Pilkhana carnage benefited enemies: BDR DG

BDR DG Maj Gen Moinul Islam addressing the first Darbar after the BDR mutiny at the Darbar Hall on Monday.
Photo: bdnews24.com

BSS, Dhaka

Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) chief Major General Mainul Islam Monday said "foreign enemies" benefited from the February 25- 26 carnage in the paramilitary force as President Zillur Rahman sought the apex court's suggestion to fix the trial mode for mutineers.
"Bangladesh is not enemy-free in the international arena. The country has its foes and they gained from the mutiny," Islam told the first ever "darbar" or meeting with ordinary BDR soldiers at their Pilkhana headquarters after the February massacre.
This was the scene of the rebellion when 57 army officers serving the border force were killed.
The BDR chief, however, refrained from naming any enemy but added that "external enemies still exist and we must be aware of them" referring to the 1971 attack on BDR troops by Pakistani occupation army.
"Someone must have benefited from the Pilkhana massacre but BDR suffered the loss," he said as over 2,000 BDR soldiers joined the meeting at the Darbar Hall, the venue where the mutiny broke out during an identical darbar. Islam's predecessor Major General Shakil Ahmed and 55 military officers serving the paramilitary force on deputation were killed at the venue during an identical darbar on February 25 when the rebellious soldiers carried out the carnage protesting what they claimed "deprivation" and lack of service facilities.
BDR authorities invited the media to witness the darbar while Islam yesterday told BSS that it was part of their efforts to restore the morale of the paramilitary border guards, which was heavily shuddered after the carnage.

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BDR mutiny trial mode

President’s reference received by Supreme Court registrar

BSS, Dhaka

Registrar of the Supreme Court Monday afternoon received the reference sent by President Md Zillur Rahman seeking the opinion of the Appellate Division on the mode of trial of the BDR mutiny.
The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary affairs sent the reference to the registrar of the Supreme Court on behalf of the President.
Registrar of the Supreme Court Mohammad Showkat Hossain told reporters that he received the letter from the law ministry Monday afternoon. "If possible, I would produce it before the Chief Justice today (Monday)," he said.
Earlier addressing the press at his office here, State Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary affairs Advocate Quamrul Islam said considering the issue as very important, the President sent a letter to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court seeking its opinion on the mode of trial of the BDR mutiny.
"Some civil and BDR officials (Assistant and Deputy Assistant Director) were found involved in the mutiny, who would not be tried under the BDR act," he said.
The State Minister referred to the BDR act saying the highest penalty for involvement in mutiny is seven years imprisonment while the army act provides capital punishment for such crime.
He said the trial of the persons involved in killings, attempt to kill, setting fire, looting and other crimes in mutiny would not be possible under the BDR act.
"Under the prevailing circumstances, the President as per Article 106 of the Constitution sent the reference seeking the Appellate Division's opinion, whether the trial could be staged under the Army Act-1952," he said.
Advocate Qamrul Islam said the reference also sought opinion of the Appellate Division, whether the trial of BDR mutiny could be staged through a notification under section-5 of the Army Act- 1952.

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BDR mutiny trial mode

President’s reference received by Supreme Court registrar

BSS, Dhaka

Registrar of the Supreme Court Monday afternoon received the reference sent by President Md Zillur Rahman seeking the opinion of the Appellate Division on the mode of trial of the BDR mutiny.
The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary affairs sent the reference to the registrar of the Supreme Court on behalf of the President.
Registrar of the Supreme Court Mohammad Showkat Hossain told reporters that he received the letter from the law ministry Monday afternoon. "If possible, I would produce it before the Chief Justice today (Monday)," he said.
Earlier addressing the press at his office here, State Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary affairs Advocate Quamrul Islam said considering the issue as very important, the President sent a letter to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court seeking its opinion on the mode of trial of the BDR mutiny.
"Some civil and BDR officials (Assistant and Deputy Assistant Director) were found involved in the mutiny, who would not be tried under the BDR act," he said.
The State Minister referred to the BDR act saying the highest penalty for involvement in mutiny is seven years imprisonment while the army act provides capital punishment for such crime.
He said the trial of the persons involved in killings, attempt to kill, setting fire, looting and other crimes in mutiny would not be possible under the BDR act.
"Under the prevailing circumstances, the President as per Article 106 of the Constitution sent the reference seeking the Appellate Division's opinion, whether the trial could be staged under the Army Act-1952," he said.
Advocate Qamrul Islam said the reference also sought opinion of the Appellate Division, whether the trial of BDR mutiny could be staged through a notification under section-5 of the Army Act- 1952.

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Hasina, 42 others released from Paltan killing case

Opposition left out of 365 political cases selected for withdrawal

BSS, Dhaka

The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court Monday released Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 42 others from the charges of killing of six activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir at Paltan area on October 28 in 2006.
Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) Dilara Alo Chandona on behalf of the CMM Monday issued the release order following a petition submitted by the Metropolitan Public Prosecutor (PP) Advocate Abdullah Abu. The court also allowed withdrawing of the case from the court.
Former Presidium Member of Awami League Tofail Ahmed, former general secretary Abdul Jalil, and Home Minister Advocate Sahara Khatun were also released, among others.
According to the court sources, the government sponsored high-powered committee to review the political cases headed by State Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Advocate Qamrul Islam at a meeting on July 8 recommended withdrawal of the Paltan killing case. Following the recommendation, the Home Ministry instructed the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dhaka to take necessary steps to withdraw the case.
The Metropolitan PP Advocate Abdullah Abu on August 12 submitted a petition to the CMM Court seeking permission to withdraw the charges against Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina and 42 others as the case was filed with Paltan Thana against the AL leaders with ulterior political motives.
After completing the arguments, the Metropolitan Magistrate ordered release of all the accused of the case and withdraw the case from the court.
Six cadres of Islami Chhatra Shibir were killed and scores of injured during a day-long clash between the supporters of 14-party alliance led by Awami League and the four-party alliance on October 28 in 2006.
ATM Sirajul Haque, Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Motijheel Thana unit filed the case against AL chief Sheikh Hasina and 42 leaders and workers of the party with Motijheel Police Station.
TBT news desk adds: Earlier, the government decided on August 5 to drop 121 more cases of political harassment taking the total of the number of such cases to be dropped to 365 so far. But these include not a single against any opposition leader. The Home Ministry committee for scrutiny in its first meeting on June 10 recommended cancellation of 62 cases including 12 against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in its second meeting on June 21 recommended 46 cases, in its 3rd meeting on July 1 recommended 66 cases, in its fourth meeting on July 15 recommended 69 cases and in the 5th meeting August 5 recommended 121 cases for withdrawal. The veteran AL leaders, the cases against whom have been recommended for withdrawal include among others Sajeda Chowdhury, Tofael Ahmed, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir and his wife, Sylhet mayor Badaruddin Ahmed Kamran, HBM Iqbal, Nur-e-Alam Chowdhury Liton, AKM Rahmatullah, Haji Mohammed Selim and deputy speaker Shawkat Ali.

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Army pullout from CHT will be suicidal: Delwar

Tipai Dam will be a ‘death-trap’ for Bangladeshis, he says

Staff Correspondent

BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain on Monday has said the government step for withdrawing army camps from Chittagonj Hill Tracts (CHT) is not wise as army pullout without ensuring social, political and economical security of the hill people will be suicidal.
He said this while addressing a discussion meeting on the construction of Tipaimukh Dam and withdrawal of army camps from CHT organised by Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal, a front organisation of BNP at the National Press Club.
Khandaker Delwar said thousands of Bangalees of the country’s hill districts are raising voices against the government decision through holding demonstrations, rallies, seminars and meetings in the areas. Ignoring their resistances, the government is going to hand over country's hill districts to Santu Larma and his close associates, 'who are the top terrorists' of the areas.
He alleged that the peace agreement with hill people was an unconstitutional decision. On the basis of the agreement, the government is trying to make these areas a province of India.
On the other hand the government is wasting time in the name of projecting data and information about controversial construction work of Tipaimukh Dam. Country's ecology, agriculture, environment and water resources of the north-western regions have already been damaged only because of construction of Farakka Barrage. If the Tipaimukh Dam is constructed this will be a death-trap for the people of this country.
About the security measures on country's borders, he said Indian security forces are keeping close watch on bordering areas. Under the very nose of BDR members, spurious fertilizer and different types of adulterated food items are entering into the country.
Conspiracy against country's independence and sovereignty is going on. In order to resist the conspiracy all the countrymen with the inspiration of the late President Ziaur Rahman should come forward unitedly or else country's overall peace will be hampered, he said.
Taking part in the discussion, Salahudding Kader Chowdhury, a senior BNP leader said if the govt withdraws army camps from CHT without ensuring coexistence between Bangalees and hill people it will bring disaster for the countrymen.

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RMG growth declines by 10 pc in one year

BSS, Chittagong

Productivity of garments industries declined over ten percent last year from average 20 percent over the past five years in the port city due to various constraints from where country's highest foreign exchange earning sector first fostered in seventies.
Global economic recession, side by side power and gas crisis and law and order situation gripped the industry resulting in closure of 47 factories in the last six months and about 100 more industries, out of total registered 742 factories in Chittagong, are on the verge to closure.
A number of owners of the industries said that they are suffering from a number of local and international hurdles. Due to global recession the price of readymade garments (RMG) on an average dropped by 20 percent in the international market, they said.
On the other hand, they said, business cost has been increased about 25 percent because of increase of production cost, they said adding order for RMG from buyers declined more than over 30 percent in one year. Leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) leaders said this while exchanging views with a delegation of Chittagong Journalists Forum Dhaka (CJFD) on existing problems of the RMG sector at BGMEA office here Monday.
"We get power only for five hours a day in Agrabad, known as the main commercial area of the port city and even a small factory has to spent Taka 2 lakh per month to buy fuel to run the generators to keep the sewing machine operative," said Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, senior Vice-president of BGMEA said.
"We forecast 30 percent growth this year in RMG, but it could fetch only 10 percent, which is the first such negative growth of the sector in the country," he said.
To revive the growth of the sector, Nasir said, the future of RMG will depend on how long the recession will continue and how the government respond to curb the prevailing situation.
He suggested for giving interest free credit facilities to buy generator and subsidized fuel for uninterrupted power supply in the RMG industries and keep the industries free from any unrest.

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Indian Jet airways craft skids off runway at ZIA

BSS, Dhaka

An aircraft of India's private Jet Airways Monday met an accident on the runway of Dhaka's Zia International Airport just ahead of its take off with 139 passengers and crew onboard for New Delhi, officials said.
"The aircraft skidded off the runway while it was taking off, but there was no incident casualties and all the passengers and crew were safe," Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Air Commodore Sakeb Iqbal Khan Majlish told BSS.
He said the passengers were immediately evacuated from the Boeing 737 aircraft while an air force contingent joined the salvation campaign along with civil aviation workers and Biman Bangladesh airlines and Jet Airways engineers.
Flight operations at Zia International Airport resumed Monday afternoon after salvation of an India's private Jet Airways aircraft that had skidded off the runway.
"Departure and landing of aircrafts resumed after the flight operations were suspended for nearly three hours following the accident," a Civil Aviation Authority spokesman said.

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