Hartal protesting Rampal: ASI suspended for assaulting journo

12 other cops identified

Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ershad is found involved in beating up a journalist at Dhaka University during the half-day shutdown sponsored by pro-Sundarbans activists on January 26, 2017. Photo: Collected

Star Online Report

A police official was suspended today for assaulting journalists at Dhaka University during the half-day shutdown demanding  cancellation of Rampal power plant project near the Sundarbans.
Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ershad was found involved in beating up journalists and was suspended, Maruf Hossain Sorder, deputy commissioner of Ramna Division, told The Daily Star.
READ MORE: Police thrash Sundarbans activists during shutdown
Ershad assaulted ATN News Cameraperson Abdul Alim at Shahbagh this afternoon. With bloody head and hands, he was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, the authorities found involvement of 12 other policemen from Public Order Management (POM) in assaulting another journalist in Mirpur during the hartal, the police official said.
READ MORE: On-duty journalists injured
“Action will be taken against them after scrutinising their roles,” he said.
Morshed Jahan Mithun, a sub-editor of English daily Dhaka Tribune, claimed he was assaulted by DMP Assistant Commissioner Mahbub at Mirpur 10 when he tried to inquire about information.
“Traffic police ordered a bus to plough through protesters. I asked him (AC Mahbub) why this was so. He assaulted me. When I showed my identity card, he said he doesn’t read English newspapers,” Mithun told The Daily Star.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith today said Grameen Bank’s tax benefits through various institutions should be investigated properly.

Star Online Report

Finance Minister AMA Muhith today said Grameen Bank’s tax benefits through various institutions should be investigated properly.
He made the comment while talking to the media at his office when reporters pulled reference to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s speech at the parliament last night.
“Grameen Bank took a lot of tax benefits through its associate organisations. These tax benefits should be thoroughly investigated,” he said.

BNP should show positive attitude

Star Online Report

Awami League Presidium Member Mohammad Nasim today said BNP should show positive attitude towards the search committee for reconstitution of the next Election Commission.
“The members of the search committee are respected personalities of the society. BNP has to show positive approach to the neutrally made search committee,” Nasim said.
Nasim, also the Health and Family Welfare minister, was talking to reporters while paying a visit to the ENT Hospital in Tejgaon area of Dhaka this noon.
"The president has formed the search committee in accordance with the power bestowed upon him by the Constitution. The committee will only suggest names for formation of the Election Commission," he said.
Political parties should wait until formation of the EC instead of making comments, the minister added.
Terming the committee as Awami League-backed, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said the committee members were appointed by the present government.
“Awami League wants to hold January 5 like election again through this search committee,” Fakhrul said.