Monday • July 17, 2006

N A T I O N A L  N E W S

Government eliminating opposition activists in the name of crossfire: Sheikh Hasina

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Bangladesh Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Sunday alleged that the coalition government was annihilating the opposition leaders and activists in the name of RAB crossfire.

Though the kingpins of JMB were not killed in crossfire, prominent leaders of Chhatra League were being exterminated in so-called crossfire, said Sheikh Hasina adding the government has prepared a list of 1,000 terrorists with the help of RAB with a view to kill opposition leaders and activists.

Sheikh Hasina was exchanging views with grassroot level leaders form Joypurhat and Gaibandha district at Awami League Dhanmondi office yesterday.

Pointing to recent hijacking of a covered van by RAB members at Sanirakhra in the capital, she alleged that the alliance government was carrying out such criminal acts with RAB.

Referring to recovery of 18 pieces of three dead bodies from Bhaluka in Mymensingh district during the alliance rule, Sheikh Hasina said the body parts were found in front of a factory of Gias-Al-Mamun, a business partner of a member of the PM's family. "The Prime Minister will have to answer as to who were responsible for the killing," she asserted.

Responding to the PM's claim on increased foreign-currency reserve, she wanted to know why the government had to borrow from Islamic Bank at high interest to buy oil if there was so huge foreign reserve. "People and next government will have to repay this borrowed money," Sheikh Hasina said.

The ruling alliance would spend a huge amount of black money earned by corrupt means to buy administration officials to cling to power through rigging the next general election.

Sheikh Hasina reiterated her demand for reforms of the caretaker government system and the election commission to hold a free, fair and impartial election.

She asked Awami League grassroots-level leaders to prepare a list of terrorists and looters in their respective areas.

Presidents and general secretaries of 16 organizational units of Awami League from Joypurhat and Gaibandha districts that cover seven constituencies exchanged views with Sheikh Hasina on the present political situation in their areas, Awami League on the prospective candidates for the next election.

Allegation of stealing seized money against Rab men

Controversy emerged after Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested two youths carrying more than Tk 18 lakh tied to their bodies at Savar. The arrestees alleged the Rab men embezzled Tk 2.5 lakh before handing them over to police.

Police believe the youths, arrested from a Dhaka-bound bus at Baipail intersection of Ashulia early yesterday, might be involved with hundi business.

Meanwhile, the youths claimed the money they were carrying belonged to a Dinajpur district Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal leader Anisur Rahman and Union Parishad Chairman Badsha who have been absconding after the Dinajpur BNP committee was dissolved on June 12. Detectives had caught two of his associates with more Tk 20 lakh this June but they were released later.

The arrestees are Belal, son of Momtaj Uddin of Kamalpur in Dinajpur, and Emran Hossain, son of Atabul Hossain of Khanpur in Dinajpur.

To arrest them, a Rab team led by Humayun Kabir raided the Dhaka-bound bus from Dinajpur when it reached Baipail intersection around 4:00am. They later claimed to have found around Tk18 lakh from the two.

The elite anti-crime force later handed the two over to Ashulia police with the recovered money. Belal said the Rab personnel embezzled Tk 2.5 lakh and he claiming they had Tk 20.54 lakh with them.

The Daily Star, July 17, 2006

Cops swoop on striking teachers' procession again; 7injured

Several teachers received injuries in clashes with police as the latter prevented teachers and employees of non-government schools, colleges, madrasas and technical colleges from laying siege to the Technical Education Board at Agargaon in the capital.

The teachers and employees were staging demonstration at Rokeya Sarani.

Earlier on Saturday, police charged batons on a teachers' procession at Muktangon in the capital, leaving six teachers injured.

The agitating teachers and employees yesterday tried to lay siege to the Technical Education Board demanding reduction of different types of fees for technical students and 100 per cent basic salary from the government exchequer for the teachers and employees of the technical colleges.

Issuing a 24-hour ultimatum demanding realisation of 12-point demand of the Technical College Teachers Association, leaders of National Front of Teachers and Employees said they will bring out red-flag procession in all upazilas across the country protesting the police attack on teachers for two consecutive days.

They said they will announce a tougher program today.

Convenor of the organisation Kazi Faruque Ahmed said they will also lay siege to the offices of upazila nirbahi officers tomorrow and those of deputy commissioners on July 20.

Meanwhile, Shikkhak Karmachari Oikya Jote yesterday held a rally at Muktangon and submitted memorandums to the LGRD and cooperatives minister, information minister, and state and deputy ministers for labour demanding 100 per cent basic salary from the government coffers.

The Jote will hold a grand rally at Muktangon on July 23, chief coordinator of the Jote Selim Bhuiyan said, adding that they will also hold rally in Bogra on July 17, in Jessore on July 18 and in Chuadanga on July 19.

Bangladesh Teachers Association will also hold a rally at Muktangon on July 19.

Bangladesh Shikkhak-Karmachari Oikya Parishad, Bangladesh Teachers Association, Bangladesh Principals Association, Bangladesh Assistant Teachers Association and Bangladesh College Teachers Association, yesterday condemned the police action against the agitating teachers.

Teachers and employees of non-government schools, colleges and madrasas across the country are in strike for eleven days demanding increased salary and allowances while the government is yet to take any initiative to meet the demand.

The Daily Star, July 17, 2006

Four JCD men injured in gunfight at RU

Tension prevailed on Rajshahi University campus yesterday after a preparation for gunfight by two factions of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal over Saturday's gun battle on the campus.

Earlier on Saturday night, two groups -- one led by RU JCD Joint Convener Al Amin Russel and another led by Joint Convener Wahiduzzaman, were locked in a gunfight and hurled bombs on each other in front of Ziaur Rahman Hall over beating up of a Wahid group activist Khokon.

During the gun battle, four JCD men -Kawsar, Shamim, Golam Sarwar Tipu and Russel were injured.

University authorities deployed additional police forces on the campus.

Earlier on June 23, a JCD leader Shafin Ahmed was seriously injured when he was making bombs at his room of Nawab Abdul Latif Hall.

Police recovered six powerful live bombs, two foreign made pistols, foreign wine and phensidyl and huge bomb making materials from his room. Shafin is still under treatment in Dhaka under police custody.

The Daily Star, July 17, 2006

O T H E R S

Salesperson shot dead in the capital

Local criminals last night gunned down a salesperson, also brother of one of the most wanted criminals of Dhaka Bihari Munna, at Shershah Suri Road in Mohammadpur.

The dead, Mohammad Ejaz, 25, was a salesperson of a shop at Pantha Path who also have a shop near his residence at Nurjahan Road in Mohammadpur.

Ejaz was going to his house on a rickshaw at about 9:00pm when some local goons shot him in the chest and head.

He was taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where the doctors declared him dead.

The Daily Star, July 17, 2006

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