an end to destructive political programmes as these impede fresh investment and economic growth.

“Only tra� c congestion causes the country to lose Tk27,000 crore every year and also wastes about 32 lakh working hours per day,” said Khaled.

The DCCI president urged to expe-dite the implementation of Dhaka-Chit-tagong four-lane highway project, ob-serving that the delay had already led to losses of Tk10,000 crore. l

Sela made o� limits to all vesselsn Tribune Report

The government yesterday sealed the navigation route through the Sela River in the Sundarbans for all kinds of ves-sels including small boats to make sure that the visiting UN team of experts gets to work without any disturbance.

The team of experts from the Unit-ed Nations arrived at the Sundarbans on Monday to investigate the place of the oil spill and assess its impact on the environment.

A forest o� cial said the ban will re-main e� ective until further notice.

On December 11 – two days after a tanker vessel sank with over 350,000 litres of furnace oil – the Forest Depart-ment and the BIWTA temporarily banned movement of commercial vessels along the Sela River; that ban is still in place.

The UN team talked to media yester-day at Andharmanik in the Sundarbans following a two-day visit to the area. They said they will make their � ndings public and submit a report to the Bang-

ladesh government at the month’s end.Amelia Walstrom, chief of the UN

expert team, told journalists: “We are studying the environment, wildlife, forest and the potential impact on hu-mans...Since this is a collaboration, we are working closely with the national experts as well,” she said.

Walstrom said the team will stay in the Sundarbans for three more days and then hold a press conference in Dhaka after submitting report to the government on December 31. l

3NewsDHAKA TRIBUNE Thursday, December 25, 2014

Case � led against three Ansar al-Islam men in Sha� ul murdern RU Correspondent

Police yesterday � led a case against three members of Ansar al-Islam Ban-gladesh that earlier claimed it had killed Rajshahi University professor AKM Sha� ul Islam.

Sha� ul Islam, a teacher of Sociology Department of RU, was hacked to death on November 15 on the way to his home near the university campus.

After 38 days of the sensational murder, Abdus Salam, sub-inspector of Motihar police station � led the case in the evening, con� rmed O� cer-in-charge Alamgir Hossasin.

The accused were named as Shariful Islam, 25, a teacher of Shibganj Upazilla Ghaghurduar Private Cadet College, Raihanul Haque, 15, a student of Class VIII of Gokul Taslim Uddin College under Bogra city and Abdur Rahim of Bogra.

Police arrested Shariful and Raihanul on November 23 from Bogra. They are now in Rajshahi jail while Abdur Rahim is absconding.

Hours after the murder in a post of facebook community page Ansar al-Islam Bangladesh-2 claimed the responsibility for Prof Sha� ul’s murder.

“Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Our Mujahideens today have murdered a murtad (atheist) who had prohibited female students from wearing burka in classrooms,” the � rst ever post of the newly created facebook community page said.

The post also warned all “atheists and murtad” of similar consequences.

Alamgir Hossain, the investigation o� ce in the murder case, said Abdur Rahim created the facebook page and the rest two downloaded the information and pictures.

Later the IT department of police identi� ed them and made the arrest.

Alagmir also said, the accused were held as they created confusion over the murder by posting facebook status and tried to shift the attention of police to a wrong direction.

“Though police could not � nd the involvement of the accused in the murder, the case was � led against them under the ICT act, 2006,” OC Alamgir also said.

Earlier, police took Shariful and Raihanul on remand under section 54 of Criminal Procedure Code but did not � nd their involvement in the murder.

A day after the murder, RU registrar Prof Entajul Haque � led a murder case naming none with Motihar police station while about 17 suspects are now in jail in the case.

Meanwhile, RU Teachers Association will form a human chain on December 30 demanding the investigation into the murder be sped up, said RUTA General Secretary Prof Pranab Kumer Panday.

Motihar police station O� cer-in Charge Alamgir Hossain, also the investigation o� cer, told The Dhaka Tribune that police were doing their best to unearth the mystery.

Ifte Khayer Alam, spokesperson of the RMP commissioner and also an assistant commissioner of the Detective Branch, said they were analysing the information gleaned from the arrestees.

He also said, police were currently looking into the involvement of other people in the murder and would take action once the process was completed.

On November 15, unidenti� ed assailants hacked Prof Sha� ul to death with machetes in broad daylight near his Choddopai residence close to the university campus. l

ACC: No graft case against MP Enamuln Adil Sakhawat

After almost a year since investigations began on graft allegations against Ra-jshahi lawmaker Enamul Haque, the Anti-Corruption Commission has de-cided to not to pursue any case against the MP. The anti-graft body, however, sent its probe-related documents to the National Board of Revenue yesterday to look into possible tax evasion charges.

ACC Commissioner (Investigation) M Sahabuddin Chuppu told reporters that the commission decided not to � le a graft case against the ruling party’s Rajshahi 4 constituency lawmaker, as the ACC did not � nd proof into allega-tions of Enamul accumulating illegal

wealth worth Tk217 crore.“The inquiry o� cer raised some ob-

jections in his submitted probe report regarding some faults in audit reports against the MP that suggest the law-maker had evaded tax. So, the com-mission sent the charges to the NBR for further inquiry about the evasion of taxes, which the lawmaker claims was his business taxes,” Chuppu said

Earlier in January, the ACC initiated its inquiry against Enamul; while probe o� cer Jatan Kumer Roy, an ACC deputy director, � led his report on September 16 recommending that a case be � led against Enamul for illegally accumulat-ing Tk217 crore between 2008 and 2013.

Sources said two ACC commissioners

– Chuppu and Nasiruddin Ahmed – took opposing stance about the report, with the former being in favour of not pur-suing a case against the Rajshahi MP. However, the � nal decision was made by ACC Chairman M Bodiuzzaman, who decided not to pursue the graft charges but to send the � les to the NBR.

Asked about the opposing stance within the ACC regarding the charges, Chuppu said: “Any commission-related matter is mutually decided by the [ACC] chairman and two commissioners. But when the � le of lawmaker Enamul came to me, I saw that the inquiry o� cer’s rec-ommendation for case � ling was only regarding tax evasion – which is not the ACC’s subject to investigate and the MP

himself and his company are two sepa-rate entities. So, the commission decided to stop pursuing a case after � nding no proof of illegal accumulation of wealth.

“As there are some audit objections from the inquiry o� cer about Enamul’s company’s tax evasion, the commis-sion had decided to send the charges to the NBR.” Chuppu added.

Following media reports in January on phenomenal rises in wealth of MPs, the ACC launched inquiries against three former minister and four par-liament members, including Enamul. However, so far, the commission has decided not to � le any case against three of them, including two incum-bent MPs and a former minister. l

Study: Country’s agricultural land shrinking at alarming raten Tribune Report

Commercial farming of tobacco and shrimp as well as brick � elds are tak-ing up agricultural land in the country, with around 700 acres of agricultural land destroyed every day on average.

The alarming information was re-vealed at the presentation of study re-port titled “Increasing Commercialisa-tion of Agricultural Land and Contract Farming in Bangladesh: An Alternative Appraisal” by eminent economist Dr Abul Barakat at a seminar in the capi-tal’s CIRDAP auditorium yesterday.

During his research, Dr Barakat found that the most detrimental cause of agricultural land loss is commercial tobacco farming.

Around 1,339,841 hectares of land have been used for tobacco cultivation in the past 11 years, the report said. Be-fore tobacco cultivation took over, this land was used to grow food crops.

Another major cause of land loss is

shrimp farming. Almost all the shrimp farmers said that the land where they were growing shrimps in had previous-ly been used to grow various crops.

For the brick kilns in Manikganj, Narayanganj, Rajshahi and Natore, which were surveyed for the study, around 117,263 cubic feet of agricul-tural land on average were destroyed between 2003 and 2013 as soil was ex-cavated from these � elds to make.

In order to stop the loss, Dr Barakat recommended to discourage tobacco cultivation among the farmers, using appropriate stringent � scal policies if necessary, and at the same time en-courage production of other crops.

Shrimp cultivation should also be controlled so that it does take up more cultivable lands., the researcher said.

“Both the food security and the eco-logical balance in the areas are at risk here. Also, without solving these prob-lems, social and economic disparities cannot be reduced,“ he said. l

Fakhrul: BCL chief led attackn Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

The BNP has claimed that over 600 of its men were injured in yesterday’s at-tack in the capital’s Bakshibazar area, launched under the leadership of Ba-diuzzaman Sohag, president of ruling party’s student wing Chhatra League.

From a press conference at its Nay-apaltan headquarters, BNP spokes-person Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir demanded arrest of the perpetrators. “Otherwise, the government has to shoulder responsibility for any untow-ard situation.”

He also alleged that the ruling party men had attempted to attack on BNP chief Khaleda Zia. But their attempt went in vein as the “people’s took posi-tion in the area spontaneously.”

In protest against the incident, the BNP announced protest programmes for tomorrow in district and divisional headquarters.

“BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia went to Bakshibazar Alia Madrasa ground to appear before the court. Many common

people including party leaders and activ-ists went there to greet her. But just � ve or six minutes before her appearance, cadres of Chhatra League, Jubo League and Awami League attacked on them under the leadership of Chhatra League President Badiuzzaman Sohag,” he said.

The BNP acting secretary general claimed that more than 600 people were injured and 50 detained during the incident. Of the injured, condition of more than 100 was critical.

However, witnesses and hospital sources said around 40 people, includ-ing a ruling party lawmaker, were injured in the sporadic clashes in Bakshibazar, Chankharpool and Plassey areas.

The BNP � rst announced the demon-stration programme for today but later it was shifted due to Christmas.

Asked about the attack on ruling par-ty lawmaker Chhabi Biswas, Fakhrul said: “The government, Awami League and Chhatra League have to shoulder responsibility for this. It should be in-vestigated whether they [government supporters] torched the vehicle.” l

‘Chetia repatriation after Nur’s extradition’n Tribune Desk

Indian media have reported that Ulfa leader Anup Chetia could be repatriated to that country from Bangladesh “imme-diately after” Narayanganj seven-mur-der accused Nur Hossain is sent back.

“Ulfa general secretary Anup Che-tia could � nally be heading home from ‘protective custody’ in Bangladesh im-mediately after Nur Hossain, a wanted Bangladeshi criminal now imprisoned in Kolkata, is sent to the neighbouring country for trial,” reported the Times of India yesterday.

Nur Hossain had � ed to India and was later arrested by Kolkata police in June for illegally entering the country.

The ToI report cites a source as say-ing India had con� rmed to Bangladesh that it would hand over Nur within this month under the newly signed extradi-tion treaty between the two countries.

“This is not an exchange (Chetia for Hossain). Hossain is an undertrial pris-

oner in Kolkata and will be sent to Ban-gladesh for trial. Chetia has completed his sentence for illegally entering Bangla-desh and possessing foreign currencies. He is in protective custody o� ered by the Bangladesh judiciary after he expressed a threat to his life,” the source said.

The source added: “India wants Chetia and technically he will be repa-triated.”

Chetia is wanted in several cases of terrorism, including the killing of a su-perintendent of police. Chetia, whose real name is Golap Baruah, is the brain behind the birth of the United Libera-tion Front of Assam (Ulfa) in 1979.

The anti-talks faction of the out� t (Ulfa-Independent) had earlier written a letter to the Bangladesh prime minis-ter requesting that Chetia should not be swapped with Bangladeshi criminals. The out� t urged Hasina that Chetia be handed over to India through a decent repatriation mechanism as he has vol-unteered for the same. l

Clockwise from top left: BNP supporters, armed with sticks, escort Khaleda Zia’s car while she was heading to a court in Bakshibazar yesterday. The area in Old Dhaka turns into a battle� eld as Chhatra League men attack activists from BNP and its associate bodies who took position in front of the Fazle Rabbi Hall of DMCH. At one point of the clash, the BNP supporters burn tyres on the road. Locals bear the brunt as roads linking to the makeshift court remain blocked for hours MEHEDI HASAN/DHAKA TRIBUNE

Hours after the murder, the facebook community page of Ansar al-Islam Bangladesh-2 claimed responsibility for Prof Sha� ul’s death

News4 DHAKA TRIBUNE Thursday, December 25, 2014

Boy dies after being hit by cricket balln FM Mizanur Rahaman,

Chittagong

A sixteen-year-old boy died after he was allegedly hit by a ball while playing cricket in Chittagong yesterday.

Deceased Md Robin, son of Md Shah Alam, hailed from Bhatiari area in the dis-trict’s Sitakunda upazila.

According to his uncle Md Idris, he was declared by on-duty doctors at Chit-tagong Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), after be-ing rushed there in a critical condition.

Sub-Inspector Jahirul Is-lam of Chittagong Medical College Hospital police out-post con� rmed this to the Dhaka Tribune.

He said prima facie, the doctors had not found any injury marks on his body and so they sent him to the morgue for autopsy. l

Two JMB men arrestedn Mohammad Jamil Khan

Members of Detective Branch (DB) of police yesterday detained two mem-bers of banned militant out� t Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

DB police said the arrestees were involved in cross-border militant activ-ities.

The arrestees were identi� ed as Md Saidur Rahman, 48, “Gayere Ehsar” member of JMB and Md Abul Salek, 25, the younger brother of absconding mil-itant Tariqul Islam Sumon, accused in Bardhaman bomb blast.

Masudur Rahman, deputy commis-sioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said based on information, a special team of DB police bomb disposal unit led by Assistant Commissioner Rah-matullah Chowdhury conducted the drive on the Sat Masjid Road of Dhan-mondi and made the arrest.

“Bomb makings manuals were re-covered from the possession of arrest-ees,” said Masudur Rahman.

“DB police carried out the drive based on the information from Nation-al Investigation Agency (NIA) of India after the Bardhaman blast,” he says, adding that the arrest of the duo is just a beginning.

In primary interrogation, arrestee Saidur informed that he is an active “Gayere Ehsar” member of JMB and started working with JMB in 2001.

He used to work as a liaison source to keep smooth contact between the militants of India and Bangladesh.

He also helped the JMB men ac-cused in Bardhaman blast go to India, said DC Masudur Rahman.

Another arrestee Salek used to help family members of militants to cross Bangladesh border into India. He is the younger brother of absconding militant Sumon.

A case was � led with Dhanmondi Police Station against the duo, said DC Masud.

Soon after the arrest DB police placed the duo before the Chief Metro-politan Magistrate Court seeking a 10-day remand for interrogation.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Younus Khan, after hearing, however, granted a three-day remand for each, according to our Dhaka Judge court correspondent.

Nearly two months ago, a bomb blast in Bardhaman of West Bengal, found the involvement of Bangladeshi Militant out� t JMB.

Following the incident, the intelli-gence agencies of both the neighbour-ing countries agreed to launch a crack-down on militant groups.

Later, a delegation of NIA of India visited Dhaka on November 17 this year.

They held a series of meetings with the intelligence of Bangladesh where they exchanged lists of militants hauled up in the two countries.

After that, a seven-member delega-tion law enforcing agency of Bangla-desh also visited India from November 27 to 29. l

BGB-BSF conference begins today n Tribune Report

A six-day director general-level conference between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Border Security Force (BSF) of India will begin in Dhaka today. It will end on December 30.

BSF DG Shri Devendra Kumar Pathak will lead a 20-member del-egation while BGB Director Gener-al Major General Aziz Ahmed will head a 23-member team.

The BSF team, which will arrive in Dhaka today, will be comprised of BSF headquarters, Indian home and foreign ministry high o� cials.

The Bangladesh team will be comprised of BGB additional di-rectors, sta� o� cers, representa-

tives from home, foreign a� airs ministries, joint river commission and narcotics department.

Various issues, including shooting at Bangladeshis on the border, abductions, trespassing, smuggling of arms and ammuni-tions, drugs, will be discussed at the conference, said a BGB press release yesterday.

The formal meeting will be held at the BGB Pilkhana Headquarters tomorrow around 10am. A Joint Record of Discussions (JRD) will be signed on December 29.

A friendly volleyball match will be held today between the two border forces at Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium at Mirpur around 6pm. l

Dhaka Tribune signs MoU with IUB and ICCCADn Tribune Report

The Dhaka Tribune yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Independent University, Bangla-desh (IUB) and International Centre for Climate Change and Development (IC-CCAD) with a view to train its journalists for writing about climate change issues.

The Dhaka Tribune Editor Zafar Sobhan, ICCCAD Director Dr Saleemul

Haque and Vice Chancellor of IUB Pro-fessor M Omar Rahman signed the tri-partite MoU on behalf of their respec-tive sides at the VC’s conference room of the university.

Masroora Haque, coordinator (communication) of ICCCAD said: “Under the MoU, the Dhaka Tribune will publish fortnightly supplements on climate change and ICCCAD will train the journalists about how they should address the issues related to climate change.”

Dr Saleemul Haque expressed op-timism that the training would enable the journalists to e� ciently write about the climate change issues. ICCCAD has already started training up the journal-ists of the Dhaka Tribune. l

Third DUNMUN conference ends n Arif Ahmed

The four-day long Dhaka University National Model United Nations (DUN-MUN) Conference 2014 ended yester-day with the young generation pledging to become global leaders, uphold global peace and contribute to socio-econom-ic development of the country.

The conference ended with giving awards to the delegates for their outstand-ing contribution in di� erent sessions. Among the participating teams from var-ious universities, a total of 10 teams from Dhaka University were awarded for excel-lence in di� erent categories.

The closing ceremony was attend-ed by ambassador of Korea Lee Yun-young, Director of United Nations Faiyaz Murshid Kazi and Md Moniru-zzaman, o� cer in-charge of UN Infor-mation Centre, Dhaka.

In the 2nd and 3rd days of the con-ference, several sessions were held on di� erent socio-political issues, crimes and crisis, security and human rights.

This year’s theme was “Empowering Youth for Sustainable Development”. l

Speakers: Global action needed to tackle climate change n Abu Bakar Siddique

Political leaders around the world should come forward and create a sus-tainable agreement among the nations to tackle the negative impacts of global warming, speakers said at a discussion in the capital yesterday.

Speaking at the discussion titled “Re� ection on Lima COP20 and Action towards Paris COP21,” they also agreed that the governments of developed countries have to change their attitude about having a legally binding agree-ment to reduce the negative impacts of climate change.

The discussion was jointly organised by ActionAid Bangladesh, Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS), and International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD), held at Daily Star Centre’s seminal hall.

Addressing the event, ICCCAD Di-rector Dr Saleemul Haq said: “The leaders have to take the decision to get a comprehensive and sustainable out-come of the global climate change ne-gotiation.”

Terming the outcome of the Con-ference of Parties (COP) 20, held in

Peru’s capital Lima earlier this month, as “lowest common denominator,” he said the countries had failed to gain common grounds for signing the agree-ment in COP 21, which is due to be held in Paris next year.

COP 20 was considered to be plat-form for homework for COP 21, the next global climate conference.

“Paris COP 21 is the last chance for the world leaders to show that they are able and willing to tackle a problem of global signi� cance for the people and the planet,” Dr Saleem said.

Apart from the strong roles of by the political leaders, voices of the civ-il societies should also be taken into consideration as they always work as

pressure groups worldwide when it comes to taking pro-people initiatives, he added.

According to the Inter-governmen-tal Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Bangladesh is one of the most vulner-able nations regarding the negative im-pacts of global climate change.

The panel believes that several sec-tors in Bangladesh, especially agricul-ture and water, will be badly a� ected by increased salinity, drought and more frequent cyclonic events and tid-al surges as a result of global warming.

COP 21 is being considered as a mile-stone where three major decisions, in-cluding a legally binding global climate agreement, will be taken in regards to combating the ill e� ect of climate change.

Speaking about female leadership in this regard, Farah Kabir, country di-rector of ActionAid in Bangladesh, said gender equality should be one of the key principles in all the negotiations, policy making and intervention at COP 21.

“Otherwise, half the population of the world will be deprived, and sus-tainable development will remain a mere dream,” she said. l

A Detective Branch o� cial presents the abducted nine-month-old child and the abductor yesterday. The child was rescued in Rajshahi, 27 days after being abducted from Chittgaong DHAKA TRIBUNE

ICCCAD Director Dr Saleemul Haque and Vice Chancellor of IUB Professor M Omar Rahman and Dhaka Tribune Editor Zafar Sobhan pose for a picture after signing the MoU yesterday RAJIB DHAR

Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable nations regarding the negative impacts of global climate change

Calls for policy to curb road accidentsn Tribune Report

Speakers at a discussion have urged the government to formulate a well-pro-portioned policy for the transport and communication sector to check the in-creasing number of deaths in road acci-dents in the country.

Haphazard conditions were now prevailing in the sector, they said at the discussion, organised by Jatria Kalyan Samity, a social organisation, held at the National Press Club yesterday.

According to a paper provided by the organisers, on average 30 people die in road accidents across the country every day and 10,000 to 12,000 people a year.

Referring to this, writer and colum-nist Syed Abul Maksud said: “If a dis-ease killed so many people, it would shake the world. But nowadays, we are used to such a number of deaths.”

He believed that a well-propor-tioned policy for the transport and communication sector could e� ective-ly reduce such a staggering number of deaths from road accidents. Bangla-desh Nationalist Front lawmaker ASM Abul Kalam Azad termed the road ac-cidents a “national crisis” and said the road transport minister could never be successful if he did not solve it. l

WEATHER

PRAYER TIMES Fajr 5:18am Sunrise 6:38am Zohr 11:59am Asr 3:43pm Magrib 5:19pm Esha 6:40 pm

Source: Accuweather/UNB

D H A K ATODAY TOMORROW

SUN SETS 5:18PM SUN RISES 6:39AM

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW29.6ºC 8.7ºC

Sitakunda Chuadanga

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25

SourceL IslamicFinder.org

F O R E C A S T F O R T O D A YDhaka 27 14Chittagong 28 16Rajshahi 27 12Rangpur 26 12Khulna 28 11Barisal 29 14Sylhet 29 13Cox’s Bazar 30 18

5NewsDHAKA TRIBUNE Thursday, December 25, 2014

DRY WEATHER

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Justice for murdered students of CU demanded n CU Correspondent

The left-leaning students’ organisa-tions of Chittagong University yester-day demanded trial of killers of all stu-dents of the university who have been killed earlier by miscreants.

The alliance also demanded with-drawal of ban on politics from the cam-pus as soon as possible.

They made the demand at a press conference under the banner of Progo-tishil Chhatra Jote. The conference was held at the o� ce of Central Students’ Union (Cucsu) around 12pm.

At the press conference, Bikul Tajik, general secretary of Chhatra Federa-tion CU unit, read out a written speech. Convener of Somajtrantik Chhatra Front Fajle Rabbi, Chhatra Federa-tion’s President Anwar Sadat Junayad

and  CU Bangladesh Chhatra Union’s Vice-President Mohammed Tarek were also present.

The left-leaning parties’ leaders al-leged that the CU authority had halted the way of democratic practice  of stu-dents on the campus imposing political ban, but ruling party’s students’ wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Islamic Chhatra Shibir men are carry-ing out the political programmes fre-quently.

They also set four-point demands. The demands are bringing all killers to the book through fair probe, withdraw-al of political ban on the campus imme-diately, allocating seats at dormitories according to merits and seizing arms from the dormitories along with re-moval of illegal students and arranging Cucsu election for smooth democratic

practice.It is mentionable that the CU had

imposed ban on all kinds of political ac-tivities on the campus on November 10 in 2008 for the � rst time after a bloody clash between two factions of the BCL.

Later, the university authorities had imposed ban for the second time on February 9, 2012 after another bloody clash between Shibir men and BCL men.

Later, CU again has imposed ban on the campus till further notice after murder of Tapos Sarkar, a 1st year stu-dent of Sangskrit department, on De-cember 14 this year.

Tapos, an activist of the BCL, was shot dead by its rivals at Shah Amanat dormitory during a clash between two BCL factions over establishing suprem-acy on the campus. l

Nasim: BNP again hatching conspiracy with Jamaat to destabilise country n Our Correspondent, Naogoan

Awami League Presidium Member and Health and Family Welfare Minis-ter Mohammad Nasim yesterday said Chairperson of BNP Khaleda Zia was hatching conspiracy again with Ja-maat-e-Islam to destabilise the country.

“The anti-forces had killed the fam-ily of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to ruin the spirit of our Libera-tion War,” he said while addressing the triennial conference of Naogoan dis-trict Awami League at Naojoyan � eld yesterday.

Referring to January 5 general elec-tion, Mohammad Nasim said martial law could have been promulgated in the country if the election was not held in time. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had protected democracy by holding the election.

The minister said: “There will be no election before 2019 as there is no chance to violate the constitution. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina do poli-tics not to grab power. She is working to change the fate of country’s people.”

Presided over by district Awami League President AKM Fazley Rabbi, Awami League leaders Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Abu Sayeed Al Mahmood Swa-

pan, Jute and Textile Minister Imaj Uddin Pramanik, State Minister for Jute and Textiles Mirza Azam, State Minister for ICT Junayed Ahmed Palak, Colonnel (Rtd) Faruk Khan, Abdur Rah-man, Khairuzzaman Liton, Sujit Roy Nandi and SM Kamal Hossain, among others, addressed the function.

Nasim said: “The BNP has done a great mistake by not participating in the last election. The BNP has to pay for their mistake.”

Referring to BNP’s threat of launch-ing anti-government movement, he said the Awami League was not scared of any threat of the BNP.

Earlier, Mohammad Nasim opened the council in the afternoon by hoisting the national � ag.

Around 30,000 leaders and workers of 11 upazilas of the district and its ad-joining areas joined the council. l

Suspected gold smuggler held in Chittagong Airport n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

Customs o� cials at Shah Amanat Inter-national Airport in Chittagong yester-day arrested a Dubai-returned person with gold bars, jewelery, and smart-phones worth almost Tk2 crore.

The arrested, Nurul Islam, from Da-kkhin Ghonia village under Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar, was handed over to Paten-ga police station, and a case has been lodged in this connection, said Directo-rate of Customs Intelligence and Investi-gation Assistant Director Sushanta Paul.

He told Dhaka Tribune that they found 33 gold bars, seven gold necklaces, four chains, a pair of earrings, and seven smartphones from a handbag belonging to Nurul. According to Sushanta, the gold bars, weighting about four kilogrammes, and the phone sets are worth Tk 2 crore.

Nurul, having arrived by Bangladesh

Biman’s � ight BG-046 that landed around 10:30am, tried to go away unnoticed while deserting the bag at airport immigration. He was challenged by law enforcement as his activities seemed suspicious.

Sushanta con� rmed that they had been monitoring his movements, add-ing: “Nurul denied our challenge, but the customs o� cials made sure that the bag belonged to him by examining airport terminal’s video footage.”

He further informed Nurul had trav-eled in and out of the country 15 times in the last year before this arrival; it is possible that he is involved with gold smuggling.

Existing law allows a person to carry 200 grammes of gold from abroad af-ter paying necessary duty. However, by serving a prior notice and paying neces-sary duty, a passenger can bring two kilo-grammes of gold at maximum. l

Non-govt teachers demand national pay scalen Our Correspondent, Barisal

The teachers and employees of the non-government educational institu-tions demanded to be included in the proposed national pay scale. They also wanted their job to be nationalised.

They declared their demands at an agitation rally held in front of Ashwini Kumar Hall yesterday by Jatiya Shikkhak Karmachari Front (JSKF), Barisal unit. It

was followed by a procession through the city streets.

Speakers said teachers and employ-ees of the government educational institutions would be included in the pay-scale by default. But the govern-ment had neither included nor declared a separate pay commission for the non-government teachers and employ-ees.

The leaders said education would

never be standardised if such practice continued. In addition to this demand, the leaders also wanted quick imple-mentation of the National Education Policy 2010, increase of house rent, medical and festival allowances, annual increment and � xing the retirement age of teachers at 65.

They also cautioned that if their legiti-mate demands were not met, they would call for tougher movement. l

180 shops, two shanties gutted in Chittagong n Tarek Mahmud and FM Mizanur

Rahaman, Chittagong

Around 180 shops and two shanties were burnt to ashes in a devastating � re that broke out in Chittagong city’s Chotopul area yesterday night. No causality, however, was reported in the � re incident.

Deputy Director of Fire Service and Civil Defence, Chittagong Headquar-ters Asadujjaman Sheikh told Dha-ka Tribune that Somobay Singapore Market run by Agrabad Bohumukhi Somobay Samity Limited caught � re around 6:30pm, but reason behind the � re was not known immediately.

“Fifteen units of � re � ghters from the port city’s Chandanpura, Nan-dankanon, Badar, EPZ and Agrabad � re stations rushed to the spot and extin-guished the blaze around 8:15pm,” he said.

President of Somobay Singapore Market Malik Samity Mohammad Ta-zul Islam Babu said there were a total of 314 shops in the market in which 180 shops were gutted.

He said: “The � re originated from an oven of a shanty owned by Chittagong City Corporation’s Ward Councilor Mo-hammad Sekandar and soon � re en-gulfed the entire market.

“Properties worth around Tk10

crores were gutted in the � re,” At least 10 people were injured while

they were trying to defuse the � re, he further added.

“There are shops of ceramics prod-ucts, ready made garment products, cosmetics in the market. Almost all the shops of ready made garment’s prod-ucts were gutted in the � re.”

But the councillor denied originat-ing of the � re from his shanty. “The � re might occur from the market shops,” he said.

Deputy Director of Chittagong’s Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquar-ters said: “We will form a probe body to look into the reason behind the � re and

total amount of gutted properties.” The rear line shops of the market

were more a� ected than the front line shops that indicated the � re occurred in the rear portion of the market and a shanty was behind the market, he said, adding that the � re probably originated from the shanty.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (west zone) Tanvir Arafat said two platoons of special reserve force and 20 policemen led by O� cer-in-Charge of Halishahar police Station Syed Abu Mohammad Shahjahan were deployed on the spot to maintain law and order situation as well as to help the victims. l

Tension runs high in Gazipur ahead of BNP’s rally n Our Correspondent, Gazipur

The local leaders and activists of the Awami League and the BNP are at log-gerheads over the December 27 rally of Khaleda Zia at Gazipur’s Bhawal Badre Alam College ground.

The situation deteriorated yesterday when the youth and student wings of both the parties tried to take over the rally ground, which has subsequently been cordoned o� by police.

Earlier, the Gazipur unit of Bangla-desh Chhatra League (BCL) declared to hold a rally at the same place on the same day to protest the recent remarks of Tarique Rahman on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

BCL and Jubo League brought out pro-cessions one after another throughout yesterday. On the other hand, BNP leaders held a press conference reiter-ating their stance to make the rally a success.

On Tuesday night, BCL and Jubo League activists vandalised and torched the banners and festoons of BNP’s rally before they set up their own on the east side of the � eld. Police later took control of the ground and its adja-cent areas.

Again in the morning, BCL, Jubo League and Jubo Dal tried to bring out

separate processions at the college campus but was resisted by law enforcers.

A leader of district Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student body of the BNP, Monirul Islam Monir said police did not allow them to hold any pro-cession but did not bar BCL men from doing so.

Police Super of Gazipur Har-un-ur-Rashid said: “We have received application from both the parties and we are evaluating them. But if they in-tend to create anarchy in the name of rally, we will not allow anyone to hold any rally.”

“Already both the parties tried to take control of the � eld but we have driven them away. Until a decision is taken, hopefully they all will restrain themselves,” he added.

Meanwhile, the BNP held a press conference yesterday noon at the par-ty’s Gazipur o� ce, where district and central leaders were present.

Brigadier General (retd) ASM Han-nan Shah said: “We are working to hold a peaceful rally at the Bhawal college. But the associates of the ruling party, with support of the administration, is making the situation volatile.”

Gazipur city Mayor Professor Man-nan urged the law enforcers to do their duty and protect people’s life and prop-erty. “We have taken permission for the rally. It is unacceptable that someone else should be interfering with that.”

The BNP-led alliance recently an-nounced to hold a public rally at Gazi-pur where Khaleda Zia is expected to speak as the chief guest.

However, on Sunday, Convenor of Gazipur BCL Delwar Hossain vowed to thwart the BNP rally if Tarique Rahman did not apologise for his remarks on Bangabandhu. l

Layo� s cause labour unrest in Ashulian Our Correspondent, Savar

Production at a readymade garment factory in Ashulia came to a halt yes-terday after workers found out that the factory had laid o� 35 of them.

More than 400 men and women work at the Dresses and the Ideas Ltd situated in Ashulia on the outskirts of the capital.

After coming to work yesterday morning the workers found the notice posted at the entrance of the factory declaring the layo� s.

Seeing the notice, the workers be-came angry and staged demonstra-tions. A number of the agitated work-ers claimed that the factory authorities had sacked the workers without any speci� c reasons. They announced to continue their demonstration until the workers were reinstated to their posts. Director of the Industrial Police Mo-sta� zur Rahman said additional police forces had been deployed at the spot. l

Dhaka South City Corporation demolishes makeshift structures illegally set up on the footpath along Mirpur Road near New Market in the capital yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Marking the Benin Martyred Peacekeepers Day, the Coalition of Local NGOs, Bangladesh forms a human chain in front of the National Press Club yesterday MEHEDI HASAN

The BNP-led alliance recently announced to hold a public rally at Gazipur where Khaleda Zia is expected to speak as the chief guest

Around 30,000 leaders and workers of Awami League from 11 upazilas of the district and its adjoining areas joined the council

6 NationDHAKA TRIBUNE

Woman found dead Police recovered the body of a woman from Shalubagan area in the district yesterday. The deceased was identi� ed as Saika Khatun ,22, daughter of Abu Sayaed in the area. Jasim Ud-din, o� cer-in-charge of Chapainawbganj police station said Saika might have killed after rape. The body was sent to hospital morgue.

– Our Correspondent, Chapainawbganj

Drug worth Tk2.5 crore destroyed Members of law enforcers destroyed drugs worth about Tk2.5crore in the district yester-day. Border Guard Commander Lieutenant Colonel Zunaed Alam said the enforcers recovered the drugs including wine, phensidy and Yaba from the several areas in the district. The drugs were destroyed in the morning in presence of police, RAB and narcotic depart-ment o� cials.

– Our Correspondent, Feni

Robbery committed A robbery was committed on Tuesday night in Moulvibazar town.Police and locals said a gang of robbers numbering 10-12 by entered the house of Pradip Dey, 45, at Shyamsundar Akhra area of the town breaking the window of the kitchen. They looted gold ornaments, two mobile phone-set, one laptop, Tk15,000.

– Our Correspondent. Moulvibazar

Reception for femalefreedom � ghterA reception for female freedom � ghters was held at a restaurant in the town yesterday. Senior Citizens’ Welfare Association, district unit arranged the programme. A discussion was also arranged in this connection. Among others, Additional Superintendent of Police Munshi Shahabuddin, mayor Sheikh Emdadul Haq-al- Mamun and district council admin-istrator Sajedur Rahman Khan spoke on the occasion.

– Our Correspondent, Natore

Body formed to probe Jhalakati road accidentA probe committee was formed yesterday to investigate the reason behind the Tuesday’s road accident in Rajapur upazila that left eight people killed and 25 others injured. Sources at the deputy commencer’s o� ce said the district administration formed the four-mem-ber committee, headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Saiful Islam, to inves-tigate the accident. The committee was asked to submit its report within the next seven working days. The accident took place around 4:30pm on Tuesday when a Barisal-bound bus from Khulna skidded o� the road and fell into the canal at Bishwasbari on the Barisal-Khulna highway, leaving eight people killed and 25 others injured.

– Our Correspondent, Jhalakati

Thursday, December 25, 2014

NEWS IN BRIEF

82 illegal brick � elds running n Our Correspondent, Lakshmipur

At least 82 brick � elds, out of 150, in the Lakshmipur district are operating with-out the approval of the administration. They also did not follow any guideline while being set up.

These illegal kilns, made with old style tin-chimney, are using wood in-stead of coal creating an environmental hazard. Moreover, collecting such huge amount of woods is also contributing to fast deforestation in the district.

After the local people lodged com-plaints against the brick � elds, the ad-ministration decided to take action.

The government stopped issuing li-censes to the old style kilns, commonly known as Banglabhata, two years ago.

However, some corrupt businessman, defying the government ban, set up Banglabhata in Lakshmipur Sadar, Rai-pur, Ramganj, Ramgati and Komolna-gar areas.

Some of the brick � elds are MMB Bricks, Abbas Bricks and Manufactur-ing, Sudharam ABM Bricks, Hajaripara MDA Bricks, JBM Bricks, Firoz Bricks,

Maa Bricks and Panna Bricks etc. When asked, none of the owners

of these brick � elds could give satisfactory answer as to why they were operating the kilns without government permission.

There are also allegations that the brick � eld owners extort money in the name of an association. They claim that the money collected is spent to 'man-age' the administration.

Some leaders of the association anonymously said a proper environ-ment-friendly brick � eld cost TK3 crore to set up, whereas the traditional Banglabhata cost way less.

Though the environment depart-ment, with the help of RAB and Chit-tagong district administration, shut

down some of the brick � elds last year, they are trying to make a come back in disguise.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Lakshmipur Muhammad Shahadat Hossain said, the administration had taken all necessary measures to shut down the illegal brick � eld. “Already the brick � eld owners have been served notices. If anyone is trying to extort in the name of association, we will take action in that case too,” he added.

Deputy Commissioner AKM Tipu Sul-tan said: “The administration is aware about these illegal brick � elds. We have met with the owners several times and hopefully we will � nd a solution. We are very strict about such brick � elds for the sake of the environment.” l

Sirajdikhan parents resent extra HSC test fees n Our Correspondent, Munshiganj

Parents of HSC candidates of several colleges in Sirajdikhan upazila have accused the college authorities of collecting extra money in exam fees.

They said their children, who will take the test next year, had been forced to pay fees which was several times higher than what had been set by the education board.

Students of Bikrampur Adarsha Univer-sity College paid Tk6,150, which included coaching fees, while those of Malkhanagar College paid Tk4,700.

The parents claimed that Tk1,610 is the o� cial � gure but they chose not to argue with college authorities fearing that teach-ers might get angry with the students.

The father of a girl studying at Bikrampur Adarsha University College said: “I work as a day labourer and am the sole breadwinner

in the family. I toiled to bear the educational expenses of my daughter but now I cannot collect the fees charged by the college. I fear that my daughter will be unable to register for the test.”

Vice-principal of Bikrampur Adarsha University College conceded that Tk6,150, including Tk1,650 in coaching fees, was collected from the HSC candidates. But o� -cials of Ichhapura KB Degree College and Al-haj Ali Ajgar and Abdullah College claimed that they did not overcharge the candidates, and collected the amount set by the educa-tion authorities.

President (college section) of Munshiganj district unit of Bangladesh Shikkhok Samity Md Shamsul Haque Howladar said he had heard about the allegation, adding that this was not a right step to take.

Sirajdikhan Upazila Education O� cer Khaleda Parvin said actions would be taken if any complaint was lodged. l

Journalist comes under attack n Our Correspondent, Gazipur

A gang of miscreants attacked on a jour-nalist in Tepirbari area under Sreepur upazila, Gazipur in the early hours of yesterday.

After the attack, Nasir Uddin Jourge, Gazipur district correspondent of Dai-ly Destiny, was admitted to Sreepur Upazila Health Complex in critical state.

Nasir Uddin said a group of masked miscreants numbering 10 to 12 had at-tacked on him around 2:30am while he was returning Tepirbari Bazar after do-ing an assainment.

“When I reached in front of Nation-al poultry feed mill, the miscreants swooped on me with sharp weapons. At one stage, they also tried to strangle me.”

Hearing his screams, local people came to the spot and then miscreants � ed away. Later, locals sent him to the upazila health complex.

O� cer-in-charge of Sreepur Model police station Mohsin Ul Kadir said vic-tim Nasir Uddin identi� ed three of mis-creants as Faruk Hossain, Abul Kashem and Abdus Shahid who were residents of Tepirbari village.

“We will take necessary steps against them,” he said. l

Miscreants attack police; snatch accused in Lakshmipur n Our Correspondent, Lakshmipur

A gang of miscreants snatched a robber case accused from police custody after attacking them in Ramgati upazila of the district on Tuesday night.

The incident took place in Jelabari area of Charlaxmi village under Char-gazi union.

The gang had snatched the accused while the law enforcers were returning to the police station with Md Solaiman, son of Shah Alam of Chargazi union. Before the snatching incident, law en-forcers acting on a tip -o� conducted a drive at Solaiman residence and arrest-ed him.

Solaiman is accused in three cases including robbery, and an arrest war-rant was issued against him.

Meanwhile, police arrested Solaiman’s two cohorts Munna and Hi-ron from the spot.

Con� rming the incident, Ramga-ti police station o� cer-in-charge Md Abul Kalam Azad said police were try-ing to arrest Solaiman and the other miscreants. l

JSC candidate shot dead in Narsingdi n Our Correspondent, Narsingdi

A Junior School Certi� cate examina-tion candidate was reportedly gunned down and four others sustained gun-shot wounds in Narsingdi town yester-day morning.

The deceased was identi� ed as Babu Mian, 14, son of Shahid Mian of the area.

Sadar Model police station O� cer-in-Charge Abul Kashem said a group of miscreants, numbering 10-12, stormed the house of Shahid Mia at Uttar Satir-para around 1:30am.

When Shahid came out of the room, miscreants opened � re at him and his

family members, leaving his three sons, including Babu, and two others injured with bullets.

The injured were rushed to Sadar Hospital where doctors on duty de-clared Babu dead.

Of the injured, Shahid and his an-other son Amit were referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital as their condi-tions deteriorated.

Khorseda Begum, grand mother of Babu said Shahid had a dispute with some local people over the ownership of a piece of land since long.

The rivals of Shahid might have at-tacked the house over the previous en-mity, she said. l

The photo taken from Bhimpara village under Tanore upazila, Rajshahi shows a Christan housewife on the occasion of Christmas smears her thatched house with mud yesterday AZAHAR UDDIN

After the local people lodged complaints against the brick � elds, the administration decided to take action

JurisDHAKA TRIBUNE Thursday, December 25, 2014 7

RIO SHUVO

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JURIS QUOTE

The safety of the people shall be the highest law.

Marcus Tullius CiceroRoman Statesman

106 BC – 43 BC

n Khalid Yahyea

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is de� ned as a process in which a neutral third party

participates to assist in dispute resolu-tion unlike adjudication of disputes by a presiding judge in court-litigation. It is a consensual dispute resolution process which produces a win-win solution.

The ultimate intention of ADR is to avoid delay, cost and complexity that are the three main negative features of civil justice system found out by the historic Lord Woolf report in 1955. Section 23(2) of Bangladesh Arbitration Act, 2011 also says that: “The arbitral tribunal shall deal with a dispute sub-mitted to it as quickly as possible.”

The main processes of ADR are: arbitration, mediation, negotiation and conciliation. Apart from these four there are some other forms as well, eg settlement conference, private judging, summary jury trial, neutral evolution process model, mini trial etc. Among these, arbitration and me-diation are the most commonly used forms in present world.

In 1800 BC, Mari Kingdom in mod-ern Syria used mediation and arbitra-tion with other Kingdoms. In 1400 BC Ancient Egyptian Amama system used arbitration in their diplomacy for international relations. During the time of 1200-900 BC Phoenicians (in the Eastern Mediterranean) practised entrepreneurship and negotiations. In 960 BC, Israel’s King Solomon arbi-trated dispute over a baby by threat-ening to split the child. In 700 BC, Rhodian Sea Law codi� ed traditional rules for determining liability for ship cargo losses and dispute resolution. In Indian sub-continent, Panchayat system was popularly used from 500 BC as a form of arbitration. In 400 BC, Greeks also used public arbitrator in city-states. Arbitral decisions between city-states were published on temple columns. Aristotle also in his time (300 BC) praised arbitration over courts.

Therefore, it is evident that ADR is actually an ancient system and the city-states and Kingdoms used its di� erent forms in the past, but by the introduction of modern court system and its manifold development, ADR system has taken a back seat.

If we analyse from religious per-spectives, we see that all religions encourage addressing disputed issues among the arbitrators, appointed by the two sides, before going for public trial.

For the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards, the contention of “Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards 1958” known as “New York Convention 1958” is that, arbitral awards are generally easier to enforce in other nations than court judgment.

In ADR the parties have options to choose languages for their better understanding which is not available in court procedure.

In the modern world new issues are emerging everyday and often courts need time to develop expertise before it starts dealing with the new situations, or example, sports law, media commodities dispute, medical malpractice, environmental issues, education law, workers’ compensa-tion, sale of goods dispute, anti-trust, product liabilities, construction, hi-tech disputes etc. To shift the huge burden over the court, ADR system is the better option.

In our legal education system there is no speci� c ADR course in seven pub-lic universities where law is taught. Among the 79 private universities law is taught in 33 but only a few private universities o� ers ADR as a full course. There is no special ADR course in law colleges under national university curriculum. Unfortunately, the syl-labus of Bangladesh bar Council, the government body that oversees legal education and legal professionals, does not include the topic of ADR in their exams both for Districts and High Court.

So there is a huge gap between necessity and availability. It is recom-mended that the universities and the Bar Council re-evaluate their syllabi and include ADR as a compulsory course. At the same time it is the duty of the government to encourage citizens to avail this alternative way of dispute resolution which is speedy and cost-e� ective. l

Khalid Yahyea is an Advocate and a Lecturer at the Department of Law, Bangladesh University.

Give ADR a breakA journey to HellCombating illegal migration through the sea calls for cooperation among the concerned states

n Mohammad Rubaiyat Rahman

Transnational migration has been frequent since the be-ginning of human history. In South Asia, people who are economically under-

privileged and belong to the deprived segment of society, are motivated to migrate to Middle-east and Southeast Asian regions in search of better liveli-hood.

Bangladesh is also not an exception. It is an open secret that such economic migration happens either through legal or illegal routes. For common people, who do not have proper immigration documents and are compelled to adopt the illegal route, a sea voyage through the Bay of Bengal is the only option for them in most cases.

The vessels that carry migrants are poorly manned with serious lack of navigational equipment. These vessels are mostly unseaworthy and do not have proper � ag state registra-tion. To arrange such illegal migra-tion through the sea and to reach the country of destination, the service of human tra� cking networks is es-sential. Common people get in touch with such human tra� cking networks through their friends, families, neigh-bors and local representatives.

According to a 2013 UNHCR report, approximately 14,000 people crossed the Bay of Bengal in 2012 on smug-glers’ vessels. However, it is now evident to all that the Bay of Bengal has turned into a “sea route of misery” for maritime migrants.

The recent detaining of 625 ill-fated migrants from a � shing trawler o� the St Martin’s Islands has provided impetus to mull over the issue of illegal maritime migration.

Usually, such migrant voyage is operated at night by small vessels. Therefore, it is very di� cult for law enforcement agencies to detect and in-tervene such vessels at sea. Consider-ing all circumstances, the Coast Guard and other Law Enforcement Agencies of Bangladesh deserve respect for bringing such tra� cking incidents into concerns of media and society.

These vessels, carrying illegal mi-grants, usually sail for Southeast Ai-san countries, most often to Malaysia, via Thailand. In South Asia, the pas-sengers of those vessels are popularly known as “fortune seekers.” These un-fortunate fortune seekers get aboard tiny vessels to cross the sea for better standards of life. Once the vessel is � lled with these economic migrants, it begins its course to Malaysia.

Such a voyage usually takes almost 14 days. However, the reality of such voyage is quite appalling. After reach-ing some remote islands of Southeast Asia, these migrants are held captive for collecting ransom. Some unfortu-nates are sold to Thai or Cambodian

� shing industry for forced labor. Some migrants are abandoned in the dense jungle who, later on, are rescued by law enforcement agencies of the con-cerned country. The dream of better livelihood remains “a dream too far” for these economic migrants.

A faulty legal regimeLoopholes exist in the legal regime of Bangladesh to implement e� ec-tive measures to control such illegal immigration through the Bay of Bengal sea route. The relevant Acts and provisions are not designed to completely halt such illegal human tra� cking activities. The provisions of the Foreigner’s Act 1946 is ambiguous as to the obligation and reporting of masters of vessels.

Section 6 of the Act talks about the vessels that arrive at port. There is a lack of provision regarding vessels an-choring at locations other than ports or at any unauthorised locations. Moreover, the Act de� cits provision regarding the category of passengers

(ie minor, female, child) and there is no limitation on number of passengers that a vessel can carry.

The Act also does not stipulate speci� cally as to empowerment of e� ective policing on such anchoring situation. It is pertinent to mention that these tra� cking vessels change their masters frequently to conceal the � nal destination.

The Act is also silent about pro-hibition and penalty measures as to frequent change of � ags by the vessels. Most cases, when tra� cking vessel sneaks into the territorial water of coastal state, it uses that coastal state’s � ag to avoid suspicion and inspection.

The Prevention and Suppression of Human Tra� cking Act 2012 has extra-territorial application regarding human tra� cking. Section 5 of the Act illustrates its extra-territorial ap-plication. However, the Act does not mention anything about “hot pursuit” of illegal migrant vessels, which is a requisite to repress maritime human tra� cking e� ectively.

The sea route encompasses various littoral states in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. According to estab-lished norms of international law, a coastal state can not violate other state’s sovereign right. When traf-� cking vessels cross the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) boundary of a coastal state, any such pursuit by law enforcement agencies of that coastal state is supposed to cease. Therefore, the Act requires a provision regard-ing the power and authority to give e� ect to such “hot pursuit” agreement formed among the Southeast Asian states situated at the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.

Cooperation is a mustTackling the soaring rate of illegal migration by the sea is a tremendous challenge for a country like Bangla-desh which is located at the north tip of the Bay of Bengal.

A complex network of smugglers are involved at various levels in such illegal maritime migration. For that reason, there is need of regional cooperation to curb such organised crime incidents and to apprehend the perpetrators who acts from behind the scene.

The Southeast Asian countries, which are the � nal destination of such illegal migration exodus, also need to extend its cooperation. Speci� c cooperation agreement is required as to issues of “hot pursuit” and “infor-mation sharing.” Such cooperation is requisite to drag the human tra� cking syndicate into the clutch of justice.

Article 98 (2) of the Law of the Sea Convention stipulates a general obligation of cooperation with other states to promote search and rescue services. The provisions of 1974 Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) as well as 1979 Search and Rescue Con-vention also reiterate the obligation of cooperation. However, these provi-sions focus merely on “safety on sea” issue to protect human lives.

Regarding maritime migrant smug-gling, the IMO Assembly Resolution in Article 773 (18) calls upon its member governments to cooperate to suppress unsafe practices associated with alien smuggling by sea and also to develop agreements and procedures to facili-tate such cooperation.

It is the United Nations Conven-tion Against Transnational Organised Crime that enumerates speci� cally for “close international cooperation” by adopting mutual legal assistance and law enforcement cooperation. The IMO circular 896 of 2001 justi� es such cooperation since such mechanism may address the unsafe transnational maritime migration more e� ectively. l

Mohammad Rubaiyat Rahman is currently doing his LLM in Admiralty Law Program at Tulane University Law School.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Orangutan has human right to freedom

n Reuters

An orangutan held in an Ar-gentine zoo can be freed and transferred to a sanctuary after

a court recognised the ape as a “non-human person” unlawfully deprived of its freedom.

Animal rights campaigners � led a habeas corpus petition – a document more typically used to challenge the legality of a person’s detention or im-prisonment – in November on behalf of Sandra, a 29-year-old Sumatran orangutan at the Buenos Aires zoo.

In a landmark ruling that could pave the way for more lawsuits, the Association of O� cials and Lawyers for Animal Rights (AFADA) argued the ape had su� cient cognitive functions and should not be treated as an object.

The court agreed Sandra, born into captivity in Germany before being transferred to Argentina two decades ago, deserved the basic rights of a “non-human person.”

“This opens the way not only for other Great Apes, but also for other sentient beings which are unfairly and arbitrarily deprived of their liberty in zoos, circuses, water parks and scien-ti� c laboratories,” the daily La Nacion newspaper quoted AFADA lawyer Paul Buompadre as saying.

Orangutan is a word from the Malay and Indonesian languages that means “forest man.”

Sandra’s case is not the � rst time activists have sought to use the habeas corpus writ to secure the release of wild animals from captivity.

A US court has recently tossed out a similar bid for the freedom of ‘Tommy’ the chimpanzee, privately owned in New York state, ruling the chimp was not a “person” entitled to the rights and protections a� orded by habeas corpus.

In 2011, the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) � led a lawsuit against marine park operator SeaWorld, al-leging � ve wild-captured orca whales were treated like slaves. A San Diego court dismissed the case.

The Buenos Aires zoo has 10 work-ing days to seek an appeal.

The zoo’s head of biology, Adrian Sestelo, told that orangutans were by nature calm, solitary animals which come together only to mate and care for their young.

“When you don’t know the biology of a species, to unjusti� ably claim it su� ers abuse, is stressed or depressed, is to make one of man’s most common mistakes, which is to humanise animal behavior,” Sestelo added. l

There exist loopholes in the legal regime of Bangladesh to implement e� ective measuresto control such illegal immigration throughthe Bay of Bengal sea route

BIG

STO

CK

Thursday, December 25, 2014DHAKA TRIBUNE World8

Islamic State says it downed warplane in eastern Syria, captured pilot n Reuters, Beirut

Islamic State � ghters said yesterday they had shot down a warplane in the northeastern Syria province of Raqqa and taken the pilot captive.

The Britain-based Syrian Obser-vatory for Human Rights monitoring group said it had con� rmed reports the plane was brought down near Raqqa city, a major stronghold for Islamic State � ghters.

Events in Syria are di� cult to verify

because of restricted media access to con� ict zones.

Islamic State social media accounts published pictures purportedly of the warplane’s pilot being held by the group’s � ghters and said he was Jorda-nian. It was not possible to verify the images.

The Observatory, which monitors Syria’s war with a network of sources, said it had con� rmed the pilot’s cap-ture and said he was believed to have an Arab nationality.

Both the Syrian government and a US-led coalition set up to � ght Islamic State regularly strike Islamic State tar-gets in Raqqa province.

Raqqa province, which borders Tur-key, is almost entirely under the con-trol of Islamic State � ghters.

Boosted by arms seized in Iraq, the group evicted most rival rebels from the province earlier this year and took control of a string of government mili-tary bases over the summer, including an air base.

There was no immediate comment on the reports of the plane’s downing from the Syrian government or from o� cials of countries participating in the coalition. US o� cials said they were looking into the media reports but declined further comment.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Bah-rain and the United Arab Emirates have participated in or support-ed the strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria, according to US Central Command. l

As US troops return to Iraq, more private contractors follow n Reuters

The US government is preparing to boost the number of private contrac-tors in Iraq as part of President Barack Obama’s growing e� ort to beat back Islamic State militants threatening the Baghdad government, a senior US o� -cial said.

How many contractors will deploy to Iraq – beyond the roughly 1,800 now working there for the US State Department – will depend in part, the o� cial said, on how widely dispersed US troops advising Iraqi security forces are, and how far they are from US dip-lomatic facilities.

Still, the preparations to increase the number of contractors – who can be responsible for everything from security to vehicle repair and food ser-vice – underscores Obama’s growing commitment in Iraq. When US troops and diplomats venture into war zones, contractors tend to follow, doing jobs once handled by the military itself.

“It is certain that there will have to be some number of contractors brought in for additional support,” said the senior US o� cial, speaking on con-dition of anonymity.

After Islamic State seized large swaths of Iraqi territory and the major city of Mosul in June, Obama ordered US troops back to Iraq. Last month, he authorised roughly doubling the num-ber of troops, who will be in non-com-bat roles, to 3,100, but is keen not to let the troop commitment grow too much.

There are now about 1,750 US troops in Iraq, and US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel last week ordered deploy-ment of an additional 1,300.

The US military’s reliance on ci-vilians was on display during Hagel’s trip to Baghdad this month, when he and his delegation were � own over the Iraqi capital in helicopters operated by State Department contractors.

The problem, the senior US o� cial said, is that as US troops continue � ow-ing into Iraq, the State Department’s

contractor ranks will no longer be able to support the needs of both diplomats and troops.

After declining since late 2011, State Department contractor numbers in Iraq have risen slightly, by less than 5 percent, since June, a State Depart-ment spokesman said.

Controversial presenceFor example, in July, the State Depart-ment boosted from 39 to 57 the num-ber of personnel protecting the US con-sulate in Erbil that came under threat from Islamic State forces during its June o� ensive.

That team is provided by Triple Canopy, part of the Constellis Group conglomerate, which is the State De-partment’s largest security contractor. Constellis did not respond to a phone call seeking comment.

The presence of contractors in Iraq, particularly private security � rms, has been controversial since a series of violent incidents during the US occu-pation, culminating in the September 2007 killing of 14 unarmed Iraqis by guards from Blackwater security � rm.

Three former guards were convicted in October of voluntary manslaughter charges and a fourth of murder in the case, which prompted reforms in US government oversight of contractors.

US troops in Iraq are not using private contractors to provide them additional security, a second US o� cial said.

Virtually all the US government con-tractors now in Iraq work for the State Department. The withdrawal of US combat troops from Iraq in 2011 left it little choice but to hire a small army of contractors to help protect diplomatic facilities, and provide other services like food and logistics.

The number of Pentagon contrac-tors, which in late 2008 reached over 163,000 – rivaling the number of US troops on the ground at the time – has fallen sharply with reduced US military presence. l

Palestinian killed in clash with Israeli troops near Gaza border n Reuters, Gaza

Israeli forces shot dead a member of Hamas’s armed wing after a � re� ght erupted along the border with the Gaza Strip yesterday, Palestinian hospital of-� cials in the territory said.

The Israeli army said in a statement that a routine patrol on the Israeli side of the border came under attack from snipers in the southern Gaza Strip and that forces responded with � re from the ground and the air.

Hamas sources named the dead man as Tayseer Asmairi, a member of its armed wing’s monitoring unit in the southern Gaza Strip.

A military spokeswoman declined to comment on any Israeli casualties in the clash.

The clash is the latest in a hand-ful incidents in recent weeks since a 50-day war ended in Gaza in August.

On Friday, Israeli planes bombed a Hamas militant base in the Gaza Strip in response to a rocket that militants launched earlier that day. l

George HW Bush taken to hospital n AP, Houston

Former President George HW Bush was admitted to a Houston hospital Tuesday evening after experiencing a shortness of breath, a family spokes-man said.

Bush, 90, was taken by ambulance to Houston Methodist Hospital as a “precaution,” according to spokesman Jim McGrath. He “will be held for ob-servation, again as a precaution,” Mc-Grath said in a statement.

Bush spent nearly two months in the same hospital and was discharged in January 2013 after treatment for a bron-chitis-related cough and other issues.

The White House said President Barack Obama, who is vacationing in Hawaii, has been noti� ed about Bush’s hospital admission.

Bush, who can no longer use his legs, made two public appearances last month. He attended at an event at Tex-as A&M University with his son, former President George W. Bush. l

‘Ukraine a frontline of confrontation’ n Reuters, Moscow

Russia said yesterday Nato was turning Ukraine into a “frontline of confron-tation” and threatened to sever re-maining ties with the Atlantic military alliance if Ukraine’s hopes of joining it were realised.

The Kiev parliament’s renunciation of Ukraine’s neutral status on Tuesday in pursuit of Nato membership has out-raged Moscow and deepened the worst confrontation between Russia and the West since the end of the Cold War.

“Nato countries pushed Kiev to this counterproductive decision, try-ing to turn Ukraine into a front line of confrontation with Russia,” Dep-uty Defence Minister Anatoly An-tonov told the Russian news agency Interfax.

“If this decision in the future takes on a military character (accession to

Nato), then we will respond appropri-ately. Then there will be a complete severing of ties with Nato, which will be practically impossible to repair,” Antonov said.

It is likely to take years for Ukraine to meet the technical criteria for accession to Nato and, even then, there is no certainty that the alli-ance is ready to take such a political hot potato.

Yet Russia has made clear it would see the Nato membership of such a strategic former Soviet republic with a long common border as a direct mil-itary threat.

Nato has already boosted its mili-tary presence in eastern Europe this year, saying it has evidence that Rus-sia orchestrated and armed a pro-Rus-sian rebellion in eastern Ukraine that followed the overthrow of a Krem-lin-backed president in Kiev. l

O� cer in Missouri shot, killed man who pulled gunn AP, Berkeley Mo

A suburban St Louis police o� cer shot and killed a man who pointed a gun at him at a gas station late Tuesday, police said.

A crowd of about 100 people were gathered early Wednesday at the scene in Berkeley, Missouri, a few miles from Ferguson, where a white police o� cer fatally shot black 18-year-old Michael Brown in AuguSt

According to a statement from St Louis County police spokesman Sgt. Brian Schellman, a Berkeley police o� -cer was conducting a routine business check at a gas station around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday when he saw two men and ap-proached them.

One of the men pulled a handgun and pointed it at the o� cer, Schell-man said. The o� cer � red several shots, striking and fatally wounding the man.

The second man � ed, and the dead man’s handgun has been recovered, according to Schellman.

The St Louis County Police Depart-ment is handling the investigation, and no further details about the incident

were immediately available.Authorities did not immediately

identify the man who was shot. But the St Louis Post-Dispatch reported that a woman at the scene, Toni Mar-tin, said he was her son, 18-year-old Antonio Martin.

Toni Martin told the newspaper that her son was with his girlfriend at the time of the shooting.

The protesters who gathered ear-ly Wednesday milled around the gas pumps at the station, some taunting and yelling at police o� cers.

Some had strands of yellow po-lice-line tape draped around their neck, with others using it as a headband.

Authorities from multiple agencies, some in riot gear, stood among the pro-testers.

Across the street, another gas sta-tion’s glass doors were shattered, and police were standing outside the door, turning people away.

Orlando Brown, 36, of nearby St Charles was among the protesters. He said he didn’t have all the details about the shooting but said he wondered if it was a case of police aggression. l

A still image released by the Islamic State group’s branch in Raqa on jihadist websites yesterday purportedly shows a Jordanian pilot, centre, captured by IS group’s � ghters after they shot down a warplane from the US-led coalition near Raqa AFP

How Christmas Truce led to court martial

n Reuters, Brussels

“All the way down our lines ... Scots and Huns were fraternising in the most genuine possible manner,” Lieutenant Edward Hulse wrote to his mother after Christmas 1914. “If I had seen it on a cinematograph � lm I should have sworn that it was faked.”

The centenary of that moment in World War One is now being celebrat-ed as a triumph of shared humanity over the butchery that engulfed Europe, a day when troops along the Flanders front met after four months killing each other to sing carols, exchange gifts and play football in No Man’s Land.

Less well known is that some British soldiers would later face pun-ishment for an hour of friendship with their enemy.

Some of those fortunate survivors of 1914 were to pass three more Christ-mases in the trenches, observing no more broad truces as horrors fostered hatreds, but also because generals took pains to stamp out what they feared as a threat to “� ghting spirit.”

In one largely forgotten incident, a repeat of that � rst famous cease� re the following year saw one of Hulse’s fellow o� cers in the Scots Guards put on trial at a court martial.

Unlike Hulse, killed at 25 in

March 1915, Captain Iain Colquhoun survived the war and recorded how he faced military punishment for again exchanging Christmas cigars with his German foe, and allowing both sides to bury their many dead.

“The Major-General (Lord Cavan) is furious about it,” Colquhoun wrote on Boxing Day 1915. His commander wanted to know why speci� c orders had been disobeyed that there should be no repeat of the 1914 camaraderie that so shook the general sta� .

Christmas lights and machinegunsOn Dec. 25, 1915, the 28-year-old Colquhoun had written in his diary: “A German o� cer came forward and asked me for a truce for Christmas. I replied that this was impossible. He then asked for three quarters of an hour to bury his dead. I agreed.

“Our men and the Germans then talked and exchanged cigars, cigarettes etc for quarter of an hour and when the time was up I blew a whistle and both sides returned to their trenches.

“For the rest of the day ... not a shot was � red. At night, the Germans put up fairy lights ... and their trenches were outlined for miles ... It was a mild looking night with clouds and a full moon and the prettiest sight I have

ever seen. Our machineguns played on them and the lights were removed.”

After another 10 days on the front line near Lille, marked in the diary by shelling and sniping but also drinking and gambling with fellow aristocrats of the Guards Division, Colquhoun returned to a billet in the rear to � nd himself under arrest.

Charged with conduct to the prejudice of good order and of military discipline for “approving of a truce with the enemy,” his � ve-hour trial on Jan. 17, 1916, heard evidence in person from General Douglas Haig, the British supreme commander.

Found guilty, Colquhoun escaped, however, with a reprimand.

That Prime Minister Herbert Asquith was his wife’s uncle and Asquith’s son was his defence counsel may have helped. He also felt the army understood the spirit of Christmas, writing:

“Everyone who knows the facts of the case all say that it was a monstrous thing that the court martial ever took place.”

The case did not blight Colquhoun’s career. He rose to high rank but remained popular with his troops even after the war, showing concern for the welfare of those who fought beside him like Private Alexander Macdonald – this writer’s grandfather. l

Thursday, December 25, 2014DHAKA TRIBUNE World 9

Curfew in Assam after 63 killedn AP, Shamukjuli

Hundreds of survivors of a brutal reb-el attack that killed at least 63 people in northeastern India sought shelter Wednesday in a church and school while security forces imposed a curfew in a bid to contain the latest bout of ethnic violence.

Long-simmering land and ethnic disputes in Assam state erupted in bloodshed Tuesday when authorities said rebels belonging to a faction of an indigenous separatist group called the National Democratic Front of Bodoland targeted tribal settlers known as Adi-vasi, who ancestors migrated to Assam more than 100 years ago. Most of them worked on tea plantations.

At least 100 people, mostly women and children, sought refuge in a church in Shamukjuli village in Sonitpur dis-trict, where 26 of the victims died. Another 200 people ran to a nearby

school. The Adivasis are a mix of Hin-dus and Christians and many had been preparing for Christmas when the at-tack took place, survivors said.

Bodo rebels have been � ghting for a separate homeland for their indige-nous tribe, which makes up 10 percent of Assam’s 33 million people. They have staged attacks against both Ad-ivasi and Muslim settlers in violence that has left at 10,000 people dead, most of them civilians, in the last three decades.

Many of the dead in Tuesday’s at-tacks included women and children, police said. The rebels may have been provoked by heavy losses they suf-fered recently as police intensi� ed op-erations against the group, Singh said.

“We are trying to ensure that ethnic violence does not � are up,” he said, adding that a curfew was imposed in two districts and scores of police and paramilitary forces patrolled the area.

There were concerns the violence could spill over.

Following the attacks, angry Adi-vasis surrounded a police station in Sonitpur and attempted to attack the o� cers inside, said S.N. Singh, a top police o� cial. Police opened � re, kill-ing three Adivasis, he said.

He also said there were incidents of Bodo homes being attacked, but troops managed to control the situation.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the latest attacks, and the Home Ministry rushed several thousand federal paramilitary troops to the region, junior Home Minister Kiren Rijiju said.

Dozens of rebel groups have been � ghting the government and some-times each other for years in seven states in northeast India. They demand greater regional autonomy or indepen-dent homelands for the indigenous groups they represent. l

Pakistan to raise 5,000-strong counter terror force n Agencies

The Paki stan government yesterday said that a 5,000-strong counter terror-ism force will be raised in the country to � ght militants in the aftermath of the deadly Peshawar school attack that killed 150 people.

Interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali briefed a meeting of parliamen-tary leaders about the decision of the National Action Plan Committee which was set up after last week’s at-tack to suggest measures to deal with militancy.

Nisar said the army would prepare and train the force which will be de-ployed a thousand each in federal cap-ital and the four provinces — Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Ba-lochistan, Radio Pakistan reported.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his address to the meeting asked the polit-ical leadership to take strong and deci-sive decisions to purge the country of terrorism. l

‘Nut rage’ o� cial faces arrestn AP, Seoul

South Korean prosecutors are seeking to arrest the former executive at Kore-an Air Lines Co. who forced a � ight to return over a bag of macadamia nuts and a current executive for attempts to cover up the “nut rage” case.

Seoul Western Prosecutors’ O� ce said Wednesday that Cho Hyun-ah faces charges including in� ight vio-lence and changing a � ight route. The current airline executive, a 57-year-old man surnamed Yeo, faces charges of pressuring airline employees to cover up the incident, according to an o� cial at the prosecutors’ o� ce who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorised to speak about the matter.

Cho, the daughter of the Korean Air chairman, earlier this month resigned as vice president at the airline and all roles from the airline’s a� liates as pub-lic outrage mounted over her behavior. She forced a Dec. 5 plane bound for South Korea from the United States. l

Japan works to secure infrastructure after Sony attack n Reuters, Tokyo

Japan, fearing it could be a soft target for possible North Korean cyberattacks in the escalating row over the Sony Pictures hack, has begun working to ensure basic infrastructure is safe and to formulate its diplomatic response, o� cials said.

The hacking of the US unit of To-kyo-based Sony Corp has been seen in Japan largely as an American problem, but the o� cials said the government is now moving actively to confront the issue after President Barack Obama blamed North Korea and vowed to re-spond “in a place and time and manner that we choose.”

Cyberdefence experts, diplomats and policymakers worked through the weekend at Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s o� ce to launch the e� ort, said one o� cial involved in the process.

The government is working to en-sure that in response to any threat, its basic functions could continue in the face of any cyberattack, while main-taining such essential services as the power grid, gas supplies and transport networks, he said.

He declined to o� er details. l

Abe takes o� ce for third term n AP, Tokyo

Shinzo Abe took o� ce Wednesday for a third term as Japan’s prime minister, appointing a former military o� cer as his defense minister but keeping the other members of his previous Cabinet.

Parliament re-elected Abe after his Liberal Democratic Party won a re-newed mandate in a Dec. 14 snap elec-tion that the prime minister said was needed for him to carry out further economic and political reforms.

Gen Nakatani, Abe’s new defense minister, headed the Defense Agency in 2001-2002 under former Prime Min-ister Junichiro Koizumi, before it won full-� edged ministry status. A graduate of the National Defense Academy, he attained a rank of � rst lieutenant be-fore leaving the military.

Nakatani favors a stronger role for the military, which is constrained by the country’s commitment to paci� sm under the constitution drafted by the American occupation forces following Japan’s de-feat in World War II. Nakatani said Abe speci� cally asked him to tackle “national security in order to protect Japanese terri-tory, the people’s lives and properties.” l

Bin Laden shooter under investigation n AFP, Washington

The former US Navy Seal who claims to be the soldier who � red the shots that killed Osama Bin Laden is being investigated for possibly leaking classi� ed information, the US military con� rmed.

US Navy spokesman Ryan Per-ry said investigators were probing claims that Rob O’Neill had broken the law by disclosing details about the daring 2011 raid that ended a 10-year manhunt for Bin Laden.

“The Naval Criminal Investiga-tive Service (NCIS) is in receipt of an allegation that Mr O’Neill may have revealed classi� ed informa-tion to persons not authorised to receive such information,” Perry said in an email to AFP.

“In response, NCIS has initiat-ed an investigation to determine

the merit of the allegations.”O’Neill, 38, ignited a � restorm

of controversy last month after coming forward to claim that he was the man who shot Bin Laden through the forehead at his hide-out in Abbottabad three years ago.

The highly decorated Mon-tana native told The Washington Post that he was near the head of the column of US soldiers that raided Bin Laden’s compound, adding that at least two other Seals � red shots.

However O’Neill’s decision to go public dismayed military brass and serving SEALS who maintain a � erce, Omerta-like code of si-lence.

Another former Seal, Matt Bis-sonnette, who published his ac-count of the raid, “No Easy Day” in 2012, took issue with O’Neill’s version of events. l

Activists of the Assam Tea Tribes Student Association (ATTSA) shout slogans as they block the road with burning tyres during a protest against attacks on villagers by militants in four di� erent locations, at Biswanath Chariali in the Sonitpur district, Assam yesterday AFP

British fans react during a football match between British and German troops commemorating the Christmas Truce of 1914, at the ISAF Headquarters in Kabul yesterday REUTERS

Share the Christmas spirit across communitiesToday marks the most important festival of the Christian

calendar. As the 3 million Christians of the country get ready to celebrate Christmas, we hope this occasion will encourage

us to share the Christmas cheer across communities. This can be a time to re� ect that we, as Bangladeshis, are a

secular people with respect and tolerance for all religions. Christmas can then be an occasion for celebration not just for the Christian community, but a celebration of tolerance and harmony for all.

In recent times, the secular spirit of the country has been marred by communal violence. Incidents ranging from the destruction of Buddhist temples in Ramu, to the recent attacks on indigenous communities in the CHT region remind us that, in spite of calling ourselves secular, as a nation we have a long way to go in protecting the rights of religious and other minorities. We must � ght against hatred and intolerance if we are to progress as a nation, and carry the torch of secularism the country was founded upon.

The Christmas spirit is one of sharing. Let us take some time to lend a helping hand to those in need, and have some consideration for the struggles of others. The Dhaka Tribune wishes all its readers a very Merry Christmas.

Crack down on MLM scamsWe are glad that a parliamentary sub-committee has been

formed to keep a close eye on the activities of multi-level-marketing (MLM) companies that are currently

operational. MLM companies have a long history of scamming people out of crores through unethical and illegal business schemes.

There are regulations in place to put a check on such deceitful business practices, which merely give participants the illusion of making money without producing any real value. However, companies sometimes � nd ways to work around the legal measures. Any company caught breaking the law must be punished, and made to compensate the victims of their crimes.

Fraudulent MLM companies take a number of steps to make their business look legitimate to gullible clients. They often have professional-seeming o� ces and attractive websites that can fool people at � rst glance. It is important for the parliamentary body to not just closely monitor the activities of these companies, but also enforce the law with a � rm hand.

Our lawmakers should ensure that companies intending to engage in fraudulent activities do not obtain licenses through alternative means, such as bribery. It is a sad fact that many white collar criminals who swindle the public and ruin lives not only get away, but continue to do business in some form or other. This cannot be allowed to continue.

Sela banks turn pitch black December 11

Seira“Sinking oil tanker was actually a modi� ed and remodeled sand cargo.”

This is horrible. :/

‘BNP-Jamaat alliance plots to kill Hasina’December 11AnalystThose militants should be brought to justice without delay. We want a terrorist-free Bangladesh with the active leadership of our current government; that will be the great success of AL.

20 RAB men involved in Narayanganj killingsDecember 10

AnonIt is amazing Mahbubey Alam took 21 days to disclose this report after he received it. What was he up to? This is not an example of speedy justice, and no one should know this better than the attorney general.

Editorial10 DHAKA TRIBUNE Thursday, December 25, 2014

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PEANUTS

Be heardWrite to Dhaka Tribune

FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207Email letters.dt@dhakatribune.com

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Christmas can be a celebration of tolerance and harmony for all

Companies have a long history of scamming people out of crores through unethical and illegal business schemes

CODE-CRACKER

ACROSS1 Ready money (4)5 Happen again (5)8 Narcotic (6)9 Saucy (4)10 Marsh (3)12 Sundry (6)13 Refused (6)15 Projectile (6)18 Connect (6)20 Period of time (3)21 Flower (4)23 Sanity (6)24 Melodies (5)25 Look after (4)

DOWN1 Dealt with successfully (5)2 Monkey (3)3 Sea nymph (5)4 Headwear (3)5 Remainder (7)6 Eating place (4)7 Cricket scores (4)11 Sea eagle (4)12 Those in debt (7)14 Water pitcher (4)16 Unbound (5)17 Tendency (5)18 Repose (4)19 Grassy expanse (4)21 Rodent (3)22 O� spring (3)

CROSSWORD

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.

SUDOKU

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a di� erent letter of the alphabet. For example, today 21 represents M so � ll M every time the � gure 21 appears.You have two letters in the control grid to start you o� . Enter them in the appro-priate 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.

CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZCan agriculture be cool?

December 11

Karl HungusUnfortunately, farming has very “uncool” connotations attached to it within not just our youth, but society at-large in general. I completely agree with the writer of course.

Dreampie Karl Hungus: I totally see where you’re coming from. O� and insults such as “khat” and “chasha” don’t help at all.

vhs Dreampie: Oh does “khat” come from “khet,” as in � eld? Seems obvious now, but it hadn’t occurred to me.

A citizen“Why aren’t farmers considered ‘commercially important persons’ just like top exporters and businessmen?”

I guess farmers aren’t considered CIPs because we, as a nation, came from the farms. We wanna go someplace else. The aspiration drives us to the big city and bright lights. But I agree with the author; farming needs to be cool again.

vhsGood to see this interest in agriculture. This piece comes just a day after Dan Mozena’s piece on Bt Brinjal, so it’s a timely one. It’s a shame that, as a largely agriculture-based society, our city kids still know so little about the basics of farming.

F138Uhhh … guys, it’s very simple.

80% of our export earnings come from garments. Agriculture is pretty small compared to that. We sure are not an agriculture-based society anymore, based on numbers like that. We are an export-oriented economy, specialising in the production of consumer garments.

Hence, since agriculture is relatively unpro� table, it’s viewed in a negative manner.

Don’t think, however, that high-pro� t margin forms of agriculture will necessarily be a good thing. Such forms of food production necessarily involve large, wealthy landowners exploiting poor workers, or � ring all their workers and utilising machinery. This kind of farming would create wealth, but would destroy the livelihoods of current farming communities.

Such things probably will happen without intervention anyway, but will take time and occur in a gradual manner. Let the market forces play out by themselves.

roseFarmers grow crops and cut them with great care and e� ort. They are industrious human beings and they should be given importance.

‘I am HIV-positive, please accept me’December 10

badriHappy to see DT covering such issues which are otherwise intolerable in our society. I would like to know more about how the government or any NGOs are taking care of the victims.

rosePeople in this society should become more informed about being HIV positive so that we can accept HIV patients without much hesitation from our part.

RajeebWhile I appreciate DT for publishing such stories, I can’t but help highlight the choice of story. Was it a deliberate attempt to portray the story of the girl as an unfortunate victim of HIV during her birth? What if the girl was an adult, who had sex outside marriage and got infected? How will the society treat her then? Yes, such is the stigma. Unless and until we deal with the root issue – the stigma around sex – we won’t be going anywhere in solving the STI crisis.

Dhaka City Corporation gets new administratorsDecember 11

ASWhat about the DCCs election in January that was assumed to take place? The BNP movement, in next January, will get space now.

Seven-year-old beaten to death for not doing homework

December 17Nawmi Naz Chowdhury

What is wrong with this world?

AnonDisgusting! People have completely lost their

minds. They have no idea anymore of morality or humanity.

Babul Sarwar Let us focus on the so-called teacher. What is his

biography saying? He seems to be a murderer.

Children victims of Taliban carnage

December 17

SAI hate that this happened, and I hate to say this, but it seems to me as if the world needed to see this to

slap them awake. People have been complacent for too long. Well, enough is enough.

It must be mentioned that children have been kidnapped, and shot at and gunned down for a

while now – remember Afghanistan, Palestine, the Boko Haram attack on those teenage girls who still

haven’t been recovered, by the way. This should, if nothing else does, knock some

sense into the Pakistan government and take the threat seriously.

11Op-Ed Thursday, December 25, 2014DHAKA TRIBUNE

n Mamun Rashid

I was visiting a former colleague at Banco Nacional de Mexico in Mexico City. Following a large-

scale loan fraud in Banamex, a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, he was pulled by nobody less than his group CEO from Tokyo, where he was posted just few months ago. He was given a marching order to � x the process and bring order to this highly pro� table and renowned Citi entity. I asked the gentleman what had happened.

It was a loan fraud of more than $500m, committed by an oil pipeline maintenance company, Oceanograph-ia, the supplier to the state-owned oil corporation Pemex. It was a receiv-able � nancing for the bank, where the company forged the documents and withdrew large chunks of money year after year with mounting credit exposures. There was, of course, a process guide for these transactions, but o� cials involved didn’t follow them and the supervisers kept their eyes shut. Oceanographia collapsed on February this year.

Subsequent regulatory investiga-tions revealed that the Banamex sta� stopped calling Pemex to verify invoic-es submitted by Oceanographia, thus reducing the level of scrutiny they were supposed to do. This particular incident was alleged to have happened due to a middle manager being � red in 2012, which also saw 12 of its employ-ees getting the axe and the CEO resign-ing. Regulator CNBV (commission na-cional bancaria y de valores) resolved this to be bank’s institutional failure to have proper control in place and � ned Banamex 30m pesos ($2.2m).

Citigroup CEO Mike Corbat, known and respected for his brilliant work regarding distressed assets manage-ment, recently announced a $1.5bn investment over the next four years to improve technology systems at Ban-amex. My friend, while accepting this to be an outcome of inadequate con-trols and violations in lending rules, also lamented about reducing number of bank o� cials with “end to end” processing knowledge these days.

What does it mean to us? Too much of external focus on running after pro� ts on the part of bank seniors or CEOs is not allowing them to focus on their core activities: To ensure a robust internal control, process sanctity to avoid any surprises from the market,

therefore avoiding embarrassment by the shareholders, and most important-ly, reprimand from the regulators.

The distinguished governor, and his senior colleagues at the then Bangla-desh Bank, who authored the “core risk management guidelines” would have been very perturbed to know how few commercial banks could still avoid putting up a “process guide” for transactions. More shocking for them would have been to see how central bank inspectors can be hoodwinked by branch managers or their seniors at the head o� ces of commercial banks.

Go and see the “top bosses” at com-mercial banks. They will tell you about the importance of “audit trail,” “trans-action monitoring,” the presence of a “maker-checker” process, veri� cation of a transaction instruction, or large debits through subsequent calls (as well as the recording of the conversa-tions), or relevant indemnities held.

On the other hand, they will miser-ably fail in their senior “hindsight” of the large transactions and, more shockingly, most of them do not have a “transaction process guide” in their banks to ensure the integrity of o� cials involved in transactions. On many occasions, the banks do not have the right people performing internal control, audit trail, or transac-tion veri� cation.

People are frequently dumped into these jobs or, most of the time, these people are sent after a single bout of training, but they are not allowed to ensure a better “control environment” in their banks. Installations of the lat-est technology and have also added to the laxity in commercial banks, where junior, computer literate people can take their seniors, but not IT-friendly people, “for a ride.” Most commercial banks in Bangladesh do not put nec-

essary importance on internal audit and, even more importantly, internal control.

Not exclusive to local commercial banks, large foreign commercial banks have also been victims of serious frauds committed by the sta� , where clients’ accounts were debited and their sta� accounts with another bank credited, wrong debits in the client ac-counts or transactions not in conform-ity with clients’ instructions or as per delegated authority.

There is also increasing evidence of trade fraud, cheque fraud, or forged documents in connivance with the junior and senior sta� of the banks. At times, the ignorance, or knowledge gap, of the o� cials, including the “top gun,” put the bank on the dock result-ing in the loss of clients’ trust.

These cases aren’t just about � nancial loss, as they have serious implications on the banks’ reputa-tion as well, due to lack of control or breach of control. Detection of such forgeries does impact the share price, and banks in many cases are forced to pay hefty penalties for such “lack of control.” Control lapses make clients jittery about their bank – an institution totally built over trust.

It is therefore high time that seniors in the Bangladesh’s banking industry focus more on a “robust control envi-ronment” for their respective banks. Supervisors should be trained well, so should the managers. There should be a “Chinese wall” maintained between the transaction processors and the transaction approvers.

CEOs should engage in risk man-agement, including operations risk management as their prime responsi-bility, not the public relations. A bank’s board must ensure the existence of a proper “risk management guideline” covering credit risk, market risk, and operations risk.

The audit committee should do reg-ular reviews of large transactions and ensure compliance with set guidelines. Regular training and up-skilling can only help avoid surprises as well as undesired losses in commercial banks. I know for certain that Bangladesh Bank would also want this. A tighter, forward-looking control environment is the only recipe for a better bank management. l

Mamun Rashid is a business professor and � nancial sector entrepreneur.

Fraudulent activityT H I R D E Y E

These cases aren’t just about � nancial loss, as they have serious implications on the banks’ reputation

n Mohammad Ali Sattar

The cold winter morning of December 16 turned out to be the coldest mourning day for Pa-

kistanis and the world. Pakistanis were plunged into utter shock and dismay. The bloodbath that took place in the army school was the � rst of its kind in the turbulent history of the country.

The continuous killings and vio-lence has actually shaken the very existence of the state. There seems to be no end to these senseless atrocities and elimination attempts by splinter groups spread all over the country.

December 16, the happiest day for all Bangladeshis, began with the usual mix of fun and tears. On this day, in 1971, we achieved victory against the Pakistani occupation forces. Since then we have been celebrating our vic-tory day with growing enthusiasm and a renewed pledge to � ght the forces of occupation and subjugation.

While we began the celebration of freedom, thousands of miles away in the West, the � owers of heaven were trampled by assailants in a school. One by one, from the youngest to 15-year-olds, children were brought down by a hail of bullets.

The indiscriminate murder by the masquerading squad turned the school premises into a gory ground of heart-lessness. In a moment, the blessed lives of the young and sinless were snatched; their sweet voices muted and their vision darkened.

Many future reformers, poets, writ-ers, scientists, and philosophers were killed before their time. What was their fault? Nothing. They were targets of vengeance. The Taliban has set out

to retaliate against the deaths of their people, who they claim, have been massacred by the Pakistan army.

The angst and hatred have reached such depths that the Taliban would kill the most vulnerable groups of the so-ciety, if need be – soft targets are easy to strike. They are a misguided and unethical lot who could not muster the potency to � ght the regular forces of any country.

They have made religion their springboard. They claim themselves to be Muslims and dream of “pure” Islamic rule, but they have failed to grasp the inner meaning of the messages of Islam. Their hardline understanding and interpretations of the Qur’an and Hadith has left peace e� orts in shambles.

Reports of condemnation have been streaming in from all quarters, even from their own camps. The force which so determinedly rose to � ght the foreign forces in Afghanistan, and later spread in neighbouring areas, have no sympathisers now.

They were provided with all sorts of power to � ght their enemies. The constant supply of arms and gradual rise in the number of forces joining their ranks from all over, gave hope to those who sincerely wanted a region and a state free from the domination of the West.

Gradually, the masterminds in the West and the region intruded their ranks and promoted terrorism, turning them into mindless rebels. Weird polit-ical mantras worsened the situation.

Peace was the last thing that the masters wanted. They needed a � ghting ground as the arms manufacturers and dealers were

minting money at the cost of lives and property across the globe. In fact, they are promoting (maybe even sponsoring) the terrorist acts and in� ghting. The Taliban, and so many others in the world, are only o� shoots of these arms promoters.

Now the Taliban have managed to instill fear in everyone. More people will come under attack. The safest citadel in the centre of any city hardly remains safe. After a long interval, Pakistani political leaders sat together to deliberate on the security of the country. They expressed their resolve to face the situation collectively.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called upon all to forget di� erences in facing the impending threat of the militants. Army Chief Raheel Sharif sprang into action. The insurgents are already on the back-foot.

Militants under captivity are being hanged. Massive executions in jails will start in a few weeks’ time. There will be regular battles in the strong-holds of the Taliban and there will be ceaseless o� ensives by Pakistan. Mil-itants will be � ushed out from some areas, but inside the towns and homes, we are likely to lose our dear ones at the hands of the suicide company.

To all, we say, spare the children and the innocent, for God’s sake. If you really believe in God and his com-mands, show respect to the Prophet who only fought for peace. The Talib-an leadership ought to know that Islam doesn’t need them, but to be good Muslims, they need Islam. l

Mohammad Ali Sattar is Editor at Global News Network (GNN) and SportsTimes, and a DT Columnist.

The � owers of heaven

n Syed Zakir Hossain

When Dhaka Trib-une published the photograph of a dead dolphin on December 14, � ve days after the

tanker capsized in Sela River, environ-mentalists and scientists were already warning that the sensitive and rare Irrawaddy and Gangetic dolphins – to which the place is a sanctuary – were going to be the biggest victims of the oil spill.

I took the photograph a couple of days before that, on December 12, when I covered an 80km expanse – at least 12km upstream towards the Mongla Port and more than 50km downstream towards the sea from the place of the capsize – inside the deep forest on ship, boat, and speedboat. During the voyage, I came across scores of marine birds, such as the king� sher and egret, struggling in the oil slick, and had not seen a single mud-skipper on the riverbank.

The photograph was taken with my Canon Mark IV camera; the original � le was too big for the feeble Internet in the area, so I had to travel another 25km to reach a place where locals said the Internet was better. There too it took me two-and-a-half hours to send a scaled-down 80kb photograph to our Dhaka o� ce.

So, when the photograph was tak-en, nobody knew for certain the kind of toll the oil spill and spread were going to take on the delicate wildlife of the Sundarbans. As soon as I saw the dead and slightly discoloured corpse of the Irrawaddy dolphin � oating in the Sela River, at a place somewhere between Tambulbunia and Harintana, my � rst instinct was to let the world know about it, especially the authori-ties who had, by then, done virtually nothing to tackle the situation. It could easily have been the � rst of a myriad of dead dolphins.

By then, three days had already

passed since the tanker sank, and the authorities did not have any clue (not that they have any clue now either) about how to clean up the more than 350,000 litres of furnace oil that spilled from the tanker. The envi-ronment, especially the vegetation and soil on the riverbank, absolutely crucial for the local ecological balance, was turned pitch black by the oil.

During the � rst few days, the thick, semi-solid chunks of furnace oil were very much visible on the water. But by December 14, the mangrove environment had already experienced at least 20 high and low tides in � ve days. The oil – which does not dissolve in water – had by then travelled to some of the deepest parts of the forest with high tide and had conveniently settled on the vegetation – especially the breathing roots of plants – as water receded with the low tide from beneath.

Therefore, if someone went to the area on December 14, and did not � nd much oil on the water, it is only very normal because by then, much of the oil, being driven by the forces of high and low tides, had either settled on the vegetation and soil or been washed away, towards the sea.

Immediacy is an integral part of

news coverage. I was already two days late when I went to the Sundarbans on December 11, and there were only three other journalists alongside me. Therefore, someone who went there on December 14 has totally missed out on the immediacy part of the Sundar-bans oil spill coverage.

I have been in environmental journalism for two decades. Over the last 17 years, I have been to the biggest mangrove forest in the world at least twice every year. Apart from my love for, and a sense of responsibility to-wards, nature, the sheer enigma of the forest has drawn me towards it time and again.

With all that in my luggage, I, and also people with the slightest of knowledge about environmental jour-

nalism, can say with conviction that a disaster in the forest is nothing like the blast from an atomic bomb or even a deadly cyclone, where one would see hundreds and thousands of animals lying dead all over the place.

I have talked to many environmen-talists and scientists, whom I know because I have been working in this � eld for so many years. They have all told me that the oil’s biggest blow to the forest will be made apparent when regeneration gets a� ected. The Sun-darbans is a mangrove forest, where wind, water, and soil all play indispen-sable roles in the regeneration of the vegetation which essentially construct the forest’s ecology.

Experts also said that even if tiny plankton die because of the oil,

the entire food chain of the forest may collapse. Greater adjutant and masked-� nfoot and otter – all critically endangered – and egret and mud-skip-pers are only some members of the fauna which depend heavily on the topsoil and mud on the riverbanks, which has already been “visibly” polluted by the oil. If they do not � nd food in the oil slick, they will starve, because they do not know how to � nd food inside the forest.

The water and soil have already been badly a� ected by the hundreds of thousands of litres of furnace oil. That much is visible even to the eyes of those who do not have the experience or the knowledge for being able to fathom the graveness of the disaster, which is already very much happening

in the Sundarbans, and are waiting to see hundreds of dead animals and � sh lying around everywhere to call it a catastrophe.

An environmental disaster in the forest is a slow process, and the impacts would take time to be made visible. Let me assure you of one thing, when it does become visible, the authorities, and also those who believe that what is happening in the Sundarbans is an “unethical” media hype, will have very little they can do to protect the natural shield of Bang-ladesh. l

Syed Zakir Hossain is a senior photojournalist at the Dhaka Tribune. This article was co-authored by Rajib Bhowmick, senior sub-editor at the Dhaka Tribune.

I was there, and I don’t need a defence

Those who believe what is happening is a media hype will have very little they can do to protect the natural shield of Bangladesh

REUTERS

The disaster in the Sundarbans is real SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

12 DHAKA TRIBUNE Thursday, December 25, 2014

Sport1413 Van Gaal keen to repay Fergie’s faith

Warner, Watson shake o� injury fears for 3rd Test

14 Navas, Wambach win Concacaf Players of Year

Did you know?George Bailey

has ended a run of 27 T20I innings

without a half-century

Mohammedan batsman Naeem Islam fails to make the ground and is run out against archrival Abahani in the DPL in Fatullah yesterday (L) while MSC batsman Ariful Haque raises his bat after hitting a century MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

‘Too early to comment on franchise league’BFF president Kazi Salahuddin gives his intake on proposalsn Raihan Mahmood

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Kazi Salahuddin yesterday said the eight-team franchise-based football tournament proposed by the Celebrity Management Group (CMG) is far away from being realised.

Responding to the much-talked about issue at his o� ce yesterday, the BFF boss said it is too early to say some-thing. “I talked with Bhaswar [Goswa-mi, CMG executive director] for only four minutes. It’s just a proposal. It’s too early to say something � nal about it. All I can say is we will have an in-depth look before arriving to a � nal decision.”

CMG also proposed attaching Argen-tine football legend Diego Maradona with the tournament and said they will be managing the event that includes selling the TV rights and arranging sponsors among other things. The CMG also showed interest about tagging in leading cine stars and celebrities with the tournament with a view to make it truly entertaining. Local event man-agement � rm Showbiz Entertainment will assist CMG in this aspect.

BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag also echoed the same tune of his president. “We have to see the fea-sibility. Finance is the major subject of the issue. We will have to � nd the level

of bene� ts or whether it’s going to be a pro� table concern for us. We cannot compare our football arena with India as they have a good number of large-scale investors. We do not have that. Following a thorough investigation and with the approval of the football fed-eration’s executive committee can we provide a � nal verdict. At the moment we are just discussing.”

CMG was the event manager of the Ar-gentina-Nigeria Fifa international friendly in Dhaka on September, 2011. They also took a venture of hosting a tri-nation tour-nament involving Bangladesh-India-Paki-stan in London in 2012 but the project did not see light due to a lack of sponsors.l

Shakib to feature for Renegades n Minhaz Uddin Khan

Ace all-rounder Shakib al Hasan has con-� rmed his services with the Melbourne Renegades in the ongoing KFC Big Bash Twenty20 League 2014-15. The 27-year old will replace West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell, who will join the national side in their tour of South Africa.

The world’s numero uno all-rounder in T20Is, Shakib has penned down a con-tract with the Renegades for the second half of the Big Bash.

This con� rmation means Shakib will feature in Australia’s premier T20 do-mestic competition for the second year running. The left-arm all-rounder pre-viously played for Adelaide Strikers in the last edition. Renegades head coach Simon Helmot expressed his delight having con� rmed Shakib’s services for the second half of the Big Bash.

“Shakib is a great � t for our squad in January,” said Helmot in a press release circulated by the franchise yesterday. “We are looking forward to having him on board.”

Helmot informed that Renegades were looking for someone who could contribute “across the board” and said being able to call on the top-ranked T20 all-rounder in the world is a terri� c boost for the Melbourne out� t.

“He brings plenty of experience and has a cool head under pressure,” the 42-year-old added.

Shakib’s con� rmation in the Big Bash came after a lot of uncertainty.

On July this year, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had banned Shakib from all forms of cricket and was barred from playing in overseas domestic com-petitions till the end of next year citing the star cricketer’s severe “attitude” problem.

Both the bans, however, were lifted after the BCB identi� ed a behavioural change in Shakib and the Renegades were quick to pounce in on the situa-tion. Shakib is likely to make his � rst appearance in Renegades colours in the away match against Hobart Hurricanes at Blundstone Arena on January 7. l

Tamim � ies o� to Australia tomorrown Minhaz Uddin Khan

National opener Tamim Iqbal obtained the Australian visa yesterday and is all set to � y tomorrow night. The dashing left-hander is su� ering from Grade 1 meniscus injury and is appointed to meet orthopedic surgeon Dr David Young in Melbourne this Monday.

The decision to send Tamim to meet the Australian surgeon in person came after several meetings between the cricketer, the national selection panel and high-ups of the BCB. The board had initially thought of seeking long-distance consultancy from Young

but with no time to waste ahead of the ICC World Cup on February 2015, both Tamim and the board members agreed on � rst-hand treatment.

Tamim earlier complained of unbear-able pain in the injured area while play-ing in the Dhaka Premier League. He picked up the injury during the home series against Zimbabwe last month.

National chief selector Faruk Ahmed expressed hope of having a “match-� t” Tamim ahead of the WC but said, “We will get to know the exact situation once he meets the doctor in Australia and also how much time will the recovery process need if he undergoes the operation.” l

BFF withdraws Maruf bann Shishir Hoque

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has withdrawn the ban of Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club head coach Maruful Haque yesterday. Maruf’s ban was supposed to expire on February next year.

The withdraw of the suspension means Maruf will now be in the dug-out when his club take on South Ko-rean top-� ight side Busan IPark in a friendly at Bangabandhu National Sta-dium this Saturday.

Earlier on Augu 24 this year, the BFF’s disciplinary committee dished out a one-year suspension on Maruf from all football-related activities for breaching the Code of Conduct. Initial-ly Maruf appealed to lift his ban and the

federation duly responded by reducing it by six months. Following another request to BFF president Kazi Salahud-din, the ban was withdrawn with two months still to run.

“Maruf submitted a special appli-cation to the BFF president saying he is sorry and resentful for his act. Re-sponding to his application, the presi-dent exempted him from the remainder of his ban,” said BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag yesterday.

Maruf expressed his gratitude to the BFF boss for his role in lifting the ban. “First of all, I am grateful to Allah and then I want to thank BFF president Kazi Salahuddin for withdrawing my ban with two months still to go. It will encourage me to concentrate more on coaching.” l

Abahani sink Mohammedan in thrillern Mazhar Uddin

A brilliant Ariful Haque hundred proved to be inadequate as Moham-medan conceded a � ghting three-wick-et defeat against archrival Abahani in their � rst match of the Super League phase of the Dhaka Premier League in Fatullah yesterday.

Nasir Hossain was the saviour for Abahani with an unbeaten 82 as the Sky Blues maintained their position at the top of the points table.

In the other two matches of the day, second placed Prime Bank and Prime Doleshwar registered huge victories against Legends of Rupganj and Kala-bagan Cricket Academy respectively.

Mohammedan v AbahaniThe Dhaka derby promised to be an in-tense a� air and the match lived upto its billing as the clash went right down to the wire.

Opting to bat � rst, Mohammedan lost early wickets and were teetering at 38/4. National discard Naeem

Islam and Ariful though resurrected the ship adding 121 runs for the � fth wicket. Naeem (51 o� 98 balls) was soon dismissed after reaching his half-century but Ariful continued from the other end.

Ariful (109 o� 137 balls) smashed 11 boundaries and a six and eventual-ly reached a well-deserved hundred while skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza scored a quick� re 38 o� 27 balls as the traditional Black and Whites posted 240/7 on the board in 50 overs. Pace-man Shuvashish Roy was the pick of the bowlers for Abahani bagging 4/56.

Abahani, in pursuit, had to face a stern examination before overhauling the target with just two deliveries of their innings remaining.

Requiring seven runs to win from the � nal over, Abahani su� ered a set-back as skipper Ziaur Rahman (10 o� nine balls) departed o� the � rst deliv-ery of the 50th over. Nasir, however, kept his composure and guided the Sky Blues to the win, remaining undefeated on 82 o� 69 deliveries.

The lower-order batsman smote � ve sixes and as many fours while Forhad Hossain played a supporting role mak-ing 59 o� 96 balls.

Courtesy the win, Abahani remain at the zenith with 20 points from 12 matches while Mohammedan are � fth with 14 points from the same number of matches.

Prime Bank v Legends of RupganjRupganj took on Prime without the services of Tamim Iqbal and Rubel Hos-sain and the defending champions duly lost the encounter by 84 runs at BKSP 3.

Soumya Sarker’s all-round per-formance inspired Prime to the win and subsequently second position in the points table with 20 points from 12 matches. The holders on the other hand are languishing at sixth with 14 points from 12 matches.

Electing to take � rst strike, Prime put up a huge 304/7 in their stipulated 50 overs with the left-handed Soumya striking 81 o� 90 balls, stroking � ve sixes and four boundaries. Sri Lankan

recruit Thilina Kandamby chipped in with 71 o� just 49 balls while skipper Mahmudullah hit 52 from 58 balls.

In reply, Rupganj were bundled out for 220 in 43 overs with Abul Hasan’s 80-ball 72 going in vain.

Abul struck half a dozen sixes and three fours while Zaidi scored 41 and after skipper Shakib (31 o� 29 balls) was dismissed, Rupganj’s hopes were all but dashed.

Prime Doleshwar v Kalabagan CADoleshwar openers Rony Talukder (132 o� 132 balls) and Mehedi Maruf (106 o� 113 balls) struck centuries as they coasted to a huge nine-wicket win over Kalabagan in Mirpur. Chasing Kalaba-gan CA’s competitive 262/9, Doleshwar romped home with 35 balls in hand.

Rony carted 14 fours and four sixes while Mehedi bludgeoned seven fours and � ve sixes as they went third in the points table with 16 points from 12 matches. Kalabagan are two points be-hind at fourth from the same number of matches. l

BRIEF SCORESAbahani v Mohammedan

Mohammedan 240/7 in 50 oversAriful 109, Naeem 51; Shuvashish 4/56Abahani 241/7 in 49.4 oversNasir 82*, Forhad 59; Mashrafe 3/42

Abahani won by 3 wicketsPrime Bank v Legends of Rupganj

Prime 304/7 in 50 oversSoumya 81, Kandamby 71, Mahmudullah 52, Saykat 42; Zaidi 2/47, Sharif 2/55Rupganj 220 allout in 43 oversAbul 72, Zaidi 41; Farhad 3/46, Soumya 2/30, Shuvagata 2/53

Prime won by 84 runsKalabagan CA v Prime Doleshwar

Kalabagan CA 262/9 in 50 oversSabbir 75, Nafees 70; Delwar 4/41, Sha� ul 2/55Doleshwar 264/1 in 44.1 oversRony 132*, Mehedi 106

Doleshwar won by 9 wickets

Nasir glows, probably at the right timen Mazhar Uddin

Out-of-choice from the national side, Nasir Hossain � rmly regained his form in the Dhaka Premier League as his match winning 83 o� 69 balls that enabled Abahani Ltd edge past arch-rivals Mohammedan SC yesterday was a strong knock at the selectors door ahead of the World Cup.

However, the 23-year-old is not worried about his selection for the global event and said, “If I play for my place in the World Cup it will be di� cult for me to perform. I am not thinking I have to perform to secure

my place in the national squad. When I went to bat (yesterday) I tried to play according to the situation of the game and nothing else.”

“There’s a big di� erence between a premier league match and an international game and it’s not easy to perform in the international stage. I can’t say if I am in a good touch or not but international cricket is being played at a di� erent atmosphere,” said Nasir who scored 373 runs and picked 11 wickets from 10 DPL games this season after being dropped from the national side for the � rst time in his two and half year international career. l

Abahani batsman Nasir Hossain � ays one through the o� -side during their DPL Super League match against Mohammedan in Fatullah yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

SportDHAKA TRIBUNE 13Thursday, December 25, 2014

Injured Clarke upbeat of playing in WCAustralian captain Michael Clarke eased fears Wednesday his career may by over, saying he is recovering well from surgery on a torn ham-string. The 33-year-old set alarm bells ringing with a stark warning the injury sustained during the � rst Test against India at Adelaide could cut short his stellar cricketing life. But in an upbeat column for Sydney’s Daily Telegraph Clarke gave a positive assessment a week after the operation. “The biggest thing for me is getting back on the � eld for the World Cup,” he said of the tournament that starts in Australia and New Zealand in mid-February. “I have been told by medical sta� that I am in as good a condition as I can be a week after undergoing the surgery,” added Clarke, who also carries a chronic back problem. “There is no swelling and no pain when I walk. I can’t wait to begin stage two of the rehab process which involves starting to run again.” He of-fered strong support to fellow veterans Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and Chris Rogers who have come under pressure for weak performances since the start of the four-Test series against India this month.

–AFP

‘I will be happy to extend Real contract’Germany mid� elder Sami Khedira has indicated he would be happy to extend his contract with Real Madrid beyond June 2015 if an agreement can be reached. Khedira, whose season has been disrupted by injuries, is not a � rst-choice starter under coach Carlo Ancelotti, with Germany team mate Toni Kroos, Croatia international Luka Modric and Spain playmaker Isco all ahead in the pecking order. Media reports have speculated Khedira could move to Bayern Munich and that several English clubs including Arsenal, where his close friend Mesut Ozil plays, are also interested in securing his services. Khedira, who joined Real from VfB Stuttgart in 2010, told Germany’s Stuttgarter Nachrichten he was back to a good level of � tness and hopeful he would see more playing time.

–Reuters

Zimbabwe’s Waller banned from bowlingZimbabwe all-rounder Malcolm Waller has been suspended from bowling just seven weeks out from the World Cup, the International Cricket Council said on Tuesday. The o� -spinner was reported after the second Test against Bangladesh in Khulna last month and analysis performed by the ICC’s accredited team of Human Movement Specialists at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria. “The analysis re-vealed that all of his o� -spin deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of toler-ance permitted under the regulations,” the ICC said in a statement. Waller, 30, will have the opportunity for re-assess-ment but faces a race against time with the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand starting on Feb. 14.

–Reuters

Former Eng forward Heskey joins BoltonFormer England forward Emile Heskey has agreed a short-term deal with Bolton Wanderers, the Championship club said on Wednesday. Heskey, 36, had been training with the second tier club and impressed manager Neil Lennon, who signed former Bolton for-ward Eidur Gudjohnsen on a free earlier this month. Heskey, who played for Leicester City, Liverpool, Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa and represented England 62 times, has been without a club since ending a stint with Australian side Newcastle Jets. He could make his debut against Blackburn Rovers on Friday.

–Reuters

WADA takes 3,000 samples for testing Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko has revealed that a World Anti-Dop-ing Agency (WADA) commission visited Moscow and took around 3,000 samples from local athletes for testing. WADA took the samples as part of an investigation the authority is conducting in response to a German TV documentary that featured what it claimed was an undercover video of Russian athletes and coaches admitting to covering up positive tests.

–Reuters

QUICK BYTES

Star Sports 16:00PM (Friday)Australia v India 3rd Test, Day 1

DAY’S WATCH

Australia’s David Warner attempts a shot during training at the MCG yesterday on the eve of their Boxing Day Test against India INTERNET

India up against MCG record to save seriesn AFP, Melbourne

India must reverse a demoralising los-ing streak at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to prevent Australia from re-gaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Friday’s Boxing Day third Test.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s tourists trail 2-0 in the four-match series after defeats in Adelaide and Brisbane, and have lost their last � ve encounters at the MCG stretching back 23 years.

While India have competed well in the series, they unravelled both times in their second innings.

The Indians lost their last seven wickets for 73 to go down by 48 runs in Adelaide and nine for 148 to leave the Australians chasing 128 runs for a four-wicket victory in Brisbane.

Dhoni said India had not been get-ting the 50-50 umpire calls and were not far o� winning away from home where they have a dismal record of just one victory from their last 21 away Tests.

“There’s plenty of areas we’re show-ing improvement, but we’re still not crossing the line,” Dhoni said.

“We need to give it a bit more time. Once they start crossing that line, once they harness that aggression in the right channel you’ll see plenty of good results from this side.”

While India routinely master Austra-lia on their home pitches, winning the last seven Tests straight, it’s the reverse situation Down Under. But the tourists now have pace weapons with Varun Aar-on, Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma.

“It was quite good to see our fast bowlers still running in, giving 100 percent,” said Dhoni, who is lining up for his 90th Test match as a player and 60th as captain in the Melbourne Test.

“We have seen the execution power of our fast bowlers has increased.”

Australia are likely to give batsman Joe Burns his Test debut as a replace-

ment for hamstring-victim Mitchell Marsh, while senior paceman Ryan Harris is bidding for a recall after miss-ing the Gabba Test with a quadriceps problem.

The home side has a pool of � ve pace bowlers to choose from, but ideally would go in to the Boxing Day show-piece with Mitchell Johnson, Harris and Josh Hazlewood, who took seven match wickets on his debut in Brisbane.

“The Gabba Test was played at a fast pace, it was four-and-a-half runs an over for the whole Test match,” Austra-lia coach Darren Lehmann said.

“It was exciting again and it’s been an amazing nine days of Test cricket.”

Lehmann said he expects opener David Warner, who was struck a painful blow on his left thumb while facing Aar-on in Brisbane, to play in the third Test.

Australia have had match-winning performances from new skipper Steve Smith (375 runs with two centuries), Warner (twin tons in Adelaide), spinner Nathan Lyon (17 wickets) and Johnson (a � ery 11-ball spell of three for 10 in Brisbane).

But a crucial part of the series so far has been Australia’s ability to get far more runs out of their tail than India.

In Brisbane, the Australians added 258 runs for the last four wickets in the � rst innings in Brisbane.

“To get a lead of 90-odd, the way the tail played was amazing,” Smith said of that performance. “To get us into that position was crucial.”

Smith will play under the threat of a one-match suspension if his team transgress again with slow over rates over the next 12 months after Austra-lia was � ned 30 percent of their match fees from the Gabba Test.

Smith, as skipper, was � ned double that amount, and now must be mindful of keeping the game moving if he is to avoid a ban. l

Ferrari braced for another hard yearn Reuters, Maranello

Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne drew a line under a dismal year for For-mula One’s most glamorous and success-ful team on Monday but made clear that 2015 would also be a season of struggle.

Speaking at a news conference be-fore Christmas lunch at the team’s Fiorano test track, Marchionne left no doubt there was a hard road ahead be-fore Ferrari could catch up with domi-nant Mercedes.

“We must forget 2014,” said the Fiat Chrysler (FCA) chief executive who re-

placed Luca Di Montezemolo as Ferrari chairman in October. “I don’t want to talk about 2014.”

The Italian out� t failed to win a race this year, their � rst blank season since 1993, and have said farewell to two team principals in a general clearout and restructuring.

Double world champion Fernando Alonso has left for McLaren, with Red Bull’s quadruple champion Sebastian Vettel arriving to try to galvanise the restructured team after they � nished fourth overall.

Newly-appointed principal Maurizio

Arrivabene warned, in his � rst o� cial news conference, that he could not work miracles and Marchionne agreed the team now needed time.

Marchionne said Ferrari, whose en-gine has been outperformed by cham-pions Mercedes, were paying a price for decisions made under the previous management.

“We started late with the 2015 car, certain choices and strategies that were made by others and that, in retrospect, I don’t necessarily share,” he added.

“So 2015 will be a di� cult year that will put the team to a real test.” l

Warner, Watson shake o� injury fears for 3rd Testn AFP, Melbourne

Opener David Warner and all-rounder Shane Watson both took part in train-ing on Wednesday as injury scares eased for Australia ahead of the Boxing Day Test against India.

The pair returned to the fray during a Christmas Eve session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Warner, batting for the � rst time since hurting his thumb in the second Test victory over India in Bris-bane last week, was soon driving and hooking with little sign of discomfort.

Watson, who was dazed when struck on the helmet by a bouncer on Tues-day, took on a bowling machine in the

indoor nets before moving outdoors.The blow sparked concern Watson

might have sustained serious injury, coming after Australian batsman Phil-lip Hughes was killed by a bouncer on November 25. In a sure sign Warner was on the mend, he told reporters he would keep up the “banter” against the tourists, despite a spate of � nes.

Indians Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma have all been � ned for their conduct in the four-Test se-ries, as has Warner after a heated ex-change in the � rst Test in Adelaide.

“If it requires a little bit of banter to get the other person talking, that’s what is going to happen,” said Warner.l

WC preparations loom over Test seriesn Reuters, Wellington

Final preparations for the World Cup loom large over the upcoming Test se-ries between New Zealand and Sri Lan-ka, which starts at the Hagley Oval on Friday, with seven one-day games to follow the two matches in Christchurch and Wellington.

Both sides will be � ne tuning their World Cup selections, with � nal squads needed for Jan. 8, the day after the sec-ond Test ends, but New Zealand will also be seeking to build on their recent resurgence in the Test arena.

After winning both home series last summer, beating West Indies away, then drawing with Pakistan after being hammered in the � rst Test in the UAE,

New Zealand enter the series playing at a level that would not justify their ranking of seventh.

The team has been galavanised under the captaincy of Brendon Mc-Cullum, with the only concern in the top � ve the opening partnership, with Hamish Rutherford given another op-portunity to prove his credentials along-side impressive rookie Tom Latham.

Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor will be expected to provide the major-ity of runs with the 24-year-old Wil-liamson coming of age this year, having scored 844 Test runs, including four centuries, at 60.28. McCullum’s move back to the middle order from his role as a temporary opener will solidify an already strong tail, who are expertly

guided by wicketkeeper BJ Watling.Their new ball duo of Tim Southee

and Trent Boult have also matured in the last two years, with the pair’s abil-ity to exploit New Zealand conditions and get the ball to swing and seam.

However, he is more concerned with � nalising his World Cup options.

He also has the added problem of � nding someone to � ll the hole left by Mahela Jayawardene’s retirement from Test cricket, while left arm spinner Ran-gana Herath will miss the � rst, and pos-sibly the second, Test with a leg injury.

Herath’s absence could be a blessing for New Zealand given he has taken 31 wickets at 19.58 in four Tests against the hosts and is the top Test wicket tak-er in 2014 with 60 in 10 matches. l

BGB lift Victory Day Wrestlingn Raihan Mahmood

Border Guard Bangladesh lifted the Victory Day Wrestling by winning six gold medals, one silver and one bronze in the Handball stadium yesterday.

Bangladesh Army � nished run-ners-up grabbing one gold, three silver and four bronze medals. In the women’s event, Bangladesh Ansar and Bangla-desh Police both won four gold medals each and were declared joint champions.

Bangladesh Olympic Association vice-president Mizanur Rahman Manu distributed the prizes as the chief guest. Tabiur Rahman Pahlawan, the general secretary of the wrestling fed-eration, vice president FM Iqbal bin Anwar Dawn, joint secretary Mesba-huddin Azad and others were also pres-ent on the occasion. l Bangladesh Ansar, joint champions of the Victory Day Wrestling, pose with the trophy at the Handball stadium yesterday COURTESY

Busan IPark arrive todayn Shishir Hoque

Korean top � ight club Busan IPark is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka today at 8:20pm to play an international friend-ly match against Sheikh Jamal Dhan-mondi Club at the Bangabandhu Na-tional Stadium on December 27.

A contingent of 23 members includ-ing all 18 players from South Korea will arrive today. However, their only South Korean national player, goalkeeper Lee Bum-young, is not touring along with their two Brazilian recruits.

The four-time K-League Classic

champions Busan IPark are also the former champions of AFC Champions League and although the triumph was 28 years ago, they have been a regular side in the top � ight football since it was founded in 1983.

Squad:Lee Chang Geun, Kim Ki Yong, Lee Kyung Ryul, Jung Seok Hwa, Jeon Sung Chan, Ju Se Jong, Yoon Dong Min, Kim Chan Young, Yu Ji No, Park Young Ji, Kwon Jinyoung, Ku Hyun Jun, Kim Ji Min, Lee Cheong Woong, Lee Gyu Sung, Lee Joo Yong, Seo Hong Min, Kim Jin Gyu. l

Avijit re-elected as BBF gen secretaryn Raihan Mahmood

Lt. Commander (retd) Avijit Kumar Sarker was re-elected as the general secretary in the election of the Bangla-desh Basketball Federation held at Na-tional Sports Council (NSC) yesterday.

Syed Aklas Hossain was the other con-tender of the post of the general secretary but he withdrew from the election citing irregularities in the voter list. The four vice presidents elected are Selim Chowd-hury, Moinul Ahsan Monju, Mokbul Hos-sain Lablu and Chowdhury Abul Hasnat. Khairul Alam Farhad and Fazal Rehan were elected the joint secretaries while Wasif Ali was elected as the treasurer. The committee consists of 14 members.

Deputy director of NSC Mohammed Abul Hossain Howladar was the Re-turning O� cer of the election. l

SportDHAKA TRIBUNE14 Thursday, December 25, 2014

Brazilian forward Neymar (R) and Brazilian singer Anitta perform during the inauguration of the Neymar Project Institute in Praia Grande, Sao Paulo, Brazil on Tuesday. The institute is a sports complex for needy children and their families AFP

Absent Ronaldinho threatened with sackn AFP, Mexico City

Two-time world footballer of the year Ronaldinho has been threatened with the sack if he doesn’t return as soon as possible to his Mexican club Queretaro, the team’s president said on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old Brazilian -- a mem-ber of the 2002 World Cup winning side and world player of the year in 2004 and 2005 -- has not returned as he said he would a fortnight ago for pre-season training having been allowed to go to the United States and Brazil to put his personal a� airs in order after the end of the previous campaign.

The � rst match is on January 11 but Queretaro began their pre-sea-son training on December 8 and have played several friendlies without being graced by the presence of the former

Paris Saint Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan star.

Club president Arturo Villanueva -- who was credited with pulling o� a coup for the unfashionable Mexican side by persuading the Brazilian to sign for them in September -- said that if Ronaldinho does not appear in the next week he would prefer ‘to take on some-one else’.

Joaquin Beltran. the club’s sporting director, said that Ronaldinho -- who in his nine games for Queretaro scored three goals and set up one other -- did not enjoy special status.

“If Ronaldinho does not come back in the next week, we will take a deci-sion,” said Beltran.

“He has already missed a large part of the pre-season and nobody is above the institution.”l

Atletico president hints at possible Torres returnn Reuters, Madrid

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has hinted at a possible deal to bring struggling Spain forward Fernan-do Torres back to his boyhood club.

Cerezo said the Spanish champions’ coach Diego Simeone had the squad he needs to compete in La Liga, the Cham-pions League and the King’s Cup but did not rule out Torres returning to the club.

“He (Torres) is not here but that does not mean that he won’t be,” Cerezo said on Tuesday.

“Right now all the positions are well covered but that does not mean that up until the last hour of Jan. 31 we won’t bring someone in,” he added. l

Ibra unhappy at coming ‘second’n Reuters, Stockholm

Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has dis-missed his second-place � nish on a list of Sweden’s all-time sporting greats be-hind tennis master Bjorn Borg.

“Thank you but to � nish second is like � nishing last,” he informed. The 33-year-old Paris St Germain striker was second in the list of 150 Swedish sportspeople, created by the newspaper as part of their 150th-anniversary celebrations.

Asked where he would have put himself in the rankings, Ibra said: “On that list I would have been number one, two, three, four and � ve, with due re-spect to the others.”

“Bjorn Borg is a cool person and a liv-ing legend,” said Ibra, who has scored 51 goals in 101 games for Sweden and has won titles at many of Europe’s leading clubs including Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan. Barcelona, AC MIlan and PSG. l

Navas, Wambach win Concacaf Players of Yearn Reuters, Miami

Costa Rica’s World Cup goalkeeper Keylor Navas and United States wom-en’s team striker Abby Wambach were named CONCACAF’s Players of the Year for 2014 on Tuesday.

The governing body for the sport in North and Central America and the Caribbean also named Jorge Luis Pin-to Coach of the Year after he led Costa Rica to the last eight at the World Cup for the � rst time.

Navas, 28, produced some outstand-ing displays for Costa Rica in the World Cup with three clean sheets from � ve matches and winning three Man of the Match Awards.

Following the World Cup, Navas completed a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Wambach, the 34-year-old striker, who has scored more goals in interna-tional football than any male or female with 177 in 228 games, had another � ne

season including scoring four goals in the � nal of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship in 2014 in which the United States beat Costa Rica 6-0.

Pinto was rewarded for Costa Rica’s memorable World Cup campaign where they � nished top of their group ahead of Uruguay, Italy and England and then beat Greece on penalties before losing to the Netherlands in a shootout after a goalless draw.

Pinto became head coach of the Honduran national team earlier this month.

United States and Everton keeper Tim Howard won CONCACAF Goal-keeper of the year for the second year while Costa Rica’s Bryan Ruiz’s strike against Italy in the World Cup was vot-ed Goal of the Year.

American Mark Geiger was voted Referee of the Year.

The awards are voted on by three constituencies - national team coaches and captains, media and fans. l

Saints sign Dutch winger Elia on loann AFP, London

Southampton have agreed to sign Werder Bremen’s Dutch international winger Eljero Elia on loan until the end of the season.

Ronald Koeman’s side are short of attacking options with Jay Rodriguez’s recovery from a cruciate ligament in-jury taking longer than expected and Senegal’s Sadio Mane due to leave for the African Nations Cup next month.

Elia, who has played 28 times for Hol-land, is seen as the perfect man to bolster Koeman’s front three. The 27-year-old will initially join Saints on loan when the transfer window opens next month, with the option of then making his switch from the Bundesliga out� t permanent at the end of the current campaign. l

Title not won in December: Pellegrinin Reuters, London

Many Premier League managers high-light the importance of negotiating the hectic Christmas period, but Man-chester City’s Manuel Pellegrini is in a relaxed mood with his side trailing leaders Chelsea by three points.

Second-placed City, who have 39 points from 17 matches, begin the holiday � xture schedule with a trip to West Bromwich Albion on Friday be-fore hosting Burnley and Sunderland in quick succession.

Having won six successive league matches, City have closed the gap on Chelsea but Pellegrini does not think the next few weeks will de� ne the champions’ season.

“We are not thinking about Chel-sea,” Pellegrini told a news conference on Tuesday. “We are just thinking

about our team.“We know it is important to have our

own pressure. You never win the title in December.

“We have a long � ve months to con-tinue playing as well as we are doing so far and we will see at the end of the sea-son which team has most points.”

City can take heart from claiming two titles in three seasons, but Pellegri-ni does not think that will give his side an edge against Chelsea, who last won the prize in 2010.

“It is always hard to win, the � rst time and the second time,” Pellegrini said. “I think there is the same degree of di� culty from one year to another.

“We have the players in a high level of performance. We are trusting what we do, so in the same way we played poorly two months ago, we are now do-ing very well.”l

Van Gaal keen to repay Fergie’s faithn AFP, Manchester

Louis van Gaal has revealed he feels un-der pressure to succeed at Manchester United to repay the generous support of Old Tra� ord legend Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson has given his backing to van Gaal in recent interviews, claim-ing the United manager can restore the team to the lofty levels which Ferguson himself attained in his 27 years as boss.

Certainly, van Gaal’s e� orts in lead-ing United into a top three position as the Premier League enters the Christ-mas period have been impressive and generated an air of optimism at the club not felt since Ferguson retired in 2013.

However, that backing has come at a cost, according to van Gaal.

“It’s fantastic,” said van Gaal on Tuesday. “When you come to Manches-ter United, because I know Sir Alex, you hope that he will support you.

“And when he is supporting you, he is doing that not only this week but in other conferences he gave.

“He showed a lot of con� dence and belief in me and you need that as a trainer-coach, as manager of Manches-ter United.

“You need that belief and support of managers like Sir Alex. I am very happy with that because then you can work more easily. But it’s also pressure be-cause he believes in you and that gives you that pressure that you have to get results. It’s not so easy to win Premier League matches.”

United, unbeaten in seven games, open their festive � xture list with a home clash against Newcastle on Fri-day and van Gaal insists he has already succeeded in one of his primary aims - making Old Tra� ord a venue where other teams fear to play.

Since losing at home to Swansea on

the opening day of the season, in his � rst competitive match in charge, Unit-ed have won seven and drawn one of their eight games.

“I have said after the � rst loss against Swansea that it’s a pity we came back from the United States and won every-thing and then lost our � rst match in the Premier League,” said van Gaal.

“We want to build a fortress at Old Tra� ord and we have made that al-ready because we have won a lot.

“I’m happy with that but then we have to continue because seven (wins) is too few I think.

“So we have to continue and that’s the most di� cult point because it’s not easy to win games in the Premier League.”

Meanwhile, van Gaal has paid trib-ute to captain Wayne Rooney’s versa-tility, but insists he still remains an im-portant attacking threat.l

Wenger upbeat as injured Gunners returnn AFP, London

Arsene Wenger is upbeat about a strong second half of the season showing from an Arsenal side set to capitalise on the return of injured players like Mesut Ozil and Mikel Arteta.

Wenger expects Ozil and Arteta to return to action in January, while Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Laurent Koscielny are due back imminently to help reignite the Gunners’ quest for a top-four � nish in the Premier League.

The Christmas schedule features � xtures against QPR, West Ham and Southampton and Wenger believes Ar-senal, who occupy sixth place in the ta-ble, will soon be in a position to realise their potential.

“To give absolutely everything in every single game until the end of the season,” replied Wenger when asked to outline his aspirations for his team heading into the festive period on Tuesday.

“I believe that with the injuries com-ing back we will have a much stronger squad than we had for the past two months.

“I believe 2015 can be very exciting if we manage to get our injured players back and have a good run.

“Finishing in the top four is always the minimum required here. We have the Champions League and we have the FA Cup and we want to come back in a much stronger position in the Pre-mier League, and I think we will.

“Our Christmas is not an easy sched-ule - it’s a tough schedule. There are

three games in a very short period of time and we can make up points.

“It’s a period where you have an opportunity to make points. Our oppo-nents will think that as well, but let’s just put the performances in and cap-italise on it.”

Ozil and Arteta are on target for January comebacks from knee and calf injuries and although Ramsey and Koscielny may miss the Boxing Day showdown with hamstring and calf problems, they could both be in action against Southampton on New Year’s Day.

“Ozil will be back at the beginning of January. His rehab has gone well but it took time. He works very hard. He is very focused. Fitness-wise, he is there,” Wenger said.

“Arteta is progressing well. He had a little setback with an ankle problem but it should be very quick now. He will not play before January.

“Ramsey has a chance to be � t for Southampton. The closest at the mo-ment is Koscielny. I believe he’s a bit short for QPR, maybe has a chance for West Ham on Sunday.”

Arsenal are four points adrift of fourth place West Ham and lost further ground on Champions League quali-� cation after conceding an equaliser deep into stoppage time of Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

Per Mertesacker’s defending for Martin Skrtel’s header has been crit-icised, but Wenger refuses to single out his Germany World Cup winner for blame. l

Del Bosque upbeat despite year to forget for Spainn Reuters, Madrid

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque is feel-ing positive about 2015 despite the shock of failure at this year’s World Cup and is con� dent he can successfully shepherd the team through quali� ca-tion for Euro 2016.

Spain were dumped out in the group stage at the � nals in Brazil after embarrassing defeats by Netherlands and Chile. A surprise loss to Slovakia in Euro quali� cation Group C also set back their bid for a place at the tourna-ment in France in 18 months time.

They also slipped to friendly defeats by France and world champions Ger-many as La Roja came crashing back to earth after six years of dominating the global game.

“We had a necessary period of re-

� ection after the World Cup and both we and the federation remain on the same page,” Del Bosque said on the na-tional team’s website on Tuesday.

“We decided to carry on and I am feeling in good spirits and full of de-sire to ful� l my responsibilities,” add-ed the 64-year-old, who came close to quitting after the World Cup before the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) per-suaded him to stay on.

“We are not a burden for the na-tional team but we are trying to create a new side to compete in the way we were before,” Del Bosque said.

“Our objective is clear: qualifying for the European Championship in 2016.”

With four matches played in Group C, Spain are second on nine points be-hind Slovakia, who have won all four of their games. l

Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas US women’s striker Abby Wambach

FrozenStar Movies, 9:30pm

A princess with the power to turn things into ice curses her home in in� nite winter, her sister, Anna teams up with a mountain man, his playful reindeer, and a snowman to change the weather condition.

Real SteelHBO, 10:30pm

Set in the near future, where robot boxing is a top sport, a struggling promoter feels he’s found a cham-pion in a discarded robot.

Green LanternWB, 7:15pm

A test pilot is granted an alien ring that bestows him with otherworld-ly powers that inducts him into an intergalactic police force.

DHAKA TRIBUNE Entertainment Thursday, December 25, 2014 15

Exhibition16th Asian Art Biennale BangladeshTime: 11am – 8pmNational Art GalleryBangladesh Shilpakala Academy

Shifting SandsTime: 12pm – 8pmBengal Art Lounge60, Gulshan Avenue

TheatreNa-Manushi Jomin

Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pmNational Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy

FilmMeghmallarOuijaInterstellarGone GirlAnnabellePipra BiddaEk Cup ChaInto The StormTeenage Mutant Ninja

Turtles 3DTime: 12:30pm – 10:00pmBlockbuster Cinemas, Jamuna Future Park

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1John WickMeghmallarBrick MansionsBig Hero 6 (3D)Pipra BiddaTime: 10am – 10pmLavel 8, Star CineplexPanthapath

The Hobbit screens in the capital n Entertainment Desk

Fantasy adventure � lm “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” will be screened tomorrow at the Blockbuster Cinema in Jamuna Future Park. Shows on the � rst two days of the � lm’s screen-ing is exclusive for only the Grameen-phone Bondhu garage community. Shows will be open for all from Sunday.

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” released this year, was di-rected by Peter Jackson and written by Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boy-ens, and Guillermo del Toro. It is the third and � nal instalment in the three-part � lm adaptation based on the nov-el “The Hobbit” by JRR Tolkien.

The premier show was held on Tuesday at Blockbuster Cinema. l

n Hasan Mansoor Chatak

Tahsan will perform in a “celebration” concert today at the Russian Cultural Centre in Dhaka, promoting his latest album “Uddeshyo Nei.”

Talking about the concert, Tahsan said: “We see a worldwide custom where a singer or a band goes on a concert tour following the release of their new album. Though our coun-try has yet to see such a tour, I plan to arrange a tour following the release of my album.”

“However, what I am doing is not a full-� edged concert tour; rather,

we are calling it a celebration concert as I have received much appreciation about the album from the listeners.”

The celebrated musician an-nounced that in future he would ar-range a concert tour. He is currently planning another celebration concert for “Uddeshyo Nei” in Chittagong soon.

Before Tahsan gets on stage today, two young bands named Sin and Si-lent Tribe will perform at the concert. Tahsan selected the bands himself via Facebook, where he announced to let the performers who were most adept to cover his songs to appear on stage

with him.A total of nine bands responded to

the artist’s o� er, and the aforemen-tioned bands eventually won the op-portunity.

“I feel the youth bands struggle to � nd a platform to show their talent. As my � rst momentous stage perfor-mance happened because of a similar initiative taken by the legendary Azam Khan, I feel it is my responsibility to help the young musicians who need the support to � ourish,” Tahsan said.

Today’s concert is � rst after the al-bum – also Tahsan’s sixth solo album – was released in July 2014. l

TAHSAN excited about Uddeshyo Nei concert

Lebaration War � lm festival to close withMATIR MOINAn Entertainment Desk

Tareque Masud’s notable � lm “Matir Moina” (The Clay Bird) will be screened today at 10:15am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm and 6:30pm at Balaka Cine-plex. Winner of the International Crit-ics Prize at 2002 Cannes Festival, the � lm will also close the week-long Muk-tijuddho Cholochchitro Utshab 2014.

The plot of the � lm revolves around Kazi (Jayanto Chattopadhyay), a con-

servative Muslim who opts to send his son, Anu (Nurul Islam Bablu), to an Islamic school in order to shelter him from the worldly in� uences of the 1960s. Meanwhile, Anu’s thoughtful mother Ayesha (Rokeya Prachy), who is not inclined toward Kazi’s zealotry, handles the changes in stride. As the country heads into turmoil, the rigid beliefs that Kazi adheres to and his son tries to understand may have a lasting impact on the family. l

SHADA MON DHUSHOR PRITHIBI

Starring Tisha and Sajal, a single-episode TV

play titled “Shada Mon Dhushor Prithibi” will be

aired on ETV at 10:10pm.

CHRISTMAS SPECIALS ON TV

AS LIVEA concert titled “As Live” featuring Fuad and Friends will be telecast live on Desh TV at 7:45pm. The fusion band will be performing for the 56th founding anniversary of Fauzdarhat Cadet College in Chittagong.

BORO ANONDOA special magazine programme titled “Boro Anondo” will be aired on Maasranga TV at 7:50pm. Anchored by SI Tutul, the programme will feature singers Andrew Kishore, Tapan Chowdhury, Kona and Nancy. A dance piece will be performed by Ishita. In addition, special appearances will be made by Emon, Nirob, Munmun, Saju Khadem and Debashish Biswas.

ADAM SANDLER heads Forbes’ list ofoverpaid actorsn Entertainment Desk

Comedian Adam Sandler topped Forbes’ list of H o l l y w o o d ’ s most overpaid actors for a sec-ond consecu-tive year, nudg-ing out Johnny Depp and Tom Hanks for the dubious honour, the magazine

said on Tuesday.Although Sandler’s latest � lm “Grown Ups 2” was

a hit, pulling in $246 million at the global box o� ce, it didn’t go far enough to make up for the 48 year-old’s pre-vious � ops, “Jack and Jill” and “That’s My Boy.”

“We estimate that for every $1 Sandler was paid, he returned an average of $3.20,” said Forbes, the lowest re-turn on investment of any actor whose record the maga-zine examined.

Depp, the star of the hugely successful “Pirates of the Caribbean” � lms, came in second, returning an average of $4.10 for each dollar paid, because of recent misses like “The Lone Ranger” and “Dark Shadows.”

Forbes compiled the annual ranking by looking at the estimated paychecks of Hollywood’s top stars and the budget and revenue of the last three � lms each actor starred in before June 2014 to determine a return on in-vestment for each actor.

Animated and limited release � lms and movies featur-ing cameo roles were not included in the calculations. l

HELENA BONHAM CARTER and TIM BURTON announce

break-up

n Entertainment Desk

Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Car-ter have split up while “continuing to be friends and co-parent their chil-dren”, a spokeswoman has said.

The director and actor, who never married, separated amicably earlier this year and were asking for privacy for themselves and their children, said the spokeswoman.

The pair met in 2001 during � lming of “Planet Of The Apes,” which Burton directed, and have since col-laborated on � lms including “Sweeney Todd: The De-mon Barber of Fleet Street,” “Alice In Wonderland” and “Dark Shadows.”

They famously live in adjoining mews houses in north London and have two children, Billy, 11, and Nell, seven.

In the past Bonham Car-ter, 48, has described the arrangement with Burton, 56, as “nothing more in-teresting than two houses knocked together”, but in a 2011 interview she revealed that their home featured weird and wonderful items

including an oversized chair from the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory set, a baby door and a gypsy caravan.

In 2012 both were given British Film Institute fellowships, the body’s highest honour. In an interview at the time Bonham Carter said: “It’s good because there’s no jealousy at home. It’s very handy and very thoughtful for them to give us both one at the same time.” l

KAJAL AGARWAL: Don’t have to be animal lover to support PETA n Entertainment Desk

Kajal Agarwal, who is currently busy shooting for Tamil � lm “Maari”, believes that one need not be an “obsessive animal lover” to support People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Kajal has collaborated with the animal rights organisation in their latest ad campaign against cruelty against animals in circus events.

“We’ve all grown up watching circus. I always used to wonder how these animals jump through rings of � re or do so many such unbelievable feats. But since my association with PETA, I’ve understood the conditions in which these animals

are trained and kept,” Kajal told IANS.“I’m happy to bring some awareness

about this issue. I’m not doing this be-cause I’m some obsessive animal lover. My association doesn’t stem from cra-zy love for animals but from a humanity point of view. As humans, I think all of us

should be concerned about such issues,”she said.

Kajal added that she didn’t jump at the op-portunity to extend her support for the cam-

paign. She con� rmed her participation after verifying facts herself.

“They told me about the research they had conducted along with their sister-concern Ani-

mal Rahat. They also showed me pictures and videos of how animals are treated in the circuses.

It was only after I was one hundred percent con-vinced did I con� rm my association,” she said. l

16 Back PageDHAKA TRIBUNE Thursday, December 25, 2014

BANDWIDTH EXPORT TO INDIA

Deal expectedin Januaryn Muhammad Zahidul Islam

An internet bandwidth export deal is expected to be signed by the middle of January, under which Bangladesh will be sharing its unused speed with the seven Indian states in the east.

At present, Bangladesh uses only 25 gigabits per second or around 12% of the 200Gbps bandwidth made availa-ble by the Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL), the lone submarine cable operator here.

The Bangladesh and Indian author-ities have been discussing the matter over the last couple of weeks. According to a source, BSCCL o� cials will visit New Delhi in early January to � nalise the deal.

“We have received an invitation let-ter from our Indian counterpart BSNL yesterday [Tuesday]. We are very hope-ful about inking the deal by the third week of January,” Monowar Hossain, managing director of BSCCL, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Top o� cials of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India’s state-owned telecommunication company, have already visited Bangladesh twice. In May, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard.

In February, Bangladesh govern-ment decided to export the unused bandwidth following a request from India in July last year seeking 40Gbps for their eight eastern states.

The BSCCL said the “Seven Sisters” - Arunachal, Tripura, Assam, Megha-laya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Shilong – have a huge demand for bandwidth.

Currently, these states get connect-ed to the “world wide web” via VSAT or satellite internet which is a lot more expensive compared to the underwater (submarine) or the over-land (terres-trial) connectivity that mainland India and Bangladesh enjoy.

Initially, the BSCCL projected a monthly earning of around Tk4.83 crore or $643,000 from the export of 40Gbps bandwidth; but the MoU for only 10Gbps bandwidth brought down

the estimated monthly earnings to only Tk1.20 crore or $161,000.

BSCCL MD Monowar Hossain said India initially wanted to import 40Gbps; but because they still do not have the adequate infrastructure such as optical � bre connectivity in the east-ern states, they have decided to cut it down to 10Gbps.

“As Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is in charge of our ministry [Post, Tele-communication and Information Tech-nology], we need to send it for her ap-proval,” Monowar Hossain said.

After singing of the deal, it will take four to � ve months to establish a net-work on both sides of the border for exporting the bandwidth, sources said.

The export of bandwidth is not like the export of tangible goods. Just like electricity, bandwidth too needs connec-tivity for being exported or transmitted.

One more similarity between band-width and electricity is that they can-not be stored; unless bandwidth cannot be used, it has to be shared; otherwise it will get wasted.

Bangladesh has not been able to do-mestically use the entire of the avail-able 200Gbps bandwidth mainly be-cause of the price of each Mbps that the government has � xed.

Currently, local operators pay Tk1,300 for each Mbps bandwidth from the BSCCL. However, some private distributors get to import bandwidth from mainland India at around Tk600-Tk700/Mbps.

Monowar said: “As BSNL is purchas-ing in bulk, the price we have quoted will be marginally less than the price charged here.”

BSCCL has selected three points for establishing links with the Indian states. Both parties have agreed that the � rst connection will pass from Akhaura in Bangladesh’s Brahmanbar-ia district to Agartala, the capital of the Indian state of Tripura.

According to sources, BSCCL expects India to import more than 100Gbps within a year or two when Bangladesh gets connected with the second subma-rine consortium SE-ME-WE-5 in 2016.

Industry insiders say Bangladesh has the demand at home. Although the export will bring in foreign currency with immediate e� ect, the better op-tion would been ensuring domestic us-age of the entire available bandwidth; that would bene� t Bangladesh in the long-run. l

13 dead, 6 injured in road accidentsn Tribune Report

Thirteen people died and six were injured in separate road accidents in di� erent parts of the country yes-terday, only a day after a fatal crash claimed 10 lives and injured another 40in Jhalakati.

In Tangail, eight people, includ-ing three of a family, were killed and another four injured in a road crash at Asura of Madhupur upazila beside Tangail-Mymensingh road around 12:30pm.

They were Habibur Rahman, 50, of Raktipara village, his daughter Hena Begum, 28, Hena’s daughter Ayesha, 12, Firoza Begum, 50, of Narkona vil-lage, Firoza’s grandson Sadik, 4, Asar Ali, 40, of Narkona, Mojibur Rahman, 55, of Raktipara, and autorickshaw driver Abdul Kader, 65.

O� cer-in-Charge of Madhupur police station Mojibur Rahman said the accident took place when a Madhupur-bound truck which was travelling from Tangail collided head on with an autorickshaw coming from

the opposite direction, leaving three passengers of the autorickshaw dead on the spot.

He said the other � ve were taken to Madhupur Upazila Health Complex but doctors declared them dead, adding that the injured were sent to Mymens-ingh Medical College Hospital.

Around 30 minutes before the Tan-gail incident, four people, including a father and his daughter, were killed when a truck hit an autorickshaw near Bagachara Madrasa intersection of Ma-hadebpur upazila in Naogaon.

The deceased were Abdus Sattar, 45, of Enayetpur, his daughter Khushi, 9, Sohel Rana, 25, son of Kashem of Do-gachi village in Naogaon Sadar upazila, and Ishmat Ali, 37, who was driving the autorickshaw.

The accident also left another two passengers of the autorickshaw in-jured, who were admitted to Naogaon Sadar Hospital.

Mahadebpur police station O� cer-in-Charge Saiful Islam said the truck, which was travelling to Naohanta from Naogaon, crashed into the Naohan-

ta-bound autorickshaw. He said the four died on the spot and

the 35-year-old trucker, Abdul Mannan, was detained shortly.

“The truck was also seized. A case will be lodged with Mahadeb-pur police station in this connection,”added Saiful.

There was another road accident in Faridpur which killed a police o� cer.

The 58-year-old tra� c police in-spector, Soroj Kumar Roy, died when a truck ran over him at Piarpur beside the bypass road in Faridpur town.

Soroj hailed from Kotalipara inGopalganj.

Faridpur Police Super Jamil Hasan said Soroj, who was on duty at Rajbari intersection around 10am, signalled the truck to stop.

“He rode his motorbike and chased the truck as the driver did not stop. But he could not go very far as the truck ran over him, killing him on the spot,”he said.

We are trying to capture the trucker who sped away after the accident, he added. l

Bajrang: Bangladeshis in India must leave or become Hindun Tribune Desk

Bajrang Dal on Tuesday said “Bangla-deshis” living in India must either leave their country or convert to Hinduism as they were abusing resources there.

Balraj Dungar, convenor of the Ba-jrang Dal for Meerut in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, said: “Our � rst demand is that they must leave the country, as they are abusing our resources. However, if they wish to live here, they must convert to Hinduism and adapt to the ways of our life,” reports the Times of India.

Commenting on the recent instanc-es of “ghar wapsi” in Uttar Pradesh, Dungar said: “We had been involved in ghar wapsi campaigns even during the UPA regime. This is a continuous, on-going process.”

Bangladeshis have taken refuge in India, and continue to live here even 43 years after the Bangladesh war, The Times of India quoted Dungar as saying.

When asked what the conversion had got to do with illegal stay he said they now need to go back. Besides, the fact that they are living illegally will not change with conversion but “at least they will add to our strength in numbers.”

VHP Organisational Secretary Su-darshan Chakra, however, said he would not agree with the Bajrang Dal leader.

“Our organisation’s agenda does not give any respite to the Bangladeshis. As per government statistics, there are around three crore Bangladeshis in India. They must all leave. There is no question of them converting to Hindu-ism. Because of them, unemployment

and crime rates have risen.“They indulge in anti-national activ-

ities. Despite all that, various govern-ments in the past have been providing them with bene� ts. They have ration cards and voter IDs. Nothing will legal-ise their stay in India. They have to go,” Chakra said.

The Times of India says estimates of the number of Bangladeshis in India vary widely. The 2001 Census report, quoted by an online site, estimated that there were 3 million Bangladeshis in India.

In 2012, Mullappally Ramachandran, then union minister of state for home, claimed that nearly 1.4 million Bangla-deshi migrants had entered India in the last decade alone.

In 2007, central government sta-tistics had said there were two crore Bangladeshis living in India illegally.

The Bajrang Dal is a militant Hindu organisation that forms the youth wing of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).

The ideology of the organisation is based on Hindutva – the fundamental-ist idea of being a Hindu.

Founded on 1 October 1984 in Uttar Pradesh, it has since spread through-out India, although its most signi� cant base remains the northern and central portions of the country. l

Ctg airport plunges into darkness n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

All activities at the Chittagong airport came to a halt for two hours, while landing schedules also had to be de-layed when a sudden power outage hit the airport yesterday.

Wing Commander Nur-E-Alam, manager of the Shah Amanat Interna-tional Airport, said the airport was out of power between 6:30am and 8:20am because of a mechanical fault at the air-port’s power distribution panel.

Source said the terminal also plunged into darkness during the outage. l

Teenage rape victim diesn Tribune Report

A teenage girl who was allegedly raped by her co-worker died under treatment at the Dhaka Medical College and Hos-pital yesterday evening.

The victim, 15, was a worker at a tiles factory in the capital’s Turag area.

Her sister Nasima Akhter said that on the evening of December 20, another worker Ramjan raped her at the facto-ry. They admitted her at a local hospital but shifted her to the DMCH on Tues-day as her condition deteriorated.

“Ramjan stays at the factory at night. On the night of the incident, he

asked my sister to stay for a while after her shift ended as he had something important to talk. At one stage, when all the factory workers left one by one, he raped her,” she added.

However, O� cer in-Charge of Turag police station Mahbub-e-Khuda claimed that the victim drank chemical after having an altercation with the youth.

“They had a love a� air but Ramjan denied to marry her. As a result, she drank a chemical... We have arrested Ramjan and sent him to jail.

“It is a rape incident since Ramjan had physical relation with a minor in promise of marriage,” he added. l

Hong Kong crash sparks moneygrabn BBC

Hong Kong police have appealed to the public to return millions of dollars tak-en after a van transporting HK$525m – or about $68m – crashed on a major road.

About HK$35m or $4.5m worth of banknotes were left strewn across the tarmac after the road accident.

Witnesses said dozens of people rushed to pocket the cash before armed police arrived to secure the area.

Some HK$20m was retrieved and police warned that failure to return the rest would be “a very serious crime”.

The incident happened at lunchtime on one of Hong Kong’s busiest roads in the Wan Chai district on Hong Kong Is-land, causing major disruption as people abandoned their cars to collect the notes.

Individual notes were seen spread across the carriageway but witness-es also reported seeing bundles of HK$500 notes wrapped in plastic.

One witness told the South China Morning Post that she saw a “regular looking Hong Kong lady” take at least 10 bundles before leaving the scene.

“She had an armful of bricks of cash – it was as much as she could carry. She just disappeared into the depths of Wan Chai,” the witness said.

Speaking shortly afterwards, police superintendent Wan Siu-hong called on those who had picked up any mon-ey to hand it over to police as soon as possible.

“If he or she keeps the money for [their] own use, [they] may commit an o� ence of theft which is a very se-rious crime under ordinance,” he toldreporters.

He said police had launched an in-quiry into the cause of the accident, adding that they “cannot rule out any possibilities at this moment”. l

‘As BSNL is purchasing in bulk, the price we have quoted will be marginally less than the price charged here’

Christmas todayn Mohammad Abu Bakar Siddique

The country’s Christian community is celebrating Christmas, their biggest re-ligious festival, today.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Abdul Hamid have extended greeting on this occasion.

In the � rst prayer session of the Christmas Eve at the Roman Catholic Church in Kakrail, Dhaka, Archbishop Patrick De Rozario said the birth of Je-sus was a joyous occasion for all

Prayers started at the church at 8pm last night, where the archbishop greet-ed all and wished love, forgiveness, lib-erty, unity and joy.

At the Saint Mary’s Cathedral, every-one prayed for peace in the country, as well as the world.

Similar programmes were held in other churches, such as Japamala Rani Church in Tejgaon and Saint Christina Church at Asad Gate.

There are around half a million Chris-tians currently living in Bangladesh. The celebration is particularly prominent in Gazipur, Dhaka and Meherpur, not to mention the Chittagong Hill Tracts. l

In 2007, central government statistics had said there were two crore Bangladeshis living in India illegally

Devotees come and pray before the crib – a depiction of the birth of Jesus Christ – during the � rst prayer session of the Christmas Eve at the Roman Catholic Church in Kakrail in the capital yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

The main road connecting Jatrabari and Postagola areas have taken the form of a water body as potholes have remained neglected there for long now. The photo was taken from the Jurain area of the capital on Tuesday MEHEDI HASAN

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: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com

www.dhakatribune.com/business THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

B3 France waves discreet goodbye to 75% super-tax

B4 US minimum wage hikes to impact 1,400-plus Walmart stores

Oil prices down in Asian trade n AFP, Singapore

Oil prices edged lower in thin pre-holiday trade Wednes-day, but analysts said losses were curbed by upbeat sen-timent over a strong US eco-nomic growth report.

US benchmark West Tex-as Intermediate for Febru-ary delivery fell 34 cents to $56.78, while Brent crude for February eased 31 cents to $61.38 in mid-morning trade.

The US Commerce De-partment said Tuesday the world’s largest economy grew at a spectacular � ve per-cent for the third quarter, the best growth rate since 2003.

The � gure beat the previ-ous o� cial estimate of 3.9% and the 4.3% projected by

analysts, boosting hopes energy use in the world’s top consumer will rise.

Oil prices have fallen about 50% since June on mounting supplies due to increased production and lacklustre global econom-ic growth. Research house Capital Economics said the � gures have fuelled expec-tations the US economy will grow 2.5% in 2014, with “growth of 3% in 2015 com-fortably within reach”.

“The clear strengthen-ing in activity towards the end of 2014” could also prompt the US Federal Re-serve to hike interest rates earlier than its timetabled mid-2015 date, the Lon-don-based � rm said. l

BB issues Islami bond bidding guidelinen Tribune Business Desk

Bangladesh Bank (BB) yesterday issued the guidelines for bidding of Bangla-desh Government Islami Investment Bond (Islami Bond).

Only Islamic Shariah-based banks and � nancial institutions will be al-lowed to participate in the bidding usu-

ally issued with three and six months of maturity, reports BSS.

Any individual or institutions wish-ing to purchase the Bond should par-ticipate in the bidding through any Is-lamic banks and Shariah-based wings of other banks or � nancial institutions.

There will be no limit of bonds for bidding; instead the bidders will be al-

lowed to submit the bidding document as per their own demands. The bonds will be issued for the tenure of three and six months based on pro� t-sharing ratio.

The base rate will be calculated on the basis of the provisional pro� t rates against the 3-month and 6-month de-posits of the participatory banks and � nancial institutions. l

BoI inks deal with Japan’s biggest bank to attract FDI n Tribune Report

Board of Investment (BoI), Bangladesh has signed a Memorandum of Under-standing with Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubi-shi UFJ to facilitate in� ow of Japanese investments in Bangladesh and foster business partnerships between entre-preneurs of the two countries.

The BoI will cooperate with the counterpart to provide the Japanese en-trepreneurs with information related to foreign direct investment (FDI) oppor-tunities in Bangladesh, and communi-cate with the Bank about the country’s upcoming industrial projects.

In return, the Bank will provide every possible support to bring invest-ment in Bangladesh.

The signatories of the agreement were BoI Chairman SA Samad and the Japan bank’s Managing Executive Of-� cer and Chief Executive O� cer for

Asia and Oceania Go Watanabe.The signing ceremony was attended

by Commerce Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ati-ur Rahman, JICA Chief Representative Mikio Hataeda, Charge D’ A� airs of Japan Embassy Takeshi Matsunaga and FBCCI President Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed.

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ is the largest bank in Japan, which was es-tablished on January 1, 2006, with the merger of Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd and UFJ Bank Ltd.

The bank serves as the core retail and commercial banking arm of Mit-subishi UFJ Financial Group and its tra-ditional client base is made up of Japa-nese corporates.

Japanese FDI in� ows into Bangla-desh remain small, under $100m in 2013 even after more than trebling from the preceding year’s � gure and until September 2014 Japan shares only

6.87% of total FDI in� ows in Bangla-desh, according to the BB governor.

In a recent survey (2014) by JETRO, New Delhi, it appears that business in Bangladesh has better cost and pro� t advantages than many other countries as cost of production also in Bangla-desh is lowest in the world, said Atiur.

He said Bangladesh is ahead of My-anmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philip-pines and India in ease of procurement of local materials and parts.

He said some 200 Japanese compa-nies are operating in Bangladesh. Of which 50% in RMG sector and 70-80 % of them are SMEs.

Recently, Japan has increased invest-ment in Bangladesh by establishing var-ious production and assembly plant in Bangladesh like motor cycle (Honda) as-sembling factory, Ajinomoto tasting salt factor, Omoron healthcare equipment supplier company. l

Board of Investment, Bangladesh has signed an MoU with Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Japan to draw investment in� ow DHAKA TRIBUNE

Government urged not to raise tax on proposed pay hike excuse n Tribune Report

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and In-dustry (DCCI) has urged the govern-ment not to impose additional tax on the businessmen as a means of collect-ing extra fund to be required for imple-menting the upcoming new pay scale already proposed early this week.

“The revenue collection is slow. That’s why we call upon the govern-ment not to increase tax on the business community for raising fund to imple-ment the new pay scale,” DCCI Presi-dent Hossain Khaled told a press con-ference at the DCCI in Dhaka yesterday.

He, however, welcomed the pro-posed pay scale for public servants, terming it a time-be� tting decision considering the rise in the prices of es-sentials.

He said the government should take into account also the in� ation problem as prices of commodities would go up.

According to the proposed pay scale, the government needs an additional amount of around Tk30,000 crore to implement it.

“The new pay system will put pres-sure on private sector but we have to tackle that and move forward,” Khaled said, replying to a question on the pay hike proposal.

The biggest challenge for the year 2015 would be enhancing investments in productive and service sector, he said, adding that non-friendly business policy has been impeding desired eco-nomic growth of the country.

The business tycoon called for steps to attract FDI as well as local investors by ensuring business friendly environ-ment to reach targeted goals.

The current GDP growth of the coun-try is hovering around 6%, which should be about 10%, said the DCCI president.

In the current year, Bangladesh has witnessed $1 billion FDI per annum while the war-torn country, Pakistan, enjoys around $7 billion FDI annually.

In reply to a query, Khaled said the chamber will continue dialogue with political parties to eliminate destruc-tive political programmes that discour-age fresh investments and impede eco-nomic growth.

Urging the government to low-er bank interest rate to single digit, Khaled claimed that banks are charging high interest on lending, which is a bar to private sector borrowers to making new investment.

Due to lack of gas and electrici-ty supply, production at factories is stalled and thousands of working hours are wasted, said Khaled.

The businessman suggested that the government should ensure gas supply to newly established industry that will encourage business community and instill con� dence into them.

He stressed the need for zone-wise weekly holiday to reduce load-shed-ding and pressure of gas.

Khaled also called upon the govern-ment to brand Bangladeshi products abroad and explore new export market through its foreign missions. l

GP ready to share pro� t with sta� but tags condition n Muhammad Zahidul Islam

The Grameenphone management has � nally reached a consensus on the dis-bursement of the long-disputed pro� t sharing worth Tk420 crore among its employees for the years 2010-2012.

The pro� t will, however, be shared after a written promise that the em-ployees won’t go to the court for claim-ing their pro� ts any further.

Newly appointed Chief Executive O� cer of GP Rajeev Sethi yesterday came up with the disclosure while ad-dressing a meeting at GP house in the city. Chairman of GP Peoples Council (GPPC) Moinul Kader also spoke on this occasion.

Both Rajeev Sethi and Kader in-formed the meeting that the process, which has already started, might be completed shortly.

According to sources, employees can have their pro� ts after deducting the government portion of 10% out of Tk420 crore by January next.

As per labour law, all the employ-ees will get 5% of any companies pro� t share.

Before tax, GP had earned pro� t around Tk2,079 crore, over Tk3,316 crore, Tk3,004 crore in three years while the employees were entitled to get 5% of the pro� ts as per labour law.

The government issued a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) in 2010, which included telecom operator as well.

GP shared 5% pro� t in 2013 to com-ply with the law but it had earlier chal-lenged the SRO in a court, the issue of which is still pending.

During the last couple of days, GP employees were in movement to press home their demand for pro� t share. They also formed human chains, tag-ging the symbol of 5% on their shirts.

After the meeting, the GP manage-ment informed that they would hand over a list of employees for the period of 2010-2012 to the Board of Trustees (BOT) upon a request made by the GPPC.

“Earlier, last week, the GP Manage-ment Team had clearly communicated that it sought an amicable solution to facilitate payment from the trustee to eligible recipients as quickly as pos-sible,” according to a GP statement is-sued yesterday.

The GP management is extremely pleased to have resolved the issue and expect the BOT will now expedite the subsequent processes, it also reads. l

Foreign aid pledges slump ‘Negotiations for some pipeline projects were delayed after a new government took over in January last. So, the aid commitments have been a� ected.’ n Kayes Sohel

Foreign aid commitments plunged 60% in � rst � ve months of the current � scal year— a sign being seen as a “go-slow strategy” taken by some major de-velopment partners.

According to the Economic Rela-tions Division (ERD) data released yes-terday, the foreign assistance pledges during July-November period of the FY2014-15 stood at $896.6m in loans and grants compared to $1.44bn in the same period a year earlier.

Of the total commitments for the period, $698m came in the form of loans and $197m in grants.

Since the government agencies had failed to implement the ongoing pro-jects in time, the aid disbursement had dropped, said some development experts.

However, foreign aid � ow during the period totalled $902m with a slight increase from $887.34m a year ago.

Out of the total aid disbursement in July-November period this � scal, the government has received $748.2m worth of fund in loans and $153.8m in grants.

Among the development partners, the World Bank disbursed only $243.71m, the Asian Development Bank $184m and Japan $128m in loans and grants for the period, the ERD data showed.

Meanwhile, the government in the period repaid $532.26m, includ-ing $455m as principal amount and $77.23m as interest, to development

partners against the outstanding loans. In the corresponding period last � s-

cal year, the government made the debt services of $529m, including $457.5m as principal amount and $78.5m as in-terest, to foreign lenders.

“Negotiations for some pipeline projects were delayed after a new gov-

ernment took over in January last. So, the aid commitments have been af-fected. I hope the situation will change next year,” said a senior ERD o� cial.

Besides, the last political turmoil on the issue of national election also a� ected the aid commitments to Bang-ladesh, the o� cial said.

The government received a record $3bn worth of foreign aid in FY2013-14 following a signi� cant rise in disburse-ment by the World Bank and China.

Concessional aid in� ow to the coun-try in FY2013-14 was $189m higher than that of $2.81bn in the previous year, ERD data showed. l

The preparatory works of Padma Multipurpose Bridge have started this year. Bangladesh is implementing the huge project at a cost of around $3bn without any foreign aid or credit MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Bhairab River Re-excavation Project gets clearancen Tribune Business Desk

Cabinet Purchase Committee yesterday approved � ve proposals, including the Bhairab River Re-excavation Project in Meherpur to be implemented by Dock-yard and Engineering Works Ltd, a com-pany run by Bangladesh Navy.

A meeting of the cabinet body, chaired by Finance Minister AMA Mu-hith, gave the nod to the proposals, re-ports UNB.

The Dockyard and Engineering Ltd will carry out the re-excavation works at a cost of Tk70.65 crore.

The cabinet body also approved the Water Resource Ministry’s proposal for appointing a project management and design consultant for Muhiri Irrigation Project.

The Asian Development Bank will provide fund for the project.

Power Division’s proposal for pro-curing consultancy services for Bara-pukuria 275mw coal-� red thermal power plant (3rd unit) also got the cab-inet body’s clearance.

Steag Energy Services, India, won the consultancy job along with its as-sociates Steag Energy, Essen, Germa-ny and BCL Bangladesh at a cost of Tk27.88 crore.

The Railway Ministry’s proposal for raising the cost to implement Lak-sam-Chinki Astana Double Line project also received its approval. l

During the last couple of days, GP employees were in movement to press home their demand for pro� t share

B2 Stock Thursday, December 25, 2014DHAKA TRIBUNE

News, analysis and recent disclosuresICBISLAMIC: ICB AMCL ISLAMIC Mutual Fund will be de-listed and trading of units of the fund will be discontinued with e� ect from December 29, 2014 (i.e. the next working day after record date 28 December, 2014).NORTHERN: The Company has informed that it has credited the bonus shares for the year ended on June 30, 2014 to the respective shareholders BO Account.Zaheen Spinning Ltd.: Zaheen Spinning Ltd. has informed that the IPO subscription clos-ing date of the Company has been changed from 4 January 2015 to 5 January 2015.IPO Subscription: Shasha Denims Limited subscription date 14 to 21 December 2014, NRB upto 30 December 2014. @ taka 10, face value taka 35 and market lot 200. Zaheen Spinning Limited subscription date 28 December 2014 to 05 January 2015, NRB upto 13 January 2015. @ taka 10, face value taka 10 and market lot 500.Right Share: ICB: Subscription period for rights issue will be from 07.12.2014 to 30.12.2014. Record date for entitlement of rights share: 09.09.2014. FIRSTSBANK Subscription period for rights issue will be from 07.12.2014 to 28.12.2014. Record date for entitlement of rights share: 20.11.2014.Dividend/AGMECABLES: 10% cash, AGM: 26.02.2015, Record Date: 05.01.2015.

HFL: 10% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 30.12.2014, Record Date: 22.12.2014.SONALIANSH: 10% cash AGM: 30.12.2014, Record Date: 21.12.2014.BENGALWTL: 23% cash, AGM: 28.12.2014, Record Date: 02.12.2014.MPETROLEUM: 95% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 16.01.2015, Record date: 04.12.2014. JAMUNAOIL: 90% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 07.02.2015, Record date: 11.12.2014.KBPPWBIL: 10% stock, AGM: 29.12.2014, Record Date: 08.12.2014.PHARMAID: 25% cash, AGM: 28.12.2014, Record Date: 02.12.2014.PRIMELIFE: 10% cash and 15% stock dividend, AGM: 24.12.2014, Record Date: 20.11.2014.PADMAOIL: 100% cash, AGM: 14.02.2015, Record date: 22.12.2014. EASTRNLUB: 30% cash, AGM: 17.01.2015, Record Date: 25.11.2014.SAMORITA: 20% cash and 10% stock dividend, AGM: 07.01.2015, Record Date: 19.11.2014. POWERGRID: 10% cash, AGM: 17.01.2015, Record Date: 25.11.2014.SPCL: 25% cash and 5% stock dividend, AGM: 29.01.2015, Record Date: 27.11.2014.ANWARGALV: 7.50% cash dividend to the general shareholders, AGM: 12.01.2015, Record Date: 13.11.2014.

METROSPIN: 5% stock dividend, AGM: 30.12.2014, Record Date: 17.11.2014. PRIMETEX: 10% cash, AGM: 27.12.2014, Record Date: 13.11.2014. FINEFOODS: No dividend, Date, Time and Venue of AGM will be noti� ed later. Record Date: 24.11.2014. SAVAREFR: No dividend, AGM: 24.01.2015, Record Date: 23.12.2014. BDCOM: 15% stock dividend, AGM: 25.12.2014, Record Date: 17.11.2014. LIBRAINFU: 20% cash dividend, AGM: 28.12.2014, Record Date: 11.11.2014.EMERALDOIL: 10% cash and 5% stock dividend, AGM: 28.12.2014. Record Date: 23.11.2014.PREMIERCEM: 30% cash dividend, AGM: 27.12.2014, Record Date: 17.11.2014. USMANIAGL: 11% cash and 10% Stock Dividend, AGM: 26.12.2014, Record Date: 20.11.2014. DSHGARME: 10% cash dividend, AGM: 28.12.2014, Record date: 17.11.2014. MONNOCERA: 5% cash dividend for public shareholders (excluding Sponsor/Directors), AGM: 24.12.2014, Record Date: 17.11.2014. FUWANGCER: 10% stock, AGM: 28.12.2014, Record Date: 10.11.2014. FEKDIL: 5% cash and 15% stock, AGM: 29.11.2014, Record Date: 06.11.2014.

Fear of fresh political chaos weighs down stocksn Tribune Report

Stocks � nished � at amid high vol-atility yesterday, weighed down by fear of fresh political chaos com-bined with year-end closing.

The market witnessed slow trad-ing throughout the day with turn-over at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) dipping below Tk200 crore. The intra-day volatility was around 30 points.

The benchmark DSEX lost 15 points or 0.4% to close at 4,823, hit-ting lowest 4,809 after mid-session and extending its losing streak for second straight session.

The Shariah index DSES was marginally down 4 points or 0.4% to 1,138. The comprising blue chips DS30 ended at 1,786, shedding 4 points or 0.3%.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, declined 31 points to 9,021.

Turnover took a jolt in fear of polit-ical chaos and year-end closing when institutional investors realigned their portfolios. DSE turnover stood at Tk191 crore, a fall of more than 24% over the previous session.

Though small caps advanced at the beginning of the session, pro� t booking snapped the early gain on those.

Textile sector was the worst los-er declining 1.5% in its market cap-

italisation, followed by engineering 1.3%, ceramic 1.2%, pharmaceuti-cals 0.6% and energy 0.5%.

However, slight rise in heavy-weights, banking and telecommuni-cation issues, helped the market to rein losses.

Majority of stocks’ prices erod-ed as out of 309 issues traded, 168 declined, 101 advanced and 40 re-mained unchanged at DSE.

IDLC Investments said while market struggled to remain posi-tive, waves of selling pressure beat it down in frequent intervals, causing it to close � at.

Investors remained cautious amid some fear of volatility in the political landscape and before the end of year, it said.

Lanka Bangla Securities said benchmark index extended the losses as investors are yet to see any near term trigger.

“Broad market is likely to consol-idate at this level because concerns in terms of macro data like export, remittance � ow and political out-look still remain and no direction has come out yet to push the market up,” it said.

Square Pharmaceuticals became the turnover leader with shares worth Tk9 crore changing hands, followed by Grameenphone, Saif Power Tech, Lafarge Surma Cement, Beximco Pharmaceuticals and Agni System. l

CSE LOSER

Company Closing (% Change)

Aver-age (%

Change)

Closin-gAvg. Closing DHIGH DLOW Turnover

in MillionLatest

EPSLatest

PE

7th ICB M F-A -8.98 -8.93 80.14 80.10 80.50 80.00 0.011 8.52 9.4Reliance Insur -A -7.62 -6.71 57.00 57.00 57.00 57.00 0.001 3.79 15.0Continental Insur. -A -6.67 -3.59 19.60 19.60 19.60 19.60 0.003 2.27 8.6Marico BD Ltd-A -6.22 -6.22 1,085.00 1,085.00 1,085.00 1,085.00 0.022 55.10 19.7SAIF Powertec-N -5.40 -4.91 63.89 63.10 67.80 62.00 14.451 2.36 27.1Takaful Islami Insu-A -4.91 -4.61 25.24 25.20 25.30 24.50 0.026 1.43 17.7Ratanpur Steel -N -4.72 -4.30 58.99 58.60 61.10 58.30 2.603 5.44 10.8R. N. Spinning-Z -4.58 -6.17 26.61 27.10 28.00 26.00 5.171 2.19 12.2MBL 1st M. F.-A -4.55 -2.28 4.29 4.20 4.40 4.20 0.043 0.18 23.8Sinobangla Indu.-A -4.19 -4.90 29.87 29.70 30.90 29.50 0.320 1.21 24.7

DSE LOSER

Company Closing (% Change)

Aver-age (%

Change)

Closin-gAvg. Closing DHIGH DLOW Turnover

in MillionLatest

EPSLatest

PE

Zeal Bangla Sugar -Z -9.78 -5.14 8.30 8.30 8.30 8.30 0.001 -47.80 -veShampur Sugar -Z -9.26 -5.39 9.83 9.80 10.10 9.70 0.377 -52.72 -veNorthern Jute -Z -7.46 -8.81 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 0.002 1.00 315.0Jute SpinnersA -6.69 -6.44 54.36 54.40 55.30 53.10 0.131 -43.64 -vePopular Life Insu. -A -5.15 -4.47 143.75 143.60 149.00 140.20 1.837 4.13 34.8R. N. Spinning-Z -5.00 -5.49 26.32 26.60 27.60 25.80 20.767 2.19 12.0Tung Hai Knitting -N -4.78 -1.60 21.47 19.90 22.90 19.80 24.535 1.19 18.0Ratanpur Steel -N -4.72 -3.79 59.45 58.50 61.60 58.30 16.923 5.44 10.9Sa� o Spinning-A -4.43 -3.76 30.68 30.20 32.00 29.80 4.778 1.24 24.7SAIF Powertec-N -4.24 -5.34 63.08 63.30 65.50 60.20 74.886 2.36 26.7

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS

Company Volume-Shares

Value in Million

% of Total-Turnover ClosingP Change % ClosingY DHIGH DLOW AvgPrice

Square Pharma -A 1,148,194 296.29 34.51 255.70 -0.78 257.70 257.00 254.80 258.05Grameenphone-A 772,723 278.17 32.40 360.40 1.04 356.70 363.70 355.60 359.98HeidelbergCement -A 85,735 42.86 4.99 493.10 -1.34 499.80 496.00 490.00 499.93Jamuna Oil -A 85,859 17.60 2.05 203.80 -0.34 204.50 206.60 201.00 204.93ACI Limited- A 41,283 15.44 1.80 371.00 -0.03 371.10 372.00 368.10 373.97SAIF Powertec-N 226,185 14.45 1.68 63.10 -5.40 66.70 67.80 62.00 63.89SummitAlliancePort.-A 109,484 8.75 1.02 79.90 -0.50 80.30 80.80 79.20 79.94Hamid Fabrics -N 212,388 7.80 0.91 36.80 -1.34 37.30 37.40 36.40 36.73IDLC Finance -A 92,442 6.94 0.81 74.80 -1.32 75.80 75.30 73.70 75.05ACI Formulations-A 51,816 6.16 0.72 116.30 -1.11 117.60 118.00 115.80 118.88LafargeS Cement-Z 51,624 6.15 0.72 119.20 -0.08 119.30 120.90 118.30 119.19MJL BD Ltd.-A 50,963 6.05 0.70 119.90 2.83 116.60 120.80 114.60 118.68BEXIMCO Ltd. -A 142,387 5.19 0.60 36.30 -1.36 36.80 37.00 36.20 36.45R. N. Spinning-Z 194,343 5.17 0.60 27.10 -4.58 28.40 28.00 26.00 26.61Square Textile -A 53,411 4.80 0.56 90.00 0.11 89.90 90.00 88.80 89.95

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS

Company Volume-Shares

Value in Million

% of Total-Turnover ClosingP Change

% ClosingY DHIGH DLOW Avg-Price

Square Pharma -A 355,402 90.38 4.72 254.90 -1.05 257.60 258.30 253.60 254.30Grameenphone-A 249,345 89.60 4.68 360.20 0.78 357.40 360.90 355.00 359.33SAIF Powertec-N 1,187,148 74.89 3.91 63.30 -4.24 66.10 65.50 60.20 63.08MJL BD Ltd.-A 553,172 65.97 3.45 120.20 2.56 117.20 121.70 116.10 119.26LafargeS Cement-Z 532,496 63.65 3.32 119.50 -0.17 119.70 120.30 118.50 119.54Beximco Pharma -A 837,168 50.85 2.66 60.50 -1.63 61.50 61.60 59.90 60.74Agni Systems -A 1,529,660 50.02 2.61 32.70 2.83 31.80 33.60 31.90 32.70Brac Bank -A 1,036,160 39.10 2.04 37.70 0.53 37.50 37.90 37.50 37.74IDLC Finance -A 450,828 33.46 1.75 74.10 -1.20 75.00 75.60 73.90 74.21SummitAlliancePort.-A 387,086 31.06 1.62 80.30 -0.12 80.40 81.40 79.40 80.24Summit Power -A 802,233 30.51 1.59 38.30 2.41 37.40 38.50 37.40 38.04Quasem Drycells -A 379,813 28.36 1.48 73.80 -3.53 76.50 78.30 72.00 74.68AB Bank - A 920,576 27.75 1.45 30.10 0.00 30.10 30.50 29.60 30.15ACI Limited- A 68,747 26.06 1.36 373.20 0.51 371.30 385.00 370.00 379.09Tung Hai Knitting -N 1,142,844 24.54 1.28 19.90 -4.78 20.90 22.90 19.80 21.47AB Bank - A 900,847 27.38 1.45 30.10 -0.99 30.40 31.00 30.10 30.40

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

Sector DSE CSE TotalMillion Taka % change Million Taka % change Million Taka % change

Bank 220.72 11.53 21.61 2.45 242.33 8.67NBFI 138.93 7.25 18.37 2.08 157.29 5.62Investment 39.34 2.05 4.56 0.52 43.91 1.57Engineering 213.53 11.15 20.59 2.34 234.12 8.37Food & Allied 79.19 4.14 12.60 1.43 91.79 3.28Fuel & Power 260.01 13.58 41.41 4.70 301.42 10.78Jute 1.30 0.07 0.00 1.30 0.05Textile 171.51 8.96 35.72 4.05 207.24 7.41Pharma & Chemical 272.56 14.23 328.05 37.22 600.61 21.48Paper & Packaging 8.37 8.29 0.94 16.66 0.60Service 109.35 5.71 23.54 2.67 132.89 4.75Leather 11.67 0.61 12.11 1.37 23.78 0.85Ceramic 16.61 0.87 4.79 0.54 21.40 0.77Cement 82.73 4.32 50.08 5.68 132.82 4.75Information Technology 63.66 3.32 5.03 0.57 68.69 2.46General Insurance 24.03 1.25 1.18 0.13 25.21 0.90Life Insurance 34.44 1.80 0.96 0.11 35.40 1.27Telecom 97.01 5.07 279.15 31.67 376.15 13.45Travel & Leisure 20.94 1.09 4.76 0.54 25.70 0.92Miscellaneous 49.11 2.56 8.53 0.97 57.64 2.06Debenture 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.01 0.10 0.00

Weekly capital market highlightsDSE Broad Index : 4823.57214 (-) 0.31% ▼

DSE - 30 Index : 1786.87875 (-) 0.25% ▼

CSE All Share Index: 14825.52860 (-) 0.59% ▼

CSE - 30 Index : 11999.93040 (-) 0.73% ▼

CSE Selected Index : 9012.36780 (-) 0.56% ▼

DSE key features December 24, 2014Turnover (Million Taka)

1,917.57

Turnover (Volume)

48,621,240

Number of Contract 62,364

Traded Issues 308

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

75

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

226

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

7

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,590.07

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

31.39

CSE key features December 24, 2014Turnover (Million Taka) 861.91

Turnover (Volume) 8,560,468

Number of Contract 10,848

Traded Issues 245

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

72

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

166

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

6

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,500.48

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

30.31

Prepared exclusively for Dhaka Tribune by Business Information Automation Service Line (BIASL), on the basis of information collected from daily stock quotations and audited reports of the listed companies. High level of caution has been taken to collect and present the above information and data. The publisher will not take any responsibility if any body uses this information and data for his/her investment decision. For any query please email to biasl@bol-online.com or call 01552153562 or go to www.biasl.net

While market struggled to remain positive, waves of selling pressure beat it down in frequent intervals, causing it to close � at

CSE GAINER

Company Closing (% Change)

Aver-age (%

Change)

Closin-gAvg. Closing DHIGH DLOW Turnover

in MillionLatest

EPSLatest

PE

National Polymer -A 9.44 9.38 76.48 76.50 76.50 69.00 0.230 2.76 27.7NCCBL Mutual Fund-1-A 8.93 8.93 6.10 6.10 6.10 6.10 0.015 0.43 14.2ACI ZERO Bond-A 6.75 6.76 989.00 989.00 989.00 989.00 0.001 0.00 -Janata Insur -A 6.37 4.45 16.44 16.70 16.70 16.00 0.009 0.37 44.4Standard Insurance-A 5.26 3.97 25.69 26.00 26.30 24.70 0.039 3.07 8.4Agni Systems -A 4.10 2.87 32.98 33.00 34.00 32.20 3.789 1.32 25.0Rupali Life Insur.-B 3.43 3.33 54.25 54.30 55.80 53.00 0.528 5.33 10.2Sandhani Life -A 3.33 4.59 62.00 62.00 62.00 62.00 0.004 2.12 29.2Alltex Industries -Z 3.17 1.42 25.75 26.00 26.10 25.60 1.017 3.28 7.9Samorita Hospital -A 3.01 4.34 79.74 78.70 80.00 77.50 0.059 2.32 34.4

DSE GAINER

Company Closing (% Change)

Aver-age (%

Change)

Closin-gAvg. Closing DHIGH DLOW Turnover

in MillionLatest

EPSLatest

PE

PragatiLife Insu. -Z 4.44 4.82 99.03 98.90 100.50 96.50 0.266 2.38 41.6AMCL 2nd MF-A 4.44 3.33 4.66 4.70 4.70 4.50 0.229 0.72 6.5Stylecraft -A 4.32 12.37 1,000.00 928.30 950.00 884.90 0.003 44.98 22.2IFIL Islamic M.F.1-A 3.77 2.63 5.46 5.50 5.50 5.30 0.912 1.52 3.6Reliance Insur -A 3.67 3.84 59.27 59.30 60.50 58.00 0.287 3.79 15.6AB Bank 1st Mutual Fund-A 3.45 2.93 5.98 6.00 6.00 5.90 0.082 0.56 10.7Prime Insur -A 3.16 1.88 19.53 19.60 19.70 19.00 0.646 1.81 10.8Premier Bank -A 3.16 1.99 9.73 9.80 10.00 9.40 7.773 0.32 30.4BD Fixed Income MF-A 3.03 3.93 6.87 6.80 6.90 6.70 0.034 0.48 14.3Agni Systems -A 2.83 1.74 32.70 32.70 33.60 31.90 50.023 1.32 24.8

ANALYST

B3BusinessDHAKA TRIBUNE Thursday, December 25, 2014

CORPORATE NEWS

Envoy Textiles Limited has recently held its 19th annual general meeting. The company’s chairperson, Engr Kutubuddin Ahmed presided over the meeting in the presence of its MD, Abdus Salam Murshedy

First Security Islami Bank Limited has recently opened a branch at Joynal Market in Dokkhin Khan. The bank’s (current charge) MD, Syed Waseque Md Ali inaugurated the branch

Bangladesh Development Bank Limited has recently opened its 30th branch at Nabinnagar in Bramanbaria. Kazi Morshed Hossain Kamal has inaugurated the branch

Standard Bank Ltd has recently held its 231st board meeting. The bank’s chairperson Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed presided over the meeting

Green Delta Insurance Company lLimited has recently won � rst prize under insurance sector from South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA). The award has been given for best-presented annual report and corporate governance disclosures for the year 2013. Wa� S M Khan, senior executive director of Green Delta Insurance and CEO of Green Delta Securities received the award

France waves discreet goodbye to 75% super-tax n Reuters, Paris

When President Francois Hollande un-veiled a “super-tax” on the rich in 2012, some feared an exodus of business, sporting and artistic talent. One ad-viser warned it was a Socialist step too far that would turn France into “Cuba without sun”.

Two years on, with the tax due to ex-pire at the end of this month, the mass emigration has not happened. But the damage to France’s appeal as a home for top earners has been great, and the pickings from the levy paltry.

“The reform clearly damaged France’s reputation and competitive-ness,” said Jorg Stegemann, head of Kennedy Executive, an executive search � rm based in France and Germany.

“It clearly has become harder to at-tract international senior managers to come to France than it was,” he added.

Hollande � rst � oated the 75% super-tax on earnings over 1m euros ($1.2m) a year in his 2012 campaign to oust his conservative rival Nicolas Sarkozy. It � red up left-wing voters and helped him unseat the incumbent.

Yet ever since, it has been a thorn in his side, helping little in France’s e� ort to bring its public de� cit within Euro-pean Union limits and mixing the mes-sage just as Hollande sought to pro-mote a more pro-business image. The adviser who made the “Cuba” gag was Emmanuel Macron, the ex-banker who is now his economy minister.

The Finance Ministry estimates the proceeds from the tax amounted to 260 million euros in its � rst year and 160 million in the second. That’s broadly in

line with expectations, but tiny com-pared with a budget de� cit which had reached 84.7 billion euros by the end of October.

Soccer strike threat A � rst version of the tax payable by the earners themselves was thrown out by the Constitutional Court as punitive. A

� nal version obliged companies to pay the levy instead.

French soccer clubs brie� y threat-ened to go on strike, and actor Gerard

Depardieu took up Russian residen-cy in a one-man protest against the French tax burden, among the highest in the world. Others were making more discreet arrangements.

“A few went abroad - to Luxem-bourg, the UK,” said tax lawyer Jean-Philippe Delsol, author on a book on tax exiles called “Why I Am Going To Leave France”.

“But in most cases, it was discussed with their company and agreed to limit salaries during the two years and come to an arrangement afterwards,” he told Reuters by telephone. Hollande and his government have since sought to relieve business of around 40 billion euros of taxes and other charges, as un-employment at over 10 percent drives home the urgent need to attract invest-ment to the sickly French economy.

It was no accident that Prime Min-ister Manuel Valls - alongside Macron the main reformer in Hollande’s cabi-net - chose a visit to London in October to con� rm that the super tax would not be renewed: his British counterpart Da-vid Cameron famously o� ered to “roll out the red carpet” to French tax exiles.

But Delsol said the saga had made his clients more nervous about invest-ing their time and money in France and had only added to mistrust of a com-plex tax system which successive gov-ernments have failed to reform.

“People have lost con� dence,” he said. “That is not something you can restore overnight.” l

France's President Francois Hollande is seen through a camera � lter during a news conference at a European Union leaders summit in Brussels REUTERS

Dollar steady in Asia after US growth data rally n AFP, Tokyo

The dollar paused in Asia yesterday after rallying on the back of data that showed US economic growth at its highest level in over a decade.

The greenback got a boost on Tues-day as the US Commerce Department raised its estimate for third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth from 3.9% to 5%, the best since 2003.

The news fuelled hopes the US Fed-eral Reserve will start to raise interest rates from current record lows faster than other major central banks.

In Tokyo on Wednesday, the green-back bought 120.39 yen, dragged down from 120.71 yen in New York by pro� t taking, but still higher than the 120.13 yen touched Tuesday in Asian trade.

The euro was mixed at $1.2178 and

146.60 yen, from $1.2171 and 146.94 yen in US trade.

“With oil prices falling and employ-ment strengthening, it appears likely that momentum in consumer spending should continue to be a driving force for US growth,” National Australia Bank said.

Real personal spending increased 3.2%, accelerating from an increase of 2.5% in the second quarter, the data showed.

The “rise in real personal spending had some analysts querying whether (fourth-quarter) GDP will also exceed three percent and asking whether the Fed may well commence its tightening ahead of mid-year,” the bank said in a note.

IG Securities market analyst Junichi Ishikawa said the dollar could even test the 121 yen level.

“There is a feeling in the market that the swing back to risk-taking sentiment has come earlier than expected,” he told Dow Jones Newswires.

The dollar was mixed against other Asia-Paci� c currencies.

It edged up to 12,471.00 Indonesian rupiah from 12,463.80 rupiah on Tues-day, to 44.67 Philippine pesos from 44.64 pesos, and to Sg$1.3238 from Sg$1.3226.

The dollar also rose to Tw$31.83 from Tw$31.69.

It slipped to 1,102.92 South Korean won from 1,103.17 won, and to 32.90 Thai baht from 32.93 baht, while buy-ing 63.41 Indian rupees against 63.42 rupees.

The Australian dollar bought 81.11 US cents against 81.06 cents, while the Chinese yuan was at 19.32 yen against 19.30 yen. l

Leading European truckmakers operated cartel for 14 years n Reuters

Top European truckmakers operated a cartel for 14 years to delay the progress of emissions-reducing technology, the Financial Times reported, citing leaked documents in a European Commission investigation.

The newspaper said that one of the documents states that DAF Trucks, Daimler, Iveco, Scania, Volvo and MAN “agreed the timing and price increase lev-els for the introduction of new emission technologies” to comply with Euro 3 rules on nitrogen oxide and other emissions in 2000. A spokeswoman for the Euro-pean Commission, which announced last month it had sent charges to truckmakers it accused of a long-running and serious price-� xing cartel, said it would not com-ment on the leaked document. l

Weak commodity prices boon for India, hurt Malaysia and Australia n Reuters, Singapore

Many Asian currencies have eased this year while the value of commodities has hit new lows, yet the impact on each country in the region has di� ered with India bene� ting, Indonesia see-ing mixed blessings, and Malaysia and Australia being largely hurt.

Big commodity consumers like India are bene� ting from lower import costs for fuels and raw materials as a smaller fall in the rupee this year means their buying power has not been eroded.

The rupee has shed less than 3 percent against the dollar this year, versus a 12% decline last year.

Indonesia, one of the world’s top importers of oil products, is reaping the bene� ts of an almost 50 percent drop in crude prices since June and a smaller fall in its rupiah currency. But Indone-sia’s revenues from coal, of which it is the world’s top exporter, have fallen a quarter this year. For countries like Malaysia and Australia, which rely on commodity exports for revenues while importing most other goods, the recent

developments are damaging. Falling revenues from crude oil for Malaysia, or iron ore and coal for Australia are also devaluing their currencies, making imports costly and threatening Austra-lia’s � rst recession in 20 years.

“In energy and bulk commodities, supply growth still remains strong and should only add to the (negative) macro headlines ... The stronger US$ and tightening monetary policy in the US will have slightly negative repercus-sions for commodities,” ANZ bank said in a recent note. l

US business spending plans gauge � at in November n Reuters, Washington

A gauge of business investment plans was unexpectedly � at in November, suggesting a slowdown in economic growth after a brisk expansion over the last two quarters.

The Commerce Department said on Tuesday non-defense capital goods orders excluding aircraft, a closely watched proxy for business spending plans, was unchanged after a down-wardly revised 1.9% drop in October.

The weakness in the so-called core capital goods orders is at odds with retail sales, industrial production and employment data that have indicated a strong undertone in the economy.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast core capital goods orders in-creasing 1.5% last month after a previ-ously reported 1.6% decline in October.

Shipments of core capital goods, which are used to calculate equipment spending in the government’s gross do-mestic product measurement, rose 0.2% last month after slipping 0.9% in October.

Overall orders for durable goods - items ranging from toasters to aircraft that are meant to last three years or more - unexpectedly fell 0.7%, even as Boeing reported a surge in aircraft or-ders last month. Durable goods orders have been volatile in recent months because of big swings in aircraft orders. They rose 0.3% in October. Orders for transportation equipment fell 1.2% last month after increasing 3.3% in October.

Boeing received 224 aircraft orders in November, sharply up from only 46 in October, according to information posted on the planemaker’s website.

Automobile orders rose only 0.2% last month. There were declines in or-ders for primary metals and comput-ers and electronic products. Orders for machinery rose, while those for electri-cal equipment, appliances and compo-nents were � at. l

A customer waits as an employee of state-owned Pertamina refuels his car at its petrol station in Jakarta REUTERS

B4 Back PageDHAKA TRIBUNE Thursday, December 25, 2014

DILBERT

US minimum wage hikes to impact 1,400-plus Walmart stores n Reuters, Chicago

Minimum wage increases across the United States will prompt Wal-Mart Stores Inc to adjust base salaries at 1,434 stores, impacting about a third of its US locations, according to an inter-nal memo reviewed by Reuters.

The memo, which was sent to store managers earlier this month, o� ers in-sight into the impact of minimum wage hikes in 21 states due to come into ef-fect on or around Jan. 1, 2015.

These are adjustments that Wal-Mart and other employers have to make each year, but growing attention to the issue has expanded the scope of the change. Thirteen US states lifted the minimum wage in 2014, up from 10 in 2013 and 8 in 2012.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Brooke Bu-chanan said the company was making the changes to “ensure our stores in the 21 states comply with the law.”

For Wal-Mart, the biggest private employer in the United States with 1.3 million workers, minimum wage legis-lation is not a small thing. Its operating model is built on keeping costs under close control as it attracts consumers with low prices and operates on tight margins.

In recent years, it has been strug-gling to grow sales after many lower-income Americans lost jobs or income in the � nancial crisis.

The Wal-Mart memo shows that there will be changes to its pay struc-ture, including a narrowing of the gap in the minimum premium paid to those in higher skilled positions, such as deli associates and department supervi-sors, over lower grade jobs.

Wal-Mart will also combine its low-est three pay grades, which include ca-shiers, cart pushers and maintenance, into one base rate.

The changes appear in part to be an e� ort to o� set the anticipated upswing in labor costs, according to a manager who was implementing the changes at his store.

“Essentially that wage compression

at the upper level of the hourly associ-ate is going to help absorb that cost of the wage increase at the lower level,” said the manager, who spoke on condi-tion of anonymity.

More change to come? Wal-Mart’s critics – including a group of its workers backed by labor unions - say the retailer pays its hourly workers too little, forcing some to seek government assistance that e� ectively provides the company with an indirect taxpayer sub-sidy. Labor groups have been calling for Wal-Mart, other retailers and fast-food chains to pay at least $15 an hour.

Wal-Mart has indicated it may make more changes to its compensa-tion structure in 2015. Chief Executive Doug McMillon recently said the com-pany would improve opportunities for workers, including getting the roughly

6,000 people who make the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour at its stores o� that rate.

“In the world there is a debate over inequity, and sometimes we get caught up in that,” he told TV presenter Char-lie Rose in an interview this month. McMillon said he would take steps to ensure the company is “a meritocracy, an opportunity for people to do more.”

The state minimum wage changes range from a 17% increase in South Dakota to $8.50 to a modest rise of 2% to $8.05 in Arizona. They will also im-pact many of Wal-Mart’s big retail ri-vals, such as Target Corp, and fast-food chains like McDonald’s Corp.

A Target spokeswoman said she could not provide details on how many employees might be impacted by the changes on Jan 1. McDonald’s could not be immediately reached for comment.

Wal-Mart estimates its average full-time hourly wage is $12.92, and says that it pays competitive wages and of-fers its employees ample opportunity for advancement.

Edward Jones analyst Brian Yar-brough said it is tough to estimate the cost impact of the minimum wage changes without knowing the number of Wal-Mart employees a� ected. While many employees might start out at the minimum rate, they advance to higher pay rates over time, he noted.

Wal-Mart said last month that in-vestment in wages and higher health care costs drove a 3.5% increase in operating expenses in its most recent quarter. Wal-Mart is unlikely to cut sta� or reduce hours to keep those costs in check, given that it has made a renewed push to improve service in its stores, Yarbrough said. l

The Walmart logo is pictured at its store in the Porter Ranch section of Los Angeles REUTERS

Oman promises ‘true’ Arabia as it looks to boost tourism n AFP, Muscat

From desert camping to luxury hotels, turtle-watching, and even the Arabian Peninsula’s � rst Italian-style opera house, Oman is hoping to carve out a place on the global tourist track.

Heavily reliant on energy exports, the tiny Gulf sultanate is keen to diver-sify its economy, especially as the drop in global oil prices begins to bite.

But despite its natural beauty and rich culture, Oman’s tourism industry has a long way to go.

“Oman re� ects the true Arabian history and culture,” said Amina al-Balushi, an assistant director with the tourism ministry.

“We really need to capitalise on this,” she said, adding that the ministry is preparing a 25-year tourism strategy to be unveiled next year.

Western tourists like 46-year-old Marc Jost, who has made � ve trips to Oman, need no convincing.

“I can’t get enough,” the Swiss visi-tor told AFP as he strolled in the Mutrah Souk, a historic covered market in the capital Muscat. “The weather is always good. People are very nice.”

Bordering Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and violence-wracked Yemen, Oman has been an island of stability under Sultan Qaboos, who has ruled since overthrowing his father in a bloodless coup in 1970.

Qaboos, now 74, has won praise at home and abroad for transforming a former backwater into a modern state.

In 2011, Oman was caught up in the Arab Spring protest movement which touched much of the region.

Several civilians died in demonstra-tions that shook the government, lead-ing Qaboos to implement a series of re-forms and to arrest scores of activists.

Oil price pressure One of the biggest challenges facing the country now is its reliance on oil - which accounts for 75% of state rev-enues - after the price of crude nearly halved since June.

The drop has put pressure on the gov-ernment, which needs a higher oil price than most other Gulf states to balance its

budget. Oman does not have � nancial reserves as vast as its neighbours.

“The government of course is aim-ing to diversify the economy through developing tourism as an important sector,” Balushi said. Oman attracted roughly 2.1 million visitors in 2013, up about 50% over the previous two years, according to the tourism ministry.

More than 37% of visitors last year came from Gulf countries, although Oman is also attracting a growing num-ber of tourists from Britain, Germany, the United States and other Western nations, tourism ministry data show.

The country also invested more than $660m (540m euros) last year in new hotels and other tourism assets, ac-cording to the World Travel and Tour-ism Council, an industry body.

Still, tourism’s direct contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) reached only three percent, or about $2.5bn, last year.

This “looks like beans,” said Fabio Scacciavillani, chief economist at the Oman Investment Fund, the country’s sovereign wealth vehicle.

“These � gures do not portray a thriving situation,” Scacciavillani told a tourism conference in Muscat.

“That’s strange, because Oman can probably live o� tourism. If Oman didn’t have oil, it would most likely be an economy based on tourism.”

‘Ancient soul’Tourism guidebooks have lauded the country, with Lonely Planet praising its “abundance of natural beauty” and “ancient soul”.

But Oman has su� ered from a lack of tourism infrastructure and the belief among many tourists that the entire Mid-dle East is o� -limits because of unrest. O� cials are hoping to change that, both with continued investments and e� orts to put forward the country’s stability.

“We are trying to promote... that Oman is separate, Oman is safe,” said Haitham al-Ghassani of the tourism ministry’s promotion department.

For years, Oman said that by 2020 it aimed to attract 12 million tourists an-nually - more than double the number that visited Jordan last year. l

Informal capital controls arrest Russian rouble’s slide n Reuters, Moscow

The rouble hit its highest levels in two weeks on Tuesday, shored up by infor-mal capital control measures designed to head o� a repeat of the in� ation and protests that marked Russia’s 1998 � -nancial crisis.

The government set limits on net foreign exchange assets for state-owned exporters, while o� cials and banking sources said the central bank had installed supervisors at the cur-rency trading desks of top state banks.

Early in the day, the rouble hit 52.88 to the dollar, its strongest since Dec 8. It fell back later but was still was up 1.4% at 55.34 at 1810 GMT. Before the recent rebound, the rouble fell as low as 80 per dollar last week, from the av-erage of 30-35 seen in 2014’s � rst half.

Economists said the measures were e� ectively a softer version of capital controls, but that President Vladimir Putin, who has drawn much of his pop-ularity from � nancial stability and ris-ing prosperity, would keep his pledge not to resort to full-� edged controls.

“They have already forced govern-ment exporters to sell their dollars, and same will happen for banks I guess, so in a sense, capital controls are already in place,” said Sergei Guriev, an exiled economist who � ed Russia after criti-cising the Kremlin.

Russians are no strangers to curren-cy crises, having seen hyperin� ation destroy their savings after the collapse of the Soviet Union, before Putin came to power.

The rouble plunged to an all-time low in mid-December on the back of lower oil prices and Western sanctions, which make it almost impossible for Russian � rms to borrow from the West.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday that Russia risks deep recession. Standard and Poor’s ratings agency said it was putting the country’s credit outlook on creditwatch with negative implications, a warning of a possible downgrade.

“The creditwatch placement stems from what we view as a rapid dete-rioration of Russia’s monetary � exibil-ity and the impact of the weakening economy on its � nancial system,” the agency said.

Former Finance Minister Alexei Ku-drin warned on Monday that Russia is

likely to be downgraded to ‘junk’ terri-tory next year.

Unofficial controls On Tuesday, the Russian government told large state exporting companies that by March 1 they must bring their net foreign exchange assets back to the levels of Oct 1 and report to the central bank on a weekly basis.

“Of course, the companies are free to hold on to the hard currency, they are also free to get involved in specu-lative operations. But then we reserve the right not to help them if and when they hit tough times,” said one govern-ment source.

He said companies that needed to repay large foreign debts could contin-ue to accumulate hard currency.

“If exporters are told not to increase their hard currency positions, it can be viewed as an uno� cial reintroduction of capital controls,” said Vladimir Osakovskiy from Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Limiting money � ows, once consid-ered a damaging constraint on open markets, has been more accepted in the aftermath of the 2008-2009 � nan-cial crisis as a tool sometimes needed to manage � nancial stability.

But in Russia, the issue has political resonance. Capital movements were liberalised only 10 years ago and restric-tions bring back memories of the chaotic post-Soviet � nancial turbulence which Putin, now in his 15th year as Russia’s leader, made it his mission to banish.

Full capital controls “would be a huge immediate blow to the econo-my”, Mikhail Zadornov, chairman of the board of VTB-24 bank, told the newspaper Vedomosti. “It would inten-sify capital out� ows and cause a com-plete loss of con� dence in the country among both domestic and foreign in-vestors.”

Pragmatic approach Instead, Russian authorities are being pragmatic.

Four banking sources and sources close to the government said that the central bank had last week begun send-ing supervisors to monitor currency trading at major Russian banks.

“There was panic,” said a source close to the government. “Something had to be done and we took some measures.”

The central bank expects net capi-tal out� ows to hit $130bn this year and Russia can ill a� ord to lose any more, with economists forecasting that an already slowing economy will shrink 3.6% next year.

“Yes, we have to report all of our ac-tivities to them, they are very meticu-lous,” said a source at one of Russia’s top � ve banks.

Another source at a large bank said: “As of Monday (Dec.16), currency comp-trollers have been sitting in and moni-toring our currency positions, checking who bought foreign currency.”

The central bank declined to com-ment on this, telling Reuters only that it would hold talks with exporters about maintaining stability on the for-eign exchange market.

Traders said the rouble’s recent rise, for a couple of sessions now, was due partly to the government orders and partly to regular tax payments, which require exporters to sell dollars or eu-ros for roubles. The tax payments are to peak around Dec. 25.

The government’s order to sell hard currency was given to gas � rm Gaz-prom, the oil � rms Rosneft and Zaru-bezhneft, and the diamond producers Alrosa and Kristall.

“I can imagine for a while they will use these capital-control-like measures without full-blown capital controls,” Guriev said. “But if depreciation con-tinues, they may actually do this.” l

WSJ: Coke to cut up to 2,000 jobs in coming weeks n Reuters

Coca-Cola Co plans to cut 1,000-2,000 jobs globally in the coming weeks, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The job cuts are part of Coke’s $3bn cost-cutting program, which it an-nounced in October after posting a 14% drop in third-quarter pro� t, according to the Journal.

Job-cut notices will go out to North American sta� ers by Jan 8 and interna-tional employees will be given a timeline for job cuts by Jan 15, the Journal said.

The impact is expected to be signi� -cant at Coke’s headquarters in Atlanta and global regional o� ces, where more than 10% of corporate sta� could lose their jobs, according to the newspaper.

The company’s bottling and dis-tribution divisions, which account for more than 85 percent of its over 130,000 employees, are largely out of the � ring line for now, the Journal said.

A Coke spokeswoman said the com-pany had informed employees that the restructuring would impact jobs, but she did not con� rm the estimated number of job cuts. l

Gold near three-week low as stocks boost n Reuters, Singapore

Gold was trading close to a three-week low yesterday as strong US economic growth boosted equities and the dollar, weakening safe-haven bids for bullion.

Data on Tuesday showed the US economy grew at a 5% clip in the third quarter, its quickest pace in 11 years and the strongest sign yet that growth has decisively shifted into higher gear.

Both the Dow and the S&P 500 hit record closing highs on Tuesday after the GDP report, with Asian stocks fol-lowing their lead on Wednesday. The dollar index climbed to its highest in nearly nine years.

Stronger equities and the dollar re-duce demand for bullion, often seen as an alternative investment to riskier as-sets. The robust data could also prompt the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates soon, a factor that would hurt non-interest-bearing gold.

Spot gold ticked up slightly to $1,179.20 an ounce by 0717 GMT, but close to a three-week low of $1,170.17 hit on Monday. Any dip below that level could trigger further losses.

“Markets are likely to trade quietly

ahead of the Christmas holidays,” said Jason Cerisola, a metals dealer at MKS Group. “$1,170 continues to be the key level on the downside, with market chatter of large stop loss orders sitting below.”

Thin liquidity due to the Christmas holiday could also exaggerate any price moves.

Momentum indicators are bearish, and a break below $1,172 would in-crease the likelihood of a full retrace-ment to November lows near $1,130, technical analysts at ScotiaMocatta said.

Gold is headed for a second con-secutive year of declines, though the 2% loss this year pales in comparison to the 28 percent plunge in 2013.

Optimistic outlook for the US econo-my and the dollar, and the prospect of higher interest rates have hurt the yel-low metal.

Holdings of the world’s top gold-backed exchange traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust, are near six-year lows, re-� ecting weak investment sentiment towards bullion. Physical demand in top consuming region Asia has dipped from record levels seen last year. l

A re� ection of a yearly chart of U.S. dollars and Russian roubles are seen on rouble notes in this photo illustration taken in Warsaw REUTERS