17-08-2022

Wednesday, Dhaka : August 17, 2022; Bhadra 2, 1429 BS; Muharram 18 , 1444 Hijri
After Bangabandhu killing, Indian
radio commented 'Jesus died'
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam on Tuesday visiting Jashim Uddin road in
Uttara where five people were killed as a girder of BRT project fell on a private car. Photo : Star Mail
No project to be allowed
to continue unless public
safety is ensured: Atiqul
DHAKA : Dhaka North City Corporation
(DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam on Tuesday
said if the authorities concerned don't take
steps to ensure public safety then those
will be not allowed to continue the construction
work of any project in Dhaka
city.
"There should be adequate safety measures
in any construction work and public
safety should be ensured first. It's not only
about the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) project,
we won't allow any project without
ensuring public safety," he said.
The DNCC Mayor said this while visiting
Jashim Uddin road in Uttara where
five people were killed as a girder of BRT
project fell on a private car.
He also expressed deep shock over the
tragedy. He said, "Heavy girder should
have been lifted after blocking the busy
road by the BRT authorities. Accidents
may happen while working using crane
and the authorities concerned should
WASHINGTON DC : Prime Minister's
Energy Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi
Chowdhury, Bir Bikram, has sought sincere
cooperation of the US government to
deport Rashed Chowdhury, a fugitive convicted
killer of Bangabandhu, to
Bangladesh immediately to face Justice.
"It would be a game-changer between
Bangladesh-US bilateral relations by
deporting the fugitive convicted killer of
Bangabandhu Rashed Chowdhury who is
now staying in the US," he said this while
addressing a seminar as the chief guest on
Monday afternoon.
Bangladesh Embassy in Washington
DC organised the seminar as part of the
observance of the National Mourning Day
and the 47th martyrdom anniversary of
Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman with Bangladesh
Ambassador to the United States (US) M
Shahidul Islam in the chair.
The seminar titled "Deportation of the
killer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman: A long pending issue in
Bangladesh-US relations".
Professor of North Carolina Central
University Dr ABM Nasir presented the
keynote paper on the seminar.
Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, a gallantry
award-recipient valiant Freedom
Fighter said that the continued stay of
Bangabandhu's killer (Rashed
Chowdhury) in the US was unfortunate.
Bangladesh Ambassador in the US,
in his remarks, gave an overview on
the Awami League government's
efforts to secure deportation of
Bangabandhu's self-confessed killer
Rashed Chowdhury.
He said that the main objective of the
seminar was to create greater awareness
among the US citizens and Bangladeshi-
have kept another crane standby for rescue
operation and an ambulance. But
BRT failed to ensure these," Atiqul said.
"The BRT authorities should have
informed traffic police and sought their
help to use alternative road while lifting
girder but I have come to know that they
did not contact traffic police and all happened
due to negligence of BRT," he
added. Atiqul also announced to hold a
meeting over BRT Project Compliance
issue on August 18.
Earlier, on Monday, five members of a
family, including two children, were
crushed to death after a girder of the BRT
project in Uttara fell on their private car
from a crane. A newly-wed couple also
travelling with them, fortunately escaped
death. The Ministry of Road Transport
and Bridges formed asix-member committee
to investigate the tragedy.
Meanwhile, a police case has been filed
in connection with the tragedy.
Killer Rashed's deportation
could be a game-changer in
BD-US ties: Tawfiq-e-Elahi
American diaspora of the urgent need for
extradition of the heinous killer of
Bangabandhu to further solidify
Bangladesh-US relations.
Professor Dr ABM Nasir, in his keynoter
paper, said killer Rashed Chowdhury
has committed crimes against humanity
by brutally killing three children, two pregnant
females and other unarmed civilians.
He demanded to the US government to
immediately detain and deport Rashed
Chowdhury to Bangladesh.
Deputy Chief of Mission Ferdousi
Shahriar moderated the seminar while
Eminent Actor Syed Hasan Imam, Noted
Choreographer and Dancer Laila Hasan,
renowned Newscaster Sarkar Kabir
Uddin, Valiant Freedom Fighter Harun
Chowdhury, Counsellor of the Embassy
Arifa Rahman Ruma and General
Secretary of Washington Metro Awami
League Shafiqul Azam Azad spoke at the
seminar, among others.
The Prime Minister's Energy Adviser
earlier inaugurated a 17-day long photo
exhibition on the life and works of the
Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu
Auditorium here.
Earlier, the Embassy chalked out elaborate
programs to pay deepest homage to
Bangabandhu, the greatest Bengali of all
time who was brutally assassinated along
with most of his family members on the
fateful night of August 15 in 1975.
The day's programs began in the morning
with the ceremonial hoisting of the
national flag at half-mast by Ambassador
Shahidul Islam. The national anthem was
played at this time.
Later, the Ambassador accompanied by
the Embassy officers, placed a floral
wreath at the bust of the Father of the
Nation at the Bangabandhu Corner.
Houses in JS area
for speaker, deputy
speaker are legal: SC
DHAKA : The Appellate Division of the
Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday declared
the construction of houses for speaker and
deputy speaker in Jatiya Sangsad (JS) area
legal. The apex court came up with the judgment,
allowing a state appeal against the
2004 High Court verdict that had declared
the construction of the houses as illegal.
"Appeal is allowed," the three-member
apex court bench headed by Chief Justice
Hasan Foez Siddique said. "Because of
today's judgment, the houses built for speaker
and deputy speaker are recognized as
legal," Additional Attorney General Sheikh
Mohammad Morshed told newsmen.
The construction of the houses started
in 2002. Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon
filed a writ petition against the construction
for allegedly violating the main plan of
architect Louis I Kahn. The High Court in
2004 declared the construction as illegal.
The state after that filed its appeal, challenging
the High Court verdict.
ASP withdrawn after
cops charge baton on
Barguna BCL activists
BARISHAL : Additional Superintendent of
Police (ASP) Muharram Ali, who allegedly
charged baton on the activists of Bangladesh
Chhatra League (BCL) during an infighting in
Barguna, has been withdrawn from his duties.
ASP Muharram Ali was attached to Barishal
Range DIG office, said Barishal range Deputy
Inspector General (DIG) SM Aktaruzzaman
on Tuesday. "This decision has been taken for
fair investigation," he added.
The DIG said the allegation against
police in the incident will be investigated.
On Monday, at least 20 people were
injured in the infighting between two factions
of the BCL Barguna unit during a
National Mourning Day discussion.
The groups got into a scuffle following a
heated argument during the discussion.
At one stage, they started hurling brick
chips at each other and vandalised a police
vehicle, SM Tariqul Islam, additional
superintendent of Barguna police, said.
"Later police had to use batons to bring the
situation under control."
BB sets cost ceiling
for short-term trade
finance in forex
DHAKA : Bangladesh Bank (BB) has set the
all-in-cost ceiling for short-term trade
finance in foreign exchange. A BB circular
stated that all-in-cost will include the entire
cost of a financial transaction, business
operation, taxes and fees such as closing
costs, origination fees, or commissions.
The foreign exchange policy department
of BB issued a circular in this regard
and sent to the Authorized Dealers (ADs)
of foreign exchange in Bangladesh on
Tuesday for immediate execution.
The circular said that given the global market
trends, it has been decided to set an all-in-cost
ceiling per annum with a mark-up of 3 per cent
over benchmark rate applicable to the relevant
currency against short-term trade finance.
As usual, banks will continue to arrange
finance with LIBOR as the benchmark rate
till its usability is ceased, the notification said.
The LIBOR (London Interbank Offer Rate)
is a benchmark interest rate at which global
banks lend to one another in the int’l interbank
market for short-term loans.
DHAKA : The assassination of
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,
the architect of independent Bangladesh,
along with most of his family members on
the fateful night of August 15, 1975
shocked the world and devastated the
nation's psyche, reports BSS.
The All India Radio Akashvani in a
news review on August 16, 1975 aired a
commentary saying "Jesus died. Now
millions of people remember him by
wearing cross. Perhaps, once Mujib as
well will be like that." Chowdhury Shahid
Kader in a write-up styled "Bangabandhu
assassination in Indian media" published
in the 15th volume of a book titled
"Bangladesh Charcha" edited by writer
and historian Professor Muntasir
Mamoon mentioned meticulously over
different news published in Indian media
after the 15 August carnage.
DHAKA : Awami League General
Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said
the leaders of Bangladesh Nationalist
Party (BNP) do not understand the generosity
of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"The BNP leaders do not understand the
generosity that Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina has shown over the holding of
BNP rallies and meetings," he told a discussion.
The AL organised the discussion at
Bangabandhu International Conference
Centre here, marking the 47th death
anniversary of Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
and the National Mourning Day.
Quader, also the road transport and
bridges minister, said Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina has instructed all the AL
men not to create obstacles to holding the
rallies of BNP.
"Leader (Sheikh Hasina), we understand
the meaning of your generosity, but
DHAKA : The Executive Committee of the
National Economic Council (ECNEC) yesterday
approved a total of six projects involving
Taka 2,504.75 crore. The approval came from
the ECNEC meeting with its Chairperson and
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The Premier joined the meeting virtually
from her official Ganabhaban residence
while ministers, state ministers, planning
commission members and secretaries
concerned attended the meeting from the
NEC Conference Room in the city's Shere-Bangla
Nagar area. Briefing reporters
after the meeting, Planning Minister MA
Mannan said a total of six projects were
approved yesterday involving an overall
estimated cost of Taka 2,504.75 crore.
Of the approved six projects, three are new
while the rest three projects are revised ones,
According to the article, on August 17,
Indian newspaper Economic Times headlined
"India shocked at Mujib's death".
Sunday Standard on the same day
made its headline saying "Mujib,
Bangladesh PM killed in Army Coup,
Khandoker new President, and country
under Martial Law".
However, there was a little error in
headline as Bangabandhu was president
when he was assassinated. The newspaper
also published an editorial with headline
"Mujib: Liberator of 75m Bengali".
Its starting was "Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman, who was overthrown in a military
coup, is the father of the four-year old
nation and known to his 75 million people
as Banga Bandhu" (friend of Bengalis).
Esteemed Indian newspaper Statesman
made its main headline- India keeping
watch on Events in Bangladesh Grief over
BNP leaders don't understand
PM's generosity: Quader
they (BNP leaders) don't understand
that," he added.
The AL general secretary said: "They
say you (the Premier) are doing this under
the pressure of foreigners. A slogan is
chanted from London and it is reflected in
Paltan. What slogan? Take back
Bangladesh…. Bangladesh became world
champion in graft five times in a row.
Where will they go by taking back?"
Overcoming the uneven path of crisis,
Bangladesh is maintaining stability under
the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina and the country is still progressing,
he said.
"We still have the foreign exchange
reserve of US$ 40 to 42 billion…in
Bangladesh, now the rickshaw pullers also
talk about the reserve. Sri Lanka has run
out of its reserves. Pakistan's reserves are
at the bottom. Because of this, they (BNP
leaders) also see nightmares about
Bangladesh," he said.
he said, adding: "Of the total project cost, Taka
1,628.13 crore will come from the govt while
Taka 876.62 crore as project assistance."
He said the approved projects include two projects
under the Road Transport and Highways
Division, one project under Shipping Ministry,
one under the Housing and Public Works
Ministry, one under the Industries Ministry and
another one under the Agriculture Ministry.
State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul
Alam, Planning Commission members and
secretaries concerned were also present at
the briefing. Mannan informed that Roads
and Highways Department under the Road
Transport and Highways Division will
implement the "Proper Upgradation of
S o n a p u r - K a b i r h a t - C o m p a n i g a n j
(Basurhat)-Dagonbhuiya Regional Highway
(R-148)" Project with a cost of Taka 457.02
Mujib's Tragic Death. It published biography
covering almost half of a page on the
assassination of Bangabandhu. Its
beginning was with a nice sentence-
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the inspiration
behind the declaration of
Independence by the country of 75 million
Bengalis.
On August 17, Times of India published
16 separate news items on description of
Bangabandhu assassination, latest
Bangladesh situation and reaction of the
world leaders.
One of the news headlines was "Bangla
still cut off". In another news item, it mentioned
that "Bangladesh becomes Islamic
Republic".
Reactions of the United States and the
then Soviet Union were published with
headline "US watching events, Soviet media
report Coup without comment".
Work of commission over
Bangabandhu killing will largely
be research oriented : Anisul
DHAKA : Law, Justice and Parliamentary
Affairs Minister Anisul Huq on Tuesday
said the work of a commission, to unearth
behind the scene plotters of August 15,
1975 carnage, would mostly be research
oriented, reports BSS.
"A framework has already been readied
for forming the commission. But the formation
of the commission is being delayed firstly
by Covid-19 outbreak, then ongoing
Russia-Ukraine conflict. What will be the
number of members of the commission, its
aim and work are defined in the framework,"
he said. The minister said this while addressing
as the chief guest at a discussion organised
by Sampriti Bangladesh, a citizens' platform
promoting secularism, at National
Press Club this afternoon.
Anisul said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
is inextricably involved with the formation
of the commission and her opinion will be
final here. "It is impossible to publish the
framework without consulting the matter
with her. Prime Minister may ask us for correction,
refinement and amplification.
ECNEC approves 6 projects involving Tk 2,504.75cr
crore by June 2025.
He informed that the Roads and
Highways Department will also implement
another project titled "Construction
of Chunkuri Bridge over Chunkuri River at
28th km of Gallamari-Batiaghata-Dakop-
Nalyan Forest Road (Z-7606)" with a cost
of Taka 745.33 crore by June 2027.
The other projects approved in the meeting
are "Establishment of Ashuganj Inland
Container River Port" project (1st revision) with
Taka 458 crore, "Construction of road along
Karnaphuli River from Kalurghat Bridge to
Chaktai Canal" project (2nd revision) with Taka
469.15 crore," BSCIC Printing Industrial City"
project (1st revision) with Taka 125.85 crore
and "Irrigation Extension Project through
Conservation of Canal Water in Barendra Area-
2nd Phase" Project with Taka 249.40 crore.
A march by the Left Democratic Alliance demanding withdrawal of increased prices of fuel oil and urea fertilizers
and annulment of public transport fare hike was blocked by the police. On Tuesday, the activists left the
capital's Paltan intersection towards the Prime Minister's office with a procession. When the protest procession
reached Shahbagh, it was stopped by the police.
Photo : TBT