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Commerce minister continues official work despite resignation n Kamran Reza Chowdhury
and Asif Showkat Kallol
Despite rendering his resignation from the polls-time cabinet, GM Quader, a senior leader of HM Ershad-led Jatiya Party, continued with his duties as the commerce minister by signing the souvenir of the annual Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) yesterday, official sources said. The DITF 2014 souvenir is to be presented at the opening ceremony on January 11. In early December, GM Quader, a JP presidium member, categorically told the media that he had resigned from the cabinet following Ershads announcement of boycotting the 10th parliamentary polls without the participation of all parties. Quader has not attended his commerce ministry office since, although Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina did not accept his resignation letter. Quader told the Dhaka Tribune over phone yesterday that he just gave his consent to signing the fair souvenir. Meanwhile, a commerce ministry official confirmed that Quader had
A train driver at Kamalapur Railway Station dons a helmet to protect himself from probable attacks of pickets on the first day of indefinite blockades yesterday
NASHIRUL ISLAM
PAGE 2 COLUMN 6
Believe it or not!
Reza Chowdhury and n Kamran Muhammad Zahidul Islam
It may sound unbelievable that an Awami League lawmaker and former minister owns a cot, almirah, chair and table that cost a meagre figure of Tk900 causing raised eyebrows. The lawmaker provided the information in his affidavit he submitted to the Election Commission ahead of the 10th parliamentary polls. Lawmaker Ramesh Chandra Sen, the immediate past water resources minister, in his previous affidavit for the 2008 polls put the value of his furniture at Tk4, 700. He did not say the number of the furniture. This year too he has not mentioned the number of the furniture in the affidavit. Another Awami League MP owns a sofa set, a dining table, four cots, two
PAGE 2 COLUMN 4
statement unwarranted
n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla
Opposition BNP yesterday described the Indian external affairs ministers statement as unexpected, unwarranted and unfortunate.
India hinted that it wanted to reach an understanding with the US regarding Bangladesh
This [Bangladesh] is an independent and sovereign country. This country was not born to remain subservient to a country after the Liberation War. It will not be possible to...People will not allow it to come into effect until the last drop of blood is remain, Vice-Chairman Selima Rahman said at a press conference at her residence.
India hinted that it wanted to reach an understanding with the US regarding Bangladesh. There were obviously some differences of perception that I noticed last time I was there [Washington], Salman Khurshid said, according to a report of The Hindu. The differences were particularly in the dealing of the present government [in Bangladesh] with some of their own internal issues, he said. Khurshid pointed out that Indias understanding of Bangladesh would help the US. Selima made the statement several hours after US Ambassador Dan W Mozena paid a visit to BNP chief Khaleda Zia, who had been held in confinement at her residence since December 24. l
INSIDE
Business
B1 The telecom watchdog is going to introduce a new benchmark with 13 key performance indicators to assess mobile phone operators service quality.
Sport
13 New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson scored the quickest century ever in international cricket yesterday, taking just 36 balls against West Indies to break the record long held by Shahid Afridi.
Our reporter travelled on a motorcycle some 400km areas of Satkhira district for five days mostly in the guise of an NGO worker, as these areas are well-guarded by the Jamaat-Shibir men to protect their territory from any intruders. This is the first of a series of special reports on the recent violence in the district
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina poses in front of the media with primary school students yesterday after distributing textbooks among them at the Ganabhaban PMO
n UNB
The National Moon Sighting Committee will sit in a meeting today to decide the date of Eid-e-Miladunnabi, the day of birth and demise of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SM). The meeting will be held at the Islamic Foundations Baitul Mukarram conference room at 5:30pm. The meeting will announce the date of Eid-e-Miladunnabi after reviewing information on the sighting of the Rabiul Awal moon. Railways and Religions Affairs Minister and Chairman of the moon sighting committee M Muzibul Haque will preside over the meeting. l
Youth jailed for one year for harassing girl n Our Correspondent, Gazipur
A mobile court yesterday sentenced a youth in Kaliganj on charge of harassing a girl. Ramjan Ali, 23, an HSC student of Jamalpur College and son of Saidul Islam of Fuinpur village under Sreenagar upazila of Munshiganj, tried to sexually abuse a girl of Jamalpur village, said Kaliganj police station SI Mujibur Rahman. She is an SSC examinee. Locals and members of her family caught Ramjan red-handed when she shouted. Later, the incident was informed to Kaliganj upazila UNO Kamrul Ahsan Talukder. The mobile court of Kaliganj upazila Assistant Commissioner (land) Bhashkar Debnath Bappi gave the verdict around 10pm yesterday by the order of UNO. l
Believe it or not!
PAGE 1 COLUMN 6
of Jamaat-Shibir cadres allegedly killed over three dozens of people including 16 Awami League activists in Satkhira. The incidents have taken place mainly after February 28, when another Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War, according to newspaper reports. The victims were slaughtered, hacked and beaten to death in broad daylight, in the middle of local marketplaces or anytime they had chosen for having the job done. About a dozen of the killings took place only in December in Kolaroa, Devhata, Kaliganj and sadar areas. Jamaat-Shibir dominates the ideology of the people through a wellplanned network of activities, executed by involving mainly the mosques, madrasas, and orphanages. These findings were made through interviews of Jamaat-Shibir supporters, victims of their crimes and eye witnesses. The situation in Satkhira has been so dreadful that even the police cannot go to many areas to quell violence or arrest the accused. On more than one occasion, the joint forces had to retreat in the face of obstacles put up by felling trees on the roads. They cut Islam off the name of Nazrul Islam College, making it simply Nazrul College. They likewise want to kill Islam in this country, this reporter heard as the motorcycle he was riding drove past Sarashkathis Bamonkhali Government School around 3pm on December 26. A makeshift roadside tea stall was set up there to keep playing all day long the recorded religious sermons of Sayedee. It shows the extent to which the Jamaat-Shibir is able to operate in the district with its propaganda campaigns imbued with anti-independence teachings. Jamaat, which is responsible for siding with the Pakistani occupation forces and committing crimes in 1971,
treats the freedom fighters as enemies of Islam. The Jamaat had advocated for a unified Islamist Pakistan and formed collaborators groups including para militia al-Badr. As the war crimes trial began four decades after the independence in 2010, the Jamaat picked Satkhira, considering its historical stronghold, for staging massive violence to give an impression that a large part of the countrymen were against the trial. How the party was preparing since the trial began could be assessed from the words of Mujibor Sarder. He is the father of Deyara unions ward seven Swechchhasebak League General Secretary Rabiul Islam, who was hacked to death on November 26. According to Mujibor, the Jamaat-Shibir activists made the village women taking oath with the Quran to work for the protection of Islam. And the process of motivating them had been done through the partys women activists during the weekly meetings, known as Talim or Boithak. Even the women whose husbands are involved with the Awami League politics were motivated through these meetings. And they do not prefer sharing with their husbands what is discussed in those meetings, said Mujibor. Many women who this reporter spoke to throughout the trip admitted to have attended the Jamaat meetings regularly. We sought Allahs blessings for saving the life of Sayedee, an innocent man made to bear responsibility for the crimes he did not commit, said one of the women, preferring not to be named. It has been proved at the International Crimes Tribunal that Sayedee had changed his name from Delu Shikder when he became a popular religious preacher. Eventually he turned a politician. Framing Sayedee for crimes committed by Delu Shikder was one of the main defence arguments. But it was not proved. Rabiuls sister-in-law Sharmin divulges more about what was discussed
in those meetings. If we die for establishing Islam, we will be entitled to go to heaven. The hells are only for the Awami League men, she said. The women have also been trained to move stealthily while carrying machetes during attacks on the enemies of Islam. Rabiul was hacked with a machete in the afternoon of November 26 at Deyara Bazar in Kolaroa upazila. The Jamaat-Shibir activists were allegedly carrying 100 machetes, locally known as Ramda, on that day, said Abdul Motaleb, another villager. He claimed that the machetes had been kept in the house of a member of Deyara Union Parishad. Investigations reveal that the machetes were made with money realised from local workers of a 2012-project who had built an embankment to protect the area against inundation during floods. Some locals collected the money and gave it to the Deyara UP chairman, Ibrahim Hossain, who charged Tk500 for each of those workers. Deyara unit Jubo League President Quddus Hossain himself collected Tk500 from each of the 30 workers who were under his supervision. He alleged that with the fund, the chairman had made some 100 machetes, each costing not less than Tk1,500. The Jamaat men motivated the adult male population mainly by using mosques and local gathering places where fake information and rumour about their leaders were spread. The Imams described Sayedee and Quader Molla as messengers of God falling victims to politics for campaigning the principles of Islam. Special doa was also offered, especially after every Juma prayers, to save these messengers. I myself heard once during a Juma prayer when Allahs blessings were sought for saving the lives of protectors of Islam, said a BGB personnel at the Hizalti border outpost in Chandanpur. l
almirahs and a cupboard costing only Tk15, 000, says his affidavit for this years election. He is none but controversial Awami League MP Abdur Rahman Badi (Coxs Bazar-4 constituency) who frequently came in the media spotlight for his unruly behaviour in his constituency in Teknaf, Coxs Bazar. Chief Whip Abdus Shahid in his affidavit showed the value of his furniture Tk15, 000, without giving the number. The furniture traders say the value of the aforesaid MPs mention in the affidavit for contesting the polls is not practical. Ramesh Chandra Sen is contesting the Thakurgaon-1 seat. He owns a motorcycle that costs only Tk2, 200. He has Tk359 only in cash while the deposit in the bank stands at Tk1, 867,000. Elected uncontested, Abdur Rahman (Faridpur-1 constituency) says the
value of the furniture in his apartment in Dhanmondi stands at Tk75, 000. Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury in her affidavit put the value of her furniture at Tk50, 000 not referring their number and types. Zahid Maleque (Manikganj-3 constituency), who has house in posh Baridhara area, says he owns furniture worth Tk70, 000 only. However, some Awami League MPs have showed the value of their furniture that is consistent with the market prices. Awami League candidate for Madaripur-1 constituency Noor-E Alam Chowdhury, elected unopposed, in his affidavit said he and his wife owned furniture worth over Tk2477, 000. Senior Awami League MP Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim in his statement said he had furniture at his Banani residence worth about Tk12 lakh. l
Commerce minister
PAGE 1 COLUMN 6
already signed a summary of the export fair. However, the minister would not be attending his secretariat office until Sundays general elections, the official added. The month-long DITF 2014, which was scheduled to begin yesterday, was deferred by 10 days following requests from the countrys business community and fair participants. The largest trade fair of the country will now kick off on January 11 in the capitals Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Earlier, nearly 100 domestic and foreign participants had threatened to stay away from the fair unless the opening was deferred until the elections were over. Small businessmen had also threatened to stop constructing pavilions and stalls at the fair site. l
operated without interruption. The vehicles, however, had fewer passengers. The BNP-led opposition combine called the non-stop blockade to resist the one-sided January 5 polls. The capital saw a slack blockade with a large number of vehicles running on roads; shopping malls and educational institutions were open. However, two miscreants riding a motorbike exploded at least 15 crude bombs in between Bangladesh Sheikh Mujib Medical University main gate and Shahbagh intersection. In Chittagong, a microbus driver of private television channel, Somoy TV, sustained injuries when miscreants hurled a crude bomb at his vehicle parked along the road in front of the television channel office in Ashkar Dighir Par. Abdul Hakim received splinter injuries around 6am. He was undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College and Hospital. Blockaders also torched two trucks in front of the citys Directorate of Environment Office and Muradpur Intersection and vandalised 15 vehicles in the citys Kajir Dewri and Chittagong-Coxs Bazar Highway at Satkania upazila. They also blasted at least 30 crude bombs at different points of the city and elsewhere in the district. A group of Jammat-Shibir men, riding motorcycles, CNG-run auto-rick-
shaws and chanting religious slogans on foot, rampaged through SS Khaled Road from Kajir Dewri to Askar Dighir Par area in the city around 5:50pm, leaving four people injured, said eye-witnesses. Blockaders torched five vehicles and an election campaign office in four districts while law enforcers arrested 52 activists of BNP and Jamaat-Shibir raiding different areas of Jessore, Brahmanbaria, Gazipur and Satkhira. In Gazipur, the opposition men set fire to two covered van in the morning and evening. Of the two, the first was torched at Rajendrabazar in Sreepur upazila around 4:30am while the second which belonged to a garment factory was set on fire on Sreepur-Maona highway around 8pm. Both of the vehicles remained parked, said Amir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Sreepur police station. Locals and on-duty policemen doused the fire immediately. Besides, law enforcers detained 10 people in the district on suspicion of creating anarchy, according to police control room of the district. In Bhola, blockaders hurled a patrol bomb at a passenger bus at Taltoli in Sadar upazila around 10am. None was reported hurt as all passengers managed to get down from the bus in a hurry, said Sultan Mahmud, OC of Sadar police station.
The bus came under attack when it was going to Chittagong from Bhola, the OC added. Our Satkhira correspondent reports activists of Jamaat-Shibir attacked an election campaign motorcade of independent candidate of Satkhira 2 constituency Saiful Karim Sabu, leaving four of his campaigners injured. The attackers also torched three motorbikes. Locals said Sabu was on his way to Satkhira from Bhomra while one motorbike of the motorcade ran out of fuel. With other two bikers, the three polls campaigners Kabir, Azizul and Babu, stopped to collect fuel. All of a sudden Jamaat-Shibir men attacked them and torched the vehicles. They beat the trio, said Saiful Karim Sabu. The Jamaat-Shibir men also torched the candidates easy bike a few days back. Enamul Haque, OC of Satkhira Sadar police station said they rescued the injured on information. Meanwhile, in Jhenaidah, a gang of troublemakers torched the election office of Awami League candidate for Jhenaidah 3 (Moheshpur-Kotchandpur) Prof Nabi Newaj. Golam sarwar, Awami League convener, Kotchandpur Municipal committee, said a group of about 100 Jamaat-Shibir men brought out a rally and burned down the office around 12:30pm. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
3
BNP: Khaleda under house arrest
Attorney general slams pro-oppn lawyers for refuting consensus n Nazmus Sakib
The attorney general yesterday criticised the Supreme Court Bar Association president, AJ Mohammad Ali, for refusing the decision of consensus reached on Tuesday over not holding any rallies, processions and meetings on the court premises. He said Ali had changed his position under pressure of the hardliners in Jamaat and BNP. Earlier in the day, the SCBA chief at a press briefing said at the meeting there was an agreement that none could reveal the issue of the discussion. But unfortunately, the attorney general and a pro-Awami League lawyer circulated a confusing message. Pro-opposition lawyers after the briefing brought out a procession on the court premises. They also held a rally. The meeting was held on Tuesday afternoon at the Judges Lounge of the Supreme Court where Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain, six other judges of the apex court, the attorney general, former SCBA presidents and secretaries, senior lawyers and the SC registrar were present. Later the attorney general made the disclosure about the meeting outcome. AKM Shamsul Islam, the registrar, yesterday told the Dhaka Tribune that the lawyers had certainly agreed on keeping the court premises out of processions, rallies or meetings. He said if the message of the meeting would not reach other lawyers, then what was the purpose of holding the meeting? The attorney general told reporters that through such denial, the judiciary had been made controversial. The top law officer the country, Mahbubey Alam also mentioned about a previous High Court verdict that had banned all types of processions and meetings on the court premises. On Sunday, pro-Awami League men attacked pro-BNP lawyers who were demonstrating at the main entrance of the Supreme Court. The chief justice had called upon the meeting on Tuesday over the incident.l
Low income people go to their workplaces by rickshaw van yesterday as public transport was suspended during the blockades enforced by the 18-party alliance. The photo was taken from Babubazar Bridge in the capital SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN
Biman, CAAB officials among five held with 134 gold bars
n Kailash Sarkar
Officials of Rapid Action Battalion yesterday arrested five individuals in possession of 134 gold bars smuggled through Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport a couple of days ago. The five were identified as Kamrul Islam, security officer of Civil Aviation Authorities of Bangladesh (CAAB), Md Abu Zafor, sweeping supervisor of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Indian national Zamil Tuki, businessman Mohammad Ali and his associate Mohammad Labu. They were arrested from different parts of the capital and are believed to be members of an airport-based smuggling syndicate. The arrests add to a growing body of evidence suggesting increasing involvement of airport employees with smuggling. Earlier, a probe committee identified at least 18 Biman officials with links to two separate incidents of gold smuggling, including the countrys biggest ever seizure of gold (124kg) that occurred last July. Following the arrests, Rab officials claimed to have identified several other officials of CAAB and Biman as members of the syndicate. The arrestees are members of an international syndicate involved with gold smuggling, said Col Ziaul Ahsan, additional director general for operations at Rab, adding they had been assisted for years by airport officials as well as outsiders. Each of them had their own role to play. The sweeping supervisor would sneak gold out of the airport; the CAAB security officer would support by passing information; Mohammad Ali, who led the group, would oversee the entire process of smuggling. The Indian citizen was behind the transportation of the seized gold bars from Hong Kong. Importantly, during our interrogation theyve disclosed names of many other individuals, including some working in different government and non-government agencies, Ziaul said. It wont be long before we arrest those syndicate members also. In a separate drive yesterday, police also arrested two other individuals with 636 cartons of contraband cigarettes and 434 grams of gold smuggled from Kuala Lumpur by a flight of the Regent Airways. They were identified as Zahir Uddin, 45, and Ali Sheikh, 40, said Alamgir Hossain Shimiul, assistant superintendent of police at the Armed Police Battalion. According to sources, gold smuggling through the airports in Dhaka and Chittagong has become quite rampant in recent times, with an estimated 600-kg gold seized last year alone. In addition, over 650 people, including officials of different government offices and airlines, were also arrested for their involvement with airport-based smuggling. l
Public administration ministry yet to take steps retaries, they added. n Mohosinul Karim A section of influential additional
According to the ministry officials, the secretaries who retired from services tried to arrange contractual appointments, and to this end, sent files to the Prime Ministers Office for approval
secretaries also opposed the move to bag the appointments on contract basis, the officials said.
389 candidates are contesting the polls in 147 constituencies as 153 lone candidates are set to be elected uncontested
The commission has already sent ballot papers and electoral equipment, which will reach the polling centres on January 4, under the security of Rab and the BGB. EC officials said 389 candidates are contesting the polls in 147 constituencies as 153 lone candidates are set to be elected uncontested. As a result, there will be no need to hold the elections in any constituencies of Chandpur, Shariatpur, Rajbari, Madaripur and Joypurhat,
EC statistics shows. On Wednesday, the EC issued a press statement that candidates would have to stop their election campaigning before 48 hours of the beginning of the polls and none can hold any rally and meeting within 48 hour after the polling day. The statement also states that all vehicular movement would be stopped at 12am on Saturday midnight. Special monitoring team had started works to monitor the overall and law and order situation yesterday, EC officials said. On the other hand, around 44 local observers have applied to the commission to observe the polls. Banks would remain open on January 3 and 4 in the election areas, there would be general holiday in the election areas and the voting would be held from 8am4pm without any break. l
Public Administration Ministrys Senior Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder told the Dhaka Tribune, The ministry has sent a list to the premiers office for filling up the vacancies, but we are yet to get any instruction from the high-ups of the government. We will assign new officers to the posts immediately after getting instruction. It may take time. The files would be approved after January 5, he said. A good number of high-level civil bureaucrats serving as senior secretary, secretary and additional secretary in different ministries or divisions and some important offices will retire by 2014 March, two years after extension of their services. The bureaucrats got a two-year extension in service while the government extended the retirement age of public servants to 59 years from 57 on December 26, 2011. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
Several left parties bring out a procession in front of the National Press Club yesterday protesting the foreign intervention in the politics of Bangladesh
WEATHER
Pro-BNP teachers of Dhaka University form a human chain in front of the Aparajeyo Bangla protesting terrorist attack on them
NASHIRUL ISLAM
PRAYER TIMES
Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha 5:21am 6:41am 12:02am 3:47pm 5:23pm 6:44pm
Source: IslamicFinder.org
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
Labourers are engaged in road repair at Mirpur 14, hampering smooth vehicular movement lays in initiation of the project. The project became hard to realise as construction workers were unwilling to work during the blockade and hartal, he added. Brig Gen Khair said the Mirpur residents were suffering because of the hazardous condition of the roads, adding that there had been trouble in ac-
NASHIRUL ISLAM
cumulating construction materials and other necessary things, resulting in the delay of implementing the project. l
Different types of vehicles, including human haulers, are kept at Rajshahi police lines field to avoid arson attacks during the non-stop blockade DHAKA TRIBUNE
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Nation
the passengers shed till May 28 last year, but now they had to stand at the roadside while waiting for buses. Abu Hena Mostafa Jaman Sohel, chairman of Barakhata union parishad, said locals had submitted a written complaint to the then upazila Nirbahi of icer seeking measures regarding the matter several times, but no step has been taken to free the shed from the grabbers for unknown reasons. We tried to free the shed from land grabbers, but that was not possible as the UNO did not help us. They also threatened us with dire consequences several times. Rafiqul Islam, a word councilor, said Shyamal and his cohorts had assaulted him and two other locals as they tried to their raise voices against them.
We were admitted to Hatibandha Upazila Health Complex and took fiveday treatment there as they beat us up indiscriminately, he said, adding that they had submitted a written complaint against them, but the district administration could not take any action in this regard. The passengers shed was constructed by the district council at a cost of Tk4 lakh with a view to ease sufferings of commuters. Shyamal, however, said he was not involved with the grabbing of the passengers shed. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahbubur Rahman said he was not aware of the matter as he had joined recently. He said he would take necessary steps to free the shed from the grabbers immediately. l
The judicial process is conducted by only six judges instead of 12 in the court of district and sessions judge. On the other hand, only two judges carry out functions in the chief judicial magistrate court
The justice seekers alleged that they were lost and undone after a long wait for getting justice and spending much on the litigation. Saleh Uddin Ahmed, general secretary of the district lawyers associations, said: We cannot give any satisfactory answers to our clients in the wake of the crisis. There would be a big problem if the crisis persists, added the lawyer. l
The photo taken from Kaddar intersection in Sirajganj shows a few vehicles run during yesterdays blockade
DHAKA TRIBUNE
enhance the farm production especially wheat, he says. Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Deputy Director Nurul Amin said that the varieties would bring a positive result for around 2 million hectares of land in the rain-fed drought prone area. According to sources, the continuous paddy farming in the barind tract will face an acute crisis. Wheat Research Station Principal Scientific Officer Dr Israil Hossain said, Irrigation has been reduced to a greater extent in the area that declines farming of transplanted aman paddy. According to sources, DAE has taken initiative to bring two drought- tolerant paddy varieties. Paba Upazila Agriculture Officer Saleh Ahmed says life span of BRRIDHAN-57, a short duration and drought tolerant variety, is 10 days less than that of BINADHAN-7, an early and high yielding variety, while 15 days less than BRIDHAN-33. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Juris
7
JURIS QUOTE
RAJIB DHAR
LAW CARTOON
sion for setting up an EC for the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for election to the office of the president and to the parliament, and the conduct of such elections in accordance with the Constitution.
empowered to appoint the chief election commissioner, and not more than four election commissioners for five years, following the provisions of our constitution and the provisions of any law made in regards. In addition to that, the EC has its own secretariat, as per the Election Commission Secretariat Act, 2009, headed by a Secretary. The secretariat is in Dhaka and has an electoral training institute, field offices at the regional, district and upazilla/ thana level. There are 10 regional election offices and 83 district election offices in the 64 districts.
OFFENCE
PENALTY
Does bribery, personation or undue influence Makes or publishes a false statement concerning the personal character of a candidate or any of his relations Calls upon or persuades any person to vote, or to refrain from voting for any candidate Causes or attempts to cause any person present and waiting to vote at the polling station to depart without voting Votes or applies for a ballot paper for voting at an election knowing that he is not qualified for, or is disqualified from, voting Votes or applies for a ballot paper for voting more than once in the same polling station Votes or applies for a ballot paper for voting in more than one polling station for the same election Removes a ballot paper from a polling station during the poll Rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and shall not be less than two years, and also with fine
Article 119 of the constitution mentions that the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for elections to the office of president and to parliament, and the conduct of such elections shall vest in the Election Commission which shall, in accordance with this Constitution and any other law to: (a) hold elections to the office of president
l l l l l
(b) hold elections of members of parliament (c) delimit the constituencies for the purpose of elections to parliament and
(d) prepare electoral rolls for the purpose of elections to the office of president and to parliament According to the Constitution, the EC is independent in the exercise of its functions, and subject only to the Constitution and applicable laws. Bangladesh EC is constitutionally responsible for the conduct of elections in a free and fair manner. To ensure such elections, transparency and accountability are required at all stages of the electoral process.
If any person, within a radius of four hundred yards of the polling station, on the polling day:
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Disturbs or causes annoyance to any elector visiting a polling station for the purpose of voting Interferes with the performance of the duty of a presiding officer, assistant presiding officer, polling officer or any other person performing any duty at a polling station Persistently shouts in such manner as to be audible within the polling station Canvasses for votes Solicits the vote of any elector Persuades any elector not to vote at the election or for a particular candidate Uses any gramophone, megaphone loudspeaker of other apparatus for reproducing or amplifying sounds in such manner as to be audible within the polling station Imprisonment for three years and shall not be less than six months, and also with fine
Legislations
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If any returning officer, assistant returning officer, presiding officer, assistant presiding officer, polling officer or any other officer or clerk performing any duty in connection with an election, or any member of a police force, in the conduct or management of an election or maintenance of order at a polling station: Section 84 of RPO, 1972
l Persuades any person to give his vote l Dissuades any person from giving his vote l Influences in any manner the voting of any person l Does any other act calculated to influence the result of the election
Imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and shall not be less than one year, and also with fine
The Constitution of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh, 1972, is the key law for the EC. The second most important law with regard to the functions of the EC is the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972. A number of laws, rules and regulations have also been enacted and/or provided. These laws discuss, in detail, procedures of different functions such as preparation of electoral rolls, delimitation of constituencies, election of the president and women members of parliament, and conduct of the elections. Another set of laws and rules provide for administrative functions with regard to salary and privileges of election commissioners, and appointment, promotion and transfer of the officials and staff of the EC Secretariat. Moreover, EC prepares code of conduct of candidates for different elections. The EC has updated the Code of Conduct for Parliament Elections, 2008 ahead of the 10th parliamentary election which is scheduled to be held on January 5, 2014. l SM Saiful Haque is a senior lecturer of law at Daffodil International University and Raju Mollah is an advocate at Dhaka judges court and author of several law books.
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was at issue was a most transcendent thing, and of a high nature. Finally it was held that the defendant (White) by preventing the plaintiff (Ashby) from voting violated Ashbys legal right and was entitled to damages. Chief Justice Holt said, Every injury imports a damage though it does not cost the party one farthing. For a damage not merely pecuniary, but an injury imports a damage, when a person is thereby hindered of his rights.
The Supreme Court of India, in its judgment dated September 27, 2013, in Peoples Union for Civil Liberties and another v the Union of India and another, has directed the election commission to make necessary provision in the ballot papers/EVMs and provide a button for None of the Above in EVMs so that the voters who come to the polling booth, and decide not to vote for any of the candidates in the fray, are able to exercise their right not to vote while maintaining their right of secrecy.
In accordance with the order of the Supreme Court None of the Above shall be printed in a separate panel on the ballot paper below the name of the last contesting candidate. This ballot paper shall be affixed on the ballot unit of the EVM. If the voter presses the button next to None of the Above his desire not to vote for any of the candidates in the fray will get recorded in the EVM in secrecy. Commission shall also make appropriate changes in Part2 of Form 17C used during counting and the result sheet in Form 20 to separately compile the number of persons who used the option not to vote for any of the candidates in the fray. Election Commission of India shall issue detailed instructions to ensure compliance with the order of the court as expeditiously as possible.
In the judgment of Abdul Momen Chowdhury v Election Commission (2005), the court held that at the heart of parliamentary system is free and fair election; when parliament has made valid laws related to election, the election commission shall act in conformity with the law, but where there is no law, article 119 which confers on the election commission the respon-
sibility of supervising and controlling the conduct of elections is a reservoir of power to act for the avowed purpose of holding free and fair election. In order that the voters have a free choice, the must be provided with the material information about the candidates. The court further held that the voters have a right to know about the candidates and such right is included in the right to franchise. Therefore, the High Court Division of Bangladesh held that the election commission may direct candidates for parliamentary elections to submit the following eight kinds of information: a) Academic qualification with certificate from board or university, if possess any qualification b) Whether he is accused in any criminal case at present c) Whether there was any past record of criminal case and the result d) Profession / occupation e) Source or sources of income f) Whether he was a parliament member earlier and the role he played individually and collectively in fulfilling the commitment to the people g) Description of assets and liabilities of the candidate and dependent of the candidate h) Particulars and amount of loan taken from bank or financial institutions deals with public money personally, jointly or by dependent or loan taken by the company from bank where the candidate is chairman, or managing director or director etc. l
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n Reuters, Islamabad
Lawyers argued Wednesday that former Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf could not receive a fair trial on treason charges, a case that could test the relationship between an increasingly assertive civilian government and the army. Musharraf, 70, faces the death penalty over his suspension of the constitution and imposition of emergency rule in 2007, when he was trying to extend his rule as president in the face of growing opposition. Musharraf, who did not appear in court, says the trial is a politically motivated vendetta. His lawyers say Musharraf cannot get a fair trial in Pakistan because of his history of disputes with the judiciary and the involvement of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif whom he once overthrew in a coup. I would go beyond (the accusation of) bias. This is a fraud on the law, said defence lawyer Anwar Mansoor Khan. Musharraf ousted Sharif in a coup in 1999. Sharif was jailed for a period and then forced into exile. He returned eight years later and won a landslide victory in a general election in May. Musharraf himself stepped down in 2008 to avoid impeachment charges after judges and lawyers led street protests over his attempt to fire the thenchief justice. The trial opened on December 24 but was immediately suspended after Musharraf did not appear because a bag of explosives was found on his route to the court. Another bag of explosives was found near his house on Wednesday. Police told the judge they had deployed more than 1,000 officers to secure his route, but yet again there was a bomb scare, judge Faisal Arab said. Khan said the defence had zero confidence in the police and said a mysterious unmarked car had tried to force him off the road.
DHAKA TRIBUNE
International
Our party took resolute action to remove... factionalist scum within the party last year
Pakistans former military ruler Pervez Musharraf addresses foreign media representatives in December In recent days, Musharraf has said in media interviews that the whole army supported him and was upset about his treatment. He also acknowledged that before his return to Pakistan, the army sent a top envoy to try to dissuade him from coming back. The military is Pakistans most powerful institution and it has ruled the country for more than half its history since independence in 1947. But in recent years the civilian government and judiciary have both become more assertive. Top military officers have been questioned although not convicted in human rights and corruption cases. The military leadership has given no
AFP
Musharraf, 70, faces the death penalty over his suspension of the constitution and imposition of emergency rule in 2007
Musharraf returned to Pakistan last year, hoping to contest elections that marked the first democratic transfer of power from one civilian government to another in coup-prone Pakistans history. Instead, he was barred from standing and enmeshed in a web of legal cases, repeatedly charged and bailed.
indication it intends to intervene in the trial of Musharraf who was likely to be overstating the armys support for him to help with his legal troubles, said retired general Talat Masood. Hes trying to twist facts in order to suit his case, to get sympathy and support, he said. These are tactics to protect and shield himself from the legal process. Masood said if the case was handled fairly, it could even strengthen relations between the government and military. This is a test of civil-military relations, he said. It is just one instance of the civil government trying to assert itself. l
We will join hands with anyone who opts to give priority to the nation and wishes for its reunification, regardless of his or her past, and continue to strive for better inter-Korean relations, he said. But Kim said North Korea would not beg for peace. He accused the United States and South Korea of manoeuvring for a nuclear war against the nuclear-armed North and vowed to strengthen its military power. If war breaks out again in this land, it will bring about a massive nuclear disaster and the US will also never be safe, Kim said. We are faced with a dangerous situation in which a small, accidental military clash can lead to all-out war. Jangs execution raised concerns over potential instability in the North, or military provocations such as an atomic test aimed at rallying domestic unity. l
Second Japanese minister Thousands rally on New Years Day for goes to war shrine Hong Kong democracy
n Reuters, Tokyo
A Japanese cabinet member visited a shrine seen by critics as a symbol of Tokyos wartime aggression on Wednesday, pouring salt on a fresh wound after Prime Minister Shinzo Abes pilgrimage there last week drew sharp criticism from China and South Korea. Internal Affairs Minister Yoshitaka Shindo said he thought his visit to the Yasukuni Shrine was unlikely to become a diplomatic issue, Kyodo news agency reported. But Beijing and Seoul have repeatedly expressed anger over politicians visits to Yasukuni, where Japanese leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal after World War Two are honoured along with those who died in battle. Both China and Korea suffered under Japanese rule, with parts of China occupied from the 1930s and Korea colonized from 1910 to 1945. Japanese leaders have apologized in the past but many in China and South Korea doubt the sincerity of the apologies, partly because of contradictory remarks by politicians. China condemned Wednesdays visit, which it said exposed Japans war crimes and attempts to challenge the outcomes of the worlds anti-fascist war. The Chinese people and people of other Asian nations will not allow Japan to drive history in reverse. We solemnly urge Japan to reflect upon history and change course, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement posted on the ministrys website. Underscoring the deteriorating ties between Asias two biggest economies, China said its leaders would not meet Abe after he visited Yasukuni on Thursday, the first visit by a serving Japanese prime minister since 2006. A commentary in Chinas ruling Communist Partys top newspaper called Abes actions a threat to peace in the region. Abe paying homage at the Yasukuni Shrine is an offensive, open provocation, and announces to the world his old imperial dreams. The international community must strike back strongly and be on guard for the ashes of Japans militarism to reignite, the paper said. Ties between Japan and China were already precarious due to a simmering row over ownership of a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea. China has said it is willing to talk to Japan about the issue, but has accused Abe of not being serious about wanting to resolve the dispute. Abe, a staunch conservative, has called for dialogue with China since returning to power a year ago, but Beijing had shown no inclination to respond to those overtures even before the latest Yasukuni controversy. Experts see his visit as an attempt to recast Japans wartime past in a less apologetic light and revive national pride. l
n AFP, Zamboanga
AFP
Because we are Hong Kong citizens, we must vote, said Sharon Tang, a 49-year-old trading company employee, adding that residents of the former British colony have the intelligence to choose their leaders. Mainland Chinese tourists took pictures of the march as protesters chanted End one-party rule! China, which took back Hong Kong in 1997, has promised that its people will be able to vote in 2017 for their next chief executive. Currently the leader is elected by a
1,200-strong pro-Beijing committee. But many fear that China will control the choice of candidates to secure the election of a sympathetic of icial. Hong Kong people have been on the streets over the years to strive for what we deserve, and what the Chinese government has not given us, Charles Tam, 25, told AFP. One protester had red tape wrapped around her arms and covering her mouth to symbolise an inability to express ones views. l
A suspected bomb attack left six dead while a separate grenade blast wounded five as violence marred New Year celebrations in the Philippines, authorities said Wednesday. A blast from what is believed to be an improvised bomb caused the deaths in the town of Sumisip on the volatile southern island of Basilan two hours before midnight Tuesday, police said. Basilan is a known hotbed of the Abu Sayyaf, an Al Qaeda-linked group blamed for the countrys worst terrorist attacks. Troops and police said the blast ripped through a party at the residence of Manuel Cisneros, a pro-government volunteer militiaman and driver for a nearby Catholic church. Police said the motive for the attack was not clear, although Cisneros had apparently been helping protect rubber plantation workers from extortion by armed gangs including the Abu Sayyaf. We suspect it was the Abu Sayyaf, provincial police chief Senior Superintendent Mario Dapilloza said over DZBB radio in Manila, describing the blast as very powerful. However, investigators were also considering the possibility of an accidental explosion involving a grenade carried around by the militiaman. The Abu Sayyaf, founded in the 1990s with seed money from Osama bin Laden, has been blamed for the countrys worst terrorist attacks, including kidnapping of foreigners and deadly bombings. l
putes, has said that the islands are under Tokyos management and so come under a security treaty in which it is required to defend officially pacifist Japan against attack. Under the proposed military structure China aims to strengthen its attack capability to secure air and naval superiority in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, the daily said. The newspaper also reported that Japan plans to deploy its first Global Hawk unmanned surveillance planes at an airbase in Misawa, on the northern tip of Japans main Honshu Island, adjacent to a US airbase where the same type of aircraft will be based later this year. Japans defence ministry plans to deploy three Global Hawk drones between April 2015 and March 2016, Yomiuri said. l
n AFP, Tunis
Tunisias National Constituent Assembly is to begin voting on the future constitution Friday, three years after the countrys popular uprising and after five months of deadlock between the ruling Islamists and opposition. The adoption of Tunisias constitution would represent a crucial milestone in the birthplace of the Arab Spring, where hopes of a successful democratic transition contrast starkly with other countries in the region rocked by regime change. But with revisions added after intense last-minute negotiations, a final draft had yet to be circulated two days before the scheduled scrutiny of the long-delayed charter, which is to be voted on article by article.
Ennahda, the ruling Islamist party, said the text that was completed in June but rejected by the opposition will be submitted to MPs and will have an index detailing the revisions it thrashed out with the opposition in December. The deadline for adopting the new constitution, which has been a work in progress for more than two years, has been set for January 14, the third anniversary of the revolution that ousted former autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Lawmakers must examine a text that includes about 150 articles and 225 proposed amendments, with each requiring endorsement by a majority of MPs. The constitution itself must then be approved by two thirds of the assemblys 217 elected members or put to a referendum. One of the key outstanding issues is
the power retained by the national assembly up until the next parliamentary elections, whose date has yet to be determined, with the Islamists, who hold the largest number of seats, insisting they should be able to legislate. Other contentious topics, notably the prerogatives of the head of state in a country that recently emerged from five decades of dictatorship, appear to have been resolved. The Islamists, who were persecuted under Ben Ali, had argued for maximum limitations, but many wanted to see power divided between the prime minister and the president. The final version will give the head of state responsibility for determining general policies in the areas of defence, external relations and national security, according to the official TAP news agency. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
International
People watch fireworks on the new years celebration at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
AFP
Visitors watch a light show as part of a New Year countdown celebration on The Bund in Shanghai
REUTERS
2014
Fireworks light up the sky in down town Beirut close to the Mohammed al-Amin mosque in Lebanon
AFP
Balloons of the number 2014 are seen during New Years Eve celebrations in Times Square
REUTERS
People release balloons to celebrate the New Year during an annual countdown ceremony in Tokyo
AFP
2014
A reveller (unseen) writes 2014 with sparklers ahead of New Years Eve, in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
REUTERS
Fireworks explode next to the Quadriga sculpture atop the Brandenburg gate
REUTERS
People gather to celebrate the New Year at the Piazza San Marco in Venice
AFP
REUTERS
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DHAKA TRIBUNE
Editorial
LETTER OF THE DAY
Letters to
the Editor
in o Salish Kendra has expressed concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in our country, and with good reason. Despite our economic and social achievements, the past year seems to have seen us go backward in terms of fundamental human rights. There is no question that the major contributory factor here is the unprecedented spate of violence that law enforcement has had to contend with. The past year has seen both the citizenry and law enforcement come under attack like never before, and many of the measures that have been put in place have been necessary for the maintenance of public order and to protect and safeguard the public. However, be that as it may, maintaining law and order at the expense of fundamental freedoms is not a sustainable practice. Thus, while law enforcement needs to remain ever vigilant, there must also be lines that it does not cross in terms of arbitrary arrests, custodial torture, use of excessive force, and extra-judicial killings and disappearances. While heavy-handed tactics used against political activists, miscreants, and those involved in violent confrontations with law enforcement or directed at the public are not to be condoned either, law enforcement must be extra vigilant to avoid actions which target or unacceptably harass ordinary citizens. Finally, it is important that law enforcement be left to the law enforcers and that there be zero tolerance for ruling party supporters taking on a vigilante role and violence perpetrated by them should be treated the same way as that by anyone else. We understand just how difficult the task facing our law enforcers is, and we salute their efforts. At the same time, in a democracy, respect for fundamental freedoms and rights must not be forgotten.
Election 2014
December 28
While law enforcement needs to remain ever vigilant, there must also be lines that it does not cross
Kabir Shabbir Who is going to vote? Im not! MD Easir Arafat Siddik Thats an incredible building, helpless in front of our politicians. Such a sad sentiment.
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The government needs to do more to protect and boost the benefits received by the economy via remittances
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to regulate our lives. Women find many ways to work with the system. Slut shaming is a weapon designed to prevent women from manipulating the very system and use their sexuality to exercise power. Women may be victims, but not without agency. What the ad apparently fails to convey is that maybe men and women shouldnt have to interact within such a questionable system. That if they choose to interact sexually, it may be done in a way where all parties feel safe, secure and in control of what happens to their bodies. The problem is not with men perceiving women as sexual beings. Attraction between people is natural and healthy. What women object to is the sheer disregard lookers have for the owner of the body.
A feminist response
n Fahima Durrat
DHAKA TRIBUNE
n Mamun Rashid
t seems that we have been living with too many myths for the last 42 years or so, and efforts to demystify those myths have been few. If you ask someone how many people were killed during the 1971 liberation war, the instant answer may be three million. Or, the person answering your question may take a deep breath and tell you he is not quite sure. BBC and The Economist reports would tell you that around 500,000 people were killed in the 1971 liberation struggle. The same was the case with the number of women abused, or overall casualties. Since Bangabandhu erroneously mentioned the number to be three million in a television interview, his followers have been living for four decades with a wrong figure. Recently, we have seen Indian researchers and other international news networks coming up with much lower numbers than the ones our political seniors have been claiming. No matter how many people were killed, Bangladesh fought a valiant war against Pakistan and got its independence, and prospered. We all should be proud of this. Who killed democracy in Bangladesh? Awami League stalwarts and Dhaka University professors might point fingers at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. Reality tells us, when our father of the nation was brutally killed on August 15, 1975, there was no democracy in Bangladesh. The country had already been forced into one-party rule Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BAKSAL). Who did compromise with the Muslim rulers in the Gulf, including those
in Saudi Arabia? It was Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, who was thoughtful enough to find out the importance and synergy of the emerging Muslim strength available for our Muslim majority country. He did it even at the cost of his friendship with Tajuddin Ahmed. Who hijacked the ballot boxes in 1973? Even todays leaders like Nuhul Alam Lenin or Matia Chowdhury would answer: It was nobody other than Awami League hoodlums. Who said: We dont want rule of law, we want rule of Mujib? Even Tofael Ahmed may tell you it was Fazlul Haque Moni.
give a lot of credit to Bangladeshis for their success in poverty alleviation, womens empowerment, and inclusive growth. Ironically, most of those shouting for upholding the spirit of the liberation war didnt join the war. A few of them connived with Pakistan occupying forces. They never realised that our martyrs dreamt of upholding democracy too. They dreamt of the right to vote and to select our own leaders through a peaceful and inclusive election. People want the trial of the war criminals, but not at the cost of democracy. People want to decide who should run this country on their own.
Our ill-motivated political masters have so far been successful in deceiving many of us and keeping us engaged in unnecessary debates and fairy tales
Who said the skin of Sheikh Mujib was to be used for stitching shoes? Amir Hossain Amu might say it was todays minister and erstwhile JSD leader Hasanul Haque Inu. If you dont dare to ask these ministers now, go to a humble and soft speaking gentleman named Mujahidul Islam Selim, he should have an answer. You hear every now and then that BNP wants to return Bangladesh to Pakistan. But nobody dares say it out loud. Bangladesh is an independent country. No matter who says what, thousands of Khaleda Zias cant make Bangladesh into another Pakistan. Ask any senior Pakistani. They dont want Bangladesh back. Rather, they
Now coming to the much-discussed anti-India campaign, it was military ruler Ershad who kept pointing fingers at India for all the plights of Bangladeshis. Ziaur Rahman wanted migration of the best practices whenever and wherever possible. Sadly, he gave a lot of leeway to Islamist forces, including Jamaat-e-Islami, for the sake of multi-party democracy. People didnt want this from the Z Force commander, and more importantly, from the person who made the announcement of our independence on behalf of our great leader Sheikh Mujib. How did people like Khondoker Mostak Ahmed succeed? Was it because Bangabandhu believed in his
story of Indian excesses with regard to the Ganges water treaty and border disputes? After the sad killing of Bangabandhu, many of his colleagues joined Mostak too, which had nothing to do with Zia. Ask any woman leader: Who should be blamed for the violence against women these days? While Muslim League Razakars or Jamaats al-Badr or al-Shams had proven engagement in the atrocities committed on our sisters and mothers in 1971, most of them would still point fingers at Jamaat or Hefazat or at least Islamist forces. Ground realities may tell you different stories, and at times may put teachers, professionals, or civil society members in the dock for violence against women or keeping them in the corner. Social researchers would attribute this to social degradation, youth unemployment, the lack of legal enforcement, or corruption. Our ill-motivated political masters have so far been successful in deceiving many of us and keeping us engaged in unnecessary debates and fairy tales. No doubt, we must always champion the causes of our liberation war, believe in the strength of people, and take the toiling masses forward through distributive justice. But we also need to move on with the right campaign, the right direction, and no-nonsense attitude. We live in a globalised and integrated world now. Back-dated and illogical thinking can only take us to the past and keep us there. But our young generation does not want to go back, rather, they want empowerment through good education and scientific thinking. l Mamun Rashid is a business professor and financial sector entrepreneur.
pparently the Indian PSA about sexual harassment is a violation of human rights, or so it would seem, from an article recently published in Dhaka Tribune (December 28). It possibly tried to expose the double standards of society which simultaneously encourages and vilifies male sexuality. And, the double standard of women who are offended by lustful looks despite dressing in low-cut low hips. At the same time, the writer has managed to reach a very feminist position (although he might argue its a more holistic and truly egalitarian humanist position), and a very sexist one. Let me explain. His position is feminist because unwittingly it identifies a core feminist concern patriarchy. This is a system that ideally wants to see male sexuality as potent and dominant. It is patriarchy that teaches you, dear writer, and forces you, to stay up the ladder. In this system, sex is not a mutually satisfactory endeavour but an acquisition of pleasure. In the messy reality, however, this can result in the demonisation of male sexuality where any man is a potential pervert. This is not women shortchanging you, this is patriarchy backfiring on you. You are, instead of acknowledging the existence of a bad system, trying to fix its little loopholes so you can get on with the program without any hassle. The Mumbai ad itself is not necessarily feminist. But it gets across a point. The point is that this predator-prey mode of interaction, this age-old game of hide-and-seek where the female body is the it, where you score a point if you can get a peek, or get her to give you a peek this is not a game women want to play. Your moves and your victory dances are all happening with unwilling people. Often clothing isnt sexual invitation, and even sexy attires are not permission to objectify. Even when you are invited, your response may still not be disrespectful to the host. In short, dont pee in the pool. Society does teach and encourage men to dehumanise and objectify women, and blaming the agents instead of the system can only go so far. Shouldnt the attractive women also be blamed for following societys dictates? This is why we need feminism: To point out the power disparity between sexes. The men who harass women have the license from their society to look at womens bodies in exclusion of their personhood and without any major repercussion. The best the unwilling recipients of this attention can do is to shame them (through an ad campaign, for example) and hope that the message sinks in. Most women grow up knowing that their worth is directly proportional to their looks, then are vilified for trying to look as attractive as possible, and then get crucified for resisting the humiliation of objectification (and the harassment that follows). Society has many ways of punishing women who dont listen. The acceptance and encouragement of street harassment is one of the ways
Society does teach men to objectify women, and blaming the agents instead of the system can only go so far
The direct causation you feel between a womans clothing and your desire to leer is actually mediated by societys attitude. Gradual changes in how women view the male body from embarrassed to indifferent to appreciative prove just that. Feigning helplessness in the hand of biology is wrong, because even what we would find attractive height, width, complexion is greatly dictated by norm. You see this thing that we are doing arguing over who should bear responsibility for street harassment that is a political debate. This, my friend, is feminism. Feminism is the activism to re-negotiate the balance of power between genders in a way that does not disfavour women and anything that is associated with femininity. The word humanism doesnt work, because it takes away focus from the power imbalance and glosses over centuries of structurally embedded inequality. Lets talk some more about power and privilege. When women notice men in the streets, do they feel bad? Do women usually look at an attractive man in a way that makes him feel violated? Can women get away with it? These are questions of power. Not physical power, but a social one. Its entirely fair to raise questions about sexuality and human relationships, especially in societies where notions of propriety are changing, and the change is being interfered by consumerism. You can turn this into a zero sum battle between sexes where only ones interest will take precedence. Or you could turn this into a discussion about how to share responsibility and allowances, a conversation over keeping the public spaces between (and among) men and women reasonably desexualized, so all kinds of relationships can thrive. Be part of the solution, not the problem. l Fahima Durrat is a freelance contributor.
UN to the rescue?
n Tamim Choudhury
s Bangladesh witnesses a civil war-like scenario over the upcoming elections, the United Nations has been increasingly involved in its affairs. The UN Secretary General voicing strong concern over widespread election-related violence creates a sense of dj vu as we have witnessed this scenario before. This time around, with the incumbent and opposition roles reversed, UN warnings to abide by international norms offer little solace to those injured and terrorised by opposition-launched attacks in the name of democracy. From the UN secretary general calling the prime minister to condemn the ongoing violence, to UN Assistant Secretary General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco desperately attempting reconciliation between the warring parties, to UN High Commissioner Navi Pillay warning that Bangladeshi political leadership can face International Criminal Court prosecution for causing destructive brinkmanship, the UN has exhibited a high amount of interest in Bangladesh. Although Mr Taranco tried to hold dialogues and reach a compromise, the winner-takes-all attitude prevailed, leading to the dysfunctional confrontational standpoint. Mr Taranco had also proposed election deferment
and UN assistance in conducting the parliamentary election. Whereas UN statements and actions appear well-intended to create a peaceful, inclusive, and fair election process, how beneficial has the global international cooperation organisation been for Bangladesh? Political observers will recall how the events of January 11, 2007 changed the course of history for Bangladesh. Former army chief General Moeen Ahmed stated that on that day, UN Undersecretary General Gueheno called him to warn that if the Bangladesh Army played a role in a one-sided election, the UN would consider withdrawing the nations armed forces from its peacekeeping operations. Moreover, a US Embassy, Dhaka cable from January 12, 2007, reports that Brigadier Amin declared a number of reasons behind the military-issued state of emergency:The UN Secretary Generals concern on Bangladesh, the local UN representative specifically linking peacekeeping operations with military support for elections, and a letter from the UN linking military actions with peacekeeping. The UN inciting a military takeover was a remarkable episode in its 60year history as a global peacekeeping institution. The lucrative peacekeeping contracts were used as leverage; this was a carrot-and-stick approach
by the UN to intervene in the nations internal political affairs. During 2007, Bangladeshs peacekeeping contracts brought in $300 million annually, a significant sum for a cash-strapped nation; half of the funds went to the participating soldiers.The missions also provide the Bangladesh Army significant international exposure and are a significant point of pride. As the military embarked upon ruling the nation from behind the curtain of a technocratic government, its notable successes included registering 80 million new voters and conducting the freest, fairest election in the nation, as judged by the international community. As protests were banned under the state of emergency, the nation was mostly safe from turmoil, except during the student-led riots of mid-2007 calling for restoration of democracy and disbandment of the army camp in Dhaka University. The Anti Corruption Commission led an unprecedented campaign to eliminate corruption. Those who we thought were sky-high above the law were actually imprisoned. However, the military-installed caretaker government conducted mass arrests of politicians on spurious charges that blew away upon the changing of political winds, businessmen were arbitrarily detained and freed upon making payments to military officers,
as noted by Human Rights Watch, and the entire anti-corruption drive fell like a house of cards when Mr Ten Percent flew off to Britain. Although a Human Rights Commission was formed and the judiciary was formally separated from the executive, the commission has become a mouthpiece begging for justice and the court has gone back into the prime ministers fold. Historically, Bangladesh fought to gain a seat at the UN. Upon dual vetoes by the Chinese in 1972 and 1973, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman could finally address the UN General Assembly on September 24, 1974. UN assessments are highly valued by the Bangladesh government.Receiving a UN award in 2010 for reduction of maternal and childhood mortality is cited as a distinguished achievement by the administration. Being ranked 16th out of 74 UN recipient nations on foreign direct investment flows is notably promoted by Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, DC. The global body carries authoritative weight on judging Bangladeshs successes and failures. A few years back, I visited UN headquarters in New York City.Located by East River on an 18-acre site in Manhattan, the world landmark includes the 39-story Secretariat, General Assembly, conference, and library buildings. Inside the perimeter,
a line of multicoloured flags depict 193 member states. The tour starts from the General Assembly public lobby, leading to General Assembly hall, the central UN organ where member states discuss global issues requiring international cooperation.
troops, police, and military experts. This source of national prestige and high revenue was utilised by the worlds international cooperation body in 2007 to avoid a one-sided election and the violence linked to it. Whereas some civil society figures
After 42 years as a sovereign nation, if Bangladesh still requires international assistance for governance, it has serious problems
The 1,800-person chamber holds a rostrum on front, with a green marble desk and matching lectern. The high ceiling is topped by a shallow dome ringed by light fixtures. Moreover, the chambers front portion is surrounded by a semicircular wall. While trekking the halls, I noticed two South Asian gentlemen in suits and badges admiring a poster. One remarked to the other in Bengali: The peacekeeping soldier in this photo is from Bangladesh. Currently, Bangladeshs total contribution of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping operations is almost 8,000. This is the secondlargest deployment among contributing nations and includes and organisations such as Asian Human Rights Commission have openly called for UN intervention for saving ordinary peoples lives and liberties, how much of a benefit will this have for the nation? After 42 years as a sovereign nation, if Bangladesh still requires international assistance for governance and holding elections, it has serious problems that must be remedied. The ultimate question is: Who helps Bangladesh when its leadership completely fails to safeguard its citizens?Is foreign intervention the nations only saviour to lift it out of this crisis?l TamimChoudhury is a communications analyst based in greater Washington, DC.
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DHAKA TRIBUNE
Entertainment
n Shadma Malik
To mark pioneering artist Zainul Abedins birth centenary, an exhibition titled Shilpacharya and His Outer World of Art is being held at the Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts till January 11. The exhibition features 17 artworks by the legendary artist, popularly known as the Shilpacharya, and 53 artworks by the three generations of Abedins family members. The pioneer of contemporary art in Bangladesh, Abedin has influenced many disciples and his teaching has spread through generations. Few members of Abedins extended family also chose fine arts as a profession. Nature-based water colour artworks by Abedins youngest brother Zunabul Islam who was the protge as well as colleague of Abedin are on display. Abedins youngest son Maidul Abedin who is an engineer displayed faces, adding colour and design on it. The Shilpacharyas granddaughter Manize Abedin, daughter of his second son Khairul, exhibited paintings of faces; and like her famous grandfather, Manize has interest in drawing human faces. It is noticeable that the common element in Abedin and his familys style is their preference in choosing nature and people as subjects of artworks. Abedins last painting Two faces with brush and ink, which has been collected by his widow Jahanara Abedin, is on display. At the inauguration, his wife recalled memories of her beloved husband by saying: He was a true patriot. During the Liberation War he was offered to flee, but he refused by saying that he decided to stay with his people in Bangladesh. Joking, Jahanara said: After my marriage, I always disagreed with the fact that he had a good sense of colours, as I always saw him giving me white coloured sarees. Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin established the Art Institute in 1948, paving way to start the journey of contemporary art in the region. It was his artistic endeavour to enrich the country through art. The legacy of Shilpacharyas style have created many artists and shall encourage generations to come forward. l
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TODAY IN DHAKA
Exhibition
Shilpacharya and his Outer World of Art Time: 12pm-8pm Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, House 42 Road 16 (New) / 27 (old), Dhanmondi City of Rhythm Second phase of Kazi Salahuddin Ahmed Time: 12 8pm Shilpangan, House 7 Road 13 (New) Dhanmondi Zainul Quamrul Exhibition Time: 10am 8pm Nalini Kanta Bhattasali Gallery, National Museum
n Entertainment desk
Inspired from the Tamil blockbuster Mudhalvan, Nayak remains as one of the milestones of Anil Kapoors career. Post the success of 24, the actor who is busy with a lot of films, has plans to make a sequel to his popular film. Anil revealed that he will coproduce and act in the sequel which will have a different storyline with cues taken from real-life incidents. The second installment will also have a plot revolving around politics where the lead will play a crusader of sorts. However, the female lead and director for the film is yet to be finalised. While Anil maintains that the film is still in its early stages, he also stated that it will go on floor in early 2015. l
Film
Pacific Rim in 3D Escape Plan The Conjuring The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Star Cineplex Bashundhara Cityd Gravity Blockbuster Cinemas, Jamuna Future Park A scene from Shopnokonya
Sport
Country Opposition Year New Zealand Pakistan South Africa West Indies Pakistan New Zealand Sri Lanka Ireland India Pakistan West Indies 2014 Sri Lanka 1996 Zimbabwe 2006 Bangladesh 1999 India 2005 West Indies 2014 Pakistan 1996 England 2011 Australia 2013 Bangladesh 2010
DHAKA TRIBUNE
13
0 7 3
DAYS TO GO
14 Younis, Misbah tons defy Sri Lanka 15 Solskjaer Cardiff s new manager?
Balls Player 36 37 44 45 45 46 48 50 52 53
RESULT
Abahani
Osei Morrison 48
1 0 Brothers Union
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
forward Kester Akon 14Brothers snatched the ball from Abahani defender Samad Youssif but shot straight to the goalie from the edge of the box. Brothers midfielder Sohel Rana shot to Abahani goalie Sohel but the ball bounced off and in a goal mouth melee, Nigerian forward Victory Antony shot the ball over the crossbar. Abahani midfielder De Souzas corner flew into the middle of the box and found Morrison, who tapped but Brothers goalie Sabuj Das Roghu dived to grip the ball. GOAL! Osei Morrison took the lead for Abahani. Touhidul Alams cross deflected off Francis and Morrison volleyed home from the middle of the box. Rubel Miah made his way through the Abahani defence, with a Jewel Rana through but Waly Faisal made a goal line save. + Brothers Union forward Abdul Maleks shot was cleared by Abahani defender Mishu from the goal line.
38
45
48 77
90
Corey Anderson of New Zealand bats during the third ODI match against West Indies in Queenstown yesterday
AFP
1.41.161.2146146166.6.61..666661.14411664124161221
the middle of the box. Brothers went all out for the equalizer after that. They had three opportunities to restore the parity. In the 79th minute, Jewel Rana delivered a brilliant through pass for Rubel Miah to run towards the goal. Rubel broke into the penalty area, dribbled past the onrushing Abahani keeper and took a shot that was brilliantly cleared by Waly Faisal at the near post. Four minutes later, Victori Antonis header from a cross from Kester Akon was cleared away by Cameroonian midfielder Yoko Samnick for a corner. In injury time, after Rubels shot was blocked by Sohel, Kester received the rebound and passed it to an unmarked Abdul Malek, whose shot was cleared by Meshu off the goal line. l
MOST RUNS
Player Anamul Haque 7 Tamim Iqbal 7 Sabbir Rahman 7 Soumya Sarkar 6 Jahurul Islam 6
Inns
Brothers Unions Ghanaian defender Issah Yousuf denies Abahanis Ghanaian striker Osei Morrisons effort during their Bangladesh Premier League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday COURTESY
MOST WICKETS
Player Al-Amin Hossain 7 Shakib Al Hasan 6 Taijul Islam Dewan Sabbir Subashis Roy 7 5 6
The Victory Day T20 Challenge Cup also served the board in demonstrating that the security situation for cricketers was satisfactory. In this regard, the tournament was a success as on Tuesday, the Sri Lankan high commission gave the green light for the Lankan tour, which is scheduled to being on January 25, to go ahead. l
Abahani defender Atikur Rahman Mishu admitted Abahani had not been at its best. We did not play well and I think we are also lucky to avoid defeat. We will work hard in the upcoming days said Mishu, who cleared a ball from the goal line. Naeemuddin thought the day was not theirs. Two goal line saves and other hard efforts that did not see light. We took the field to fight and win but it did not happen. However, I am proud of my young boys who lacked experience, but showed hurriedness. Actually quickness was required, said Naeemuddin. l
14
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Sport
n AFP, Abu Dhabi
SCORECARD, DAY 2
SRI LANKA 1ST INNINGS 204
(overnight 46 1) Khurram Manzoor run out 21 Shehzad c Karunaratne b Eranga 38 Mohammad Hafeez c Silva b Lakmal 11 Younis Khan b Eranga 136 Misbah-ul-Haq not out 105 Asad Shafiq not out 12 Extras: (lb1, nb2, w1) 4 Total: (four wkts; 109 overs) 327 Fall of wickets 1 46 (Manzoor 23), 2 59 (Hafeez), 3 83 (Shehzad), 4 301 (Younis) Bowling Lakmal 27 7 84 1 (1nb, 2w) Mathews 9 0 36 0, Eranga 24 5 63 2, Herath 31 9 77 0, Senanayake 18 2 66 0
Victoria Azarenka blows a kiss to the audience after defeating Casey Dellacqua in their women's singles match at the Brisbane International in Brisbane yesterday REUTERS
Lankas first innings total of 204. Asad Shafiq was the other not out batsman with 12 as Pakistan dominated the day after Sri Lanka took two early wickets in the first session. Pakistan now lead by a healthy 123 runs, primarily because of Younis and Misbah sharing 218 runs for the fourth wicket. Younis hit spinner Rangana Herath for his 13th boundary to complete his hundred, taking just 47 balls for his second 50 runs. He also hit a six. Younis equalled Javed Miandads record of 23 centuries, the third highest for Pakistan in the list topped by Inzamam-ul Haq (25) and Mohammad Yousuf (24). Younis was finally bowled by paceman Shaminda Eranga after his 198-ball knock which included 19 fours and a six. Younis was happy with his performance. I tried to motivate Misbah and he tried to do the same to me, saying that we must stay at the wicket and thats how our partnership developed and gave the team a good position, said Younis, who has now scored 1,659 runs in 22 matches against Sri Lanka the most in Tests for Pakistan. Former captain Inzamam-ul Haq scored 1559 in 20 Tests. Younis is hoping Pakistan can build on the lead on Thursday.
If we bat for another one hour tomorrow and add as many runs as possible, it will be good because Sri Lanka has some good players and I remember the last time we played them here (in 2011), Kumar Sangakkara got double hundred in the second innings (to draw the match). Misbah had luck on his side as he was dropped by Mahela Jayawardene when on 69, as he tried to paddle sweep Herath and the fielder, moving to legslip, failed to hold an easy chance. Misbah had also survived a close leg-before appeal on 48 off a luckless Herath as Sri Lankas referral was wasted as TV umpire Ravi Sundaram adjudged the ball had hit the bat. The Pakistani skipper reached his hundred with a single off spinner Sachitra Senanayake, taking 297 minutes for the century which included 12 boundaries. He has so far hit 13 boundaries in his chancy innings and once again proved to be the mainstay for Pakistan. Sri Lanka had taken the second new ball with Pakistan 251-3 but they only bagged one wicket in the last two sessions. Eranga was the best bowler with 2-63. Sri Lanka had started the day by dismissing Mohammad Hafeez (11) and Ahmed Shehzad (38) after Pakistan resumed at 46-1. l
Pakistan batsman Younis Khan (R) celebrates scoring a century as teammate Misbah-ul-Haq looks on the second day of the first Test match against Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday AFP
Drogba, Toure on Allegri says he has spent his Ronaldinho final shortlist for 'last Christmas' as Milan coach voted South African award Americas best Reuters n AFP, Abuja Reuters, Montevideo
n
Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure remains on course for a third straight CAF African Player of the Year Award after he made the final three-man shortlist on Tuesday. The Ivorian pair of Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba make the final three for a second successive year and will be joined by John Obi Mikel of Nigeria, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on their website. The 30-year-old Toure won the award in 2011 and 2012. Compatriot Didier Drogba, 35, who plays for Turkish club Galatasaray, has also won the award twice, in 2006 and 2009. It is the first time that 26-yearold Chelsea midfielder Mikel has made the final three. The 2013 winner will be announced at a ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria, on January 9. l Beleaguered Massimiliano Allegri has spent his last Christmas as AC Milan coach, he said in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport on Tuesday. Allegri, in his fourth season at the club, has survived a dreadful four months against a backdrop of political manoeuvring at the club, and admitted he had no thoughts of continuing next term. This is certainly my last Christmas at Milan, but I have eaten Panettone here once again and to be honest I had no doubt that I would, he said, referring to the constant speculation about his future since early this season. I dont know who will be the next coach and its not really my problem, he added. Milan reached the Christmas break in 13th place in Serie A with only 19 points from 17 games, and a mere four wins to their credit. They are 17 points adrift of Napoli who are in third place, which earns a place in the Champions League playoff round. They also performed erratically in the Champions League, winning only two group games, but managed to qualify for the last 16 and ironically are Italys only survivors in the competition. Realistically, I dont know how far we can go in Europe, but we have a good chance of getting to the quarterfinals, said Allegri whose side face Atletico Madrid in the last 16. A lot can change between now and February. In another interview with Sky Sports Italia, Allegri admitted: The last four months in the championship have been disastrous. For the new year, we must try and reach third place. Its a huge gap but we have to do all we can to get as many points as possible, even knowing that it will be difficult. l
Japan's Yokohama F Marinos captain Shunsuke Nakamura (C) holds up the Emperor's Cup during the awards ceremony of the Emperor's Cup final in Tokyo yesterday. Yokohama F Marinos beat Sanfrecce Hiroshima with a2 0 AFP
Ronaldinho, who had a disappointing Club World Cup this month, has been elected South American footballer of the year in the annual poll conducted by the Uruguayan daily El Pais. Ronaldinho, who helped Atletico Mineiro win the Libertadores Cup for the first time in July, finished ahead of fellow Brazilian Neymar, winner the previous two years who left Santos for Barcelona, with Argentinas Maxi Rodriguez of Newells Old Boys third. A World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002 but unlikely to win a place in the team hosting next years finals, Ronaldinho also won Europes Ballon dOr in 2005 and FIFAs World Player of the Year award in 2004 and 2005 when he was at Barcelona. Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli was second and Gerardo Martino, who left Newells for Barcelona in July, third. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Sport
15
Arsenal 20 Cardiff City Bendtner 88, Walcott 90 Crystal Palace 11 Norwich Puncheon 44 P Johnson 39 Fulham 21 West Ham Sidwell 32, Diame 7 Berbatov 66 Liverpool 20 Hull Agger 36, Suarez 50 Southampton 03 Chelsea Torres 60, Willian 71, Oscar 82 Stoke 11 Everton Assaidi 49 Baines 90 P Sunderland 01 Aston Villa Agbonlahor 15 Swansea 23 Man City Bony 45, 90 Fernandinho 14, Toure 58, Kolarov 66 West Brom 10 Newcastle Berahino 87 P
RESULTS
Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner (L) shoots and scores past Cardiff City goalkeeper David Marshall (R) during their English Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium in London yesterday REUTERS
on the hour with a close-range header after a deflected cross from Oscar came back off the post, with Willian making it 2-0 11 minutes later from Oscars pass. Liverpool responded to consecutive losses at the hands of City and Chelsea by winning 2-0 at home to Hull City, which took them back into the top four. Sixth faces seventh in the days late kickoff, with Manchester United welcoming Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford. Everton slipped out of the bottom four despite Leighton Baines scoring an injury-time penalty to earn Roberto Martinezs side a 1-1 draw at Stoke City, who had taken a 49th-minute lead through Oussama Assaidi. l
ANDERSON WAGONWHEEL
New Zealand M. Guptill c Ramdin b Holder J. Ryder c Miller by Holder B. McCullum c Simmons b Narine R. Taylor c Powell b Miller C. Anderson not out L. Ronchi not out Extras: (w2) Total: (four wickets; 21 overs)
SCORECARD
World number one Rafael Nadal celebrated the New Year with a longawaited atonement and a resolution to win a uniquely elusive title. The top-seeded Spaniards 6 2, 7 6 (9/7) win against Lukas Rosol, a Czech who upset him sensationally in the second round of Wimbledon 2012, carried him into the second round of the Qatar Open on Tuesday. This is the only ATP World Tour tournament which Nadal has failed in five attempts to win. Nadal insisted, however, revenge was far from his mind despite celebrating the win with an extravagant air punch. AFP
Bowling Narine 4 0 50 1, Holder 4 0 48 2, Rampaul 3 0 64 0, Miller 4 0 44 1, Bravo 4 0 48 0, Simmons 2 0 29 0 West Indies J. Charles c Neesham b Mills 0 L. Simmons c Milne b McClenaghan 13 C. Walton c Milne b Ryder 17 K. Powell c Neesham b McClenaghan 1 D. Bravo not out 56 N. Deonarine c Milne b Neesham 29 D. Ramdin not out 1 Extras: (lb 5, w 2) 7 Total: (five wickets, 21 overs) 124 Bowling Mills 2 0 11 1, McClenaghan 2 0 7 2, McCullum 5 0 27 0, Ryder 4 0 13 1, Neesham 4 0 21 1, Guptill 2 0 13 0, Milne 2 0 27 0 NZ won by 159 runs, Series: 1 1
ing you can do as a captain and bowler when those bats hit the ball so clean and everything goes their way. Anderson and Ryder put on 191 for the fourth wicket as they hammered the West Indies attack. After the start of the game was delayed five hours because of the weather, Ryder set the tone for the New Zealand innings when he cracked a boundary from the first ball he faced. l
DAYS WATCH
Sony Six NBA 2013 14 6:00AM Toronto v Indiana 08:00 AM LA Clippers v Charlotte 12:00PM Sri Lanka Tour of Pakistan 2013 1st Test, Day 3 8:45PM Club Football Friendly 2014 Paris St Germain v Real Madrid Star Sports 4 Hopman Cup 8:00AM Italy v Canada Ten Sports 07:00AM WTA Brisbane International Quarter-finals Star Sports 1 2:45PM Big Bash T20 Brisbane v Sydney 5:30AM (Friday) Australia v England 5th Test, Day 1
critics, who questioned McIlroys decision to switch to new equipment in 2013. Some even questioned if he still had the passion for the sport. But McIlroy, now sixth in the world rankings, ended a win drought of more than 12 months at the Australian Open a month ago and said in early December that he was pleased with how many times he had put himself in contention in a troubled season. l
16
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Back Page
A rare photo of the fruit of a tree, locally known as Shonatoler Gachh. The seed of this tree has long been used by goldsmiths for measuring gold. They say one seed of this tree is accurately one rotti, a local unit for measuring the precious metal. The photo was taken beside the rail tracks at Rajshahis Godagari Dhaka Tribune
In this situation, the question of further arguments is raised as the new chairman would have to include his/her observation in the verdict. Some prosecutors say there is no reason to hear the arguments again whereas other prosecutors and the defence say any member who joins in the middle of a trial conventionally hears the case again
The tribunal 1 has already deferred all its proceedings until January 7. From this, it is apparent that the new chairman may be appointed by this time. When contacted, State Minister for Law Quamrul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that they would fill the position within the shortest possible time. In this baffling situation, the question of further arguments is raised as the new chairman would have to include his/her observation in the verdict. Some prosecutors say there is no reason to hear the arguments again whereas other prosecutors and the defence say any member who joins in the
Army personnel stand guard at Kharkhari in Rajshahi city yesterday, to avoid arson attack during the indefinite blockades
DHAKA TRIBUNE
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 Office: 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
Business
A motorised boat carrying goods on the Buringanga river as alternative to roads that meet intense picketing during the blockades and shutdowns SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN
EPZs see Share margin loan investment reset at 100% growth of 29% n despite odds
Kayes Sohel
n Tribune Report
The countrys eight export processing zones experienced a healthy growth in both local and foreign direct investments as they were able to attract more than 29% investments in the first five months of the current fiscal year despite the prevailing political turmoil. Actual investments in the countrys eight EPZs increased by 29.38% to $154.47m in July-November period of the current fiscal year compared to $109.08m for the same time of 2012-13 fiscal year, according to a Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authorities (BEPZA) statement.
Actual investments in the countrys eight EPZs increased by 29.38% to $154.47m in July-November period of the current fiscal year compared to $109.08m for the same time of 2012 13 fiscal year'
Despite the countrys industrial sector suffers from various hostile situation, the investment scenario is still encouraging, claimed BEPZA in its statement. According to BEPZA, in July-November 2013, Chittagong EPZ attracted a total of investment worth $32.14m, followed by Dhaka EPZ of $57.25m, Karnaphuli EPZ of $13.57m, Adamjee EPZ of $35.79m, , Comilla EPZ of $3.92m, Uttara EPZ of $6.22m, Ishwardi EPZ of $1.63 m and Mongla EPZ of $3.94m. Meanwhile, the cumulative investment stood at $2940m up to November 2013 in the operating and also in under construction enterprises of the eight EPZs, the BEPZA statement said. Apart from that, the BEPZA has already signed investment agreements worth $85.35m with nine new companies, which would set up their industrial units in the EPZs as soon as possible. Of the agreements, five 100% foreign owned companies-three from China, one from United Kingdom and one from South Korea, two joint venture companies from China, Pakistan, Mauritius and Bangladesh and the rest two unitswill be fully Bangladeshi owned industrial units in the EPZs. These units will produce garments, garments accessories, tents and bags and tooth brushes and ball pens. After the completion of all those units, it is expected to create job opportunity for 25,750 Bangladeshi nationals. Currently, over 3.82 lakh Bangladeshi nationals are employed in a total of 425 industrial units in the countrys eight EPZs up to November 2013. l
Margin loan ratio or credit against stock has been reset at 100% with effect from yesterday, as part of the regulators earlier decision to cut down the margin ratio in phases. Lenders are now able to provide margin loan at 1:1 until June this year, cutting down from 1:1.5 a ratio that expired yesterday, according to Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). As part of its master plan outlined in early 2011, the commission had decided to bring down the ratio of margin loan aimed at minimising the investment risk for the market participants. The margin loan is the amount of loan provided by brokerage houses and merchant banks to the borrowers against the total value of their shares. For example the 1:1 loan ratio means, if an investor has Tk10 in cash or stocks worth Tk10, he or she will be able to receive another Tk10 as credit against the money or securities. The ratio will come down further to 1:0.5 from July 2014, according to the master plan. Earlier, it reduced to 1:1.5 from 1:2. We have already taken preparation
to follow new margin ratio beginning from today, said MA Hafiz, ex-president of Bangladesh Merchant Bankers Association, yesterday. The modified margin loan criteria will reduce the risks of investment, he said. He said purchasing capacity of most investors who invested in stocks on margin loans recently went in red because of big price correction. Investment without margin loan will help reduce risk substantially for retailers, he added. Asian Development Bank (ADB) earlier recommended the securities regulator to phase out the margin loan as investors who invested in the market taking credit from merchant bankers or brokers or dealers are vulnerable to sustain losses. Under the present market situation that remained volatile over the months, retailers showed no interest to take margin loans unlike situation during 2009-2010 when the market was rising, dealers said. Everybody with their own fund prefers to short term investment because of the market volatility, said a dealer. But investors have tendency to take loan when the market continued to spiral, he said. l
We have decided to implement the Mandatory Jute Packaging Act 2010 from today (Wednesday) and programmes would also be taken for creating mass awareness
BJMC would be able to provide fifty percent of the total requirement while the private jute mills would provide the rest of the demand, he added. Md. Kefayetullah, a director of Jute Department, said: We have already taken all the motivational programme to implement the act. At present synthetic bags are being indiscriminately used for packaging purpose, which is deteriorating our environment, Bangladesh Jute Mills
Four state-owned commercial banks would place initial business and automation plans to the Banking and Financial Institutions Division today as part of complying conditions under their recapitalisation programme, officials said. We will discuss on how the banks will implement their respective automation plan, said a senior official. The plans were supposed to be submitted within January 15. He said a committee headed by additional secretary of the division would scrutinise the plans. Additional Secretary Amalendu Mukerjee would chair the meeting at finance ministry to be attended by chairmen and managing directors of the banks Sonali, Janata, Agrani and Rupali. The government disbursed a total of Tk4,100 crore last week to make up the capital shortfall of the banks on condition the banks would reform the credit risk-related issues. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund set three new conditions
Sonali Bank head office in Motijheel, Dhaka for the state-owned commercial banks under its extended credit facility loans. The conditions include restoration of capital position, full recovery of default loans from state-owned enterprises and automation of the banking system by March this year. An IMF staff report released recently said the conditions imposed as the banks financial performance deteriorated due to the credit scams of HallMark and Bismillah groups.
The banks would be liable to carry a string of operational measures to improve their financial portfolios as a pre-condition to have the fund disbursed in the way of meeting their shortfalls in capital. The combined capital shortfall of the banks stood at Tk9,062 crore as of June 30 last year, an increase of about 360% from December 31, 2012, according to statistics of Bangladesh Bank. The International Monetary Fund has also recommended the finance ministry to inject money into the troubled banks so the banks concerned could face their challenges, said an official. The banks will have to implement a number of conditions to become eligible for the fund. An unusual spike in classified loan accounts for the astonishing rise in the shortfall, prompting calls for restructuring of the banks, said an executive of Bangladesh Bank. As per the refinancing plan of the finance ministry, Sonali Bank has been provided with Tk1,998 crore, Agrani Bank Tk1,200 crore, Janata Bank Tk600 crore and Rupali Bank Tk300 crore. l
The branches in the 59 districts will, however, remain closed on the day of election (Sunday) to facilitate bankers franchise their votes. The bank branches located in the five districts have been asked to remain open on Sunday to facilitate transactions and take necessary steps for keeping adequate fund. But clearing activities of the banks in the districts will remain close on the day. l
STOCKS
DSEX DS30 CSEX 0.46% 0.83% 0.54% 4286.15 1478.38 8422.92
EXCHANGE RATES
Average selling rates to public in BDT Banks Rupali Bank Sonali Bank Currencies SELL BUY SELL BUY USD 78.4 77.4 78.4 77.4 EURO INR SAR 109.075 1.335 21.005 105.863 108.323 1.179 1.28 20.537 21.010 105.847 1.18 20.534
B2
Stocks begin New Year with modest rally
n Kayes Sohel
Stocks began the New Year with a modest gain yesterday, as most investors stayed away from the market taking cue from grim economic outlook hit by political unrest. The benchmark index, DSEX, closed at 4,266 with a rise of 19 points or 0.5% to 4,286, extending the gaining streak for the second consecutive session. The DS30 Index comprising blue chips also gained marginally 12 points or 0.8% to 1,478. The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index, CSCX, rose 45 points to 8,422. Turnover improved a bit but it was still low considering market depth as it stood at Tk400 crore, an increase of almost 8% over the previous session. More than one-fifth of the total turnover came from the textile sector. Many retailers preferred staying on the sidelines, while some institutional investors took position in the beginning of the New Year, analysts say. Stocks of several low cap companies, including Rahima Food and CVO Petrochemical, hit upper limit circuit breaker, despite production of these companies remain suspended. Like other days, investors presence at the trading floor was thin due to continued blockade that made everything to grind to a halt. All the major sectors ended in green except banks which edged lower. The banks the market bellwether that makes up more than 30% of the total market cap remained under pressure because of
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Stock
DSE GAINERS Company
Closing (% change) 9.88 8.68 8.27 8.06 7.44 6.21 6.10 5.78 5.73 5.52
their profit dropping due to the political unrest. Banks profit dropped in 2013 because of rising non-performing loans as news reports published yesterday. Among the well performing sectors, power and financial institutions gained highest 1.8% and 1% respectively. Gainers outpaced losers as out of 291 issues traded, 165 advanced, 97 declined and 29 remained unchanged. Lanka Bangla Finance was the most traded stock, followed by Golden Son, Generation Next Fashion, RN Spinning, Appollo Ispat, Familytex and Delta Life Insurance.
Rahima Food -Z Padma Oil Co. -A IDLC Finance -A Samata LeatheR -Z CVO PetroChem RL Z Meghna Petroleum -A Aramit -A B I F C -A ApexAdelchi Ftr -A MutualTrust Bank-A
5.23
Average (% change) 10.47 7.22 6.02 7.99 8.39 4.89 6.60 3.65 4.28 5.63
Closing average 74.46 270.63 67.10 22.84 659.78 220.46 349.61 18.18 431.66 17.26
Closing 74.50 274.20 68.10 22.80 660.20 224.10 351.10 18.30 435.70 17.20
Daily high 74.50 274.30 69.10 23.20 660.50 226.00 356.00 18.70 440.00 17.70
Daily low 72.00 253.50 58.00 22.40 650.00 200.00 334.00 17.50 422.00 16.00
Yearly high 1.995 80.238 74.258 0.217 2.428 98.910 7.237 8.155 23.396 4.188
Yearly low 13.0 45.2 13.2 225.8 10.7 87.0 25.0 12.4 220.0 22.5
Turnover in million 3.023 0.008 4.598 141.428 0.497 1.887 38.822 5.072 90.785 4.765
5.43
104.64
104.60
106.00
99.40
11.764
CSE GAINERS Company Rahima Food -Z Northern G Insur-A Padma Oil Co. -A ApexAdelchi Ftr -A Aramit -A IDLC Finance -A ACI ZERO Bond-A Meghna Petroleum -A Imam Button -Z Sandhani Life -A Closing (% change) 9.86 9.84 8.72 8.58 8.50 7.61 7.50 6.55 6.25 5.20
Among the well performing sectors, power and financial institutions gained highest 1.8% and 1% respectively
2014 started with focusing on what would go wrong. Investors are worried about political debacle, economic outlook and upcoming challenges if political unrest keeps going like we just have gone through in previous year, said Lanka Bangla Securities in its market analysis. In this environment, stock market gave 5.19% return in 2013. Focusing on a batch of economic data like low inflation, slide in interest rates and record high foreign currency reserve achieved in the last year, investors have entered into a new year trading in stock market with a hope for strong base for investment, it said. However, challenges can be met avoiding risk only if the ongoing unrest over the election ends. l
Average (% change) 9.91 19.95 6.77 8.56 7.40 6.15 7.50 4.96 7.69 5.29
Closing average 70.20 41.30 269.99 434.25 356.14 67.18 881.50 220.58 8.54 74.90
Closing 70.20 41.30 274.20 434.30 359.80 67.90 881.50 224.40 8.50 74.90
Daily high 70.20 41.30 274.20 435.00 359.80 69.30 881.50 226.00 8.80 74.90
Daily low 70.20 41.30 253.10 434.00 344.00 64.20 881.50 214.00 7.90 74.90
Yearly high 0.070 0.062 6.453 0.347 0.321 9.495 0.002 2.026 0.030 0.037
Yearly low 87.2 13.5 7.0 24.2 228.3 23.0 225.0 65.1 13.2 26.0
Turnover in million 0.077 2.052 0.048 0.037 13.592 0.092 0.869 0.128 0.091 8.232
WED 01-Jan
(+) 0.46% (+) 0.83% (+) 0.45% (+) 0.74% (+) 0.54%
Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis) Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.) Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)
Average (% change) -9.16 -9.01 -6.56 -2.66 -2.75 -7.40 -5.12 -5.00 -2.10 -0.87 Average (% change) -10.73 -9.23 -6.36 -6.81 -1.96 -2.88 -4.90 -5.51 -3.30 -1.55
Closing average 33.61 35.33 88.99 30.73 41.00 131.82 75.60 38.00 19.16 22.71
Closing 33.30 35.30 87.00 29.80 39.90 133.00 75.60 38.00 18.70 22.00
Daily high 34.60 36.00 96.00 32.10 42.90 137.00 75.60 38.10 20.10 24.00
Daily low 33.30 35.00 85.50 29.60 38.30 127.50 75.60 38.00 18.60 20.70
Yearly high 34.60 36.00 96.00 32.10 42.90 137.00 75.60 38.10 20.10 24.00
Yearly low 33.30 35.00 85.50 29.60 38.30 127.50 75.60 38.00 18.60 20.70
Turnover in million 164.561 0.212 66.114 10.816 47.815 6.090 0.076 0.057 4.608 5.737
Closing average 124.34 33.64 87.50 64.30 40.97 30.70 93.00 13.20 90.90 36.10
Closing 124.30 33.30 86.40 64.30 39.70 29.90 93.00 13.40 90.90 35.50
Daily high 126.00 34.60 91.50 64.50 43.00 32.40 93.00 13.50 90.90 37.10
Daily low 124.20 33.30 85.40 64.10 39.00 29.60 93.00 12.60 90.90 35.30
Yearly high 0.093 26.961 0.786 0.064 6.149 2.840 0.005 0.271 0.045 48.194
Yearly low 9.0 23.0 38.1 7.1 35.0 21.0 4.7 28.8 36.0 20.8
Turnover in million 0.054 0.033 0.046 0.014 0.565 0.211 0.032 1.065 0.073 0.037
Dividend/AGM
DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company LankaBangla Fin. -A Golden Son -A Generation Next Fashions-A R. N. Spinning-Z Appollo Ispat CL -N Familytex (BD) Ltd.-N Delta Life Insu. -A Tallu Spinning -A Meghna Petroleum -A Mercantile Bank -A
ANALYST
2014 started with focusing on what would go wrong. Investors are worried about political debacle, economic outlook and upcoming challenges if political unrest keeps going like we just have gone through in previous year
CSE Total
DSE Million Taka 360.11 733.14 70.51 637.37 158.90 389.82 2.26 906.54 210.07 0.80 16.08 31.69 16.44 88.48 35.16 73.77 173.77 88.36 57.19 69.12 0.21
% change 8.74 17.80 1.71 15.47 3.86 9.46 0.05 22.00 5.10 0.02 0.39 0.77 0.40 2.15 0.85 1.79 4.22 2.14 1.39 1.68 0.01
Million Taka 36.12 77.90 4.55 95.83 15.58 29.40 86.46 21.32 0.15 1.37 3.81 4.18 8.25 6.95 2.46 8.89 8.06 10.01 13.19 0.02
% change 8.31 17.93 1.05 22.06 3.59 6.77 0.00 19.90 4.91 0.03 0.32 0.88 0.96 1.90 1.60 0.57 2.05 1.86 2.30 3.04 0.00
Million Taka 396.23 811.04 75.06 733.20 174.48 419.22 2.26 993.00 231.38 0.94 17.45 35.51 20.62 96.73 42.11 76.23 182.65 96.43 67.20 82.31 0.22
% change 8.70 17.81 1.65 16.10 3.83 9.20 0.05 21.80 5.08 0.02 0.38 0.78 0.45 2.12 0.92 1.67 4.01 2.12 1.48 1.81 0.00
Padma Oil Co. -A IDLC Finance -A Argon Denims Limited-A UCBL - A Bengal Windsor-N BD Building Systems -A First Lease- A Paramount Textile Ltd.-N Summit Purbanchol Power-N BATBCL -A
Volume shares 3,242,348 3,450,035 4,535,020 4,895,983 4,502,200 2,287,500 449,150 2,554,308 448,661 4,885,845
296,488 1,106,622 742,900 2,560,129 996,200 901,650 1,818,706 1,118,000 898,940 30,800
Value in million 225.81 224.95 171.57 164.56 162.51 133.81 122.33 101.05 98.91 84.02
80.24 74.26 66.11 65.13 64.72 63.14 61.78 60.45 56.97 52.28
% of total turnover 5.48 5.46 4.16 3.99 3.94 3.25 2.97 2.45 2.40 2.04
1.95 1.80 1.60 1.58 1.57 1.53 1.50 1.47 1.38 1.27
Daily closing 69.30 63.80 38.00 33.30 35.40 57.60 268.20 39.20 224.10 17.20
274.20 68.10 87.00 25.30 63.80 69.30 33.70 54.20 63.40 1595.20
Price change 4.21 -2.74 2.98 -9.76 -3.28 -0.86 0.56 2.89 6.21 2.99
8.68 8.27 -8.32 0.80 1.43 2.51 1.51 4.84 2.92 -0.49
Daily opening 66.50 65.60 36.90 36.90 36.60 58.10 266.70 38.10 211.00 16.70
252.30 274.30 62.90 69.10 94.90 96.00 25.10 26.00 62.90 65.90 67.60 71.80 33.20 34.70 51.70 55.60 61.60 63.80 1603.10 1700.00
Daily high 71.00 68.00 38.70 34.60 37.10 59.80 275.90 41.00 226.00 17.50
253.50 58.00 85.50 23.10 63.20 61.00 30.00 51.80 57.00 1592.30
Daily low 60.00 60.00 34.00 33.30 35.30 57.00 267.50 36.50 200.00 15.20
Daily average 69.64 65.20 37.83 33.61 36.10 58.50 272.36 39.56 220.46 17.20
270.63 67.10 88.99 25.44 64.97 70.03 33.97 54.07 63.38 1697.27
CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Appollo Ispat CL -N R. N. Spinning-Z Golden Son -A Paramount Textile Ltd.-N LankaBangla Fin. -A Generation Next Fashions-A Tallu Spinning -A People`s Leasing-A IDLC Finance -A Beach Hatchery -A
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
UNITED AIR A Bengal Windsor-N First Lease- A Delta Life Insu. -A UCBL - A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Padma Oil Co. -A Bay Leasing.-A
Volume shares 1,335,200 801,350 349,596 282,750 197,150 349,060 277,875 384,328 141,327 299,000
Barakatullah E. D.-A
544,933 130,800 247,000 29,000 295,875 205,512 23,900 150,100 93,680 165,506
Value in million 48.19 26.96 22.88 15.31 13.72 13.28 10.98 10.00 9.49 9.20
8.98 8.51 8.39 7.87 7.52 6.70 6.45 6.15 5.95 5.82
% of total turnover 11.10 6.21 5.27 3.53 3.16 3.06 2.53 2.30 2.19 2.12
2.07 1.96 1.93 1.81 1.73 1.54 1.49 1.42 1.37 1.34
Daily closing 35.50 33.30 63.80 54.20 69.50 38.10 39.30 25.90 67.90 30.10
16.40 63.90 33.80 265.20 25.30 32.40 274.20 39.70 63.50 35.20
Price change -3.27 -9.76 -3.04 4.63 4.35 2.42 2.88 1.57 7.61 -3.22
0.00 1.59 1.50 -0.71 0.40 0.93 8.72 -6.81 2.58 4.45
Daily opening 36.70 36.90 65.80 51.80 66.60 37.20 38.20 25.50 63.10 31.10
16.40 62.90 33.30 267.10 25.20 32.10 252.20 42.60 61.90 33.70
16.70 66.20 34.90 276.00 25.80 33.20 274.20 43.00 64.00 35.80
Daily high 37.10 34.60 67.20 55.80 70.80 38.70 40.60 26.50 69.30 32.00
16.30 63.20 33.30 263.60 25.00 31.00 253.10 39.00 62.10 34.40
Daily low 35.30 33.30 63.30 51.80 67.00 33.50 38.30 25.50 64.20 29.50
Daily average 36.10 33.64 65.46 54.15 69.61 38.06 39.52 26.02 67.18 30.78
16.48 65.09 33.97 271.53 25.43 32.59 269.99 40.97 63.49 35.19
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Business
The company was placed in Z category from A category because the management has failed to hold its AGM in the year 2013
Its shares worth more than Tk16 crore was changed hands, making up almost 4% of the total DSE turnover. According to its third quarterly unaudited statement, the textile companys profit stood at Tk40.8 crore, a sharp increase of 174% from profit it made in the same period a year earlier. In the first nine months of last year, its net profit was Tk111.3 crore, which is more than 25% from Tk88.7 crore in the corresponding period a year ago, said the company. Companys performance over the last couple of years has been improv-
B3
'Foreign fund investment increased in the early part of the year, but in the recent months they remained watchful over the market because of political unrest'
Net portfolio investment by foreign investors in the last year stood at Tk1,900 crore, a jump of 145% over the previous years Tk792 crore, according to the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). In 2013, foreign investors bought shares worth Tk2,652 crore, which was Tk1,348 crore in 2012 and sold stocks worth Tk700 crore against Tk550 during the period, according to DSE. Foreign investment in the Bangladesh stock market is the lowest among south Asian countries, as it accounts for around 2% of the total investment at the DSE. Banks were the foreign investors preferred sector, but non-bank financial institutions, power and energy, pharmaceuticals, multinationals, telecoms and IT also caught their attention in the last year. Foreign fund investment increased in the early part of the year, but in the recent months they remained watchful over the market because of political unrest, said an analyst at a brokerage firm. The figures for net portfolio investment may rise further in the coming days because of lower prices. But everything depends on political situation, he said. l
Eastern University Social Welfare Club (EUSOWCL) distributed warm clothes at Kamalapur Railway Station on December 27, 2013 after inaugurating its winter clothes collection campaign earlier on December 5, 2013 in the campus ground. The club distributed warm clothes among more than 1,500 cold-afflicted people. The Club purchased clothes and blankets with money collected from students, teachers, EU officials and administration. Dr Abdur Rab, Vice Chancellor and Oli Ahad Thakur, Chief Coordinator supported students to collect money. l
B4
n Tribune Business Desk
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Business
Totally outdated
Demand for flowers growing both at domestic and international market BFA official. He urged the respective authorities to look into such matters for the betterment of the industry. Tube rose, rose, orchid and marry gold are among the major flowers that make up Bangladeshs floral basket for exports. Most of the tube rose and rose supplies come from Jhikargachha of Jessore and Savar of Dhaka, marry gold from Chuadanga and orchid from Mymensingh and Manikganj. Bangladesh exports flowers and floral products to India, Pakistan, Italy, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, the United States, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Japan, Germany, Britain,
RAJIB DHAR
Denmark and France. Kenya, Israel, Zimbabwe, Ecuador, Uganda appeared as major flower exporting countries as the cut flower trade is a multibillion dollar world industry with the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Japan being major world consumers. l
Hiroyasu Ito, chairman of the Seafood Wholesalers Association, insists the move is crucial for Tsukiji to handle modern-day demands for freshness. Railroad freight cars used to roll into the market and unload fish and goods right here, he says, pointing to a large picture in his office that gives a birds-eye view of Tsukijis layout. We dont use the rail cars anymore. Now refrigerated trucks drive around instead. Key to ensuring perishable goods stay fresh is a so-called cold chain which maintains produce at a consistent temperature until consumers buy it, something the market is ill-equipped to do, Ito says. Customers want fresher and fresher seafood so that they can eat it raw, which puts pressure on us. Delivery people have had to come up with high-tech cooling methods, he says. We have managed to keep the fish cold in high-quality foam coolers. But were pushing the limit - Tsukiji is totally outdated. In the new facility, we plan to shut out air from the outside and keep the fish section at a steady temperature. But the move to a scrubbed-clean market farther away from downtown is not popular with some shoppers. The messy and crowded scenes at Tsukiji are what makes the place attractive, said out-of-town visitor Tetsuya Kojima, who added that he was unlikely to visit the new site. Some of the old guard are not about to leave quietly either. Union member Makoto Nakazawa, a leader in the fight to stop Tsukijis move, lashes out at what he sees as profit trumping all else. l
NEWS IN BRIEF
Wall St ends best year since 1990s with moderate gains
Stocks closed out their best year in more than 15 on Tuesday, with major indexes advancing throughout 2013 on the back of the Federal Reserves massive stimulus and expectations for accelerating growth going forward. Wall Street ended 2013 with its positive momentum intact, advancing in its final trading day of the year on the back of positive consumer confidence data. - Reuters
150 km
The Baltic state becomes the 18th member of the eurozone on January 1
tes sta
ESTONIA
Liepaja
RUSSIA
RIGA
RUSSIA
Population
(millions)
Created in 1999
Ba lti
Daugavpils LITHUANIA
BELARUS
80.5
2.1
LATVIA
1920 Independence from the Russian empire 1940-1941 Soviet, and later German, occupation 1945 Again occupied by the Soviet Union. Repression and Russification
65.6
GERMANY
331.1
FRANCE
11.1
GREECE
EUROZONE
2008-2009 Recession. Collapse in GDP of nearly 25% 2014 Joins the eurozone on January 1
1991 The Soviet Union collapses. 2nd Independence. 1994 Joins NATO and the EU
Trend in GDP %
Eurozone 25,700
Latvia 6,800
5.2
Latvia
Eurozone
Germany
4.0
4.1 1.7
0.5
a2013
1.1
2.6%
Inflation
2.3%
a2011
2011
2012
-0.7
-0.4
2013*
a2014
11.9%
Unemployment
12.2%
*Forecasts
2014*
The rupee ended lower yesterday, the first trading session of 2014, with traders focused on key macroeconomic data ahead of the Reserve Bank of Indias rate meeting later this month. - Reuters