25

The Daily Star is now 25 years old and to celebrate that, there was a massive function at the International Convention City Bashundhara at 6 PM yesterday, attended by the who's who of the entire nation. Such is the importance of The Daily Star that a separate program was held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in honour of the President of Bangladesh yesterday morning.

As you may have seen this week, the main paper and all the subsequent feature sections have commemorated this amazing milestone in their own unique way, from their own unique point of view. So it would be unthinkable that Star Showbiz, the daily's newest section, would not contribute anything to this milestone.

But what can the world of Showbiz offer to The Daily Star to commemorate its anniversary you may ask. Well how about a song to commemorate the spirit and very ideal of The Daily Star? Well that's exactly what has happened. Kaushik Hossain Taposh, Managing Director and CEO of GaanBangla TV channel has written and devised a song titled “Laal Shobuj Er Gaan” sung with the help of 25 young artists representing a new generation of artists.

Artists performing.

Some titbits we can tell you about this song without giving out too many spoilers, it speaks of patriotism and doing what's right for the country. It talks of breaking down boundaries with the truth and in doing so, do what's necessary for the betterment of the nation, fitting in exactly with the motto of The Daily Star.
“Amra shomoy er slogan, addhar er barricade bhenge gai laal shobuj er gaan”
This line from the song pretty much sums up all you need to know about it, and now, to explain his reasoning for the concept of this song, here is small interview with the man himself.

Taposh & Autumnal Moon working on the song.

What made you decide to dedicate a song to The Daily Star for its 25th anniversary?
If you ask me, The Daily Star isn't just a renowned English daily. I see it as a voice for the nation and all its inhabitants, a mirror for the society if you will. I feel that its job is to wave the green and red flag high and proud. GaanBangla has a similar goal too. Our job is to wave our national pride with home-grown, soulful songs. The Daily Star does the same thing through the words in their news and other various nation based articles. To be able to do what you do for 25 years is a huge milestone and to commemorate that, the artists here who are a part of the GaanBangla family decided to make this song as a present to The Daily Star; kind of like a birthday present if you will.

How did you manage to arrange such a huge ensemble for this project? 
Well, the first thing we decided, based on the lyrics and the mantra of the current times, was to involve artists as many artists as possible from the new generation who would make waves in the near future. Also, the artists are from various genres like Classical, Pop, Rock, Fusion, Nazrul, etc. As for the number of artists itself, well we figured it would be an artistic way of commemorating 25 years of The Daily Star with 25 up and coming artists. Plus 25 artists on a stage also look cool!
What genre does this track fall into?
Well, technically, I have to say that this song, by definition, is a fusion, because this involves many different styles and is sung by artists hailing from different genres. But I will also say that this isn't like the usual fusions that are currently out there because it's inspirational or motivational. This song is all about the dialogue delivery, all about the message of patriotism.

Any future plans regarding this song?
Since this song speaks of the nation, which is the mantra for both The Daily Star and GaanBangla, it will be made into a music video reflecting that motive and be aired on GaanBangla channel every day for as long as GaanBangla stays on the air. It is a signature piece and so, you can rest assured that it will live on with GaanBangla.

By Intisab Shahriyar

Gold prices hiked for second time this year

Star Business Report

Gold prices will go up by Tk 1,225 a bhori in the local market from tomorrow to reflect the rising bullion prices in the international market in recent weeks.
Bangladesh Jewellers Samity announced the new rate yesterday. This is the second rise of gold and silver prices this year. Earlier, the prices were increased on January 13.
Each bhori or 11.66g of 22-karat gold will be sold at Tk 43,740, according to the new rates.
The price of 21-karat and 18-karat will be Tk 41,640 and Tk 34,992 respectively, said Anwar Hossain, president of Bangladesh Jewellery Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
Gold hit a three-month high at $1,147.4 an ounce in the international market.
Demand for gold in Asia, which accounts for more than 60 percent of global use, is fundamentally strong and should continue as investors seek the safety of bullion.
“Gold prices went up by $100-120 an ounce in recent weeks in the international market. Now we have to adjust local prices,” Hossain told The Daily Star.
The prices of silver also went up, by Tk 58 a bhori. People flock to gold when they think there are tough economic times on the horizon.
So it is no surprise that the precious metal's recent rise has corresponded with the stock market's slide.

United Air suspends all flights indefinitely

Sarwar A Chowdhury

Private carrier United Airways has suspended flight operations due to unavailability of aircraft, creating uncertainty for those who have bought tickets with the airline.
“As soon as the aircraft become serviceable, flights will resume,” the carrier said in a posting on the Dhaka Stock Exchange website yesterday.
Sources, however, said the aircraft are grounded for maintenance, but the airline does not have enough funds to do the required servicing, which is a matter of high cost.
United Airways was desperately looking for funds from different sources. Unless the company can arrange the funds, it may not be able to resume flights, they said.
The net operating cash flow of the airline also shows its financial weakness. The net operating cash flow per share was only Tk 0.26 during the July-December period of last year, which was Tk 0.40 a year earlier, according to data on the DSE website.
Tasbirul Ahmed Choudhury, founder chairman and managing director of United Airways, and Farhad Hossain, director of sales and marketing, did not answer phone calls.
This is not the first time the private carrier has suspended its flight operations. Domestic and international flights of the airline remained suspended for several days in September 2014 over a conflict among its directors.
Set up in 2007, the airline has 11 aircraft in its fleet: two Airbus 310-325, five MD-83, three ATR-72-212 and one Bombardier Dash-8 100. It was listed on the stock exchange in 2010.
It has permissions to operate domestic flights to Chittagong, Sylhet, Jessore, Cox's Bazar, Rajshahi, Barisal, Saidpur and Ishwardi.
On the international front, it has permissions to fly to Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Jeddah, Bangkok, Muscat and Singapore.
The latest trouble at the airline, however, did not have a major impact on its share prices.
On the DSE yesterday, its shares, with market capitalisation of Tk 481 crore, traded between Tk 7.2 and Tk 6.8, before closing at Tk 7.
Earnings per share of the airline during the July-December period of last year were Tk 0.07, which were Tk 0.39 a year earlier.

Pran to borrow $13m from abroad to upgrade plant

Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, deputy managing director at Pran-RFL Group; Sebastien Fleury, regional representative for South Asia at Proparco; and Marjolein Landheer, head of agribusiness department at FMO, attend the deal signing ceremony at Radisson Blu hotel in Dhaka on Wednesday. Photo: Pran

Star Business Desk

Bangladeshi food processor Pran will borrow $13 million from two international financial organisations -- Proparco and FMO.
The funds will be used to upgrade the packaging system and introduce cutting-edge technology in the juice and beverage sections of a factory of Mymensingh Agro Ltd, a concern of Pran.
Proparco, the private sector financing arm of Agence Française de Développement, will provide $8 million, while FMO, a Dutch development bank, will give the rest, Pran said in a statement yesterday.
Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, deputy managing director at Pran-RFL Group; Sebastien Fleury, regional representative for South Asia at Proparco; and Marjolein Landheer, head of agribusiness department at FMO, signed agreements in this regard at Radisson Blu hotel in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Uzma Chowdhury, director for corporate finance at Pran-RFL Group, and Deanne Arends, investment officer at FMO, were also present.
“We will purchase equipment for our juice and beverage units. Efficient machinery is essential to manufacture quality products,” Ahsan Khan said.
“The loans will also help the company become more efficient and competitive in domestic and foreign markets.”

Global oil demand growth is slowing in 2016

A fuel pump assistant stands next to an old fuel pump during the early hours near the village of Salwa in Saudi Arabia. Photo: REUTERS

Reuters, London

The United States was one of the biggest sources of oil demand growth in 2015 but the outlook for 2016 is much more muted, according to official forecasters.
The US transportation sector continues to send mixed signals about the strength of fuel demand at the end of 2015 and heading into 2016.
US consumers are buying a record number of new vehicles, and more of them are choosing fuel-hungry crossover utility vehicles, according to market intelligence supplier Wards Auto.
The volume of traffic on US roads has also hit a new record and is growing at the fastest rate for almost two decades, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
But the volume of freight transported by road, rail, air, barge and pipeline has been trending flat or lower since the end of 2014, according to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
The amount of freight hauled in November 2015 was actually 1.4 percent lower than in the corresponding month in 2014.
Rail freight movements were weaker in 2015, with the total number of rail cars and intermodal units moved across the network down 2.5 percent compared with 2014, according to the Association of American Railroads.
Road freight was fairly flat last year, ending three years of strong growth, according to the American Trucking Associations.
"I remain concerned about the high level of inventories throughout the supply chain," the association's chief economist warned in a statement to the media last month.
"The total business-to-inventory sales ratio is at the highest level in over a decade, excluding the Great Recession period. This will have a negative impact on truck freight volumes over the next few months at least."
Sales of the heavy-duty Class 7 and Class 8 trucks employed for most freight movements ended last year on a soft note according to Wards, down from the end of 2014.
Stocks of unsold heavy duty trucks at manufacturers and dealerships have risen steeply as sales fell towards the end of 2015.
At the end of December 2015, there was a 70-day supply of Class 8 trucks, up from 43 days at the end of December 2014, according to Wards.
The data on vehicle sales and miles driven is consistent with other signs of a two-speed economy in which demand from consumers remains strong while industry-related demand has weakened. Data on fuel consumption tells the same tale of a two-speed economy.

The volume of gasoline supplied to domestic customers between January and November was up 2.7 percent compared with the same period in 2014, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
But the volume of low-sulphur distillate fuel oil, which includes the diesel used by trucks and trains, supplied to domestic customers was flat compared with 2014.
The growth in distillate consumption has been slowing since early 2015 and turned persistently negative from May onwards.
Gasoline consumption, on the other hand, has been growing strongly for most of 2015, at some of the fastest rates since before the recession. More recently, however, there have been some signs the growth in gasoline consumption is moderating, with smaller year- on-year gains in both October and November.
Gasoline consumption showed only modest year-on-year gains in December was actually down in January, according to the more timely but less reliable weekly estimates prepared by the EIA.
Diesel demand looks set to remain subdued for at least the next few months as US manufacturers, distributors and retailers struggle to cut excess inventories and deal with softer industrial demand.
The question is whether the slowdown in gasoline demand growth will be revised away, rebound, or turns into a longer pause.
The EIA is currently forecasting gasoline consumption will rise by 70,000 barrels per day in 2016, a much smaller increase than the 240,000 bpd increase in 2015.
By contrast, distillate consumption is predicted to increase by 80,000 bpd in 2016, after declining by the same amount in 2015.
Overall, total US liquid fuels consumption is predicted to rise by 160,000 bpd, down from 270,000 bpd in 2015 ("Short-Term Energy Outlook", EIA, Jan 2016).
During 2015, oil consumption in the United States increased almost 300,000 bpd according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Increased fuel consumption in the United States accounted for one-sixth of the global increase in oil demand last year of 1.7 million bpd, according to the IEA.

EU cuts eurozone growth forecast on China

Afp, Brussel

The EU on Thursday cut its eurozone growth forecasts for this year, warning that the slowdown in China and Europe's biggest migrant crisis since World War II posed real risks.
For the 19-nation single currency area, still sluggishly recovering from the financial crisis and the near exit of Greece last year, the European Commission reduced its 2016 growth estimate to 1.7 percent from 1.8 percent.
"Risks to the economy are becoming more pronounced and new challenges are surfacing -- slower growth in China and other emerging market economies, weak global trade as well as geopolitical and policy-related uncertainty," the Commission said in its winter economic forecast.
It also warned that any suspension of the Schengen passport-free area as Europe struggles to curb the huge flow of refugees and migrants would cause further disruption.
The migration crisis, which saw more than one million people brave risky sea crossings to reach the continent last year, posed "major political challenges" which could easily undercut growth if not properly handled, it said.
"A more widespread suspension of Schengen and measures that endanger the achievements of the internal market could potentially have a disruptive impact on economic growth," it said.
Brussels has warned of a possible two-year reintroduction of border controls in the 26-country Schengen area -- effectively suspending free movement across the zone -- over Greece's failure to secure its borders amid the migration crisis.

Apple ordered to pay $625m in patent dispute with VirnetX

Reuters, New York

Apple Inc must pay VirnetX Holding Corp more than $625 million for using the patent licensing company's Internet security technology without permission in its FaceTime and iMessage features, a federal jury in Texas said on Wednesday.

The award was more than the $532 million VirnetX had sought before the trial began on Jan. 25 in Tyler, Texas. The jury said Apple's infringement was wilful.

VirnetX stock was trading at $9.30 after hours, up 94 percent from its Wednesday close. Apple was down 45 cents to $95.90 in after-hours trading.

The verdict, though a blow for Apple, does not pose a threat to the company, which reported in January that its cash pile had reached $216 billion. Still, the amount is high for a patent case.

Brokers ask govt to reconsider profit sharing of Titas Gas

Star Business Report

The DSE Brokers Association of Bangladesh yesterday urged the government to revise the net profit distribution margin that it set for Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company, as it has affected its share prices and dividend declarations.
The investors always consider the listed state-owned companies, including Titas Gas, as fundamentally strong companies, said Ahsanul Islam, president of the association.
“But if the government reduces the profit margin, the companies also lose their ability to provide healthy dividends, frustrating the general investors,” he said at a press briefing at the bourse premises.
The net-profit distribution margin was re-fixed following the new tariff structure for gas consumption, which was set by Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission in August last year. The association is making this recommendation to the government now after studying the recent reports of its market watch committee.
The margin has been reduced by 33.72 percent, which means that if Titas Gas was previously receiving Tk 100 as net profit, it will get Tk 33.72 less now. “It was major price sensitive information, but it was not disclosed properly,” alleged the association's president. It had a negative impact on the Titas Gas share prices, he said.
As a result of the new profit distribution margin, Titas Gas has recommended only 15 percent cash dividends for 2014-15, the lowest since its listing on the stock exchanges in 2008; its earnings per share for July-September this fiscal year came down to Tk 1.57, from Tk 2.37 in the same time last year.
The company's share price dropped to below Tk 50 yesterday, though its price never dipped below Tk 60 in the last two years. It also left a negative impact on the six other listed state companies.
“All the seven companies have lost over Tk 5,000 crore in market capitalisation since August 30 last year, due to a fall in their share prices,” Islam cited, adding that neither Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission nor Dhaka Stock Exchange took action against Titas Gas.
“We are requesting the government to revise the profit distribution margin and fix it at a rational rate,” he said, urging the government to discuss the matter with the stockmarket regulators prior to taking any sensitive decision, especially on the listed state-owned companies.
Any comment without appropriate evidence leaves a negative impact on the capital market, he added.
“If there are irregularities, action can be taken after identifying those,” he said, referring to the recent negative comments on the capital market that affected the market adversely. The market lost around Tk 2,500 crore in market capitalisation in just two weeks due to the negative comments, he said. Stocks, however, closed almost flat yesterday. DSEX, the benchmark index of DSE, slightly declined 2.21 points or 0.04 percent, to finish the last day of the week at 4,571.11 points.
Of the traded issues, 149 advanced, 122 declined with 53 securities closing unchanged on the premier bourse. Turnover, another important indicator of the market, declined 17.4 percent to Tk 342.45 crore, with 10.7 crore shares and mutual fund units changing hands on the DSE.
Referring to the government probe report on the market crash of 2010, Islam said the report was mainly based on opinion, not facts and figures. “That's why proper action cannot be taken.”

American EXIM Bank offers easy loans to Bangladesh

Star Business Report

US-based EXIM Bank yesterday extended an offer to give easy loans to the Bangladesh government and private entrepreneurs to boost economic development in the country.
Bangladesh can use the loans to purchase aircraft, machinery, satellites and power equipment, the bank's Chairman Fred Hochberg said at a luncheon meeting of American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh, at the Westin Dhaka.
Hochberg referred to loans to Bangladesh Biman a few years ago to purchase four Boeing planes. The US EXIM Bank provides loans to foreign clients in sectors that eventually increase the export potential of US goods and services.
In 2011 and 2013, the bank had financed more than $500 million to allow Biman to acquire four Boeing 777-300ER long-range passenger aircraft. “Fostering jobs and economic growth are the primary goals of EXIM Bank.”
Bangladesh is an important market for the US, as it has been maintaining economic growth at 6.5 percent over the years and the income of the middle-class consumers is also increasing, said Hochberg.
American companies are especially interested in helping Bangladesh meet its ambitious infrastructure investment goals with sustainable and quality services and goods, he added.
He suggested improving infrastructure and the ease of doing business in Bangladesh so that more foreign direct investment, even from the US, can come here.
During his visit to Dhaka, he met with the business community and ministers to assure them that the EXIM Bank will assist the American firms to compete for Bangladeshi business.
Since President Barack Obama took office, the bank has supported over $650 million in US exports to Bangladesh -- more than any previous administration, he said.
Hochberg said 90 percent of their customers are small and medium enterprises. So, Bangladesh has a lot of potential investors and they can take loans for their enterprises, he added.
“Bangladesh is becoming an increasingly important market for the US for higher growth potential,” said Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, the US ambassador to Bangladesh.
Similarly, the US also wants to be a partner of the growth potential for the next decade, she added.
Attracting foreign investment is critically important for the economic development of Bangladesh, Bernicat said.
Nurul Islam, president of AmCham, said EXIM Bank invests in sectors that mainly create jobs. For example, the bank provided $1 billion to Vietnam in the manufacturing sector three years ago, which created a lot of jobs there, he added.

Importers move to curb illegal inflow of handsets

Muhammad Zahidul Islam

Mobile importers have moved to curb the inflow of unregistered and smuggled handsets into Bangladesh.
There are currently 8.92 crore handsets in the market, about 30 percent of which were brought in through illegal channels, depriving the government of about Tk 200 crore in duties a year, according to Bangladesh Mobile Phone Importers' Association or BMPIA.
The BMPIA will introduce hologram stickers to tag legally registered handsets, said Rezwanul Haque, general secretary of the importers' platform.
The association also plans to set up an automated no-objection certification (NOC) process with the telecom regulator to empower customers to check their handsets' provenance.
After establishing a database with the NOCs as well as the approved International Mobile Station Equipment Identity or IMEI, which is a 15-digit unique number for every handset, it will also help ensure security, Haque said.
“We will also soon introduce a five-digit short code, where users can call to check their handsets' IMEI numbers. They also can verify the IMEI on our website.”
State Minister for Telecom Tarana Halim will launch the database in a ceremony at the Westin Dhaka on February 9.  However, the association is not planning to take any action against the unregistered handsets currently in use, officials said.
“For now, we are focused on digitising the registration process, and may use it for regulatory purposes after the database is properly enriched over the next few years,” Haque said.
Some 50,000 handsets are stolen or lost in Bangladesh every year, and a proper database will help with recovery and curb related crimes, the association said.
Currently, fake IMEI are not detectable in Bangladesh, which makes it easy to use those to carry out criminal acts like kidnapping, officials said, for which they are working to stop the inflow of such fake IMEI handsets.
Bangladesh imported 2.59 crore handsets last year, with 15 percent year-on-year growth.
On December 16 last year, all mobile phone operators began the re-registration process for all subscriber identity modules or SIMs through the biometric system, also to boost security.

Sunrisers snap up Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh: IPL 2016

01:59 PM, February 06, 2016 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:59 PM, February 06, 2016

Mustafizur Rahman is delighted after picking up a wicket in the first game of the 3-match ODI series against India at Mirpur. Photo: STAR

Star Online Report

Bangladesh’s bowling sensation Mustafizur Rahman was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016 auction for $208,000 today.
The Sunrisers team owners and coaching staff decided to bring another left-arm bowler in their camp after New Zealand’s’ Trent Boult, and Mustafizur Rahman was the first name in their consideration set, IPL’s official Twitter says.

WATCH: Young left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman sold to @SunRisers #IPLAuction @BCBtigershttps://t.co/y8oRn7aTSe

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 6, 2016

Hyderabad have managed to rope in big name players like David Warner, Eoin Morgan, Yuvraj Singh, Kane Williamson besides some good Indian cricketers. With a settled side and a penetrative bowling attack, they certainly rank as one of the favourites to go the distance in this year’s IPL extravaganza.
Mustafizur has played only seven T20 internationals in his career, and took 10 wickets at an average of 15. In nine ODIs, he has 26 wickets at 12.3 with 6/43 his best performance. He played two Tests and has four wickets in his bag. He became the first Bangladeshi cricketer to feature in ICC’s ODI Team of the Year.
In this year’s IPL, all squads can have a minimum of 16 players and a maximum of 27.
No franchise can have more than nine foreigners in their squads. The ceiling of expenditure has been fixed at Rs 66 crore.
After retention, release of players and trading, the teams left with the biggest purse are Delhi Daredevils (Rs 37.15 crore) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (Rs 30.15 crore).
The new teams have Rs 27 crore each after they were allowed to pick five players in the December 15 draft.
The two teams looking most settled are Mumbai Indians who have retained 19 players and KKR who have held on to 15.
351 players will be going under the hammer on Saturday. That includes 130 capped players, two players from Associate nations and 219 uncapped players. But if all franchises look to fill their quota only 116 players - including up to 36 overseas players - can be bought at this auction.

Colombia links Zika to rare nerve disorder deaths

Colombia has launched a programme to kill the mosquitoes that spread Zika. Photo:AP/BBC

BBC Online

Colombia says three people have died after contracting the Zika virus and developing a rare nerve disorder.
Health Minister Alejandro Gaviria said there was a "causal connection" between Zika, the Guillain-Barre disorder and the three deaths.
Earlier, Brazilian scientists said they had detected for the first time active samples of Zika in urine and saliva.
However, it is not clear whether the virus can be transmitted through bodily fluids.
Zika, a mosquito-borne disease, has been linked to cases of babies born in Brazil with microcephaly - underdeveloped brains.
"We have confirmed and attributed three deaths to Zika," said the head of Colombia's National Health Institute, Martha Lucia Ospina.
"In this case, the three deaths were preceded by Guillain-Barre syndrome."
Guillain-Barre is a rare disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the nervous system. It isn't normally fatal.
Ospina said another six deaths were being investigated for possible links to Zika.
"Other cases (of deaths linked to Zika) are going to emerge," she said. "The world is realising that Zika can be deadly. The mortality rate is not very high, but it can be deadly."
Gaviria said one of the fatalities took place in San Andres and the other two in Turbo, in Antioquia department.
UK virologist Prof Jonathan Ball, of the University of Nottingham, told the BBC: "We have been saying Zika has been associated with Guillain-Barre. One of the complications of that could be respiratory failure. But it is still probably a very rare event."
Although Zika usually causes mild, flu-like symptoms, it has been linked to thousands of suspected birth defects. However, it has not yet been proved that Zika causes either microcephaly or Guillain-Barre.
The main method of infection is via mosquito bites but scientists in Brazil say tests on two patients revealed Zika can be found in other body fluids.
Paulo Gadelha, the head of Brazil's Fiocruz Institute which is part of the Ministry of Health, said: "The presence of the active Zika virus has been found in saliva and urine.
"But that does not mean there is a capacity for transmission through saliva and urine."
Traces of Zika's genetic material were detected in saliva and urine during the 2013 outbreak in French Polynesia, but the Brazilian authorities say this is the first time "active" virus has been detected.
Oswaldo Cruz, also from Fiocruz, added: "It means the virus is active, capable of infecting a cell so this is completely different, it means that the virus is functional."
Brazil has seen 4,783 suspected cases of babies born with small brains, although only 404 of them have been confirmed, 709 have been rejected and 3,670 are still being investigated.
Meanwhile, the US has advised men to abstain from sex or use condoms after visiting affected countries, if their partner is pregnant.
The US Centers for Disease Control believes a recent case of Zika was spread through sex.
The updated advice says avoiding mosquitoes remains the best way to prevent infection, but advises men returning from affected countries to "correctly use condoms during sex or abstain from sexual activity for the duration of the pregnancy".
Meanwhile, the governor of Puerto Rico has declared a public health emergency over Zika. The US territory has 22 confirmed cases.

Deadly 6.4 magnitude earthquake topples buildings in Taiwan city of Tainan

Rescue teams have been trying to reach people trapped in rubble since the magnitude 6.4 quake struck in Taiwan on February 6, 2014. Photo: BBC.

BBC Online

An earthquake has toppled buildings in the south Taiwanese city of Tainan, killing at least seven people.
Rescue teams have been trying to reach people trapped in rubble since the magnitude 6.4 quake struck just before 04:00 (20:00 GMT Friday).
A baby was among at least four people killed when a high-rise block collapsed. More than 300 people have been injured.
President Ma Ying-jeou promised an "all-out effort" to rescue people.

Rescue personnel search through debris at the site of a collapsed building in the southern Taiwanese city of Tainan following a strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the island early on February 6, 2016. Rescuers were battling to free more than 100 people trapped in a collapsed building in the southern Taiwanese city of Tainan following a strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the island. AFP PHOTO / TAIWAN OUT

Shelters would be set up for those who had lost their homes in the city of two million people, he said when he arrived in the city.

 

Leaning ruins

Television pictures showed rescue workers frantically trying to reach people trapped in collapsed buildings, using ladders to climb over piles of rubble.
One of the worst affected was the 17-storey Wei Kuan apartment complex, home to at least 256 people.
More than 200 people were rescued, but a baby, young girl and two adult men did not survive, officials said. At least 30 people are believed to still be trapped inside.
Interior Minister Chen Wei-jen said he feared more people may have been in the fallen apartment block than usual as families gathered to celebrate Chinese New Year.
He said investigators would examine whether the building's construction met requirements.

Rescue personnel carry a survivor at the site of a collapsed building in the southern Taiwanese city of Tainan following a strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the island early on February 6, 2016. At least 30 people have been rescued after four buildings collapsed after a shallow quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles) around 2000 GMT Friday, according to the US Geological Survey, 39 kilometres northeast of Kaohsiung, the second-largest city on the island and an important port. Photo: Taiwan Out/AFP.

Residents told how they were able to escape from their homes in the block.

"I used a hammer to break the door of my home which was twisted and locked, and managed to climb out," one woman told local TV.
Another man tied clothes together to make a rope and lowered himself from the ninth floor to the sixth floor below, Apple Daily reports.
Irving Chu was in a hostel in central Tainan. He said he had been woken up by a tremor lasting about 40 seconds.
"It was a violent jerking motion," he told BBC World News. "The entire room was shaking. We were just holding on to things. We were shaken up."
Barry Knapp, a British man in Taiwan, said he was 240km (150 miles) north of Tainan but still felt the tremor.
"I was just in bed, about to fall asleep, and shaking started happening," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"It was going on for about 20 to 30 seconds and it came in waves. It was shaking and then it eased off, but then it started shaking even harder."
The quake was shallow, meaning its effects would have been amplified, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.
There have also been at least five aftershocks. The quake was felt in the capital Taipei, 300 km away.
Although the damage does not appear to be widespread, a number of tall buildings have been left leaning precariously.
There are also reports of power outages, and transport links have been disrupted on what is one of the busiest travelling days of the year ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday.
Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and often sees tremors.
Beijing has offered assistance although at the moment at least, given the relatively limited scale of the disaster, it does not look as if much outside help is needed, the BBC's John Sudworth reports from the Chinese capital.
Back in 1999, when a 7.6 magnitude quake killed more than 2,300 people in central Taiwan, a similar offer of help from the mainland became embroiled in political wrangling, with Taiwan accusing China of exploiting the situation for its own political ends, our correspondent adds.

ICC Under-19 World Cup, Quarter-Final; India pile 349 on naïve Namibia

Indian U19 batters take a run during a game in the ICC U19 CWC in 2016. File Photo: STAR

Star Online Report

India’s batsmen took Namibia’s bowlers to sword and spanked them to their hearts’ content in the crucial quarter-final tie of the ICC U19 CWC at Fatullah stadium.
Namibia managed to get an early wicket in the third over, but from then their nightmare began as India’s Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Arman Jaffer and Mahipal Lomror plundered whatever captain Zane Green threw at them and piled up 349 for six in 50 overs.
Pant took the center-stage early, and made his good form count with a breezy knock at the top. His 111 in 96 balls set the tone for the late assault, and he peppered the field with 14 fours and two sixes during his stay at the wicket.
He was instrumental in the second wicket partnership of 103 runs with Anmolpreet, and gave the platform for the middle and lower order batters to take-off from…something Jaffer and Lomror did spectacularly.
Jaffer hammered 64 from 55 with four fours and a six late in the innings, while Lomror made a mess of Namibian bowling figures with 41 runs in just 21 balls. He signed off with 24 runs in the last over.
With fielding lapses, couple of drop catches, Namibia looked totally out of sorts today, and they were ruthlessly punished for the error-strewn display at Fatullah by the tournament favourites.
India romped to the quarter-finals of the tournament with crushing victories over Ireland, New Zealand and Nepal.

PM seeks engineers’ help in attaining 7% GDP growth

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday seeks all-out cooperation from engineers in attaining seven percent GDP growth this fiscal year saying that the key to development is in the hands of engineers. Star file photo

UNB, Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today sought all-out cooperation from engineers in attaining seven percent GDP growth this fiscal year saying that the key to development is in the hands of engineers.
"We want to attain seven percent GDP growth and for that we’ve to quickly implement the projects we’ve taken, and only then we’ll be able to reach our target," she said.
The prime minister said this while inaugurating the four-day 56th convention of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB).
The inaugural session of the convention was held at the IEB with its president Engineer M Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan in the chair. The theme of the convention is ‘Engineers for Sustainable Development’.
Sheikh Hasina said her government wants to steer the country towards progress fast and it partly depends on the skills and sincerity of engineers, and quick implementation of projects.
The prime minister urged the engineers to undertake development plans in a planned way to serve the country’s maximum number of people with minimum expenditures. "When you’ll formulate a plan, please make it sure it doesn’t entail high cost…it should be less expensive and serve the maximum number of people."
Hasina said it is her government’s prime aim to change the fate of the country’s neglected people. "And we’re working tirelessly to achieve that goal."

Twitter suspends 125,000 'terrorism' accounts

Twitter says it has suspended more than 125,000 accounts since mid-2015 "for threatening or promoting terrorist acts". Photo: Reuters

BBC Online

Twitter said it had suspended more than 125,000 accounts since mid-2015 "for threatening or promoting terrorist acts".
In a blog, the US-based firm said the accounts "primarily related to ISIS" (the so-called Islamic State group).
"We condemn the use of Twitter to promote terrorism," it said, adding that it had increased its report reviewing teams to react faster.
Twitter has more than 500 million users around the world.
"We have already seen results, including an increase in account suspensions and this type of activity shifting off of Twitter," the company said.

Since mid-2015, we have suspended over 125,000 accounts for threatening or promoting terrorist acts. Read more here: https://t.co/FQJeOTtPLz— Policy (@policy) February 5, 2016

It added that it was co-operating with law enforcement bodies "when appropriate" as well as other organisations.Governments around the world - including the US - have been urging social media companies to take more robust measure to tackle online activity aimed at promoting violence.

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Analysis - Dave Lee, BBC North America technology reporter in San Francisco
The negative way of looking at this situation is that Twitter's problem with terrorism-related posts is a lot worse than we thought.
A study towards the tail-end of 2014 estimated that around 46,000 accounts had been used to post extremist material, and so in just over a year that number has rocketed.
But of course, the positive way of looking at it is that Twitter is seemingly on top of the issue and taking it seriously. It's doing what it can to make sure the public knows this, at a time when many in government are hitting Silicon Valley companies with large doses of "surely something can be done" rhetoric.
The big question is what happens next. Terrorists will carry on making more accounts, as well as migrating to other platforms.
And questions will be raised about the removal process. Who decides? Who's keeping watch? The definition and perpetrators of terrorism can change depending on your geography and political views.
Twitter will now be asked: why not fascist tweets? Or anti-Israel? Anti-Palestine? Anti-women? Anti-[insert cause here]?

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In December, US politicians put forward a bill that would force such companies - including Twitter and Facebook - to report any apparent terrorist activity they find.
EU officials have also been calling for talks with major social media firms to discuss the issue.
In March, Facebook revamped its "community standards" to include a separate section on "dangerous organisations".
It said it would ban groups promoting "terrorist activity, organised criminal activity or promoting hate."

How the big names defined 'abstraction'

Promiti Prova Chowdhury

In the section “rewind” of the Dhaka Art Summit, a holistic view was illustrated on how the big names in the history of art have defined “abstraction” in their very own ways.

The section features more than 90 works including tapestry, sculpture, photos and paintings. Thirteen artists associated with Bangladesh (Safiuddin Ahmed, Rashid Choudhury, SM Sultan), Burma (Germaine Krull, Bagyi Aung Soe), India (Monika Correa, Nalini Malani, Akbar Padamsee, Krishna Reddy, Arpita Singh), Pakistan (Zahoor ul Akhlaq, Anwar Jalal Shemza), and Sri Lanka (Lionel Wendt) were present at the section.

Art lovers flock to the third edition of Dhaka Art Summit on Friday    Photo- Syed Zakir Hossain

Curator Amara Anatilla explained how three generations of artists have responded to shifting cultural, political, and social contexts with experiments in abstraction, or the relationship between representation and abstraction.

“If you see the works of artists from the western world, you'll find the dominance of industrialisation there. They have featured buildings, cities which represent an international aspect. On the other hand, the Bangladeshi artists or artists of South Asia are more focused on rural and folk materials,” Amara told the Dhaka Tribune.

Shukla Sawant, a professor of visual studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, who came to visit the exhibition, said: “The motive of such exhibitions is to familiarise people with the languages of art. Although the context differs, any form of art would register some form of emotion anyway. It is a form of communication.”

Sawant is also a speaker at the “Critical Writing Ensemble,” to be held on Sunday as part of the Dhaka Art Summit.

Regarding “Rewind,” she said: “I am much fond of Zainul Abedin and Nisar Hossain. Their paintings mostly project landscapes with the essence of colonialism. Colonialism was re-imagined in the late 19th century; the problems of land shifts and relationship.”

“I also like that they are not 'great big oil' paintings, rather idea based fragile ones. The ones to which you can connect more easily,” she added.

Policy dialogue charts the course on long-term carbon emission pathways

Dr Mustafa Moinuddin , Alex Trowell

• Policy dialogue on carbon emissions pathways workshops for Bangladesh bring together multiple stake-holders 
  Photo- Syed Tasfiq Mahmood

Climate change poses a serious threat to the environment and people around the world. The Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that, without adequate adaptation and mitigation measures, the world is likely to face severe and irreversible impacts of climate change in the form of extreme weather events, loss of bio-diversity, and food insecurity.

Despite being subject to adverse climate-induced effects, we have witnessed rapid economic growth across Asia, particularly in the last few decades.

However, this has subsequently brought a rise in energy consumption and unwelcome greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2005, Asia accounted for roughly 38% of global emissions. Considering the continuation of the region’s rapid economic growth, Asia’s emissions are likely to double by 2050 (IGES, 2014).

It is now paramount that low-carbon actions receive the necessary support to be mainstreamed into policies at the global, national, and local levels. By shifting towards low-carbon development, Asia can mitigate its own vulnerabilities and help stabilise climate change.

LoCARNet – IGES Partnership

Considering the significance of the formulation and implementation of science-based policies for low-carbon development in the Asian region, an open network of researchers, research organisations, as well as like-minded relevant stakeholders -- the Low Carbon Asia Research Network (LoCARNet) was launched at the East Asia Low Carbon Growth Partnership Dialogue in 2012.

As a knowledge-sharing network, LoCARNet reflects an awareness of the importance of facilitating the realisation of a low-carbon and sustainable society.

The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) of Japan has been serving as the secretariat of the LoCARNet since 2012. The secretariat works in co-operation with Japan’s National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), the Japan focal point of this network, to promote dialogue among researchers and policy-makers in Asian developing countries.

The goal of LoCARNet is to encourage and enable Asian developing countries to strengthen their climate and energy policy-making through the use of their own scientific and research communities. For this, LoCARNet emphasises quantitative tools and modelling approaches that can be used for promoting an integrated knowledge-based system.

Carbon Emission Pathways for Bangladesh

In continuation with its activities in Asia, LoCARNet has prioritised Bangladesh as one of the target countries for initiating capacity building for science-based climate policymaking.

Whilst addressing the need to adapt to a changing environment, Bangladesh must also look to form climate policies which steer towards low-carbon development, not just because the country is set to see rapid growth, but also to set a precedent for other developing nations and developed nations to do their part.

To start this thinking on low carbon development, a one-day policy dialogue on “Carbon Emission Pathways for Bangladesh” was held in Dhaka on January 24. The event brought together policy-makers, researchers, academics who demonstrated discussed possible analytical methodologies and quantitative tools for policy-making for low carbon development.

The event was organised by IGES, in collaboration with the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) and focused on two thematic sessions:

Updating  climate change related policies, activities, and research in Bangladesh

This session focused on the existing climate change-related policies and their implementation in Bangladesh, the status of research on environment and climate change from an academic perspective, the role of the civil society in climate policy-making and identifying the gaps in building synergy between research and policy-making.

Science-based research and integrated climate policy

Science-based methods for analysing energy and emissions were discussed in detail. Along with overall integrated models, country-specific quantitative tools such as the newly-developed Bangladesh 2050 Pathways Calculator and Japan 2050 Low Carbon Navigator were demonstrated. The session also hosted a presentation on low-carbon technology assessment and diffusion-related activities between Japan and Bangladesh.

The policy dialogue had a special presentation on low carbon technology assessment in Bangladesh. This is an IGES project funded by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan. The project aims at promoting low carbon technologies in Bangladesh and at creating possible opportunities for joint investment projects in the low carbon technology area.

The Bangladesh 2050 Energy and Emissions Pathways Calculator

Acknowledging the need for data-driven climate forecasts, an integrated model of energy, emissions, and land-use in Bangladesh has been developed to identify energy secure pathways for supply and demand of energy between now and 2050.

The project, developed by a team of researchers at Cardiff University and funded by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), was demonstrated at the policy dialogue as was the Japanese version of the tool known as the Japan 2050 Low Carbon Navigator.

The Bangladesh 2050 Calculator compiles a huge scientific database into one single system and then outputs results in easily-interpretable graphs. “The calculator allows the user to explore all high-level energy, economic, and emission pathway options that the country faces. For each possible pathway, the user can investigate likely impacts on land-use, electricity, energy security, food production, and intake.”

There are currently two versions of the calculator; one is simplified and user-friendly and the other more detailed with the underlying data accessible. The latter may be more suited for policy-makers and also to inform local educators of the effectiveness of their interventions.

The simplified version of the calculator adopts a user-friendly interface, eliminating all the technical jargon, and is available as an open-source web tool: http://www.bd2050.org.

The way forward

Good practices and examples of scientific methodologies from other countries are likely to help relevant stakeholders initiate dialogue and discussions, which is an essential step in low carbon transformation of any country. In many countries, particularly developing ones, the levels of knowledge and capacity can vary quite significantly among policy-makers, researchers, practitioners, and other stake-holders. This is especially true for the carbon emissions sector, which is relatively intangible compared to other developmental activities.

Therefore, partnerships and research-based collaboration such as that between the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) in Japan, together with the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) at the Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) are critical to safeguarding the future of Bangladesh.

Free-to-attend Bangladesh 2050 Pathways Workshops

Engaging the public, stake-holders, and the government of Bangladesh is a vital step to ensure that the future of Bangladesh is one where the level of pollution and emissions are controlled.

A series of free-to-attend ‘Bangladesh 2050 Pathways Workshops’ are to be held in Dhaka from February to March. More information can be found at http://www.icccad.net/upcoming-events/

WHO SAYS WHAT Explosive moments from Thursday’s democratic debate

 Politico

• Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and Senator Bernie Sanders, left, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speak simultaneously as they discuss issues during the Democratic presidential candidates debate at the University of New Hampshire in Durham  
  Photo- Reuters

Fireworks flying on Thursday night in the first one-on-one debate between Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton and her formidable opponent as the former accused the veteran senator from Vermont of subjecting her to an “artful smear” while Sanders suggested the former secretary of state was a captive of America’s political establishment.

The two Democrats embraced a markedly more contentious tone than when they last debated before the year’s presidential voting began in Iowa, and it signalled how the race for the nomination has tightened five days ahead of the first-in-the-nation primary in New Hampshire next Tuesday.

Both candidates had a lot to lose, and it showed. Clinton’s team was stunned by Sanders’ near-victory in Iowa – their polls had predicted a much easier win than her fractional, disputed victory; And Sanders, up by as many as 30 points in recent polls in his near home state, found himself, for the first time, on the wrong end of the expectations game against an aggressive challenger.

Here are few explosive moments of the debate:

‘A very artful smear’

In one of her most energetic salvos of the campaign, Clinton ripped Sanders for “attacks” and “insinuation” suggesting that anyone who takes campaign contributions has been “bought.” “If you’ve got something to say, say it directly, but you will not find that I ever changed a view or a vote because of any donation I ever received, and I have stood up and I have represented my constituents to the best of my ability,” she said, calling on Sanders to “end a very artful smear that you and your campaign have been carrying out.” An incredulous Sanders, shaking his head attempted to respond, but Clinton continued talking over him.

‘Not the biggest deal’

Asked about the razor-close Iowa caucus Monday, Sanders shrugged off the narrow lead for Clinton. “You have 22 delegates. I have 20 delegates,” he said. “We need 2,500 delegates to win the nomination, so this is not the biggest deal in the world.” He said he agrees with a Des Moines Register editorial calling for a review of the caucus process and a full audit of Monday’s results. But he said it wouldn’t do more than show minor shifts. Clinton, too, shrugged off the results, though she raced to declare victory Monday when the results were still unclear. “Whatever they decide to do that’s fine,” she said.

The business model of Wall Street

After Clinton decried Sanders’ focus on “one street” - meaning Wall Street - Sanders delivered one of his most direct assaults on the financial industry. “In my view, the business model of Wall Street is fraud,” he said. “I believe that corruption is rampant and the fact that major bank after major bank has reached multi-billion dollar settlements with the Untied States government when we have a weak regulatory system tells me that not only did we have to bail them out once, if we don’t start breaking them up, we’re going to have to bail them out again.”

Progressives and progress

When MSNBC moderator Rachel Maddow recited a litany of Clinton’s positions that don’t necessarily align with the Democratic Party base, Clinton was ready with a quip that epitomizes her case against Sanders. “A progressive is someone who makes progress,” she said. Clinton said Sanders’ definition of “progressive” would exclude President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, New Hampshire Sen. Jean Shaheen and the late Minnesota Sen. Paul Wellstone. She also argued that Sanders’ votes against the gun control bill undermines his own credentials. “In your definition as you being the self-proclaimed gatekeeper of progressivism, I don’t know anyone who fits that definition.”

War in Iraq

When Sanders reiterated his well-worn criticism of Clinton for her decision to authorise the 2003 war in Iraq, Clinton was ready with a rebuttal. “A vote in 2002 is not a plan to defeat ISIS (an acronym of Dae’sh). We have to look at the threats that we face right now,” she said.

Woman killed as truck hits her in Sabujbagh

Sun Online Desk

6 February, 2016 11:11

A sexagenarian woman was killed as a rashly driven truck ran over her  at Mathartek intersection in the city’s Sabujbagh on Saturday morning.

Officer-in-charge of Sabujbagh Police Station Kuddus Fakir said a speeding truck ran over the unidentified woman in the area around 3:00am, leaving her severely injured.

The injured was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where she succumbed to her injures around 6:00 am.

Fire at cotton mill in Savar doused

Sun Online Desk

6 February, 2016 12:44

A fire broke out at SM Shawkat Cotton Mill in Ashulia of Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka, this morning.

The fire originated from the factory  around 10:30am.

However, no one was injured in the fire.

Three firefighting units from Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) doused the fire around 12:00pm.

The cause of the fire could not be known immediately, said Abdul Hamid, senior station officer of DEPZ Fire Service and Civil Defence.

Malaysia to legalise Illegal Bangladeshis from Feb 15

Adil Sakhawat

Malaysia is going to start legalising undocumented migrants, including some 300,000 Bangladeshis from February 15.
Labour counsellor Md Sayedul Islam at Bangladesh High Commission to Malaysia confirmed this to the Dhaka Tribune on Saturday.
He said the Malaysian government took the decision on Friday.
However, they are yet to inform this to Bangladesh government.
Earlier in January, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak made an announcement regarding the decision of legalising the illegal migrants.
At present, 296,934 legal Bangladeshi migrants are living in Malaysia. 

Police could have saved Babul

Kamrul Hasan

The members of Shah Ali police station on patrol duty in Mirpur’s Gudaraghat area on Wednesday night could have saved tea-seller Babul Matabbor had they tried to douse the fire instead of fleeing the scene.
An eight-year-old nephew of the victim first tried to pour a drinking water jar kept at the shop to put out the fire, but it was too heavy for him. No one came forward to help him. A constable rather barred him from the attempt. The desperate boy then rushed outside to collect sand and sprinkled it on Babul.
A police officer – the only person from the police team – sprinkled sand on Babul’s body to put out the fire. Informant Delowar Hossain was hurling abuse at the ill-fated tea vendor and attempted to grab his collar. Other members of the patrol team were watching the man get burned.
As soon as the fire spread all over Babul’s body, the patrol team and the informers left the scene immediately. Locals were prevented from going near the shop as long as the police members were there. As the law enforcers left the spot, the locals doused the fire and then Babul’s family members living nearby took him to hospital.
But it was already too late.
After primary examination, doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital said that he might survive seven or eight hours. Babul’s condition did not improve at the burn unit and he succumbed to his injuries around 1:30pm on Thursday, nearly 13 hours after he was admitted to the hospital with 90% burns.
Dr Partha Shangkar Paul, the residential surgeon of the DMCH burn unit, told the Dhaka Tribune that the victim could have been saved had someone poured enough water on his body quickly.
Babul was wearing woollen clothes which caused the fire spread quickly, eyewitnesses said.
“It is very difficult to say accurately whether he could be saved or not. It depends on the origin of the fire and the heat produced. He could be saved if the fire was doused within 30-40 seconds,” the physician added.
Tea-seller Babul, aged around 45, was preparing to close his shop around 9:30pm when he was attacked. He was pouring kerosene into a stove as a preparation for the next day.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the police members not only attacked the tea-seller but also barred others from coming to his aid. “The police have set up a very bad example of negligence and outrageous behaviour by letting the man get burned,” said a local.
The authorities on Thursday withdrew three sub-inspectors, an ASI and a constable for the sake of fair probe. Two probe committees were also formed to look into the matter. One of the probe bodies is set to submit its findings today.
Shah Ali police station’s Officer-in-Charge Shahin Mondol was withdrawn yesterday.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Shahin Mondol had earlier blamed police informants for the death of Babul, claiming that no police member had been involved in the incident. But yesterday the minister said that stern action would be taken against the police officers concerned.
Babul’s family, meanwhile, alleged that they were forced to file an attempted murder case accusing some local drug peddlers and two informants, instead of the police members. One of the drug traders named Parul has been arrested in the case.
The sad end of Babul’s life has created much hype as it took place at a time when several teams of patrol police in Dhaka were recently accused of torturing people and demanding bribes in the name of frisking.
“When I came out hearing screaming, I found some locals near the shop and a police officer sprinkling sand on Babul’s body. Realising that the efforts went in vain and more curious people gathering at the spot, the law enforcers and their informants left the scene on their vehicles,” said Jahanara Begum, a local.
After they left the place, Jahanara, Babul’s nephew Jahir and some other people doused the fire.
“It does not matter who set him [Babul] on fire. But how could the police members leave him there? No police member accompanied the family members to the hospital when they went to the police station seeking help. They even did not see him at the hospital,” said a local youth, seeking anonymity.
Babul’s nephew Jahir, 12, witnessed the incident on Wednesday night.
“The last customer left the tea stall after 9pm. All of a sudden, a police patrol car and a Noah microbus came to the spot. Two informants and three police members – two SI and a constable – came out of the cars.
“The informants – Aiyub Ali and Delowar Hossain – demanded Tk7,000 from my uncle. In reply, he said that he could not earn Tk2,000 that day, and refused to pay money even if he had the money.
“Hearing this Delowar grabbed his hand and tried to pull him out of the stall. At that time, he was pouring kerosene into the stove.
“During the scuffle, a constable hit the stove with his truncheon, and it fell on his chest causing the fire to start quickly as the kerosene spilled from the stove on his body.”
Jahir said that his younger brother tried to pour water on Babul from a jar but it was too heavy. The patrol team members also tried to stop the little boy. At that time, Babul was screaming for help and blaming Delowar for the situation.
As soon as Babul’s son Monir Hossain Raju arrived at the scene, Jahir said that they had managed a human haulier to take the victim to hospital. But they went to the police station as the vehicle had no authorisation to operate anywhere other than Mirpur area. After they had been able to convince the on-duty officers, the police gave them a special pass after around 15 minutes, Raju said.
Babul went through immense pain from the burns since the vehicle was not comfortable for him. He wanted to drink water and was screaming out of pain, Raju added.
A Dhaka Tribune correspondent found the spot left without any cordon yesterday although it is a general notion to cordon an area after any crime is occurred.
The chair Babul used to sit on and the roof made of terpal were found partially burned by the fire. After the incident, police collected the stove, the kettle and some other specimens from the spot.
Babul quit gang long ago
Babul’s daughter Rukhsana Akhter told the Dhaka Tribune that her father quit selling cannabis at least two years back as the police had threatened to take stern action against him.
Earlier, Babul started selling cannabis in favour of drug dealer Parul as he was unable to work hard due to sickness, she said, adding that he also worked as a caretaker of a house.
Six months ago, he filed an application with the police urging them not to harass him mentioning that he was no longer involved in the illegal business. He had submitted a similar application around two years ago.
Raju alleged that Parul was annoyed with Babul as he had quit the gang.
“On Wednesday, Parul’s husband was arrested by the police with cannabis. Parul then met Babul at his shop and blamed him for the arrest of her husband. She also threatened him with dire consequences mentioning her good connection with the police,” Raju said.
He alleged that some members of Shah Ali police had been involved in extortion and drugs business with the help of the informants. Delowar used to collect money from Parul every week.
Jahanara told the Dhaka Tribune that the patrol team first came to Babul around 1:30pm on Wednesday and demanded money. As he refused to pay, they later patrolled the area at least three times until the night.