Saturday • February 18, 2006

N A T I O N A L  N E W S

Abdul Jalil protests change in names of important installations

Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil MP yesterday protested the change of name of Ghorashal Bridge, earlier named after great freedom fighter and former MP Shaheed Moyejuddin Ahmed.

The bridge was constructed during the last Awami League last Awami League government. The authorities have recently named it as Ghorashal Bridge.

In a press statement, Abdul Jalil MP said that after assuming power the alliance government has exposed its extreme meanness by changing the names of Bongobondhu Jamuna Bridge, Bongobondhu Novo Threatre, Bongobondhu International Conference Centre, Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Bridge in Bhoirob, Shaheed Mansur Ali Bridge in Paksey.

"Such move by the BNP-Jamaat government to change names of important installations constructed during the Awami League rule is a ploy to erase the nation's history of liberation struggle and independence war," he said.

Abdul Jalil MP said, "Having failed to govern the country and being mired in corruption, this government could not initiate and implement any new project... rather, they are amassing wealth for themselves through plundering.

He said the time is very near when people will unitedly give appropriate reply to the corrupt and inefficient alliance government by unseating it from power".

Pumps fail to operate: Cultivation on one lakh hectares hampered

Power, fuel, fertilizer crises cripple farming in Northern areas

Boro crops in the north are wilting fast while thousands of hectares of land remain uncultivated due to lack of irrigation caused by the ongoing fuel and power crises.

Visiting the northern districts of Bogra, Gaibandha, Dinajpur, Joypurhat, Noagaon, Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj, many farmlands are foond those were yet to be ploughed. The boro harvest this year will suffer a severe downturn, if these plots are not ploughed within the next few days, farmers said.

As of February 13, farmers could not prepare 14,000 hectares of boro land in Kurigram district against the 71,000-hectare target for this year, said a Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) official of Kurigram.

Farmers abstained from ploughing the plots, as they were not sure whether they would be able to water them and as they watched young rice plants dying from lack of irrigation, he added.

A farmer of Pratappur village under Kurigram Sadar upazila, Jyoti Ahammad, said many of the young boro plants in his lands have died from lack of water, adding, "More plants will die if the situation does not improve soon."

Agriculturists at a DAE meeting last week also predicted a harvest shortfall of boro this year. The DAE officials from the northern districts also expressed the fear that hundreds of hectares of fertile boro lands would remain barren if the power and diesel crises were not addressed immediately.

The farmers in Kurigram switched to diesel-run irrigation pumps after hundreds of electric pumps had become useless for lack of power supply. According to the DAE officials' estimate, at least 1,700 diesel-pumps were installed in the district as alternatives to electric pumps.

Bangladesh Power Development Board officials said the daily average supply of power in the northern region now stands at 225 MW, almost half of the 450 MW demand. The supply shortfall aggravated after two units of Baghabari power plant had shut down.

AKM Fazlul Haque, an affluent farmer of Kamdia in Govindaganj upazila of Gaibandha district, said he set up a deep tube-well in the beginning of the current boro season to water his 100 hectares of land. But he could not run it for more than two to three hours a day due to power shortage. So, he said, to ensure irrigation he installed two diesel-run shallow pumps beside the deep tube-well, but he cannot run these too for the scarcity of diesel.

Many others, including Tajmul and Haidul of Ranibadi Chandpur village under Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj district, echoed Fazlul, saying they too are feeling miserable for not being able to irrigate their crop lands for scarcity of diesel, even though they are ready to pay much higher a price.

Tajmul said the boro plants in his 5-bigha land are wilting for want of water. During his visits, this correspondent saw long queues of farmers at filling stations, illustrating their desperate need of diesel.

MORE REPORTS FROM THE NORTH, SOUTH

A similar situation as above prevails in Rangpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Rajshahi and Gaibandha districts.

At Tanore in Rajshahi thousands of farmers yesterday demonstrated in demand of fuel, gas and power. They said thousands of acres of their cultivable lands are remaining fellow for lack of irrigation.

The same crises caused hundreds of farmers from seven upazilas of Gaibandha district thronging the district headquarters. The farmers, who have to buy diesel at Tk 36 to Tk 40 a litre against the government-set price of Tk 30.13, claimed some dishonest dealers and brokers have created the crisis artificially.

Even the southern district of Khulna, reports our Khulna correspondent, may suffer the same ill fate if fuel and fertilisers are not made available at subsidised prices on an urgent basis.

The Daily Star, News Today, February 18, 2006

Prices of essentials mark sharp rise in capital market

Prices of essentials, including pulse, sugar, poultry birds, beef and egg have marked a significant rise again in the city's kitchen markets.

The price of sugar significantly increased by Tk 2 per Kg in comparison to those of last week. Still at the retail market it was selling at Tk 54 to Tk 56 per kg.

The price of poultry (broiler) significantly increased by Tk 10 per kg and was selling at Tk 84 to Tk 85 per kg while it had been sold at Tk 75 to Tk 76 per kg one week ago. On the other hand, local chicken was selling at Tk 130 to Tk 140 per kg and the price did not come down in last four months.

The price of beef increased by Tk 10 per kg and was selling at Tk 125 to Tk 135 per kg while it was sold at Tk 120 to Tk 125 per kg last week. Mutton price went down and was selling at Tk 180 to Tk 200 per kg.

The price of different kinds of pulses has increased by Tk 10 per kg respectively in comparison to those of last two weeks. Mug pulse was selling at Tk 64 while it was Tk 54 two weeks ago. Kheshari pulse was selling yesterday at Tk 52 while 42 was in last week.

The Independent, February 18, 2006

Confession before Patuakhali Magistrate court

JMB leader says he was Shibir man

JMB (Jamia'atul Mujahidin Bangladesh) suicide bomber and its regional chief in Patuakhali-Barguna, Masum Billah, in his statement before a Magistrate court here said he was involved with Islami Chhatra Shibir, student wing of ruling coalition partner Jaamat-e-Islami.

In his statement given on Thursday under Section 164, Masum also confused to his involvement in the August 17 bomb blasts at seven points in Barguna town.

He also disclosed important information about JMB network and activities in Patuakhali-Barguna region, court sources and police said.

Earlier, another arrested JMB activist -- Al-Amin alias Abdullah--, who was the second in command of the militant outfit in the region, in his confession had said that he was also a Shibirt leader. Al-Amin was arrested on December 5 from Kathal Tali village in Mirzagonj upazila in Patuakhali.

The Daily Star, February 18, 2006

BNP Lawmen, goons hold hostage villagers on occupied land

The lawmen and hired goons who on Thursday helped a cousin of the state minister for home affairs Lutfuzzaman Babor to take possession of 10 acres of land in a village have been intimidating the people still staying on the land.

The women and children in the absence of male residents of Chhalia, Mitan Krishnapur at Savar had a sleepless night Thursday amid police patrol.

The male residents of the families living on the occupied land left earlier attar repeated police raids before Thursday's operation.

Many alleged that the lawmen and the armed people went to their houses at dead of night, knocked on door and warned them of not proceeding further. The lawmen forcibly entered the houses.

'They told as to keep silent,' said Anwara Begum. She said all the residents of the place were living in a state of insecurity. 'There is nobody to look after us. We do not feel secure at the place with our daughter amid patrol by the police and armed men.'

Another woman, Khadija said their forefathers had stayed on this land. 'We cannot leave this place and the house as we have spent our hard-earned money on this,' she said. 'Where will we go if we are driven out of the place?'

The women and children burst into tears describing their helplessness. They said they had been starving as the lawmen and the armed people had barred them from cocking since the occupation.

'They did not even allow anyone wanting to bring us food,' said 55-year-old Jamila.

A police camp has been set up in the village where lawmen and the armed people are keeping watch against any demonstration or retaking the possession of the land.

Subinspector Nurunnabi at the camp said he and other policemen were there at the order of higher authorities.

A group of people in a microbus patrolled the village. It was not clear whether they were lawmen under cover or hired goons.

Former union parishad chairman Sukur Ali said no one could take lease of a disputed peace of land. 'If the land is leased out, people staying there for centuries should get the priority.'

More than 1,000 women and children of about 500 families had been staying in their houses encircled by a barbed-wire fence put during Thursday's drive to take the land in possession of the lease-holder, Mirza Hafizur Rahman. The police and the armed people were also keeping watch on them.

Earlier in October 2005, the police and the men of the lease-holder tried to take the possession of the piece of land, but failed in the face of resistance by the local residents.

Several signs of the Bangladesh Thai Multiple Agro-Fisheries Private Limited, owned by Hafizur Rahman, were also placed after the occupation.

The Daily New Age, February 18, 2006

P A R T Y  N E W S   U P D A T E

Sheikh Hasina visits ailing Awami League leader Mannan

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina visited organizing secretary of Awami League Abdul Mannan undergoing treatment at Lab Aid Cardiac Hospital in the capital on Friday.

Abdul Mannan is suffering from heart ailment. Awami League President inquired about his treatment and said if necessary he could be sent abroad for better treatment.

Sheikh Hasina condoles death of Awami League leader

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Bangladesh Awami League President Sheikh Hasina condoled the death of veteran Awami League leader Saiful Islam Khan Golap Mia, a freedom fighter and former general secretary of Kuliarchar thana Awami League in Kishoreganj.

In a condolence message on Friday, the opposition leader prayed for the peace of his departed soul and expressed her sympathy for the bereaved family members.

Golap Mia, who was 70, breathed his last on Thursday night leaving behind his wife, four sons, five daughters and numerous well-wishers to mourn his death.

14-party activities geared up in Chittagong for March 1 rally

The activists and leaders of the opposition 14-party including Awami League have geared up their activities in the port city of Chittagong for the upcoming the grand rally to be held on March 1 next.

Ample preparations have been taken by the local leaders for making the grand rally at the Outer Stadium a success.

The leaders of the 14 party visited Chittagong for toning up their activists for the March 1 grand rally. A meeting of the leaders of the 14 party was held at the City Awami League (AL) office at Darul Fazal market this afternoon. The leaders discussed the preparations for grand rally.

Besides, a meeting of the Divisional Delegates of 14 party will be held at Rima Community Centre in the city tomorrow (Saturday). The mayor of Chittagong City Corporation Alhaj ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury will address the meeting aimed to gear up the activists of the 14 party.

O T H E R S

Sreebardi Jubo Dal leader held, heroin seized

A Jubo Dal leader was arrested from his house at Satani in Sreebardi upazila of Sherpur district along with heroin yesterday afternoon.

Narcotics Control Task Force and police in a raid detained M Moshiur Rahman Ratan alias Pichhi Ratan, joint-convener of Sreebardi Poura Jubo Dal and recovered 25-gram heroin from his possession.

Earlier, police arrested the Jubo Dal leader with drugs nearly two months ago.

The Independent, February 18, 2006

One person killed in so-called crossfire

Another person was killed in so-called crossfire of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) at Baoishona village under Naragati Police Station of Narail district at midnight on Thursday.

He was identified as Mohammad Akhter Hossain, 34, son of late Omar Ali Shaikh of Joar village under Rupsha upazila of Khulna

The Daily Star, February 18, 2006

Two injured by Jubo Dal cadres in Comilla

Cadres of Jubo Dal attacked the labourers enganged in digging a pond at Bakultola under Borura Upazila on February 13. Two people including a laborer received bullet injures in the attack.

Local sources said Jubo Dal leader Shibli had been demanding toll from Fatema Begum, wife of the late Havilder Mokbul Hossain of Akusar village in the upazila for long. On her refusal to pay toll, Shibli along with his three associates - Russel, Titu and Masud attacked the labourers enganged by Fatema Begum for digging the pond at Bokultola and opened eight to ten rounds of shot. Kamal and labourer Monir Hossain received bullet injures. The villagers chased the attackers who fled leaving a fire arms.

The Daily Star, February 18, 2006

Youth murdered in Chittagong

Police yesterday recovered the body of a youth killed by unknown assailants at a tea-stall at Lohagara upazila of Chittagong district on Thursday night.

The dead was identified as Md Sarwar, 24.

Sources said some unidentified miscreants entered the tea-stall in Old BOC area of Battali Amirabad sometime on Thursday night.

They strangulated shop employee Sarwar and fled with some money and goods.

The Daily Star, February 18, 2006

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