EC rejects 'prostitution' as vocation
The Election Commission has rejected the proposal to include prostitution in the central database of voters' roll.
Election commissioner Sohul Hossain said the vocation 'sex worker' was omitted from voter registration forms to discourage it.
He said during the formulation of the voter list in 2007, 14 vocations were included in the registration form — government employee, private sector employee, physician, engineer, teacher, lawyer, banker, trade, labour, farmer, student, housewife, daily wage workers and unemployed.
People not falling under these categories would have to resort to 'others' for indicating profession.
The Photograph with Electoral Roll Project had proposed that the Election Commission (EC) to include 30 vocations in the registration form including prostitution. EC approved 29 of them, omitting prostitution.
Sohul Hossain told bdnews24.com that it might have seemed that prostitution was encouraged if it were included in the registration form.
"The proposal was rejected to discourage the vocation," he added.
He also said that people of this occupation will have to use 'other'.
The commission's position was that it did not have the authority to recognise or acknowledge vocations. But the inclusion of 'sex worker' in the voter form could hint at the commission's acknowledgement of the vocation.
The occupation is also discouraged by the society and religions, he said.
Sohul Hossain said that district administration does not give licenses to prostitutes; many of them carry on their activity under notary.
The registration form also includes occupations like blacksmith, fisherman, carpenter, cobbler, boatman, porter, butcher, cook, vendor, rickshaw puller, barber, tailor, judge, contractor, driver, nurse, journalist, retired government employee, and gardener.
In a query on the reason behind keeping 'student', 'house wife' and 'unemployed' in the form, the election commissioner said, "These pieces of information indicate a state of voters."
He also said that the registration form can provide 28 types of information about the voters and the national ID cards do not indicate the holder's vocation.
Prof SM Lutful Kabir, director of Information and Communication Institute (IICT) in Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), said the more information stored in the central database, the more useful it will be.
"Use of the database will be multidimensional then," he added.
Lutful Kabir worked as a counsellor in with the project in electoral roll preparation with photographs.
He said information collected by the election commission does not mean acknowledgement of certain vocations.
"However, the database may be helpful for statistics about voters in different professions," he said.
-bdnews
Election commissioner Sohul Hossain said the vocation 'sex worker' was omitted from voter registration forms to discourage it.
He said during the formulation of the voter list in 2007, 14 vocations were included in the registration form — government employee, private sector employee, physician, engineer, teacher, lawyer, banker, trade, labour, farmer, student, housewife, daily wage workers and unemployed.
People not falling under these categories would have to resort to 'others' for indicating profession.
The Photograph with Electoral Roll Project had proposed that the Election Commission (EC) to include 30 vocations in the registration form including prostitution. EC approved 29 of them, omitting prostitution.
Sohul Hossain told bdnews24.com that it might have seemed that prostitution was encouraged if it were included in the registration form.
"The proposal was rejected to discourage the vocation," he added.
He also said that people of this occupation will have to use 'other'.
The commission's position was that it did not have the authority to recognise or acknowledge vocations. But the inclusion of 'sex worker' in the voter form could hint at the commission's acknowledgement of the vocation.
The occupation is also discouraged by the society and religions, he said.
Sohul Hossain said that district administration does not give licenses to prostitutes; many of them carry on their activity under notary.
The registration form also includes occupations like blacksmith, fisherman, carpenter, cobbler, boatman, porter, butcher, cook, vendor, rickshaw puller, barber, tailor, judge, contractor, driver, nurse, journalist, retired government employee, and gardener.
In a query on the reason behind keeping 'student', 'house wife' and 'unemployed' in the form, the election commissioner said, "These pieces of information indicate a state of voters."
He also said that the registration form can provide 28 types of information about the voters and the national ID cards do not indicate the holder's vocation.
Prof SM Lutful Kabir, director of Information and Communication Institute (IICT) in Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), said the more information stored in the central database, the more useful it will be.
"Use of the database will be multidimensional then," he added.
Lutful Kabir worked as a counsellor in with the project in electoral roll preparation with photographs.
He said information collected by the election commission does not mean acknowledgement of certain vocations.
"However, the database may be helpful for statistics about voters in different professions," he said.
-bdnews
US$7 million Australian grants for water and sanitation
Australia will provide about seven million US dollar to Bangladesh as a grant for ensuring access to clean water and sanitation to four lakh marginal people of country's three southwestern coastal districts.
The grant will channel through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) as an additional aid to the existing Hygiene, Sanitation and Water Supply (HYSAWA) Fund of the governments of Bangladesh and Denmark.
The Australian support will enable the HYSAWA fund to extend its coverage from 513 to 553 Union Parishads, benefiting an additional 400,000 people in the Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira districts, Australian High Commission source said here today.
Australia's new involvement in water and sanitation development of Bangladesh reflects an overall increase in the bilateral development cooperation program, it said.
Australia's assistance in Bangladesh has reached 70 million Australian dollars in 2010-11 fiscal year, which is double comparing with the 2006-07 fiscal.
Bangladesh is currently the eighth largest bilateral recipient of Australian government development assistance globally, the source added.
An arrangement detailing Australia's support for HYSAWA was exchanged between Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dr Justin Lee, Denmark's Charge d' Affaires Jan Moller Hansen and the Chair of HYSAWA's Governing Board Manzur Hossain, at a ceremony at the High Commissioner's residence on Wednesday night.
Secretary of the Economic Relations Division M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, the Managing Director of HYSAWA Dr Enamul Kabir, Denmark's Ambassador-designate Svend Olling and AusAID's Dhaka head Rachel Payne were present on the occasion.
-BSS
The grant will channel through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) as an additional aid to the existing Hygiene, Sanitation and Water Supply (HYSAWA) Fund of the governments of Bangladesh and Denmark.
The Australian support will enable the HYSAWA fund to extend its coverage from 513 to 553 Union Parishads, benefiting an additional 400,000 people in the Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira districts, Australian High Commission source said here today.
Australia's new involvement in water and sanitation development of Bangladesh reflects an overall increase in the bilateral development cooperation program, it said.
Australia's assistance in Bangladesh has reached 70 million Australian dollars in 2010-11 fiscal year, which is double comparing with the 2006-07 fiscal.
Bangladesh is currently the eighth largest bilateral recipient of Australian government development assistance globally, the source added.
An arrangement detailing Australia's support for HYSAWA was exchanged between Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dr Justin Lee, Denmark's Charge d' Affaires Jan Moller Hansen and the Chair of HYSAWA's Governing Board Manzur Hossain, at a ceremony at the High Commissioner's residence on Wednesday night.
Secretary of the Economic Relations Division M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, the Managing Director of HYSAWA Dr Enamul Kabir, Denmark's Ambassador-designate Svend Olling and AusAID's Dhaka head Rachel Payne were present on the occasion.
-BSS
Jamdani fair begins in city
A 16-day International Jamdani Taant Bastra Fair began on the premises of Siddeshwari Girls School at Baily Road in the city.
The Bangladesh Weavers Product and Manufacturing Business Association (BWPMBA) organized the fair with the aim to regain its lost glory by promoting the traditional products at home and abroad.
Nilufar Faruk Khan, wife of commerce minister Lt Col (retd) Faruk Khan, inaugurated the fair as the chief guest.
BWPMBA senior vice-president M Salauddin, member of the school managing committee Kutubuddin Ahmed, among others, were present on the occasion.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Nilufar Faruk underscored the need for providing the sector with special incentives for expanding its export market.
She said the sector has huge potential to grow and has already created employment opportunities for poor especially the tribal people.
M Salauddin said exporters are suffering due to the recent hike of yarn prices and the government should look into it to help maximize profit of exporters in the sector.
The main objective of the fair is to know about customers' choice and attitude so that the quality of the jamdani clothing can be improved.
A good number of traditional clothing including jamdani saree, lungee, handloom products, 3-piece, 2-pieces are being displayed in 60 stalls.
The fair will remain open for all from 10am to 8pm and continue till before the Eid day.
-BSS
The Bangladesh Weavers Product and Manufacturing Business Association (BWPMBA) organized the fair with the aim to regain its lost glory by promoting the traditional products at home and abroad.
Nilufar Faruk Khan, wife of commerce minister Lt Col (retd) Faruk Khan, inaugurated the fair as the chief guest.
BWPMBA senior vice-president M Salauddin, member of the school managing committee Kutubuddin Ahmed, among others, were present on the occasion.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Nilufar Faruk underscored the need for providing the sector with special incentives for expanding its export market.
She said the sector has huge potential to grow and has already created employment opportunities for poor especially the tribal people.
M Salauddin said exporters are suffering due to the recent hike of yarn prices and the government should look into it to help maximize profit of exporters in the sector.
The main objective of the fair is to know about customers' choice and attitude so that the quality of the jamdani clothing can be improved.
A good number of traditional clothing including jamdani saree, lungee, handloom products, 3-piece, 2-pieces are being displayed in 60 stalls.
The fair will remain open for all from 10am to 8pm and continue till before the Eid day.
-BSS
PM requests Iran to legalize undocumented Bangladeshi workers
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today requested the Iranian government to legalize the undocumented Bangladeshi workers there.
She made the request when the newly appointed Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Hossein Aminian Tousi paid a courtesy call on her at the Prime Minister's Office here.
They discussed matters relating to bilateral interest, expansion of trade and business between the two countries as well as climate change issues, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told newsmen after the meeting.
The Prime Minister told the Iranian Ambassador that her government pursues foreign policy `friendship to all, malice to none.' She said her government values its relation with Iran.
The Ambassador conveyed Iranian President's invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit the country at a convenient time.
Ambassador At Large M Ziauddin, Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office Molla Waheeduzzaman and Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, among others, were present.
-BSS
She made the request when the newly appointed Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Hossein Aminian Tousi paid a courtesy call on her at the Prime Minister's Office here.
They discussed matters relating to bilateral interest, expansion of trade and business between the two countries as well as climate change issues, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told newsmen after the meeting.
The Prime Minister told the Iranian Ambassador that her government pursues foreign policy `friendship to all, malice to none.' She said her government values its relation with Iran.
The Ambassador conveyed Iranian President's invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit the country at a convenient time.
Ambassador At Large M Ziauddin, Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office Molla Waheeduzzaman and Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, among others, were present.
-BSS
Japan gives US$ 9.7 million for vulnerable people
The World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed a cash donation of US$ 9.7 million contribution from the government of Japan for vulnerable people.
The contribution will provide urgently needed food and nutrition assistance to the most vulnerable people including children, pregnant and lactating women in high food insecure and disaster prone areas.
WFP will use this Japanese fund to distribute some 14,000 metric tons of wheat, 3500 metric tons wheat soya bean and 200 metric tons of tuna cans to 500,000 extreme poor people in 12 districts including Kurigram, Gaibandha, Bogra, Serajganj, Pabna, Jamalpur, Lalmonirhat, Bagerhat, Khulna, Shatkhira, Barguna, Bhola and Patuakhali.
Tamotsu Shintosuka, Ambassador to Bangladesh observed, "Food is the basic needs of the people. We can understand this needs and that's why we gave the food aid on a priority basis for the ultra poor of the country. We hoped that this assistance will help the poor people to have food and fulfil the basic needs even in the remote area of the country."
This Japanese assistance will help WFP to implement its Enhance Resilience (ER) programme which aims at enabling ultra poor households to enhance their life skill, income earning, capacity and resilience to natural disaster by creating human and physical assets.
"WFP is very grateful to Japan for its generous donation at this critical moment. This donation provides WFP with the opportunity to support the most vulnerable people in Bangladesh particularly those suffer the combined challenges of food insecurity, under nutrition and the impact of climate change," said John Aylieff, WFP Representative in Bangladesh.
The government of Japan will complete an exchange of letters with the United Nations World Food Programme for a donation of some US$ 54 million (approximately JPY 4.6 billion) on 25th August 2010, in Italy. Other countries which will benefit are Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Chad, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Lesotho, occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Uganda, and Yemen.
The government of Japan has been one of the key donors to food aid programme in Bangladesh since its independence in 1971.
Japan has given approximately US$30 million to WFP Bangladesh since 2007. So far this year, Japan's contribution to WFP has reached US$209 million (approximately JPY 18.1 billion), making it the third largest donor to WFP.
-BSS
The contribution will provide urgently needed food and nutrition assistance to the most vulnerable people including children, pregnant and lactating women in high food insecure and disaster prone areas.
WFP will use this Japanese fund to distribute some 14,000 metric tons of wheat, 3500 metric tons wheat soya bean and 200 metric tons of tuna cans to 500,000 extreme poor people in 12 districts including Kurigram, Gaibandha, Bogra, Serajganj, Pabna, Jamalpur, Lalmonirhat, Bagerhat, Khulna, Shatkhira, Barguna, Bhola and Patuakhali.
Tamotsu Shintosuka, Ambassador to Bangladesh observed, "Food is the basic needs of the people. We can understand this needs and that's why we gave the food aid on a priority basis for the ultra poor of the country. We hoped that this assistance will help the poor people to have food and fulfil the basic needs even in the remote area of the country."
This Japanese assistance will help WFP to implement its Enhance Resilience (ER) programme which aims at enabling ultra poor households to enhance their life skill, income earning, capacity and resilience to natural disaster by creating human and physical assets.
"WFP is very grateful to Japan for its generous donation at this critical moment. This donation provides WFP with the opportunity to support the most vulnerable people in Bangladesh particularly those suffer the combined challenges of food insecurity, under nutrition and the impact of climate change," said John Aylieff, WFP Representative in Bangladesh.
The government of Japan will complete an exchange of letters with the United Nations World Food Programme for a donation of some US$ 54 million (approximately JPY 4.6 billion) on 25th August 2010, in Italy. Other countries which will benefit are Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Chad, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Lesotho, occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Uganda, and Yemen.
The government of Japan has been one of the key donors to food aid programme in Bangladesh since its independence in 1971.
Japan has given approximately US$30 million to WFP Bangladesh since 2007. So far this year, Japan's contribution to WFP has reached US$209 million (approximately JPY 18.1 billion), making it the third largest donor to WFP.
-BSS
HC upholds visa discrimination challenge
The High Court on Thursday issued a rule on the government for gender discrimination in visa regulations.
The court ordered the government to explain why its directives stipulating more stringent regulations for foreign nationals married to Bangladeshi women should not be declared discriminatory and unconstitutional.
The ruling came regarding a home ministry circular which does not allow a 'No Visa Required' stamp on the passports of foreign men married to Bangladeshi woman.
However, the same notice allows passports of foreign woman married to Bangladeshi men to obtain the same ('No visa required') stamp.
The petitioner, a Bangladeshi/Australian dual national woman married to a US national, had challenged the circular of Aug 19, 2007 for violating her fundamental rights to gender equality and to life, including family life, referring to the constitution and to the state's obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Violence against Women.
"We are delighted that the court has responded so promptly, and we hope that the government will now deliver on its pledges and take early action to deal with a glaring example of gender discrimination written into the law," said Sara Hossain, who represented the petitioner.
A division bench comprising justices Syed Mahmud Hossain and Gobinda Chandra Thakur issued the rule and passed the interim order.
-bdnews
The court ordered the government to explain why its directives stipulating more stringent regulations for foreign nationals married to Bangladeshi women should not be declared discriminatory and unconstitutional.
The ruling came regarding a home ministry circular which does not allow a 'No Visa Required' stamp on the passports of foreign men married to Bangladeshi woman.
However, the same notice allows passports of foreign woman married to Bangladeshi men to obtain the same ('No visa required') stamp.
The petitioner, a Bangladeshi/Australian dual national woman married to a US national, had challenged the circular of Aug 19, 2007 for violating her fundamental rights to gender equality and to life, including family life, referring to the constitution and to the state's obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Violence against Women.
"We are delighted that the court has responded so promptly, and we hope that the government will now deliver on its pledges and take early action to deal with a glaring example of gender discrimination written into the law," said Sara Hossain, who represented the petitioner.
A division bench comprising justices Syed Mahmud Hossain and Gobinda Chandra Thakur issued the rule and passed the interim order.
-bdnews
Vigilance team to monitor bus train ticket fare
The Ministry of Communication today has formed a vigilance team headed by a deputy secretary to monitor the bus and train fare and smuggling of the Eid-tickets.
The team within a day or two would start its work in the city as the allegation of taking excess fare from the passengers were reported in the press.
The team was formed in a meeting of the senior officials and heads of various departments under the ministry with Communication Minister Syed Abul Hossain in the chair.
Secretary of the ministry M Mozammel Huq Khan, heads of BRTA, BRTC, Road and Highways and senior officials of the ministry were present
The communication minister asked railway officials concerned to report to the ministry within one- week on how the railway Eid tickets are being sold out in the black-market.
At the beginning of the meeting, the minister drew attention of the officials on a report published in today's newspapers regarding smuggling of railway's Eid tickets.
A senior official expressed his reluctance to discuss the issue in presence of media people. But, welcoming the media people, the minister said, "I think it would be better if more media personnel were present in the meeting to know about our actions to curb smuggling of Eid tickets and make people aware on this particular issue".
The minister asked the officials to take necessary measures for maximum utilization of railway carriers and BRTC buses to allow the commuters to travel to home on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr.
The meeting discussed four proposals for waiving and re-fixation of the fees charged for crossing some bridges and decided to waive the toll from Natun Bazar-Puran Bazar access road in Chandpur.
The meeting also decided to take toll from second Karnaphuli Setu at current rate and formed a committee headed by the Chief Engineer of the Road and Highways to scrutinize the proposals for waiving tolls from the two bridges.
The bridges are Shaheed Rafiq Setu on Hemayetpur-Singair-Manikganj road and Shaheed Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir Setu on Chapainawabganj-Kansat-Sonamasjid road.
The meeting was informed that drive of the mobile courts under the Ministry of Communication will resume again in the city as financial constraint has gone after the Ministry of Finance allocated required fund to bear operating expenses of the drive.
-BSS
The team within a day or two would start its work in the city as the allegation of taking excess fare from the passengers were reported in the press.
The team was formed in a meeting of the senior officials and heads of various departments under the ministry with Communication Minister Syed Abul Hossain in the chair.
Secretary of the ministry M Mozammel Huq Khan, heads of BRTA, BRTC, Road and Highways and senior officials of the ministry were present
The communication minister asked railway officials concerned to report to the ministry within one- week on how the railway Eid tickets are being sold out in the black-market.
At the beginning of the meeting, the minister drew attention of the officials on a report published in today's newspapers regarding smuggling of railway's Eid tickets.
A senior official expressed his reluctance to discuss the issue in presence of media people. But, welcoming the media people, the minister said, "I think it would be better if more media personnel were present in the meeting to know about our actions to curb smuggling of Eid tickets and make people aware on this particular issue".
The minister asked the officials to take necessary measures for maximum utilization of railway carriers and BRTC buses to allow the commuters to travel to home on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr.
The meeting discussed four proposals for waiving and re-fixation of the fees charged for crossing some bridges and decided to waive the toll from Natun Bazar-Puran Bazar access road in Chandpur.
The meeting also decided to take toll from second Karnaphuli Setu at current rate and formed a committee headed by the Chief Engineer of the Road and Highways to scrutinize the proposals for waiving tolls from the two bridges.
The bridges are Shaheed Rafiq Setu on Hemayetpur-Singair-Manikganj road and Shaheed Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir Setu on Chapainawabganj-Kansat-Sonamasjid road.
The meeting was informed that drive of the mobile courts under the Ministry of Communication will resume again in the city as financial constraint has gone after the Ministry of Finance allocated required fund to bear operating expenses of the drive.
-BSS
Govt to challenge HC ruling on money return
The government is considering to appeal against the High Court rule which had ordered returning money confiscated by the military-installed interim government between 2007 and 2008.
The High Court on Tuesday asked the government to return around Tk 3 billion to two companies in the next three months which it held was obtained illegally.
The last caretaker government had realised Tk 2.37 billion from Kafeli Dated Tea & Land Limited and Tk 0.60 billion from S Alam Steel Limited through issuing a total of 54 pay-orders in 2007 and 2008.
"If there's any opportunity, we will appeal against the decision," finance minister AMA Muhith said Thursday. The minister has long been maintaining his stance of not returning the confiscated funds.
"These [money] are the outcome of corruption and laundering, so I think there's no need to return these funds," he said while speaking to the press after a meeting at the Secretariat.
According to the documents, there were no options to return this money, added Muhith.
He said that the confiscated money has been debited to the government's consolidated funds and budgetary allocations require that these funds are made available.
"And I have not kept any contingency plans for anything otherwise."
Muhith reiterated that he does not see any point of returning these funds.
Replying to a query, the minister said that the government would examine the ruling and decide upon their next step.
"If we find any weak point [in the ruling], then we would go for appeal."
In its judgment, the bench of justices Mamnoon Rahman and Syed Afsar Jahan said the government had no power to do anything beyond the constitution and that it has to apply its power constitutionally."
It pointed to article 81, 82 and 83 of the constitution which set out clear ground as to when money can be exacted by the government.
So, the court said, the realisation of the money from the two institutions was illegal and beyond the government's jurisdiction."
-bdnews
The High Court on Tuesday asked the government to return around Tk 3 billion to two companies in the next three months which it held was obtained illegally.
The last caretaker government had realised Tk 2.37 billion from Kafeli Dated Tea & Land Limited and Tk 0.60 billion from S Alam Steel Limited through issuing a total of 54 pay-orders in 2007 and 2008.
"If there's any opportunity, we will appeal against the decision," finance minister AMA Muhith said Thursday. The minister has long been maintaining his stance of not returning the confiscated funds.
"These [money] are the outcome of corruption and laundering, so I think there's no need to return these funds," he said while speaking to the press after a meeting at the Secretariat.
According to the documents, there were no options to return this money, added Muhith.
He said that the confiscated money has been debited to the government's consolidated funds and budgetary allocations require that these funds are made available.
"And I have not kept any contingency plans for anything otherwise."
Muhith reiterated that he does not see any point of returning these funds.
Replying to a query, the minister said that the government would examine the ruling and decide upon their next step.
"If we find any weak point [in the ruling], then we would go for appeal."
In its judgment, the bench of justices Mamnoon Rahman and Syed Afsar Jahan said the government had no power to do anything beyond the constitution and that it has to apply its power constitutionally."
It pointed to article 81, 82 and 83 of the constitution which set out clear ground as to when money can be exacted by the government.
So, the court said, the realisation of the money from the two institutions was illegal and beyond the government's jurisdiction."
-bdnews
Ensure safe travel during Eid rush: HC
A High Court bench on Thursday directed the government to ensure that no water vessel can ply without safety requirements during the upcoming Eid rush.
It also directed the authorities to ensure that no launches or water vessels ply without having adequate number of buoys and beacon lights.
The division bench comprising Justice MA Wahhab Miah and Justice Kazi Rezaul Haque also directed law enforcers to prevent overloading of passengers in launches and vessels and also to prevent their plying without safety measures.
The judges passed the directives following a writ petition the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers’ Association.
-Daily Star
It also directed the authorities to ensure that no launches or water vessels ply without having adequate number of buoys and beacon lights.
The division bench comprising Justice MA Wahhab Miah and Justice Kazi Rezaul Haque also directed law enforcers to prevent overloading of passengers in launches and vessels and also to prevent their plying without safety measures.
The judges passed the directives following a writ petition the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers’ Association.
-Daily Star
Ershad looks for govt straw
Former military dictator HM Ershad has welcomed the High Court judgement that declared his military regime illegal.
“Today the High Court has delivered a historic verdict and I am respectful to the judgment,” Ershad told reporters during an iftar party arranged by Jatiya Party at the capital's Institute of Diploma Engineers yesterday.
“I will comment farther on this after getting a copy of the judgment,” said Ershad, the JP chairman.
However, party insiders said Ershad is now contemplating seeking help from ruling Awami League to avoid prosecution, following the HC verdict that declared the seventh amendment to the constitution illegal.
"You should discuss with Awami League and, if needed, we should talk to the prime minister and seek her blessings to save me and the party from any dire consequence." a JP leader quoted Ershad as saying to his party's senior leaders in a meeting with them after the verdict, in his Baridhara residence in the capital.
JP leader GM Quader, a minister in the AL-led grand alliance government's cabinet also Ershad's younger brother, was assigned to negotiate with the ruling party to that end, said another JP leader on condition of anonymity.
"Make them understand that past is past. Now Jatiya Party is a democratic force which is a partner of Awami League, and will remain so in future," a JP leader quoted Ershad as saying.
Asked how Ershad is taking the verdict, his colleagues said, he is "nervous" and "concerned".
About the former army chief turned politician's fate, the HC verdict said the government will decide on the matter.
The party might file an appeal against the verdict, another JP leader said, also on condition of anonymity.
When contacted by telephone, Ershad declined to talk about the issue.
JP leaders think their relation with AL and the grand alliance might deteriorate if the ruling party does not help Ershad avoid prosecution.
Talking to The Daily Star over the phone, a number of AL leaders however said the verdict will have no bearing on the relationship between the ruling party and JP.
Emerging from the meeting with Ershad, Ziauddin Ahmed, a JP presidium member, said they will express their reaction formally after getting a copy of the verdict.
"We will talk to lawyers about appealing the verdict with the Supreme Court," he added.
Party sources said Ershad is afraid that following the verdict, the stigma attached to his name will return to haunt him, which he had successfully kept purged for years through political manoeuvring. He is also afraid of going back to jail, the sources added.
Ershad usurped state power through a coup on March 24, 1982 and kept the country under a martial law for more than four years, suspending the constitution. On December 11, 1983 he declared himself the president, and subsequently backed the formation of Jatiya Party.
Through a general election on May 7, 1986, the neutrality of which has been questioned in many quarters, JP won the majority in the third parliament, which brought the 7th amendment to the constitution, ratifying everything Ershad's regime did between March 24, 1982 and November 10, 1986.
The HC yesterday declared that amendment illegal, rendering Ershad's martial law regime illegal as well.
“Today the High Court has delivered a historic verdict and I am respectful to the judgment,” Ershad told reporters during an iftar party arranged by Jatiya Party at the capital's Institute of Diploma Engineers yesterday.
“I will comment farther on this after getting a copy of the judgment,” said Ershad, the JP chairman.
However, party insiders said Ershad is now contemplating seeking help from ruling Awami League to avoid prosecution, following the HC verdict that declared the seventh amendment to the constitution illegal.
"You should discuss with Awami League and, if needed, we should talk to the prime minister and seek her blessings to save me and the party from any dire consequence." a JP leader quoted Ershad as saying to his party's senior leaders in a meeting with them after the verdict, in his Baridhara residence in the capital.
JP leader GM Quader, a minister in the AL-led grand alliance government's cabinet also Ershad's younger brother, was assigned to negotiate with the ruling party to that end, said another JP leader on condition of anonymity.
"Make them understand that past is past. Now Jatiya Party is a democratic force which is a partner of Awami League, and will remain so in future," a JP leader quoted Ershad as saying.
Asked how Ershad is taking the verdict, his colleagues said, he is "nervous" and "concerned".
About the former army chief turned politician's fate, the HC verdict said the government will decide on the matter.
The party might file an appeal against the verdict, another JP leader said, also on condition of anonymity.
When contacted by telephone, Ershad declined to talk about the issue.JP leaders think their relation with AL and the grand alliance might deteriorate if the ruling party does not help Ershad avoid prosecution.
Talking to The Daily Star over the phone, a number of AL leaders however said the verdict will have no bearing on the relationship between the ruling party and JP.
Emerging from the meeting with Ershad, Ziauddin Ahmed, a JP presidium member, said they will express their reaction formally after getting a copy of the verdict.
"We will talk to lawyers about appealing the verdict with the Supreme Court," he added.
Party sources said Ershad is afraid that following the verdict, the stigma attached to his name will return to haunt him, which he had successfully kept purged for years through political manoeuvring. He is also afraid of going back to jail, the sources added.
Ershad usurped state power through a coup on March 24, 1982 and kept the country under a martial law for more than four years, suspending the constitution. On December 11, 1983 he declared himself the president, and subsequently backed the formation of Jatiya Party.
Through a general election on May 7, 1986, the neutrality of which has been questioned in many quarters, JP won the majority in the third parliament, which brought the 7th amendment to the constitution, ratifying everything Ershad's regime did between March 24, 1982 and November 10, 1986.
The HC yesterday declared that amendment illegal, rendering Ershad's martial law regime illegal as well.
Duke arrested
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) finally arrested Saiful Islam Duke, nephew of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, for his alleged involvement in the August 21 grenade attack.
Duke is accused of helping militant leader Moulana Mohammad Tajuddin, who supplied grenades for the attack, flee the country at the directives of the high command of then Prime Minister's Office.
The law enforcers showed former naval officer Duke, who was also the personal secretary to former premier Khaleda Zia, arrested after he was summoned to CID's Malibagh office for the second time Wednesday evening.
Earlier on Tuesday, he was first asked to show up at the CID office.
The investigators say some of the top tier leaders of BNP and officials of the then PMO were also aware of Tajuddin's departure.
Fugitive Tajuddin is leader of Pakistan-based militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and also brother of BNP's former deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu, who is also detained in connection with the grenade attack case.
CID Special Superintendent Abdul Kahar Akand, who is investigating the case and arrested Duke, told The Daily Star yesterday, "We have arrested Duke on specific charges against him in connection with the August 21 attack."
"We have specific information that Duke was involved in Tajuddin's departure as well," said Akand, adding, "Besides, he maintained regular communications with those who are still fugitives and those who are arrested including former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar and Abdus Salam Pintu."
CID sources say the confessional statements of some other detained accused also support Duke's role.
The sources say after further probe the investigators became sure of Duke's involvement following information extracted from Maj Gen (retd) Sadiq Hasan Rumi, former director general (DG) of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), Maj Gen (retd) ATM Amin, former DG of Ansar-VDP, and DGFI director during the carnage and some other intelligence officials.
Besides, detained Harkat-ul-Jihad al Islami (Huji) founder Abdus Salam in his confessional statement also mentioned it.
The CID sources add Tajuddin might have left the country with direct help of some former officials of DGFI and NSI.
Speaking anonymously, a CID official said during interrogation on Tuesday and Wednesday they verified information given by the former DGFI and NSI officials.
Meanwhile, CID officials produced Duke before the Court of Third Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ali Hussain yesterday afternoon seeking seven days' remand.
Duke's lawyer also prayed before the court for his client's bail rejecting the remand prayer.
After hearing both the sides, the court rejected Duke's bail prayer and granted his remand for four days.
Twenty-four leaders and workers were killed and 200 others injured in the grenade attack on an Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21.
In its forwarding report, the CID officials said the grenade attack was launched aiming to assassinate the then opposition leader and incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Earlier, CID framed a charge sheet accusing 22 people. But the court ordered for further investigation to unearth the sources of grenades and other persons involved.
Besides, during the BNP rule, some CID investigators tried to mislead the investigation to save the real culprits behind the grizzly attack. They also staged a drama in this regard making one Joj Miah a scapegoat.
Another case has also been filed against the then CID investigators in connection with misleading the investigation.
A Dhaka court dropped all charges against 14 people including former Awami League lawmaker Dr HBM Iqbal and AL MP Nurunnabi Chowdhury Shaon in the sensational Malibagh killing that had claimed four lives. The court order came in line with an August 17, 2009 home ministry decision that found the charges "politically motivated".
On February 13, 2001, during hartal an anti-hartal group led by Iqbal shot at pro-hartal demonstrators gunning down four people including a cop in city's Malibagh intersection, said witnesses.
The incident occurred in presence of law enforcers and various newspapers were splashed with images of Iqbal and other AL activists brandishing firearms on the following day.
A case was lodged with Motijheel Police Station. Later, a Jubo Dal leader filed another case against 20 people including Iqbal and Shaon, who was the joint convener of a unit of Jubo League.
However, the case did not gather momentum as long as AL was in power and the police overlooked the names of Iqbal and Shaon, and submitted charge sheet against Dulal, Kiron, Halim, Khorshed Alam and Pichchy Hannan.
The case gained pace at the change of government and was reinvestigated. Police submitted supplementary charge sheets accusing 24 people and this time including Iqbal and Shaon in the charge sheet.
Iqbal and several other pro-AL accused in the Malibagh killing case filed petitions before court seeking to quash the case against them.
The High Court dismissed the petitions in 2004, paving way for trial.
However, with the power shift after the December, 2008, elections, the home ministry decided to withdraw the charges against Iqbal, Shaon and 22 others in August 17, 2009.
The ministry then sent a letter on November 27, 2009 asking public prosecutor Abdullah Abu to take necessary steps for withdrawing the charges, a process that culminated through yesterday's court order.
the daily star
Duke is accused of helping militant leader Moulana Mohammad Tajuddin, who supplied grenades for the attack, flee the country at the directives of the high command of then Prime Minister's Office.
The law enforcers showed former naval officer Duke, who was also the personal secretary to former premier Khaleda Zia, arrested after he was summoned to CID's Malibagh office for the second time Wednesday evening.
Earlier on Tuesday, he was first asked to show up at the CID office.
The investigators say some of the top tier leaders of BNP and officials of the then PMO were also aware of Tajuddin's departure.
Fugitive Tajuddin is leader of Pakistan-based militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and also brother of BNP's former deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu, who is also detained in connection with the grenade attack case.
CID Special Superintendent Abdul Kahar Akand, who is investigating the case and arrested Duke, told The Daily Star yesterday, "We have arrested Duke on specific charges against him in connection with the August 21 attack."
"We have specific information that Duke was involved in Tajuddin's departure as well," said Akand, adding, "Besides, he maintained regular communications with those who are still fugitives and those who are arrested including former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar and Abdus Salam Pintu."
CID sources say the confessional statements of some other detained accused also support Duke's role.
The sources say after further probe the investigators became sure of Duke's involvement following information extracted from Maj Gen (retd) Sadiq Hasan Rumi, former director general (DG) of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), Maj Gen (retd) ATM Amin, former DG of Ansar-VDP, and DGFI director during the carnage and some other intelligence officials.
Besides, detained Harkat-ul-Jihad al Islami (Huji) founder Abdus Salam in his confessional statement also mentioned it.
The CID sources add Tajuddin might have left the country with direct help of some former officials of DGFI and NSI.
Speaking anonymously, a CID official said during interrogation on Tuesday and Wednesday they verified information given by the former DGFI and NSI officials.Meanwhile, CID officials produced Duke before the Court of Third Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ali Hussain yesterday afternoon seeking seven days' remand.
Duke's lawyer also prayed before the court for his client's bail rejecting the remand prayer.
After hearing both the sides, the court rejected Duke's bail prayer and granted his remand for four days.
Twenty-four leaders and workers were killed and 200 others injured in the grenade attack on an Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21.
In its forwarding report, the CID officials said the grenade attack was launched aiming to assassinate the then opposition leader and incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Earlier, CID framed a charge sheet accusing 22 people. But the court ordered for further investigation to unearth the sources of grenades and other persons involved.
Besides, during the BNP rule, some CID investigators tried to mislead the investigation to save the real culprits behind the grizzly attack. They also staged a drama in this regard making one Joj Miah a scapegoat.
Another case has also been filed against the then CID investigators in connection with misleading the investigation.
Political label keeps justice at bay
The dropping of charges against a ruling party lawmaker and an ex-lawmaker in connection with a 2001 killing case raised many eyebrows yesterday as people are well acquainted with the way law is enforced in favour of the party in power.A Dhaka court dropped all charges against 14 people including former Awami League lawmaker Dr HBM Iqbal and AL MP Nurunnabi Chowdhury Shaon in the sensational Malibagh killing that had claimed four lives. The court order came in line with an August 17, 2009 home ministry decision that found the charges "politically motivated".
On February 13, 2001, during hartal an anti-hartal group led by Iqbal shot at pro-hartal demonstrators gunning down four people including a cop in city's Malibagh intersection, said witnesses.
The incident occurred in presence of law enforcers and various newspapers were splashed with images of Iqbal and other AL activists brandishing firearms on the following day.
A case was lodged with Motijheel Police Station. Later, a Jubo Dal leader filed another case against 20 people including Iqbal and Shaon, who was the joint convener of a unit of Jubo League.
However, the case did not gather momentum as long as AL was in power and the police overlooked the names of Iqbal and Shaon, and submitted charge sheet against Dulal, Kiron, Halim, Khorshed Alam and Pichchy Hannan.
The case gained pace at the change of government and was reinvestigated. Police submitted supplementary charge sheets accusing 24 people and this time including Iqbal and Shaon in the charge sheet.
Iqbal and several other pro-AL accused in the Malibagh killing case filed petitions before court seeking to quash the case against them.
The High Court dismissed the petitions in 2004, paving way for trial.
However, with the power shift after the December, 2008, elections, the home ministry decided to withdraw the charges against Iqbal, Shaon and 22 others in August 17, 2009.
The ministry then sent a letter on November 27, 2009 asking public prosecutor Abdullah Abu to take necessary steps for withdrawing the charges, a process that culminated through yesterday's court order.
the daily star
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