March 14, 2016

SECOND EDITION

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

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Falgun 31, 1422, Jamadiul Sani 4, 1437

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 328

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www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages | Price: Tk10

Governor kept country in dark? n Jebun Nesa Alo

Directors of the Bangladesh Bank board have blamed Governor Atiur Rahman for keeping the cyber theft of $100 million from the bank’s account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York a secret from all concerned for over a month and said the governor must take the responsibility for this delay.

The members of the board as well as the finance minister learned about the loss of $100 million only

more than one month after the incident. Even a few of the top central bank managers learned of the matter only very late.

“We were formally informed at the board meeting on March 9,”

MORE ON PAGE 3  said Mustafa Kamal Mujeri, a member of the board and former director general of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies.

He said the governor gave an excuse at the meeting, saying the

issue was kept secret for the sake of investigation. “But I think even better steps could have been taken if lawmakers had been informed earlier,” Mujeri said.

“It was not a collective decision to keep the issue hidden. So, the governor will have to take full responsibility if anything bad happens,” he said, adding that the governor should have informed the board immediately.

Another board member M Aslam Alam, secretary of Bank and

Financial Institutions Division, also expressed dissatisfaction over Bangladesh Bank’s stance of hiding the issue from the board.

He said Bangladesh Bank did not include the issue in the agenda of the board meeting held on February 23. Later, the board held two audit meetings on February 28 and March 1, but the issue was not raised there, either.

“The central bank must inform the board as it is a damage to

BB heist an inside job n Mohammad Jamil Khan Apart from some junior officers, a high official of Bangladesh Bank was alleged to have been involved with the recent heist of $101 million from the central bank’s reserves kept with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

The investigators are now intensely analysing the role of the top official as they would require

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Blistering Tamim fires Tigers into Super 10s Uddin Khan from n Minhaz Dharamsala Bangladesh confirmed a berth in the Super 10 round of the 2016 World Twenty20 after defeating Oman by 54 runs (Duckworth/Lewis method) in their third and final qualifier yesterday. The Tigers finished at the summit of Group A following two wins in three matches.

Bangladesh will now fly off to Kolkata via Delhi today and undergo a practice session on the same day before taking on Pakistan at Eden Gardens in their first Super 10 game this Wednesday. Hosts India, New Zealand and Australia are the

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INSIDE

other three teams in the group.

Bangladesh had all the elements in place to win the game against Oman. Riding on opening batsman Tamim Iqbal’s maiden T20I hundred, the Tigers had posted 180 runs for the loss of two wickets to break Oman’s confidence.

Later, the Bangladesh bowlers kept picking up wickets at regular intervals only to be interrupted in their pursuit of a quick win by rain.

Oman’s innings was disturbed twice due to rain, thus presenting the Associate side with two revised targets. The confusing and tough chase was never met as the Bangladesh cricketers left the field with a bright

smile on their faces, having restricted the minnows to just 65/9. Leftarm spinner Shakib al Hasan led the pack with four scalps in three overs giving away only 15 runs.

Earlier, opener Tamim’s first T20I hundred, complemented by Sabbir Rahman’s 26-ball 44 saw Bangladesh dominate the Oman bowlers in a must-win fixture.

Tamim’s unbeaten 103 off 63 balls is the maiden hundred in the format for a Bangladesh batsman.

The southpaw also emerged as the first Tigers batsman to score 1000 runs in T20Is. The milestone was reached in his 49th innings.

With 233 runs in three matches, Tamim is now the highest scorer in the 2016 World T20 while yesterday’s century is also the first ton in the sixth edition of the global showpiece event.

Both Bangladesh and Oman needed to win the game in order to move to the Super 10 round. But it was the Tigers who elevated themselves to the driving seat, frustrating the opposition bowlers for the majority of the innings on their way to a huge total.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

Bangladesh opening batsman Tamim Iqbal hoicks one towards the leg-side during their 2016 World Twenty20 first-round match against Oman in Dharamsala yesterday AP

4-member body to probe BB heist

HC rejects writ against tenants info

The high-powered committee will advise government on what measures can be taken.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is to continue with its initiative of collecting information on tenants in the capital city.  PAGE 5

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Activists: Scrap Rampal projects

by May 15 Environment activists demand that the government cancel the coal-based power plant projects near Sundarbans.  PAGE 32

1st Round

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MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

High-powered committee formed to improve airport security n Ishtiaq Husain The government has formed a high-powered seven-member committee for the improvement of overall security management and development of cargo complex facilities at the Shahjalal International Airport.

The team was formed at a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) with Civil Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon in the chair.

The British government on March 10 put an embargo on direct cargo flights from Dhaka on grounds of security concern.

The Biman is the lone ground handling operator at the Dhaka airport.

British High Commissioner to Dhaka Alison Blake, Prime Minister’s Security Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (Retd) Tareq Ahmed Siddiqui, Home Secretary Mozammel Haque Khan, Foreign Secretary Shohidul Haque, PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum, Civil Aviation Secretary Khurshed Alam Chowdhury, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Chairman Air Vice Marshal Sanaul Huq, Biman’s acting managing director Asaduzzaman

participated in the meeting.

They are all members of the high-powered committee, which will hold another meeting on March 20 to review the standard of aviation security at the airport.

Sources at the meeting told the

European Union Aviation Security staff Denis O’Sullivan has started to audit the Shahjalal International Airport cargo management.

Since July 2014, carrier stations in third countries are required to have undergone an audit to obtain

If Bangladesh fails to meet the UK’s requirements on cargo facilities and airport security by March 31, the UK may impose a ban on passenger aircraft from Bangladesh Dhaka Tribune that they recommended improvement of security management and major overhauling of cargo complex on short-, mid- and long-term basis.

If Bangladesh fails to meet the UK’s requirements on cargo facilities and airport security by March 31, the UK may impose a ban on passenger aircraft from Bangladesh.

After this sanction on cargo, the state-run Biman is losing around Tk50 lakh per flight. Biman earns Tk100cr from cargo flights yearly.

ACC3 audit team at Dhaka

an EU Aviation Security Validation in order to acquire or maintain their ACC3 (Air Cargo or Mail Carrier operating into the Union from a Third Country Airport) designation.

This validation needs to be reissued every five years, according to the EU regulation.

O’Sullivan arrived in Dhaka Saturday morning and will stay until March 16. He will inspect the cargo complex and two terminals of the Shahjalal International Airport.

In February, the ACC3 team gave some suggestions for the improve-

ment of cargo facilities and security.

O’Sullivan will physically inspect cargo village to observe if any outsiders are staying inside the cargo village. The audit would evaluate efficiency of security machine operators.

The one-member team would certify the ACC3 of Biman and Regulations Agent 3 (RA) audit.

The certification is necessary to provide cargo service and ground handling services for Biman. The two certification dates expired on December 31.

Later, the EU extended its validity for three months on condition.

Without this certification, no one will be able to provide cargo services even in any alternative way.

Meanwhile, Air Vice Marshal Ahsanul Goni Chowdhury has been appointed the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh replacing Air Vice Marshal Sanaul Huq. The Public Administration Ministry issued an order yesterday in this regard.

The government appointed the new chairman following the British government’s March 10 embargo on direct cargo flights from Dhaka. l

RAB arrests JMB Mymensingh ameer, 4 others n Tribune Report

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested five members of Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) including its Mymensingh Ameer Huzayfa Akand alias Shahin alias Siam, 25, during a raid at Matuail in Demra, Dhaka last night.

They also seized a huge cache of explosive material and improvised explosive devices from the JMB men’s possession.

Speaking at a press briefing last night, RAB Media and Legal Wing Director Mufti Mahmud Khan that a RAB team raided a flat in Matuail around 9:30pm following a tip-off and arrested the JMB members and leader.

RAB suspects they had gathered in the city to plan attacks on Independence Day or Pohela Boishakh, Mufti said.

During primary interrogation, the JMB men also confessed to recruiting new members from different districts, he further said.

The investigation is still in progress, and further details regarding their plans will be confirmed after the investigation is complete, Mufti said. l

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BB heist an inside job permission of the government high-ups for the official’s arrest, said a senior investigator seeking anonymity.

The Organised Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department is looking into the matter while police’s elite force Rapid Action Battalion is conducting a shadow investigation.

Tanvir Hassan Zoha, director of operations at Insight Bangladesh Foundation and focal person of the Cyber Security Programme under the ICT Division, said it was quite impossible to take away such a large amount of money without the assistance of insiders.

“Analysing primary database, we got evidence that the hacking took place from inside the country.

Now we are checking how it hap-

pened from the local server,” said Zoha, who also works with the Police Bureau of Investigation.

He said that they had identified the three IDs from where the transaction had taken place. “We have forwarded the information to the intelligence officials. We have also completed the forensic examination of the server database and are analysing the result.

“The persons responsible for the offence will be exposed after final verification,” said Zoha.

A senior investigator, requesting not to be named, said that they had detected suspicious activities of a dozen of central bank officials.

Of them, the account IDs and the SWIFT codes of four officials had been hacked from the local server.

“For this reason, these officials

Governor kept country in dark? the country,” he said.

Asked why they had to hide the incident, Abu Hena Mohammad Razee Hassan, deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank, said things will be explained at a press briefing likely to be held in two days.

Bangladesh Bank sources said the governor had tried to tackle the issue alone and informed the issue to the top managers late.

Out of four deputy governors of

Bangladesh Bank, three were absent from January 21 to February 7 this year as their job contracts had ended. The heist took place during this period.

They joined office again on February 8 after their contracts had been extended. But the governor brought the issue to their knowledge only on February 13.

The DGs suggested that the governor shared the issue with the au-

Tamim fires have been kept under strict surveillance,” said the officer.

Meanwhile, another intelligence agency has asked Bangladesh Bank to provide them with the CCTV footage of the last two months to check the activities of the officials kept under surveillance. The agency is also checking the e-mails and mobile phone call records of those officials to verify their role.

After the matter of hacking came to light, a RAB team comprising IT experts visited the central bank and checked the server system. They also talked to some officials, Commander Mufti Mahmud Khan, director of RAB’s legal and media wing, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

The central bank has not sought formal assistance from any agency

to conduct an investigation into the sensational incident.

Mirza Abdullahel Baqui, special superintendent of the CID’s Organised Crime Unit, told the Dhaka Tribune that they were gathering information on the matter but had not been given any formal charge.

Similar statement came from Monirul Islam, the chief of police’s Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit. He said that they were ready to provide any kind of assistance.

“We need to get the central bank’s call seeking cooperation to investigate the matter,” said Monirul, also an additional commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, noting that they had succeeded in unearthing the mystery behind the recent ATM forgery. l

thorities concerned, but Atiur did not pay heed.

The governor, who is in New Delhi for attending a three-day conference on “Advancing Asia: Investing for the Future,” is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka today.

No committee has yet been formed to investigate the incident.

Only Rakesh Asthana, former IT specialist of the World Bank and working under Bangladesh Bank’s

financial sector support project funded by the World Bank, has been engaged to investigate into the incident. But the authorities concerned have raised questions about the likely standard of such an inquiry.

Asked whether international standards are being maintained in the ongoing inquiry, Secretary Aslam Alam said the ministry will form an investigation team soon after the governor returns home. l

The start was slow as openers Tamim and Soumya Sarkar initially took time to settle down, scoring only 24 runs in the first five overs.

Soumya had struggled in this match too but had put enough effort to let the in-form Tamim do his job.

Soumya soon departed after scoring 12 runs in 22 deliveries. The dismissal though enabled the Bangladesh innings to gain some momentum as Sabbir joined Tamim in the middle. The duo posted 97 runs for the second wicket in 9.1 overs at an average of 10.65 runs per over.

Sabbir was going strong until he was dismissed on 44 while trying to sweep, only to be clean bowled

by Khawar Ali. Tamim then partnered Shakib and added 41 runs in four overs for the unbroken third wicket stand.

Shakib remained undefeated on a nine-ball 17 with the help of two boundaries and a six. The innings might have been a small one but should come as a relief to Shakib and the Bangladesh team as the batsman has been struggling in recent times.

Tamim was clearly the star of the show as he entertained a handsome number of weekend fans in Dharamsala. The Chittagong lad hammered 10 exquisite boundaries and five huge sixes and left the field with a number of records to his credit. l

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Four-member body to probe BB fund heist n Asif Showkat Kallol A high-powered committee is going to be formed soon to investigate the unprecedented Bangladesh Bank fund heist and to advise the government on what measures can be taken in this regard.

The four-member committee will be comprised of a senior IT expert, an international trade expert, former governor of Bangladesh Bank or a banker, and a lawyer.

“The finance minister will select the committee members and will set the terms of reference,” Bank and Financial Institutions Division Secretary M Aslam Alam told reporters yesterday.

“No one guilty of the crime will go unpunished,” he said, after attending a meeting at Bangladesh

Bank headquarters in the capital.

Finance Ministry sources said the minister, AMA Muhith, would finalise the terms of reference shortly after consulting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He met the prime minister at the latter’s office yesterday evening.

“It will be a high-powered body.

So, I hope the incumbent governor, Atiur Rahman, and the people working in the SWIFT security system will not influence the investigation,” Aslam said.

“I have requested the four deputy governors of the central bank to call an emergency board meeting on Tuesday after the governor will return from a conference in India.

The meeting will decide the next course of action,” he said.

The secretary said: “The central

bank authorities submitted a detailed report on the fund hack on Thursday.

“I have identified a big security lapse in the central bank’s SWIFT security system. The bank’s IT expert failed to take appropriate measures against the system that the hackers used for laundering funds.”

Aslam said the Indian consultant team, appointed as part of the central bank strengthening project funded by the World Bank, had already examined the 4,500 computers after the bank’s SWIFT security system became corrupted on March 5.

Quoting deputy governors of Bangladesh Bank, he said the SWIFT system remained corrupted for 48 hours on March 5 and 6.

“Eight central bank officials

could not access the system during those 48 hours but they did not inform the matter to the general manager of the department either,” Aslam said.

“There is no good explanation for the delay in reporting the hacking to the authorities concerned but central bank officials said they would have informed the matter after gathering all the required information.”

According to Aslam, a total of 951 million dollars were illegally transferred from Bangladesh Bank fund against 35 payment instructions.

“Five of the 35 involved the transfer of $101 million to the Philippines and Sri Lanka. Of the money, $20 million went to Sri Lanka while $81 million to the Phil-

ippines.

“The central bank has already received $19.93 million of the $20 million transferred to Sri Lanka while the remaining amount was deducted in transfer fees. Besides, only $68,000 remained in the bank account in the Philippines out of the $81 million. $850 million of the central bank now remains in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York,” he said.

Regarding the hacking of $101 million, the secretary said: “We are already in a vulnerable situation because of the hacking incident.

The anti-money laundering legal system has been developed in the country but is yet to be executed.”

Bangladesh is now in the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force. l

Philippine Senate to hold hearing on stolen BB funds today n Tribune Desk The Philippines Senate will hear from key people connected to the $81 million digital heist of Bangladesh Bank today.

Invitees to the blue ribbon committee hearing include Maia Santos-Deguito, manager of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation branch on Jupiter Street in Makati City.

Santos-Deguito allegedly allowed the transfer of $81m, stolen by hackers from the US account of Bangladesh Bank, into five accounts in her branch without thorough scrutiny, a violation of the bank’s know-your-customer rule, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

She is also accused of falsifying the opening of the foreign exchange account of Centurytex owner William Go, one of six people being investigated by the Philippines Anti-Money Laundering Council.

Go and five other account holders – Michael Francisco Cruz, Jessie Christopher Lagrosas, Alfred Santos Vergara, Enrico Teodoro Vasquez, and Kam Sin Wong (Kim Wong) – have also been invited to the hearing.

Invitees to the hearing include other officials of RCBC, Philippine National Bank, East West Bank and Banco de Oro; heads of Solaire Resort and Casino Manila, Resorts World Corporation/Midas Casino Hotel and Melco Crown Philippines/City of Dreams Casino.

Officials of the AMLC led by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amado Tetangco Jr and Securities and Exchange Commissioner Teresita Herbosa are also listed as resource persons. l

A Dhaka South City Corporation official replaces the sodium light of a street lamp with an LED light in Shahbagh yesterday. All sodium street lights around the capital will eventually be replaced with LED lights for better luminosity RAJIB DHAR

‘Lack of cybersecurity cause of heist’ n Tribune Report

Expressing disappointment over Bangladesh Bank’s response to the fund hacking, Bank and Financial Institutions Division Secretary M Aslam Alam has said the central bank’s lacking in cybersecurity has led to the incident.

The secretary held a closed-door meeting with senior Bangladesh Bank officials yesterday. “We are disappointed that a month into the incident, Bangladesh Bank did not inform the Finance Ministry officially about the hacking. The min-

istry is also disappointed with their response to the crisis,” Aslam said.

The meeting was the first between the Finance Ministry and Bangladesh Bank after around $100m was taken away by hackers from the central bank's overseas account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

“I requested the central bank to call an emergency board meeting to discuss its next step,” he said.

The meeting will be held tomorrow when the governor arrives in Dhaka.

He said of the $81m laundered to the Philippines, $68,000 had been

recovered and brought back to the New York Fed account. “The rest has already been processed but it will take some time to get back as money has gone out of the banking system."

“We are going through digitalization but at the same time we need to train ourselves on technology. The failure to do that has led to this incident. Bangladesh Bank is now a big IT security risk.”

Secretary Alam said he would submit a report to the finance minister about the incident.

Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Razee Hassan said the theft

of $870m was prevented as the New York Fed recalled those payouts following Bangladesh Bank’s advice. But the rest of $101m was paid out as the central bank did not respond in time to the requests for advice by the Fed. “We need to find out why the central bank did not respond in time,” he said.

“Two more weeks will be needed to complete the investigation before we know whether the hacking took place from inside or outside the country,” the deputy governor added. l

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BANASREE SIBLING MURDER

Mahfuza may have obsessivecompulsive disorder Rahman Rabbi and n Arifur Md Sanaul Islam Tipu Mahfuza Malek Jasmine, 35, yesterday gave confessional statement before a Dhaka court that she killed her two children, 14-year-old Nusrat Jahan Arani and six-year-old Alvi Aman.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Golam Nabi heard her confession after she was produced before the court yesterday afternoon following the completion of her five-day remand.

Sources at the court said Mahfuza did confess to killing her children, but when the court asked whether she had any accomplices, she remained silent. The court then sent her back to prison.

‘Psychologists say Mahfuza may have a severe case of OCD’ Meanwhile, an official of the Detective Branch of police, who was involved with Mahfuza’s interrogation, told the Dhaka Tribune that she might be suffering from a severe case of a mental disorder.

“Psychologists observed Mahfuza during the interrogations and said she might have a severe case of obsessive-compulsive disorder,” he said, requesting anonymity.

Earlier, Mahfuza’s husband Amanullah, who filed a murder case against her with Rampura police station, also said his wife might have some sort of mental illness.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner told the Dhaka Tribune that police would conduct further investigation.

“Her confession is an evidence in this case. The investigation is still going on. We will reach a conclusion after a full psychological examination of Mahfuza,” he said yesterday.

Nusrat and Alvi were declared dead at Dhaka Medical College Hospital after they were taken there unconscious on February 29. At the time, Mahfuza claimed that the children had fallen asleep after having leftover Chinese food

for lunch and did not wake up.

After postmortem examination, doctors said injury marks were found on the children’s necks. The boy also had injury marks on his legs and his sister had eye injuries.

During interrogation, she told Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) that a bout of depression brought on by anxiety about the siblings’ future drove her to murder them.

Did OCD drive Mahfuza to kill her children?

The DB official said Mahfuza’s behaviour has been unusual for a mother whose children died recently. “She was calm during the questioning. She did not express any emotion regarding her children’s death.”

Monirul Islam said: “Mahfuza is in good health and has no problem recalling memories.” He further said Mafuza told police that she did not repent killing her children; she said she could not sleep for days due to the anxiety over her children’s future and now feels relieved.

The Dhaka Tribune talked to Dr Ashok Kumar Saha, chairman of the psychology department at Jagannath University, in this regard, who said obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that is quite common.

“A normal person thinks about a particular topic for a while and moves on to a different topic. A person with OCD becomes obsessed with that particular thought. They keep thinking about it and the obsession eventually takes over their life, and they act based on that obsession,” he said.

“If someone is diagnosed with this disorder, he or she should be given proper psychological treatment.”

He further said in the developed countries, courts usually allow a psychologist or a psychiatrist to be present during the trial of a person with OCD to help with the proceedings.

Same should be done here too, he said.

Supreme Court lawyer Rabiul Islam Rabi told the Dhaka Tribune that if an suspect is not mentally sound during trial, he or she should be provided with full treatment before being produced before court. l

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HC rejects writ against tenants info n Ashif Islam Shaon

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is to continue with its initiative of collecting information tenants in the capital city as the High Court yesterday rejected a writ petition that challenged the legality of the move.

The HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir passed the rejection order, saying the DMP can take any step under the DMP Rules 2006 to prevent any terrorist activity in the city.

Police may interfere in the privacy of any citizen in the greater interest of upholding law and order, the court observed.

The High Court, however, said if any unlawful incident happens

on all family members, house helps and drivers.

Police say according to Section 42 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, every citizen must help the police for government or investigation work. Under this section, police can seek information from anyone and citizens must cooperate.

If necessary, police can also take action under this section.

DMP sources said that the tenants' information would be collected and maintained by the police stations concerned and shared through a central DMP database.

The information would be stored under respective neighbourhoods.

The DMP had once taken a similar initiative in the past but the process did not succeed.

A fresh move was taken recently

ernment to refrain from seeking information of tenants.

He said there was no legal basis of collecting such information about tenants from their landlords and terming it a violation of people's rights to privacy.

According to the constitution, a citizen has every right to maintain secrecy of his/her personal life.

The DMP on February 29 announced that it had been collecting identification information about landlords and tenants since November last year and asked all to provide the information by March 15.

In the form, they have been asked to provide passport size photographs, identification number of national ID, passport, phone number, date of birth, reason of leaving the previous rented house, details

using the collected information, the victims – tenants and landlords – may take legal actions according to the law.

Later, talking to the reporters petitioner Jyotirmoy Barua, who represented himself in court, said the High Court had not given any guideline on how to preserve and process the collected information.

The court thinks that the information can be collected according to the specific rules of 2006 but the rule has no guideline about preserving the information.

“I will move to the appeal court with the petition,” he said.

The court heard the petition on two days.

Jyotirmoy filed the petition on March 3, two days after he had sent a legal notice requesting the gov-

after law enforcers had raided two houses in Badda and Mohammadpur areas and found huge cache of explosives in flats used as militant dens.

Meanwhile, Monirul Islam, DMP's additional commissioner and head of a Counter-terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit, has urged Dhaka city landlords to submit personal information of their tenants to the police voluntarily.

“We have legal right to collect the information of tenants but we want the residents to do it voluntarily,” he said.

Talking about the security of the information, Monirul said: “We are giving 100% assurance that the information will only be used by the law enforcers and will not be leaked to anyone else.” l

Auto-rickshaw drivers observe strike n Shohel Mamun

Dhaka district's CNG-run autorickshaw drivers are observing a 24hour strike till morning today in the capital to press home their demands, causing suffering for the city dwellers.

Their demands included immediately stopping 'random' fines and jailing by the mobile courts that have happened over the last few months, immediate release of the drivers who have been sent to jail by mobile courts as well as the withdrawal of cases filed against them and immediate distribution of 5,000 more CNG-run autorickshaws among drivers to improve passenger service.

Kamal Ahmed, the general secretary of Dhaka CNG-run Autorickshaw Drivers Union, said: “We observed the strike successfully. If the government does not fulfil our demands soon, we will announce stricter programmes like indefinite strikes.”

However, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said, “If the auto-rickshaw drivers charge extra fare, they will face punishment.

He said, “Auto-rickshaws must run under a law. They cannot operate in free style. If police or law enforcers find any faults when auto-rickshaws are plying in the streets, they will hand out penalties.”

Talking to reporters after a meeting on road transport at the secretariat yesterday, he said, “Besides, driv-

CNG-run autorickshaw drivers spend an idle day yesterday as they observe a 24-hour strike in the capital to press home their seven-point demand. The photo was taken in Shahzadpur MEHEDI HASAN

Rescued Al-Mamun receiving special care n Kamrul Hasan The two-month-old baby boy found in an abandoned condition in Paribagh area of the city early Wednesday has been given special treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

The infant was rescued by a vagrant woman, Taslima, and admitted to the hospital on Friday as he had high fever with the help of some youths from Wapda Colony area of Paribagh under the name Al-Mamun.

But later the doctors found that he is also suffering from

BSMMU but found no duty doctor there. They then took the baby to the DMCH where the doctors fed the baby.

Mehnaz said that the doctors were very cordial towards the baby.

They provided free medicine and milk for the child.

“It is Taslima who is working hard for the baby and staying at the hospital all the time although she has to manage her daily foods from the street,” she said.

Zubair Al Ebad, a first year student of Chittagong University and also teacher of Hashimukh, gave blood for the baby early yesterday. l

malnutrition and anaemia. It would take some time for his cure, Khaja Abdul Gafur, assistant director of the DMCH, told the Dhaka Tribune.

Visiting the baby at ward number 208, it was found that the homeless woman was addressing the baby as “Amar Bachcha” (my baby). She was happy that the baby had been given milk.

The youths, all volunteers of Hashimukh – a school for street children at Paribagh, have been attending the baby and the woman at the hospital by turn. One of them, Mehnaz Zakir Promi said that they first took Al-Amin to

TEMPERATURE FOREC AST FOR TODAY

DRY WEATHER WITH PARTLY CLOUDY SKY MONDAY, MARCH 14

Dhaka

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Chittagong

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Rajshahi

DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 6:07PM

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Rangpur

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Khulna

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Barisal

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 6:08AM

35.0ºC Maizdee Court

20.0ºC Dimla, Rajarhat

Source: Accuweather/UNB

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PRAYER TIMES

ers are also poor people. We also look after the interests of drivers. But they have no right to broke the law.”

“The drivers can have demands but strike is not a solution.”

The minister claimed very few auto-rickshaw drivers had observed the strike.

‘If the auto-rickshaw drivers charge extra fare, they will face punishment’ Helal, a auto-rickshaw driver who observed the strike, alleged that police harassed drivers without any reason.

“When we stop our vehicles to pick up passengers, they suddenly show up and say that the auto-rickshaw has to be dumped,” he said.

Another driver, Milon, said, “We cannot bear the costs of our family if we have to deposit Tk900 after driving for 12 hours.”

However, the owners' association does not agree with the demands.

Dhaka CNG-run Autorickshaw Owners Association Convener Barkatullah Bolu said: “The ongoing strike of CNG-run autorickshaw drivers is irrational. All owners take deposits following the rules.

If someone charges extra they have to face penalties.” l Sylhet

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Cox’s Bazar

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Fajr: 4:51am | Zohr: 12:08am Asr: 3:32pm | Magrib: 6:10pm Esha: 7:37pm Source: IslamicFinder.org

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Top cricketers to be Madrasa girl commits suicide after rape n appointed as jute ambassadors Our Correspondent, Bogra

Al-Masum n Mohammad Molla The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Jute and Textiles is considering appointing the top players of Bangladesh national cricket team as ambassadors to popularise jute products across the globe.

“We are branding Bangladesh across the globe in different ways and jute should be a part of that. We will appoint ambassadors to popularise jute products, and, if required, we will approach the leading cricket players of the country in this regard, as well as those who have conquered Mt Everest,” said Saber Hossain Chowdhury, president of the committee, following a meeting at parliament yesterday.

The committee also recommends setting up separate stalls for jute products in various international fairs to promote jute and jute-diversified products.

“The Export Promotion Bureau participated in different fairs and it was recommend-

ed to set up separate stalls for jute. If needed, we can hold a single country fair. We can hold fair to exhibit only textiles and jute products. We have suggested how we can maximise the commercial benefits of jute products,” Saber said.

He also said the committee suggested to keep a separate pavilion for jute products at the annual Dhaka International Trade Fair.

Meanwhile, the committee thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for declaring jute an agricultural product, according to a press release issued by the committee.

The press note also said a fair could be held in every district to showcase jute products.

Saber said suggestions were made for branding jute products in Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Inter Parliamentary Union programmes scheduled to be held in Dhaka.

“We want to make bag, folders and other things for these two conferences with jute,” he said. l

BGB-BSF joint exercise held in Sundarbans n Kamrul Hasan A three day long joint exercise, the first of its kind, between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Border Security Force (BSF) of India is underway in the Sundarbans border area.

The exercise, titled ‘Sundarban Moitry’ (Sundarbans Alliance) began on Saturday at Koikhali BOP of Neeldumur under the jurisdiction of BGB Battalion 34 and Samshernagar area under BSF Battalion 3.

The exercise was held with the aim of finding better border managerial mechanisms for the two countries, BGB spokesperson Mohammad Mohsin Reza said.

This is the first time such an exercise is taking place between the two border forces.

On the second day yesterday, an Indian cargo ship was raided jointly following an invitation from BSF at the junction of Hariyabhanga and Raymongol rivers, called the the forest

T-junction area.

Senior officers of both the forces were present at the time and observed the search at the ship, located inside the Indian BOP. The officers hoped that such exercises would help the forces understand each other properly and maintain a healthy relation at the border.

They said these joint activities, especially in the Sundarbans area would contribute to the prevention of cross-border crimes and expand border security activities more effectively.

BGB spokesperson Reza said the exercise aimed at four aspects – to asses the problems at the risky areas of the Sunderbans, increasing patrolling in the area by both parties, raiding suspicious cargo and trawlers on the Bangladesh-India sea transportation route jointly and be aware of the forest camps of the partner country.

The joint exercise will end today. l

A madrasa student committed suicide by taking poison after she was raped by a neighbour in Bogra’s Nandigram upazila early yesterday.

Mariam Khatun, 11, daughter of van driver Jamed Ali of the upazila’s Thaltamaz village and a sixth-grader, took her own life as she feared she would be in disgrace if the incident was revealed.

A mob caught the 28-year-old perpetrator, Farid Uddin, and handed him over to police.

Farid said he would give Mariam a mobile phone every morning to listen to music and would take it back from her at night.

He said he did this for a month as Mariam was very interested in listening to music on mobile phone.

He also said he raped the girl 15 days ago in her house when he went to bring back the mobile at night.

Officer-in-Charge of Nandigram police station Hasan Shamim Iqbal said the victim’s father had filed a case against Farid and the accused would be sent to court on Monday (today).

“On Saturday night, Farid entered Mariam’s house and attempted to rape her. Her father saw Farid and tried to catch him but he escaped through the window.

“Mariam’s parents chased him and returned home after some time but found their daughter in an unconscious state on the veranda. They took her to hospital where she died early in the morning,” he said, adding that the real cause of the girl’s death could be known after the autopsy was performed. l

7

DT

News

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

SEVEN-MURDER CASE

Nur Hossain files two petitions for acquittal n Ashif Islam Shaon The prime accused in Narayanganj seven-murder case, Nur Hossain yesterday filed two separate petitions with the High Court seeking scrapping his trial in two murder cases.

Citing from the petitions, Nur Hossain’s lawyer SRM Lutfar Rahman Akand said his client was not involved in abduction and killing of seven people in Narayanganj in April 2014 and the accused RAB officials have already confessed to the magistrate that they acted upon the directives of their higher authorities.

“Besides, none of the witnesses and the accused had said that my client was present in person at any spot where the abduction and murder took place. Nur Hossain was not named in one of the two cases too,” he said.

Implicating Nur Hossain in the charge sheets is violation of the law and therefore the trial proceedings against him should be scrapped, he added. Lutfar also said the hearing on the petition might be held next week.

On April 27, 2014, Narayanganj City Corporation panel mayor Nazrul Islam, his three associates and

driver were abducted from Fatullah area in the city. At the same time, senior lawyer of the Narayanganj District Judge’s Court Chandan Kumar Sarker and his driver were abducted on their way to Dhaka.

Three days into their abduction, the bodies of six people, including that of Nazrul and Chandan, were recovered from the Shitalakkhya and Dhaleshwari rivers on April 30.

The body of Nazrul’s driver Jahangir was recovered from the Shitalakkhya River on May 1.

Two cases were filed in connection with the murders. Nazrul’s wife Selina Islam Beauty filed a

case against six people, including former councillor Nur Hossain, while Chandan’s son-in-law Bijoy Kumar Paul filed the other case against some unknown people.

On June 15, 2014, the West Bengal police arrested Nur with some of his accomplices from Kolkata.

He had been in Indian custody since then. He was handed over to Bangladesh on November 12 last year. Later, Nur Hossain was shown arrested in 11 cases including the seven-murder case.

On February 8, a Narayanganj court framed charges against 35 people, including former RAB of-

ficials – Lt Col Tarek Sayed, Major Arif Hossain and Lt Commander MM Rana – in two cases filed over the sensational seven murders.

Recently a judge of a two-member High Court bench has felt embarrassed to hear a petition filed

by Narayanganj seven-murder accused Lt Col (retd) Tarek Sayed Mohammad.

Tarek Sayed filed the petition seeking the court’s directive to cancel one of the two cases against him in the sensational seven-murder in Narayanganj, which has been sent to the chief justice to assign a new bench for holding hearing. l

Fire destroys over 60 homes

n Our Correspondent, Dinajpur A fire in Dinajpur’s Khansama has destroyed over 60 homes, killed six farm animals and caused almost Tk 1 crore worth of damage. No loss of life was reported.

The accident took place in Sharkarpara, a neighbourhood in Bherbheri union under Khansama, around 10:30pm Saturday.

Police said the fire originated at the home of one Lalani Roy and spread quickly throughout the area. People informed the police and fire service and tried to put the fire out themselves.

Later, three firefighting units arrived from Nilphamari, some 40 kilometres away, and brought the fire under control after almost two hours of effort.

More than 60 homes, two cows, four goats, two motorcycles and many other valuables were destroyed in the fire.

Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Sajebur Rahman, Khansama police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Krishna Sarker and local Awami League leader Hafiz Sarker visited the area at night.

OC Sarker said 62 families were affected in the fire. l

At least 50 houses were burnt to ashes in Khansama under Dinajpur. The picture was taken Saturday night

DHAKA TRIBUNE

HC to pass order on Sayed’s appeal Shibir man held with arms n Ashif Islam Shaon The High Court on Tuesday will pass an order on a petition filed by the sacked RAB official Lt Col (retd) Tareq Sayed Muhammad seeking scrapping of the trial proceedings against him in a case filed for abduction and killing of seven people in Narayanganj in April, 2014.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Amir Hossain held the hearing on the petition yesterday and fixed the date.

Before that on March 7, one of the HC judges of Justice Md Emdadul Huq and Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan’s bench felt embarrassed to hear the petition.

On April 27, 2014, Narayanganj panel mayor Nazrul Islam, his four associates, senior lawyer Chandan Sarker and his driver were abducted and killed allegedly by some Rab-11 personnel. Their bodies were later found floating in Shitalakkhya river.

Nazrul’s wife Selina Islam filed a case with Fatullah police on April

28 and 12 days later Bijoy Kumar Paul, son-in-law of Chandan Sarker, filed another case.

Tareq Sayed’s lawyer Kibria said an investigation officer has investigated both of the cases and submitted same charge sheets to the trial court, which is not allowed by the law.

“An accused cannot be tried and punished separately for a single offense. Even the name and number of accused persons, autopsy report, witness’s accounts are same.

The cases are identical,” he said. l

Correspondent, n Our Chittagong Police arrested a member of Islami Chhatra Shibir in possession of a small gun and two rounds of bullets from Purba Chambal area of Banshkhali upazila yesterday.

The arrestee is Md Ripon, 30, a man accused in eight police cases.

He is the son of Mowlovi Jahangir of Purba Chambal, police said.

“Ripon was accused in eight cases filed with the Banshkhali police

station in connection with subversive acts, assault on police and illegal firearms,” Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sawpan Kumar Majumdar of Banskhali police station told the Dhaka Tribune.

The OC said a police team raided a house near Ripon’s home at Purba Chambal area based on a tip off and arrested him around 12:30pm.

Later the team searched the house recovered a local handgun and two rounds of bullet, he added. l

DT

8

News

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

Fake army officer held in Rangamati remanded n Tribune Report A Rangamati court placed a youth named Bivas Dewan on a two-day remand yesterday, three days after he was held by the Border Guard Bangladesh officials for posing as an army officer.

Senior Judicial Magistrate Kazi Mohammad Mohsin also ordered one-day remand for four of his associates and sent 11 others to jail. The four – all students – are Riten Chakma, Smriti Bikash Chakma, Gyan Alo Chakma and Rigen Chakma.

After giving the order, the court set March 29 for further hearing in the case filed against them under the Special Powers Act and the Disclosure of Public Interest Information (Protection) Act. According to local sources, Bivas was held along with 11 of his associates including three monks from Rajban Bihar when they were returning from a BGB camp at Falitenga Mon of Borkol on Thursday. Bivas was first welcomed by the BGB men as he identified himself as a second lieutenant of Bangladesh Army.

Fake army officer Bivas Dewan But the BGB officers were suspicious seeing the team members moving scattered while coming down from the hill and passing the check post.

They then contacted the authorities concerned to verify the identity of Bivas, and found that he was a fraud.

The 12 people were then detained by the BGB mem-

bers for questioning.

An army uniform was found from the possession of Bivas. Later they were handed over to Borkol police. Based on information given by Bivas, RAB 7 members conducted a raid in Bayezid area of Chittagong and detained four students. They were handed over to Rangamati Kotwali police. l

2 ex-Krishi Bank officials among four jailed for embezzlement Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong A court in Chittagong yesterday sentenced four people, including two former officials of Krishi Bank, to 10 years in prison for misappropriating Tk2.40 crore from the bank’s Bangladesh Tea Board branch in the district.

The convicts are former manager of the branch Shahed Hasan and its second officer Mir Kashem, Fish Home Limited official Saidul Haque and the company’s accountant Dipak Chowhdury.

Mir Ruhul Amin, judge of Chittagong Divisional Special Judge Court, handed down the verdict.

The four were sentenced after the court found them guilty of the offence beyond doubt, said Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) Public Prosecutor advocate Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury. “All of them are now on the run after walking out of prison on bail.”

The court also fined the con-

victs Tk60 lakh each, and said they would have to serve one more year in jail upon failure to pay the fine.

Advocate Mezbah said the court had instructed the district collector to collect the fine from movable and immovable assets of the convicts if they failed to pay it.

According to the prosecution, the four convicts embezzled Tk2.40 crore by selling export-quality goods from Fish Home Limited’s warehouse that were mortgaged to that branch of the bank. It was done in violation of the bank’s rules in the early 1990s.

The branch manager, Akikur Rahman Chowhdury, later filed the case with Panchlaish police station on September 24, 1992 against the four men.

Criminal Investigation Department Inspector Tarapad Sikdar probed the case and submitted the charge sheet on January 15, 1998.

The court indicted the four on June 23, 2010. l

9

DT

Education

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

IELTS

3 superb apps to help you study

dates and locations

Sleep If U Can Platform: iOS, Android We have seen extreme cases where alarm apps have you solve critical math problems to snooze, but this app goes a step further.

Absolutely brutal in nature, Sleep If U Can forces you to take a picture of an object (of your choice) to turn the alarm off.

Jumpcat Platform: iOS

n Rad Sharar Bin Kamal While technology does help make things easier for the average student on paper, it eventually ends up becoming the perfect distraction. Some may be a master of self-control and are able to keep their phones away when exams are dawning near, but for the rest of us, a single notification

makes it physically difficult to keep ourselves away from them.

No worries though, because these three free apps will help you survive.

SelfControl Platform: iOS For those who have never left a notification unchecked, this may

Well, nothing to hide here, but it is known that many make use of the copy and PHOTO: BIGSTOCK paste button when they write class be perfect for you. The app allows essays. If you’re familiar with the you to block certain websites for concept, this app will help you a certain amount of time. This save even more time. Jumpcat will help you study in peace, gives you access to text you’ve without every vibration capturing copied and pasted before, even your attention. However, once if you just copied another text that timer is set, you can’t access after it. A small addition, but one the sites till that period runs its which proves critically helpful course. No, seriously. Delete the when a deadline looms over your app itself, and it still won’t let you head. l have access.

IELTS

Writing Task

Venue: Banani Test date: March 31, 2016 Module type: IELTS Academic Registration deadline: March 24, 2016 Test date: April 2, 2016 Module type: IELTS General Training Registration deadline: March 26, 2016 Test date: April 2, 2016 Module type: IELTS Academic Registration deadline: March 26, 2016 Venue: Dhanmondi Test date: March 31, 2016 Module type: IELTS Academic Registration deadline: March 24, 2016 Test date: April 2, 2016 Module type: IELTS General Training Registration deadline: March 26, 2016 Test date: April 2, 2016 Module type: IELTS Academic Registration deadline: March 26, 2016 Venue: Bashundhara, Baridhara Test date: April 30, 2016 Module type: IELTS Academic Registration deadline: April 23, 2016

Write about the following topic: Some people believe that teaching children at home is best for a child’s development while others think that it is important for children to go to school.

Practice with us to step up your IELTS game.

Discuss the advantages of both methods and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Test date: April 30, 2016 Module type: IELTS General Training Registration deadline: April 23, 2016 Test date: May 7, 2016 Module type: IELTS Academic Registration deadline: April 30, 2016 Venue: Uttara

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write at least 250 words.

Test date: April 2, 2016 Module type: IELTS Academic Registration deadline: March 26, 2016 Test date: April 2, 2016 Module type: IELTS General Training Registration deadline: March 26, 2016 l

DT

10

Health

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

Ovarian cancer: What you need to know Risk factors for ovarian cancer:

There is no way to know for sure if you’ll get ovarian cancer.

Unfortunately, most women get it without being at high risk.

However, several factors may increase the risk and vulnerability such as: • If you are middle-aged or older.

• Being overweight.

• Have at least one close family member (such as mother, sister,

•

• • •

aunt, or grandmother) on either maternal or paternal side, who has had ovarian cancer.

Have inherited faulty genes called BRCA1 or BRCA2, or one associated with Lynch syndrome.

Have had breast, colorectal (colon), or cervical cancer, or melanoma.

Have never given birth, have had trouble getting pregnant or having infertility treatment.

Have endometriosis (a

PHOTO: COURTESY

n Dr Nahla Bari Being a woman is a blessing – they say. However, being a woman is also a curse when it comes to carrying “womenonly” diseases like ovarian cancer.

In Bangladesh, there are high death tolls due to maternal causes, among which cancer stands alone as the highest cause of death. Till now breast and cervical cancer are the leading causes of cancerrelated deaths among women, however, ovarian cancer has also made it to the list of fatal diseases. The high death rate is due to lack of undisputed screening test, presence of

vague symptoms and lack of access to treatment facilities.

As the standard of living and resources for health services improve in Bangladesh, there is an increased need to address ovarian cancer.

Cancer treatment works best in its early stage. Majority of patients with ovarian cancer tend to identify the symptoms in the final stage when the disease becomes more difficult to treat since ovarian cancer often shows signs which may be confused with other less serious conditions like gastrointestinal disorders. So it is important to pay attention to your body and know what is normal for you.

• Increased abdominal size or sudden change in waistline.

• Feeling full quickly while eating or having difficulty eating.

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge.

• A change in bathroom habits, such as having to pass urine very badly or very often, constipation, or diarrhea.

The best way to prevent ovarian cancer is to pay attention to your body, and know what is normal or usual for you. Unfortunately, there is no simple or reliable way to screen for ovarian cancer in women who do not show any signs or symptoms. See a doctor if you have any of the above symptoms for two weeks or longer. Ask your doctor if you should have a diagnostic test done such as rectovaginal pelvic exam, a transvaginal ultrasound, or a CA-125 blood test. The earlier ovarian cancer is identified and treated, the more likely it is for the treatment to be effective.

Awareness of the risk factors, signs and symptoms, as well as your family history are all important to identify the disease at an early stage. Having said that, pay close attention to your body because it usually gives you early warnings. l

PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

condition where tissue from the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body).

• Using hormone replacement therapy.

• Smoking.

• Diet high in fats, particularly animal fat.

If one or more of these factors is true for you, it does not mean you will get ovarian cancer, however, you should speak with your doctor about the risks.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer: Ovarian cancer may cause one or more of these signs and symptoms:

PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

• Abdominal or pelvic pain (the area below the stomach and between the hip bones).

• Back pain.

• Persistent bloating, which is when the area below the stomach swells or feels full.

Dr Nahla Bari is a professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics, MH Samorita Medical Hospital and College

DT

Editorial 11

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

INSIDE

How to foil a bank heist The Bangladesh Bank hacking occurred on a long weekend -- apparently there is no properly manned and managed Security Operations Centre there, or the weekend wouldn’t make any difference PAGE 12

To kill the killers The common moral objection I hear is that, wouldn’t we as a state, descend to the criminal’s level if we allow death penalty for murderers. Absolutely not.

The state is not punishing an innocent person, but rather, providing fair justice to the families who have lost their loved ones by punishing the criminal PAGE 13

A girl called Shatabdi For ages, the notion of someone in power has been carefully laced with fear and complete subservience, though it’s common sense, with such a flawed image, no public office role can possibly aim to know and solve issues inconveniencing the masses PAGE 14

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/ DhakaTribune.

The views expressed in Opinion articles are those of the authors alone. They do not purport to be the official view of Dhaka Tribune or its publisher.

BIGSTOCK

No excuse for Bangladesh Bank cover up

I

t is completely unacceptable that Bangladesh Bank took over a month to officially inform the finance ministry about the theft of $100 million from its accounts at the US Federal Reserve.

There is no excuse for Bangladesh Bank not to have alerted the ministry as soon as the hacking was discovered in early February. It needs to explain why it waited for reports by Philippines authorities and newspapers before issuing any public statement.

As one of the largest ever uncovered digital robberies, attempts to downplay the significance of the theft and the questions it raises are completely against the public interest.

The finance minister is right to criticise the delay. Bangladesh Bank’s tardiness in reporting the matter fails to instill confidence that everything possible is being done to trace the outstanding funds and to bring the masterminds of this robbery to justice.

For the hackers to have breached security protocols operated by the Federal Reserve and Swift, it is probable they obtained access to Bangladesh Bank’s procedures. The government needs to ensure a comprehensive independent inquiry to establish exactly how the theft occurred.

Of crucial importance is finding out for sure if there was internal collusion by complicit individuals or if a negligent IT lapse allowed the hackers to use malware to steal passwords.

The competence and integrity of all officials, staff, and external consultants responsible for managing Bangladesh Bank’s security and IT systems, and the duty of care and co-operation provided by the Federal Reserve and international partners, is in question and needs to be thoroughly assessed.

Cover ups do not aid security.

A through inquiry is vital so lessons can be learned and applied to remove any remaining flaws in security. The government cannot afford to leave any room for error in managing the nation’s money.

Cover ups are against the public interest. Lessons need to be learned to improve the security of the nation’s money

12

DT

Opinion

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

How to foil a bank heist The great Bangladesh cyber heist could have been averted … with the right software

The state of our IT security is nothing short of a joke

BIGSTOCK

It is standard practice to have an IT Security Operations Centre (SOC) in any such setting where all network traffic, in and out, is monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Bangladesh Bank hacking occurred on a long weekend -- apparently there is no properly manned and managed SOC there, or the weekend wouldn’t make any difference

n Zeeshan Hasan

N

ewspapers have reported that a “zeroday” vulnerability was used to accomplish the hacking of Bangladesh Bank, which has so far cost the country about $100 million -- a colossal amount. This news has surely both outraged and confused the public, most of whom have no idea what a zero-day exploit is.

Quite simply, all complex software (like operating systems and web browsers) inevitably have bugs/defects.

This is because they were written by programmers who are generally concerned with writing software that works, not software

that is perfectly bug-free.

Achieving the latter is generally impossible given real-world constraints of time and budget.

This reality of software engineering means that any complex software will sometimes be found to have a security vulnerability, is a bug that can be exploited by malicious software called malware or spyware to either damage or steal valuable data from a computer.

The latter is what seems to have happened at Bangladesh Bank.

The question is: What can be done to prevent this?

The likelihood of having a zero-day vulnerability and of it being exploited by hackers is much greater if one is using

computers that are using pirated or discontinued operating systems such as Windows XP, for which Microsoft stopped issuing security updates last year.

Essentially, Windows security updates ensure that some zeroday vulnerabilities are fixed as the Microsoft programming team become aware of them and are able to fix them. As a result of Microsoft security updates for Windows XP being discontinued, there is no way for anyone running Windows XP to secure their computer.

So the first thing that organisations such as Bangladesh Bank should do is to eliminate any remaining copies of Windows XP; the same applies to pirated copies of any version of Windows.

Every PC should run an operating system which is supported with security updates, and IT departments should ensure that the latest security updates are applied regularly.

The question is whether or not Bangladesh Bank IT staff did this properly.

The free/open-source Linux operating system also has a system of security updates. This presents the possibility of migrating organisations like Bangladesh Bank to Linux instead of Windows.

In fact, migrating from Windows to Linux is a valid strategy to help prevent malware.

The majority of malware is written to exploit Windows rather than Linux, for the simple reason that there are far more PCs running Windows and it yields a larger number of target users/ organisations.

As the Linux user base expands, there may well be more malware created to target Linux.

However, a critical point is that IT personnel familiar with Linux are usually accustomed to securing web servers (which usually run Linux, and are exposed to the Internet) from hackers.

This experience normally teaches them the details of security issues such as firewalls and VPN (virtual private vetworks) which are essential when it comes to securing IT networks from hackers.

Training government IT staff in Linux network administration and Internet security would yield obvious benefits. It would also open up the possibility of migrating government departments to Linux to increase security and save money.

Many government

organisations around the world use Linux exclusively. For example, the French national police has migrated 65,000 computers to Linux, with savings of tens of millions of dollars per year. The most popular version of Linux for desktop use is Ubuntu Linux (www.ubuntu.com) which is free to download for anyone, including governments.

However, governments can also buy a support contract from Canonical Software UK, which is the company that produces Ubuntu Linux.

The Chinese government currently uses a version of Ubuntu Linux customised for its needs called Ubuntu Kylin, for use on government computers.

The Bangladesh government should also consider migrating to Linux in order to improve IT security and help prevent any further attempts at hacking.

Another point to consider is that IT departments staffed with competent people and proper security monitoring facilities are fundamental to the IT security of any organisation, an essential IT job in critical environments like Bangladesh Bank (and for that matter, any bank or government department) is network/security monitoring.

It is standard practice to have an IT Security Operations Centre (SOC) in any such setting where all network traffic, in and out, is monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Bangladesh Bank hacking occurred on a long weekend -apparently there is no properly manned and managed SOC there, or the weekend wouldn’t make any difference.

Critical IT networks have to be secured all the time, not just weekdays. Any lacking in this department needs to be resolved quickly by Bangladesh Bank.

The working of the SOC has to be subjected to frequent audits by outside experts to provide maximum chance to improve security and prevent hacking.

The question should be asked: How many other banks and government departments are lacking a functioning SOC and regular IT security audits?

Are they all just sitting ducks waiting to be hacked? These issues need to be taken seriously and resolved now, or there will likely be more hacking in the future. l Zeeshan Hasan is a director of Kazi Media, the company behind Deepto TV.

13

DT

Opinion

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

To kill the killers Can we justify the morality behind capital punishment?

n Rasheek Irtisam

R

ecently the Supreme Court, the highest judiciary body of Bangladesh, decided to uphold the death sentence to former Al-Badr commander Mir Quasem Ali. While the attorney general reiterated that justice was served, I decided to ask few of my friends about their opinions on this matter.

Some of them, being educated in the West -- self-proclaimed liberals -- criticised me for expecting the highest punishment permitted by our legal system even for war criminals.

I failed to understand this liberal philosophy. Since when did we stop sympathising for the victims and start caring about the criminals?

When has this question “do you support capital punishment” become our ultimate test of morality? It would be cowardly of me if I keep my stance a secret so that I am not despised among liberal friends of mine.

Most of the people who object to capital punishment do so because they believe the punishment itself is morally reprehensible.

The common moral objection I hear is that, wouldn’t we as a state, descend to the criminal’s level if we allow death penalty for murderers? Absolutely not.

The state is not punishing an innocent person, but rather, providing fair justice to the families who have lost their loved ones by punishing the criminal.

Some of them would want to see the state’s right to sentence the death penalty repealed, even for the gravest crime.

In fact, Article-6 of the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil

serious crimes.

Although more countries are moving towards abolishing capital punishment, the world’s two largest democracies (the US and India) still retain the capital punishment, and almost twothirds of the world’s population still lives in places (top four populous countries: China, India, the US, and Indonesia) where capital punishment is permitted.

But is it immoral to ask for the death penalty even for the worst crimes? What I would try to do is to examine the morality of the punishment through Bentham’s utilitarian principle and Immanuel Kant’s categorical moral reasoning, and let readers make an informed argument about the issue.

According to Jeremy Bentham, the father of modern utilitarianism, the action that maximises utility is the best moral action: “It is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong.”

A Benthamite would support capital punishment, only when the benefits to the society outweigh the suffering of the person who committed the crime. One obvious benefit would be that the death penalty will prevent future murders due to its deterrent effects.

There are several studies which show that the death penalty actually reduces homicides. Why would we not want to execute murderers if it protects fellow innocent citizens from being killed in the future?

As Ernest Van Den Haag, professor of jurisprudence at Fordham University, puts it: “Common sense, lately bolstered by statistics, tells us that the death penalty will deter murder. People fear nothing more than death.

Is imprisonment enough?

The common moral objection I hear is that, wouldn’t we as a state, descend to the criminal’s level if we allow death penalty for murderers. Absolutely not. The state is not punishing an innocent person, but rather, providing fair justice to the families who have lost their loved ones by punishing the criminal

and Political Rights) preserves the state’s right to use the death penalty in the cases of the most

Therefore, nothing will deter a criminal more than the fear of death and life in prison is less

feared. Murderers clearly prefer it to execution -- otherwise, they would not try to be sentenced to

BIGSTOCK

life in prison instead of a death sentence.

Therefore, a life sentence must be less deterrent than a death sentence.

And we must execute murderers as long as it is merely possible that their execution protects citizens from future murder.”

Immanuel Kant, often regarded as the most influential scholar of modern philosophy, rejects the utilitarian logic of punishing criminals for two reasons: First, he believes it treats criminals as a tool to achieve others’ good; Kant’s categorical reasoning prohibits this. Second, the utilitarian

theory could justify punishing an innocent person to promote general welfare.

In The Metaphysics of Morals, Kant absolutely insists on capital punishment for murderers.

According to Kant: “Whoever has committed murder, must die, because no matter how difficult life might be, it is still better than death.”

Kant goes even further by arguing that if a state does not sentence a murderer to death, eventually it becomes an accomplice to the crime. l Rasheek Irtisam is a PhD candidate at Mississippi State University.

14

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Opinion

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

A girl called Shatabdi Government officials are here to serve the people, not the other way round

We need to speak up as a people

n Towheed Feroze

J

ust four days after the celebration of International Women’s Day, we have had an incident right here in our megacity which shows that, despite the presence of a variety of social evils plus entrenched prejudices which often seem ineradicable, women in Bangladesh have learned to be assertive.

A young girl of class 10 called Shatabdi, walking back from school, saw the transport minister on the road checking if CNGs were running on metres or not, plus the validity of public transport documents. She stopped and when the media was asking questions to the minister, raised her hand and wanted to ask a question.

Allowed to come forward, the girl of class 10 voiced the suffering of many other students like her from Mirpur Shewrapara who faced the predicament of timely transport to and from school every day due to the absence of buses exclusively for women.

The minister listened to her complaint and immediately arranged for a BRTC bus service on the route from early morning the next day. Shatabdi and others found the transport waiting the following day, Sunday, March 13, and while many would want to look at the prompt response from the authority, which, of course,

BIGSTOCK

deserves praise, I would want to place before you one girl, a representative of many of her age, who was not hesitant in speaking up when she felt that an anomaly had to be addressed. Curiously, some channels asked the girl later, how she, a person between 14-16 years of age, had the courage to ask a question to a minister, a top government official, in front of whom most people usually remain compliant or deferential.

I think asking her this question was wrong because any minister, despite the right to rush through the road with police escorts, creating an indisputable aura of power and inaccessibility, is actually supposed to serve the people. The public representative is not supposed to be isolated in some ivory tower surrounded by sycophants and security. The question raised about the girl’s confidence shows that, subconsciously, we feel and possibly nurture the belief that an elected public official cannot be approached like any other human being.

For ages, the notion of someone in power has been carefully laced with fear and complete subservience, though it’s common sense, with such a flawed image, no public office role can possibly aim to know and solve issues inconveniencing the masses.

In the mindset of most people, the word “minister” translates to a semi God-like figure descended

For ages, the notion of someone in power has been carefully laced with fear and complete subservience, though it’s common sense, with such a flawed image, no public office role can possibly aim to know and solve issues inconveniencing the masses

from Mount Olympus, who will imperiously look right and left, spewing venom on mere mortals.

Maybe that was the case in the past; in today’s world, where public representatives of other countries are seen to stand in queue or comply with rules of their respective countries, that idea of invincibility is untenable.

What is natural is that a girl like Shatabdi should get the chance to voice their grievances in front of a high official because that public representative has been appointed to listen to the people and use his power to solve their problems to the best of his ability.

The masses want very little from those in power: Just deliver the basic services on time and without irregularities. Do this, and the subtle machinations/ manipulations within the power structure is of no interest to them.

Social media saluted the young girl for her courage, and one feels there are plenty more like Shatabdi

who want to speak out but are unable to because they never get the opportunity.

For this girl, it was fortuitous that the minister was on the road when she was passing by. Of course, Obaidul Quader needs to be applauded for listening to the girl and then taking immediate action. Just a suggestion: From time to time, he may, as part of a plan, stop in front of schools and ask students who use public transport if they are satisfied with the prevailing services or not.

That way, the minister will be commended for taking the one-off encounter with Shatabdi as an experience to widen his “on the road” vigilance. Also, he will be doing a social deed which no one else has done in the past, thus setting an example worth emulating. As for Shatabdi, here we have a girl, or shall we say a person, from a generation that has been taught the greatest lesson of life: Unless you speak up, you

won’t get what you want.

At school we read a poem by Kamini Ray which had this line: “Shongshoye songkolpo shoda tole, pache loke kichu bole, korite parina kaaj shoda bhoy, shoda laaj” (In confusion, resolution is weak, the fear of what others will say seems big, duty I cannot complete, hesitation, diffidence make me effete).

When asked by the media, the girl simply said that she had spoken out because of pent-up grievances about transport.

Today, with the whole country applauding Shatabdi for getting a bus for female students of her area, the girl of class 10 sends a profound message, resonating with our efforts to ensure gender parity. She spoke not just for a bus but for establishing her right as a citizen to brush off irrational fear and demand. l Towheed Feroze is a journalist currently working in the development sector.

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Business 15

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

INSIDE Plan to double engineering firms for RMG factories remediation State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque yesterday said the government has decided to double the number of engineering firms to conduct the Detailed Engineering Assessment (DEA) to expedite remediation works. PAGE 16

China’s next bubble?

Iron ore surges as speculators weigh in With a huge global steel glut and slowing demand in China, an enormous recent spike in the price of iron ore has left analysts scratching their heads, with some even claiming a flower show might be to blame.. PAGE 17

Capital market snapshot: PSunday DSE Broad Index

4,480.2

-0.1% ▼

Index

1,087.0

0.1% ▲

30 Index

1,721.5

0.0% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

3,678.2

-4.1% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

100.4 -10.4% ▼

CSE All Share Index 13,818.8

0.2% ▲

30 Index

12,553.3

0.5% ▲

Selected Index

8,396.9

0.2% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

265.7

0.8% ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol

9.2

-3.6% ▼

Bangladesh had less severe direct impact of China’s downturn in 2015 n Kayes Sohel Bangladesh along with Pakistan and Sri Lanka had a less severe direct impact of decline in China’s import contraction in 2015, says a new report of the World Bank.

“Lower growth in China, as well as the gradual shift away from industrial production and investment, is affecting all regions of the world, but South Asia felt a less severe direct impact of developments in China than did other regions,” according to the WB report on Trade Developments in 2015 which was released by the World Bank last week.

The report said: “After the downturn in world trade volumes in the first half of 2015, trade began to recover starting in the third quarter albeit at a slower pace.”

According to the report, trade developments in 2015 reflected a combination of factors: persistent weak global demand and structural changes in world trade, compounded by falling commodity prices and China’s transition to a new growth path.

The first half of 2015 saw a reversal of rising merchandise import volumes in 2014, leading to a contraction in import volumes of around 3.5% while in the second half of 2015, growth was positive again, yet below that seen in the second half of 2014, according to the report.

“The merchandise exports of

already emerging, and it may also eventually boost upstream intermediate and capital goods sectors that are now adversely affected.

Furthermore, increasing real wages in China may encourage relocation of production towards other lower-cost economies like Bangladesh, it added.

People walk among office buildings in Beijing’s central business district. The downward trend of Chinese economy has affected South Asia less than other regions of the world REUTERS Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka continued to grow, buoyed by positive developments in the United States and parts of the Euro Area,” said the 2015 trade development report.

However, an adverse effect of the import contraction in China was felt primarily by India, it, however, said.

For India, the report noted that markets in the Middle East are more important than those in China, and so it suffered export contraction as much as a consequence of the downturn in exports to the Middle East (particularly the Unit-

ed Arab Emirates) affected by the fall in commodity prices as it did from lower direct exports to China.

The World Bank predicted that in the longer term, the scope for trade growth in manufacturing would be affected by a number of factors with contrasting effects.

On the one hand, trade growth may be limited by diminished growth in demand in China, said the report further adding that on the other hand, the gradual rebalancing from investment to consumption is likely to create opportunities for exporters of final goods’ evidence of which is

After the downturn in world trade volumes in H1 of 2015, trade began to recover starting in Q3 though at slower pace The rebalancing of the Chinese economy will influence trends in world trade but how the transition happens will affect the extent of trade fluctuations, said the bank in its report.

The report said: “The changing composition in demand may well favor exporters of consumption goods and eventually of upstream intermediate and capital goods used in their production.”

The rebalancing is also shifting Chinas’ demand from goods to services, and services imports may grow even faster if services markets become more open, said the report. l

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Business

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

Plan to double engineering firms for RMG factories remediation n Tribune Report State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque yesterday said the government has decided to double the number of engineering firms to conduct the Detailed Engineering Assessment (DEA) to expedite remediation works.

The decision came in the wake of slow progress of remediation of RMG factories, which were inspected under the National Initiative (NI).

“We have decided to double the engineering firms as the factory owners said they are facing problems in getting firms to conduct the DEA,” Mujibul Haque told reporters after a meeting with the owners of Dhaka zone. The meeting was held to learn about the progress and find out reasons behind slow progress of remediation.

Currently, there are 13 engineering firms, which are eligible and permitted to conduct the assessment as per the requirement of global retailers.

In the meeting, the minister also sought time frame from the factory owners within which they would be able to complete the remediation process. In response to the query from the minister, some factory owners said they have no knowledge about remediation.

Some want to relocate and some have been facing problems as the factory buildings are rented, added they.

Replying to a question, Senior Labour Secretary Mikail Shipar said that the owners have been facing

Workers at a garment factory in Dhaka

The government is trying to arrange foreign fund to help small and medium factories problems to conduct the DEA due to shortage of engineering farms.

To expedite the remediation, the meeting decided to increase

DHAKA TRIBUNE

the number of engineering farms to 25 as soon as possible.

The factory owners, who are under the inspection of Accord and Alliance, are craving for funds but the owners under the National Initiatives did not show eagerness for funds.

Mikail Shipar said the RMG owners who were present at the meeting did not mention the issues of financing to complete remediation.

“We assured the owners that the government is trying to arrange

foreign fund to help small and medium factories.”

Under the NI supported by the International Labour organisation (ILO), a total of 1,549 factories have been inspected. Of which, 115 got amber marks from Dhaka Zone.

Of the total factories under Dhaka Zone, 45 have to relocate while another 45 are under the remediation process. Of those under remediation, 5 got approval for its Corrective Action Plan (CAPs). l

Tax on honorarium at source to be deducted

n Tribune Report

The National Board of Revenue has asked its field offices to make sure that the authorities deduct 10% income tax at source on payment of honorarium against services such as attending meetings or trainings.

With the budget for fiscal year 2015-16, the government imposed 10% tax on honorarium paid to persons for attending board meetings or annual general meetings of the government, semi-government, non-government and international organisations in Bangladesh, autonomous bodies, banks and insurance and limited companies.

The field offices, however, have wrote to NBR that there are confusions on implementing the decision.

In such a situation, the income tax wing of NBR on March 6 issued a clarification signed by its second secretary Md Jashimuddin Ahmed to effect the decision.

According to the clarification, 10% source tax will be applicable to any payment including meeting fee and honorarium paid to any person for attending meeting as resource person or trainer for any trainings.

No tax, however, will be applicable to daily and training allowance or any other payment made to the trainees.

The NBR has sent the clarification to all of its income tax commissioners across the country. A copy of the clarification was also sent to general manager, Human Resources Department 1 (regulations desk) of Bangladesh Bank for their concern. l

Stocks open on flat note Bangladesh Trade Portal launched n Tribune Report Stocks opened the first session of the week on a flat note after the past week’s small gains.

The market swung between red and green zones entire session as intra-day volatility was about 20 points.

The benchmark index DSEX fell marginally 4 points to close at 4,480, after rising 49 points in the last four sessions.

The Shariah index DSES was marginally up over 1 point to 1,087.

The blue chip comprising index DS30 saw a fractional gain of 0.5 points to 1,721.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX ended at 8,396, surging 13 points.

A continuous cautious mood adopted by investors has pushed down the turnover as the DSE total turnover stood at Tk367 crore, down 4% over the previous session’s value.

Notably, pharmaceuticals

and chemicals emerged as the turnover leader after five sessions, grabbing 17.7% of the day’s total trade value.

Food & allied sector was the worst sufferer falling 1.4%, driven

by BATBC tumbling 2.3%.

Telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and power sectors moved up 0.4%, 0.9% and 0.2% respectively. Textile and engineering decreased marginally on profit booking.

Lanka Bangla Securities said after four days of continual rise in benchmark index, the market closed in flat red zone as investors remained quite nervous about the economic outlook.

Shares of 314 companies were traded on the day. Of these, 170 companies closed negative, 106 positive while 38 remained unchanged.

Aman Feed continued to become the top market leader with shares worth over Tk25 crore changing hands, accounting for 7% of the total turnover. l

n Tribune Report Bangladesh Trade Portal, first of its kind in South Asia, has been launched to facilitate the business community at home and abroad with a one-stop point of information on the country’s export and importable items.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed formally launched the national trade portal at a city hotel yesterday.

“Bangladesh has been connected with the globe through this trade portal. I firmly believe that we will be able to keep the people update with the latest information,” said the minister during his inaugural speech.

The Commerce Ministry will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly work for running the portal, said Ahmed.

“Launching of the trade portal is a milestone but it has to be sustainable,” said M Masrur Reaz, program manager, Trade and Competitive-

ness Global Practice Group, Bangladesh. He also put emphasis on the regular update of information.

Supervised by the Commerce Ministry and supported by the Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice, World Bank Group, the portal will provide an accessible, logical, helpful window for traders to access important regulatory and procedural information needed to export and import.

Bangladesh Trade Portal is an important step for the government toward improving the predictability and transparency of the country’s trading laws and processes.

The portal is a part of government’s commitment to facilitate information sharing and inline with the Seventh Five-Year Plan, which focuses on accelerating economic growth.

“The trade portal is a one-stop point of information, which is aimed at improving the transparency and accountability,” said Ashish Narain, regional head, South Asia Regional

Integration for Trade and Investment of the World Bank Group.

The portal, which is operable in both Bangla and English, can stores information relating to the existing trade regulations, procedures, laws, administrative procedures, guidance notes, applicable fees, forms, licenses, permits and penalties applicable in case of breach.

“The portal is a new horizon for the business community as it would create a platform to shares information,” said FBCCI President Abdul Matlub Ahmed.

Matlub also urged the Commerce Ministry to include hotline, chat box and a call centre with the portal to provide instant services.

The wide variety of the portal’s content includes overview of Bangladesh’s economy, business start up process, import and export guide, customs’ terminology, as well as information on special economic areas, export processing zones, cross-border trade and GSP Automation. l

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Business

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

China’s next bubble? Iron ore surges as speculators weigh in n AFP, Shanghai With a huge global steel glut and slowing demand in China, an enormous recent spike in the price of iron ore has left analysts scratching their heads, with some even claiming a flower show might be to blame.

But observers say the extraordinary movements for one of the world’s basic bulk commodities have been fuelled by something far more prosaic than daisies and daffodils - simple speculation.

The spot price for iron ore - the key material for steel - jumped 20% on the Dalian Commodity Exchange on Monday.

It closed at $57.35 per tonne on Friday, up nearly 33% so far this year.

But the vast majority of trades on the exchange do not reflect re-

al-world transactions: the iron ore futures volume on Wednesday alone represented an underlying 978 million tonnes of the commodity - more than China’s entire imports last year.

“Steel prices are in a crazy phase now. Everyone’s emotions are high and pushing up prices is the norm,” Chen Bingkun, an analyst at Minmetals and Jingyi Futures, told AFP. “The price rise is also caused by speculation.”

Only part of the real global iron ore trade passes through exchanges such as Dalian or Singapore, the other main hub for derivatives based on the commodity.

Instead, the business is dominated by a small group of producers, including Anglo-Australian giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton,

Brazil’s Vale and Fortescue Metals of Australia.

They all compete to sell to steelmakers in China and elsewhere on longer-term contracts, often priced according to indices calculated by specialist trade publications, leaving limited liquidity for the spot market and heightening its volatility.

Chinese analysts and industry officials have cited a mix of factors driving the speculation that fuelled the price surge, including hopes for higher government spending on steel-hungry infrastructure after the economy grew at its slowest pace in a quarter of a century last year.

The beginning of warmer weather and the end of the Lunar New Year holiday have restarted construction projects and steel production.

Even an upcoming flower show

Strong US, weak world picture challenges Federal Reserve n AFP, Washington Federal Reserve policymakers will hold their finger away from the rate-hike trigger when they meet next week, analysts say, but chances are it could move a bit closer.

Meeting after the European Central Bank cut interest rates Thursday in the face of weakening eurozone economic growth and inflation, the Fed is expected to heed caution even as it sees good signs of strength in the US economy.

Those signs though, analysts say, increasingly point to June - or possibly even April for the next increase in the federal funds rate, the Fed’s short-term benchmark, after December’s hike to 0.25-0.5%.

“Given faster-than-expected job growth in February coupled with another quarter of disappointingly slow productivity growth in Q4, the case for tightening is arguably stronger now than in December,” said an analysis by economists at FTN Financial.

Markets will focus on how optimistic the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is in its policy statement at the end of the two-day meeting on Wednesday.

Fed Chair Janet Yellen will also discuss the situation with journalists after the meeting and present new economic forecasts from the panel.

An improved outlook is not certain. The Fed is caught between crosscurrents and needs to wait to see how those develop.

One is the strength of the US economy. Job creation and consumer spending both remain strong and promise to keep driving domestic activity, after a winter slowdown.

Inflation though is still very weak. But Fed Vice Chair Stanley Fischer said on Monday that he expects the negative drag on growth and inflation from the collapse of the oil market to disappear as oil prices bottom out.

After that, the economy will see more clearly the result of strong job gains and consumer pocketbooks fattened by cheap gasoline prices, he said. And that could justify higher interest rates.

But the other current is the slowdown in

growth in the rest of the world. Recent dire warnings by the International Monetary Fund over this counsel the Fed to be cautious about tightening policy.

IMF Deputy Managing Director David Lipton said that there is an increasingly “dangerous” view that policymakers worldwide have exhausted their options for boosting growth or have simply lost their will.

In recent months, he said, “risks have increased further, with volatile financial markets and low commodity prices creating fresh concerns about the health of the global economy.”

He called on central banks to keep monetary policy loose and governments to spend more to boost growth.

That view was reflected in recent speeches by Fed governor and FOMC member Lael Brainard, who has focused on the volatility in global markets and weak emerging market economies as signals the Fed should hold off and not risk more damage.

“Given weak and decelerating foreign demand, it is critical to carefully protect and preserve the progress we have made here at home through prudent adjustments to the policy path,” she said on Monday.

Fischer sees inflation gaining

Fischer though said he sees inflation picking up soon, suggesting he could be biased towards tightening policy sooner to prevent price gains from getting ahead of the central bank.

“We may well at present be seeing the first stirrings of an increase in the inflation rate something that we would like to happen,” he said.

Jim O’Sullivan, chief US economist at High Frequency Economics, said he expects the FOMC to be relatively positive about the future path of the economy.

“We expect officials will continue to project much more tightening ahead than is being priced into fixed-income markets,” he said.

Based on CME fed fund futures, the market prices sees only one quarter-point increase in the fed funds rate this year. l

in the Chinese steel hub of Tangshan has been named as a factor, with local steel companies expected to suspend output to ensure blue skies for the event - which could prompt them to step up production before the halt.

China produces more steel than the rest of the world combined, and in the long term, cuts of up to 150 million tonnes in its capacity over five years could ultimately support steel prices, although their impact on iron ore costs is less clear.

‘Hidden risk’

There are signs regulators are taking notice of the market’s new-found popularity with China’s notoriously short-term investors, who have few choices on where to put their money.

A stock market slump has made equities unattractive while govern-

ment bond yields are relatively low, strict capital controls limit buying of foreign exchange, and housing prices are expensive.

The Dalian exchange will on Monday raise transaction fees and hike minimum deposits for trading the contracts. The move aimed to “guard against overheated trading and prevent hidden market risk,” it said in a statement.

But small investors are not the only actors in the market, said Chen of Minmetals and Jingyi Futures, with producers also seeking to cash in.

“Some steel makers, who rarely engage in arbitrage... started to participate in hedging steel futures because they saw some companies who did it have made money,” he said. l

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Business

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

Micromax, once a rising star, struggles n Reuters, Mumbai A year ago, Micromax vaulted past Samsung Electronics Co Ltd to become India’s leading smartphone brand. Today, its market share has nearly halved, several top executives have resigned, and the company is looking for growth outside India.

In Micromax’s slide to second place is a tale of the promise and peril of India’s booming but hyper-competitive smartphone industry.

India is the world’s fastest-growing smartphone market. Shipments of smartphones jumped 29% to 103 million units last year.

Rapid growth has helped nurture a crop of local brands, led by Micromax, that outsourced production to Chinese manufacturers.

Now, as Samsung rolls out more affordable phones, the same Chinese factories are entering the Indian market with their own brands, depressing prices and forcing Indian mobile makers to rethink their strategies.

“What the Indian brands did to the global brands two years ago, Chinese phone makers are doing the same to Indian brands now, and over the next year we see tremendous competition for Micromax and other Indian smartphone makers,” said Tarun Pathak, analyst at Counterpoint Research in New Delhi.

Management tensions

Micromax, which was founded in New Delhi by four partners in 2000 but only began selling mobile phones in 2008, built its market share by working with Chinese manufacturers such as Coolpad, Gionee and Oppo to offer affordable phones quickly. In 2015, it launched more than 40 new models.

In 2014, the founders brought in outside managers to lead the company at a time when Micromax was challenging Samsung to become the largest mobile phone maker in India.

But tensions arose soon after between founders and the newly hired executives, six former executives told Reuters. These conflicts undermined Micromax’s attempts to raise funds for expansion, say former executives. Last May, Alibaba walked away from a mooted $1.2bn purchase of a 20% stake, citing a lack of clarity on growth plans, according to one executive involved in the discussion. Micromax co-founder Vikas Jain said in an interview with Reuters this week that the company and Alibaba disagreed on a future roadmap.

Alibaba declined to comment.

Former executives said the lack of fresh funding undermined a proposal by the new executives to move Micromax’s research and design operations, which had previously been outsourced, in-house.

The move was intended to help Mi-

cromax differentiate itself from generic Android clones.

“We hired about 80-90 people in Bangalore to do in-house software and design, but with no money from the investors and little interest from the founders, that team fizzled away and that office has been partially shut down now,” said a former executive.

After Alibaba walked away, Micromax struggled to attract other investors who would have been key to Micromax’s plan to invest in software R&D and hardware design. The company was forced to scale down the in-house R&D project, a top executive involved in the fundraising plan said.

At least five senior executives

have resigned since November. The latest was Vineet Taneja, chief executive since 2014, who quit last week.

‘The whole industry is suffering’

Meanwhile, Chinese handset makers, including Coolpad and Oppo, to which Micromax outsources its manufacturing, were sharpening their focus on India. Samsung, too, began to introduce more affordable models there.

In 2015, Chinese brands doubled their market share to 18 percent, according to Counterpoint Research, taking away business from Indian budget phone makers such as Micromax, Intex, Lava and Karbonn. Indian brands’ market share fell from 48 to 43% last year.

“Right now the whole industry is suffering because of the Chinese phones,” Jain told Reuters. “We have seen large write-downs happening on inventory in China, and that inventory is being passed on to India at a markdown.”

Chinese phone makers including LeEco, Xiaomi and Lenovo have also partnered with e-commerce companies including Amazon India and Flipkart to sell phones directly to consumers, saving on distribution and sales and reaching new online shoppers directly.

In the final quarter of 2015, Micromax’s shipments fell by 12.1%, against growth of 15.4% for the sector, according to industry tracker IDC. Micromax’s share of the

smartphone market fell to 13% in the fourth quarter from 22% at its peak in 2014, according to IDC. Micromax, which is privately held and does not disclose financial information, maintains it is profitable.

Founders Jain, Rahul Sharma, Rajesh Agarwal and Sumeet Arora still control about 80 percent of the company. They have raised nearly $90m from investors in the last five years.

Facing competition from both Samsung and inexpensive Chinese phones, Micromax plans to increase production in India. Jain said that the company plans to double local manufacturing output from 1.5 million units to about 3 million units a month over the next six to 12 months. l

CORPORATE NEWS

Consumers credit division of Pubali Bank Limited has recently held a workshop on web based application programme, said a press release. The bank’s managing director, Md Abdul Halim Chowdhury was present at the workshop as chief guest

Samsung Mobile Bangladesh has recently handed over prizes to the winner of its J-20 Quiz competition on the occasion of T20 Asia Cup 2016, said a press release.

General manager of Samsung Electronics Bangladesh, Young-Woo Lee handed over J1 Nxt devices to top 20 winners of J-20 Quiz at a prize giving ceremony

Western Union and Southeast Bank has recently held prize distribution ceremony of its promotional programme during last Ramadan titled Wish Come True, said a press release. Six winners were selected, who received money for fulfilling their special wish

Sonali Bank Limited has held a programme titled Bankers’ Darbar at its head office on Saturday, said a press release. The bank’s managing director, CEO (acting charge), Md Ataur Rahman was present at the event as chief guest

Md Shafiet Wahed South Zone of Rupali Bank Limited has recently held a divisional business conference for the year 2016, said a press release. The bank’s managing director, M Farid Uddin was present at the conference as chief guest

Kazi Md Talha

Md Shafiet Wahed and Kazi Md Talha have recently been promoted as deputy managing directors of NRBC Bank, said a press release. Wahed completed masters degree in Finance from Dhaka University in 1989 whille Talha completed masters degree in Statistics from Chittagong University in 1988

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MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

| deals |

| contest |

Jet Airways’ new offers

Committed to offer exceptional value to its guests, Jet Airways, India’s premier international

airline, has launched an initiative offering guests the best fares on three booking platforms –

jetairways.com, m.jetairways.com (mobile site) and the Jet Airways’ app.

| dining |

| apps |

Shatkora meat at the Dining Room

‘Eat Up’ app launched

The Dining Room brings you Shatkora Mangsho (to go with mutton or beef), a traditional and classic Sylheti dish. Shatkora, citrus macroptera, commonly pronounced “hatkora” by locals, is a pride and glory of Sylheti cuisine.

Carefully selected, succulent pieces of mutton are delicately cooked with shatkora, offering you a tangy, savoury dish that is

guaranteed to transport you to the northern hills of Sylhet.

TDR invites you to savour Sylheti Shatkora Mangsho and experience an authentic Sylheti delight in the fine dining ambiance of the restaurant. For reservations at the Dining Room, please contact reservations@ thediningroombd.com, +880 2 9895729, +880 1984-332299/+880 1984-221199.l

DT

Biz Info

In keeping with the exploding restaurant market in the country, Mighty Egg Technologies on Friday unveiled an app that can help users find restaurants, offers, see menus, and write reviews – all with just one tap.

With the boom in cafés and restaurants, it can be difficult to remember reviews and menus and track eateries around town – and that’s exactly what “Eat Up” the app does.

“Eat Up” empowers customers to easily access the food they love as well as avail discounts. The “Rewards” system allows customers to accumulate points by visiting restaurants. The more points a customer has, the higher the discount they receive.

The app also caters to the budding food photographers of the country – every month they will be holding a photography contest featuring photos taken by foodies, who will then get the chance to win a free treat. l

As part of the “Best Price Promise initiative,” Jet Airways will ensure that the best fare for Jet Airways flights is available on the airline’s digital platforms, when compared with other online travel portals, for the same itinerary. Valid only on the Bangladesh country site of jetairways.com, mobile site and mobile app, this Best Price Promise assurance is applicable for international flights where the first segment of the flight originates from Dhaka, and also for flights booked for travel within India.

Gaurang Shetty, senior vicepresident - Commercial, Jet Airways, said: “At Jet Airways, it has been our constant endeavour to introduce innovative features and services that ensure guests have an enhanced travel experience. Moreover, this demonstrates our commitment to our ‘Guest First’ service philosophy, which is core to our business. With the Best Price Promise offer, we look forward to transforming the way guests book tickets using our online platforms.” l

International Philosophy Olympiad held in Belgium

In the last few decades, many educational Olympiads were organised for high school students. The first being the Math Olympiad held in 1959, followed by the International Philosophy Olympiad (IPO) in 1993 held in Bulgari. This year, the 24th edition of the IPO is being hosted by Belgium where students from 45 countries will be participating.

In 2015, Bangladesh team, led by Salim Miah, took part in the IPO for the first time. The team is organising the Bangladesh National Philosophy Olympiad, which is being held from March 10-20, 2016.

Students of class VII to HSC/ A Level can submit their essays to www.heritagebd.net/ipobangladesh. Winner will get a chance to participate in the 24th edition of International Philosophy Olympiad 2016, Belgium. l

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CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Astonished (4) 4 Seraglio (5) 9 Edge (3) 11 Uncovered (4) 12 Unsuitable (5) 13 Seeds covering (4) 14 Camping item (4) 15 Proverb (5) 19 Entertain (5) 21 Injure (4) 25 Top cards (4) 26 Unbound (5) 28 Woody plant (4) 29 Play on words (3) 30 Vends (5) 31 Outlet (4)

DOWN 1 Operatic air (4) 2 Spirit (3) 3 Greek letter (5) 5 Lessens (6) 6 Uncommon (4) 7 Poet’s Ireland (4) 8 Dissolves (5) 10 Vapour (5) 16 Girl (6) 17 Cunning (5) 18 Talks easily (5) 20 Run away to marry (5) 22 Land measure (4) 23 Stagger (4) 24 Curved (4) 27 Heavenly body (3)

Downtime CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 6 represents N so fill N every time the figure 6 appears.

You have two letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares.

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

As you get the letters, fill in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

A B C DE FG H I J K L MN O P Q RST UVWXYZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU How to solve: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeating.

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

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MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

INSIDE POINTS TAKEN

5 years of Syrian conflict: How it has changed the world JNU: The Indian battleground of nationalism vs dissent For about a month now, student politics on JNU campus — and the state’s reaction — have put the liberal university in the crosshairs of a debate that has raged across the entire country about nationalism and freedom of speech.

PAGE 22

Spacecraft to seek life on Mars in Europeanled mission A spacecraft is due to set off for Mars on Monday on a mission that scientists hope will help answer one of the most burning questions of spacefaring times: Is there life on other planets?

PAGE 23

The Syrian conflict has had outsized impact on global politics.

Five ways the world has changed:

Rise of Dae’sh

It was in the vacuum of the deteriorating Syria conflict that a little-known and horrifically violent branch of al-Qaeda grew into the foremost terror group on the planet. In 2014, the Dae’sh completed its takeover of the eastern Syria city of Raqqa and went on to conquer Iraq’s Mosul. It eventually took over an area straddling the countries’ border the size of Britain - absorbing weapons, wealth, and personnel along the way. The expansion went largely unchecked by the Syrian government, busy fighting opponents in its more populated regions closer to the Mediterranean coast. Dae’sh has sparked deep anxieties in the region and around the world by slaughtering minorities, institutionalising sex slavery, vanquishing state armies, and killing opponents in gruesome spectacles of violence. It destroyed heritage sites, such as temples in the ancient city of Palmyra, and fueled the global antiquities trade.

The group has waged terror attacks from France to Yemen and has established a beachhead in northern Libya that could outlast its socalled “caliphate” in Syria and Iraq.

Perhaps most confounding, thousands of young men and women from Europe - not all of Muslim origin - have flocked to join it.

Resurgent Russia

Massive anti-Dilma protests shake Brazil Tens of thousands of protestors poured onto the streets of major cities on Sunday to demand the removal of President Dilma Rousseff amid Brazil’s worst political and economic crisis in a generation.

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“There is one man on this planet who can end the civil war in Syria by making a phone call, and that’s Vladimir Putin,” British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said recently. Russian President Vladimir Putin has established a renewed Middle East foothold after watching for years as the US called shots in the region. Last September, after showering arms, advisers, and economic assistance on President Bashar Assad to insufficient effect, Putin sent his air force to pound the Syrian government’s opponents. The recent ebb in violence is largely because Russia dictated it. Russia’s designs for Syria are still veiled, but whoever leads Syria next will largely owe their chair to Putin. Russia is positioned as a major broker in the region with significant oil and gas wealth. Expect political movements of all stripes to ask how

Russia can serve their interests.

Europe destabilised

When Europe fashioned its open border agreements late last century, it did not anticipate over a million migrants -- mostly refugees from Syria -- in one year alone, as happened in 2015. Thousands have died trying to cross by sea, posing a moral challenge for the continent. The stream, which continues unabated, has brought on both generosity and xenophobia, ultimately shaking the open-border arrangement to the core. Europeans are now erecting barriers along the migrants’ Balkan route from Greece to Germany, after initially allowing entry to hundreds of thousands. Multitudes fester in squalid conditions in southeastern Europe. Many face legal limbo around the continent, waiting for asylum applications to be processed or residing without permits. The Dae’sh attack on Paris in November, though largely perpetrated by French and Belgian nationals, sparked security recriminations across Europe and boosted nationalist politicians. Europe is now exploring a deal to send all migrants arriving in Greece back to Turkey, in exchange for admitting pre-selected refugees from Syria. The mass migration has strained Europe’s unity to the limit.

Neighbours subverted

Europe’s migrant crisis is dwarfed by the wave of displacement that has washed into Syria’s neighbors.

Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan alone host around 4.4m refugees from Syria; in Lebanon, they make up more than one-fifth of the

Syrian refugees Aya and Layth, from Aleppo, pictured with their mother, Fatima (not her real name) at a train station in Slanishte, Macedonia UNHCR

The destroyed neighbourhood of Khalidiya in the Old City of Homs population. Syrian refugees have brought capital and labour and produced mixed economic outcomes in their host societies, depending on what figures are consulted. The Syria conflict has also ensnared militias and state actors across the region, destabilising fragile neighbours like Lebanon and reawakening ethnic tensions

A group of Syrian refugees arrive on the island of Lesvos after travelling in an inflatable raft from Turkey, near Skala Sykaminias, Greece UNHCR

UNHCR

in Turkey, where the Syria conflict has provoked concerns of a civil war with the Kurds.

Iran ascendant

The Syria conflict has rebalanced regional axes of power. Predominantly Shia Iran’s sphere of influence now extends from Beirut to Tehran, with dependent governments in Baghdad and Damascus.

The commander of the elite Quds Force of the vaunted Revolutionary Guards, Gen Qassem Soleimani, has visited Russia and is often seen directing deployments in Syria and Iraq. Iran has militias in both countries said to operate outside sovereign command structures. In Lebanon, Iran is powerfully represented by Hezbollah, which has sent thousands of fighters to prop up Assad in Syria. Saudi Arabia, the regional Sunni powerhouse, is struggling to maintain support for the mainly Sunni rebels it backs in Syria while also fighting Iran-supported Shiite rebels in Yemen. l

Source: AP

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World

INSIGHT

JNU: The Indian battleground of nationalism vs dissent n Tribune Desk India’s prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) prides itself as a place where student activism and politics flourish. As a bastion of the nation’s left, it’s known, especially among the intellectual class, as fertile ground for liberal thinking.

But for about a month now, student politics on campus — and the state’s reaction — have put JNU in the crosshairs of a debate that has raged across the entire country about nationalism and freedom of speech. The controversy has exposed fault lines in the pluralistic society around what it means to be a nationalist, and renewed concerns regarding how the Hindu-leaning government of Narendra Modi responds to what it considers dissent.

It all started on February 12, when Kanhaiya Kumar, the president of the JNU student union, was arrested by Delhi police under colonial-era sedition charges. Kumar was at a rally commemorating the hanging of Afzal Guru, a Kashmiri man convicted of attacking India’s Parliament in 2001 that left 10 people dead. The details around Guru’s hanging remain secretive and controversial.

Kumar was accused of chanting “anti-India” slogans and the rally was dubbed anti-national by ruling Hindu-nationalist BJP government.

The police were reportedly called to the

nating parliament and prime time television debates. The government and its supporters faced off against opposition parties and those championing freedom of speech at JNU. The university became a pit-stop for opposition parties in the aftermath of Kumar’s arrest. Rahul Gandhi, the scion of the Indian National Congress, addressed students at JNU, offering solidarity, while comparing the Modi government to Hitler. Gandhi was ridiculed by the BJP for supporting “anti-India slogans” and those who reportedly want to break India up.

At Kumar’s court appearance, lawyers allegedly chanting pro-India slogans attacked him, his supporters, JNU students and even journalists for their coverage of the issue. Indian media reports say some journalists were thrashed and threatened by lawyers while police watched the brawl and did not intervene.

Hundreds of journalists later marched to India’s Supreme Court to protest the assault and Delhi police’s failure to protect them.

Modi and the BJP have also been accused of polarising voters and creating a narrative around nationalism. While the government pitches its stance as patriotic, several prominent Indians including writers, artists, and Bollywood celebrities have come forward to talk about the growing atmosphere of intolerance in the country.

There were videos circulating on social

JNU student union leader Kanhaiya Kumar, right, chants slogans at a rally in New Delhi on March 3 campus by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, a student organisation loyal to BJP, and the government appointed vice-chancellor of the university. Two other JNU students, who were also charged with sedition, later surrendered to police.

Prior to Kumar’s arrest, Rajnath Singh, the minister responsible for law and order in the country, said he’d asked Delhi police to take “the strongest possible action” against those at the JNU rally. He told reporters that “if anyone raises anti-India slogans, tries to raise questions on country’s unity and integrity, they will not be spared.”

Thousands of students and academics held protests in India in the days following the crackdown, and the world slammed the government’s reaction. Prominent philosophers including Noam Chomsky said Kumar’s arrest “is further evidence of the present government’s deeply authoritarian nature, intolerant of any dissent, setting aside India’s longstanding commitment to toleration and plurality of opinion.”

Within India, the knee-jerk reaction to the rally at JNU has been deeply divisive, domi-

REUTERS

media and TV channels of Kumar shouting slogans in support of Pakistan from the rally which were also used to polarise the issue.

They were later found to be doctored.

“Some people are trying to justify anti-national sloganeering as freedom of expression and such anti-national elements are being portrayed as patriots,” BJP President Amit Shah said at a national convention of the BJP’s youth wing earlier this month.

Amidst the uproar, the government also ordered that all central universities must fly the Indian flag on campus “prominently and proudly” at 207 feet.

Kumar was released on interim bail last week with “the guarantee he won’t participate in any anti-national activities.” He returned to JNU to address supporters and in a fiery speech that’s now gone viral, said “I do not want freedom from India, but freedom in India.” l

[The full version of the article was first published by Vice News. You can find the article at the following address: HTTP://TINYURL.COM/GVOS442]

Demonstrators chant slogans as they hold placards during a protest demanding the release of JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar on March 2 REUTERS

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SOUTH ASIA

Q&A

Pakistan rains kill 28

What now for Suu Kyi and her presidential proxy?

Htin Kyaw, a former driver for Aung San Suu Kyi and a close friend, was nominated to be Myanmar’s first civilian president in decades Thursday.

He will act as a proxy for Suu Kyi who is barred from the presidency by the military-drafted constitution because she has foreign-born children.

So what now for Suu Kyi and the impoverished but hopeful nation she plans to lead from behind the scenes?

What happens next?

Htin Kyaw has been nominated but still needs to be assessed for suitability by the same constitution that bars Suu Kyi and then voted into office by Myanmar’s two legislatures over the coming days. Barring last minute upsets, that vote should be a forgone conclusion -- both houses are comfortably dominated by Suu Kyi’s party. He will take over from outgoing army-backed president Thein Sein on March 31. In the meantime, Suu Kyi will pick her cabinet and her government will start operating in earnest from early April.

How will Suu Kyi rule through a proxy?

Suu Kyi has yet to say. Some compare the situation to that of India’s Sonia Gandhi, who wielded huge influence over her Congress party’s administration despite having no official government role. Another example is Singapore’s Lee Kwan Yew, who held an advisory position in the cabinet long after his official retirement. Suu Kyi

is expected to be president in all but name, possibly taking the foreign minister post, which would mean relinquishing her party position but on the other hand would give her a seat at the country’s military-dominated Security Council. There are other pitfalls.

The military may decide her proxy president goes against the constitution. And a puppet leader may not be one hundred percent compliant -- as Sonia Gandhi often discovered.

Candidate for Myanmar president Nominated by the National League for Democracy (NLD) last week

Htin Kyaw Aung San Suu Kyi Leader of the NLD

69 years old Nominated

Is military might a thing of the past?

Far from it. It is difficult to overstate just how monumental both November’s polls and the so far peaceful transition of power are in a country battered by decades of corrupt and brutal junta rule. But Myanmar’s military is far from a spent force because the constitution ensures it retains significant power. A quarter of parliamentary seats are reserved for unelected soldiers, while the military will retain a vice president and control of three crucial ministries: home, defence and border affairs. The generals also oversee the National Defence and Security Council, a body which can seize power in times of national emergency, and also runs two huge business conglomerates.

What are the new government’s priorities?

The NLD has provided few policy details beyond a broad campaigning slogan of “change”. But the challeng-

es are both numerous and complex.

Myanmar remains one of Asia’s poorest countries, blighted by cronyism, corruption and a woeful lack of investment during the junta years with education and health especially underfunded. Many of its ethnic minority border regions are still wracked by insurgencies and Suu Kyi has said securing a country-wide peace deal will be a priority. But it is unclear how much say the NLD will have on pushing a peace process that will require cooperation from the still-powerful army. Sharing Myanmar’s natural resources more equitably and dealing with sectarian tensions are also major hurdles.

Will Suu Kyi ever be president?

One of Suu Kyi's most trusted advisors Acted as her driver and liaison officer Senior executive of Suu Kyi's charitable foundation Husband of sitting NLD MP and son of legendary poet and NLD member

Never say never. Suu Kyi has always maintained that she intends to overturn the ban. Doing that will be no small feat. In the immediate months after the election she held meetings with Myanmar’s army chief to build trust. But it soon became apparent those talks made little headway in changing the constitution before the presidential nominees were announced. Constitutional changes need the approval of more than three quarters of both legislatures. But in a system where the military is guaranteed a quarter of parliamentary seats, they have a de facto veto. Suu Kyi has said she needs “one brave soldier” to cross the aisle to her cause. l

Source: AFP

Spacecraft to seek life on Mars in European-led mission n Reuters, Berlin A spacecraft is due to set off for Mars on Monday on a mission that scientists hope will help answer one of the most burning questions of spacefaring times: Is there life on other planets?

The craft, part of the European-Russian ExoMars programme, is to lift off from the Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan on board a Proton rocket at 5:31am (local time), starting a seven-month journey through space.

It will carry an atmospheric probe that will study trace gases, such as methane, around Mars as well as a lander that will test technologies needed for a rover due to follow in 2018.

US space agency Nasa’s Mars rover Curiosity in late 2014 found spurts of methane gas in the planet’s atmosphere, a chemical that on Earth is strongly tied to life.

Scientists believe the methane

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ExoMars 2016: Mission to the Red Planet

The mission will analyse the planet’s atmosphere for evidence that life once existed there

TGO

(Trace Gas Orbiter) Will search for evidence of methane and other trace atmospheric gases that could indicate biological or geological activity on Mars

Schiaparelli

2018 or 2020: A new Exomars mission, this time to burrow into planet’s surface in search for organic matter December 2017: TGO begins its scientific work

This model will test landing equipment for future Mars rover

December 2016 - December 2017: TGO adjusts its orbit October 19-23: Schiaparelli takes readings October 19: TGO enters Mars orbit, as Schiaparelli lands on planet’s surface October 16: Schiaparelli separates from TGO March 14, 2016: Proton rocket launches mission

could stem from micro-organisms, called methanogenes, that either became extinct millions of years ago and left gas frozen below the planet’s surface, or that some methane-produc-

ing organisms still survive.

Another explanation for the methane in Mars’s atmosphere could be that it is produced by geological phenomena, like the oxidation of iron.

The second part of the ExoMars mission in 2018 will deliver a European rover to the surface of Mars. It will be the first with the ability to both move across the planet’s surface and drill into the ground to collect and analyse samples.

Landing on Mars is a notoriously difficult task that has bedevilled nearly all of Russia’s previous efforts and has given Nasa trouble as well. The US currently has two operational rovers on Mars, Curiosity and Opportunity.

The ExoMars 2016 mission is led by ESA, with Russia’s Roscosmos supplying the launcher and two of the four scientific instruments on the trace gas orbiter. The prime contractor is Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales and Finmeccanica.

The cost of the ExoMars mission to ESA, including the second part due in 2018, is expected to be about €1.3bn. Russia’s contribution comes on top of that. l

The death toll from torrential rain in Pakistan rose to 28 on Sunday after more homes collapsed in the southwest and northwest regions. More than 50 people were injured in both regions. During the rainy season last summer, torrential downpours and flooding killed 81 people and affected almost 300,000 people across the country.

-AFP

INDIA

RSS to abandon trademark khaki shorts Foot soldiers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) announced Sunday it was abandoning its trademark khaki shorts to try to modernise the dress code, 91 years after adopting the austere military-style uniform. RSS general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi told, at a three-day meeting of the group’s top decision-making body, that they had decided to replace khaki half-pants with brown pants.

-AFP

CHINA

China to set up maritime judicial centre China plans to set up an international maritime judicial centre to help protect the country’s sovereignty and rights at sea, its top judge said on Sunday. Giving a work report at the annual meeting of China’s largely rubber-stamp parliament, chief justice Zhou Qiang said courts across China were working to implement the national strategy of building China into a maritime power.

-REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

North Korean submarine missing, presumed sunk A North Korean submarine has gone missing at North’s eastern coast and is presumed to have sunk, according to reports from the US and South Korea. The vessel had reportedly been operating off the North Korean coast during the week when it disappeared. However, The North Koreans have not made an attempt to indicate there is something wrong.

-THE GUARDIAN

MIDDLE EAST

Israel wants Iran to be punished for missile tests Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered Israeli diplomats to demand that world powers punish Iran for its recent ballistic missile launches, his office said on Saturday. In a statement Netanyahu instructed the foreign ministry to contact the P5+1 (5 permanent members of UN Security Council and Germany) countries and demand that immediate punitive measures be taken in the wake of Iran’s repeated and gross violations on the missiles issue.

-AFP

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MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

USA

Obama to visit London to keep UK in the EU US President Barack Obama will come to London in April and urge British voters to back continued membership of the EU. Britons vote in June on whether to remain part of the world’s biggest trading bloc and Obama has previously said he wants Britain to stay in the EU and help maintain the post-war transatlantic partnership.

-REUTERS

THE AMERICAS

Indigenous protest against dam building in Canada Construction of a major dam in northern Canada is moving full steam ahead after some work was halted by an occupation by indigenous activists angry about its impact on land rights, its builders say. Local farmers and indigenous people who have lived and hunted in the area for generations say their traditional lands will be inundated to provide power to faraway urban centres.

-REUTERS

UK

SNP to renew push for Scottish independence Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Saturday her separatist party would make a renewed push to convince Scots of the case for independence from the UK. The Scottish National Party leader told the leftwing secessionists’ spring conference that a new campaign would attempt to persuade those who were not swayed by prospectus for independence 18 months ago.

-AFP

EUROPE

Amnesty: EU-Turkey migrant plan is morally, legally flawed A draft EU plan to send back some migrants to Turkey has legal and moral flaws and could put vulnerable people at risk, the head of Amnesty International said, calling on Europe to take in more people seeking refuge instead. Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty added that It was flawed, morally and legally.

-REUTERS

AFRICA

Libya’s unity government moves to assume power A Libyan unity government pulled together with UN backing moved to take power on Saturday night as the Tunis-based Presidential Council called on the country’s institutions and the international community to stop dealing with any rival groups. Libya has had two rival administrations since mid-2014 when the recognised government was forced from Tripoli after a militia alliance including Islamists overran the capital. -AFP

Massive anti-Dilma protests shake Brazil Rio de Janeiro/ n Reuters, Brasília Tens of thousands of protestors poured onto the streets of major cities on Sunday to demand the removal of President Dilma Rousseff amid Brazil’s worst political and economic crisis in a generation.

The demonstrations are the latest in a wave of anti-government rallies that lost momentum late last year but could gain strength as a sweeping corruption investigation nears Rousseff ’s inner circle.

The magnitude of the protests on Sunday could be decisive in convincing a divided Congress to back ongoing impeachment proceedings against Rousseff. The leftist leader is blamed by many in Brazil for sinking the economy into its worst recession in at least 25 years.

Polls show that more than half of Brazilians favor the impeachment of Rousseff, who was re-elected by a slim margin for a second four-year term in 2014.

Rousseff is the latest leftist leader in Latin America to face social upheaval as a decade-long commodities boom that fueled break-neck growth rates comes to an abrupt end.

Tensions ahead of the demonstrations were high after Sao Paulo state prosecutors requested the arrest of Rousseff ’s political mentor and predecessor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on money-laundering charges.

Rousseff has called for calm as her government fears clashes between pro- and anti-government

A Brazilian national flag is pictured over demonstrators during a protest against Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff, part of nationwide protests calling for her impeachment, at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday REUTERS protesters.

Demonstration were peaceful with thousands clad in the national yellow and green colors and holding banners that read “Dilma out” and “Stop with corruption.”

In the capital Brasilia, protestors inflated a giant doll of Lula wearing a striped prison uniform and chained to a ball that read “Operation Carwash” - the name of the investigation centered on state oil company Petrobras. Police estimated about 50,000 protesters in the Brasilia alone.

Although no official nationwide figures were immediately available, authorities expect the demonstrations to be as big as the anti-government rallies of March 2015, which gathered as many as

1m people.

A few hundred government supporters wearing red shirts and holding banners that read “There will not be a coup” stood outside the home of Lula in the outskirts of the city of Sao Paulo.

Popular discontent grew in recent weeks after a ruling party lawmaker reportedly used plea bargain testimony to accuse Rousseff and Lula of trying to hamper the Petrobras investigation. The probe has implicated senior politicians from Rousseff ’s coalition as well as top business executives.

The two-year-old probe has strained Rousseff ’s ties with her main coalition partner, Brazilian Democratic Movement Par-

ty (PMDB). At its national convention on Saturday, the PMDB threatened to break with her government and join the opposition.

Brazilian assets have rallied in recent weeks as investors bet that a change in government would lift business and consumer confidence and rescue an economy that contracted 3.8% last year.

Rousseff, whose popularity is near record lows, has said she will not quit and blamed her opponents for creating the crisis that is sinking an economy.

Political tensions have stalled Rousseff ’s legislative agenda that included measures to limit public spending and overhaul a costly pension system to regain the trust of investors. l

INSIGHT

Trump invigorated despite mounting tensions n AFP, Cleveland An invigorated Donald Trump will appear at a handful of rallies Sunday despite a climate of growing tension, as his White House rivals warn that the Republican’s heated rhetoric is fanning dangerous flames.

The brash billionaire, who is leading the race for his party’s presidential nomination in spite of incendiary rhetoric and hostile remarks towards immigrants and Muslims, will face tough races in next Tuesday’s crucial round of votes, which also includes Missouri and North Carolina.

The key elections are expected to further winnow the Republican field, with Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Ohio Governor John Kasich both facing make-or-break

A man wearing US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s mask, holds a sign smearing him after a rally in Missouri on Saturday REUTERS tests in their home states.

Although Trump is ahead in national polls and his party’s dele-

gate count, he was sorely defeated Saturday in nominating contests in the US capital of Washington, DC and Wyoming by rivals Rubio and Ted Cruz respectively.

The defeats do not majorly undermine Trump, however, whose rallies have increasingly become the scene of clashes between supporters and protesters offended by his abrasive speech.

On Friday, the violence peaked as Trump called off a rally in Chicago where scenes of chaos erupted as people threw bottles and punches.

At least five people were arrested.

But Trump dismissed the notion Saturday that his extreme statements on immigrants and Muslims had exacerbated tensions, placing the blame squarely on “organised thugs” as he returned to the theme over and over on the campaign trail.

Without mentioning Trump’s name directly, US President Ba-

rack Obama gave a mocking rebuke of the Republican at a Democratic party fundraising event in Dallas on Saturday.

“We are great right now,” Obama retorted, in remarks that played on Trump’s campaign slogan of “Make America great again.”

“What the folks who are running for office should be focused on is how we can make it even better -- not insults and schoolyard taunts and manufacturing facts, not divisiveness along the lines of race and faith. Certainly not violence against other Americans,” Obama said.

Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton issued a stern warning as well.

“If you play with matches, you’re going to start a fire you can’t control. That’s not leadership, that’s political arson,” Clinton said. l

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MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

INSIDE

TAMIM IQBAL

103*

63 Balls

4 X 10, 6 X 5

Watford stun Holders, Martial saves United

Tamim is the first Bangladesh batsman to score 1000 runs in Twenty20 internationals, and 25th overall.

Tamim is the first Bangladesh batsman to score a hundred in T20Is and in the World T20.

Tamim is only the second batsman in history to carry the bat three times in 20-over cricket, along with Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan.

Tamim is the only Bangladesh batsman who has scored hundreds in all three formats – Tests, ODIs and T20Is.

Holders Arsenal were dumped out of the FA Cup by Watford on Sunday, while Anthony Martial’s 83rd-minute goal earned Manchester United a 1-1 draw with West Ham. Odion Ighalo and Adlene Guedioura ended Arsenal’s two-year reign. PAGE 26

WHAT HE SAID

SULTAN AHMED Oman Captain

Ansar reign supreme in Nat'l Gymnastic Bangladesh Ansar emerged as the champions in the 34th National Senior Gymnastic Championship which concluded at the National Sports Council gymnasium yesterday. Ansar earned a total of 17 medals including eight golds, seven silvers and two bronzes. PAGE 27

4 4

20 17

4 6

6

PSG demolish Troyes to clinch Ligue 1 title Four goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic spurred Paris St Germain to their fourth successive Ligue 1 title with a 9-0 rout of Troyes, becoming the first team to win the championship after 30 matches. Ibrahimovic got a sensational nine-minute hat-trick at the start of the second half. PAGE 28

6

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has launched a staunch personal defence of Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal after the 14-time Grand Slam champion was accused by a former French sports minister of covering up a failed drugs test. PAGE 29

4 15 7 20 6 6

4

4

3 17

4 4

4

–MINHAZ UDDIN KHAN

Tamim: It was a special knock and I’m very proud Uddin n Mazhar from Dharamsala

Zidane defends under fire Nadal

4

4

It is a little disapointing we couldn’t make it further. We had started the tournament on a high, defeating Ireland. But there is always a next time. We now look forward to the next tournament. It was our first experience against a Test nation.

We didn't bowl well [yesterday] and that had cost us badly. It is difficult to play against Bangladesh and especially Tamim Iqbal, who played a brilliant knock.

There was not much difference in the wicket, it was only Tamim who had made the difference and we did not bowl upto the mark. We had expected to chase 150 as it is possible to chase that score. You see the first six overs, we kept everything under control but following that, everything went against us and Tamim took the charge.

Dashing opening batsman Tamim Iqbal became the first Bangladeshi to smash a hundred in Twenty20 internationals as the Tigers cruised past Oman, registering a comfortable 54-run win to advance into the main round of the 2016 World T20 in Dharamsala yesterday.

The Sunday crowd in Dharamsala was entertained by some extraordinary hitting by Tamim and the Chittagong lad also became the first Bangladesh batsman to score 1000 runs in the

shortest format of the game.

“Obviously becoming the first Bangladeshi to score a hundred in T20s is very special and I am very proud. I hope there will be many more centuries from Sabbir [Rahman], Mushfiqur [Rahim], Shakib [al Hasan] and the others.

It’s a proud moment for me to score 1000 runs in T20s and I would have felt better if I was able to do it a few matches before. But at the end of the day, I had a race with Shakib. Last time he reached 4000 runs in ODIs ahead of me.

But this time I did it so it feels really good,” said Tamim to the media yesterday.

The 26-year old struck a six on 88 to reach the 90s and then realised the century was on the cards as he smashed a boundary towards the cover region to reach

I hope there will be many more centuries from Sabbir, Mushfiqur, Shakib and the others the feat. Tamim jumped to the sky and indicated Tigers head coach Chandika Hathurusingha towards the dressing room as the dash-

ing batsman kept his promise of smashing a hundred in T20s.

“I have given a promise after coach asked who would smash the first hundred in the T20s and luckily I was able to do so. However, there are many promises which I have made which did not happen as of yet. And I am sure he (Hathurusingha) is very happy and it’s also pleasing for me that I was able to keep my word,” he said.

“Obviously it’s good to be in touch but I think we have more important tasks ahead in the super 10 stage and I hope that I would be able to contribute for the team,” he added. l

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MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

WHY DHARAMSALA?

SCORECARD BANGLADESH (20 OVERS)

R

B

Tamim not out Soumya b Lalcheta Sabbir b Khawar Shakib not out Extras (lb 1, w 3)

103 12 44 17 4

63 22 26 9

Total (2 wickets; 20 overs)

180

Fall of wickets 1-42, 2-139 Bowling Bilal 4-0-16-0, Amir 4-0-28-0, Lalcheta 3-0-35-1, Ansari 4-0-50-0, Mehran 1-0-110, Khawar 3-0-24-1, Kaleem 1-0-15-0

Uddin n Mazhar from Dharamsala Prior to the 2016 World Twenty20 qualifiers, the Dharamsala stadium was at the centre of all the attention thanks to its natural beauty. Not surprisingly, it was rated as one of the most beautiful cricket venues in the world.

Bangladesh never turned out in Dharamsala before but were scheduled to play their three first-round matches in the picturesque venue, standing more than 4000 feet above sea level.

The cricketers themselves were no doubt waiting with excitement to set foot in the venue which is surrounded

by beautiful mountains and hills.

However, the Dharamsala experience has not been a memorable one for everyone concerned. The inconsistent weather has played foul in almost all the Group A matches with the Netherlands-Oman tie and BangladeshIreland clash washed out to persistent rain. Several questions have been raised as to whether Dharamsala is indeed the appropriate venue to host the matches but Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association spokesperson Mohit Sood said rain in the month of March is an unexpected occurrence here.

“Rain in March is unexpected.

Generally, it’s our pre-summer season

but you can’t always predict what is going to happen as it’s beyond our control. But still, we have very good facilities for the rain. Like, we can cover the whole ground and we have six supersoppers. We can dry the ground flat in thirty minutes. We have a team of 45 people maintaining the ground so it’s one of the best teams, according to the ICC,” Mohit told Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“ICC is happy with the facilities and everything. The only problem is that the infrastructure and the connectivity of the town (are not upto the mark).

Like, not many flights are coming here and (there are) no fast trains. (These are) the only things lacking,” he said.

Previously, Dharamsala hosted quite a few big matches ever since attaining the international venue status. The hilly venue will hold one more match of the men’s main round and two games of the women’s event.

“Actually, in 2010 we became an international ground. Since then, we have hosted quite a few big matches like India-West Indies and the feedback of the games was very good. This is a very good playing centre for cricket in the country and the facilities along with the weather are very conducive for the game. So, the ICC decided to hold the World T20 in Dharamsala and we got the matches here,” he added. l

OMAN

R

(target: 120 runs from 12 overs) Zeeshan c Mahmudullah b Taskin Khawar c Mashrafe b Al-Amin Jatinder c Mithun b Mashrafe Adnan run out (Soumya) Kaleem c †Mushfiqur b Shakib Amir st †Mushfiqur b Shakib Mehran c Sabbir b Shakib Sultan† c Mahmudullah b Shakib Lalcheta c Mithun b Sabbir Ansari not out Bilal not out Extras (lb 2, w 4)

B

0 2 8 14 25 20 13 13 0 3 4 3 3 5 1 3 1 5 3 3 1 1 6

Total (9 wickets; 12 overs)

65

Fall of wickets 1-1, 2-14, 3-44, 4-45, 5-50, 6-56, 7-59, 8-59, 9-64 Bowling Taskin 2-0-8-1, Al-Amin 2-0-10-1, Abu Hider 2-0-15-0, Shakib 3-0-15-4, Mashrafe 2-0-10-1, Sabbir 1-0-5-1 Result : Bangladesh won by 54 runs (D/L) MoM- Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh)

GROUP A TEAMS

M W L N/R Pts NRR

Bangladesh (Q) 3 2 0

1

5 +1.938

Netherlands 3

1

1

1

3 +0.154

Oman

3

1

1

1

3 -1.521

Ireland

3 0 2

1

1 -0.685

Watford stun Holders, Martial saves United n AFP, London Holders Arsenal were dumped out of the FA Cup by Watford yesterday, while Anthony Martial’s 83rd-minute goal earned Manchester United a 1-1 draw with West Ham. Odion Ighalo and Adlene Guedioura ended Arsenal’s two-year reign as FA Cup holders as Watford won 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium to join Crystal Palace and Everton in the semi-finals.

United looked set to follow Arsenal out of the competition after Dim-

FA CUP RESULTS QUARTER-FINALS Arsenal

1-2

Welbeck 88

Man United Martial 83

Watford Ighalo 50, Guedioura 63

1-1

West Ham Payet 68

itri Payet put West Ham ahead with a stunning free-kick at Old Trafford, but French forward Martial spared manager Louis van Gaal from another wave of unflattering headlines with a late volleyed equaliser.

Triumphant in the FA Cup in 2014 and 2015, Arsenal were beaten in the competition for the first time since a 1-0 fifth-round defeat by Blackburn Rovers in February 2013.

It left them facing the prospect of a trophyless season, with Wenger’s side - booed off at the final whistle - eight points off the pace in the Premier League and 2-0 down to Barcelona ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 return leg at Camp Nou. Wenger named a strong team to for the visit of Watford, but despite dominating possession Arsenal struggled to create chances in the first half, with Mohamed Elneny sweeping one effort over the bar. l

Manchester United's Anthony Martial (2R) gets in front of West Ham United's Diafra Sakho (R) to score the equaliser during their English FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford in Manchester yesterday AFP

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QUICK BYTES Bangladesh Army bags Independence Day Volleyball Bangladesh Army clinched the Walton Independence Day Volleyball Tournament beating Titas Club by 3-1 sets in the final at National Volleyball Stadium in Paltan yesterday. Army won the first set 25-20 before losing the second set 22-25. Army though cruised to victory thereafter, winning the next two sets 27-25 and 25-20. Power Development Board sealed third spot defeating Bangladesh Navy by straight sets (3-0) at the same venue yesterday.

–TRIBUNE REPORT

Murray advances, Kerber sent packing at Indian Wells World number two Andy Murray was given a tough test but pushed his way past Marcel Granollers 6-4 7-6(3) in his opening match at the BNP Paribas Open in California on Saturday. Murray led Great Britain to a Davis Cup victory over Japan last week, but apart from that team event had not competed since his Australian Open final loss to Novak Djokovic on Jan. 31. Murray has made plenty of news off the court since then, however, welcoming the birth of his first child last month and earlier this week rebuking Maria Sharapova for her drug test failure. On the court in Indian Wells on Saturday, Murray overcame a break in the first set, and then took the second in a tiebreak against his Spanish opponent.

–REUTERS

Pellegrini shifts sights to Champions League Manuel Pellegrini urged his Manchester City players to re-focus on the Champions League following their disappointing 0-0 draw against Premier League strugglers Norwich City at Carrow Road.

Pellegrini’s men were frustrated by a resolute Norwich side battling to retain their top-flight status and were left nine points adrift of leaders Leicester City. Pellegrini refused to rule his side out of the title race, but said that tomorrow’s Champions League last 16 secondleg clash with Dynamo Kiev at the Etihad Stadium, in which City lead 3-1, is now the immediate priority.

“Every time you drop points in the Premier League it becomes more difficult,” the Chilean said after Saturday’s encounter. “But it will not change my mind. We think we can do it, but the most important thing now is to focus on the Champions League game that we play [tomorrow] night to try and qualify for the next stage."

–AFP

AFC CUP

Ansar reign supreme in Nat'l Gymnastic n Tribune Report

Malaysia’s Selangor set foot in capital n Tribune Report

Bangladesh Ansar emerged as the champions in the 34th National Senior Gymnastic Championship which concluded at the National Sports Council gymnasium yesterday. Ansar earned a total of 17 medals including eight golds, seven silvers and two bronzes. BKSP clinched second spot with 16 medals including four golds and silvers and eight bronzes while BJMC ended third with two golds, three silvers and four bronzes.

BJMC’s Abul Kalam Azad won gold in the men’s singles with 69.45 points while Shahidul Islam Raju and Saddam Hossain were placed second and third respectively. Noor Akter Banu bagged gold in the women’s single with 40.325 points while Narghis Nahar and Anita Akter claimed silver and bronze respectively.

BKSP attained gold in the women’s team event while BJMC took home gold in the men’s team event. l

Malaysia Super League runners-up side Selangor FA arrived in Dhaka yesterday ahead of their AFC Cup match against Bangladesh Premier Football League champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club tomorrow.

The Malaysian club, nicknamed the Red Giants, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:30am and underwent their first training session at Bangabandhu National Stadium in the afternoon.

The match begins at 6:30pm at the big bowl. It will be a vital clash for both the sides who are yet to win a single game in the competition and find themselves at the bottom half of Group E. While Selangor have just one point, Sheikh Jamal are yet to open their account. Selangor are the most reputed and successful club in Malaysia’s domestic football history, winning the Super League title seven times and the Malaysia Cup as many as 33 times.

They have four national players in the current Selangor squad.

The visitors also boast players like Argentine striker Mauro Olivi and Australian centreback Robert Cornthwaite. l

Gold medal winner in the 34th National Senior Gymnastic Championship, Nur Akter Banu tilts herself perfectly in the balance beam event at the NSC gymnasium yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Afridi predicts another familiar India contest n Reuters, Kolkata It has traditionally been a battle between India’s batting and Pakistan’s bowling whenever the arch-rivals have met on a cricket field and Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi reckons the trend will continue in their World Twenty20 contest on Saturday.

Pakistan were the last team to land in India, putting aside safety

concerns that led to the switching of their match against India from Dharamsala to Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.

With the uncertainty around their participation finally over, Afridi had no doubts that the onus, as always, will be on the Pakistani bowlers to trump an Indian lineup teeming with match-winners.

“I think this has been the case over the last 60 years,” the all-round-

er told reporters in Kolkata.

Pakistan, who begin their Super 10 campaign on Wednesday against the winner of yesterday’s qualifier between Bangladesh and Oman, have never beaten India in a World Cup. Afridi was confident that his bowling unit, bolstered by paceman Mohammad Amir’s return from a fixing ban, can help break the jinx with a slightly improved

performance from their inconsistent batting colleagues.

“Our bowling attack is pretty good. You have Mohammad Amir and (Mohammad) Irfan. (Mohammad) Sami is also back and then there is Wahab Riaz. The fast bowling attack overall is very strong.

“If our batsmen, according to team plans, can give us a defendable total, I’m confident (the bowlers can clinch it)."l

Dutch register consolation win against Ireland n AFP, Dharamsala

Ireland's George Dockrell walks back after he is bowled out during the World T20 match against the Netherlands in Dharamsala yesterday AP

Paul van Meekeren bagged four wickets to help Netherlands notch up a consolation 12-run win via Duckworth/Lewis method in their final match of the World T20 in Dharamsala yesterday.

Invited to bat in the inconsequential group tie, the Dutch openers had to wait for more than two and a half hours to take to the field with the rain-affected game reduced to 6-overs-a-side. Stephen Myburgh struck an 18-ball 27 to help

BRIEF SCORE Netherlands 59 for 5 (Myburgh 27, Dockrell 3-7) Ireland 47 for 7 (van Meekeren 4-11) Netherlands won by 12 runs Netherlands post 59 for five and the bowlers did well to defend the total.

“It’s special, I’m not sure if it’s happened yet. We had been preparing for this for the last three weeks, maybe six months, and it worked out well,” said an out-of-breath Van Meekeren after the win. l

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PSG demolish Troyes 9-0 to clinch Ligue 1 title n Reuters, Paris Four goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic spurred Paris St Germain to their fourth successive Ligue 1 title with a 9-0 rout of Troyes, becoming the first team to win the championship after 30 matches. Ibrahimovic’s sensational nine-minute hat-trick at the start of the second half followed goals from Edinson Cavani, Javier Pastore and Adrien Rabiot. Matthieu Saunier’s own goal and further strikes by Cavani and Ibrahimovic boosted the total. PSG moved up to 77 points, 25 clear of second-place Monaco, winning the league with eight games still to play. l

Terms & Conditions:

Prizes: (First Round)

The lucky winners among all the participants who have answered correctly will be selected in an official lottery and will have their picture published in the newspaper. v Answers must be sent in only the coupon (photocopy will not be accepted). v Quiz coupon should be submitted in the Dhaka Tribune newspaper address. v No one affiliated with Dhaka Tribune and Walton will be able to participate. v Coupon submission deadline March 13, 2016. v A person can send as many coupons as he/she wants. v Walton-Dhaka Tribune T20 World Cup should be written on top of the envelope.

1st prize 2nd prize 3rd prize 4th prize 5th prize

v

Q1: Who won the last T20 World Cup in 2014?

Ans: Sri Lanka India Australia Q2: Which venue will host the 2016 T20 World Cup final?

Ans: Kolkata Mumbai Dharamsala Q3: Which edition is the 2016 T20 World Cup? Ans: 4th 5th 6th

Name...................................................................................................

Father's Name.....................................................................................

Address...............................................................................................

Phone/Cell...........................................................Age.........................

Dhaka Tribune, F.R.Tower, 8/C, Panthapath, Sukrabad, Dhaka – 1207.

: Walton Refrigerator (11.5 CFT) 01pcs : Walton LED Television 24” 01pcs : Walton Microwave Oven 01pcs : Walton Blender 03pcs : Walton Rice Cooker 05pcs

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MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

Benitez begins Newcastle rescue bid with Leicester test n AFP, London Rafael Benitez’s mission to haul Newcastle United out of the Premier League relegation zone begins in unfavourable circumstances today as his new side visit leaders Leicester City.

Appointed manager on a threeyear contract on Friday following Steve McClaren’s dismissal, Benitez has just 10 games to steer the big-spending northeast giants to safety.

Benitez was quick to make his presence felt at Newcastle, cancelling a planned day off for his players and bringing them in for a hastily convened afternoon training session on Friday. l

BUNDESLIGA M'gladbach

Hanover 96

Former Netherlands and Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar came out of retirement on Saturday to play for his first club VV Noordwijk, marking the occasion by saving a penalty.

The amateur club were left without a goalkeeper after a spate of injuries and the 45-year-old Van der Sar agreed to step in for a oneoff game, almost five years since he last played professional football.

On Saturday, van der Sar starred in a 1-1 draw against Jodan Boys by diving to his left to save a penalty, a moment captured by a fan behind the goal who posted the footage online.l

DAY’S WATCH FOOTBALL STAR SPORTS 4 2:00AM English Premier League Leicester City v Newcastle United

TENNIS SONY ESPN 2:00AM ATP 1000 Masters 2016 BNP Paribas Open Day 5

Frankfurt

0-2

Cologne Bittencourt 43, 61

Hoffenheim

1-0

Wolfsburg

3-3

VfB Stuttgart

Kramaric 3

Ingolstadt Hartmann 4, Leckie 56, Lezcano 61

Darmstadt

Kostic 9, Rupp 79, Didavi 84-P

2-2

Vrancic 12, Wagner 40

Bayern Munich

Augsburg Feulner 63, Finnbogason 90-P

5-0

Werder Bremen

Alcantara 9, 90, Mueller 31, 65, Lewandowski 86

Bayern's Robert Lewandowski scores his side's fourth goal during their German Bundesliga match against SV Werder Bremen at the Allianz Arena stadium in Munich on Saturday AP

Bayern crush Werder, go eight points clear n Reuters, Berlin

Van der Sar, 45, saves penalty on one-off return n AFP

3-0

Stindl 36, Raffael 53, Dahoud 79

Thomas Mueller and Thiago Alcantara struck twice as Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich thumped Werder Bremen 5-0 on Saturday to open an eight-point gap at the top with their first win in three games.

The Bavarians, who claimed one point from their previous two matches, terrorised visiting Werder with Kingsley Coman setting up three goals in an eye-catching dress rehearsal for the Champions League last-16 second leg against Juventus next week.

“It may look easy ... but it was not,” said Bayern coach Pep Guardiola. “It was important to win after losing to Mainz 05 (last week).

“As for Kingsley, he is a young player but [Saturday] he showed his quality. We will need such a player on Wednesday.”

Guardiola can also count on Mario Goetze again after the attacking midfielder made his comeback from a four-month injury layoff.

Thiago, plagued by injuries for the past two seasons, fired the hosts into a ninth-minute lead with his first goal in 748 days following fine work down the right from 19-year-old winger Coman.

Werder were unable to threaten without injured top striker Claudio Pizarro and Frenchman Coman set up the second goal for Mueller who volleyed in from five metres in the 31st minute.

The Germany forward, enjoying his most prolific season in attack, then grabbed his 19th league goal of the campaign when he stabbed the ball home after keeper Felix Wiedwald had spectacularly parried a 20-metre volley from Franck Ribery in the 65th minute.

Substitute Robert Lewandowski, who had come on in the 74th minute, netted his 24th league goal of the season four minutes from time to remain the leading Bundesliga scorer. Thiago then finished off yet another Coman cut-back in the dying seconds.

Bayern have 66 points from 26 matches with Borussia Dortmund on 58 ahead of their home game with Mainz 05 yesterday.

Zidane defends under fire Nadal n AFP, Madrid Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has launched a staunch personal defence of Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal after the 14-time Grand Slam champion was accused by a former French sports minister of covering up a failed drugs test.

Roselyne Bachelot, France’s sports minister between 2007 and 2010, claimed Nadal had faked an injury in 2012, when he missed the final six months of the season due to knee problems, to cover up a failed test.

“I feel bad for Rafa Nadal because he is a gentleman, a person that has shown the values he has and that everyone loves,” Zidane said of Nadal, who is an honorary member of Real Madrid.

“He is a professional and I know him a little. I feel bad for what they have said.

“He has to leave all this to one side and think that everyone who loves sport, loves Rafa Nadal, whether they be French, Spanish or American.”

Real Madrid also released a statement in defence of one of Spain’s most loved and admired sportsmen.

“Rafa Nadal represents the fundamental values of sport. His great-

ness and his incredible achievements have always been based upon a foundation of exemplary conduct, unwavering work, talent and astonishing levels of commitment.”

Bachelot’s comments came in the wake of five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova’s admission that she failed a drug test at the Australian Open. l

Borussia Moenchengladbach moved back into the top four after a stunning goal from Raffael helped them beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0.

The Brazilian curled a shot in from 30 metres after keeper Lukas Hradecky tried to clear the ball but sent it straight into the path of the striker in the 53rd minute.

Eintracht, beaten in coach Niko Kovac’s first game, remained in the relegation playoff spot on 24 points, the same as second from bottom Hoffenheim who recorded a surprise 1-0 win over Champions League quarter-finalists VfL Wolfsburg.

Last season’s Bundesliga runners-up Wolfsburg lost further ground in their quest for a top-four finish as they stayed seventh. l

Woods working on short game n Reuters Tiger Woods is toiling diligently to improve his short game but there is still no timetable for his return, the former number one said on his website on Friday.

Woods, sidelined from competition since August due to back surgeries, revealed that he has been hard at work on his chipping and putting at his outdoor facility and taking full swings on his golf simulator.

Last month, the 14-times major champion posted a video of himself swinging a golf club in an effort to shoot down recent reports that suggested he had endured setbacks during his rehabilitation process.

“Health wise, I continue to improve,” Woods’ wrote on the site.

“I’m excited to get back out there with the guys.” l

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Showtime

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

Sonam turns tables

n Showtime Desk Scrutinised on her performances in Aisha to Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Sonam Kapoor has been commonly labelled as a mere dash of glamour to films and songs.

However, things have taken a turn for the better as she finally responded with her new role.

Her new movie Neerja, released

only three weeks ago, has made a box-office income of Rs121.43 crore worldwide, and it has only been three weeks since it was released.

The film, based on the real-life story of a flight attendant named Neerja Bhanot, has put up a good run so far. Sonam’s acting has also been appreciated as unorthodox by audiences as well.

Anand L Rai, director of Raanjhanaa, commented that

Mimes at DU

Sonam has matured tremendously over the last few years, and that he was hardly surprised she has.

He said that the actress was an apt choice for a biopic as such because “she doesn’t play to her strengths and doesn’t let her own mannerisms creep into the character.”

“The way she did it gave me a glimpse of what she is capable of,” he added.

Sonam also seems to be satisfied with her own performance in Neerja. She says, ‘’It is always difficult to play a real-life person, unlike in the case of a fictional character, where the audience has no reference points. But in the case of Neerja, there was no crutch I could use to become her. She didn’t have any physical traits to set her apart.’’

She had to put an effort in order to sound like the Bombay-bred Neerja, while the hair and makeup artists supplied the bob and look. However, it took more than physical appearance. “There was a certain energy, a glint, a laughter, her idealism and principles made her what she was,” she went on.

Zootopia, a 2016 American animated comedy adventure produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, is now being screened at the Star Cineplex in Bashundhara City.

Directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, co-directed by Jared Bush, and featuring the voices of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, J

Dhaka University Mime Action has arranged a three-day National Mime Festival at the university premises. The festival commenced at the Teacher Student Center (TSC) with a slogan “Na bola kothagulo na boley hok bola” (Let the silence do the talking). The mime troupe was formed in 2011 as an initiative by Meer Lokman.

Rashed Khan Menon, the minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, inaugurated the festival.

Light Versus Darkness, a popular mime drama, was staged right after.

A total of 15 pantomime troupes have confirmed to perform in the festival, including Swapnadal, Mime Art, Bengal Theatre, Gentleman Pantomime, Paribartan Mime Academy, Bangladesh Hudamime Club, Pantomime Movement, Muktamancha Nirbak Dal, Rangan Mime Academy and Bangladesh Mime Theatre.

Apart from staging shows at TSC, the festival is set to be held all over the campus. The festival, which also includes street shows, mime workshops and seminars, will continue till March 15. l

targets. Sonam Kapoor reprises that role in the film. l Source: The Hundustan Times

‘Zootopia’ now in Dhaka n Showtime Desk

n Showtime Desk

Neerja was only a 22-year-old when she decided to sacrifice her life for the safety of the passengers on Pan Am 73 flight, which was hijacked on September 5, 1986. She was shot dead when she was shielding three children from the bullets of terrorists.

She even saved numerous American passengers, who were the primary

K Simmons, Tommy Chong, Octavia Spencer, Jenny Slate and Shakira, it is the 55th animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series.

The film was released in the Disney Digital 3D, RealD 3D, and IMAX 3D formats on March 4, 2016. It details the unlikely partnership between a rabbit police officer and a red fox con artist as they uncover

a conspiracy involving missing predator civilians.

Zootopia received numerous acclaims from critics, who praised the film’s CGI animation, voice acting, script and found its themes of prejudice and stereotypes suited for the times. l Source: IMDB

Night clubs in Bangladesh!

Quantico triggers debates and criticism

n Showtime Desk A heated conversation erupted on social media following a slight change in dialogue from popular American TV series Quantico, which went as, “Did you know he was responsible for a club bombing in Bangladesh?”

The line popped in during a segment of dialogues aired on the fifth episode of season one, which starred Bollywood diva Priyanka Chopra.

Shams Al Majhi, a writer on Alal O

Dulal blog, retorted, “I have two questions for the Quantico factcheck team. Bangladesh has clubs?

That get bombed?”

The damage, however, did not end there.

Bangladeshi director Rubaiyat Hossain shared the link of Majhi’s write-up on Facebook, which gave rise to a great deal of multi-layered discussions on how misleading information may tarnish the image of a country.

She tagged Sharbari Zohra Ahmed, a Bangladeshi writer

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MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016

WHAT TO WATCH

Tagging Sharbari, she continued, “I wanted to bring this to your attention as you are in the team and you can better inform them.” Sharbari was not found replying to the post until the filing of this report yesterday.

People from different nationalities chimed in the conversation as well.

Some of the comments proceeded as: “In this case, this was a total use of power and lack of knowledge by writers/producers to make use of a ‘Constitutionally Muslim Country’ as a scape goat to attract attention.”

Another added, “Some hotels have clubs. I guess we never call it that. The point is not the fact that it’s just the portrayal. I’m not attacking the show. I think it’s great and love what you’re doing. It’s just these little things in mainstream media that paint Bangladesh.” l who is currently working at ABC Television and directly linked with the writers’ panel of Quantico, in her post.

Hossain commented further, “For Bangladeshis, it’s scary to see our country being out on the map as a terrorist country, which we are not. Yes, Bangladesh is not safe and bloggers have been hacked to death, but Bangladesh is not like other Muslim countries where bombing has become an everyday event.”

Noah HBO 5:06pm A man is chosen by his world’s creator to undertake a momentous mission before an apocalyptic flood cleanses the world.

Cast: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, Emma Watson Mission Impossible II Zee Studio 11:50pm After recruiting Nyah, Ethan meets his team, computer expert Luther Stickell and pilot Billy Baird in Sydney, Australia, where Biocyte laboratories are located along with Ambrose’s headquarters. As Ethan and the others stake out Biocyte, Nyah gets close to Ambrose and begins to find information related to the Chimera virus. Nyah is able to steal the video footage long enough to transfer it to Ethan and his team, who learn that the Chimera virus has a 20-hour dormant period before it causes death through mass destruction of the victim’s red blood cells.

Cast: Tom Cruise, Richard Roxburgh, Dougray Scott, Thandie Newton, Ving Rhames

Keith Emerson’s final shot n Showtime Desk The partner of Keith Emerson, the progressive rockstar who died last week after an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, reported that Emerson began to doubt his abilities as a musician prior to his death.

The body of the 71-year-old cofounder of British band Emerson, Lake & Palmer, was found at his apartment in Santa Monica beside his long-time partner Mari Kawaguchi on Thursday.

Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Kawaguchi, 52, said the musician had been “tormented with worry that he wouldn’t be good enough” for upcoming concerts in Japan.

“He read all the criticism online and was a sensitive soul. Last year, he performed in concerts and people posted mean comments such as ‘I wish he would stop

playing.’ He was tormented with worry that he wouldn’t be good enough. He was planning to retire after the Japan tour,”

added Kawaguchi. “He didn’t want to let his fans down. He was a perfectionist and the thought that he wouldn’t play perfectly

made him depressed, nervous and anxious.”

Emerson was an exceptional keyboard player, perhaps the best of the rock era. He was considered a musician who attempted to do for keyboards what Jimi Hendrix did for the guitar.

Emerson’s former band mate, Carl Palmer, expressed, “I am deeply saddened to learn the passing of my good friend and brother-in-music, Keith Emerson. He was a gentle soul whose love for music and passion for his performance as a keyboard player will remain unmatched for many years to come.”

“I will always remember his warm smile, good sense of humour, compelling showmanship, and dedication to his musical craft,” concluded Palmer. l

Taken Star Movies Action 9:30pm After reluctantly agreeing to let his 17-year-old daughter, Kim go to France with her best friend, Bryan Mills is horrified to hear that she is kidnapped by an Albanian gang whose specialty is prostitution rings. With only 96 hours to go before he’ll never find her again, Bryan rushes to France to save her.

As a former CIA agent, he has all the skills necessary to rescue her - if only he can find her.

Cast: Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen, Maggie Grace, Xander Berkeley, Holly Valance

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Back Page

BD HAD LESS IMPACT OF CHINA’S DOWNTURN IN 2015 PAGE 15

ANGRY COSTA AT CENTRE OF STORM PAGE 28

‘ZOOTOPIA’ NOW IN DHAKA PAGE 30

Activists: Scrap Rampal projects by May 15 n Tribune Report Environment activists yesterday demanded that the government cancel the two coal-based power plant projects near the Sundarbans mangrove forest at Rampal of Bagerhat within the next two months.

Demonstrating under the banner of National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, the activists also asked the government officials to join an open discussion regarding the projects which they consider harmful for the Unesco World Heritage Site and the people who depend on the forest.

If the government does not cancel the projects within May 15, the activists threatened to conduct another long march towards Dhaka and declare sit-in programmes, hartal, siege and blockades in the capital.

Prof Anu Muhammad, member secretary of the National Committee, announced a seven-point Sundarbans Declaration during the closing ceremony of their mass procession held around 2pm at Katakhali intersection in Bagerhat.

The four-day-long mass procession towards the Sundarbans from Dhaka began on Thursday. Several thousand activists of different

National Committee Member Secretary Prof Anu Muhammad addressing a rally in Bagerhat yesterday left-leaning parties and individuals joined the event with a convoy of 10 buses and seven microbuses.

During the march, the activists held rallies in Manikganj, Faridpur, Magura, Jhenaidah, Jessore and Khulan, and distributed leaflets and booklets among the people. In

Jessore, they were obstructed by the police on Friday. Meetings and processions were also held in London and Amsterdam in solidarity with the mass procession.

A Bangladesh-India joint venture is developing the 1320MW Maitree Super Thermal Power Pro-

COURTESY

ject at Rampal. Besides, local firm Orion Group is building a 566MW power plant in the same area.

The National Committee earlier observed a long march from Dhaka to Rampal in September 2013.

The campaigners oppose the coal plants saying that the projects would

pose major threat on the biodiversity of the forest, water species and livelihood of the local people. They also protest the government plan to establish an economic zone, cement factories, shipyards and silo near the forest.

But the government claims that the projects would not harm the Sundarbans as they would use advanced technology to cut emission of hazardous gases including carbon dioxide, fine particles and fly ash, and properly dispose the solid and liquid wastes.

The declaration reads that the Sundarbans is not about some mere trees and animals rather it is an amalgamation of amazing biodiversity and ecosystem. It generates livelihood for hundreds of thousands of people and protects the people of the mainland from natural disasters like cyclones.

When the coastal region is already under threat because of global warming, then the implementation of coal-based projects only adds risks to the country’s people.

It says that the Sundarbans is facing danger on a regular basis because of some profit-driven individuals and corporations. Commercial and industrial activities have already sprung in and around the forest. l

Trafficked Bangladeshi, Nepali women trapped in Syria n AFP Shahinoor Begum lies in a Dhaka hospital bed recovering from her seven-month ordeal after being trafficked into Syria as a sex slave.

“I was sold to a Syrian man who tortured and raped me every day, sometimes along with his friends,” Shahinoor, also a single motherof-two, said. “I begged for mercy, but they did not have any. Instead they used to beat me so badly that I broke my arms,” she said.

Accompanied by labour agents, the 28-year-old and several other women left Bangladesh on the promise of working as maids in Jordan. But they too were taken to Syria, where fighting between the regime and rebel forces has left more than 260,000 dead and displaced more than half the population.

Shahinoor eventually developed kidney disease, prompting traffickers to contact her ageing mother to demand money for her

safe return home.

A RAB team is investigating her case and two others – although families of 43 other women have lodged similar complaints. “Bangladesh is apparently a soft target for the traffickers,” RAB Commander Lt Col Golam Sarwar said.

In Nepal, Sunita Magar thought she was heading to a safe factory job in Kuwait, but only when she landed in Damascus did she realise “something had gone very wrong.”

Frequently beaten with a baton and given only one meal a day, Magar says she spent 13 months working as a maid for a Syrian household and pleading to be allowed to go home.

“I was just in shock, I couldn’t stop crying,” the single mother-of-two said while sobbing.

Magar is among scores of poor Nepali and Bangladeshi women who travelled to the Middle East on the promise of a good job, only to be trafficked into Syria, wracked by five years of civil war.

BIGSTOCK

Nepal’s top diplomat in the region said nationals from the Philippines, Indonesia and other countries, which, like Nepal and Bangladesh, have large migrant labour populations, stopped working in Syria because of the dangers involved.

“Since then traffickers have been targeting Nepalis,” said Kaushal Kishor Ray, head of Nepal’s diplomatic mission based in Cairo.

“The numbers have gone up hugely in recent years, we estimate there must be around 500 Nepali women in Syria,” Ray said.

‘Always afraid’

Criminal networks target nationals from Nepal and Bangladesh in part because their governments have little diplomatic influence in the region and no embassy in Syria.

A Nepal government ban on migrant workers travelling to Syria has failed to stop the traffickers, an ILO official said. “India has much more diplomatic clout than Nepal or Bangladesh and traffickers are aware of this. They know Nepal is weak and that they will face no legal action for their activities,” Bharati

Pokharel, ILO national project coordinator in Kathmandu, said.

Illiterate, trusting and desperate to dig herself out of poverty, Magar did not hesitate when a labour broker approached her with a promise of a well-paid job in Kuwait. The 23-year-old says she did not realise she had been duped until the plane landed in Damascus.

When a massive earthquake hit Nepal last April, Magar stepped up pleas to her employers, who had confiscated her passport, to return home. They contacted the broker who then demanded payment from Magar’s family to ensure her release.

Her mother then highlighted the case to local newspapers, kicking off a social media campaign. Expat Nepalis as far afield as Finland and Hong Kong raised $3,800 to pay off her employers. Magar, who finally arrived in Kathmandu in August, counts herself among the lucky few to have escaped. l

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